Last updated: May 2026 — Lachlan Mercer, Cocoanais
Every casino review published on Cocoanais (cocoanais.com) is the result of a structured, hands-on evaluation process carried out by Lachlan Mercer. This page explains exactly how that process works, what criteria we examine, how much weight each factor carries, and how we arrive at a final score. We believe Australian players deserve honest, thorough assessments of PayID pokies platforms — not marketing copy dressed up as independent opinion.
Lachlan Mercer personally tests every site featured on Cocoanais before a single word of the review is written. That means creating a real player account, making a genuine deposit using PayID, triggering and playing through bonus offers, contacting customer support with actual questions, and navigating the mobile experience on both Android and iOS devices. No site is reviewed based on operator-supplied materials alone. If Lachlan cannot access and test a platform directly, it does not appear on this website.
This hands-on approach reflects our commitment to experience-based evaluation. Readers can trust that the observations in each review come from real interaction with the platform, not secondhand information or promotional briefings from casino operators.
Each casino is scored across six weighted categories. Together they produce a final score out of 10. The categories and their respective weightings are as follows:
| Rating Category | Weighting |
|---|---|
| Licensing & Safety | 25% |
| Bonuses & Promotions | 20% |
| Game Selection | 20% |
| Payment Methods | 15% |
| Customer Support | 10% |
| Mobile Experience | 10% |
This is the most heavily weighted category because nothing else matters if a platform is not safe. We verify the licensing jurisdiction, check for responsible gambling tools such as deposit limits and self-exclusion options, confirm SSL encryption is in place, and review the operator's track record regarding complaint handling and timely withdrawals. Platforms holding licences from reputable authorities such as the Malta Gaming Authority or Curaçao eGaming score higher. Any platform with unresolved player complaints or a history of withheld withdrawals is rated down significantly or excluded entirely.
We read the full terms and conditions of every welcome offer, free spin promotion, and ongoing loyalty reward. Key factors include wagering requirements, game contribution rates, maximum bet restrictions, time limits, and whether bonus funds can realistically be converted to withdrawable cash. Generous headline figures paired with impossible wagering terms are marked down. Straightforward, player-friendly bonus structures score well.
With a focus on PayID pokies for the Australian market, we assess the depth and variety of the slots library, the presence of titles from reputable software providers, availability of progressive jackpot pokies, and whether table games and live dealer options supplement the offering. We also check that games load reliably and that RTP figures are publicly disclosed where possible.
Because Cocoanais specifically covers platforms that support PayID deposits, we test PayID functionality directly during every review. We record deposit processing times, minimum and maximum deposit thresholds, available withdrawal methods, and how quickly withdrawals are processed in practice. Platforms where PayID deposits post instantly and withdrawals clear within 24 hours are rewarded in this category.
Lachlan contacts support via live chat and email during testing, using genuine queries to measure response time, accuracy, and helpfulness. We note whether 24/7 support is genuinely available, how quickly live chat agents respond, and whether email replies are thorough or templated. Platforms with knowledgeable, fast, and friendly support teams score higher.
We access every reviewed site on mobile browsers and, where available, through dedicated apps. We evaluate page load speed, navigation ease, game compatibility on smaller screens, and whether PayID deposits function seamlessly on mobile. A smooth, fully featured mobile experience is increasingly important for Australian players who primarily game on smartphones.
Final scores are presented on a scale of 1 to 10, calculated by combining the weighted scores from each of the six categories above.
Cocoanais earns revenue through affiliate commissions when readers sign up to reviewed platforms. We acknowledge this openly. However, commercial relationships do not influence scores or rankings. Platforms are ranked solely on the merit of their evaluation results. If a casino pays a commission but scores poorly during testing, it receives a low score — or is excluded from the site entirely.
Lachlan Mercer operates Cocoanais independently with no financial investment from casino operators. No review is sponsored, no score is negotiated, and no operator is given sight of a review before publication. Our editorial independence is the foundation of the trust we ask readers to place in us.
Reviews are revisited and updated on a rolling basis throughout 2026 to reflect changes in bonus terms, software libraries, licencing status, and payment options. If something changes at a casino, the review changes too.