Mobile Casinos in Australia

Written by John Gold. Last updated:

Playing your favourite pokies from a smartphone is the norm in Australia nowadays. According to a study published in 2023 by the Australian Institute of Family, 42% of all bets were placed from a mobile device, compared to only 22% for computers or laptops. Mobility is the main argument for mobile gambling but that's not the only benefit. Thanks to dedicated apps, you get an improved user experience when playing pokies and easier navigation compared even to desktop websites. Finally, you’re getting an extra layer of security through biometric login.

- Pokies in the mobile browser Chrome or Safari (no app needed)
- Instantly add funds to your mobile casino account with dedicated payment options like PayID
- Play online pokies anywhere, regardless of your state

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Mobile Casino Gaming in Australia

If you're considering mobile casino gaming in Australia, it's important to know that you will not find dedicated mobile casino apps for iOS, Android or any other operating system for that matter. As per the Interactive Gambling Act 2001, only online bookmakers are able to apply for a licence. Therefore, you will find only applications of operators that offer sports betting only on GooglePlay and AppStore.

No reason to worry, though. You can still enjoy mobile pokies directly on the website or through progressive web apps. If you are not familiar with the differences between the two ways of enjoying mobile pokies in Australia, here's what you need to know:

  • Mobile website — the most straightforward way to enjoy mobile casinos is directly in the device's mobile browser. No downloads, no extra steps, just visit the casino website and it automatically adapts to your mobile device screen size and resolution.
  • Progressive web apps — a progressive web app, or PWA, is a different way of accessing the mobile website we discussed above. Through this, you add a shortcut to their website on your smartphone home screen. PWAs work for both Android and iOS-powered devices. This way, it feels like a dedicated app, but it doesn't require any hosting on the app stores, downloading, or anything else.

The technology that significantly contributed to the development of mobile online pokies and casinos in Australia is HTML5. This programming language enabled game providers to create pokies that can be easily enjoyed from a wide range of devices without the extra steps of downloading plug-ins. Furthermore, HTML5 offers better graphics and pokie performance, adding to the overall experience.

Its wide use started in the iGaming industry around 2010 as an alternative to Flash. Gradually, it was picked up by all the big software developers that also created proprietary mobile systems. For example, NetEnt, one of the biggest casino providers, launched the NetEnt Touch system in 2012 which improved the mobile casino experience by making games available across multiple platforms, delivering better graphics and a smoother interaction with the pokies' functions.

With mobile gambling slowly becoming the norm, all game providers switched their focus on creating pokies that are firstly mobile-ready so there were no compatibility issues after 2015.

Online Mobile Casino List for Aussie

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  • Expertly rated Expertly rated
  • Trusted Trusted

up to $2,500

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Playzilla
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up to $10,000

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up to $5,000

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Rooli
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up to $1,200

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Native Apps VS Mobile Casinos

In this section, we conducted a comparative analysis of Native Casino Apps and Mobile Casinos. Thus, you may notice that native casinos offer their customers the use of biometrics as an additional security feature. This is an unconditional guarantee of security. Nevertheless, please note that the same can be achieved in another way. By enabling two-factor authentication on your mobile casino, your account will be protected at the same level as in the above option.

Native Casino Apps

  • Not available in Australia in lines with the Interactive Gambling Act 2001
  • Require download and use of memory
  • Come with better security systems (biometrics, PIN, etc)
  • Get regular updates and bug fixes 
  • A more user-friendly navigation 
  • Casino may offer a special bonus to download the mobile app
  • Reviews are available in the App Store / Google Play

Mobile Casinos

  • Available for all casinos operating in Australia
  • You just need to add a shortcut on your home screen (applies only for Progressive Web Apps)
  • The same security features as on the desktop
  • Updated instantly with the website
  • Not all mobile websites are perfectly optimised
  • No special bonuses when you play at a mobile casino 
  • Reviews are only available on specialised platforms 

Mobile Payment Options at Casinos

Adding funds to your account and cashing out the winnings is one crucial for a positive mobile gambling experience. Luckily, you can turn to debit cards, e-wallets, and several bank transfer solutions to add funds and withdraw.

Cards are very popular among casino players but keep in mind that you will only be able to deposit with a debit card. Credit cards can no longer be used, following the Interactive Gambling Amendment Bill 2023. Note that even if you’re using a debit card, if it's issued in Australia, some operators (like Betfair) won't accept it for withdrawals.  The minimum card deposit is set at $10 across most casinos and you can count on an instant transaction.

Next in line, you have open-banking solutions - PayID and Osko. PayID is the most popular one since it’s the fastest and you can easily set it up with a mobile number to connect your bank account. You just need to know the PayID account of the casino you want to deposit it.

E-wallets like PayPal, Neteller and Skrill also provide a great way to add funds and take out winnings from mobile casinos. The minimum deposit amount is a bit higher ($15 or $25 depending on the method), but they come with the advantage of being available for withdrawals as well - compared to Australia-issued debit cards, for example. Of course, you'll need to open a new account with the ewallet provider of choice before using it at your favourite mobile online casino.

Last but not least, prepaid vouchers such as Neosurf can be used for depositing at Aussie casinos. You can buy them online or set up an account in the dedicated app for quick mobile payments. In addition, mobile payments through platforms like ApplePay and Google Pay have become increasingly popular.

Mobile Casino Bonuses

Nowadays, mobile casinos don't require much "advertisement" to convince players to try them and there's no bonus for doing so.  But things were different when playing from a computer was the only way to do it. Therefore, casinos offered incentives for players that downloaded the mobile app.

This means that Aussie mobile casino bonuses are not different from the one you can claim when playing from a computer or laptop. Also, since there are no native apps offering casino games, you shouldn't waste your time with this.

Best / Worst Mobile Casino Games

Pokies, in general, are ideal for mobile play since the gameplay is straightforward, and you don't need too much interaction with the game to have a great time. Video slots like RockStar — World Tour, Gonzo's Quest, or Big Bass Bonanza (and thousands of similar titles) are ideal for smartphone play. You can enjoy their graphics, bonus rounds, and mechanics in full.

However, some casino games might not be so enjoyable from a smartphone or tablet, regardless of how appealing playing on-the-go may seem. In this category, we have more complex pokies, live dealer titles, table games with multiple betting options and VR games.

Complex Pokies
Complex Pokies

We mentioned that pokies are great for playing on mobile phones, and we're not taking that back. However, if you play something like the Max Quest series from Betsoft, it will be hard to enjoy all the action and master all the commands involved. The same goes for titles with detailed animations and intricate graphics — like Temple Tumble 2 Dream Drop that may not offer the same experience on a small screen. Why waste a good game on a smartphone (regardless of the screen size) when it's better on a desktop?

Live Dealer Games
Live Dealer Games

Live Dealer Games — another game category that simply screens "desktop play" is the live casino library. Make no mistake, these are optimised for mobile by top providers like Evolution. But still, it may be harder to follow the dealer or enjoy the idea of immersive gaming if you're playing on a crowded bus on your way to work.

Titles with Multiple Betting Options
Titles with Multiple Betting Options

Games like roulette, craps or some intricate poker variants with an endless list of betting options may prove to be too much for the small display of a smartphone or tablet. How often have you put your chips on the wrong number because they're so crowded on the display?

Virtual Reality Games
Virtual Reality Games

Our last stop for games that don’t work so well on mobile is in the VR realm. Sure, headsets like Samsung Gear VR and Apple Vision Pro require your phone to work. But you can't enjoy VR without the headset, can you? However, if you do carry a VR set, make sure not to miss titles like GONZO'S TREASURE HUNT™ by Evolution Gaming.

Mobile Casino Devices

Most players enjoy their mobile pokies on smartphones daily. Some prefer tablets for the bigger screen. However, mobility is diminished by a tablet that's harder to carry unless you have a backpack or a special case. While they do provide a bigger screen to enjoy the intricate graphics, it may not be good enough to have an extra gadget on you. The smartphone is already in your pocket regardless if you play mobile pokies on it or not. This raises the question, "Which is the best device to play mobile casino games?"

To get the best of both worlds, a smartphone with a generous screen size is the way to go. The consensus among Aussie players is that anything from seven inches and above is ideal for playing pokies and other casino games. You can still easily carry it in your pocket without special gear and get enough pleasure from the display. However, screen size is only one of the factors here; you need to think about resolution. Anything in the lines of 2560×1440 should be enough for any type of game you like.

Naturally, you wouldn't try to play online pokies on a four-inch display or on a smartwatch. Regardless of whether the technology is available to enjoy casino games on wearables, it will never be a rewarding experience.

How to Create a Homescreen Shortcut for Your Online Casino?

We’ve mentioned how native apps are not a thing in Australia, and the best way around that is to create a homescreen shortcut to easily access your favourite casino. Here's how to do so on Android and iOS, two of the most popular operating systems out there:

Creating a Casino Homescreen Shortcut on Android

  1. Access the casino website in the mobile browser  — double-check that you’re on the official page, as there are many clones.
  2. Tap the menu icon — the three dots on the upper-right side of the screen.
  3. Choose "Add to Home screen".
  4. Rename the shortcut to be able to easily identify it afterwards (the shortcut will automatically have the Meta Title URL you opened).

Creating a Casino Homescreen Shortcut on iOS

The notable difference between Android and iOS is that you won’t be able to add the shortcut with any other browser than Safari. With that in mind, just follow these steps:

  1. Go to the website you want to add.
  2. Tap the Share button  — the square with an arrow pointing out.
  3. Pick "Add to Home Screen" to open a dialogue box.
  4. Choose a name for the shortcut.
  5. Finish the process by clicking "Add".

What Is the Best Mobile Operator for Gambling in Australia?

Getting a smooth mobile casino experience in Australia is all about the quality of the internet connection you get on your smartphone. Luckily, there aren't many options for discussing Aussie mobile networks. You get to choose from Telstra, Optus and Vodafone. All in all, which one of these provides the best experience?

After extensive research and testing, we ruled out Optus entirely because the internet speed and date packages offered by this operator are simply incompatible with mobile casino gameplay. Thus, according to Australia’s Mobile Network Experience Report issued in April, 2023, we're left with the other two that master one aspect each:

  • Vodafone (80 / 100 rating) — the best operator for an enjoyable mobile gaming experience, especially in urban areas. It offers 5G coverage, and the data packages are generous enough to enjoy your favourite pokies without worrying about running out of data. The coverage outside cities can be problematic, though.
  • Telstra (77,4 / 100 rating) — while Vodafone is king in urban areas, Telstra bites back at them for the best consistent quality. If we ' re talking about coverage across Australia, even the remote areas of the Outback, Telstra should be your operator of choice.

Responsible Gambling and the Risks of Mobile Casinos

The increased accessibility and versatility offered by smartphones make it harder for players to control the time spent on their favourite pokies and casino games. That's why it's vital that you pick the best mobile casinos in Australia that have strong, responsible gambling rules and that offer you the ability to control your activity through the following assets:

  • Setting deposit and loss limits
  • Getting reality check notifications with time spent in a session
  • Being able to stop notifications or any other incentives used by the casinos
  • Opting for self-exclusion

These are just a few of the highlights responsible gambling receives from mobile casinos. However, if the above-mentioned tools don’t work for you, it’s time to think about:

John Gold

John Gold

Editor-in-chief

Starting as a typical gambler, I was interested in how the industry works. And now, for more than 10 years, I see myself as a gambling expert. After trying out more than 500 pokies, I'm ready to share my insights and tell you what you need to look at to get a good gaming experience.