About Hammer and Awl
We're a passionate team of gaming experts dedicated to providing Australians with honest, detailed reviews of online casinos. Our mission is to help you find trustworthy platforms that deliver exceptional gaming experiences.
Our Story
Hammer and Awl was founded in 2022 by a group of gaming enthusiasts who were frustrated by the lack of transparent, reliable information about online casinos available to Australian players. Too many review sites were publishing biased or incomplete information that didn't truly serve players' best interests.
We set out to change that by creating a resource that provides comprehensive, fact-based reviews that help Australians make informed decisions about where to play. Our name "Hammer and Awl" represents our commitment to craftsmanship and attention to detail—we believe in building things properly from the ground up, just as traditional craftsmen would.
Since our launch, we've helped thousands of Australians find online casinos that match their preferences for game selection, bonus structures, payment methods, and security standards. Our reputation for honesty and thoroughness has made us a trusted voice in the Australian online gaming community.
Our Values
Integrity
We're committed to honest, unbiased reviews—no matter what. We never accept payment for favorable ratings and always disclose our review methodology. Every casino faces the same scrutiny, regardless of their advertising relationships.
Thoroughness
We leave no stone unturned in our evaluation process. From testing customer support response times to verifying withdrawal speeds, we experience every aspect of a casino before publishing our reviews.
Player Advocacy
We put players first in everything we do. Our recommendations prioritize casinos with fair terms, strong security measures, and responsive customer service—because player protection matters.
Up-to-Date Information
The online casino landscape evolves constantly. We regularly update our reviews to reflect current promotions, policy changes, and player experiences—ensuring you always have the latest information.
Meet Our Team
The Hammer and Awl team brings together diverse expertise in online gaming, cybersecurity, and regulatory compliance. Each team member contributes unique skills that help us deliver comprehensive casino evaluations.
Michael Thompson
Founder & Head ReviewerWith over 12 years of experience in the online gaming industry, Michael founded Hammer and Awl to create the resource he wished existed when he first started playing online. His background in game development gives him unique insight into casino operations.
Samantha Chen
Security SpecialistSamantha's background in cybersecurity makes her our go-to expert for evaluating casino security protocols and data protection practices. She ensures that our recommended platforms maintain the highest standards for player information security.
James O'Connor
Game Analysis ExpertJames brings his professional poker background and mathematics degree to our game evaluations. He specializes in analyzing RTP percentages, bonus terms, and tournament structures to help players find the best value.
Olivia Patel
Customer Experience ResearcherOlivia's background in UX research and customer experience analysis helps us evaluate every aspect of player interaction with online casinos. From sign-up processes to withdrawal experiences, she ensures nothing is overlooked.
Our Review Process
We believe in transparency, which is why we're open about how we evaluate online casinos. Each review follows a rigorous methodology:
Initial Assessment
We create accounts and deposit real money to experience the casino exactly as you would. This includes evaluating the registration process, verification requirements, and initial user experience.
Comprehensive Testing
We test every aspect of the platform—playing different game categories, contacting customer support through all available channels, and assessing mobile compatibility across various devices.
Banking Verification
We process both deposits and withdrawals using multiple payment methods to verify processing times, fee structures, and any potential issues that might affect players.
Security Analysis
Our security team evaluates encryption standards, privacy policies, and license legitimacy to ensure player data and funds are properly protected.
Bonus Evaluation
We claim and play through bonuses to verify actual terms, identifying any hidden restrictions or requirements that might not be immediately apparent to players.
Community Feedback
We incorporate player experiences and reports from the wider community, ensuring our reviews reflect consistent patterns rather than isolated incidents.
Have Questions or Feedback?
We're always looking to improve our reviews and provide the most useful information to Australian players. Whether you have a question about a specific casino or want to suggest a platform for us to review, we'd love to hear from you.
Get In Touch