Mike Waters on Poker, Player Protection, and the Future of Online Gambling in Australia

[Interviewer]
 Mike, great to have you here. You’ve been in the gambling world for decades, but let’s start from the beginning. How did this all kick off for you?


[Mike]
 Yeah… well, I was actually born in North Macedonia, but we moved to Australia when I was young. My dad’s Australian, my mum’s Macedonian, so I grew up with a mix of cultures. My dad would play card games with his mates, but poker wasn’t really on my radar until my late teens.
 Once I found it in the late 90s, it just… clicked. I loved the mix of maths, psychology, and patience. I started playing cash games and small tournaments at local casinos — nothing glamorous, but it was a great training ground.

[Interviewer]
 So when did you decide to make the jump to the big stage?

[Mike]
 After a few years of grinding locally, I’d become a bit of a semi-pro. I wasn’t just dabbling anymore — I was making consistent money from the game. That’s when I thought, “Alright, let’s see what I can do against the best.”
 So I took a shot at the World Series of Poker at Binion’s Horseshoe in Vegas. That was my first notable tournament — the kind people remember. I actually had a great run and finished 30th. Won a good amount, but the way it ended… man, that still stings. I had pocket kings, got it in against queens, and the turn brought a queen. That’s poker.

[Interviewer]
 And you didn’t just stay in Vegas after that. You’ve played all over the place.

[Mike]
 Yeah, I really took to the tour life for a while. I played the EPT, Dublin Poker Festival, PartyPoker Tour in Glasgow, and WSOP Europe, plus a lot of smaller events in different countries. I also lived in Europe for quite a long time — from 2004 to 2020 — so it was easy to travel and play.
 One hand I’ll never forget happened in a smaller European tournament. I had pocket jacks, flopped trips, and was feeling good. My opponent kept firing every street, then shoved the river. Something felt… off — like he was trying too hard to push me out. I trusted my read, made the call, and he turns over a complete bluff. That hand was a big momentum shift, and it helped carry me all the way to the final table.

[Interviewer]
 Over the years you’ve also become known for mastering more than just poker.

[Mike]
 That’s right. Blackjack became a real passion — I played it professionally for a while. I’ve also spent plenty of time at the craps tables. I like games where skill and discipline matter, where you can manage risk.
 Having my Master’s in Applied Finance and Accounting from the University of Western Australia definitely helped. Bankroll management in gambling is a lot like managing investments — you think long-term, not hand-to-hand.

[Interviewer]
 So, at some point, you made the shift from being mainly a player to being an advocate. What sparked that?

[Mike]
 Frustration, really. I’d see all these online casino review sites, and most of them… yeah, let’s be honest, they were just parroting marketing material. No testing, no accountability. Players were getting burned — slow payouts, shady terms — and there was nowhere to go for help.
 I thought, “Alright, if no one’s going to step in, I will.” That’s when I launched Australian Gamblers. It’s built on fairness and transparency, and it’s not just reviews — we test everything ourselves, and we’re the first in Australia to offer a proper complaint resolution service for players.

[Interviewer]
 Tell me more about that service.

[Mike]
 It’s simple, but powerful. If a player has an issue with a casino we’ve reviewed — whether it’s a withdrawal problem, a bonus dispute, or an account lock — they can submit a complaint through our site.
 We talk to the casino, gather evidence, and try to mediate a fair resolution. Sometimes we fix it in a day, sometimes it’s a drawn-out battle. But the point is, players aren’t on their own anymore.

[Interviewer]
 That’s a big shift from just being a player.

[Mike]
 Yeah, and I think my own experience makes me better at it. I’ve been on the wrong end of unfair rulings before. I know how frustrating it is. That’s why I always tell people — gambling should be entertainment, not desperation. If you win, take the money out. If you lose, don’t chase it. And if you feel it’s getting out of control, use the tools available — deposit limits, self-exclusion, or just taking a break.

[Interviewer]
 Looking ahead — where do you see the gambling industry in Australia heading?

[Mike]
 It’s evolving fast. Mobile gambling is huge, crypto payments are becoming standard. But I think trust will be the biggest factor. Players are more educated now — they check licenses, payout speeds, and reviews before playing.
 The good operators will adapt, the bad ones won’t last. And I see Australian Gamblers staying at the centre of that — helping players find the good sites and holding the others accountable.

[Interviewer]
 Mike, this has been a great conversation. Thanks for sharing your journey.
[Mike]
 My pleasure. And if anyone out there is having an issue with a casino, you know where to find me.