The Criteria We Look For
To make our online casino reviews genuinely useful, we focus on fundamentals—not flashy design. We verify licensing, secure payments and data protection, fair RTP/RNG, clear bonus rules and reasonable wagering, and dependable withdrawals. Below are the criteria we use to separate reliable casinos from the rest.
Trustworthiness, Integrity, and Reliability
If you can’t trust the operator, nothing else matters. We examine company history, ownership, and player treatment—especially how they handle complaints and large withdrawals. Free spins or a big welcome bonus won’t fix weak integrity.
Your funds and play should be predictable and verifiable. Any signs of unfair practices or moving goalposts lead to a harsher score—or exclusion.
When evaluating trust, we consider:
- Company History
- Industry Reputation
- Management Track Record
- Payout Practices
- Complaint Handling
- Licensing and Regulation
- Third‑Party Audits (RNG/RTP)
Safety and Security
Security protects your money and personal data. We expect modern encryption, responsible data handling, and secure account controls like 2FA.
Casinos should never sell personal information and must restrict access to only what’s needed to run your account.
You’re here to enjoy games—not to worry about breaches. We down‑rank brands that cut corners on security.
We also check whether independent labs audit software and whether providers publish RTP, so you can see how games are expected to perform over time.
Payout Speed and Options
Fast, reliable withdrawals are essential. Early online casinos were slow; the best sites today process cashouts within clear timelines.
We verify payout options and stated speeds by testing real withdrawals. If a site advertises instant payments but routinely takes weeks, we flag it.
When you win, you should be paid without friction.
Deposit Options
Getting started should be simple. We prefer casinos with multiple deposit methods—cards, bank transfer, PayPal where available, and crypto—plus instant or near‑instant clearing.
Game Options and Quality
A great cashier means little if the games don’t fit. We rate the depth of slots, blackjack, roulette, live casino, video poker, jackpots, bingo, and crash games—and the quality of the studios behind them.
Some casinos excel at table games; others focus on slots. The best strike a balance with clear RTP and fair rules.
We also evaluate graphics, stability, and usability. Laggy, dated clients lower the overall score.
Online casinos should match the excitement of a physical floor—minus the hassle. If they don’t, we say so.
User Interface and Overall Experience
Navigation should be intuitive; games easy to find; terms and limits visible before you play.
We penalize clunky layouts and unclear cashier flows that lead to mistakes.
Playing online should be relaxing, not confusing.
Customer Support Quality
Things happen—cashout questions, game issues, account checks. We expect responsive live chat and email at minimum; phone support is a plus.
Availability matters: 24/7 coverage is increasingly standard.
Speed is nothing without competence. Agents should resolve issues accurately and politely.
We also track how casinos handle escalations and whether they offer ADR where applicable.
Bonuses, Promotions, and VIP Programs
Bonuses can add value, but only if terms are fair. We scrutinize wagering requirements, game weighting, and withdrawal limits before recommending any offer.
A smaller bonus with low wagering often beats a large one with restrictive rules.
When two casinos are equal on fundamentals, promotions can be a tie‑breaker—but never the main reason to join.