How we Rate and Review Casino Sites
GambleScope uses data collected from our expert review team parsed through a customised algorithm to calculate the most reliable platform based on the individual areas of operation. The areas we pay close attention to are concerned with platform reliability and quality, using ratings gathered from banking and security, gambling license issued, customer support, and quality of software, among other key variables.
10 Most Important things to Check Before Opening an Online Casino Account
Give yourself peace of mind that the site you sign up with to play real money online games are safe and legal. Below is a list of the most important things to consider before signing up and depositing cash in a gambling account.
- Casino Licence: What level of protection does it offer players? (List of Casino Licensing Authorities)
- Platform Security: SSL Encryption. Are transactions secure?
- Payment Methods: Does the Casino use trusted banking methods? (Most popular payment methods)
- Withdrawal Policy: When and how fast are winnings transferred to your wallet or bank ? (25 casinos with instant withdrawals)
- Quality of Games: Does the Platform use Quality Software from the Top Suppliers?
- Customer Support: What are the contact options available ? (Adequate customer support is in place?)
- Reputation: What is the Online Reputation, have there been many complaints? (More about casino-scams)
- House Edge: How much Profit does the Online Casino Take on Games? (House Edge Explanation)
- Live dealers: How many live games I can play ? ( More about live Dealers)
- Website traffic: It is hight because many players choose to play on it instead of the others (Learn how to check casino traffic rank)
Too busy to check? Our expert review team has already done the hard work of vetting casinos using the checks listed above and more.
Licensing and Regional Law
There is nothing more important than the gambling Licence. If you do only one thing, check that the venue has a valid gambling licence, and avoid them if they don’t. All casinos publish credentials on their website, but you would be well advised to check that it is genuine. Fortunately, there is a very simple way to verify the validity of a gambling License.
Software and Games
The vast majority of online casinos are powered by software developed by third-party providers. Not only do they design and supply games, but they also provide many other functions a casino needs to operate, such as banking and fraud protection, marketing, and customer service.
Player’s should know what software a casino uses before making a cash deposit. Venues that partner with well known and established companies such as Playtech, Microgaming, and NetEnt offer peace of mind that the casino is professional and offers high-quality game entertainment.
Casino Banking and Payments
It should come as no surprise to anyone that the banking methods an online gambling platform uses, along with the deposit and withdrawal policies employed, have a direct bearing on the integrity of a casino.
Banks are risk-averse, so their vetting processes offer an additional layer of assurance to players. It makes sense to use platforms that offer standard payment methods such as bank transfers, debit/credit cards, and popular e-wallets.
Furthermore, withdrawal policies between casinos are wide-ranging, each having different requirements for ID verification, withdrawal limits, and timeframes. Don’t wait to you want to withdraw winnings before learning the facts!
Support
Picture this – You are in the middle of a game of Bingo and need one number to win the big prize. Suddenly there is a technical problem; the game goes down. You contact support to make a complaint and Surprise! Surprise! The only options available are faqs and email.
There are many reasons why you may need contact support at any time day or night. The best casinos will offer 24hr support via phone or live chat, but it is wise to know the options available in advance nonetheless.
Complaint Policies and Procedures
The first thing you should do if you have a problem is to take your complaint directly to the casino. If you are unsatisfied with the response, other options are available providing the venue is legal and fully licensed. Some casinos prefer to self-regulate by aligning with third parties such as eCogora, but contacting the authority that licences a gambling establishment is another route you can take.
FAQ
Where Can I Play Casino Games for Free?
Many online casinos provide demo games in free play mode to give players the opportunity to try and practice before risking real money. GambleScope reviews provide information on the casinos that have practice play games and an exclusive collection of free to play slots are available in the games section of this website.
How Can I withdraw Casino Bonus Winnings?
With few exceptions, casino bonuses must fulfil wagering requirements. This means that bonuses awarded must be played through a number of times before real money winnings can be withdrawn.
What Happens if My Internet Connection Fails While Playing a Real Money Casino Game?
The best casinos have technology which will allow you to continue exactly where you left off when you reconnect. This doesn’t work for live games.
How Long Does it take to Withdraw Money from a Casino Account?
It depends on the casino, the software they use and the policies they have in place. Since every casino is different, it is advisable to read the operators policy on cash withdrawals before making a money deposit.
What does RTP mean?
RTP stands for ‘Return to Player’, and represents the average amount that a game pays out expressed as a percentage. For Example, if a casino game publishes an RTP 97.40%, this means that for every £100 that the game takes, £97.40 is paid out on winnings.
What is the Difference between RTP and House Edge?
RTP and ‘House Edge’ are two sides of the same coin. The house Edge is the figure that represents a casinos profit margin on a game. Therefore if RTP is £97.40 (the amount paid out on every 100 units spent), then the Houe Edge must Equal £2.60 (100 – 97.40).
What is a No Deposit Bonus?
A No Deposit Bonus is type of casino bonus or promotion that allows players to wager free casino credit for the chance to win and withdraw real money. They are typically offered for low amounts (£10, £25 etc.) and often come with wagering requirements and conditions attached . No deposit bonuses listing.
Are Casino Winnings Taxed?
That entirely depends on the tax laws of the country where you are playing casino games, some states tax player winnings, and some don’t.