Sarah Mitchell

About Sarah

G'day! I'm Sarah Mitchell, and I've dedicated the last 8 years of my life to helping Australian players find safe, fair, and genuinely enjoyable online pokies experiences. What started as a passion for poker during my university days has evolved into a career helping thousands of Aussies navigate the complex world of online gambling.

After completing my degree in Statistics and Data Analysis at the University of Melbourne, I spent three years as a professional poker player, competing in tournaments across Australia and Asia. This hands-on experience gave me deep insights into gambling mathematics, bankroll management, and the psychology behind gaming — knowledge I now apply to every casino review I write.

In 2017, I transitioned to iGaming journalism, combining my analytical background with my passion for player advocacy. I've personally tested over 200 online casinos, played thousands of pokies, and processed hundreds of withdrawals to verify payout speeds. My reviews aren't based on press releases — they're based on real money, real play, and real experience.

"My mission is simple: help Aussie players avoid dodgy sites and find casinos that actually pay out. Every review I write, I ask myself — would I deposit my own money here? If the answer is no, it doesn't make my list." — Sarah Mitchell

Credentials & Certifications

Areas of Expertise

My Review Process

Every casino I review goes through a rigorous 7-step evaluation process:

• Licence Verification — I confirm the casino holds a valid gambling licence and research any regulatory actions or player complaints.
• Real Money Deposit — I deposit my own funds (minimum $200 AUD) to test the process from an Australian player's perspective.
• Game Testing — I play at least 50 spins on 10+ different pokies, checking RTP accuracy, game variety, and software quality.
• Bonus Evaluation — I claim the welcome bonus and attempt to meet wagering requirements, noting any hidden terms or unfair conditions.
• Withdrawal Test — I request a withdrawal and time exactly how long it takes to reach my account — this is non-negotiable.
• Support Check — I contact customer support with specific questions and rate their knowledge, response time, and helpfulness.
• Mobile Testing — I test the full experience on both iPhone and Android devices to ensure mobile players aren't shortchanged.

Career Timeline

My Commitment to You

As someone who's seen both the best and worst of the online gambling industry, I take my responsibility to readers seriously. I will never recommend a casino I wouldn't play at myself, and I will never let affiliate relationships influence my ratings. If a casino pays well but treats players poorly, it won't appear on this site.

I'm also deeply committed to responsible gambling. I've seen firsthand how gambling can become problematic, which is why every review includes information about deposit limits, self-exclusion options, and support resources. If you ever feel gambling is becoming more than entertainment, please reach out to Gambling Help Online — they're brilliant and completely confidential.

Articles by Sarah Mitchell