How We Rate Casinos: Our Review Methodology

Last updated: July 16, 2026 · Maintained by Marcus Cole, Editor-in-Chief

Our rankings are not for sale. This page explains exactly how we score every online casino, sportsbook and crypto gambling site we review, so you can judge our judgment. We use a weighted 100-point system across seven categories. An operator's affiliate commission plays no part in its score.

1. Payout speed & reliability (25%)

The single most important thing an offshore site can do is pay you. We deposit and withdraw with real money where possible and record how long payouts actually take in US business days — not the marketing promise. We test crypto withdrawals (usually hours) against card and bank-wire payouts (often days), check for hidden cashout caps, and read player reports of delayed or denied withdrawals. Reliable, fast payers score highest.

2. Bonus fairness & value (20%)

A "300% up to $3,000" bonus is worthless if you can never clear it. We evaluate the real value of every welcome offer: wagering requirement (e.g. 25x vs 60x), which games count and by how much, maximum bet while wagering, time limits, and maximum cashout. No-wagering free spins and low-rollover offers score far higher than eye-catching headline percentages buried under punishing terms.

3. Game & market quality (15%)

For casinos we look at the size and quality of the library, the software providers (RTG, Betsoft, Nucleus, Rival and others), live-dealer availability, and published RTP. For sportsbooks we assess odds quality (the margin baked into the lines), the range of sports and bet types, live betting, same-game parlays and prop depth. For crypto sites we check provably-fair game availability.

4. Licensing & safety (15%)

We verify each operator's license jurisdiction and, where published, its license number. Offshore licenses (Curaçao eGaming / Antillephone, Anjouan, Kahnawake, Costa Rica) do not offer the consumer protections of a US state regulator, and we say so plainly. We also check for SSL encryption, published RNG or provably-fair fairness audits (iTech Labs, GLI, BMM, eCOGRA), a clear privacy policy and a transparent ownership structure.

5. Banking & crypto support (10%)

We assess the range and cost of deposit and withdrawal methods relevant to US players: Visa/Mastercard (and their well-known acceptance issues for gambling), bank wire, vouchers, and crypto (Bitcoin, Ethereum, USDT, Litecoin, Bitcoin Cash). We reward low minimums, no or low fees, and fast crypto rails.

6. Mobile experience (10%)

Most US players gamble on their phones. We test each site on mobile browsers (and native apps where they exist) for speed, layout, cashier usability and live-betting performance.

7. Customer support (5%)

We contact live chat and email support with real questions and grade them on response time, competence and availability (24/7 vs limited hours).

How we test

• Real accounts. We register, deposit, play and withdraw where feasible.
• Full terms review. We read the complete bonus and cashier terms, not the summary.
• License verification. We confirm licensing claims against the issuing regulator where possible.
• Continuous re-review. Scores are revisited as offers, payout performance and ownership change. Every review shows its last-updated date.