The Criteria We Look For
To make our online casino reviews genuinely useful, we prioritise fundamentals: valid licensing, secure payments, fair RTP/RNG, transparent bonus rules, and predictable cashouts. Design doesn’t outweigh clear wagering terms or fast, verified withdrawals. Below are the criteria that separate dependable casinos from the rest.
Trustworthiness, Integrity, and Reliability
If an operator isn’t trustworthy, nothing else matters—no amount of free spins, welcome bonus hype, or shiny slots can fix it. We examine company history, ownership, and real responses to player issues.
Because you play with real money, operations must be transparent, predictable, and auditable. Any signs of misleading terms or withheld payouts lead to lower scores or exclusion.
When we check for trust, we look at:
- Company History and Ownership
- Industry Reputation
- Management Track Record
- Payout Practices and Limits
- Handling of Customer Complaints
- Licensing and Regulation
- Independent Audits (RNG/RTP)
Safety and Security
Your deposits, withdrawals, and personal data must be protected with modern standards (TLS, encryption at rest, and secure key management).
We expect casinos to exceed the basics: strong account security, clear privacy policies, and restricted data access. Outdated software or unencrypted pages are red flags.
You should focus on the games—not worry about whether funds are safe. Security isn’t negotiable.
We also assess how data is handled: no selling personal information, and compliance with KYC/AML while keeping documents secure.
Payout Speed and Options
Winning is only meaningful when withdrawals arrive promptly. In the early days of online casinos, cashouts could take weeks; today, good operators pay much faster.
We review available methods, posted timeframes, limits, and any fees, then verify them with real tests. If a casino promises hours but takes weeks, we call it out.
You deserve fast payouts with minimal friction—full stop.
Deposit Options
Deposits should be quick and flexible, with cards, bank transfer, eWallets, and crypto where permitted. If funding your account is a chore, the site won’t score well.
Game Options and Quality
A great casino matches your interests: roulette, blackjack, baccarat, or a deep selection of slots. If your favourites aren’t present or tables are hard to find, that’s a problem.
We prefer balanced lobbies that combine strong table games with varied slots and helpful filters.
Beyond selection, quality matters: smooth gameplay, credible providers, and stable live streams.
Online play should approximate a good brick-and-mortar experience—without lag or confusing layouts.
User Interface and Overall Experience
Navigation should be clear, games easy to find, and mobile play seamless. Frustrating menus or unstable apps lower scores.
Too many sites are built without real UX testing. We expect logical structure, fast search, and stable performance.
Casino play should be enjoyable and low-friction.
Customer Support and Channels
Help should be available via live chat and email, ideally 24/7; phone support is a plus. We test response time and accuracy.
Fast access means little if answers aren’t useful. We look for polite, knowledgeable agents who resolve issues on the first contact.
Clear self-help resources and transparent escalation paths (including ADR) also influence scores.
Consistent support builds long-term trust.
Bonuses, Promotions, and VIP Programs
Bonuses can add value, but only when terms are fair. We prefer reasonable wagering, transparent game contributions, and clear caps.
We won’t rate a weak casino higher just because the bonus is big. Quality of product comes first; bonuses are a tiebreaker.
Compare welcome offers, free spins, and VIP rewards only after a casino meets our baseline for safety and speed.