Casino Rating Guidelines
How we rate online casinos
Every casino we promote is reviewed by a person — not a bot checklist alone. We register, deposit, claim offers, play, contact support, and withdraw where possible. Below is exactly what we measure, how weights work, and how often scores change.
Our review process
We follow the same six steps for every brand so scores stay comparable across markets.
- 1
Registration test
We sign up as a new player with no VIP treatment. Confusing forms, forced upsells, or a messy KYC path lower the score.
- 2
Real deposit
We deposit with methods players actually use in that market — PayPal, cards, e-wallets, Trustly/Swish where relevant — and note speed, fees, and minimums.
- 3
Bonus claim
We activate the welcome offer and read the terms. Wagering, max bet, max cashout, game weighting, and time limits are all checked for realism.
- 4
Game testing
We sample slots, table games, and live casino on desktop and mobile. We look for credible providers, stable play, and clear RTP/info where published.
- 5
Support contact
We ask a real question via live chat and/or email. Response time, clarity, and whether answers match the T&Cs are scored.
- 6
Withdrawal test
Where feasible we request a cashout and measure time from request to funds received, including extra verification friction.
The five rating pillars
No single pillar can fully rescue a weak one. A casino needs a balanced performance to earn a strong overall score.
Games
25% Library size and quality, mobile performance, and whether top-tier studios are present.
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Games
25%Library size and quality, mobile performance, and whether top-tier studios are present.
- Breadth across slots, table, and live casino
- Stability on mobile browsers
- Recognised providers (e.g. Pragmatic, Play’n GO, Evolution)
- Transparency of game info / RTP where available
Bonuses
25% Headline value matters less than whether a real player can clear the offer fairly.
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Bonuses
25%Headline value matters less than whether a real player can clear the offer fairly.
- Wagering multiples and time limits
- Max bet / max cashout rules
- Game weighting and excluded titles
- Clarity of opt-in and code requirements
Trust & licensing
20% Regulatory standing, operator history, and a clean track record are foundational.
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Trust & licensing
20%Regulatory standing, operator history, and a clean track record are foundational.
- Licence visibility and reputation of the regulator
- Company / group history and brand continuity
- Complaint patterns and dispute signals
- Responsible gambling tools and age gates
Payments
20% We care about real withdrawal times and methods players use — especially PayPal on this site.
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Payments
20%We care about real withdrawal times and methods players use — especially PayPal on this site.
- Deposit and withdrawal method coverage
- Measured cashout speed and pending periods
- Fees, limits, and verification friction
- PayPal / e-wallet reliability where advertised
Support
10% We test support ourselves instead of trusting homepage claims.
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Support
10%We test support ourselves instead of trusting homepage claims.
- Live chat / email availability
- Time to first useful reply
- Accuracy vs published terms
- Language coverage for the market
What the scores mean
Overall scores are weighted averages of the five pillars, rounded for display on casino cards.
4.8–5.0
Outstanding
Excels across pillars. Among the strongest options we recommend for that market.
4.5–4.7
Very good
Strong all-rounder with only minor weaknesses that rarely hurt the core experience.
4.0–4.4
Good
Worth recommending, with clear areas still open for improvement.
Below 4.0
Not on main lists
We do not feature these on primary ranking pages. Brands we cannot promote may appear on Blocked Casinos instead.
Scores are updated regularly
Casinos change — bonuses shift, payout times slip, support quality varies. We revisit listed brands on a recurring cycle and sooner when something material happens (licence change, ownership change, broken referral link, or a spike in player issues). If a brand falls below standard or we lose a working promo path, it can leave the main lists.
Editorial independence
Some outbound links are affiliate links — we may earn a commission if you sign up. That never sets the score. Ratings follow the pillars above. Always verify the operator’s current terms, licence, and responsible-gambling tools before you deposit. 18+ only.
Rating FAQ
Do you really deposit and withdraw?
Yes where practical. We prioritise real banking flows (including PayPal when offered). Some markets or brand holds can limit how far a test goes; we note friction either way.
Can a commercial deal raise a score?
No. Partnerships can affect whether we have a live referral link, not the numerical rating. Missing links are handled via blocked / alternatives flows.
Why did a casino disappear from the list?
Usually a score drop, a market eligibility change, or a paused affiliate path. Check Blocked Casinos if promotions are paused.
Are scores identical in every country?
Pillars are the same, but banking options, licensing context, and local offers differ — so market pages can show different shortlists and emphasis.
PpCasinos.co — reviews are independent of commission. Gambling is for adults 18+ (or the higher legal age where you live). Please play responsibly.