Casino Mate: Casino Australia Review
There is no doubt that the popularity of online casino games is increasing for Australian players. Whether you’re living in Melbourne, Sydney, Brisbane or Perth (or anywhere in between), it’s not always feasible to head out to your local casino or pub to play your favourite casino games. Online gambling allows you to choose from hundreds of games, enjoying plenty of benefits such as free spins, deposit bonus options and loyalty points – without having to leave the comfort of your lounge (or pyjamas). It’s a win-win.
The biggest challenge is choosing the right online casino for you, particularly when there are so many options available. In this review, we take a look at one of the most popular online casinos in the world – Casino Mate.
What is Casino Mate?
Casino Mate is an online casino that has been designed specifically for mobile casino games and for those who love to play pokies online. With over 500 games on offer, there are plenty of gaming selection options available for players in Australia. You’ll find your favourite pokies and table games all categorised under the following:
- Video Slots
- TOP 12
- New Games
- Classic Slots
- Blackjack
- Roulette
- Table Games
- Video Poker
- Jackpot
- Other Games
- 3D Slots
Casino Mate provides players with the option of betting with real money, and also provides freebies. You can use a credit card (Visa or Mastercard), and there are also web wallets as an option (where you deposit money directly to the site and use that). The minimum deposit is US$10 and you can deposit as much as your payment method will allow.
There are a number of bonuses you can receive with Casino Mate, including a 10% first deposit bonus up to $200, followed by three more deposit bonuses, and free spins when you play particular games for the first time. This site also offers VIP membership, which allows VIPs to receive exclusive promotions, larger amounts of cash withdrawals and deposits, and a range of other incentives.
What Doesn’t Casino Mate Have?
So, there is plenty that Casino Mate has on offer. Here are some of the things it doesn’t have.
1. For starters, and this is certainly the most important thing, it doesn’t allow for new customers from Australia. Back in July 2018, Casino Mate stopped allowing new players from Australia to sign up to use its games. Existing players still have access. So unless you were registered before the cut-off, you simply can’t play the games on the site.
2. It doesn’t have Bitcoin as a payment option. Today, there are many players who prefer to use Bitcoin over real money when it comes to playing online. However, if they choose to use Casino Mate (because they registered before the cut-off), they have to stick with real cash. If they were still offering spots to Aussies, this is one thing that would turn many away.
3. There is no live casino. If you love going to your local casino for the excitement that comes from playing live games, a live casino online can give you a similar experience. But of course, you’ll be in your own home. A live casino provides you with a real dealer for your games, and it’s interactive, so the dealer responds to you directly. It gives you the feel of being in a casino, from the comfort of your lounge.
4. There is no AUD option. If you were one of the players who signed up before the cut-off, you'd already know that there is no AUD option for payment. You first have to convert your dollars into USD, EUR, CAD, or GBP before you can play. This can create bank charges you can’t avoid, and it could see you losing out on a bit of money when you do the transfer. On the plus side, if you win in USD, for example, you get a decent amount of money back if the dollar is low.
Why Choose Joe Fortune?
Joe Fortune is Australia’s favourite online casino and there are plenty of reasons why you should choose Joe Fortune rather than Casino Mate or another type of casino.
For starters, the site is regulated, operates with real money and allows players to bet using Australian dollars. This is unlike many international sites. Because you’re not paying with international currency, there are no added bank fees from conversion when making deposits and withdrawals.
Joe Fortune has hundreds of games to choose from, including everything from video poker, blackjack, roulette and Baccarat online, to Craps, Sakura Fortune, 3 Witches, The Wild Chase, Vegas Joker, Wild Diamond, Spinions, Sticky Bandits – and all of your other favourite online pokies and mobile casino games. Joe Fortune also offers players the option of playing with real money, or Bitcoin, which is becoming increasingly popular.
There are plenty of live casino options if this is what you’d prefer to play, and there are offers available including everything from bonus options when you sign up, to free spins, a progressive jackpot and deposit matches. The games are also easy to use and download.
With Joe Fortune, we care about our players in Australia. We believe in responsible gaming. We encourage our players not to play too seriously. Have fun, stick to your budget, and just enjoy playing online casino games.
And if that’s not enough, the fact that Casino Mate has closed the casino to new Australian players in 2018 will stop you from signing up. Joe Fortune a much better, more popular (and available) alternative anyway.
