At Gambling.com, casino reviews form the foundation of our recommendations, helping players choose with confidence.
Each review is based on first-hand experience and informed opinion from our team of casino experts, offering an honest and balanced evaluation of a casino’s strengths and weaknesses.
This page details how we compile our reviews and ratings, outlining the essential factors we consider.
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:
We first research whether a casino is licensed by a trusted regulatory body, such as the New Jersey Division of Gaming Enforcement (DGE), Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board (PGCB), or Michigan Gaming Control Board (MGCB).
These authorities regulate operators to ensure players are treated fairly, responsibly and securely. Without such a license, our review cannot proceed – we do not recommend unlicensed operators under any circumstances.
We next ensure personal and financial data is protected through SSL encryption and secure transactions, so you can trust the site is safe to use.
Additionally, we examine a casino’s data protection practices – checking for clear privacy policies and compliance with key regulations such as the GDPR (General Data Protection Regulation) to safeguard against unauthorized access or misuse of information.
We then check whether a casino's games are independently tested by a trusted third-party agency such as eCOGRA, iTech Labs, GLI or BMM Testlabs, to confirm that outcomes are genuinely random.
These seals verify that games use certified Random Number Generators (RNGs), offer accurate Return to Player (RTP) percentages and meet international standards for fairness and integrity.
We also assess a casino’s commitment to player safety – including the tools, policies and messaging it provides to help players stay in control. This includes options such as deposit limits, time-outs, reality checks, self-assessment tools and self-exclusion.
We expect these tools to be clearly explained and easily accessible. Additionally, we look for links to third-party support organisations, along with responsible messaging that promotes safer play across the site.
We begin platform testing by registering an account and depositing real money, assessing how secure and straightforward the process is. We check which payment methods are available and whether key options like debit cards, e-wallets and bank transfers are supported.
We also test the withdrawal process – recording payout speeds and verification steps. Timely access to winnings and zero fees for withdrawals are essential for a casino to be considered trustworthy and worth recommending.
The next step is to claim any sign-up bonus using our own funds. We check how clearly the offer is communicated and whether it matches what’s advertised on-site.
Crucially, we examine the small print – including any wagering requirements, time limits, maximum win limits or restrictions on which games the bonus can be used with – to determine whether it provides fair value and a realistic chance for players to benefit.
We move on to review the offers available to existing players. These might include free spins, reload bonuses, cashback deals, prize draws or a loyalty program. We place more value on bespoke offers created specifically by a casino, rather than shared network promotions that appear across multiple brands.
Again, we examine the terms – including wagering requirements, expiry times and any game restrictions – to determine whether the promos are clearly explained and offer fair value.
Next comes the fun part – playing the games. We try a mix of titles across different categories, including slots, table games and live dealer options, to see how varied, engaging and well-organized the casino’s library really is.
Our review looks at both the breadth and quality of the games on offer – from the range of themes and stake levels to the software behind them. We check whether a mix of top developers, such as NetEnt, Playtech and Evolution, are represented, while also looking for variations of popular games.
We continue our testing by contacting the casino’s customer service team to see how fast and effective their help is. Ideally, they’ll offer 24/7 Live Chat, along with support via email, telephone and social media channels, plus a useful FAQs section. We also check for a clear complaints procedure, so players have a formal way to escalate unresolved issues.
By reaching out as an anonymous tester, we get first-hand insight into how promptly and professionally support teams respond – including whether players are connected to a real person or a bot. We assess how willing they are to listen, respond with empathy and make a genuine effort to resolve concerns.
Finally, we gather and analyse feedback from Gambling.com users to help ensure our reviews reflect real player experiences. You can submit your own opinions and ratings – positive or negative – directly on our casino review pages.
We also conduct ongoing one-to-one user-testing interviews, where players interact with casino sites under the guidance of trained moderators who maintain a neutral manner and encourage candid, unprompted insights.
All of this input helps us refine and improve our reviews over time.
Every casino review is regularly audited by our editorial team to ensure it remains accurate and relevant. We monitor changes to promotions and game offerings, actively updating our reviews to reflect the most current information.
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.
While factors such as licensing and security are carefully assessed, they are not part of our proprietary scoring formula – casinos that fail to meet these baseline requirements aren’t rated at all.
Instead, our casino experts assign scores across the following categories, with each weighted to reflect its importance. These weighted scores are combined into a total out of 100, which we then divide by 10 to produce our final casino rating on a scale of 1 to 10.
For example, a casino that scores 92/100 is rated 9.2.
We do not accept payment for higher ratings – all scores are earned based on the merits of the casino, as determined by our independent evaluation process.
The number in brackets indicates the maximum points allocated per category:
Games ( /30)
Table Game Variations / Slot Variety / Progressive Jackpots / Live Dealer Options / Exclusive Games
Responsible Gambling ( /20)
Deposit Limits / Timeouts / Reality Checks / Self-Exclusion / Third-Party Support Links
Promotions ( /15)
Bonus Value / Minimum Deposit / Wagering Requirements / Time & Win Limits / Usage Restrictions
Banking ( /15)
Payment Methods / Payout Speed / Instant Withdrawals / Fees / Transaction Limits
User Experience ( /10)
Design / Theme / Navigation / Mobile Responsiveness / Page Load Speeds
Customer Support ( /10)
Live Chat / Response Speed / Helpfulness / FAQs / Complaints Procedure
Our ratings are regularly updated to reflect changes in offers and games, plus player feedback – ensuring that every rating stays fair, accurate and reliable.
While our ratings are designed to help players make informed decisions, the highest rated casino isn’t always the best fit for everyone. You might prefer a specific welcome bonus, or be looking for particular games not available elsewhere.
Casinos that earn the top ratings are those we believe offer the best experience to the widest range of players. However, a lower-rated casino might better meet your individual preferences.
That’s why our full, detailed reviews provide comprehensive insight to help you choose the casino that’s right for you.
Our review and rating methodology is continually refined to ensure it remains fair, relevant and trustworthy – always with the player in mind.