Sarah Thompson

My journey into the world of gambling compliance began almost by accident. After completing my Bachelor of Commerce at the University of Melbourne in 2008, I entered the financial services sector with aspirations of becoming a corporate analyst. It was during my time working with payment processors that I first encountered the complexities of gambling transactions and the critical importance of player protection frameworks.

In 2012, I joined the Victorian Commission for Gambling and Liquor Regulation (VCGLR) as a Junior Compliance Officer. Over the following seven years, I worked my way up to Senior Compliance Analyst, reviewing hundreds of licence applications, conducting on-site audits, and developing player protection protocols that would later become industry standards. I witnessed firsthand both the entertainment value gambling provides to millions of Australians and the devastating consequences when proper safeguards fail.

In 2019, I made the difficult decision to leave the public sector. While I valued my work at VCGLR, I saw an opportunity to make a more direct impact on player welfare by bridging the gap between regulatory requirements and consumer understanding. Too many Australian players were navigating the online pokies landscape without access to the expert analysis they needed to make truly informed decisions.

Today, as an independent iGaming analyst, I apply the same rigorous standards I used in government compliance to every casino review I conduct. My mission is simple: to ensure that every Australian who chooses to play online pokies has access to transparent, expert-verified information about licensing, game fairness, payment security, and responsible gambling tools. When I recommend a casino, I stake my professional reputation on it meeting the highest standards of player protection.

Throughout my career, I have maintained strong connections with Australia's gambling regulatory framework. During my tenure at the Victorian Commission for Gambling and Liquor Regulation, I contributed to the development of compliance assessment methodologies that are still in use today. This experience provides me with unique insight into what regulators look for when evaluating operator legitimacy.

I remain actively engaged with responsible gambling initiatives across Australia. I regularly consult resources from the Victorian Responsible Gambling Foundation and contribute to discussions around player protection policy development. My work draws upon research published by the Australian Gambling Research Centre, housed within the Australian Institute of Family Studies, ensuring that my recommendations are grounded in evidence-based harm minimisation principles.

When reviewing online pokies sites, I cross-reference operator claims against databases maintained by the Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA), which maintains the register of prohibited interactive gambling services. This due diligence ensures that Australian players receive accurate information about which operators can legally offer services to them, even from offshore jurisdictions.

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My commitment to responsible gambling is not merely professional - it is deeply personal. During my years at VCGLR, I encountered countless cases where inadequate player protection measures led to devastating consequences for individuals and families. These experiences shaped my conviction that the gambling industry has a fundamental obligation to prioritise player welfare above profit margins.

Every Australian deserves access to entertainment without exploitation. My role is to ensure players have the information they need to make choices that align with their wellbeing, not just their excitement in the moment.

- Sarah Thompson

I actively encourage all players to utilise the tools available for managing their gambling activity. The National Self-Exclusion Register, BetStop, provides Australians with a powerful mechanism to take control of their gambling habits across all licensed operators. For those experiencing gambling-related difficulties, Gambling Help offers free, confidential support 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

Every casino review I publish includes a dedicated assessment of responsible gambling features. I evaluate the accessibility of deposit limits, the effectiveness of self-exclusion implementation, the clarity of reality check notifications, and the prominence of help resources. Casinos that fail to meet my standards for player protection simply do not receive my recommendation, regardless of their bonus offerings or game selection.

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