We rank casinos using a Trust-First approach that prioritises safety, legality, and payout reliability before anything else. The model has three layers: Entry Gates (pass/fail), a Risk Barometer (caps and penalties), and a Performance Scorecard (evidence-based scoring). If a casino fails a gate, it is Not Eligible for ranking regardless of other merits.
Layer A — Entry Gates (Pass/Fail)
- Licence Match: Public licence number, regulator, and operating company are disclosed and verifiable for the target market.
- Payments & KYC Online: Live cashier, clear limits/fees, and a working KYC/AML flow.
- Clean Status: No unresolved regulatory bans, insolvency, or verified systemic non-payment in the last 24 months.
- Responsible Gambling Baseline: Limits, time-outs, self-exclusion, and RG links accessible pre-login and post-login.
Failing any gate ⇒ listing withheld and score not computed.
Layer B — Risk Barometer (Caps & Penalties)
Before scoring, we apply caps based on observed risk. This ensures Safety & Trust override all other categories.
- Red Flags (Cap 30): Confiscations without clear terms, repeated payout stalling after KYC, licence inconsistencies.
- Amber Flags (Cap 60): Predatory bonus wording, excessive withdrawal fees, slow/opaque KYC escalations.
- Green (No Cap): Clean compliance record, consistent disclosures, transparent policies.
Layer C — Performance Scorecard (100 pts)
Scores are evidence-backed from a standardised test journey. Safety & Trust anchor the model and can still cap totals via the Barometer.
| Pillar | Weight | What We Measure | How We Verify |
|---|---|---|---|
| Safety & Trust | 40 | Regulatory strength, ownership clarity, fund protection, RG enforcement. | Regulator registers, corporate records, policy checks, RG tooling tests. |
| Payout Reliability | 18 | Time to approve/pay, success rate after KYC, limits & fees transparency. | Timestamped withdrawals over multiple rails; fee/limit snapshots. |
| Game Integrity | 12 | Certified RNG/RTP, provider authenticity, version transparency. | Lab certificates, provider catalog checks, posted RTP review. |
| Bonus Fairness | 10 | Clear T&Cs, achievable wagering, no hidden max-bet/max-cashout traps. | Offer capture, contribution tables, edge-case tests. |
| Support & Complaints | 8 | Speed, accuracy, escalation paths, resolution outcomes. | Scripted tickets, live chat/email timing, outcome logs. |
| UX & Access | 6 | Mobile performance, localisation quality, accessibility of RG tools. | Device tests, language review, on-page RG placements. |
| Transparency | 6 | Policy clarity, versioning & dates, consistency across pages. | Cross-page diff checks, change-log review. |
Our Test Journey (Evidence Pack)
- Anonymous Onboarding: Register in eligible markets; record every step.
- Deposit & Play: Multiple providers and categories with small stakes.
- Bonus Run: Opt-in, wager, verify contribution and meter behaviour.
- KYC Sprint: Submit standard docs; log requests, retries, and timings.
- Withdrawal Triad: Cash out via 3 rails where possible; timestamp approval and receipt.
- Support Probe: Ask policy and edge-case questions; validate accuracy.
Decision Logic (At-a-Glance)
- Fail any Entry Gate ⇒ Not Eligible.
- Pass all Gates + Red Barometer ⇒ Eligible, total score capped at 30.
- Pass all Gates + Amber Barometer ⇒ Eligible, total score capped at 60.
- Pass all Gates + Green Barometer ⇒ Eligible, full scoring potential.
Outcome Labels & Badges
- Premier (90–100): Exceptional safety, fast payouts, precise disclosures.
- Trusted (80–89): Strong overall with minor, disclosed gaps.
- Acceptable (70–79): Solid but with caveats noted in review.
- Caution (60–69): Material issues; read review warnings.
- Not Recommended (<60 or Gate Fail): Fails core expectations.
Refresh & Triggers
- Routine: Full retest every 6 months.
- Triggers: Licence changes, policy rewrites, payment rail removals, verified non-payment, regulator actions.
User Reports & Dispute Handling
- Evidence-led: Screenshots, emails, KYC steps, transaction IDs.
- Weighting: Corroborated patterns influence the Barometer (caps) and the Support & Payout pillars.
- Escalation: We signpost recognised ADR/Ombudsman channels where available.
What Makes This Framework Different
- Two-stage protection: Gates plus a live Risk Barometer ensure safety caps before scoring.
- Outcome-first metrics: Real withdrawal timestamps and success rates carry more weight than advertised speeds.
- Change discipline: Versioned policies and visible change logs are scored assets, not afterthoughts.
Editorial Independence
Commercial partnerships never alter scores. We apply the same yardstick to all operators. Where corrections are requested, we require documentation and update reviews with a visible note and date.
Disclosure
Our site may include affiliate links at no extra cost to you. Rankings are based on the criteria above and the captured evidence from our test journey. If we cannot verify a claim, it is excluded from scoring.
Glossary (Plain Language)
- Cap: A maximum total score enforced due to risk signals.
- Rails: Payment channels (cards, bank transfer, e-wallets, APMs).
- RTP/RNG: Return-to-Player and Random Number Generator fairness indicators.