How We Review Online Casinos
We try to go into as much detail as possible when reviewing online casinos. This means that we examine many aspects of a casino before we decide if it is worth recommending to players. In our reviews, we explain all of these, so that you will understand exactly what a casino has to offer before signing up for it and starting to play. Here you can learn about our review process in a bit more detail.
Security and Fairness
The most important thing is that a casino is safe and fair. This means that we begin by checking which authority licenses the casino. There are many excellent gambling authorities in different jurisdictions but some have higher standards than others do. That is why the first thing to check is that the casino has a respectable license. If it does, then you can be sure it implements a high level of security, fair play, and player protection. Ideally, the casino should also have signed up to an independent regulator as well, such as eCOGRA, which will carry out additional checks to ensure that the games are completely fair.
Games and Software
Assuming that the casino is safe to play at, the next most important thing becomes the games that are on offer. This means that we examine how many and what type of games the casino has. For instance, do they just offer a few versions of Blackjack, or is there a good selection of variants? Are there enough slots to satisfy all players, including those who enjoy classic slots, or is the collection focused on video slots? We will also look at the range of providers available. Does the casino have games from only one or two providers, or many, and if so, what kind of quality do those providers offer?
In regards to the casino software, we look at whether it is web based or downloadable as well. We also check the mobile offering. This way, we can be sure that the casino provides a user-friendly experience, no matter what platform you wish to use.
Bonuses and Promotions
Bonuses and promotions are a great way to give players a bit extra, but not all bonuses and promotions are equal. All bonuses come with terms and conditions, and we put a great deal of effort into ensuring that they are fair. This means that we examine the welcome bonuses, the regular promotions, the loyalty scheme, and so on. If we feel that they have unreasonable wagering requirements or other conditions, then we simply won’t recommend them.
Banking and Payments
It is impossible to play at an online casino without depositing money. That is why we make sure that there is a broad range of payment methods on offer when reviewing a casino. We want to be sure that everyone will find a convenient way to deposit funds into their accounts and withdraw their winnings. It goes without saying that the payment methods must also be absolutely secure.
We will also look at the speed of payments. Deposits are generally instant, but casinos have a processing time for withdrawals. Often this is entirely reasonable, but we will make sure that it is. We also check whether there are fees for withdrawals, weekly or monthly limits, and so on. In short, we check that players can access their money within a reasonable timeframe and with no security risks.
Customer Support
There is a good chance that you will never need to contact a casino’s customer support team. However, if you find yourself in a position where it is necessary, then you want to be sure that it is accessible and responsive. We will look into the customer support hours, the different ways of reaching them, and how fast they are to answer. We will also look at things such as FAQ sections on the casino website, to check what resources are available.
Mobile Play
More and more players want to enjoy their favourite casino games on mobile devices such as smartphones and tablets. We check each casino’s mobile offering to ensure that it provides an enjoyable experience. This means that if the casino uses a responsive website we check that it loads quickly on mobile devices and is easy to use, if the casino has an app we will also look into that. Of course, we also look at the collection of mobile compatible games, to ensure that there is enough to keep players happy.
Localisation
Many online casinos are able to accept players from right across the world and we want to ensure that casinos are doing their best to accommodate this. This means that we will look at the languages a casino is offered in, the currencies players can deposit and play in, and so on. This way, no matter where you are from, you can be sure of finding a casino that suits your needs.
How We Rate Casinos
Using all of the above criteria, we assign each casino a rating. Of course, not all of the above are equally important, which means that each criteria is assigned a different weighting. The seven categories above are rated as follows:
- Security and Fairness – 20%
- Games and Software – 15%
- Bonuses and Promotions – 15%
- Banking and Payments – 15%
- Customer Support – 15%
- Mobile Play – 10%
- Localisation – 10%
Using the above, we are then able to give each casino a star rating, we gives you a quick way to find out what we think of it.
How to Choose the Best Casino for You
When it comes to choosing a casino, you essentially want to look at the same factors as we do when reviewing a casino and then decide whether it is right for you. However, you do not need to go into quite as much detail as we do, mainly because we have done a lot of the hard work for you.
If you are choosing from our recommended casinos, then you can be sure that it is a trustworthy and safe place to play. However, you will still need to check that the casino is available in your country and that it is legal for you to play there.
Next, you want to look at the games selection. Make sure that the casino has the games that you are looking for, whether its slot, table games, live dealer or anything else. There is no point in joining a casino that doesn’t offer the games you enjoy. If possible, you should play a few games in demo mode, just to make sure that they are what you are expecting.
It is very important that you carefully research the casino’s bonuses before accepting them. Make sure that you have understand the casino wagering requirements and that you know how you can fulfil them. You can also look to see if there is a loyalty scheme that you think would benefit you.
Finally, have a look at the payment methods and speeds. Ensure that banking at the casino will be easy for you and that you will not be left waiting for a huge amount of time to receive your winnings.
