Looking for a casino app to download? While there may not be any in the App Store or Google Play, BetPokies has you covered with a detailed overview of mobile gambling and tips on how to navigate the absence of native casino apps.
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Mobile gambling continues to dominate how Australians place bets online. A 2023 report from the Australian Institute of Family Studies found that 42% of all bets were made from mobile devices — nearly double the number placed via desktop or laptop computers. Despite this shift, Australia’s regulatory framework hasn’t kept pace. Under the Interactive Gambling Act 2001, only licensed bookmakers are permitted to offer mobile apps through platforms like Google Play or the Apple App Store. That restriction effectively bars casino operators from releasing native mobile apps for iOS or Android. Still, that hasn’t stopped players — or operators — from finding workarounds. The most common solutions come in two flavors: mobile websites and progressive web apps (PWAs).
Mobile websites are exactly what they sound like: browser-based versions of a casino’s main platform, optimized for small screens. No downloads, no installations — just point your browser to the casino’s URL and play. Progressive web apps offer a middle ground. By creating a shortcut to the casino website on a phone’s home screen, PWAs mimic the look and feel of a native app — without needing to appear in any official app store. This lets operators sidestep platform restrictions while maintaining a user-friendly experience.
Much of mobile gambling’s growth can be credited to a behind-the-scenes shift in development: the widespread adoption of HTML5.
Unlike older technologies like Flash, HTML5 allows game developers to create titles that function across all modern devices and browsers. That includes smartphones, tablets, and desktops — without the need for separate versions or plugin support.
The result is a smoother user experience and more consistent graphics across platforms. Nearly all major game providers now design their pokies with mobile users in mind, eliminating most compatibility issues in the process.
While some players still prefer native apps, the gap between those and mobile browser-based casinos has narrowed significantly.
Native apps often come with added security features — like biometric authentication — which can give users peace of mind. But those same protections can be replicated elsewhere. Enabling two-factor authentication on a mobile casino account, for example, offers a comparable level of security without requiring a standalone app.
In practical terms, both approaches offer similar functionality. The choice between them often comes down to user preference — and the limits imposed by regional regulations.
I would recommend considering both native casino apps and mobile casinos. Native apps offer enhanced security features like biometrics, but may not be available in certain regions. Mobile casinos, on the other hand, provide convenient accessibility and instant updates, though not all are optimised for mobile. Ultimately, I suggest trying out both options and weighing factors like security preferences, exclusive bonuses, and the convenience of not downloading an app to determine which suits you better.
Adding funds to your account and cashing out the winnings is 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 remember that you can make gambling transactions only with a debit card. Credit cards can no longer be used, following the Interactive Gambling Amendment Bill 2023, which you can learn more about on our gambling laws page. 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. You can use Revolut as an alternative. However, debit cards are pretty slow.
Next in line are 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 to your bank account. You just need to know the PayID account of the casino you want to deposit into.
E-wallets like AstroPay, 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). Still, 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 e-wallet 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 using the dedicated app for quick mobile payments. In addition, mobile payments through platforms like ApplePay and Google Pay have become increasingly popular.
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, which was the only way to do it. Therefore, casinos offered incentives for players who downloaded the mobile app.
This means that Aussie mobile casino bonuses are not different from the ones 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.
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.
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, which 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 — another game category that is better suited for desktop play. 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.
Games like roulette, craps or some intricate poker variants with an endless list of betting options may 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?
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.
One of the advantages of mobile casinos is mobility. However, not all smartphones are suitable for it, as too small a screen can significantly aggravate your gambling experience. Tablets, on the other hand, offer bigger screens and consequently better quality of games. However, this diminishes the mobility factor. This raises the question: Which device is best for 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 any device 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 also need to think about resolution: anything in the lines of 2560×1440 should be enough for any type of game you like.
We’ve mentioned how native apps are not a thing in Australia, and the best way around that is to create a home screen 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.
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:
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: