How We Test and Rate Online Casinos
Every CasinoReview review starts with one action: creating a real account with real personal details. Not "we studied the site." We go through the entire journey a regular player takes — from first visit to attempting to withdraw winnings.
The Testing Process
1. Registration and Verification
We create accounts from scratch. We record: number of registration fields, whether KYC is required immediately or only at withdrawal, which documents are accepted, and the actual time for document verification (we measure it).
2. Licence Check
We verify every licence in the regulator's official registry — not just what the casino claims on its website.
- Curaçao CGCB: cgob.cw
- Malta Gaming Authority: licensees.mga.org.mt
- UKGC: register.gamblingcommission.gov.uk
- Kahnawake: kahnawake.com
3. Bonus Testing
We activate the welcome bonus and verify: actual wagering requirement (with a concrete calculation), maximum stake during bonus play, time limits, excluded games, and maximum withdrawal from bonus winnings.
4. Game Library
We count games accurately. We check top providers (Pragmatic Play, NetEnt, Evolution, Play'n GO, Hacksaw, Nolimit City), live casino quality, and RTP availability.
5. Deposit and Withdrawal
We make a real test deposit (usually €20–50) and a real withdrawal request. We measure actual processing times — not what the FAQ says. For Canadian players: Interac, iDebit availability and speed.
6. Customer Support
We contact support three times: with a simple question, a technical question, and a question about withdrawal limits. We measure response time and accuracy.
7. Mobile Experience
We test on iOS and Android — both browser and app (if available). We measure load speed via PageSpeed Insights.
8. Reputation Analysis
- AskGamblers: complaint ratio to resolved
- CasinoGuru: fairness rating
- Trustpilot: real player reviews
- Community forums for recent complaints
Scoring System (out of 10)
| Criterion | Weight |
|---|---|
| Licence & Safety | 20% |
| Withdrawals | 20% |
| Bonuses | 15% |
| Game Library | 15% |
| Payment Methods | 10% |
| Customer Support | 10% |
| Mobile | 5% |
| Reputation | 5% |
Limitations We Acknowledge
- We don't test withdrawals above €500 — outside our testing budget
- VIP programmes: we don't have insider access to private VIP terms
- We test a representative sample of ~30–50 slots, not the entire library
Questions about methodology: editorial@casinoreview.com