How We Review

At PayIDPokiesAu.com, we believe that casino and pokie reviews should be more than recycled marketing fluff. That’s why we, Jett and Maya—just two mates with a shared love for games—set out to write the kind of content we wished we had when we first started playing.

Our goal is simple: help Aussie players make smarter, safer choices when it comes to real money pokies and online casinos. And while we do earn a bit through affiliate links, our reviews are 100% based on honest experience, research, and standards we actually stick to.

Here’s how we do it.

Our Review Process: From Curiosity to Conclusion

Step 1: Spotting What’s Worth Reviewing

We don’t just review any casino or pokie that lands in our inbox. We start by scouting platforms and games that are either trending, newly launched, or recommended by players. If it doesn’t look like something we’d genuinely be interested in checking out ourselves, we pass.

When it comes to pokies, we keep an eye out for:

  • Unique gameplay or bonus features
  • Reputable software providers
  • Popularity among Aussie players

And for casinos, we look for:

  • Availability of PayID (obviously!)
  • Real money options tailored to Australians
  • A decent track record, or at least a promising start

Step 2: Signing Up & Testing the Platform

Once we’ve picked a platform or pokie worth reviewing, we go full hands-on.

Jett usually takes the lead on setting up an account and testing out deposits and withdrawals—especially anything related to PayID. He documents the signup flow, speed of transactions, and how easy (or annoying) it is to verify identity or withdraw funds.

Maya digs into the gameplay side of things. She’ll test the pokies, live games, and promotions, keeping track of how smooth things run, what features are offered, and whether the casino actually delivers on its promises.

We both compare notes before writing the full review, so you’re getting two perspectives in one.

Step 3: Scoring the Key Categories

Every review is built around specific areas we believe matter most to Aussie players. Here’s what we always cover:

What We Look for in Casino Reviews

Licensing & Security

We only recommend casinos that are licensed and use proper encryption. If a site looks dodgy, we call it out. Safety is non-negotiable.

Payment Options (with a PayID Focus)

Being a PayID-focused site, we always test this payment method personally. But we also review other options—cards, crypto, bank transfers—and check:

  • Deposit and withdrawal limits
  • Speed of payouts
  • Fees (if any)

Game Selection

We test a variety of games, from pokies to live dealer games. We’re especially interested in:

  • Pokie variety (classic, video, jackpots)
  • Table games and live casino options
  • Quality of providers (like Pragmatic Play, NetEnt, or Big Time Gaming)

User Experience

Is the site fast, responsive, and mobile-friendly? Can you actually find what you’re looking for without needing a map? This stuff matters.

Bonuses & Wagering

We break down bonus offers, but we also read the fine print. If the wagering terms are brutal, we’ll let you know. If there’s a hidden catch, we’ll find it.

Customer Support

We test live chat, email support, and sometimes even send weird questions just to see how helpful the agents are (it’s fun, trust us). Fast, friendly support = big points.

What We Look for in Pokie Reviews

First Impressions

Some pokies hook you instantly with cool visuals or a unique theme. Others… not so much. Maya’s great at spotting what works here and what doesn’t.

Features & Bonus Rounds

We dig into wilds, scatters, multipliers, free spins, and special features. The more fun and fair a pokie is, the higher it scores.

RTP & Volatility

Return-to-player percentages and volatility levels help players know what to expect. We explain this stuff in plain English so you can choose games that suit your style.

Mobile Play

A pokie could be great on desktop but laggy on mobile. We always check both.

Our Rating System

We give each casino or game a score out of 5, based on all the categories above. But we’re not robots—we also include a short summary with our honest thoughts. If something’s good, we’ll say it. If it’s bad? You’ll hear that too.

We don’t hand out 5-star ratings lightly. A perfect score means we’d play there ourselves—and probably already are.

What Makes Our Reviews Different?

Two Brains Are Better Than One

With both of us reviewing every product, you get a more balanced view. Jett focuses on the tech, payments, and site structure. Maya zooms in on the games, bonuses, and usability. Between us, we catch more than most solo reviewers do.

Aussie-Focused

We don’t just translate global reviews into Aussie slang. We look at casinos from the perspective of Australian players—what payment methods are available here, which games work best locally, and whether customer support actually caters to our time zone.

No Paid Fluff

Just because we might earn from affiliate links doesn’t mean we’re pushing every casino that lands in our inbox. We’ve turned down plenty—and we’ll keep doing it if they don’t meet our standards.

Final Thoughts

Our review process is always evolving as the iGaming world changes, but one thing stays the same: we care about giving Aussie players real, helpful information. We know what it’s like to land on a flashy site, only to find out the bonuses are garbage or withdrawals take a week. We’re here to help you avoid that.

We might just be a team of two for now, but we’re all in—and we review every casino and pokie like our name’s on the line. Because it is.