Best Online Casinos in Australia—Top Real Money Sites for 2026

This article was contributed by FortuneCity

With so many options available, you shouldn’t settle for anything less than the best real money online casinos in Australia. Our team of expert Aussie gamblers did the heavy lifting for you, so consider today your lucky day.

Casinonic is our No. 1 recommendation for Aussie players overall. It hosts 3,000-plus cutting-edge games, and you can score up to an A$5,000 welcome bonus on your first deposit. Still, we’ve got 14 runners-up ranked and reviewed below.

Top Australian Online Casinos

Heads up about our links! Adblock might get confused, so please disable it if you have any issues.

Want to know what else these online gambling sites have to offer? Take a look at our individual reviews of the best online casinos in Australia!

1. Casinonic: Best Online Casino Australia Overall

Casinonic Casino AU

Pros:

  • More than 3,000 casino games
  • A$5,000 sign up bonus
  • Excellent mobile compatibility
  • Hosts regular tournaments
  • Excellent live dealer section

Cons:

  • Design could be better
  • Some payouts might take a bit longer

After careful consideration, we have Casinonic leading our list of the best online casinos in Australia. It hosts more than 3,000 excellent games from 20-plus software providers, and you’ll have access to some of the best-known casino game titles online.

Game Variety: 4.9/5

If you’re looking for an endless stream of pokies, specialties and instant win games, look no further than Casinonic. It currently hosts 3,000-plus cutting-edge titles, and its game collection is growing by the day. The library is supported by industry-leading providers like Pragmatic Play and Hacksaw Gaming, which push the RTP into the 96 percent/97 percent range.

Betting minimums start low, but 100-plus progressive jackpots offer ample incentive for high rollers. High-limit pokies like Wild Cash x9990 and Alien Fruits x15000 combine tempting multipliers with seven-figure prize pools. In between spins, you can kick back with 27-plus live casino games.

With this amazing live dealer section, you can play blackjack, baccarat, roulette and live poker while professional dealers shuffle the cards and direct the action. You can watch every game unfold through multiple camera angles, an excellent experience overall.

Welcome Bonus: 4.9/5

Casinonic rolls out an A$5,000 welcome package spread across your first 10 deposits, starting with a 100 percent initial match up to A$500. The remaining nine steps offer a 50 percent match up to A$500 each.

Beyond the signup offer, players can access targeted weekly rewards like a Tuesday Bonus up to A$150 and 200 Wednesday Free Spins for a minimum A$30 deposit. Recurring weekend incentives include the Casinonic Boost and a Weekend Boost Bonus offering a 45 percent match plus 40 bonus spins using code CMBNIC.

Payment Methods: 4.95/5

Casinonic keeps things simple for Australian players, accepting Visa, Mastercard and Maestro alongside E-voucher options like Neosurf and CashtoCode. Crypto users are well covered too, with Bitcoin, Ethereum, Litecoin, Dogecoin and Tether all supported.

New players must deposit A$30 or more to play and redeem each portion of their welcome package, but withdrawals start from A$100. As one of the top instant withdrawal casinos, crypto cashouts are processed within 24 hours. However, fiat payouts can take 3-10 days.

Mobile Compatibility: 4.9/5

Casinonic doesn’t have a downloadable app for iOS devices, but you can easily play most casino games on the go. All the best titles load within seconds, and we didn’t notice any video buffering issues while playing live dealer games. Beginners will find it easy to locate their favorite AU online casino games, make deposits, initiate payouts and contact customer support with one click.

Get up to A$5,000

2. Ricky Casino: Best Bonuses of Any Real Money Australian Online Casino

ricky casino au

Pros:

  • A$7,500 welcome package
  • 550 free spins available
  • 2,000-plus excellent casino games
  • Supports fast payouts
  • Great design

Cons:

  • Some payouts take longer
  • Mobile experience is not ideal

Ricky Casino gets players’ attention with its premier welcome package. It’ll match your first 10 deposits with up to A$7,500 in casino funds and 550 free spins on All Lucky Clovers 5.

Game Variety: 4.9/5

Ricky Casino and our top pick are owned by the same casino operator, so you can expect a largely similar game collection on both platforms. We found over 2,000 pokies, tables and specialties from 20-plus software providers, many sitting in the 96-97 percent RTP range.

Betting minimums start low, but high rollers can spin through 100-plus progressive jackpots and play VIP table games for jaw-dropping prizes. It hosts 14 “live” versions of blackjack, baccarat, poker and roulette. 

All in all, if you are after the top blackjack casinos, make sure to check this one out, along with the 16-plus bingo and keno games. Titles like 3 Hot Chillies and Snoop Dogg Dollars from BGaming and Yggdrasil are among the better-paying options in the library.

Welcome Bonus: 4.8/5

Ricky Casino gives its players the best of both worlds. You’ll claim up to A$7,500 in casino welcome bonus and receive 550 bonus spins to use on All Lucky Clovers 5 with your first 10 qualifying deposits.

  • 100 percent bonus up to A$500 plus 100 free spins;
  • 50 percent bonus up to A$500 plus 50 free spins;
  • 50 percent bonus up to A$1,000 plus 50 free spins (can be used five times);
  • 50 percent bonus up to A$500 plus 50 free spins (can be used three times).

Payment Methods: 4.9/5

Ricky Casino covers the essentials for Australian players! Its payment methods include Visa, Mastercard, Neosurf, CashtoCode and MiFinity for fiat deposits, alongside Bitcoin, Ethereum, Litecoin, Dogecoin and Tether for crypto. Withdrawals start from A$100, with crypto cashouts processed within 3 days and fiat withdrawals taking 3 to 10 days. There are no fees on any withdrawal method.

Mobile Compatibility: 4.8/5

Ricky Casino has an excellent website that works very well for all mobile users. You’ll have to use your web browser to access its “instant-play” mobile app, and you’ll be able to play over 2,000 online casino games on the go.

Score A$7,500 plus 550 free spins

3. Skycrown: Best Australian Online Casino for Free Spins

skycrown

Pros:

  • A$8,000 welcome bonus
  • 400 bonus spins
  • Accepts Apple Pay
  • 10-minute average cashout
  • 7,000+ licensed games

Cons:

  • A$30 minimum deposit
  • 40x wagering required

Skycrown was launched in 2022 and currently operates under a licence issued by the Curaçao Gaming Control Board. It stands among the top Aussie online casinos for its extensive game library, generous registration bonuses, mobile-friendly design and fast withdrawal processing.

Game Variety: 4.9/5

Skycrown features a game library with a strong average RTP of 96.5 percent. While slots form the backbone of the site, the table games give strategic players much better odds. For instance, standard baccarat has a low 1.06 percent house edge on banker bets, while playing blackjack with basic strategy can push your potential returns up to 99.5 percent.

The lobby is easy to navigate with dedicated tabs for roulette titles and other table games like blackjack, baccarat and classic card games. Titles like Betsoft’s Pirate 21, Nucleus Gaming’s Pontoon and Evoplay’s Texas Hold ‘Em Bonus 3D make it simple to choose between steady, low-risk wins or bigger, high-risk payouts.

For live dealer fans, Skycrown streams games in real time from reputable providers like Winfinity, Iconic21 and Lucky Streak. You can find specialized game shows such as Crash Live under the dedicated “Show Games” menu.

Welcome Bonus: 4.9/5

Skycrown’s welcome package of A$8,000 and 400 free spins is split across your first four deposits. On your first, you get a 120 percent match up to A$1,200 plus 125 free spins, followed by a 100 percent up to A$1,300 bonus and 75 spins, 80 percent up to A$1,500 with 50 spins on your third deposit and a final 150 percent match up to A$4,000 with an added 150 bonus spins to wrap it up.

There also is a regular weekly schedule filled with ongoing promos: a 10 percent weekly cashback deal, one for regular casino games and another specifically for the live casino tables and extra free spins you can claim nearly every day of the week.

Payment Methods: 4.8/5

Skycrown supports over 15 fee-free payment options, including traditional fiat and major cryptocurrencies. You can deposit starting at A$30 using Visa, Mastercard, Apple Pay, MiFinity, or Neosurf. Meanwhile, crypto options like Bitcoin, Litecoin and USDT also are available with no cap.

The minimum withdrawal requirement for cards and crypto is a simple A$30. Verified accounts enjoy rapid payouts in as little as 10 minutes, though traditional bank transfers require a higher A$100 minimum and will take one to three business days to clear.

Mobile Compatibility: 4.8/5

Players can access this Australian casino instantly through their fully optimized mobile website. The entire gaming catalog, including resource-heavy live dealer streams and fast-paced crash games, loads quickly and scales perfectly across smartphone and tablet screens without performance lag.

Enjoy A$8,000 + 400 free spins

4. Ignition: Best Australian Online Casino for Poker Players

ignition casino AU

Pros:

  • 24/7 live poker room
  • 250-plus regular casino games
  • A$3,000 welcome package
  • Hosts regular poker tournaments
  • Supports crypto banking

Cons:

  • Could use more banking options
  • The design is not ideal

Looking for the best Australian online casinos for poker? Look no further; Ignition’s got you covered. Before you get started, make sure to activate the combined poker and casino welcome bonus of up to A$3,000.

Game Variety: 4.7/5

Ignition checks all the right boxes with its 250-plus classic casino games, eight-plus virtual sports betting options and its borderline-perfect 24/7 live poker room. You can bet the small blind with A$5 to spare, but high rollers can up the stakes with Ignition’s A$200,000 guaranteed or GTD tourney or its “Monthly Milly.”

Ignition features poker tables that are 5-10 percent softer than average, and it doesn’t hire professionals to unfairly skew the odds. You’ll compete against thousands of real, amateur players for cash prizes and this is always good to know.

On the slots side, you’ll find titles like Mythic Wolf Extreme and Tutankhamun’s Tomb from Pragmatic Play. These sit around the 96 percent RTP mark, meaning the odds are reasonably stacked in your favour.

Welcome Bonus: 4.8/5

New players can claim a combined poker and casino welcome package on their very first deposit. If you fund your account with a credit card, you get a bonus match up to A$2,000, while crypto users get a higher total match up to A$3,000.

This bonus is automatically split right in two, with half going toward the casino section and the other half reserved for poker. You can use your casino funds to play slot and table games like online craps immediately, while the poker half is gradually unlocked as you play in cash games and tournaments.

Payment Methods: 4.8/5

Ignition accepts Visa, Mastercard and UnionPay for card payments, and for crypto, it offers Bitcoin, Litecoin, Ethereum, Tether, Bitcoin Cash and Bitcoin via Lightning Network. Crypto and fiat players need a minimum deposit of A$20 to get started.

Crypto withdrawals are free of charge and processed within 24 hours, with Bitcoin Lightning being the fastest option. Fiat cashouts take longer, at five to seven days, and carry a 3 percent processing fee.

Mobile Compatibility: 4.8/5

Ignition hosts a downloadable poker app for its users, but it doesn’t have a dedicated online casino app on Google Play or the App Store. If you get tired of playing real-time cash games, you can use your phone’s web browser to access the remainder of its betting library.

Ignition’s user interface couldn’t be simpler—you’ll find game categories and intuitive search filters at the top of your screen, and customer support is easily reachable with one click. Titles load within seconds, and every game is fully optimized for your smartphone.

Activate your A$3,000 welcome bonus

5. JustCasino: Best Online Casino in Australia for Game Variety

Just Casino AU

Pros:

  • 9,500-plus new casino games
  • A$5,000 welcome bonus
  • 400 bonus spins available
  • 10+ banking options
  • Excellent library of table games

Cons:

  • Some payouts take a bit longer
  • Could use more reload bonuses

JustCasino opened its doors to Aussie gamblers just recently, but it has already got what it takes to compete against established Australian online casinos. You can explore 9,500-plus pokies and tables once you sign up at JustCasino.

Game Variety: 4.9/5

JustCasino features over 9,500 popular pokies and instant win games from 44-plus innovative software providers, many of which carry RTPs in the 96-97 percent range. While most of its collection is full of original titles, it also features titles from some of the best-known providers to ensure an excellent gaming experience.

In between spins, skilled gamers can kick back and relax with 500-plus live casino games. As you play live blackjack, poker, roulette and baccarat, you’ll watch the action unfold on your video feed. Live games use physical equipment and real people to mimic an “in-person” betting experience.

Welcome Bonus: 4.8/5

JustCasino’s premier welcome package covers your first five qualifying transactions. This AU online casino offers a welcome package of up to A$5,000 with 400 bonus spins. This welcome package is divided across your first five deposits:

  • 1st Deposit: 100 percent up to A$500 + 100 FS; Promo Code: No Code Needed.
  • 2nd Deposit: 100 percent up to A$500 + 50 FS; Promo Code: JUST2.
  • 3rd Deposit: 50 percent up to A$1,000 + 50 FS; Promo Code: JUST3.
  • 4th Deposit: 25 percent up to A$2,000 + 100 FS; Promo Code: JUST4.
  • 5th Deposit: 20 percent up to A$1,000 + 100 FS; Promo Code: JUST5.

Payment Methods: 4.7/5

JustCasino accepts 10-plus secure payment methods, keeping things flexible for Australians. You can deposit via Visa, Mastercard, Neosurf, MiFinity and CashtoCode. Fiat payout options are limited to three bank transfer options (Inpay, PayAnyBank, wire) and MiFinity. And as one of the best Bitcoin casinos online for Australian players, the casino supports most of the popular cryptocurrencies for both deposits and payouts.

New players can deposit or withdraw just A$30 per transaction, unlocking the first portion of JustCasino’s five-tiered welcome package. High rollers can request up to A$6,000 per transaction. Bitcoin and e-wallet withdrawals are fee-free and processed quickly.

Mobile Compatibility: 4.7/5

We didn’t find a downloadable app for JustCasino, but its mobile-friendly casino site does the trick when you’re in a pinch. Approximately 95 percent of its games are optimized for iOS and Android devices, and we didn’t encounter any buffering/lag while browsing the collection.

You can get in touch with a customer support agent by clicking the 24/7 chat button at the bottom-right corner of your screen, and JustCasino’s user interface is beginner-friendly to a fault. Even if you’ve never gambled online, you’ll quickly get the hang of playing here.

Enjoy A$5,000 bonus + 400 free spins

Here’s How We Ranked the Best Aussie Online Casinos

To help you understand better how we picked our casinos, we’ve made this section where we included the main aspects that we analyzed during our process. 

Game Library

When ranking the best online casinos in Australia, the first thing we considered was the game library.  If thousands of new pokies and progressive jackpots aren’t good enough for you, you can explore hundreds of classic tables and live casino games. We also prioritized online casinos with a dedicated online sportsbook.

RTP (Return to Player)

RTP tells you how much of your wagered money a game is statistically expected to pay back over time. For example, a slot with a 96 percent RTP returns A$96 for every A$100 wagered on average.  We prioritised Australian casinos that offer a strong selection of high-RTP titles from reputable providers like Pragmatic Play, BGaming and Hacksaw Gaming, where 96-97 percent is the norm.

Casinos that bury low-RTP games in their lobbies or fail to disclose payout percentages ranked lower in our evaluation. The higher the RTP across the library, the better your chances of walking away with something in your pocket.

Bonuses and Promotions

Top online casinos make it worth your while to get started. Our experts gave a higher ranking to sites with low wagering requirements, accessible deposit minimums and generous match bonuses. Finally, we paid special attention to AU online casinos that give away loads of free spins.

Payment Methods

Reputable Australian casinos make it easy and convenient for players to bank their funds. Our top-rated gambling sites accept multiple cryptocurrencies, several e-wallets and a list of traditional payment methods. 

We ranked higher the online casinos that offered the quickest payouts and fastest withdrawal processing times. Crypto cashouts are the fastest, and the best sites deliver funds within 24 hours. Fiat payout speeds and minimum withdrawal thresholds also factored into our scoring, since nobody wants to wait a week to access their winnings.

Mobile Compatibility

Any successful gambling company hosts user-friendly casino software for mobile gambling. No matter where you happen to be, endless online pokies and table games are merely one tap away. We gave a higher ranking to Aussie online casinos with a downloadable app for iOS and Android devices.

Safety & Security

Last but not least, we also considered the safety and security of each of the best online casino sites listed in our article. We only picked casinos that offer users safe and responsible gambling tools. We used similar benchmarks when ranking the top online casinos in Canada.

RTP (Return to Player)—Why it Matters  

Finding the best payout online casino is not just about picking the platform with the highest match bonus. There are many factors that make a casino a great one, and usually it’s the RTP that determines how much you can actually win once you’re playing. A difference of just a few percentage points between a 94 percent and a 97 percent RTP slot can add up to hundreds of dollars over a session.

Casinos that offer high-RTP titles from trusted providers like Pragmatic Play and BGaming give you a real edge, while those that have libraries filled with low-paying games quietly drain your bankroll faster. Since wagering requirements can already eat into winnings, choosing the best payout casino with a strong RTP average makes a real difference to your bottom line. 

Most Popular Real Money Casino Games in Australia

Whether you’re a casual spinner or a seasoned table game strategist, you should definitely know some of the most popular games that you’ll find at the Australian casinos. There’s so much variety nowadays, so it’s good to know which games suit your playing style!

Pokies

Pokies are the star of the show, and for good reason. The top Australian casino sites stock thousands of titles, including classic three-reelers, modern video slots and high-volatility Megaways games. Top providers include Pragmatic Play, BGaming and Play’n GO, and some of the most popular titles are Gates of Olympus, Big Bass Bonanza and Sweet Bonanza.

Live Dealer Games

Live dealer games bring the atmosphere of a real casino floor straight to your screen. Powered by studios from Evolution and Pragmatic Play Live, these games stream in real time with professional dealers running the action. Blackjack, roulette, baccarat and game shows like Crazy Time and Mega Wheel are the most popular options among Australian players. 

Table Games 

For players who prefer skill over luck, table games deliver. The best Australian online casinos offer dozens of online baccarat variants and other top table games, including blackjack, roulette and poker, with betting limits catering to everyone from beginners to high rollers.

Why Is Casinonic the Best Real Money Casino for Aussie Players?

casinonic casino

Over the years, we’ve reviewed dozens of Australian gambling sites. If you’re on the hunt for the best online casino in Australia overall, look no further than our No. 1 Aussie casino site—Casinonic.

Jam-Packed Game Collection: Casinonic stands out from its competition with an amazing game library. Australian bettors can play 2,500-plus online slots, progressive jackpot pokies and classic table games with one tap.

Great Welcome Bonus Package: New sign-ups can score a maximum of A$5,000 in bonuses with their first 10 deposits. Casinonic will boost each of your qualifying deposits up to A$500. It’s hard to find high-limit bonuses with many Australian online casinos, but Casinonic isn’t afraid to broach new territory.

Unmatched Reputation: After Casinonic launched in 2019, it quickly achieved mainstream success. Just several years and 3,000-plus cutting-edge titles later, thousands of satisfied Australian players call this online gambling site their “home away from home.”

Bonuses at Online Casinos in Australia

Many online casinos in Australia offer their users different types of bonuses and promotions, such as welcome bonuses, reload promos, free spins and so much more. Let’s have a closer look:

A$5,000 Welcome Bonus at Casinonic

casinonic casino

New users at Casinonic are welcomed with a generous sign-up bonus—it can go up to A$5,000 in total! Here’s how exactly it works:

  • 1st Deposit—100 percent up to A$500
  • 2nd Deposit—50 percent up to A$500
  • 3rd Deposit—50 percent up to A$500
  • 4th Deposit—50 percent up to A$500
  • 5th Deposit—50 percent up to A$500
  • 6th Deposit—50 percent up to A$500 once per day
  • 7th Deposit—50 percent up to A$500 once per day
  • 8th Deposit—50 percent up to A$500 once per day
  • 9th Deposit—50 percent up to A$500 once per day
  • 10th Deposit—50 percent up to A$500 once per day

A$7,500 Welcome Package at Ricky Casino

ricky casino

Coming up next, we have Ricky Casino, which offers generous new user bonuses of up to A$7,500. In addition, you can also get 550 FS with this promo. 

A$8,000 Welcome Package at Skycrown

skycrown casino

Skycrown’s A$8,000 welcome package is divided among your first four deposits, and it comes with a generous 400 bonus spins to use on specified games. But keep in mind that spins must be activated within 14 days, or you lose them.

A$3,000 Welcome Package at Ignition

ignition casino

When it comes to the best Australian online casinos, Ignition is very famous for its poker section, so it’s no surprise that its welcome package is for both the casino section and poker. When you activate it, you’ll get A$1,500 for poker and another A$1,500 for other casino games.

Up to A$5,000 Welcome Offer at Just Casino

just casino

Last but not least, we have Just Casino and its generous A$5,000 match bonus—in addition, you can also get up to 400 bonus spins with this promo.

Bonus Wagering Requirements

Before activating online casino bonuses, it’s important that you understand all the terms and conditions. The most important consideration to make is the wagering requirements. Here’s everything you need to know about it:

➡️ Wagering Requirement: This condition requires you to wager the bonus amount a specific number of times. For example, if you receive an A$100 bonus with a 20x wagering requirement, you would need to wager a total of A$2,000 before you can withdraw your bonus winnings.

➡️ Combined Bonus and Deposit Wagering: Some casinos apply the wagering requirement to both the bonus amount and your initial deposit. For instance, if you deposit A$50 and receive an A$50 bonus, with a 20x wagering requirement on the combined amount, you would need to wager A$2,000 (A$100 x 20).

➡️ Game Weighting: Different games contribute differently towards meeting the wagering requirements. Typically, slots contribute 100 percent, meaning every dollar wagered counts fully towards the requirement. However, games like blackjack or roulette might only contribute a smaller percentage, such as 10 percent.

Popular Online Casinos in Australia

Not sure which types of online casinos are the best fit for you? Here are the most popular online casinos in Australia:

New Casinos

New casinos are always on the cutting edge, bringing fresh games and exciting offers to the table. They’re perfect for Aussie players looking for a modern touch and innovative features that spice up the gaming experience.

Fast Payout Casinos

If you value rapid payout speed and efficiency, fast payout casinos won’t keep you waiting. These sites prioritise quick withdrawals, so you can enjoy your winnings sooner rather than later.

Mobile Casinos

Mobile casinos are the best bet for gaming on the move. These platforms ensure a smooth, feature-rich experience on your phone or tablet, letting you play your favorite games wherever you go.

Live Casinos

Looking for the excitement of real-life casinos? Live casinos offer real-time games with live dealers, providing an immersive and interactive experience that feels just like being at a casino table.

Crypto Casinos

For those interested in privacy and quick transactions, crypto casinos are the way forward. Using cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin, you can play anonymously and often benefit from faster and cheaper transactions.

Why Should I Gamble at the Top Australian Online Casinos?

If you’re not sure what to expect from the best gambling sites, you’re not alone. To alleviate any worries or confusion you might have, we’ve suggested a few good reasons to make the switch.

Play Games From Home: You can start playing AU pokies, bingo games and countless other popular casino games right now. The best Australian online casinos promise unmatched convenience. As long as you have a working mobile device or desktop computer, nothing stands in your way.

Claim the Best Bonuses: Land-based casinos rarely give away incentives, but you can get a head start on the competition with reputable gambling sites. As soon as you make your first deposit, you’ll receive free cash and bonus spins that can be used to play specific casino games.

Broaden Your Horizons: Physical casino equipment takes up valuable space in your favorite brick-and-mortar betting venue. If you decide to gamble online, you’ll broaden your horizons with thousands of never-before-seen titles. Sometimes, we could all use a change of pace.

Best Real Money Online Casinos in Australia: FAQs

Here are some of the most frequently asked questions that we found on Australian online gambling forums. 

Are Australian Real Money Casino Games Safe to Use?

As long as you’re betting with a regulated provider, you won’t have to deal with rigged online pokies and table games. For your protection and convenience, our experts only review online Australian casinos that hold a valid operating license from a recognised licensing authority and those with responsible gambling tools.

What is the Best Bonus for New Players at Aussie Real Money Casinos?

Ricky Casino offers the best sign-up bonus value for Australian gamblers. It has a welcome package of up to A$7,500 and 550 bonus spins on All Lucky Clovers 5 with your first 10 deposits.

  • 100 percent first deposit bonus up to A$500 plus 100 free spins;
  • 50 percent reload bonus up to A$500 plus 50 free spins;
  • 50 percent reload bonus up to A$1,000 plus 50 free spins (can be used five times);
  • 50 percent reload bonus up to A$500 plus 50 free spins (can be used three times).

What Are the Best Online Casinos in Australia?

Casinonic, Ricky Casino, Skycrown, Ignition and JustCasino are the best online casinos for Australian players. They feature a wide variety of games, AUD-friendly payment options, competitive online casino bonuses and responsive customer support.

Which Online Casinos Accept Australian Dollars? 

Almost all online casinos in Australia accept Australian dollars, including our top picks, such as Casinonic and Ricky Casino.

Can I Play Real Money Casino Games on My Mobile in Australia?

Yes, you can play online casino games for real money on your mobile in Australia. All of our top picks are mobile-friendly and allow gambling on the go. While not all of them feature a dedicated mobile app, they still have a mobile-friendly website that works just as well on iOS and Android smartphones. 

Comparing the Best Australian Online Casinos for Real Money

Casinonic: Casinonic is the #1 pick among the best casinos that accept Australian players. Our experts found 3,000-plus online casino games in Casinonic’s collection. Score a 100 percent bonus of up to A$500 with each of your first 10 deposits and claim up to A$5,000.

Ricky Casino: Ricky Casino features 2,000-plus online pokies and casino games, but its 10-tiered welcome package is the main attraction for most Australian gamblers. You’ll claim up to A$7,500 and get 550 bonus spins on All Lucky Clovers 5 with your first 10 qualifying deposits.

Skycrown: Skycrown has quickly become a popular choice among Australian casino players thanks to its extensive collection of pokies, crypto-friendly banking options, fast payouts and generous promotions. New players can unlock a welcome package worth up to A$8,000 plus 400 free spins across their first four qualifying deposits.

Ignition: Ignition Casino hosts 250-plus regular casino games, but it got its start as an underground poker site in 2016. Nearly a decade later, it’s more popular than ever in Australia. Before you play online casino games against real people, claim Ignition’s A$3,000 casino plus poker bonus.

JustCasino: JustCasino opened its doors a few months back, and it’s one of the best new casino sites in Australia. It made a name for itself with 9,500-plus cutting-edge games, and its deposit bonus isn’t far behind. Enjoy your A$5,000 sign-up bonus once you sign up at Just Casino!

How to Get Started at the Best Online Casinos Australia

By now, you might be wondering how to get started with the best Australian online casino sites. Using Casinonic as our primary example, we’ve created a step-by-step guide for beginners.

Step 1: Choose a Casino 

  • Take a look at our full list
  • Pick your favorite casino site

Step 2: Create a New Account 

  • Follow this link to visit Casinonic’s website
  • Click the “Create Account” button
  • Enter your preferred email address 
  • Create a new and secure password
  • Tick the 18-plus age certification checkbox
  • Click “Sign Up” to register your account

Step 3: Verify Your Email Address

  • Check your primary and “spam” email folders
  • Look for a confirmation email from Casinonic
  • Click the attached link to verify your email address

Step 4: Deposit Funds and Play 

  • Go back to Casinonic’s homepage
  • Navigate to its “Cashier” section
  • Choose your preferred payment method
  • Toggle the switch to activate your bonus
  • Deposit A$30 or more to your account
  • Play casino games online!

Our Tips and Tricks for Gambling at Australian Online Casinos 

Before you dive into the action with Australian online casinos, here are a few simple tips to help you get the most out of your experience.

Play Free Games First: Don’t spend your hard-earned cash straight away. Shop around, explore demo versions of games you’re interested in and get comfortable with how things work before committing actual money.

Check RTP Percentages: Every game has its own return-to-player percentage. As a rule of thumb, stick to titles with a 96 percent RTP or higher; it won’t guarantee wins, but it keeps the house edge in check over time.

Take Advantage of Bonuses: More cash in your pocket means more room to play. Online casino bonuses can extend your sessions and soften the blow of a bad run; just make sure to read the wagering requirements before claiming anything.

So, What Are the Best Australian Real Money Casinos Online?

If you’re looking for a change of pace, the best real money Australian online casino sites are right up your alley. Take a break from the same old games (and people) in favor of more generous bonuses and excellent game libraries.

Casinonic is our primary suggestion for players on the fence. It hosts 3,000-plus online casino games, and you can take advantage of up to A$5,000 in bonuses with your first 10 deposits. At the same time, we’d encourage you to get started with any casino listed here. No matter where you decide to gamble online, be sure to have fun and play responsibly.

Responsible Gambling in Australia

Online casino gaming should always be entertaining. The moment it stops feeling that way, it’s worth taking a step back. Set a budget before you play and stick to it, treat losses as the cost of entertainment rather than something to chase and take regular breaks. Most reputable online casinos offer built-in tools like deposit limits, cooling-off periods and self-exclusion options if you ever need to slow things down. 

If gambling stops being fun, free and confidential help is available in Australia around the clock. Call the National Gambling Helpline on 1800 858 858 or chat online at gamblinghelponline.org.au. You can also sign up with BetStop, the national self-exclusion register, to block yourself from every licensed Australian operator in one step. You must be 18 or older to gamble.

EastBayExpress may earn revenue from iGaming for audience referrals. The EastBayExpress newsroom and editorial staff maintains direction on this content, which is created by partner staff. Companies mentioned in the articles have no influence over our coverage. See applicable operator site for its terms and conditions. If you or someone you know has a gambling problem, help is available. Call the National Gambling Helpline on 1800 858 858 or visit gamblinghelponline.org.au

Must be 18 or older to gamble. Sports betting and gambling are not legal in all locations. You are solely responsible for ensuring compliance with all applicable laws to your use of the sites and their services.

The editorial staff of the East Bay Express was not involved in the creation of this content. The content is for general information and does not constitute the financial, medical or professional advice of this publication. Readers should consult qualified professionals regarding their individual circumstances. The East Bay Express disclaims any liability for loss or damage resulting from reliance on this content.

Is Laser Eye Surgery Worth It? What East Bay Residents Need to Know

This article was contributed by Illuminate Inc.

Millions of people wake up every morning and instantly reach for their glasses or fumble for their contacts. The routine has become so normal, they don’t question it. But what would life be like without needing glasses?

Imagine perfect vision, not having anything obstructing your face, and never having to worry about losing or forgetting your glasses. Laser surgery has made this dream a reality for many, with a 96 percent satisfaction rate, but there are some obstacles, mainly the cost. 

This article will review what the procedure involves so you can determine if it’s right for you and explore ways to make it more financially accessible. 

What Is Laser Eye Surgery?

Laser eye surgery is a refractive surgery that corrects how your eye focuses light. When light doesn’t land precisely on the retina, due to farsightedness, nearsightedness, or astigmatism, vision is blurry. Laser surgery corrects this by reshaping the cornea, so light hits where it should. 

There are various types of laser eye surgeries to consider, as follows: 

LASIK

This most widely performed type of surgery uses a laser to create a thin flap of corneal tissue that’s folded back to reshape the cornea beneath. It is a good choice for healthy people with an active lifestyle who want quick results. 

PRK (Photorefractive Keratectomy)

An older approach, this involves removing the outer layer of the cornea and reshaping the underlying tissue with a laser. The outer layer grows back naturally over several days. 

Vision can be blurry for several days during recovery, but the final result is similar to laser. It is recommended for people with thin corneas, chronic dry eye, and those with active lifestyles and a high risk of eye trauma.

SMILE (Small Incision Lenticule Extraction)

This newest option uses a laser to create a small disc of corneal tissue (lenticule) that is then extracted through a tiny incision, reshaping the cornea without creating a flap. It is less invasive than LASIK, taking just about 9 minutes per eye, carries no risk of flap-related complications, and may be a more comfortable long-term solution for people with dry eye. However, as a newer surgery, not many surgeons specialize in it. 

All procedures are outpatient and take 30 minutes or less. They are performed with numbing eye drops rather than general anesthesia. For most people, surgery is less daunting than it seems. 

Are You a Candidate? 

Unfortunately, not everyone qualifies for laser surgery. However, you may be a candidate if:

  • You are over 18
  • You’ve had a stable prescription for over a year
  • You have nearsightedness, farsightedness, or astigmatism

You may not qualify if you have:

  • Very thin corneas
  • Severe dry eyes
  • Certain autoimmune conditions

Additionally, if you wear contact lenses, refrain from wearing them 1-2 weeks before a consultation, as they can impact corneal measurements

Is Laser Eye Surgery Worth It? 

So, is the procedure worthwhile? Here are some things to consider:

  • Cost Tradeoff: The average American spends $500+ per year on glasses, considering eye care and prescriptions. Laser surgery typically costs $1,500 to $5,000 and can result in decades of clear vision, making it a cost-effective option. (Note, while the effects of laser surgery are permanent, your vision can still degrade due to age and other natural causes. 
  • Improved Quality of Life: People who undergo laser surgery don’t have to worry about losing their contacts or glasses fogging up, making it the perfect complement to an active East Bay lifestyle. Outdoor activities and travel just got easier!
  • Great Vision: Most patients who undergo laser surgery achieve 20/25 or better vision. After years of bad vision, that can be truly priceless. 

Understanding the Risks

While great vision is, well, great, there are risks involved with laser eye surgery. Here are some to consider:

  • Side Effects: Common side effects include temporary dry eyes, glare, and halos around lights at night. They typically resolve within a few months. 
  • Long-term Complications: Chronic dry eye and visual disturbances are possible but rare. 
  • Serious complications are rare. 

Choose a trusted provider to ensure you get the best possible care. 

The Cost Barrier—And How Payment Plans Help

Laser surgery may be cost-effective, especially when compared to the price of glasses. However, with glasses, you typically make smaller payments spread over time. Surgery is usually paid in one lump sum—but with a loan for LASIK eye surgery, it doesn’t have to be. 

When we talk about a loan, we don’t mean a bank loan that increases with interest. These are payment plans that typically offer a limited-time, interest-free payment period. And they can apply to any type of laser eye surgery or any eye care need. 

They work just like a credit card, covering the balance between you and your provider. You pay off the cost in smaller payments to the financial institution. Spreading them over time increases cash flow and makes payments more accessible. 

What to Look for in a Payment Plan

There are various payment plans to choose from, and some may be a better fit than others. When choosing, look for the following features:

  • Low/No Interest and Fees: Minimal fees and interest will prevent expenses from accruing. 
  • Credit Checks: Avoid plans that require credit checks, as they can damage your credit. A soft credit check or simple inquiry may be a better option. 
  • Transparency: Choose a transparent provider that doesn’t use vague language or fine print. 
  • Customer Service: The company should have live service reps available at convenient hours. 
  • Flexibility: A flexible plan will allow you to make affordable payments. 

Conclusion

Laser eye surgery isn’t a luxury anymore. It’s an accessible procedure that offers long-term value. For East Bay residents, it could mean engaging in a favorite sport, enjoying the beach, or taking a rigorous hike without worrying about glasses. 

Your journey starts with a consultation, and many East Bay providers offer them for free. During your appointment, ask about payment plan options that make surgery more affordable. Then look forward to seeing more clearly than you ever have before. 

The editorial staff of the East Bay Express was not involved in the creation of this content. The content is for general information and does not constitute the financial, medical or professional advice of this publication. Readers should consult qualified professionals regarding their individual circumstances. The East Bay Express disclaims any liability for loss or damage resulting from reliance on this content.

Fruitvale’s taco trucks keep tradition rolling

Along the street-like canals of the ancient Aztec city Tenochtitlan—modern day Mexico City—vendors routinely sold various meats, stews and even chili sauces that Spanish ethnographer Franciscan Friar Bernardino de Sahagún described as “hot, very hot, very, very hot.” Street vending worked its way into colonial Mexico, later evolving into a robust part of the country’s formal and informal economy.

The tradition remains alive and well in Oakland’s Fruitvale District, where Mexican and Latine immigrants have shaped their own culture and inspired that of the whole country.

Fruitvale’s vending ecosystem, and the people who ran it, were a driving factor in Oakland becoming the first city in the U.S. to implement an ordinance legalizing the mobile food industry in 2001.

International Boulevard is far from an ancient waterway, but the principle is the same: every block is a stone’s throw away from vendors selling hot chili sauces and the meat to put them on. Much like the competing sounds of bachata and banda, taco trucks are emblematic of Fruitvale, serving as tiny cultural hubs whose simmering vats of frying oil and glaring rejection of atomized introversion make the district what it is. 

On 35th and International, Enrique Soriano wears a black cowboy hat and greets nearly every person who comes to his set-up in front of a small truck labeled “Estilo Michoacan” with some variation of “Oye, primo” or “Hey, cousin.”

His family started the business across the street in 1998. Soriano then went to culinary school, eventually finding employment in fine dining kitchens—an experience which left him disheartened.

“I was making really good food and the people we were serving, you know, didn’t seem very appreciative of it, and the people who really deserved it didn’t have access to it,” he said of his reason for returning to International Boulevard to build the family business back up.

He uses the skills he learned from his time classically training in a myriad of international cuisines to supplement knowledge gained from making carnitas, from live pig to plate, in Michoacan every summer as a kid. Soriano wants to combat the idea that Mexican food is just quick and cheap by keeping the quality of everything high, from ingredients to final product, while maintaining prices accessible so that he can continue to fulfill the goal of feeding his community. 

“Sorry I couldn’t work today; I was at the waterpark,” yells a kid from a scooter. Soriano tells him not to worry, to enjoy his summer.

Isaac Settoes, 12, says he has been interning at Estilo Michoacan and later came with his friend Michael Gomez, 13, to see if he could join in. Interning at the food truck involves hovering around Soriano, getting fed and asking how he makes the thick slabs of chicharon taste so good, to which Soriano replies with an in-depth explanation of the frying process. 

“This guy is one of the nicest people you’ll meet,” Gomez says.

“Hands down, best tacos on the block,” says Settoes.

A sense of allegiance to one’s preferred food truck is a common theme along the boulevard.

“This one is good,” says Lila Stevens as she waits for her order in front of Tacos Guadalajara on 44th. “That’s why we come to this one; not all of them are good.” 

She stands in a purple dress, with Geraldine Ashley at her side in a sparky red pantsuit. They come here after Sunday service and are clearly not the only ones to do so, as Ashley affectionately greets multiple people who pull up to the small seating area in front of the truck wearing similarly formal attire.

Ashley grabs her order and slots it in the same arm she holds her Bible, the holy scripture comfortably sitting in front of a brown paper bag with a can of coke peeking out of it. 

ROLLING TRADITION Taco trucks along International Boulevard are neighborhood gathering places, carrying forward a street food tradition that stretches from Mexico City to Oakland’s Fruitvale District and beyond. (Photo by Nicolle Delgado)

Alex Alcala and Silvia Villalvazo are loyal to Tacos El Gordo, an unassuming white truck with nothing adorning it but the words “Tacos El Gordo,” written in the same colors as the Mexican flag at its center.

Alcala met the owner, Carlos Montero, upon arriving from Jalisco 27 years ago. At that time, Montero vended with nothing but a cooler and a bicycle in front of the Smart and Final adjacent to where his taco truck now stands.

Montero says that when he first started, everyone—including law enforcement and the public health department—was after him. Then in 2001, following the landmark ordinance, Montero began running the business officially, continuing to build bonds with his customers. Those bonds have lasted until this day.

“Even their kids come now,” he says in Spanish.

Alcala and Villalvazo have visited his restaurant in Hayward and every location in San Leandro, and stop by whenever they pass by the original truck in Fruitvale.

“It represents us all as Mexicans, so seeing how it’s grown is admirable,” Villalvazo says. “Eating one of these tacos, you remember your ranch back home.”

Cece Carpio transforms memory into community art

For as long as memory serves, visual art has been a means of connection, adaptation and survival for Cece Carpio. Expressed through paper, pencil, ink, acrylic and aerosol paint, or installations that might include sticks, fabric, shoes, bottles, blades, candles and more, the Oakland-based artist/educator tells stories highlighting the dignity of everyday people and others often overlooked.

Carpio’s great-grandmother raised her in the Philippines until she joined her parents in the Bay Area at age 12. A shy child able to speak English, but not fluently, Carpio relied on her skilled draftsmanship to establish herself and fit into the new surroundings so different from those in the tiny farming village where she grew up when she arrived in the United States. 

She received attention and scholarships in school and fellowships from professional organizations, and that validation led her to pursue a career in art. Eventually, Carpio found artistic purpose not only through exhibits in museums and galleries, but in creating murals and participating in multidisciplinary, collaborative projects locally, nationally and internationally.

Carpio recently served as galleries manager for the San Francisco Arts Commission, and was a public art advisor for the City of Oakland. She is now a full-time artist and part of the collective, Trust Your Struggle.

In an interview, she speaks of the influence her earliest years had on her artistic practices. “My great-grandmother was quite a magical woman and raised five generations,” Carpio says. “We lived in a village with dirt roads, huts. She was illiterate, so coming home from school, I’d illustrate stories for her. Harvesting on the farm, we’d talk, but she had few words. For my entertainment and communicating with her, I’d draw.”

Outdoors, Carpio arranged sticks on soil and scratched images onto leaves, creating art not to display her talent, but to engage. “I use the word ‘folkloric’ because my work now is still defined by art by the folks—working class peasants,” she says. “That translates to my getting a lot from what’s surrounding my work and who’s in it.”

 Art allowed Carpio’s imagination to expand. (Pictured: ‘Mountaintops and Waterways’ by Cece Carpio, courtesy of the artist)

Self-conscious about her accent and hesitant to speak publicly when she was young, Carpio says designing birthday flyers “made me cool in school.” Art became her method by which to navigate the world. The faces of working class people she saw highlighted “bigger than life” in murals on Bay Area buildings mingled with the Indigenous oral story traditions she held in her memory. Art allowed her imagination to expand. Without having to speak or perform, art provided friends and community. “It gave me a foundation,” she says. “Especially for an immigrant. I had a point to pivot from.”

Carpio travels frequently for work, study and solidarity activities. Growing up with limited means—the family did not own a car—makes her appreciate trips to the Philippines. There, the pull of familiar smells, cultural traditions and environment is significant, but travel to any location is valued for the freshness of the experience and unique discoveries, she insists.

Most works in Carpio’s portfolio center on visual storytelling and present timeless, universal themes that interact with modern culture. The “dialogue” between current events, ancient mythology, history and spirituality is fertile ground. Scratching below the surface opens up community conversations and inspiration to continue building relationships and dreams.

We Got Us is one example. “When the George Floyd verdict was released, folks were out on the street,” Carpio says. “We wanted to hold each other in this time of injustice. My role was to give visibility to what’s left behind after the protests and rallies are over. I got my homies, paint—and we decorated plywood with hands holding up tools of caring and healing.”

An installation, “Huktingan,” shows Indigenous women in different parts of the world playing sports—a runner in Mexico, a soccer player in Peru and a basketball player in the rice fields of the Philippines. The installation’s paintings, textiles, sports equipment and other objects are a form of offering, she says, adding that the women and cultures represent what are “hot stories to me.”

This year Carpio received a $100,000 Rainin Arts Fellowship. (Pictured: Cece Carpio’s ‘Tend Your Orchard,’ image courtesy of the artist)

Carpio in 2026 received a $100,000 Rainin Arts Fellowship. Honored and humbled by the validation, she says the support arrived at a critical moment. “My livelihood is inconsistent at the current time with budget cuts in the arts,” she says. “It’s inspiring to know there are still institutions that deem my work important. It gives me motivation, space and time to imagine what’s next.”

What’s next are projects in San Francisco’s SoMa district and at Reem’s California restaurant in Jack London Square, and a Clinton Park re-imagining in East Oakland.

To learn more, visit cececarpio.com and krfoundation.org.

Pragati Sharma Mohanty reimagines the ‘Ramayana’ through Sita’s story

When Pragati Sharma Mohanty was a little girl growing up in India, the nation was riveted to a television show telling the epic tale of the Ramayana. But as an adult, she said in a phone interview, she realized how much more complex the original text is. She investigated 15 ancient versions of the story of Rama, who is the seventh avatar of the god Vishnu; his wife, Sita; his brother, Lakshmana; and Sita’s kidnapper, Ravana.

Then, in 2020, she began the series of paintings and sculptures in her Sunnyvale studio that are now featured in “Daughter of the Earth,” a current exhibition at the Richmond Art Center (RAC). “It was the right time,” she said. “There are so many aspects of the story many people don’t know. I took it up as a challenge.”

Curator Amy Spencer, who is also the RAC’s community engagement director, visited Sharma Mohanty’s studio and found it wall-to-wall with images, all telling stories from the Ramayana and all created in her intricate “maximalist/miniaturist” style. “She works on multiple paintings at the same time, all interconnected,” Spencer said.

Sharma Mohanty trained in architecture and design, and her technique for her paintings, she explained, evolved as she wanted to layer watercolor/gouache images on top of acrylic backgrounds, also using laser-cut figures on rice paper “collaged” into and onto the piece. “Her technique is traditional—up to a point,” Spencer said. “But she wanted to take it further. There is a lot of detail and repeated motifs.”

In some ways, using the cutouts in their repeated and different poses “is a lot like creating [stop-motion] animation,” the artist said.

Viewing the immensely meticulous paintings, multiple stories, motifs and symbols are revealed in each one. And, as the exhibition’s title indicates, much of the focus is on Sita, who was not born by a human mother, but rather discovered in a furrow in a field, making her a “daughter of the Earth.” After marrying Rama, she follows him into banishment in the forest, where she is abducted by the demon king Ravana, then rescued by Rama and Hanuman, the commander of the monkey army.

But when rescued, Sita’s fidelity is questioned and she undergoes trial by fire to prove her purity. Yet even this is not enough, and when she is later asked to repeat the ritual, she chooses instead to return to the Earth.

“Sita is a heroine,” Sharma Mohanty said. “She makes her own choices.” In one of the exhibition’s sculptures, viewers find themselves looking at a mirror. “Every person has to go through tests, coming out of them as a new person,” the artist said.

EPIC RETELLING ‘Sita ki Rasoi 2026’ by Pragati Sharma Mohanty is part of the ‘Daughter of the Earth’ exhibition at Richmond Art Center. (Image courtesy of Richmond Art Center)

Spencer noted that Sharma Mohanty recorded video narratives about the pieces, which can be used as an audio tour as people view the exhibition. “We assume that most people will not be familiar with the Ramayana. Even those who are will likely enjoy hearing the artist’s own interpretations of her work,” Spencer said.

Yet another way in which those new to the text can explore it is with a 70-foot-long scroll that contains the entire Ramayana, nearly 24,000 verses, divided into seven chapters. Each verse is a couplet, two individual lines. A crank system allows the scroll to be turned to show new parts of the text. “It’s another interactive element,” Spencer said.

Sharma Mohanty has also established a teaching installation in her Sunnyvale studio, the Pragati Art School. Since moving to the Bay Area from the East Coast in 2014, she discovered that residents were, in her words, “more open to learning about other art forms.” Now, with the help of two studio assistants, she teaches multiple forms of traditional Indian arts, representing every state in India, alongside other cultures’ folk art styles. Indian forms include mandala painting, paper cutting and painted textile art.

Classes are small, six to eight students, and adults-only.

Circling back to “Daughter of the Earth,” both Spencer and Sharma Mohanty suggest taking time to examine and contemplate the intricate images. “Read and listen to the narratives. Use your eyes,” Spencer said. “Enjoy the stirring panoply of the works.”

The artist has found early reactions to the exhibit heartwarming. “I am so overwhelmed by the response,” she said. “I’m very excited that people connect so deeply with the work.”

She is also working on compiling a coffee-table book of the images, available in 2027.

‘Daughter of the Earth,’ showing through Aug. 15 at the Richmond Art Center, South Gallery, 2540 Barrett Ave., Richmond. Gallery hours: 10am to 4pm, Wed-Sat. Free. 510.620.6772. richmondartcenter.org

For more information about the Pragati Art School, visit pragatisharma.com/about-1.

Twin Bloom brings years of collaboration to debut EP

0

Before they came together as Twin Bloom, the four musicians in the band—vocalist and guitarist Gvir Aviv, lead guitar player Mickle Nguyen, bass player and multi-instrumentalist Josh Cano, and drummer Sandra Alva—were all veterans of other projects.

This week they’ll release Twin Bloom, a self-titled EP that slowly took shape over the past few years. “Josh, Mickle and I have been playing music together for over a decade, mostly for fun,” Aviv said. “Until recently, we never went through the trouble of coming up with a band name. We’d just get together and write songs or play some covers. The only real output of that was phone recordings, sitting in our Dropbox. This EP is the first evidence of us actually playing music together.”

As the band got serious about songwriting and performing, Nguyen said it was important to set a goal: getting into the studio to make a record within six months. “We all genuinely like each other and have a lot of history together,” he said. “That makes communication easier and makes everyone open to different viewpoints. There’s a lot of trust and not much ego. Because of that, we’re able to be honest with each other, push ideas further and ultimately make better songs.”

The band’s process of songwriting and arranging is organic and collaborative. “Sometimes I come in with a core idea, a vocal hook, maybe even a full verse and chorus,” Aviv said. “The band shapes it from there. Or Mickle will bring in an arrangement on guitar, and we build on it. Sometimes it’s fully collaborative from scratch, but it usually starts with someone bringing in a spark.”

When the songs were ready, the quartet went into Oakland’s Tiny Telephone studios with producer Maryam Qudus. “We spent two days at Tiny Telephone, playing the songs together live,” Aviv said. “We mainly focused on getting good takes for drums, bass and some guitars. Then we had three days at Maryam’s home studio, Best House, to track vocals, guitars and synths. She’s an incredible songwriter and musician, so having her in the producer’s chair, shepherding us through this, was especially rewarding.”

While the editing progressed, Nguyen brought some rough mixes to Bobby Martinez, the head of Oakland’s Dandy Boy Records. “He was incredibly generous with his time and ideas,” Nguyen said. “He was the first person outside the band who was genuinely excited about what we were doing. I was surprised when he offered to put out the EP, but it was a total no-brainer for us.”

The songs on the EP are soaked in the kind of images that drift through one’s mind as one looks around, considering their life and their place in the world. “We spent a lot of time talking about, and thinking through, the vibe of each song,” Nguyen said. “We really wanted to evoke a specific feeling or emotion that comes from nostalgia.”

“Summer’s Gone” is a good example of the band’s approach. Aviv’s vocal is full of longing as he describes the thoughts one has at sundown, while considering the end of a relationship. It’s a mid-tempo rocker that slows down as Aviv sings, “I lie awake and think of you,” with Cano’s harmonies adding to the poignant feel.

There’s a country accent on the twanging guitars of “Signals,” a song that finds Aviv slipping into the depths of loneliness. As he acknowledges the fact that his lover will never return, interlocking atmospheric solos from the band intensify the power of the tag line: “I don’t care if you ever loved me.”

The band will feature the songs on the EP at their record release party at the Little Hill Lounge. Aviv said he’s looking forward to the gig, albeit with a bit of apprehension.

“Many years ago I played in a band that played basements and house parties around San Francisco, so proper venues are still relatively new to me,” he said. “Mickle and Josh have played in several bands and have a lot of shows under their belts, and Sandra’s a pro. She’s done multiple tours with bands like Black Veil Brides, so I know I’m in very good hands.”

Twin Bloom will play an EP-release party at 8pm on Friday, July 10, at Little Hill Lounge, 10753 San Pablo Ave., El Cerrito. littlehillelcerrito.com. Listen to the band’s music at: twinbloom.bandcamp.com.

Social Eyes: Week of July 9-15

THU 7/9

FOLK

STELLA PRINCE

She might be barely able to legally drink, but the L.A.-via-Nashville folk singer Stella Prince is an old soul. Maybe it comes from being born in Woodstock, New York, but this Gen Z singer/songwriter carries a traditional, ’60s folk tradition reinvented for modern sensibilities. Just check out her versions of “Close to You” or “For What It’s Worth” and it’s clear that Prince knows what she’s doing and shows great taste while doing it. MAT WEIR

INFO: Thu, 8pm, Cornerstone, 2367 Shattuck Ave., Berkeley. $22. 510.214.8600.

FRI 7/10

PUNK

SCHLONG

I don’t know if we’re ever going to get that elusive, mythological Operation Ivy reunion, guys. Yes, even despite the rumor mill regurgitating it every couple of years. However, we do have several next-best things, one of them being the mighty—heh—Schlong. Formed by Dave and Pat Mello after the disbanding of their other post-Op Ivy ska band, Downfall, Schlong has been an on-again, off-again project over the past four decades. And guess what? They’re on again! In fact, this is the first time in seven years—that’s PRE-COVID!—that Schlong has played together, and what better place to see them than at the epicenter of underground Bay Area punk? – MW

INFO: Fri, 7pm, 924 Gilman St., Berkeley. $15/adv, $20/door. 510.524.8180. 

FRI 7/10

ART

‘O SAY CAN YOU SEE … THE SOUL OF OUR NATION’

At age 250, the country is again at a crossroads. A new art exhibition at Rhythmix Cultural Works, opening July 10, celebrates a possible future “worthy of our hopes and dreams.” Featuring work from Bay Area artists who have created pieces imagining a positive path forward, the show is co-curated by Citizen Joy, a national coalition of artists, arts organizations and educators from all disciplines, with the goal of pulling people away from doom-scrolling and motivating them to help protect and restore democracy. And maybe smile while doing so. The show continues through Aug. 29. JANIS HASHE

INFO: Fri, 6pm, Rhythmix Cultural Works, 2513 Blanding Ave., Alameda. Free. 510.865.5060.

SAT 7/11

COMEDY

NICK LUTSKO

Nick Lutsko built a cult following by turning internet absurdity into catchy songs—“Spirit Halloween Theme Song”—and strange mash-ups—“Kanye West as a Tame Impala.” Behind the viral chaos is a sharp songwriter. The Chattanooga musician’s surreal universe is populated by haunted stores, basement conspiracies and kooky recurring characters, delivered with theatrical commitment and power-pop hooks that have no business being this memorable. Backed by the $100K Band, Lutsko’s quirky style blooms into a full-fledged rock spectacle. SONYA BENNETT-BRANDT

INFO: Sat, 9pm, Cornerstone, 2367 Shattuck Ave., Berkeley. $30. 510.214.8600.

SAT 7/11

THEATER

‘INTO THE WOODS’

Two full casts of theater kids will get their moment in the foliage in this production of a Stephen Sondheim classic. The “Wish Cast” and “Moment Class” alternate in performances of the musical, which tells the story of a baker cursed by a witch, who must dare to enter the woods and try to lift the curse, along the way encountering Rapunzel; Cinderella; Jack, and the beanstalk; Little Red Riding Hood; and other fairytale denizens. Sondheim songs are famously vocally challenging, including “Last Midnight” from this show, so good for these casts being given the chance to tackle them. Sing out, Louise! Runs until July 19. – JH

INFO: Sat, 1pm & 7pm, Berkeley Playhouse at Julia Morgan Theater, 2640 College Ave., Berkeley. $36. 510.845.8542.

SAT 7/11

FILM

‘MUTINY AT PORT CHICAGO’

In 1944, Black sailors were ordered to resume loading hazardous munitions after the deadliest home-front disaster of World War II occurred at East Bay’s Port Chicago. The explosion had killed 320 men and injured hundreds, most of them African Americans. White soldiers were granted leave. The 258 Black soldiers were ordered to return to work under the unchanged, unsafe conditions. The Navy charged 50 of the rebellion’s leaders with mutiny. In recognition of Port Chicago Remembrance Day, OMCA screens Mutiny at Port Chicago: Black Resistance and Redemption, a historic drama documentary produced by actor Morgan Freeman. The event includes a conversation with Congresswoman Lateefah Simon, Antwanisha Williamson and Cynthia Adams, moderated by Dayvee Sutton. LOU FANCHER

INFO: Sat, 1pm, Oakland Museum of California, 1000 Oak St., Oakland. $10. 510.318.8400.

SUN 7/12

THEATER

PAMELA GAYE WALKER’S ‘LITTLE BIG MOUTH’

Actor, writer and director Pamela Gaye has appeared everywhere. On stages across the country; in local shows at Aurora Theatre, TheatreWorks and Magic; in films alongside Peter Fonda, Randy Quaid and Rita Moreno; on national television shows; and as the voice of characters in Pixar’s The Incredibles. At the Marsh, Little BIG Mouth is all about personal storytelling. In her one-woman show, Gaye is an actress clamoring for major league attention. Her mentors are unconventional: a six-year-old girl and Georgia O’Keeffe. The energy is dynamic, the humor buoyant, the depth overflowing. And honestly, don’t most folks secretly hope to be BIG in a world that constantly reminds them of their smallness? Goes until Aug. 2. – LF

INFO: Sun, 5pm, The Marsh, 2120 Allston Way, Berkeley. $25-100. 415.641.0235.

SUN 7/12

JAZZ

CHARLES CHEN QUARTET

By day Charles Chen is a Silicon Valley software engineer and entrepreneur. By night he’s one of the most persuasively swinging pianists on the Bay Area jazz scene who can often be found at one of the regular swing dance gatherings around the region. He’s celebrating the release of his third album, The Long Way Home, a hybrid session that showcases both the playing of 98-year-old bassist Bill Crow and 91-year-old drummer Steve Little, and Chen’s interviews with the nonagenarian masters. He’s playing the Sound Room with Paris-reared, New York-based guitarist Félix Lemerle, who plays on the new album, and the expert Bay Area rhythm section tandem of bassist Nico Martinez and drummer Brian Fishler. ANDREW GILBERT

INFO: Sun, 5pm, Piedmont Piano Company, 1728 San Pablo Ave., Oakland. $30-$35. 510.547.8188.

SUN 7/12

JAZZ

PURPLECAT’S HARMONIC EXPLORATION

Berkeley High Jazz is the gift that keeps on giving. Among the brightest lights in the constellation of recent graduates are drummer Ellie Martens, a.k.a. Purplecat, who’s home from jazz studies in New York at the New School, and violinist/vocalist Tanvi Kumar, who combines deep training in Carnatic vocals with exceptional skills as a jazz improviser. They’re joined by San Francisco-reared New York pianist Zack Shubert and El Cerrito-raised bassist Isaac Coyle, whose career has taken off since he graduated from Berklee in 2023. He’s mostly gigging around the Bay Area, but a few years ago he toured the country as a part of drum-star Terri Lyne Carrington’s Grammy-winning New Standards band. – AG

INFO: Sun, 7pm, The Back Room, 1984 Bonita Ave., Berkeley. $15-$20. 510.654.3808.

TUE 7/14

HIP-HOP

GHAIS GUEVARA

Ghais Guevara is fresh off the release of acclaimed new album Goyard & The Kayfabe Reveal, an ambitious rap opera that builds on the fictional universe of his previous record, folding together revolutionary politics, personal memory, philosophy and frenetic production. His music ricochets between political commentary, industrial abrasion and jazzy side-roads. In Oakland he’ll be joined by another artist tearing up the rulebook: Minneapolis-based rapper student 1, who brings his own playful unpredictability and curiosity. – SBB

INFO: Tue, 8pm, Eli’s Mile High Club, 3629 Martin Luther King Jr. Way, Oakland. $12-$15. 510.808.7565.

Kantine brings Nordic cooking home

Laminated pastries are my primary vice. If they’re in any way descended from or related to their European ancestors, I’ve sought them out in every Bay Area county. But Scandinavian baked goods have never held my attention—at least the American iterations of them. The ones I’ve tried were sugar bombs often thickly coated with frosting. Scandinavian bakeries are also a hard-to-find endangered species.

After a change in ownership, Neldam’s Danish Bakery—established in 1929—on Telegraph Avenue in Oakland rebranded itself as A Taste of Denmark before closing for good in 2022. A routine online search only yields three other Scandinavian bakeries in the Bay Area: Scandia Bakery in Sonoma, Copenhagen Bakery & Cafe in Burlingame and Nichole Accettola’s Kantine in San Francisco.

Located a few blocks away from the Castro on Market Street, Accettola opened Kantine in 2018 and published her baking cookbook, Scandinavian from Scratch: A Love Letter to the Baking of Denmark, Norway, and Sweden, in 2023. Until last month, I’d never been in. I’d filed it under the category of “Too Much Sugar for Me.” But with the recent publication of Accettola’s second cookbook, Scandinavian Everyday, I was drawn in by the chef’s description of the Nordic Diet which informs both her personal narrative and the recipes. She describes it as a mindset rather than as a diet: “Eat locally and seasonally, reduce food waste, and focus on plant-based meals.”

Accettola writes that cooking is “more than just preparing meals—it’s a reflection of values, of how we choose to nourish ourselves and those around us.” When I dropped by Kantine to try a bowl of the chef’s signature porridge, I briefly met her in person. But a few days before that we spoke about her new cookbook.

“I struggled a little bit with this book because I don’t want it to come across as this incredible feat,” Accettola said. “It’s a challenge for a lot of us to do that thing of being able to take a breath and step away from whatever the routine or errands and say, ‘I’m going to be more thoughtful about what I’m doing in the kitchen tonight and how I shop.’”

Scandinavian Everyday begins with a set of “Kitchen Best Practices” that segues into suggestions for how to stock a larder and an introduction to lacto-fermentation. “We need to set ourselves up for success,” Accettola said. “Just having some staples on hand where you are filling up your kitchen. Small adjustments through time will definitely create some good habits.”

To illustrate her approach to cooking within the framework of the Nordic Diet, the chef offered meatballs as an example of an old-fashioned dish she reimagined. “Not doing away with all the meat, but making meatballs as we did where 50% of the farce is made with vegetables, and it still tastes great,” she said.

If there’s a job opening for a porridge evangelist, Accettola is the ideal candidate. “Before we opened, I was doing porridge pop-ups around the city and just tweaking my recipe,” she recalled. Kantine’s savory grain porridge remains one of the cafe’s most popular dishes, and is featured on the cookbook’s cover. “We’ve tried different toppings—asparagus, squash and other roasted vegetables—but there’s a clear preference that it always stays mushroom,” she said. “It’s my favorite dish on the menu.”

Accettola lived and worked in Denmark for several years. At her last job in Copenhagen she was part of a team whose goal was to improve public meals at schools, prisons, hospitals and elderly care homes. The chef focused on porridge recipe development for preschoolers. During that process she ordered a bowl of sweet porridge at a cafe. It had a little bit of salt in it which highlighted the flavors of tart apples, bananas, diced pears, cinnamon sugar and toasted coconut.

“The whole freshness of it was probably one of the first times where I was like, ‘This is so good. We need to play with these toppings because there can be so many different variations,’” she said.

Denmark also has a porridge-making competition. When Accettola participated in it, she came in as the first runner-up. “It was wonderful to walk into this room to see that people were really focused and it was the real deal,” she said. “They were very serious about, ‘Let’s bring porridge to the people.’”

Kantine, 1906 Market St., San Francisco. Open Tue-Fri 8am to 2pm, weekends 9am to 3pm. kantinesf.com

Free Will Astrology: Week of July 8

0

ARIES (March 21-April 19): There are only two types of humans, right? Some of us serve beauty, truth and goodness, while the rest pledge their allegiance to illusions, lies and shadows. Our planet is now caught in a colossal showdown between these two sides. And it’s high time for you to align yourself with one or the other. JUST KIDDING. The truth is far messier and more interesting: Every one of us is a blend of luminosity and ignorance. And now is a perfect moment to study how those two currents move within you. When you clearly see how you contribute to the murky jumble, your commitment to love, harmony and justice will soar.

TAURUS (April 20-May 20): You’ll move with style and purpose if you take quick jaunts, dare gentle risks and make a few nimble leaps of faith. You’ll go awry and astray if you wander too far afield, chase swaggering adventures or try vaulting across yawning chasms. Keep it light, sharp and intuitive, Taurus. Refrain from lugging heavy emotional baggage or drifting into daydream limbo. It’ll be wise to trust your sprightly impulses but foolish to dissect them so ruthlessly that the magic leaks out. The color amber and the number three will be your allies. Somber gray and the number four will not. Align with sly visionaries and soulful realists, but sidestep bitter contrarians and nostalgic clingers.

GEMINI (May 21-June 20): I swear I’m smarter in some places than in others. My intelligence soars in Barcelona; Kyoto; Aix-en-Provence, France; and Florence, Italy. But I seem dull-witted in Munich, Moscow and Washington, D.C. Even in Northern California, my long-time home, some areas bring out the best in me. I feel mediocre on Valencia Street in San Francisco, for instance, whereas I’m extra wise in downtown Berkeley. Why is this? The branch of astrology known as astrocartography says that my strengths are more likely to shine in certain spots than others. In the coming weeks, Gemini, I urge you to experiment with the possibility that this may be true for you, as well. Wander far and wide. Find out where you feel most aligned with your deep, bright, genuine self.

CANCER (June 21-July 22): Male humpback whales in the Pacific Ocean change their songs over the years. New phrases can spread across thousands of miles as other whales take up and transform them. Researchers don’t know why, but the pattern is clear: The whales value novelty even in their ancient rituals. They create an evolving musical tradition. Consider what this practice might suggest for your own relationship with the past, Cancerian. The memories and patterns you’re carrying don’t have to remain frozen. You can honor your history while remixing it, adding new verses and changing the key. What needs to be preserved isn’t the exact form but the living spirit.

LEO (July 23-Aug. 22): Leo-born oceanographer Marie Tharp created the first comprehensive maps of the ocean floor. Her work was pivotal in proving theories about plate tectonics.​ She did much of this work in the 1950s, when women weren’t even allowed aboard research vessels. She had to rely on data collected by others, never seeing the terrain she mapped. But her limitation became her advantage; distance allowed her to perceive patterns that field researchers missed. I suspect that you, too, are working with incomplete information, Leo. Does this disqualify you from drawing conclusions? No. I believe your inability to access certain details will compel you to see larger patterns. What you’re missing might be precisely what enables you to see what others can’t.

VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22): The “problem” confronting you right now is unusual: Your vision is too sharp, your thinking too precise and your words too unambiguous. This would usually be good news to celebrate, but at the moment it’s blocking you from noticing the subtle openings life is presenting. Those portals may only reveal themselves if you soften your intense scrutiny and call on a creative, blurry logic. It’s like how, at night, you sometimes see more clearly when you peer from the edges of your vision rather than staring straight ahead.

LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 22): This is a perfect moment to express your own unique power more than ever before. I invite you to act with conviction, assert your influence and claim what you’ve earned. For best results, clarify your ambitions and assert your authority. Write down a formal vow or two. Don’t wait for approval from anyone higher up, and don’t waste time wondering whether destiny is on your side. The succulent opportunities aren’t somewhere else or someday later. They’re here and now.

SCORPIO (Oct. 23-Nov. 21): I’m exultant when a vigorous bike ride up the trail of my local mountain leaves me so cleansed and energized that a flash of truth strikes and instantly dissipates the illusions I’ve been clinging to. I get a delightful shock when, while wandering through a city’s maze of asphalt and litter, a sudden breeze carries the earthy aroma of a rebellious garden. I love it when the reckless choices of misguided leaders jolt my community into doubling down on our quest for audacious harmony, inventive affection and untamed wisdom. How about you, dear Scorpio? Where do you search for your awakenings and salvations? Keep your inner radar tuned; they’re circling close.

SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21): Sagittarian physicist Freeman Dyson (1923-2020) proposed that advanced extraterrestrial civilizations might build megastructures around stars to capture their energy. These “Dyson spheres” would be detectable from Earth as unusual infrared signatures. We haven’t found any yet, but his idea revolutionized how we think about looking for alien intelligence. Moral of the story: Valuable contributions can come from inventing the framework for how to search for unknown things. In the coming weeks, Sagittarius, you might not solve problems, but you could redesign the questions. You may not find the answers, but you could create better tools for exploration.

CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19): Do you have a muse? If not, please find one. You shouldn’t go another day without a provocative, inspiring presence to stir your imagination and drive you deliciously wild. If you already have a muse and that genius has been faithfully fueling your creative fire, bestow a reward. Give a gift or blessing that provides a muse-like boost to your muse. And if your existing muse has grown quiet lately, go off on an adventure together. Dream up plans to stimulate the bursts of kaleidoscopic energy that you two are capable of generating.

AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18): In some monastic traditions, practitioners engage in “work prayer.” They transform ordinary labor into spiritual practice not by thinking holy thoughts while working but by bringing complete presence and fond attention to ordinary labors. Chopping vegetables becomes meditation. Sweeping floors becomes devotion. The sacredness arises from their wholehearted attitude. This would be an excellent experiment for you to try, Aquarius. Divine solace and inspiration will arrive as you perform your daily duties with verve and gratitude. Try this: For a few days or even two weeks, approach routine duties and familiar obligations with a ceremonial reverence. Be joyful for the privilege of being alive in the most ordinary ways.

PISCES (Feb. 19-March 20): You’ve entered a phase when your magnetism and charisma will expand as you focus on ruminating deeply about what’s most meaningful to you. Seeking out new teachers and fresh lessons will bring lucky breaks and helpful influences into your sphere. Each fresh insight will polish your allure, and every surge of curiosity will add to your glow. Be extra sexy and ultra smart: Cosmic energies will work in your favor as you weave your id and intellect together.

Homework: Imagine I say to you, “Teach me the most important things you know.” tinyurl.com/s44s44s44

Tickets to The Fray at The Greek Theatre

Enter for a chance to win a pair of tickets to The Fray at The Greek Theatre at UC Berkeley on Thursday, July 23, 6:00 PM.

When Joe King, Ben Wysocki, and Dave Welsh of The Fray take the wide view of the band’s nearly 25-year career, they see a whole lot of stars in the sky—some representing songs that have arrived and made their mark, and others that have yet to come. The multi-platinum-selling group are ready to add a few more with their new album A Light That Waits, The Fray’s first full-length release in more than a decade and the first with the group’s core three members cowriting every track.
BUY TICKETS »

Drawing Date for this Giveaway is Wednesday, July 15, 2026.
Winners notified by email and have 48 hours to respond or forfeit.
Must be 18+ to win.

Best Online Casinos in Australia—Top Real Money Sites for 2026

best online casinos australia
This article was contributed by FortuneCity With so many options available, you shouldn’t settle for anything less than the best real money online casinos in Australia. Our team of expert Aussie gamblers did the heavy lifting for you, so consider today your lucky day. Casinonic is our No. 1 recommendation for Aussie players overall. It hosts 3,000-plus cutting-edge games, and you...

Is Laser Eye Surgery Worth It? What East Bay Residents Need to Know

Is laser eye surgery worth it
This article was contributed by Illuminate Inc. Millions of people wake up every morning and instantly reach for their glasses or fumble for their contacts. The routine has become so normal, they don’t question it. But what would life be like without needing glasses? Imagine perfect vision, not having anything obstructing your face, and never having to worry about losing or...

Fruitvale’s taco trucks keep tradition rolling

Fruitvale's taco trucks keep tradition rolling
Along the street-like canals of the ancient Aztec city Tenochtitlan—modern day Mexico City—vendors routinely sold various meats, stews and even chili sauces that Spanish ethnographer Franciscan Friar Bernardino de Sahagún described as “hot, very hot, very, very hot.” Street vending worked its way into colonial Mexico, later evolving into a robust part of the country’s formal and informal economy. The...

Cece Carpio transforms memory into community art

Cece Carpio transforms memory into community art
For as long as memory serves, visual art has been a means of connection, adaptation and survival for Cece Carpio. Expressed through paper, pencil, ink, acrylic and aerosol paint, or installations that might include sticks, fabric, shoes, bottles, blades, candles and more, the Oakland-based artist/educator tells stories highlighting the dignity of everyday people and others often overlooked. Carpio’s great-grandmother raised...

Pragati Sharma Mohanty reimagines the ‘Ramayana’ through Sita’s story

Pragati Sharma Mohanty reimagines the 'Ramayana' through Sita's story
When Pragati Sharma Mohanty was a little girl growing up in India, the nation was riveted to a television show telling the epic tale of the Ramayana. But as an adult, she said in a phone interview, she realized how much more complex the original text is. She investigated 15 ancient versions of the story of Rama, who is...

Twin Bloom brings years of collaboration to debut EP

Twin Bloom brings years of collaboration to debut EP
Before they came together as Twin Bloom, the four musicians in the band—vocalist and guitarist Gvir Aviv, lead guitar player Mickle Nguyen, bass player and multi-instrumentalist Josh Cano, and drummer Sandra Alva—were all veterans of other projects. This week they’ll release Twin Bloom, a self-titled EP that slowly took shape over the past few years. “Josh, Mickle and I have...

Social Eyes: Week of July 9-15

Social Eyes: Week of July 9-15
This week's calendar picks include Stella Prince, Schlong, 'O Say Can You See... The Soul of Our Nation,' Nick Lutsko, 'Into the Woods,' 'Mutiny at Port Chicago: Black Resistance and Redemption,' Pamela Gaye Walker's 'Little Big Mouth,' Charles Chen Quartet, Purplecat's Harmonic Exploration, and Ghais Guevara.

Kantine brings Nordic cooking home

Kantine brings Nordic cooking home
Laminated pastries are my primary vice. If they’re in any way descended from or related to their European ancestors, I’ve sought them out in every Bay Area county. But Scandinavian baked goods have never held my attention—at least the American iterations of them. The ones I’ve tried were sugar bombs often thickly coated with frosting. Scandinavian bakeries are also...

Free Will Astrology: Week of July 8

Free Will Astrology: Week of July 8
Oh yeah, we're in Cancer season...

Tickets to The Fray at The Greek Theatre

The Fray at The Greek Theatre
Enter for a chance to win tickets to The Fray at The Greek Theatre at UC Berkeley on July 23. Drawing July 15, 2026.
19,045FansLike
17,709FollowersFollow
61,790FollowersFollow