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How we review online casinos

Before we recommend an online casino, we look beyond bonuses and game counts. Every casino goes through the same 15 checks across 7 areas, from the licence to the experience of a local player.

Our reviewers follow the same 15-step process for every casino. It covers the areas that matter most to players: licensing, security, games, bonus conditions, payments, withdrawals and customer support.

Where possible, we also use the casinos ourselves, to compare the advertised experience with what players actually encounter. Here is what we check.

Every casino goes through the same checks in the same order, whether or not it pays us a commission.

Safety & trust

Safety is the first thing we investigate, before we look at any other part of a casino.

  1. 1. We verify the casino's licence

    Where possible, we confirm the licence directly with the regulator rather than relying on the casino's footer.

    • Licensing authority
    • Licence holder
    • Licence number, where available
    • Licence status
    • Whether the licence applies to the market the review covers

  2. 2. We investigate the operator

    We identify who owns and runs the casino, because the company behind a brand says more than the brand itself.

    • Operating company
    • Ownership
    • Company information
    • Operator history
    • Other brands run by the same company

  3. 3. We check security and game fairness

    We look at how the casino protects accounts and payments, and whether its games come from legitimate providers.

    • SSL/TLS security
    • Account security
    • Payment security
    • Legitimate game providers
    • RNG or independent testing information, where applicable

Games & software

We judge the quality of the game library, not the number of games a casino advertises.

  1. 4. We examine the game selection

    We check what is available and how varied it is, including the quality and range of software providers.

    • Slots
    • Table games
    • Live casino
    • Jackpots
    • Specialty games

  2. 5. We test the gaming experience

    Where possible, we launch several games and see how the casino holds up in use.

    • Loading speed
    • Stability
    • Navigation
    • Finding games
    • Switching between games
    • Free or demo play
    • Overall browser experience

Bonuses & promotions

We look at what players actually receive, not only at the headline bonus amount.

  1. 6. We examine the welcome bonus

    We record the offer as it stands on the day of the review.

    • Bonus percentage
    • Maximum bonus
    • Minimum deposit
    • Free spins
    • Bonus code
    • Eligibility

  2. 7. We read the bonus terms

    Important restrictions are always named in the review, not left for the player to find.

    • Wagering requirements
    • Maximum bet
    • Game contribution
    • Excluded games
    • Expiry
    • Maximum cashout
    • Payment restrictions
    • Country restrictions

  3. 8. We check promotions and loyalty rewards

    We review what a player can expect after the welcome offer is used up.

    • Reload bonuses
    • Cashback
    • Free spins
    • Tournaments
    • Recurring promotions
    • Loyalty programmes
    • VIP programmes

Payments & withdrawals

Getting money out of a casino matters just as much as putting money in.

  1. 9. We examine deposits and payment methods

    Where practical, we make a real deposit.

    • Available payment methods
    • Minimum deposit
    • Supported currencies
    • Deposit speed
    • Fees
    • Payment security

  2. 10. We examine withdrawals

    We pay particular attention to rules that could make it unnecessarily difficult to access winnings.

    • Withdrawal methods
    • Minimum withdrawal
    • Withdrawal limits
    • Fees
    • Verification requirements
    • Withdrawal restrictions

  3. 11. We check withdrawal speed

    We record the withdrawal time the casino advertises. Where we complete a real withdrawal, we compare it with what actually happened, and the review keeps the two apart. The advertised time is never presented as our own test result.

    • Advertised withdrawal time
    • Our tested withdrawal time

Customer support

Support matters most when a player has a problem with an account, verification or a withdrawal.

  1. 12. We test customer support

    We check which channels exist and, where possible, contact support to judge the response time, accuracy, helpfulness and professionalism, and whether the issue was resolved.

    • Live chat
    • Email
    • Phone, where available
    • Support hours
    • Languages

  2. 13. We check player protection

    We review the responsible gambling and player protection tools a casino offers.

    • Deposit limits
    • Session limits
    • Cooling-off periods
    • Self-exclusion
    • Responsible gambling information
    • Age restrictions
    • Privacy information

Mobile experience

Many players only ever use a casino on their phone, so we test it there too.

  1. 14. We test the casino on mobile

    We check the important parts of the casino on a smartphone, and the app if there is one. A casino is not marked down just for having no native app if its mobile site does the whole job.

    • Homepage
    • Registration
    • Login
    • Navigation
    • Games
    • Promotions
    • Cashier
    • Account
    • Customer support

Local player experience

A casino can be a different product in each country, so we review it for the market the review is written for.

  1. 15. We check the experience for players in the target country

    Finally, we look at the casino from the point of view of a player in that market. We do not assume that what applies in one country also applies in another.

    • Casino availability
    • Relevant licensing
    • Language
    • Currency
    • Local payment methods
    • Available bonuses
    • Game availability
    • Customer support language
    • Country restrictions

How we reach our final assessment

After completing all 15 checks, we assess the casino as a whole. Every review clearly explains:

  • What the casino does well
  • Important limitations
  • Bonus restrictions
  • Payment and withdrawal conditions
  • Potential concerns
  • The overall player experience

No single feature decides whether we recommend a casino. A large welcome bonus cannot make up for serious withdrawal or safety problems, just as a large game library cannot make up for questionable licensing.

When we do not recommend a casino

Not every casino we investigate meets our standards. We may decide not to recommend one when we find serious concerns involving:

  • Licensing
  • Operator transparency
  • Security
  • Unfair terms
  • Unexplained confiscation of legitimate winnings
  • Persistent withdrawal problems
  • Misleading promotions
  • Questionable game software
  • Serious unresolved player complaints
  • Consistently poor customer support

A single complaint does not decide our assessment on its own. Where possible, we look into the circumstances and the evidence first.

Hands-on testing

We test casinos from a player's perspective. Where practical and legally permitted, our reviewers may:

  1. Create an account

  2. Complete verification

  3. Make a deposit

  4. Claim a bonus

  5. Play casino games

  6. Contact customer support

  7. Request a withdrawal

If something has not been personally tested, the review does not suggest that it has.

Keeping reviews updated

Casino information changes regularly, so we go back over the facts that matter most to players. Each casino review shows the date it was last reviewed or updated.

  • Licensing
  • Ownership
  • Bonuses
  • Payment methods
  • Withdrawal conditions
  • Games
  • Support
  • Responsible gambling tools
  • Market availability

Editorial independence

SpecialCasino.org may receive compensation when readers visit or register with some of the casinos featured on the site.

Those commercial relationships do not decide the conclusions of our reviews.

Every casino goes through the same 15-step process, whether or not we have a commercial relationship with it.