David Thompson

Senior Gaming Industry Analyst

I've spent the last 12 years deep in the Australian gaming industry — testing platforms, analysing RTPs, and separating the legitimate operators from the dodgy ones. If it involves online pokies in Australia, I've probably tested it.

12+

Years Experience

500+

Sites Reviewed

$200K+

Real Money Tested

Education & Background

I grew up in Melbourne, Victoria, and always had a fascination with numbers and probability. That interest led me to pursue a Bachelor of Commerce (Finance & Statistics) at the University of Melbourne, graduating in 2010. During my studies, I became particularly interested in gambling mathematics — the house edge, RTP calculations, and variance analysis.

After university, I completed the Australian Gaming Research Centre (AGRC) Certification Program — one of the most rigorous analyst certifications in the country. This gave me the technical foundation to properly evaluate gaming platforms from a mathematical and regulatory standpoint.

I also hold a Responsible Gambling Certificate from Gambling Help Online, because I believe anyone working in this industry has a responsibility to promote safe play.

Professional Experience

2011 — 2014

Junior Gaming Analyst — Crown Melbourne

Started my career at one of Australia's largest casino operators. Worked on floor analytics, game performance metrics, and player behaviour analysis. Gained hands-on experience with both land-based and emerging online platforms.

2014 — 2018

Compliance Auditor — Gaming Technologies Association

Conducted independent audits of gaming software providers and online platforms operating in the Australian market. Reviewed RNG certifications, payout reports, and regulatory compliance. This role gave me deep insight into what separates legitimate operators from the rest.

2018 — 2022

Senior Analyst — Independent Gaming Consultancy

Transitioned to independent consulting, working directly with players and advocacy groups. Began systematically testing offshore platforms accepting Australian players — documenting payout speeds, bonus terms, and customer service quality.

2022 — Present

Lead Expert — Best Online Pokies Australia

Founded this platform to share my testing methodology and findings with everyday Aussie players. Every review is based on real deposits, real play, and real withdrawals. No sponsored content, no paid placements — just honest analysis.

Credentials & Certifications

AGRC Certified Analyst

Australian Gaming Research Centre professional certification for gaming industry analysts.

B.Com (Finance & Statistics)

University of Melbourne, graduated 2010. Focus on probability theory and financial analysis.

Responsible Gambling Cert.

Gambling Help Online certification for responsible gambling practices and player protection.

GTA Compliance Training

Gaming Technologies Association auditor training for regulatory compliance assessment.

My Testing Philosophy

I don't rely on press releases or marketing materials. Every site I recommend has been tested with my own money — real deposits, real play sessions, and real withdrawal requests. This is the only way to truly understand what a platform is like for everyday players.

My evaluation process covers five key areas: licensing and security (is the operator legitimate?), game fairness (are RTP claims accurate?), payout speed (how fast do they actually pay?), bonus terms (are wagering requirements reasonable?), and customer support (can you get help when you need it?).

I've lost count of how many sites I've blacklisted after they failed basic withdrawal tests. If a casino can't pay out a $500 win within their stated timeframe, they don't make my list — regardless of how good their bonuses look on paper.

"My job isn't to tell you where to gamble — it's to make sure you have accurate information so you can make that choice yourself. The Australian market deserves better than recycled affiliate content and fake reviews."

— David Thompson

See My Latest Rankings

Based on 8 months of testing and over $47,000 in real deposits

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