GoneGambling
- Founded
- 1998-01-01
- Headquarters
- PO Box 5014, Sandhurst East, Bendigo, Victoria 3550, Australia
- Phone
- +61 3 5441 6640
GoneGambling is a long-standing online gambling information portal established in 1998, making it one of the earliest dedicated websites in the iGaming space. Operated under the GoneGambling® brand, it initially served as a pioneering affiliate site offering unique free-play games called 'onions' that allowed members to earn bonus coupons for partner online casinos. The site also fostered a community forum for discussing strategies and reviews. As of 2022, the site announced a temporary closure due to unsustainability, with plans for a future reopening, but as of 2025/2026, the site appears dormant with no confirmed management or operational team. No corporate entity, headquarters, or headcount could be verified from any independent source.
Detailed Review
History & Founding
GoneGambling was launched in 1998, a time when online gambling was just beginning to gain traction. It quickly distinguished itself by offering free-play games that it called 'onions', which allowed users to test slot and video poker games without real-money risk. These games also rewarded players with bonus coupons redeemable at partnered online casinos, making the site an early and innovative affiliate portal.
Business Model & Products
The core business model was affiliate-based: GoneGambling directed traffic to partner casino sites and earned commissions on referrals. Its main product offerings were threefold: a collection of free-play games (the 'onions'), a forum community for member discussions, and a directory of casino reviews and bonus codes. The free-play games were a unique selling point, designed to engage users and build loyalty.
Community & Forum
The GoneGambling forum was an active community where players shared strategies, posted reviews, and discussed the latest casino offers. The site fostered a sense of belonging, with regular members and a small moderation team. The community figure known as 'GreedyGirl' was the most visible representative, authoring the closure announcement in 2022.
Current Status & Closure
In early 2022, a message on the site announced that GoneGambling was 'taking a break' because it had become 'unsustainable in its current form'. The note, signed by GreedyGirl, promised a future return with new free-play games and a revived forum. However, as of early 2026, the site remains online but static – the games section is non-functional, and the forum appears closed. No subsequent updates or press coverage have confirmed a relaunch. The site currently displays a placeholder message indicating a temporary hiatus, but with no timeline or evidence of active management. The lack of any corporate registration, business address, or employee records suggests that GoneGambling was operated as a very small, possibly sole-proprietor venture that is now effectively defunct.
Key Products
Free-Play Casino Games ("Onions")
A collection of proprietary free-to-play slot and video poker games used to engage users and reward them with bonus coupons for partner casinos. Now non-functional on the site.
GoneGambling Forum Community
A discussion forum where members shared gambling tips, game strategies, and operator reviews. Now closed or archived.
Affiliate Partnerships
GoneGambling acted as a referral portal directing players to third-party online casinos, hosting promotional content and bonus code offers.