7 Part Process for Reviewing Online Casinos

What Do We Ensure Before Featuring a Casino on Our Website?

When we’re on a hot pursuit to find the top online casinos the U.S. market has to offer, we follow a strict set of guidelines to ensure each gambling site is providing only the best in casino games, bonus offerings, and a wide variety of banking methods to choose from, among an abundance of other crucial factors.

We take a complete unbiased approach to sourcing this information while taking into account what other players are saying about online casinos, as well as their tried and tested experience with each one. All of this helps us to help you choose the ideal place to gamble online – without risk or fuss.

Below, you’ll discover our 7-part process for how we categorically measure the efficiency, security, and transparency of the online casinos we review, plus the process for how we test each one out before we consider it a credible site to gamble at.

Casino Security

Before we venture into the key details for each site, the first factor we always look at is an online casino’s security standards. Players need to have the confidence that their private information and banking details are stored with a safe and trustworthy entity, which is why the following points are always investigated first:

Legitimate License

All reputable and legitimate online casinos feature an official licensing body on the site. The license validates their right to legally operate casino games to players in states where it is permitted. Nevada, Delaware, and New Jersey are the top 3 state gaming commissions that oversee licenses for online and offline casinos in the U.S.

Encryption Technology

SSL encryption technology assures that your connection is always safe and secure when you play. It’s imperative that the online casinos we review have these safety protocols in place, as it guarantees that any data exchanged between you and the casino can’t be stolen or subject to attack.

Game Selection

The main attraction to any online casino is undoubtedly the game selection. It doesn’t go any further with our reviews unless the casino homes an inventory of the best and latest games. We also make sure the games come complete with all their glorious variations. This is how we evaluate online casinos based on their games and software:

Diversity

While online slots may be the main weapon of choice for some people, others want to experience the wider thrills of online gambling with other games like blackjack, poker, roulette, craps and live dealer games. We won’t endorse any casino site unless it offers the full package of games to U.S. players.

Mighty Progressive Jackpots

Progressive jackpots are the lottery-like rewards found mainly in online slots, but other casino games have them too. We always check to see if an online casino offers progressive games and whether they are equipping players with additional ways to win.

Free Play Options

All reputable casinos provide players with the chance to play their games for free. This is another option we make sure casinos are offering for desktop and mobile games, as players then have the freedom to explore how the games work in advance of playing for money.

Navigation & Software

A site that is smooth and responsive, pleasing to the eye, and easy to navigate are all things that make up an excellent online casino. Our technical experts analyze these factors thoroughly when conducting our reviews. Below are the other points we take into consideration:

The Best Game Providers

The best online casinos source their games from the world’s leading software developers. Brands like Microgaming and NetEnt are responsible for the amazing graphics, sounds, and compelling animations found in all the top modern casino games. If we recognize that a site is using these providers, it’s a strong indication that the casino is legit and cares about quality.

Downloadable Software

If you’re someone who prefers to play offline, having the option to download the casino to your PC or mobile is a big priority. We always download the software ourselves when reviewing any casino sites. Doing so allows us to check how easy it is to install and make sure it’s not going to cause any problems to your device.

Best Browser Experience

When we’re reviewing the general mechanics of a casino on browser: a quick signup process, easy-to-navigate platform, and the responsiveness of the games are just some of the points we assess. We also extensively test the online versions to see how fast the site loads and responds while playing.

Bonuses and Rewards

One of the things that online casinos are renowned for is bonuses. These offers come in multiple different formats that can range from deposit bonuses, no deposits, match bonuses, and several other types that are great for giving your bankroll a nice extra boost. The following is what we expect to see when reviewing an online casino’s promotions:

Welcome Offer

The best part about joining a new casino is the big welcome package you can expect when you sign up. Our experts are always hunting down the most attractive welcome offers that provide players with free spins, cashback offers, no deposit bonus codes, and attractive bonus amounts to wager with on their favorite games.

VIP & Loyalty Programme

Welcome bonuses for new players are a must with any online casinos we review, but how they treat their loyal and frequent visitors is equally essential. Most casinos that do cater to VIP players have their programs broken down into tiers. Big spenders can expect a range of exclusive bonus offers to use, complete with higher limits, faster withdrawal times, and their own personal account managers.

Fair Bonus Terms

We check to make sure any online casinos we review are transparent in their general site terms, as well as in their conditions for claiming and using bonuses. More often than not, bonuses are attached to some sort of wagering requirements, or will only be redeemable on certain games. Our experts make sure there are no hidden or unclear clauses that could affect you when using a bonus.

Payments and Transactions

Having the ability to access your winnings quickly and securely is a deal-breaker for most players. For any online casinos we recommend, we never neglect to go through the deposit and withdrawal process. How fast a casino processes winnings (along with the time it takes to receive them) is a clear sign as to how dependable a site truly is. The following points are what we use to summarize banking at online casinos:

Fast Deposits and Withdrawals

Depositing and withdrawing from your account should be speedy and effortless. All reputable online casinos process your winning within a few business days of the request. The best of them have several banking methods available for players to choose from, with the option to select from a range of different currencies.

Secure Transactions

Online casinos that use encryption protocols in their operations are the most secure. This technology is what banking and finance institutions use to protect personal data and prevent it from being shared. In order to determine the level of security at online casinos, we’re always sure to test out and complete a number of transactions ourselves.

Decent Payouts

The time it takes to process your winnings is one thing, but the payout rates at online casinos is another crucial element to consider when choosing one to play at. Our technical experts comb through the games in great detail to establish stats like the average RTP, how often players are likely to see a return on their bets, and how fast it takes to receive a payout.

Customer Care and Support

You’re likely to run into occasions where you’ll need to get in touch with a casino advisor for help. This could be a question related to the casino itself, the games available, or any bonus offers you might be looking to redeem. When it comes to our reviews, we can happily recommend a casino if it meets the needs of players in terms of the following:

Round-the-Clock Support

All reputable online casinos should have a full customer service team on standby 24 hours a day. Players should also be able to access the casino FAQs when they need to and have a means of contacting the casino through methods like email, telephone, or a live chat system.

Knowledgeable Staff

Knowledgable casino staff means fully-trained people who are able to respond to your queries with confidence and expertise. You shouldn’t have to be digging around for answers if there is a proper care team always at hand. This is why we fire questions their way to determine how well customers are treated.

Player Safety

Player safety and wellbeing should be the highest priorities of an online casino. This applies to the moment they log on, when they deposit or withdraw money, play casino games, and exit the casino. We focus on the sites that adhere to the principles of responsible gambling and which do their utmost best to help and support players who may be susceptible to gambling addictions.

Mobile-Optimized Gambling

With the sheer volume of gamblers opting to play games through their mobile devices, it’s vitally important that the casinos we recommend have their collections optimized for mobile users. We always investigate each site and the casino games to make sure they are fit for iPhone, Android, and tablet, in addition to the following:

Graphics and Sound

The best online casinos are able to capture the desktop experience and bring that same immersive gameplay to mobile. Mobile-based games should include the same high-definition graphics and sonic effects, complete with stunning animations and features that make online casino games so enticing to play.

Screen Suitability

Whether you download the casino software to your device or play through your mobile browser, the games and the general casino layout should be compatible with your screen size. We conduct tests to make sure the casino works with different browsers. We also ensure the games don’t lose any appeal despite a smaller screen.

Mobile Bonuses

Players who gamble through desktop have access to great promotions, so your eligibility to earn and use bonuses on mobile games should be no different. We might think highly of an online casino in all other aspects, but if it doesn’t accommodate mobile users when it comes to bonuses — it’s not one we will look to recommend.

What About Casinos We Don’t Rate – BlackListed Casinos?

For any gambling sites we feel don’t quite live up to the expectations of our experts and players, we typically add these to our blacklist to help players avoid them. We also aim to help you recognize the below red flags with online casino sites, so you can make better judgments when looking for the right one to play at.

There are always potential risks with rogue casinos. Whether this is in the time it takes for them to pay out winnings, the lack of customer support, or a sleazy collection of games that crash and take ages to load. A reputable online casino will always be able to fulfill these and the above requirements without compromise. While they can’t always be avoided, you’ll be less likely to confront one if you pay attention to the signs and thoroughly read up on them first.