Our online casino review criteria
Here’s a preview of the main things we look for when researching an online casino review. To understand these casinos well, we sign up and deposit money at them.
We also read forums, user reviews, and expert reviews. This helps us get a full picture of the sites, so we can offer our players the most accurate information. Read our full 25 step review process here for more context.
Security & licenses
- Making sure the online casinos you play at are safe and legal is one of the most important aspects of our review process. We check that sites have legitimate, independent licenses from top regulators and industry bodies. These organizations vary depending on where you’re playing, but all casinos we recommend have the relevant certifications. This ensures they meet standards for fair gameplay, using things like Random Number Generators.
Bonuses & promotions
- Welcome bonuses are incredibly appealing. However, we carefully read the fine print to see if the offer is exceptionally good.
- Generous casino bonuses with low wagering requirements and enough time to fulfil the offer are the gold standard. We also want to see regular promotions for all players. A VIP program for loyal players is another significant advantage.
Games & software
- We always test a casino’s game selection ourselves with real money, to get a true feel for it. We want a good mix of real money and free play games. These should come from top software developers. We also want substantial progressive jackpots and the option to download.
Banking & payment methods
- You need a variety of safe banking options. The deposit and withdrawal processes should be fast and simple, with little wait time. Increasingly, we like to see E-Wallet and crypto currency options available to players for fast, safe withdrawals. RTP (return to player) rates should be anywhere from around 94% and up.
Customer support
- Good customer support is important, even if you don’t need it. You should be able to contact the casino anytime, day or night.
- The best casinos provide help through email, live chat, and phone. We also expect to see FAQs and help forums for common issues. Casinos should also honor data protection agreements and consider the wellbeing of their customers.
Mobile Support
- With the huge popularity of mobile gaming, online casinos should be optimized for all popular mobile devices. We want a simple interface and smooth gameplay. This applies to both a mobile site in a browser and a downloadable app.
Localization
- Online gamblers enjoy playing at sites from around the world. Casinos must provide a personalized experience in many languages and accept various currencies. The best casinos provide options in different languages, like English and Spanish. They also have the right licenses for the countries they work in.
How our expert ratings are calculated
Now you know what our experts look for in a top casino. You also understand how they test each feature carefully.
While all these factors are important in choosing casinos to recommend, we know that players value some more than others. Here is a summary of the seven review categories. Each category impacts a casino’s expert rating on our site.
What factors contribute to these weightings?
As well as our own industry knowledge, we also factor in research based on user experiences. Your valuable feedback helps us to establish what really matters to online players. This then allows us to recommend sites that you’ll thoroughly enjoy playing at.
How do I choose the right casino?
“We share our top 5 tips“
Do your research
- It’s always a good idea to read a few online casino reviews before making your choice, to compare what different casinos have to offer. You can also check our list of sites to avoid, to find out about particularly dangerous or untrustworthy casinos.
Make sure it’s available in your country
- Not all online casinos accept players from everywhere in the world. Even if they do, they may not offer support that’s particularly suitable for every country. Get in touch with customer service before joining if you’re unsure.
Test the free games
- Many casinos offer free games that you can try without having to create an account. This is a great way to get a feel for some of their games and see if you like them before depositing any real money.
Understand bonus requirements
- More often than not, the bigger the bonus, the better it is. While this may be true, you need to examine the bonus wagering requirements too. It’s important to know how much you need to play through in order to claim your winnings.
Check the payout speed
- There’s nothing worse than winning a huge jackpot and then sitting and waiting for weeks or even months before you can claim it. You’ll want an online casino with a fast payout time.
Are you a casino looking to get listed?
Tens of thousands of players worldwide trust our 25-step review process to provide accurate, independent casino recommendations that are focused on players’ needs. Submit your brand for review with us, and if you meet the criteria, you could be featured amongst the best online casinos around the globe.