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How Do We Rate Online Casinos?

The online casino market is saturated and filled with several gambling establishments. These sites claim to have the best offerings that punters can't resist. The problem lies in selecting a genuine online casino whose offerings are what they claim to be. Saving you from the painful search time is what we do. Our goal at OntarioGambling is to help punters find the best online casinos without a hassle. As a result, we test and review online gambling platforms, from well-known operators to new sites. We've created a system that ensures our screening process is unbiased and consistent regardless of the operator. Some of the things we consider include security, licences, game selection, payment methods, and mobile functions. We spend time playing at these casinos as seasoned gamblers to determine who is on top of their game. Here, we have listed the criteria we use to rate our online casinos. Learn how we conduct research and what we look out for in an online gambling site before listing them on our site.

Author

Jeff K. Kitchen is a project manager and sales associate who is in charge of regular sales and their level to be increased with each new month.

Casino Safety and Reputation

One of the most important factors to consider before signing up for an online casino is its safety. The security measures present are essential to ensure that players on the site are safe from fraudulent activities. We understand that there are many scam sites; hence, we look at the following to provide a secure platform.

Checking Online Casino Licenсe

A licence reveals a lot about how an online casino conducts its business. It's a certification that proves the platform is safe and operates in the interests of punters.

We consider not having a licence a red flag and only rate sites that operate with the approval of regulatory bodies. Some of what we expect include one from the Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario.

Are Casinos Regulated by a Reputable, Independent Player Protection Authority?

Testing agencies like eCOGRA inspects and ensures the outcomes of a casino's games are fair. Online gambling sites with a certification from these authorities occupy a higher rank on our list of trustworthy casinos.

Availability of a Current SSL Certificate

When gambling online, there's a probability that you would need to divulge sensitive information about yourself. Therefore, these sites must have a technology that protects personal and financial user information.

SSL encryption is one of such technologies that casinos employ to protect their website. Our review process includes seeking an SSL encryption certificate to confirm the site is secure.

What Do Players on Independent Review Platforms and Forums Say?

There's no better way to know what an online casino offers than by reading reviews from other gamblers. Although we spend hours wagering on these platforms, we still seek customer reviews to know what others have to say. These customer reviews, coupled with those from other trustworthy sites, help us form a solid opinion of a casino's security.

Games and Software

What would a casino be without an extensive game selection? Aside from the promotions and an opportunity to boost their bankroll, players frequently visit gambling sites to have fun. The only way to have fun in an online casino is to play games.

Here's what we consider regarding the games library.

The Variety of Games

An extensive game collection is attractive, but what makes it appealing is the variety of titles. Punters love to have several options at their fingertips, allowing them to try new things now and then. A good collection should contain different game types and variants.

Slots usually take the lion's share in an online casino, but we love to see table games like blackjack and roulette. While these games are simple, the online space has made it possible to create other fun variants, which should be available. Live dealer games are a great addition, and a casino should have a decent collection to entertain its players.

Is There a Free Game Mode?

Punters who are not ready to play for real money always love to see demo games in an online casino. These titles allow them to play without making a financial commitment or signing up. Players can learn the game's mechanics, features, and gameplay before deciding if they want to play with real money.

Which Software Developers Are Available on the Site?

The type of developers an online casino works with determines the kind of games available. Big names like Microgaming, Evolution Gaming, and NetEnt have a reputation for offering unique game titles. Other software providers also offer good games but are still trying to find a footing in the gambling space.

An online casino should have games from several providers, including the big-timers and newer developers. Players should be able to sort these games by the providers if they prefer games from a specific company.

Are There Games to Download, and What Are Their Features?

While it's possible to play these games instantly, some online casinos offer the options to download. We check out how the download version works and its compatibility with all kinds of devices.

Is It Convenient to Play in a Web Browser?

Having game variety is one thing; being able to play these games easily is another. We check these games ourselves to determine how they function on a web browser. If there's a free version, we begin with that before trying out these titles with real money.

Payment Methods

The payment methods in an online casino can make or break your gambling experience. As a result, we consider the banking options one of the most crucial factors in any online gambling platform.

The following are what we consider during our ranking process.

What Deposit/Withdrawal Methods Are Available?

We like to see several alternatives for funding user accounts. These options should include debit and credit cards, e-wallets, vouchers, and others. Likewise, punters should have different banking options to withdraw their wins.

How Quickly Can I Deposit/Withdraw Funds?

Online casinos should support instant deposits, availing funds to players immediately after funding their account. Withdrawals usually take longer to process, sometimes between a few minutes and several days, depending on the payment method. We love to see online casinos whose deposits are instant and withdrawal processing times are swift regardless of the banking option.

How Easy Is It to Withdraw Money to Your Personal Account?

While depositing funds could be swift, some online gambling establishments make it a pain to cash out your winnings. Therefore, we prioritise checking how easily you can request funds and have them on your account. We don't recommend playing in online casinos where you can't withdraw your earnings quickly.

Are Financial Transactions Safe?

"How safe are my transactions in the chosen online casino?" This is the question every gambler asks from time to time. Hence, it's one of the things to look out for when rating a casino.

Besides knowing what payment methods are available, we ensure to check how secure these alternatives are for players. We only recommend sites with several secure banking methods for deposits and withdrawals.

What Are the Withdrawal and Deposit Limits?

Every online casino sets different limits for deposits and withdrawals. These numbers vary from site to site and depend on various factors, including the payment method.

While high rollers would have no problem with high deposit limits, low rollers might. On the other hand, low withdrawal limits would put high rollers off. We always check if an online casino sets reasonable limits that appeal to all players.

The Appearance of the Website

An eye-catching website will undoubtedly attract punters more than those that aren't visually appealing. Several operators know this; hence, you'd find a lot of catchy casinos with excellent colour blends. However, the visual of an online casino is only a minute consideration for usability.

We ensure to look out for the following factors.

Clear and Simple Navigation on the Site

Gamblers who have spent years in the industry might easily find their way around a casino site regardless of its complexity. On the other hand, newbies might find it challenging to see what they seek if the website is too cluttered. Therefore, when we visit a casino for the first time, we look at how easy it is to navigate through the site.

Availability of Different Language Versions

Diversity in an online gambling establishment is essential if they intend to attract players from several parts of the world. A good internet casino should have different language options for regions where they accept players.

While we consider the website languages, we also check if the customer support is multilingual. Casinos with different support languages get better ratings than those without.

Graphics and Design

As we have mentioned earlier, several online casinos have attractive designs. However, some take it over the roof with many bright colours, while others aren't on par with industry standards. We love to see a site with appealing graphics and a design that's easy on the eyes yet attractive.

Quality of the Game

An online gambling platform with stunning graphics and a straightforward layout doesn't guarantee its game selection will be equally spectacular. Therefore, we target the game's lobby and try out these titles to determine how well they look on different devices.

While testing out these games, we pay close attention to the live casino if the site has one: the better the game's graphics, the more realistic a gambler's experience.

Bonuses and Promotions

One of the many perks of playing in an online casino is that punters can claim different bonuses after signing up. We want our players to have only the best experience by recommending only sites with an impressive bonus scheme. Below, we outline the necessary criteria when considering a site's incentives.

Does the Casino Provide a Welcome Bonus?

A welcome bonus is an excellent way to kickstart your journey in an online casino. These freebies could come in different formats ranging from matched deposit deals to no-deposit bonuses. Our rating process includes checking out these offers and how they work on the gambling site.

What are the Conditions for Receiving the Bonus?

Bonuses can be mouth-watering but not the conditions that come with them. Some online casinos would present an irresistible offer but attach unrealistic terms and conditions. Without meeting these conditions, withdrawing the wins that players get with the bonus money becomes impossible.

We never jump over the terms and conditions of casino bonuses regardless of how good they look. The wagering requirements, time limits, and games you can play with bonus funds are some of the things we note.

Are There Any Bonuses for Regular Players in the Casino?

We not only check the bonus offer available for new players; we also review what bonuses are in store for regulars. After playing through their welcome bonuses, players should be able to enjoy other incentives. We love sites that offer a plethora of options for regular players, including reload deals, cashback, and free spins.

Is There a VIP and Regular Player Bonus Program?

Online casinos usually have a VIP program or loyalty scheme to reward high rollers and loyal members. While the usual program involves earning points and climbing different levels, we prefer sites with better offers. We're talking about increased withdrawal limits, personal account managers, special cashback offers, etc.

Playing on Mobile Phones

Mobile betting is solely gaining traction in the online gambling industry. Several punters love the convenience of gambling with mobile devices as they don't have to be tethered to their computers to play. Therefore, it's paramount to check what alternatives the casino offers players who love to gamble with their smartphones.

Is There a Mobile Version of the Site?

We check to see if players can access the casino's games from a mobile browser with their phones. Online casinos' mobile versions should be compatible with different devices, including iOS, Android, and Windows. The site should also be mobile-friendly and easy to use with fast loading.

Furthermore, we review the mobile version's game library and the bonuses available to punters who prefer the alternatives. We look out for how easily you can access customer support and available payment methods.

Does the Casino Have its Mobile Application?

Some online establishments have applications to suit different devices, which players can download from the mobile store or casino website. The application should be easy to be run. We favour sites with a good layout, design, and graphics.

Besides the graphics, we look through the game catalogue to ensure players can still enjoy variety. These games should also retain the same quality as when playing on a desktop. Finally, we check that players can still access other casino features, including incentives, payment options, and customer support.

What Don't We Do When Writing Casino Reviews?

There are several things we consider when writing our casino reviews. We look in-depth into the casino's offerings and what players stand to enjoy when they register to play for real money.

During this time, there are a few things we would never do. These factors are what makes our reviews stand out from the competition. Let's look at things we never do when writing our online casino reviews.

We Don't Sell Rankings

We give unbiased ratings based on our experience at the casino, not one influenced by hearsay. In other words, we rank online casinos accordingly.

We Don't Ignore the Negative

Even online casinos with unending goodies have a few bad sides. We never ignore these negatives we come across during our time in the online gambling establishment.

We Don't Forget to Update Our Rankings

Online casinos are constantly updating their offers to remain at the top. Aside from that, new gambling platforms are sprouting every day, and these sites usually have impressive offerings. Therefore, our rankings are updated as every change occurs.

You should check back regularly to learn what online casinos are making waves, adding new games, or changing/providing new bonuses.

Summary

You can see that our reviews are thorough and offer genuine information on these online gambling sites. It's easy to tell that the casinos we recommend are those that will impress you with what they offer. So, waste no time and go through our list of casinos to find one that suits you.