Last updated: April 2026

What Are Cookies?

Cookies are small text files that are placed on your computer, smartphone, tablet, or other device when you visit a website. They are widely used across the internet to make websites work more efficiently, to provide information to website owners, and to enhance the user experience.

When you visit poig.org (the "Website"), cookies may be stored on your device by your web browser. These files contain small amounts of data, typically including a unique identifier, the name of the website that placed the cookie, the cookie's duration (how long it will remain on your device), and a value (usually a randomly generated unique number).

Cookies serve a variety of important functions. Some cookies are essential for the website to operate correctly. Others help us understand how visitors interact with our content so that we can improve the Website over time. Still others support the affiliate tracking that funds our independent casino review operations.

It is important to understand that cookies cannot access any other data on your device, cannot install malware or viruses, and cannot read files stored on your hard drive. They are a standard technology used by virtually every website on the internet.

In addition to cookies, there are similar technologies that perform comparable functions. These include web beacons (also known as pixel tags or clear GIFs), local storage, and session storage. Where we refer to "cookies" in this policy, we include these similar technologies unless otherwise stated.

This Cookie Policy should be read in conjunction with our Privacy Policy, which provides broader information about how we collect, use, and protect your personal information, and our Terms and Conditions, which govern your use of the Website.

Cookies We Use

We use several categories of cookies on the Website. Each category serves a distinct purpose, and we have provided a detailed explanation of each below.

Essential Cookies

Essential cookies (also referred to as "strictly necessary" cookies) are required for the basic operation of the Website. Without these cookies, the Website cannot function properly. These cookies do not collect personally identifiable information and are not used for marketing or tracking purposes.

Essential cookies on our Website are used for the following purposes:

• Session management: These cookies maintain your session as you navigate between pages on the Website. They ensure that you do not need to re-authenticate or re-enter information as you move through different sections of the site.
• Security: Certain essential cookies support the security features of the Website, including protection against cross-site request forgery (CSRF) attacks and other security threats.
• Content delivery: These cookies help deliver content to your browser efficiently, supporting the technical infrastructure that makes the Website accessible.
• Cookie consent: If we implement a cookie consent mechanism, a cookie is used to remember your consent preferences so that you are not repeatedly asked to accept or decline cookies.

Essential cookies are typically session cookies, meaning they are automatically deleted when you close your browser. However, some essential cookies may persist for a limited period to ensure consistent functionality across visits.

Because essential cookies are necessary for the Website to function, they cannot be disabled without significantly impairing or entirely preventing your use of the Website.

Analytics Cookies

Analytics cookies help us understand how visitors use the Website. They collect information about which pages are visited most frequently, how visitors navigate through the site, how long visitors spend on each page, and whether visitors encounter any error messages. This information helps us identify areas for improvement and ensure that the Website provides a high-quality experience for all users.

The analytics data collected by these cookies is aggregated and anonymised, meaning it does not identify individual visitors. We use this data to analyse trends and patterns, not to track individual behaviour.

We use the following analytics tools:

• Google Analytics: Google Analytics is a web analytics service provided by Google LLC. It uses cookies to collect information about how visitors use the Website. The information generated by the cookie about your use of the Website (including your truncated IP address) is transmitted to and stored by Google on servers in various countries. Google uses this information to evaluate your use of the Website, compile statistical reports on website activity, and provide other services relating to website activity and internet usage. Google may also transfer this information to third parties where required by law, or where such third parties process the information on Google's behalf. For more information about Google Analytics and how Google uses data, visit Google's Privacy Policy. You can opt out of Google Analytics by installing the Google Analytics Opt-out Browser Add-on.
• WP Statistics: We use WP Statistics, a privacy-friendly analytics plugin that processes analytics data on our own server rather than sending it to a third-party service. WP Statistics collects information about page views, referring URLs, browser types, and geographic location (at the country level). This data is stored locally and is not shared with any third party.

Affiliate Tracking Cookies

Affiliate tracking cookies are a critical component of our business model. poig.org is funded through affiliate commissions, which we earn when visitors click through our links to third-party casino operators and subsequently register accounts or make deposits. Affiliate tracking cookies enable the accurate attribution of these referrals.

When you click on an affiliate link on our Website, an affiliate tracking cookie is placed on your device. This cookie records information about the click, including:

• A unique click identifier
• The date and time of the click
• The page on our Website where the click originated
• The destination (the third-party operator's website)

If you subsequently register an account or make a deposit at the operator's website within the cookie's duration period, the affiliate network's system uses the cookie to attribute the referral to poig.org. This attribution is what triggers the commission payment that funds our independent review work.

Affiliate tracking cookies are typically set by our affiliate network partners, not by poig.org directly. The specific cookies set will depend on the affiliate network associated with each operator. These cookies may persist for varying durations, typically between 30 and 90 days, depending on the terms of the specific affiliate programme.

It is important to note that these cookies track the referral relationship between our Website and the operator. They do not give us access to your personal information, your account details at the operator's website, your gambling activity, or your financial transactions. The information contained in the cookie is limited to what is necessary for referral attribution.

Preference Cookies

Preference cookies (also known as "functionality" cookies) allow the Website to remember choices you have made in past visits and to provide enhanced, more personalised features. These cookies may be set by us or by third-party providers whose services we have integrated into our pages.

Preference cookies on our Website may be used for the following purposes:

• Language and regional preferences: If the Website offers content in multiple languages or for different regions, a preference cookie may remember your selection so that you are shown the appropriate content on return visits.
• Display preferences: These cookies may remember your preferences regarding how content is displayed, such as text size or layout preferences.
• Previously viewed content: In some cases, a preference cookie may remember which pages or articles you have previously visited, allowing us to highlight new content or avoid repeatedly showing the same information.

Preference cookies are typically persistent cookies, meaning they remain on your device for a defined period (or until you manually delete them). They are not essential for the basic operation of the Website, but they do enhance your browsing experience.

Third-Party Cookies

In addition to the cookies we set directly, third-party services integrated into our Website may also set cookies on your device. We do not control these third-party cookies and are not responsible for the data they collect. Each third party has its own privacy policy governing how the data collected through its cookies is used.

The third-party services that may set cookies through our Website include:

Google Analytics

As described above, Google Analytics sets cookies to collect anonymised usage data. Google's use of this data is governed by Google's Privacy Policy. The primary cookies set by Google Analytics include:

• _ga: Used to distinguish unique visitors. Duration: 2 years.
• _ga_[container-id]: Used to maintain session state. Duration: 2 years.
• _gid: Used to distinguish unique visitors. Duration: 24 hours.
• _gat: Used to throttle the request rate to Google Analytics. Duration: 1 minute.

Affiliate Networks

Our affiliate network partners may set cookies when you click on affiliate links on the Website. These cookies are essential for tracking referrals and ensuring that we are properly credited for the traffic we send to operators. The specific cookies set will vary depending on the affiliate network, but they typically include a unique click identifier and an expiration date. These cookies are governed by the respective affiliate network's privacy policy.

WordPress and Plugins

Our Website is built on WordPress, and certain WordPress core functions and plugins may set cookies. These include session cookies for content management, form submission tokens for security purposes, and cookies related to the email subscription functionality.

How to Manage Cookies

You have the right to decide whether to accept or decline cookies. You can manage your cookie preferences through your web browser's settings. Most browsers allow you to view, manage, and delete cookies. Below are instructions for managing cookies in the most commonly used browsers by Australian visitors:

Safari (macOS and iOS)

Safari is the default browser on Apple devices and is widely used across Australia.

• macOS: Open Safari, click "Safari" in the menu bar, then select "Settings" (or "Preferences" on older versions). Click the "Privacy" tab. Here you can choose to block all cookies, block third-party cookies only, or manage website data individually. You can also click "Manage Website Data" to view and delete cookies from specific websites.
• iOS (iPhone/iPad): Go to Settings > Safari > Privacy & Security. Toggle "Block All Cookies" to block all cookies, or toggle "Prevent Cross-Site Tracking" to block third-party tracking cookies while allowing first-party cookies. To clear existing cookies, tap "Clear History and Website Data."

Google Chrome

• Desktop: Open Chrome, click the three-dot menu in the top-right corner, then select "Settings." Navigate to "Privacy and security" > "Cookies and other site data." Here you can choose to allow all cookies, block third-party cookies, block all cookies, or clear cookies when you close all windows. You can also add specific sites to the "Sites that can always use cookies" or "Sites that can never use cookies" lists.
• Android: Open Chrome, tap the three-dot menu, then "Settings" > "Privacy and security" > "Cookies." Select your preferred cookie setting.

Mozilla Firefox

• Desktop: Open Firefox, click the hamburger menu (three horizontal lines) in the top-right corner, then select "Settings." Navigate to "Privacy & Security." Under "Enhanced Tracking Protection," you can choose between Standard, Strict, or Custom settings. The Custom option allows you to specify exactly which types of cookies and trackers to block. You can also manage individual cookies by clicking "Manage Data" under the "Cookies and Site Data" section.
• Mobile: Open Firefox, tap the menu button, then "Settings" > "Enhanced Tracking Protection." Select your preferred level of protection.

Microsoft Edge

• Open Edge, click the three-dot menu, then "Settings" > "Cookies and site permissions" > "Manage and delete cookies and site data." Here you can choose to block or allow cookies, block third-party cookies, or view and delete cookies from individual websites.

Additional Tools

In addition to browser-based cookie management, you can use the following tools to manage specific types of cookies:

• Google Analytics Opt-out: Install the Google Analytics Opt-out Browser Add-on to prevent Google Analytics from collecting your data across all websites you visit.
• Your Online Choices (DAA): Visit www.youronlinechoices.com.au to manage your preferences for online behavioural advertising cookies from participating companies.

Impact of Disabling Cookies

While you have the right to disable cookies, it is important to understand the practical implications of doing so. Disabling certain cookies may affect the functionality of the Website and your overall browsing experience.

If you choose to disable cookies, the following impacts may occur:

• Essential cookies: Disabling essential cookies may prevent the Website from functioning correctly. You may be unable to navigate between pages, access certain content, or use key features of the Website.
• Analytics cookies: Disabling analytics cookies will not affect your browsing experience. However, it will prevent us from understanding how visitors use the Website, which may limit our ability to identify and resolve issues or to improve the content and user experience.
• Affiliate tracking cookies: Disabling affiliate tracking cookies will not affect your ability to visit third-party casino operators. However, it will prevent the referral from being properly attributed, which means poig.org will not receive the commission for that referral. Since affiliate commissions are the primary funding mechanism for our independent review work, widespread cookie blocking does affect our ability to sustain operations.
• Preference cookies: Disabling preference cookies means the Website will not remember your preferences between visits. You may need to re-select your language, display preferences, or other settings each time you visit.

We respect your right to manage your cookie preferences and will never penalise you for choosing to disable non-essential cookies. The Website will continue to be accessible and functional with essential cookies only, though some features and functionality may be reduced.

Changes to This Cookie Policy

We reserve the right to update or modify this Cookie Policy at any time to reflect changes in the cookies we use, changes in technology, changes in applicable law, or changes in our business practices. When we make changes, we will update the "Last updated" date at the top of this page.

We encourage you to review this Cookie Policy periodically to stay informed about how we use cookies and similar technologies. Your continued use of the Website after any changes to this Cookie Policy constitutes your acceptance of the updated policy.

If we make material changes that significantly alter the types of cookies we use or the purposes for which we use them, we will make reasonable efforts to provide notice, such as by displaying a prominent notice on the Website.

Contact Us

If you have any questions, concerns, or requests regarding this Cookie Policy, the cookies we use, or how to manage your cookie preferences, please do not hesitate to get in touch with us.

You can reach our team via our Contact Page. We endeavour to respond to all enquiries within a reasonable timeframe.

If your enquiry relates to your broader privacy rights or data protection concerns, please refer to our Privacy Policy for detailed information about your rights under Australian privacy law and how to exercise them.

Disclaimer