Online Casinos

Why Trust Our Recommended Online Casinos?

When we recommend sites to play at, we only recommend legit online casinos. As this is our starting point, you can be sure that any casinos are reliable and trustworthy from the outset. We also take the time to look at various criteria when reviewing online casinos. Using these criteria, we carefully assess which are the best casinos online. You can also use these criteria if you wish to find top online casinos.

How We Rate Our Top Online Casinos

In this section, we take a look at the different criteria used to evaluate a casino. The best online casinos are those that have high rankings for all of these criteria. Follow along below to see which are the best places to play at and how to spot them.

Security and licencing

This is one of the most important criteria when choosing where to play. We always make sure that there is a licence in place, preferably from one of the top licencing jurisdictions in the world. Some of the top jurisdictions include the UK Gambling Commission (UKGC), Malta Gaming Authority (MGA) and the Swedish licence (SGA) – SGA licensed casinos can be found here.  There are others, such as those from Gibraltar, Alderney and Curaçao, though these are less stringent in their requirements.

In addition to this, we like to see that there is strong security in place. This should include SSL encryption protocols which prevent third parties from accessing important player data. Other security measures should be in place too and these include verification or Know Your Customer (KYC) protocols to ensure money laundering is not in effect, and that players are who they say they are. Top sites will have details of all of this clearly on their policies and security pages.

Game and provider selection

As you’re coming to a casino to play, the game library is an important thing to check. We assess this for variety, quantity, and quality before rating a casino. Top online casinos will have at least 1000 different games. These should encompass all the main game types, including slots, virtual table games, live dealer casino, poker variants, video poker, bingo, scratch cards, and even crash games. Importantly, it’s good to have diversity to make the platform more interesting and allow players to change what they play.

In addition to this, quality is essential. While some casinos will have thousands of games, this is often because there is no quality control. Not all providers are created equal, so we should only expect to see 40 to 50 providers at a casino. The best providers will also have regular RNG audits, and this will be advertised on their sites as well as the casino. Having better-quality games means an improved fair gaming experience and makes everything a lot more fun for the player.

Bonuses and promotions

These days, almost all online casinos offer bonuses, but we check the specifics of each bonus before rating a casino. This is because the terms and conditions can really change whether a bonus is good. With this in mind, we check the wagering requirements of all promotions. The best casinos online will have lower standards, around 30x or lower. It’s best to avoid any casino that has requirements of 40x or above, as these are hard to achieve.

Other terms and conditions to check include the expiration date, eligible games, and the minimum deposit to claim such an offer. Not all casinos are transparent about these terms and conditions either, so casinos such as these should be avoided.

Payment methods and limits

While payment methods are often overlooked, they can really impact a casino’s playability and enjoyment. The best online casinos that payout will have at least eight to ten different payment methods in place. These will cover card, eWallet, prepaid, and even phone payment methods. Casinos offering cryptocurrency are still best avoided at this time as these are typically not licensed by top jurisdictions.

In addition to examining the types of payment options available, we also examine the deposit and withdrawal limits in place. Top online casinos will have low minimum deposit and withdrawal requirements, making them more budget-friendly. The best sites will have high upper limits on the upper end, catering to high rollers. Casinos that have high minimum deposits and low maximum withdrawals should be avoided.

Cross-platform accessibility

These days, most players want to access sites via their mobile phone or other devices. Having the option to do this elevates one casino above another. However, when we rate a casino, we do not negatively mark it down if there is no app. Many people do not want to download another app, meaning it’s enough for the casino to be accessible on a mobile browser.

With this in mind, we ensure that the casino can be accessed across different platforms and devices. This includes being scalable and offering the full complement of games no matter what device players are using.

Support options

Finally, while a casino can operate really well, it’s essential that players have options to contact someone. If there is a technical issue or the player simply has a question, support should be readily available. We like to see casinos online offer various options, ideally three methods for getting in touch.

These can be a combination of live chat, email, contact form, telephone, or social media. At least one of these should be available 24/7—usually, this is the live chat. We expect a fast response time of under five minutes if a casino wants to get a higher ranking from us.

Responsible gaming tools

A very important aspect of all online casinos is having responsible gambling tools. These tools help and support players who might be having issues when playing. Top-rated real-money casinos should always have these easily accessible and offer a range of options for players. There should always be a clear section for these so players can quickly find these tools.

The best online casinos will provide players with the option to:

• Cool down
• Self-exclude
• Set deposit limits
• Add loss limits

Managing their bankroll is essential for players if they want to have fun when playing online and not overspend. There should also be links to responsible gambling hotlines and help for those who are already potentially struggling.

Pros and cons of best online casinos

While online casinos have a lot going for them, there are also some downsides. Considering the pros and cons of playing at an online casino is a must if you’re starting. Below, we look at the pros and cons of an online casino compared to the experience at a land-based casino.

Pros

• Very accessible across various platforms and operating systems.
• Have a large selection of games and variety, bigger than those at land-based casinos.
• Wide array of bonuses and promotions catering to various player types.
• Much more beginner-friendly, with helpful posts and information to get started.
• Better security and responsible gambling protocols in place.

Cons

• Lacks the social aspect of a land-based casino as players play alone.
• While security is high, providing data and payment information comes with security risks.
• Depending on the payment method, cash withdrawal and verification procedures can be much slower.
• Quality and trust issues are prevalent, especially given the many available online casinos.

Casino games in top online casino sites

There are many different games available at the best online casinos. These cover a variety of options and allow players to find something that suits their specific needs. Let’s take a quick look at some of the main game categories found at online casinos:

• Slots – luck-based games where players spin the reel to land matching symbols
• Virtual table games encompass roulette, blackjack, and baccarat, though there are typically different variants, and play is against a computer.
• Live dealer casino – live games of blackjack, roulette, baccarat, and poker where players play against real players and the games are operated by real people.
• Video poker is based on five-card draw poker, allowing players to choose which cards to keep until the final hand and payout.
• Progressive jackpots – slot games that have a jackpot payout that keeps increasing until the prize is won.
• Crash games – uses an increasing multiplier model with players ending the game before it crashes to catch a win.

Online casino payment methods

There is a wide selection of payment methods available. Some of the most popular are still those that have been used for years online—cards and bank transfers. Both these methods are secure, going through banks to make the payments. However, because of these extra security measures, payouts can often be very slow.

For players looking for faster payment options, the best online casinos now offer eWallet payments. These include options like PayPal, Neteller, and Skrill. They act as a middleman between the bank and the casino. They have fast payouts but sometimes have high fees attached. Another option is the use of prepaid cards like Paysafe, which act in the same way as regular card payments but prevent overspending and help with bankroll management.

Depending on the country, different mobile payment options, such as Boku, can be used. Other payment methods include Trustly, which is an open banking method. Casinos are increasingly adding cryptocurrency options, which offer speedy payment methods, anonymous transactions, and minimal fees.

Casino bonuses found in top online casinos

As mentioned, one of the biggest positives for online casinos is the range of bonuses and promotions on offer. These are typically aimed at newcomers, with some of the biggest and best offers for new sign-ups. Understanding what the different bonuses and promotions offer is key to making the most of them when playing online. Here are some of them:

• Welcome offer: Typically the most lucrative offer, this consists of a deposit bonus and free spins. It can also be a package split across multiple deposits.
• Deposit bonuses: are where players deposit a specific amount of money, which the casino matches. Typically, it’s matched 100%, thus doubling the bankroll.
• No deposit bonuses: are one of the smallest offers and also the rarest. They are small cash or free spins prizes awarded for simply signing up. No money is risked from the player’s side.
• Free spins: this bonus gives players spins on specific slot games. These are typically awarded and played at the lowest bet level.
• Reload: aimed at return players, this is similar to a deposit bonus but can occur daily, weekly, or monthly, depending on the requirements. Deposits are often matched 50% or 70%.
• Cashback: commonly linked to live dealer games, this is where players who have lost money can claim back some of these losses. The cashback percentage depends, but can be from 5-20%.
• Loyalty/VIP club: Most casinos offer this free-entry program or club, one that players can join by simply depositing. Some VIP programs are invite-only. These programs involve levels, with more deposits earning player rewards and other prizes.

Features of the best online casino sites

As touched upon when discussing our ratings, there are a number of features that help make a casino standout. The best online casinos have:

• Strong design making them navigable and intuitive
• Wide selection of games catering to all needs
• Various payment options with limits catering to all budgets
• Simple withdrawal processes that don’t take long
• Excellent live chat support
• Various bonuses for all players

Other interesting facts about the best online casinos

Online casinos are available almost everywhere. Many countries don’t even have strict legislation, meaning they exist in a grey area. However, more countries are regulating gambling, ensuring an accessible, safe online space to gamble is readily available. Mobile gambling is becoming increasingly popular with apps, scalability, game library size, and game response time significantly improved.

However, online casinos can lead to gambling addiction, which is why it’s essential to maintain healthy gambling habits. The best online casinos will always take steps to protect and help their players.