Online Casino Reviews and Rating Process

Casino Review Process

Our reviews are primarily based on hands-on testing and analysis and follow strict editorial guidelines to ensure consistency and objectivity.

We have developed a clear review methodology – a structured 10-step process that keeps each review fair, dependable and genuinely helpful to players.

The first four criteria represent baseline standards that an online casino must meet before we proceed with testing. The remainder are evaluated through direct experience of the platform:

1. Licensing

Our first step is to check if a casino is licensed and regulated by a trusted authority to ensure fair, responsible and secure play. Without a licence, our review cannot proceed – we do not recommend unlicensed operators under any circumstances.

2. Security

We next confirm that personal and financial data is protected with SSL encryption and secure transactions, ensuring the site is safe to use. 

We also review a casino’s data protection standards, looking for clear privacy policies and compliance with regulations such as the GDPR.

3. Fair Play

We then check if a casino’s games are independently tested by trusted agencies such as eCOGRA, iTech Labs, GLI or BMM Testlabs. 

These seals confirm that certified RNGs are used, RTP percentages are accurate and games meet international standards of fairness

4. Responsible Gambling

We assess each casino’s commitment to player safety, focusing on tools, policies and messaging that support control. Key features include deposit limits, time-outs, reality checks, self-assessments and self-exclusion. 

We also expect clear access to third-party support and visible responsible play messaging across the site.

5. Banking

We open a real account and deposit funds to test how secure and straightforward the process is. We check supported payment methods, including debit cards, e-wallets and bank transfers.

Withdrawals are also tested, with close attention to payout speeds, verification steps and any fees. Timely access to winnings is essential for a casino to be considered trustworthy.

6. Welcome Offer

We claim the sign-up bonus using our own funds to see if it matches what’s advertised.

We then review the small print - wagering requirements, time limits, win caps and game restrictions - to judge whether the offer provides fair value and a realistic chance to benefit.

7. Promotions

We review the deals available to existing players, from free spins and reload bonuses to cashback, prize draws and loyalty rewards. Bespoke promotions created by the casino carry more weight than generic network offers.

As with welcome bonuses, we analyse the terms - including wagering rules, expiry dates and restrictions - to confirm that promotions are fair and clearly explained.

8. Game Variety

We play a mix of slots, table games and live dealer titles to see how broad, engaging and well-organized the casino’s library is. Our review considers both quantity and quality - themes, stake levels, software providers and variations of popular games.

We also look for games from top developers such as NetEnt, Playtech and Evolution.

9. Customer Support

We contact the support team directly to test speed and effectiveness. Ideally, players should have 24/7 Live Chat plus email, phone, social channels and a helpful FAQs section. A clear complaints process is also important.

By approaching support as anonymous testers, we can assess how quickly agents respond, whether players reach a real person or a bot and how well staff listen, empathize and resolve issues.

10. User Feedback

Finally, we incorporate player voices. Gambling.com users can submit reviews and ratings on our site, and we also run one-to-one user-testing sessions with trained moderators.

This direct feedback helps ensure our reviews reflect real player experiences and allows us to refine our methodology over time.

Casino Rating System

We pride ourselves on a robust and transparent rating system, giving players a quick, reliable snapshot of how a casino performs across key areas.

Here, we explain how ratings are calculated and how they relate to our full reviews.

Licensing and security are always carefully assessed, but they are not part of our proprietary scoring formula. Any casino that fails to meet these baseline requirements is not rated at all.

Our experts then score casinos across six categories, each weighted to reflect its importance. These weighted scores are combined into a total out of 100, which is then divided by 10 to give a final rating on a 1–10 scale. 

For example, a casino scoring 92/100 receives a rating of 9.2.

We never accept payment for higher ratings - all scores are earned based on merit, as determined by our independent evaluation.

Rating Categories & Weighting

• Games (30 points)
  Table game variations, slot variety, progressive jackpots, live dealer options, exclusive games
• Responsible Gambling (20 points)
  Deposit limits, time-outs, reality checks, self-exclusion, links to third-party support
• Promotions (15 points)
  Bonus value, minimum deposit, wagering requirements, time & win limits, usage restrictions
• Banking (15 points)
  Payment methods, payout speed, instant withdrawals, KYC process, transaction limits
• User Experience (10 points)
  Design, navigation, mobile responsiveness, page load speeds
• Customer Support (10 points)
  Live chat, response speed, helpfulness, FAQs, complaints procedure

Our ratings are regularly updated to reflect changes in offers, games and player feedback - ensuring they remain fair, accurate and reliable.

Choosing the Right Casino

Casino ratings are designed to help players make informed decisions, but the highest score isn’t always the best fit for every individual. You may value a specific welcome bonus or prefer certain games that aren’t available elsewhere.

Casinos with the top ratings are those we believe offer the best overall experience to the widest range of players. But a lower-rated casino may better suit your personal preferences - which is why our detailed reviews provide the full picture.

Editorial Note

Our review and rating methodology is continually refined to stay fair, relevant and trustworthy - always with the player in mind.