◆ Methodology

Methodology

A methodology page exists so readers can see exactly how a casino ends up on our list and judge our reasoning for themselves. At Likecanberra we compare 9 brands. None of them is recommended until an editor has checked who operates it, which regulator oversees it, how its bonus terms read in full, how deposits and withdrawals behave in practice, and what tools it offers for limiting play. This page sets out those checks, the steps we follow and the warning signs that lower a score.

The six areas we score

Our step-by-step review process

1. Confirm operator and licence. We start with the company behind the brand and check the licence on the regulator's public register. The name, address and licence number must match the casino's footer and terms. A mismatch ends the review at this stage.
2. We review each site's terms, licences, payment methods and public reviews before it is listed or re-scored. An editor registers with personal details, as any player would. We note what information is requested, whether verification is asked for upfront or only at withdrawal, and whether the sign-up process is clear about age and location rules.
3. Read every relevant term. Before depositing, we read the general terms, bonus terms and payment policy in full. We record clauses about dormant accounts, definitions of bonus abuse, withdrawal limits and the right to void winnings, because these shape the real experience.
4. Deposit with local methods. We fund the account with methods Australian players are likely to use. We record minimum amounts, fees, currency conversion and how quickly the balance appears. Any method that is advertised but missing from the cashier is noted in the review.
5. Play across game types. We spend time on slots, table games and live dealer tables, checking loading speed, game information screens and published return-to-player figures. We note any games that behave differently on mobile or are excluded from bonus play.
6. Test the bonus in practice. Where an offer is suitable, we claim it and track wagering progress against the stated rules. We check whether the progress tracker is accurate, whether bet limits are clearly enforced and whether the offer matches the promotion page.
7. Request a withdrawal. We cash out using a method available to Australian players and log every stage: pending time, verification requests, approval and arrival of funds. We record each delay alongside the reason given, so readers can see the cause and not just the wait.
8. Question customer support. We contact support through each available channel with specific questions about wagering, limits and payments, then check the answers against the written terms. Polite but wrong answers count against a brand, because players often act on what support tells them.
9. Check safer gambling tools. We set a deposit limit, try a time-out and look for self-exclusion options and reality checks. We note how easy each tool is to find, whether limits take effect immediately and how long a request to raise a limit takes.
10. Score, edit and publish. The lead tester writes up the findings and a draft score. A second editor reviews the notes and evidence, challenges weak points and checks the wording. Only then does the brand take its place among the 9 brands we compare.

What we pay special attention to

• We look for terms that differ between the promotion page and the full bonus rules.
• We look for daily, weekly or monthly withdrawal caps buried deep in the general terms.
• We flag clauses that let the casino void winnings for vague reasons such as irregular play.
• We check whether support gives the same answer, consistent with the written terms, when we ask a question twice.
• We note how quickly a deposit limit can be set, and how much harder it is to remove a limit than to add one.

A casino scores lower if we find

• A licence that cannot be found on the regulator's own register lowers the score sharply or removes the brand from consideration.
• Withdrawals held in pending status without explanation, or repeated document requests after verification is complete, count against a brand.
• Wagering requirements applied to both the deposit and the bonus, without being clearly stated on the offer itself, reduce the score.
• Safer gambling tools that are hidden, require contacting support or take effect only after a delay lower the rating.
• Marketing that suggests gambling is a way to earn money or recover losses lowers the score.

How reviews get updated

Casino offers, payment options and terms change often, so a review is only useful while it reflects the current site. We revisit each of the 9 brands on a regular schedule. We check sooner when something material changes, such as a new owner, a licence update, revised bonus terms, a payment method added or withdrawn, or a pattern of reader reports. Each review shows the date it was last checked. Significant score changes are explained in the text rather than made silently.

Corrections & updates → · Liam Fitzgerald →