The Criteria We Look For
To make our online casino reviews genuinely useful, we evaluate fundamentals first: licenses, payment and data security, fair RTP/RNG, readable bonus rules, and predictable withdrawals. A glossy lobby should never hide unclear wagering or slow cashouts. Below are the criteria we use to separate dependable casinos from the rest.
Trustworthiness, Integrity, and Reliability
If a casino can’t be trusted, no amount of free spins, welcome bonus promises, or shiny slots will matter. We examine ownership, compliance history, and how the brand handles complaints and escalations.
Your deposits and winnings must be handled predictably with traceable processes. Any sign of unfair practices is grounds for a poor score or outright exclusion.
When assessing trust we review:
- Company History
- Industry Reputation
- Ownership and Compliance Track Record
- Payout Practices and Limits
- Customer Complaints Handling
- Licensing and Regulation
- Independent Audits (RNG/RTP)
Safety and Security
Security protects both funds and personal data. We expect modern encryption, segregated player balances where applicable, and secure coding practices.
Weak configurations, unpatched software, or unclear privacy policies reduce scores. Data must not be shared or sold to third parties without consent.
Players should focus on games—not whether money is safe. That’s why we do not accept excuses for poor security.
We also check for MFA, device session controls, and clear disclosures about how your information is stored and processed.
Payout Speed and Options
Winning is only meaningful if withdrawals arrive without friction. Early online casinos were inconsistent; today top operators can process cashouts quickly and transparently.
We verify advertised timelines against real outcomes, document fees and limits, and note whether expedited methods exist (e.g., PayPal or trusted crypto rails).
When you win, you should be paid promptly—with clear status updates along the way.
Deposit Options
Funding should be simple and quick. We score casinos that support mainstream cards, e‑wallets, bank transfer, PayPal (where available), and reputable crypto options.
Game Options and Quality
Even a safe cashier is not enough if the lobby lacks the games you enjoy. We look for balanced libraries of slots and table games with strong providers.
Beyond selection, we assess graphics, performance, and stable live casino streams with fair limits.
Preference varies—but clunky gameplay or broken lobbies are red flags in our model.
Where possible, we favor casinos publishing RTP ranges and offering demo modes for informed choice.
User Interface and Overall User Experience
Navigation should be intuitive, search responsive, and categories consistent across desktop and mobile.
We downscore confusing menus, intrusive pop‑ups, or slow page loads that make simple tasks harder than they should be.
Playing online should be smooth and low‑stress.
Level of Customer Service and Options
Questions come up—about verification, bonuses, or withdrawals. We expect 24/7 live chat and timely email responses; phone support is a plus where offered.
Speed is only useful if agents are trained and empowered to help. We test resolution quality, not just first-response times.
Clear help centers, searchable FAQs, and transparent status pages also improve scores.
Casinos that track and publish complaint resolutions earn extra credit.
Bonuses, Promotions, and VIP Programs
Promotions should supplement—not override—core quality. We reward clear welcome offers, transparent free spins, and reasonable wagering caps.
We will always prefer a great casino with average bonuses to a weak casino with big numbers and tricky fine print.
Use bonuses that fit your play style; ignore those with terms you can’t meet in normal sessions.