This checklist turns the advice across our casino tips section into 30 yes/no checks, grouped by stage. Work through each stage before moving to the next. A “no” on a critical item (marked C) means stop; other items are risk factors to weigh. The detailed reasoning behind each check is in how to choose an online casino.

Stage 1: Research (Before Creating an Account)

#	Check	Pass if
1 (C)	Licence verifiable	Seal links to a page on the regulator’s own domain naming the operator
2 (C)	Operator named	Company name and registration number appear in the footer and T&Cs
3 (C)	Australia not restricted	The restricted countries list does not include Australia
4	Complaint record	No pattern of unpaid withdrawals or closed accounts after wins
5	Withdrawal limits	Weekly cap at least A$5,000; monthly at least A$15,000; jackpots exempt
6	AUD supported	Account currency can be set to AUD
7	Payment fit	A deposit method you use also works for withdrawals (bank, e-wallet or crypto)
8	Game providers	Established studios with visible names in game info screens
9	Support test	Live chat answers “weekly withdrawal limit in AUD?” clearly and matches the T&Cs

Use checking a casino licence for item 1 and spotting a scam casino for items 2 and 4. Our casino ratings already record many of these checks for reviewed sites.

Stage 2: Registration

#	Check	Pass if
10 (C)	Genuine domain	You reached the site from a trusted link or typed address, not an ad or message
11	Real details entered	Name, date of birth and address match your ID exactly
12	Unique password	Generated by a password manager, not reused anywhere
13	Two-factor authentication	Enabled if offered; see setting up 2FA
14	Limits set	Deposit limit (daily/weekly/monthly) set before the first deposit
15	KYC started	ID and proof of address uploaded now, not at withdrawal

Stage 3: First Deposit

#	Check	Pass if
16	Bonus decision made	You have read the bonus terms and chosen to accept or decline
17	Wagering understood	You can state the total wagering in A$ (e.g. A$200 bonus x 40 = A$8,000)
18	Max bet noted	You know the max stake while wagering
19	Small first deposit	First deposit at or near the minimum (often A$10 to A$30)
20	Fees checked	No deposit fee, or fee known in advance; see deposit fees
21	Crypto network correct	For crypto, the coin and network match the casino’s address (e.g. USDT TRC-20)

Stage 4: Playing

#	Check	Pass if
22	RTP checked	Game info shows the RTP version; see payout percentage
23	Stake fits bankroll	Session bankroll covers 100 to 500 bets depending on volatility; see bankroll management
24	Session timer on	Reality check or phone timer set
25	No staking system	Stake not raised to recover losses
26	Bonus rules respected	Only eligible games played, max bet never exceeded

Stage 5: Withdrawal

#	Check	Pass if
27 (C)	Test withdrawal	A small first withdrawal arrives before you deposit larger amounts
28	Name match	Bank or wallet account is in the same name as the casino account
29	No pending reversal	Requested withdrawals are left alone, not cancelled
30	Records kept	Deposits, withdrawals and chat transcripts saved with dates

The full process, including typical times by method, is in withdrawing winnings.

How to Score It

• Any critical item fails: do not deposit, or stop depositing and withdraw your balance.
• Three or more non-critical fails in Stage 1: choose another site.
• Fails in Stages 2 to 4: these are under your control; fix them before continuing.
• Item 27 passes: the site has shown it pays; continue within your budget.

Why Each Critical Check Matters

Licence and operator (1, 2): Without a named company and a verifiable licence there is no one to complain to. Offshore licences offer limited protection, but an unlicensed site offers none.

Australia restricted (3): If Australia is on the restricted list, the casino can void winnings on the basis that you should never have been allowed to play. Using a VPN to get around this carries the same risk.

Genuine domain (10): Blocked casinos often move to mirror domains, and phishing copies imitate them. Logging in to a fake site gives away your password and possibly your documents. See account security.

Test withdrawal (27): A casino’s T&Cs, ratings and support answers are evidence; a completed payout to your account is proof. A A$50 test costs little and tells you how long KYC and processing actually take.

One Site or Several?

Each extra casino account means separate limits, separate KYC and separate records. Deposit limits set at one site do not apply at another, so spreading play across five casinos makes a A$500 monthly budget five times easier to exceed. Spreading also makes total spend harder to see. Most players are better served by one or two sites that pass every item.

Keep a Copy

Copy the five tables into a note on your phone and tick items for each casino you use. Re-run Stage 1 every six months, since operators change owners, licences and terms. If gambling is costing more than planned, the responsible gambling section covers limits, self-exclusion and support services.

Frequently Asked Questions

Item 14 matters most: set limits before you play. 18+ only; free support from Gambling Help Online on 1800 858 858.