How We Test and Rank Gambling Sites
Last Update: 5 January 2026
Before choosing an online casino, it’s important to read reviews conducted by unbiased professionals with years of industry experience. On this page, we explain exactly how we review casinos, what we test, what we ignore, and what gets gambling sites removed from our list of recommendations.
Our Rating Criteria
Every casino we recommend must pass an in-depth review designed to test how it operates under real conditions. We look past the marketing hype and promises of big wins to examine what really matters most. This includes security, fair play, and whether or not the casino delivers any true value beyond your first deposit.
Licensing, Security & Trustworthiness
Player safety is not optional. Every casino we review is assessed on how well it protects personal information, financial details, and player activity.
- Licensing: A casino’s licensing determines the standards it must meet and the rules it is required to follow in order to obtain and keep its license. During our review, we verify the site’s licensing details, consider the regulatory body that issued it, and ensure that each is legally allowed to offer services to its intended audience. We do not recommend casinos if the site lists an expired, unclear or unverified licence.
- Player Protection & Responsible Gambling: A site’s responsible gambling features are a core part of our reviews. We take a look at what’s on offer and what the casino does to support problem gamblers. A reputable casino should offer tools such as limits on deposits and losses, cool-off periods, self-exclusion options, and links to organisations that support those struggling with a gambling addiction, such as GambleAware and GamCare. Only casinos that support responsible gambling and the wellbeing of its players will be considered.
- Security Measures: One of the first things we take a look at is the site’s security measures. This means assessing the security systems used by the casino to protect its players’ transactions and personal information. Each casino we recommend uses encryption technology, secure payment processing, and has strict internal policies to prevent unauthorised access and fraud. Any casino without strict security measures in place will not be recommended.
Casino Game Quality and Variety
The main reason players opt to play online is because casino sites usually have a lot more to offer in terms of game selection compared to land-based casinos.
However, quality is as important as quantity. We assess each casino’s game library to determine software reliability, fairness, and whether or not there’s a good mixture of slots, table games, and live dealer titles.
- Software Developers: Providers like Playtech, Evolution Gaming, and NetEnt have a reputation for providing reliable, well-tested games that meet regulatory requirements and offer a consistent player experience. Casinos that have partnered with these developers are more likely to work their way onto our list of recommended casinos.
- Live Games: Live games are favoured by many as they offer a realistic casino experience no matter where you are. However, because these are streamed in real-time, it’s important for us to test the quality of the games on offer. We assess the streaming quality of each title, overall game selection, and bet limits. This way, we can guarantee a reliable and enjoyable live casino experience across all devices.
- RTP Transparency & Fairness: Like player safety, game fairness is non-negotiable. This is why we ensure that games operate using independently certified Random Number Generators (RNGs) and check whether or not the Return to Player (RTP) percentages are accurate and clearly stated. We also look out for evidence of third-party testing by respected auditing companies, such as iTech Labs and eCOGRA.
Casino Bonuses and Promos
Casino bonuses are a great way for you to boost your bankroll and get some more game time. However, they’re only truly worth considering if the terms and conditions are fair and realistically obtainable for the average online player.
We take a close look at the bonuses being offered, the wagering requirements, validity periods, and whether or not each site offers more than just a welcome bonus to its members.
- How We Review Bonuses: When deciding whether or not a bonus is worth claiming, we consider the minimum deposit limits, caps on payouts, excluded banking methods, and how much time players have to meet the necessary requirements to actually benefit from the reward. Because of this, our casino bonus reviews always provide accurate information to ensure that you’re able to make the most out of your reward.
- Loyalty Rewards & Ongoing Promotions: Many casinos put a lot of effort into attracting new members with a welcome offer that they neglect to reward existing players for their loyalty. We favour sites that offer loyalty programs, tournaments with excellent prizes, cashback, and/or reload bonuses with easy-to-follow rules and fair terms and conditions.
Accepted Banking Methods and Processing Times
Making transactions at an online casino should be quick, safe, and effortless. We consider the variety of banking methods accepted by each casino as well as the processing times and any hidden transaction fees.
- Accepted Banking Methods: Casinos should always offer several options for players to choose from. This gives you the opportunity to use whichever payment method is most convenient for you. This should include popular cards such as Visa and Mastercard, eWallets such as PayPal, and Instant Bank Transfers.
- How We Test Payout Processing Times: Most casinos will try to catch your eye by advertising instant payouts. However, very few actually follow through with this promise. We take into consideration what each site advertises and test the payout process ourselves before we recommend a site as a good option for quick payouts.
User Experience and Site Design
A casino can offer thousands of games, quality bonuses, and exciting features, but if the site itself is difficult to navigate and the design isn’t quite up to scratch, it can ruin your experience.
We test each casino we review using several devices to determine how easy it is to navigate and whether or not it functions properly across several mobiles and desktops.
- Site Design & Navigation: When testing a new casino, we assess how easy it is for players to make their way from one area of the site to another. The menu structure should be straightforward and easily accessible, games should be displayed clearly, and features such as help centres, customer support, and bonuses should be easy to locate without the page being overcrowded.
- Device Compatibility: Whether you’re withdrawing funds or playing a game, speed and stability are a must, no matter which device you’re using. We use browsers on several devices to assess each platform’s reliability, payment processes, and loading times on different games.
Mobile Compatibility
These days, everyone uses a mobile device for something. And for many, it’s a quick and easy way to enjoy online gambling. This is why it’s important for us to ensure that any casino we recommend offers a seamless experience on both desktop and mobile.
- Mobile Browser and Casino App Quality: Before recommending a casino as a top choice for mobile gambling, we closely inspect the mobile site and, if available, the downloadable app. During our review, we consider device compatibility, how easy it is to navigate, how well it supports real money gambling, and whether or not players have access to all of the same games and features available on the desktop version.
- Exclusive Mobile Features: Many casinos will encourage players to gamble on mobile by offering exclusive rewards and perks to mobile players. This can include app-only bonuses, increased security with biometrics, and even faster payouts. We examine each of the offers and features advertised by the casino to ensure that it’s legitimate and not just a way to get you to download their app.
Customer Support Options & Overall Service Quality
Unlike land-based casinos where there’s always help on hand, those who play online must rely on quality support options. This is why having access to good customer service is essential to your overall experience. We test all of the support options available at casinos we review to ensure that you never find yourself running into an issue without any way to resolve it.
- Contact Options: In order for a casino to be recommended by us, it should offer multiple ways for players to get in touch. Most sites will list an email address, phone number and/or live chat function to make resolving issues quick and effortless.
- Operating Hours and Response Times: Although not all casinos provide 24/7 customer service, the ones that do certainly score higher in our books. If 24/7 availability is not an option, we ensure that players have access to assistance the majority of the week. We present live chat agents with realistic issues to test professionalism and quality of service. We also send emails at various times of the day to assess response times and, if available, call the casino to ensure that agents are truly available during the hours advertised.
- Alternative Support Options: Many players prefer to solve any issues they may run into on their own. This is why it’s important for a casino to not only offer access to customer support agents but also alternative options. We closely inspect each site’s Help Centre and/or FAQ section to ensure that the information is genuinely useful and covers common issues and topics such as responsible gambling, account management, and bonuses.
How to Make Sure You Choose a Safe Online Casino
With so many online casinos being available today, it can be tricky to determine which ones are truly safe to gamble on. Before making any real money deposits online, make sure that you take the necessary steps to protect yourself. Below, we’ve provided a few useful tips.
Bonuses & Promotions
Always take the time to read through bonus terms before you decide to claim an offer. Avoid any promotions that make an effort to hide important information such as wagering requirements and caps on winnings.
Licensing & Security
Only register at online casinos that are licensed by a respected regulatory authority. By doing this, you can rest easy knowing that the site’s fairness and security have been tested and found to be up to standard.
Customer Support
If you try to reach out to customer support agents at your chosen casino and find that they’re unavailable, vague with their answers, or just straight up unhelpful, take this as a big red flag. When gambling with real money, it’s important to have access to quality service with agents that know exactly how to assist you.
Our Promise to You
We’re committed to providing you with in-depth reviews that showcase everything you can expect when it comes to gambling online. Your safety is our number one priority, which is why we promise to always keep your best interests in mind when deciding whether or not to recommend a casino.
Maintaining Reviews That Are Accurate and Fresh
We know that casino terms and conditions change from time to time, as do features, rewards, and game selections. To ensure that the content on our site remains accurate and up to date, we regularly revisit our reviews to update any outdated information.
How We Keep Our Reviews Fair and Unbiased
In order to remain player-focused, we do not accept any payment to promote casinos unfairly or boost rankings. Each casino we recommend has been thoroughly reviewed and found to be trustworthy, entertaining, and rewarding.
