How We Rate Online Casinos
Enjoying online casinos starts with choosing where to play.
We strive to be your go-to source for online casino reviews so you can make the best decision possible. Our approach is designed to evaluate every aspect of a site, right down to the fine print.
In this article, we give you a behind-the-scenes look at our review methodology and the criteria we use to determine our ratings.
How Are Our Reviews Different?
In a sea of casino review sites, we aim to stand out from the pack by going above and beyond in our research and delivering the most thorough, honest assessments. So, what exactly makes a site get our seal of approval?
We review a casino through seven specific criteria. We look into its reputation, banking options, bonuses, game selection, user experience, customer support quality, and commitment to responsible gambling.
Each criterion is further dissected into specific features. But our process doesn’t stop there.
Our independent writers receive a budget to make a real deposit and play, so we have a firsthand account of the actual experience.
In addition to playing games, we review terms and conditions, ask customer support questions, and make a withdrawal to understand how a casino truly functions.
Each reviewer compiles their findings into a thorough but easy-to-understand page so you have the knowledge to compare sites and pick one you want to gamble at.
The Meaning Behind Our Star Rating System
We rate casinos on a one to five-star scale, with one being the lowest and five being the highest. Below are examples of how we define each rating.
| Rating | Description |
|---|---|
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We give a one-star rating to crooked casinos. That is, a site we suggest players avoid due to proven unethical practices like fraud and theft. |
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Sites with negative reviews, poor user experience, low-quality games, and unfair terms and conditions are given a two-star rating. We strongly recommend proceeding with caution. |
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We give a three-star rating to casinos with an acceptable reputation and legitimate practices but need improvement in other areas. It might have subpar promotions and mediocre customer support, but it has a nice game variety that balances out the score. |
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A four-star rated site has a mostly positive reputation and excels in many ways, but not all of them. For example, it might have wonderful games, a good user experience, and friendly customer support, but it just needs better bonus terms. Overall, it’s very good, but not quite perfect. |
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The elusive five-star rating is hard to come by. It means that there is nothing the casino could do to improve its current state. Its reputation is excellent; it has a fantastic game selection, superior promotions, top-notch customer support, and an unmatched user experience. |
Our Review Criteria
We adhere to a strict process for evaluating an online casino’s legitimacy. As we mentioned, we look at a site’s reputation, banking options, bonuses, games, user experience, customer support, and responsible play initiatives.
With all this information, we can calculate an overall score. Let’s explore each of the facets we consider further.
Reputation
Reputation is one of the first things we look for when examining an online casino. We visit multiple popular forums and third-party review sites like Reddit and Trustpilot to get a general idea of how it is received.
We also consider the content of the comments from an experienced perspective.
Player Complaints and Opinions
We search through varying sources to get a full spectrum of opinions.
If we notice any patterns, such as multiple complaints about withdrawals, we take that feedback seriously and factor it into our rating while weighing it against our own experiences.
Licensing
We check to make sure a casino is licensed and learn about the company’s origins.
Not only is a license often required for an online casino to operate legally within its jurisdiction, but it also ensures that it’s upheld to certain standards of fairness and transparency.
Safety and Security Measures
Security is essential for ensuring that an online casino is safe to use.
We verify that each site employs SSL encryption to protect personal information. We also check for additional security measures like two-factor authentication, regular third-party security audits, and transparent data protection policies.
A casino must have these security features to receive a high rating from us.
For a casino to receive a high rating in this category, we need to see positive testimonials that align with our personal experiences, a valid license, and robust security measures, including SSL encryption.
A casino with mixed reviews might receive a moderate score, but the absence of a license or clear security measures is a significant red flag and will negatively impact its overall rating.
Bonuses
Online casino bonuses attract players with tempting offers, but their stipulations define their worth. A good casino should have bonuses with value and reasonable terms and conditions.
Those terms must be accessible, clear, and easy to understand. We are also looking for an adequate variety of promotions to boost your gameplay.
Value to Player
A bonus should add value to your gambling experience, whether it’s a large deposit match or free spins.
The terms and conditions typically dictate that you have to wager a certain amount to be able to withdraw, so the bonus must be worth your time and effort.
Fair Terms and Conditions
We mainly consider wagering requirements, expiry dates, and the games available to clear the bonus.
We analyze the rollover requirements and compare them to industry standards to ensure they are reasonable. Typically, we look for rollover requirements that are not overly demanding.
The ease or difficulty of clearing these bonus requirements is crucial; we prefer bonuses that offer sufficient time to meet these conditions, ideally 30 days or more.
The promotion terms should also include multiple games that contribute to the rollover requirements and appeal to various interests. A 100% contribution for slots is very common, so that’s a must.
We mostly look for flexible and reasonable terms that are actually cashable.
Promotion Variety
A casino should have a diverse selection of bonuses and perks that benefit the player.
We want to see reloading offers, social media contests, weekly rotating bonuses, and loyalty programs that reward you for being a repeat customer. The more options, the better.
If a casino has transparent terms and conditions, reasonable parameters, and a varied selection of promotions, we give it a high score.
However, this is a highly nuanced category with a lot of variables. Some bonuses may be better than others, so our rating reflects all of the offers as a whole.
Banking
Reliable banking methods are a cornerstone of trustworthy online casinos.
We look for well-known casino deposit and withdrawal options, including major credit cards, cryptocurrencies, bank transfers, and prepaid cards. We also go through the process firsthand to get a feel for the banking policies, fees, and payout speed.
Deposit and Payout Methods
A gambling site needs to offer a variety of popular deposit and payout methods to accommodate players’ needs.
We prioritize quality over quantity. Casinos receive higher scores if they offer popular methods like credit cards and cryptocurrencies, have minimal or no fees, and maintain low deposit and payout minimums.
On the other hand, methods with high minimum withdrawals or high fees receive lower scores. These limits make it difficult for players to access their funds.
Plus, we verify that all advertised options are available to players.
Acceptable Speed
We test both deposits and withdrawals to ensure the transaction speed is acceptable.
The process should be straightforward and efficient. We document any issues we encounter.
Deposits should typically occur instantaneously, while withdrawals should be processed within a reasonable timeframe of three to ten days, depending on the method used.
We also evaluate the consistency of these speeds, checking if the casino maintains reliable processing times across different transactions.
Additionally, we assess customer support responsiveness in case of delays or issues, ensuring players can get timely assistance when needed.
Fair Withdrawal Policies
We examine the withdrawal process to look for any unfair practices.
We expect to see low fees, or at least some options without fees, and the verification process should be relatively easy. Typically, a photocopy of your ID, selfie, and proof of address is standard.
Once we’ve completed a deposit and withdrawal and thoroughly researched the policies, we assess this category based on the information we found and our experience.
The casino will receive a high rating if everything goes smoothly from start to finish, we can avoid fees, and the withdrawals are quick.
An example of a low rating in this section would be if we followed the instructions properly but still couldn’t get paid out.
Game Selection
Games are a large part of our review process. We play numerous titles in all of the casino’s categories, including slots, table games, video poker, specialties, and live dealers.
We expect to find a diverse variety of titles for each type of game, lucrative features, and impressive graphics. There should be games from popular software developers, as their willing collaboration can point to a casino’s legitimacy.
Free Play Options
Free or demo play, puts a casino a cut above the rest by allowing players to test and learn about games before wagering real money. It isn’t always available at gambling sites.
While we don’t necessarily hold it against them if it’s not an option, it will get bonus points if it is.
Software Developers
When well-known casino software developers agree to provide games to a site, it’s a good sign it’s legitimate.
On top of that, some of the most popular providers develop the best games with unrivaled artistry and exciting features.
RTP
High RTPs (return to player percentage) indicate a game will pay out more to the player over time.
For reference, blackjack has a 99.5% RTP, which, with good strategy, is one of the highest of all gambling games. Slots tend to average 96%. Overall, we want to see plenty of games with RTPs in that range.
Game Variety
Even though casinos typically offer the largest selection of slots, we look for a good variety of games in each category.
The amount doesn’t have to be tremendous, but it should be diverse.
For example, if the casino only has six blackjack games, we would still want to see multiple variations in that section.
A casino with a high rating in this category checks all of the boxes above. We may give a lower score for poor-quality games, lack of variety, or too many titles with subpar RTPs.
User Experience
The user experience can make you want to stay and play at a gambling site or leave immediately.
Within seconds of visiting an online casino, we begin to formulate an opinion. It should have a pleasing design and feel streamlined rather than cluttered.
We expect the same qualities playing on a mobile device.
Site Experience and Feel
We consider the casino’s aesthetic appeal and layout. We don’t want to encounter a blinding background that hurts the eyes or have any problems finding what we’re looking for.
Games should be categorized, promotions should be accessible, and terms and conditions should be easy to locate. Also, the site should function well without glitching.
Mobile Compatibility
We log into our accounts on a mobile device and play games to experience the casino on a small screen.
We ensure the site is still navigable, the buttons are easy to click, the gameplay is smooth, and the graphics are crisp.
If a site’s design feels intuitive on both desktop and mobile and we don’t encounter any lagging, we can give it a high score.
An example of a low rating in this category would be if it is difficult to find information, it’s a struggle to open games, or the mobile version doesn’t work.
Customer Service
We use every point of contact to get in touch with customer support, including email, live chat, and phone calls. A casino should offer at least two of the three, and we prefer to have a live chat option due to its speed.
We ask questions and gauge how helpful the response is and how long it took them to reply.
Live chat should be the quickest method, and we expect the agents to be able to answer our questions within a few minutes or at least point us in the right direction.
Email should take up to 48 hours maximum and provide a thorough response.
Since we don’t always find a phone number at sites, it’s a plus when they have one.
However, the wait times for a call shouldn’t be excessive. No matter the method, we expect all representatives to be friendly and patient.
If we come across agents who seem like they are in a rush to end the conversation, can’t answer our questions, or simply take too long to respond, the casino will get a low score in customer support.
Responsible Gambling Features
We can’t stress enough how important it is to gamble responsibly and expect the same standards from the online casinos we recommend. We want to see some sort of initiative by the casino to offer resources to those who might need help.
That could be a gambling addiction hotline, a link to the Gambler’s Anonymous website, or something similar, a self-diagnostic quiz, or a self-exclusion program.
Where Does the Data Come From?
We get our data about an online casino from multiple sources, such as the operator, our experiences, and the site itself.
Our Writer’s Experience
There’s no better way to learn about a gambling site than to play there yourself.
We collect data from our personal experiences when depositing, playing games, withdrawing, and contacting customer support.
From the Casino Site Directly
A good portion of the data we collect is directly from the site. We learn about the terms and conditions of promotions, banking, gameplay, privacy, and more.
We also get information about games, including RTPs and features.
Forums or External Websites
Public forums are a great place to read opinions and anecdotes from a wide range of people.
We check sites like Reddit and Trustpilot to learn what they’re saying about their experiences with things like bonuses, withdrawals, and customer support.
Directly From the Operator
We get some factual information from the casino operator, such as the number of games on the site, what software providers supply titles, what company owns the casino, and where it’s licensed.
A note on updates: Online casinos often make adjustments over time to certain aspects like promotions, the number of games, and terms and conditions. We periodically check in to these sites and update our reviews to keep our information current. If the changes have been for the better or for worse, we adjust our ratings to reflect that.
About Our Team and Our Work
Our team has been on this mission to provide reviews of online casinos for over a decade. We hire professional gamblers, researchers, and experts who aim to educate people on how to gamble safely on the Internet.
We provide players with reliable recommendations, firsthand insights, and helpful tips to assist them in their gambling journey.
Our team is dedicated to rigorous research and testing. We don’t just read about online casinos; we play at them. Read one of our reviews, and you’ll see the evidence for yourself.
We hope that you can trust us and see that we’ve evaluated our experiences with a scrutinizing eye.
Behind each review is our dedicated team of casino experts and writers who spend countless hours examining every detail about each site.
A Word on Our Affiliate Partners
Our aim is complete transparency in all that we do, including how we stay in business. Let’s discuss it.
First off, online casinos don’t pay us to review them or provide a higher star rating.
We contact each casino to get unique links that point back to their site. We place these links on our reviews, in buttons, and throughout our site. If our readers click them and create an account at the casino, we get a payment.
It’s a way for gambling sites to drive traffic, and it helps us to keep doing what we love: giving unbiased feedback to our readers so they can make well-informed decisions.
It’s important for you to know that this agreement does not in any way affect our honesty or sway our opinions.
We will always deliver truthful results based on our experiences and research and share with you everything we find along the way.
Each ranking authentically reflects a casino’s quality and has no connection to its affiliate status.
Explore All of Our Casino Reviews
Whether you’re a seasoned gambler or new to online betting, our goal is to help you find the safest way to play through our commitment to transparency and adherence to high standards.
By sharing our process, we hope to further equip you with the necessary tools to make the smartest gambling decisions.