How we rate online casinos

Before you deposit, you should know who runs the casino, what conditions apply to your money and how to raise a complaint.

We use 21 checks to assess new and updated casino reviews on OnlineCasino.org. They cover licensing, payments, bonus terms, games, customer support and player protection.

Here’s how those checks affect our ratings and which problems prevent us from recommending a casino.

We are updating our existing reviews. Some older articles contain information and ratings published before this methodology was introduced. Each review will state when it has been assessed under these standards. Until then, you should not assume it has completed the checks below.

How our ratings work

We score seven categories. Licensing, player protection and payments account for 60% of the total because problems in these areas can directly affect your money and your ability to control your gambling.

Each category receives a whole-number score from zero to five. The reviewer weighs the findings from its three checks and explains the reasons for the score.

To calculate the overall rating, we divide each category score by five, multiply it by the category’s weight and add the results.

For example, a payments score of 4/5 contributes 16 points to the total:

4 ÷ 5 × 20 = 16 points

The final rating is out of 100. Every casino reviewed under this version of the methodology uses the same weights.

What the scores mean

We do not fill gaps with an assumed average score. If we cannot properly assess a category, we withhold the overall rating.

Optional features are handled separately. A casino does not lose points simply because it has no welcome bonus or downloadable app. We assess the service it offers, explain any exclusions and keep the category weights unchanged.

A high score reflects the evidence we reviewed. It does not guarantee a withdrawal, make gambling suitable for you or remove the risk of losing money.

Our 21 casino review checks

1. Identify the operator

We establish the casino’s legal operator, its trading names and the website address covered by the review.

Some brands use different operating companies in different countries. In those cases, we identify the company serving the market we are reviewing.

We may also examine related brands for context. Their reputation alone does not establish how the casino under review operates.

2. Verify the licence

Where the regulator provides public records, we check them against the casino’s operator and website address.

We examine the licence’s current status, the activities it permits and any relevant restrictions or regulatory action. A licence logo in the casino’s footer is not enough.

If we cannot confirm a significant licensing claim, we say so in the review.

3. Check the market and eligibility rules

Each assessment states the country, state or province it covers.

We check the authorisation required for that market and the restrictions on who can play. Being able to register does not establish that a casino is authorised to serve you.

Payment options, bonuses and complaint procedures can also vary by location, even when the brand name is the same.

4. Test registration and identity verification

An eligible adult reviewer registers using accurate personal details. We record what information the casino requests, which checks take place and any problems completing them.

We compare the published verification requirements with what happens during registration. Where we can measure it, we also record how long verification takes.

If the process remains incomplete, the review explains where testing stopped. Casinos do not earn higher scores for avoiding lawful identity checks.

5. Examine gambling controls

We assess spending or other gambling limits, breaks from play, account closure and self-exclusion options.

The review makes clear whether we have read about a control, found it inside the account or tested how it works.

Self-exclusion tests need to account for any unfinished testing. Once an exclusion takes effect, we never bypass it or open another account to continue gambling.

6. Check account safeguards and privacy information

We examine visible safeguards such as HTTPS, login protection, two-factor authentication where available and account-recovery options.

We also read the casino’s explanation of how it handles personal information.

This is not a security audit. An encrypted connection does not establish whether an operator will honour withdrawals.

7. Test deposits and record costs

We check the payment methods available in the reviewed market, along with currencies, minimum deposits, fees and restrictions.

When testing a deposit, we record the method, amount, date and time taken for the money to appear in the account.

A payment logo on the website does not confirm that every player can use that method. It may also be available for deposits without supporting withdrawals.

8. Read withdrawal limits and conditions

Before requesting a withdrawal, we check minimum and maximum amounts, fees, processing times and verification requirements.

We look for limits that could spread a payout over weeks or months. We also check rules tied to particular deposit methods and any conditions affecting access to deposited money.

Restrictions that could substantially affect a player’s withdrawal appear in the review summary as well as the payments section.

9. Complete and document a withdrawal

For each completed withdrawal test, we record the amount, payment method, request time and when the money arrives. We include approval times, verification requests, fees and delays where relevant.

A casino cannot receive an overall rating under this methodology until an eligible reviewer has completed at least one withdrawal through an ordinary customer account.

That result only tells us what happened in that test. It does not establish a typical payout time for every player, payment method or amount.

If we have not completed a withdrawal, the review remains unrated and explains why.

10. Read the account terms

We examine the rules on account closure, inactivity fees, duplicate accounts, restricted play and withholding or confiscating funds.

We pay particular attention to vague terms that give the operator broad discretion without making clear how players can comply.

Significant restrictions should be clear before a player deposits. Their visibility and wording affect our assessment.

11. Examine bonus terms and test the offer

For any bonus covered in a review, we check eligibility, wagering requirements, qualifying games, game contribution rates, maximum stakes, expiry dates and withdrawal caps.

When testing an offer, we record whether the bonus arrives correctly and whether the account clearly shows its balance, expiry and wagering progress.

The review states how far we got. Reading the terms, receiving a bonus, observing wagering progress and withdrawing bonus-related winnings are separate stages. Claiming an offer does not mean we have tested its full withdrawal process.

We also show what wagering requirements mean in money:

These are examples, not live offers. The actual terms determine which bets count, and you can lose your balance before completing the requirement.

If practical testing is incomplete, we say so. Checking the terms does not prove that a bonus works as described.

12. Assess promotional restrictions

We check whether players can decline or cancel a bonus and what cancellation means for their deposit and winnings.

For cashback and loyalty offers, we examine how rewards are calculated, what is excluded and whether players must deposit or wager again.

The advertised amount alone does not determine the score. We consider the conditions and whether the promotion puts pressure on players to keep gambling.

13. Inspect the catalogue and test games

We examine the games and providers available in the reviewed market, then test a selection relevant to the review.

Our record identifies the titles, device and whether we used demo funds or real money. We check loading, rules, paytables, stake controls and any errors. During real-money testing, we also check whether the account history records stakes and results correctly.

Testing a sample cannot establish that every game works. Demo play cannot verify how real-money bets are settled.

When quoting a game count, we explain where it came from. If the figure is supplied by the operator and we have not checked it independently, we identify it as the operator’s claim.

14. Check game rules and RTP information

We check whether players can find the rules, stake limits and return-to-player information.

Where possible, we record the RTP shown for the specific version of the game. We do not assume that a title uses the same RTP setting at every casino.

RTP is a theoretical return over the long run. It does not predict what you will get back in a session.

15. Examine fairness evidence

We review relevant testing certificates and fairness claims, checking who issued them and what they cover where possible.

If a game offers provably fair verification, we explain what the feature verifies and whether we used it during testing.

Playing games does not certify their random-number generator. Evidence about game fairness also does not guarantee that the operator will pay a withdrawal.

16. Test everyday website tasks

We check how easily players can find and use account settings, payment information, support and gambling controls.

We record problems such as broken links, confusing instructions or controls that fail to work.

If we could only access the public website, the review states that limitation.

17. Assess the mobile experience

We test the mobile website and, where relevant, an official app.

The review records the device and browser used. Checks cover navigation, readability and access to the cashier, support and account controls.

A casino can satisfy this assessment with a working mobile website. A separate app is optional.

18. Check language, currency and accessibility

We assess whether the service is usable for the audience covered by the review.

This includes understandable terms, relevant currency information, readable text and clear form labels. We also record accessibility barriers encountered during testing.

We only claim compliance with a formal accessibility standard if that assessment has been completed.

19. Confirm support channels and availability

We check which support channels are offered, when they are available and which languages they support.

The review explains whether players can reach a human agent or are limited to a chatbot or help centre. We also note restrictions, such as needing to log in before contacting support.

20. Test support answers

We ask a practical question about something a player may need help with, such as verification, withdrawal conditions or bonus eligibility.

We record the channel, date, response time and whether the answer is accurate and useful. Where relevant, we compare it with the published terms.

A quick reply does not earn full credit if the information is wrong or the question remains unresolved.

21. Examine complaints and dispute routes

We examine relevant regulatory notices and documented complaints. We consider the evidence, when the issue occurred, how the operator responded and whether it was resolved.

Complaint totals need context. We distinguish supported patterns from isolated or unverified reports, and we do not calculate complaint rates without reliable data on player numbers.

The review identifies the operator’s complaints process and any applicable external dispute route. OnlineCasino.org is not a regulator and cannot promise to recover money.

What evidence supports a review?

Important claims must be traceable to a dated source or testing record.

For example, a casino’s advertised withdrawal time is a published claim. The time taken for our test payment to arrive is a direct observation. Reviews make that distinction clear.

We may use screenshots, transaction records and support exchanges to document findings. Personal details are removed from any evidence we publish.

Limits on testing

Reviewers use accurate personal details, permitted payment methods and a set budget. They must not bypass location restrictions, chase losses or make extra deposits simply to obtain a successful result.

If an operator provides special access, a funded balance or assistance that affects the evidence, we disclose it. That experience cannot be described as an ordinary customer’s experience.

Any unfinished testing is identified. We can publish a researched casino profile without giving it an overall rating.

When we recommend a casino

To qualify for consideration, a casino must meet all of these requirements:

• We have established the required authorisation for the reviewed market.
• All seven categories have enough evidence to receive a score.
• The overall rating is at least 70/100.
• Licensing, player protection and payments each score at least 3/5.
• A reviewer has completed the minimum withdrawal test.
• There is no unresolved issue that triggers our exclusion rules.
• All required review checks are within their scheduled deadlines.

These are our editorial thresholds. They do not amount to regulatory approval or a guarantee of safety.

Meeting them does not secure a place in every comparison. Each list explains its purpose and how casinos are selected and ordered.

Why we withhold or remove recommendations

A numerical score cannot override a serious problem.

We may exclude a casino because of a false licensing claim, loss of required authorisation, a substantiated pattern of unjustified non-payment or a serious failure in a required player-protection measure.

A recommendation can also be removed if the casino stops serving the reviewed market, falls below our scoring thresholds or misses a required reassessment.

An allegation alone is not proof. If credible evidence suggests a serious problem, we may suspend the recommendation while investigating. The review will distinguish that precaution from a confirmed finding.

We may leave the article online with a warning, closure notice or explanation so readers can still find information about the casino.

Before reinstating a recommendation, we repeat the affected checks and obtain an editor’s approval. A new commercial agreement is not evidence that the problem has been resolved.

Who writes and checks our reviews?

Our editorial team includes freelance contributors.

The writer records sources, distinguishes research from direct testing and explains the findings. A separate editor checks the evidence, market details, calculations and proposed scores before approving a rating.

Each review assessed under this methodology names its writer and checking editor. If someone else carried out the testing, we credit their role.

Contributors must disclose relevant conflicts of interest to the checking editor. We also disclose them to readers where they could affect the assessment.

How commercial relationships affect our content

OnlineCasino.org may earn a commission when readers follow certain links and meet an operator’s qualifying conditions.

Commercial payments do not change our editorial scores, recommendation requirements or the order of editorial rankings. We can assess casinos without an affiliate agreement using the same standards.

An agreement may affect which offers are available through our links. It does not establish the quality of the casino.

Paid placements must be labelled “Advertisement” or “Sponsored” where they appear and displayed separately from editorial rankings. Any casino in a paid placement must meet the same requirements for recommendation.

Comparison pages explain how casinos were selected and ordered. For example, a comparison focused on withdrawals must use relevant payment evidence and state which methods and markets it covers.

Operators can submit factual corrections supported by evidence. They cannot buy a higher score or have a substantiated criticism removed in exchange for payment.

How often we check reviews

This schedule applies to reviews assessed under this methodology. We record routine information checks separately from fresh account testing.

These are periodic checks. We do not monitor every casino continuously.

Each assessed review shows the market covered, the date of its latest substantive review and when direct testing took place. It also explains what that testing covered. Updating a bonus does not change the withdrawal-test date.

If a recommended casino misses a required deadline, we suspend its recommendation until the checks are complete. If a significant change makes a score unreliable, we withhold it pending reassessment.

We explain significant rating changes. Updates to this methodology are recorded with a version date, and we do not present older scores as though they were calculated under a newer system.

How we handle older reviews

We are reassessing our existing reviews. Until an article confirms it has completed this methodology, its earlier rating and testing claims have not been validated under these standards.

During the update, the reviewer checks the operator’s status, corrects or removes outdated information and records any evidence still needed.

An older article may remain useful as a casino profile or historical record. Its publication date does not establish whether its offers, licence information or payment terms are still current.

Report an error or challenge a rating

If you think a review contains an error, use our contact form. Include the casino name, the review’s web address, the information you dispute and a supporting source if you have one.

Do not send passwords, full payment-card details or identity documents through the general enquiry form.

We assess corrections against the evidence. If a correction changes the score or verdict, we explain the change in the review.

For a dispute about your casino account or money, follow the operator’s formal complaints process and any relevant external dispute route. Contacting us does not replace those procedures.

What our ratings cannot guarantee

A review reflects the evidence available when we completed the assessment. It cannot guarantee how the casino will handle every account or whether its service will change.

A high score does not make gambling profitable or prevent gambling-related harm. Do not treat gambling as a way to pay bills, repay debt or recover losses.

Our content is for information and is not financial advice. You must meet the legal age and eligibility requirements where you live.

If gambling is affecting your finances or wellbeing, stop and seek support. Our responsible gambling page provides further guidance and support resources.