How we test online casinos
We deposit our own money, cash out in full and time it to the minute. This page explains each step, the proof we keep and how the four ratings become a score.
Short answer
Each casino gets a real account, a C$50 Interac deposit, at least 200 spins on three slots plus one live table, a full withdrawal timed from request to bank, and three questions to support. We repeat the test every six months. A casino we have not tested with money is labelled “Desk review only”.
The six steps
The same tester runs all six steps on one casino, from sign-up to the bank statement. Each step leaves a file we keep.
Real account
We sign up with a real Canadian identity and address, the way any player would. We do not tell the casino we run a review site.
proof: proof: welcome emailC$50 Interac deposit
We deposit C$50 by Interac from our own bank account. We note the minimum deposit, any fee and how long the money took to show in the casino balance.
proof: proof: bank statementWe play
At least 200 spins spread over three slots, plus one live dealer table. We check that the RTP shown in each slot’s info screen matches what the provider publishes.
proof: proof: game historyFull withdrawal
We cash out the whole balance. The clock starts when we press “withdraw” and stops when the money shows in our bank. ID checks, pending periods and weekends all count.
proof: proof: bank timestampThree support questions
We ask live chat three questions. One is a trick question about the bonus terms, where the correct answer is in the terms and a careless agent will get it wrong.
proof: proof: chat transcriptRetest every 6 months
Terms, payment methods and staff change. We repeat the test every six months. If the payout time doubles, the score drops the same day and the change is logged.
proof: proof: change logWhat proof we keep
No proof, no score. For every money test we keep:
- the welcome email and the account creation date;
- bank statement screenshots for the deposit and the withdrawal, with account numbers masked;
- game history screenshots or exports for every session;
- the withdrawal request time from the casino cashier and the arrival time from the bank;
- every document the casino asked for during verification, and how long approval took;
- the full support chat transcripts.
Each test gets a receipt number (for example T-0012). The receipt on the review page shows the key times and amounts. The files stay with us for and are never published in full, because they contain our tester’s personal data.
How the four ratings work
Each casino gets four ratings, each from 1 to 10. The score is their plain average, rounded to one decimal.
| Rating | What goes into it |
|---|---|
| Trust and Fairness | Licence checked in the regulator’s own register, readable terms, the payout test result, how verification was handled, responsible gambling tools. |
| Games and Software | Game providers, RTP shown in the info screen, live tables, whether demo play exists, how the site works on a phone. |
| Bonuses and Promotions | Wagering, maximum cashout, game weighting, expiry, and whether the terms match what the promo page says. |
| Customer Support | Response time, accuracy on our three questions (including the trick question on bonus terms), languages, hours. |
Example: ratings of 8, 7, 5 and 9 give a score of (8 + 7 + 5 + 9) / 4 = 7.3. The commission a casino pays us is never part of this sum. See what we earn.
What “Desk review only” means
Some casinos on our list have not had a money test yet. For those we read the full terms, check the licence in the regulator’s register, open the cashier to list payment methods and limits, and try the games in demo mode where possible. We do not deposit, so we have no payout time and no support transcript.
These casinos carry the label “Desk review only” next to the score and on their review page. Their Trust and Fairness rating has no payout data behind it, and the review says so.
What we do not do
- We do not accept payment to change a rating, a position or a review text.
- We do not use accounts the casino set up for us or “VIP” press accounts.
- We do not invent payout times. Where a test is not done, the page says test pending.
- We do not list casinos for Ontario or Alberta readers, where our partners are not registered. See Ontario and Alberta.
Found a mistake in a test? Tell us through the contact page. Fixes are listed on the corrections page. The people who run the tests are on our team page.