What Criteria Should an Online Casino Review Cover?

While the world of online casinos keeps getting bigger and better as we speak, picking out the awesome sites from the ones that are a complete waste of time (and money) isn’t always so simple. When signing up to a new casino it’s important to be aware of what you’re getting yourself into, especially if you plan on making a deposit, and that’s where genuine casino reviews come in handy.

Not all reviews are created equally, and not all reviews are as trustworthy as they claim to be, either. Editor-in-Chief at BonusMonitor.com, Roy Carswell, explains this very candidly:

“When a review seems too good to be true and near perfect, that in itself should be a red flag. Why? Because a review needs to be written in an objective and unbiased manner, where a potential player is given the full picture of what to expect, whether good or bad. In reality, like with any product or service, educated customers are willing to accept certain shortcomings if and when they’re told about them. It’s the ‘hidden’ surprises they won’t appreciate, because no one likes being deceived or played for a fool!”

Establishing Credibility

Before taking a casino review into consideration, you’re going to want to attest its credibility. Some sites will publish reviews that have been directly sponsored by casinos for example, which would of course influence the way they are written. Here are a couple of things to look out for to make sure you’re onto something good.

1. Transparency

While we’re so used to being bombarded by sponsored content, there are some sites that are clearly more biased than others. While there’s absolutely nothing wrong with casino affiliates using their platforms to promote certain websites, it’s also really important for them to be clear about their intentions from the get-go. Always steer clear of sites that act shady about their priorities – if they’re not being honest at this point, don’t expect it to get better later on.

2. Authority

A credible review is created by a recognized source, so another important consideration is taking note of the site you’re currently browsing. Questions to ask yourself at this point include whether the site is well known and trusted within the industry, as well as whether it is written by someone with clout within the industry.

3. Timing

While a review from two years ago may still stand, this industry is so quick paced that you’re always going to want to prioritize more recent posts. Think about it this way, if you wanted to know what Harry and Megan were up to these days, would you refer to an article from three years ago? Probably not – so same goes with casino reviews; always keep it factual and recent.

4. Expertise

And lastly, you’re going to make sure that whoever is writing the review is a field expert and not some random ChatGPT compiled news blog uploaded there for whatever reason. You trust the Michelin Star Guide because it’s been compiled by established critics, keep that same mentality when seeking out new casino reviews.

Information Check

Another surefire way of asserting whether a casino review is legit and honest lies in the fact that it will offer a more candid and unbiased review in general. This should include honest information regarding games, bonus structures, current promotions as well as overall experience amongst others. Important factors to look out for include:

1. Game Selection

One of the most crucial factors behind a successful online casino is definitely its game selection and this is something you’re definitely want to keep in mind when looking around for a new site. Questions you’re going to want to ask at this point include whether the game selection is as diverse as you hoped for, are games regularly updated? Are the games provided developed by high-end software houses you’ve already heard of? And finally, is the casino licensed in a jurisdiction that requires games to be regularly audited in order to ensure full player to casino fairness and transparency.

2. Bonuses and Promotions

Who doesn’t love a freebie, right? Any casino player will admit they’re obsessed with promotions and bonuses, especially when they’re really good, and a good casino review should be able to differentiate between those worth our time and those that aren’t. Questions to keep in mind at this point include is the casino being generous or stingy? Are promotions creative or boring? What are the wagering requirements like? Is there anything that needs to be flagged in the T&Cs?

3. Licensing and Security

Before making any financial commitments, or sharing any personal information whatsoever, you’re always going to want to make sure that the casino you’ve picked is licensed and regulated, as well as whether it’s got enough security measures in place to ensure that your data can never be accessed or interpreted by third parties. Licensing also ensures that the casino operates ethically and legally.

4. Payment Methods

Another key factor to consider when reading casino reviews is the payment section at an online casino, including deposit and withdrawal options. Hopefully, the review you have picked to read gives a good enough idea as to whether the casino is safe, efficient, as well as giving you a better idea of the options available in your country.

5. Customer Support

Reading about what others have to say with regards to customer support is always more helpful than trying to find out for yourself. If you’ve played at an online casino with shoddy customer care before then you can already understand the frustration that this can bring around. Find out whether this department operates on a 24/7 basis for example, whether live chat is available along with any other contact methods, and lastly find out what the reviewer has to say about responsiveness.

6. Design and Overall Experience

You can have the best online casino in the world, decked out with the hottest promotions, but if the overall user experience is glitchy then you’re probably not going to want to return. Find out what others have to say about this, especially if you’re a fan of mobile gaming. Keep navigation, graphics and loading time in mind before committing to anything else from your end.