About Emily Atkinson - Australia's Trusted Online Casino Expert & Levelupcasino Specialist

Specialisation Areas

What actually matters to me? Pokies-yep, I test way too many. Payment methods-don't get me started, POLi makes or breaks a site here. Bonuses? If it sounds generous, there's gotta be a catch (and I'll spot it).

Honestly, my focus jumps around: one day I'm dead keen on casino fairness (Curaçao this, MGA that), the next I'm neck deep in payment headaches or sussing new studios.

Look, I know I bang on about levelupcasino a lot-it's not just for giggles. I'm picky for a reason: too many folks get caught out by weird rules, so I'm almost annoyingly careful.

Consumer protection's a boring phrase, but I nearly lost a deposit once-yep, my own money-so I freak out if I see anything fishy.

Expertise and Credentials

Look, I'm no legal whiz, but four years in, I can spot a dodgy site a mile off. If you want chapter and verse on licensing, sure, I'll have a crack.

I've wrestled with payment methods and licensing enough to know which ones make life easier for Aussies-some of it, honestly, I learned the hard way.

I've got a couple of mates in testing and compliance (they'll probably roast me if they see this), so I get a heads-up early if anything's off.

Not gonna lie, sometimes the local contacts drown me in details. But hey, better too much than too little-right?

Achievements and Publications

In the past four years, I've penned dozens of guides, reviews, and opinion pieces that have become go-to resources for Aussie punters. My work's popped up in regulatory briefs and player safety efforts, and I've even chipped in at roundtables on payment transparency and keeping things chill. Heads-up: payment options change, so what I say here (July 2025) might look different next time you check. Always worth a quick look at the latest.

Sometimes, I'm honestly baffled by some bonus terms-no shame in saying it. I'll dive into webinars hoping for answers, and half the time I come out with more questions. But at least I'll flag what's nonsense for you.

Yeah, I do the upskilling stuff-more than I'd like! If even one confusing rule gets a little clearer for a player, I'm happy (mostly because I've probably been confused myself at some point).

Mission and Values

I know-casino reviews get thrown around a lot. Sometimes I get fired up if I spot dodgy terms, other times it's just routine. But, yeah, if something feels off, I can't let it slide.

Honestly, I started out as a skeptic. Now, some parts of the industry just surprise me. Still, player safety's always at the top for me-can't shut off that part. There was one brand-looked good at first. Then I realised their sign-up bonus was smoke and mirrors. That was an eye-opener; I nearly recommended them. Lesson learned!

I used to think affiliate deals meant a site was more trustworthy. Nope-sometimes it's the opposite. Now I dig much deeper before recommending anyone. Not getting in over your head matters more than anything-if something seems like trouble, I say so (even if it means someone comes at me in the comments).

Honestly, there've been a few times I almost recommended a casino-then, right at the last second, I spotted a dodgy bonus clause. Had to head back and rewrite. Frustrating, but kind of satisfying too.

At first glance, some sites look pretty solid. But the fine print? Sometimes it's a shocker, trust me! I've pulled reviews after a double-take. No way I'm telling folks to try something I wouldn't.

I've mucked up responsible gambling tools before-locked myself out on a test account, had to sheepishly email support for a reset.

The first time I tried to demo a loss limit, thought I'd set it low enough-nope, missed it by five bucks. Happened to you? Same here!

Regional Expertise

Living in NSW means I've copped the odd pub chat about bonuses after Origin night-hard to avoid! I've nearly missed a train scrambling over last-minute local payment updates. I get my news about new payment options from mates as much as from ACMA alerts-always a mixed bag, but hey, beats missing a withdrawal trick.

Honestly, keeping up with ACMA is a full-time job (wish me luck). Missed a payment update once and heard about it from three angry mates, so now I double-check everything.

Used to ignore news from compliance regulators-then a site I liked got blocked overnight. That taught me to keep a closer eye on what's happening here.

Favourite Game

Blackjack's my weakness (I've lost track of how many times I've hit or stood at the worst possible moment). Love-hate relationship, really.

Bit obsessed with Blackjack-sometimes I think I've cracked it, next day I'm back where I started.

Work Examples

Feel free to have a squiz at my bonuses breakdown-made for fellow Aussies, not international suits. Payments? If POLi is missing, I'll say it (and probably rant a bit). The mobile apps bit was a shocker: some work like a dream, others crash like my old laptop.

My FAQ's pretty blunt-too many long legal answers out there, so I keep it tight and, honestly, enjoy poking holes in confusing fine print when I can.

Not everyone loves my take-I tell it straight, which sometimes ruffles feathers. But hey, I'd rather get called a nuisance than mislead an Aussie punter.

A few times, players have pinged me to say I missed something. Fair play! I update those guides pronto and flag the hiccups.

I poke so hard at levelupcasino's licence I reckon they should start charging me rent. Payment mess? I nitpick until it feels right, so you don't get shafted.

If my reviews help even one mate skip a dud bonus or get paid quicker, that's a good day in my book. No stress, no guesswork.

Contact Information

Shoot me an email if you run into something weird-bonus terms, payment hiccup, whatever. I won't promise instant replies (sometimes work eats my weekends), but I'll get there: [email protected].

Questions, rant, casino horror story? Ping me. And if I don't write back fast, it's probably because I'm baying at a broken payments page.