How We Rate Online Casinos

What Does it Take to Get Featured on BestCasinoSites.net

At BestCasinoSites.net, we are committed to providing honest casino ratings that you can trust. We carry out in-depth reviews of online casinos, using a set of criteria. Safety is the most important factor. So, we only feature licensed and safe casinos on our website. We then review and rate all other key categories, including games, bonuses, payment options, and customer support. Read on to find out more about how we rate online casinos.

1. Safety & Licensing

You should never compromise on safety when gambling with real money online. That’s why our casino reviews always begin with detailed checks — and the most important factor is licensing. It’s the clearest way to tell whether a site is operating within strict, regulated standards.

In Finland, online gambling is currently offered under a state monopoly, with Veikkaus as the sole licensed operator. However, a legislative shift is expected in 2025, paving the way for a licensing system that will allow private companies to legally operate in the Finnish market from 2026 onward.

Until then, many players continue to use international casino sites. If you choose to do so, we strongly recommend sticking to casinos licensed by reputable authorities such as the Malta Gaming Authority or the UK Gambling Commission.

Alongside licensing, we check for other safety indicators: independent audits of games and payout systems, strong encryption for payments, and clearly published privacy protections. These factors all contribute to a secure and trustworthy gambling environment.

1.1 Licence from a Renowned Gambling Authority

Gambling regulations vary from one country to another. In Finland, legal gambling is currently limited to the state-owned operator Veikkaus, which is overseen by the Ministry of the Interior and regulated by the National Police Board. This framework does not currently extend to international casino sites.

We verify that any featured casino holds a valid licence from a recognised authority. Licensed operators must follow strict standards related to security, fair play, and responsible conduct. Choosing a licensed casino is one of the most important steps in ensuring a safe gambling environment.

1.2 Independent Regulations for Fairness

As part of licensing regulations, legit online casinos and gambling sites must be checked for fairness. Trusted independent testing agencies, including eCOGRA, GLI, and iTech Labs verify the integrity of games and payouts. They perform rigorous RNG testing to ensure that game results are truly random and cannot be rigged. These testing authorities also produce reports detailing the payout percentage across all games. This regulation for fairness ensures that you have a fair chance of winning when you play at licensed online casinos.

1.3 Technical Security

Every reliable gambling site should guarantee technical security. They use SSL to encrypt any sensitive data that you share with the gambling website. This ensures that your personal data and your payment transactions are completely secured. To make sure that your shared data and payment details will be safe, we check that the site is protected with a trusted SSL certificate. You can do so yourself by click on the padlock icon to the left of the URL in your browser. Secured sites also include https:// at the beginning of the URL.

2. Games & Software Requirements

Games and software are an important part of our ranking process. We check for a rich variety of games with enough diversity to cater to all types of players. We look for quality and quantity when it comes to game selections. A good casino will offer games with excellent graphics and exciting gameplay features. Reliable software is also essential to ensure that games run smoothly on both desktop and mobile devices.

2.1 Available Game Variety

Game selection is one of the main considerations in choosing which online casino to play at. The best casino sites offer diverse game selections with games from various top software developers. This means you can expect crystal-clear graphics and exciting features from the games. You could play slots, roulette, blackjack, video poker, and more besides at top sites.

2.2 Renowned Software Developers

Every trustworthy casino features games from well-known software developers. By partnering with top casino software developers like Playtech, Microgaming, and NetEnt, an operator can make sure that their game selection is filled with high-quality, popular titles. It is preferable that operators offer games from numerous software developers. This ensures plenty of diversity across the entire selection, with many top-notch games to choose from.

2.3 Free Demo Games

When rating an online casino’s game selection, we check for the availability of free demo games. Most reliable online casinos offer demo versions of their games that you can play for free. Playing for free is a great way to get to grips with the rules, gameplay, and features before you risk your own money. So, practice play can help prepare you to play confidently with real money. Not every gambling game has a demo version. This is usually the case with live dealer casino games. Still, you should consider taking advantage of free play games when they are available.

2.4 High Quality Gambling and Casino Apps

Most players prefer to play casino games on mobile devices. So, mobile compatibility is an essential requirement for all online casinos and gambling sites. All reputable operators offer players the option to play on the go. Most casino sites are mobile responsive, so you can play directly in your mobile browser on most devices. Some operators have also developed native apps, tailor-made for optimum performance with iOS or Android operating systems. You could find a slightly smaller game selection playing on mobile. Still, the best mobile casinos keep the differences to a minimum.

3. Bonus Offers and Promotions

Most online casinos and gambling sites offer special promotions. It all starts with the welcome bonus. Operators offer generous bonuses to attract and reward new players. Such offers give your bankroll a boost, getting you started at a new casino with an advantage. Players should seek generous bonuses with fair conditions. So, we assess promotions and bonuses in our casino reviews.

3.1 Welcome Bonus Offers

Welcome bonuses are usually the most generous promotions at online casinos. They are available exclusively to new players and usually awarded upon making the first deposit. Sign up bonuses could match your deposit with extra bonus money. Or you could benefit from free spins for selected slots. Whatever the offer, it will help to stretch out your bankroll and give you more opportunities to play. We analyse the promotional terms attached to any offer, so you know how convenient the conditions are.

3.2 Daily & Weekly Offers for Regular Players

Welcome bonuses are not the only offers you could claim at an online casino. Many operators also offer bonuses and promotions for their regular players to take advantage of. Some feature special daily and weekly bonus offers. Such offers could include re-load bonuses, free spins, raffles, and prize draws. Regular bonuses give players the chance to get extra value for their money after benefiting from the welcome offer. The availability of promotions for existing players is reflected in our online casino ratings.

3.3 Fair Terms and Conditions

All casino bonuses come with certain terms and conditions. These conditions are displayed transparently with all offers, and you should always read them before accepting any bonus. Within the terms, you will find the minimum deposit needed to claim the offer, the maximum bonus you could claim, and suitable payment methods. Players should pay close attention to the wagering requirements and validity. You should only claim bonuses that you can play through conveniently. Given the importance of bonus conditions, you will find them listed in each of our casino reviews.

3.4 VIP Clubs & Special Perks

Some online casinos offer special perks for their most advanced players. Many operators offer loyalty programs, with comp points awarded as you play. The more comp points you collect, the bigger the rewards. Some online casinos offer VIP clubs for their most elite players. Entry to the VIP program is usually by invitation only and reserved for the players that deposit and play the most. VIP clubs are particularly suited to high rollers. As a VIP player, you can expect many perks, such as a dedicated account manager, personalised bonuses, higher table limits, and even invites to red carpet events.

4. Payment Options for Deposits and Withdrawals

If you want to play real money casino games online, you will need to make a deposit. Most online casinos accept several payment options that allow you to deposit safely. These include debit cards, e-wallets, prepaid cards, bank transfers, and pay by mobile services. Keep in mind that not all payment options are available for withdrawals.

We check the accepted payment methods as part of our casino review process. We also check deposit limits and processing times to rate the banking options. The best real money casinos offer quick and easy deposits as well as convenient and hassle-free withdrawals.

4.1 Fast and Secure Deposits

Each legit online casino should offer a fast and secure deposit process. There are usually several deposit options to choose from. All payments are protected using SSL encryption at trusted gambling sites. Still, some deposit options offer better security and privacy than others. While e-wallets enjoy popularity worldwide, in Finland, bank transfer and debit card remain the most common deposit methods.

4.2 Efficient and Reliable Withdrawals

You need to be confident that the casino offers fast and secure withdrawals when the time comes to withdraw your winnings. Most online casinos offer several withdrawal options. You will normally be required to withdraw with the same method used to deposit. Yet, if you use a deposit method that does not support withdrawals, you would need to select an alternative. Withdrawal times can vary depending on the operator and the payment method used. So, you should always check that the online casino offers fair terms for making withdrawals when deciding where to play.

4.3 Diverse Payment Methods

Most legit online casinos offer several payment methods. You should always check that there are sufficient payment options to choose from. All online casinos accept major debit cards, such as Mastercard and Visa. Let us once again remind you that some payment methods cannot be used for withdrawals.

4.4 Fast and Secure Transactions

All reliable online casinos should offer fast transactions that are completely secure. Trusted gambling sites encrypt payment transactions. This protects your sensitive payment details from unauthorised access. Players should be given the option to make instant deposits and fast withdrawals. Still, differences can be found from one operator to another. At reputable casinos, deposit and withdrawal terms are clearly listed. So, you can check the accepted payment methods, limits, and transaction timescales.

5. Reliable Customer Support

When you play at an online casino, there will occasionally be times when you need to get in touch with the operator. You could have an account query, a question about a game, a technical issue, or perhaps an enquiry about available bonuses. You can tell a lot about an online casino by their customer support services.

We check for quality customer support when we rate online casinos. Reputable operators offer reliable support options. They provide various channels to get in touch, such as live chat, phone, and email. Plus, they invest in thorough training for their customer service agents, to ensure that they are fully qualified to handle any queries quickly and efficiently.

5.1 Available Live Chat

Most trusted online casinos offer live chat customer support. And most operators prefer their players to get in touch through this method. Live chat is the most convenient way to contact a casino. Queries are responded to quickly, making it ideal for urgent issues that require immediate attention. Live chat agents are trained to be able to handle most types of queries. So, it is the quickest way to get the help you need.

5.2 Reliable Email Address

Most online gambling sites allow customers to contact them via email. They could provide an email address on their website or a contact form for you to get in touch. Email is a good option when you have a general enquiry that does not need an urgent response. It is also ideal for important or complex issues that require lots of detail from you and investigation by the support team to resolve.

5.3 Other Contact Methods

Various reputable casino sites provide phone support. Many trusted operators provide a phone number to call and talk directly with a customer service agent. In a similar way to live chat, customer support by phone is a great option for urgent issues that need a quick response. Sometimes, you could find it more convenient to talk to an operator than typing to them. This is when a phone call is the best way to contact customer service.

5.4 Polite & Informed Customer Advisers

There is nothing more frustrating than lacklustre customer service that is more of a hindrance than a help. So, when we review an online casino, we contact the customer support team to assess how they handle various queries. Reputable casinos have polite and well-informed advisors that can efficiently handle a wide range of issues. Whether you have a general enquiry or an issue related to your account, you can be confident that the support team will be able to help.

6. Responsible Gambling

Social responsibility is a core requirement for licensed online casinos. For many players, gambling is a form of entertainment — but for some, it can develop into a harmful habit. All online casinos should actively support responsible gambling through clear policies and partnerships with support services.

Operators often work with agencies and nonprofits that focus on the prevention and treatment of gambling-related harm. Finnish players have access to local help, including the free Gambling Clinic (Peluuri), which offers support in select cities.

Reputable casino sites also provide tools to help players manage their gambling behavior. These may include deposit limits, time reminders, loss caps, and self-exclusion options. The ability to pause or restrict play can be an important step for anyone struggling to stay in control.

6.1 Organisations That Help Prevent Gambling Addiction

Most licensed online casinos partner with responsible gambling organizations as part of their commitment to player safety. These partnerships often include funding support and clear links to services that help reduce the risks of problem gambling.

Some well-known organizations include the Finnish Gambling Clinic (Peluuri), Gamblers Anonymous, and other international support networks. They provide confidential help, advice, and treatment for anyone affected by gambling-related harm.

Reputable casino sites make it easy to find this information by listing support contacts in their responsible gambling sections.

6.2 Self-Exclusion

Reputable casino operators do not aim to profit at the expense of players’ health and well-being. Promoting responsible gambling is a core requirement for all licensed casinos. One of the most important tools available is the option to self-exclude. When you activate self-exclusion, you won’t be able to deposit or play on the site for a set period — giving you space to reset your habits.

For added support, we recommend using Gamban — a third-party app that blocks access to gambling sites and apps across your devices.

7. Become a Part of the Best Casino Sites!

We are constantly on the lookout for top online casinos to recommend to our visitors. If you are a casino operator that matches our criteria, you can become featured on our list of the best casino sites. To get your casino listed on our website, we will carry out a detailed review, covering all key categories.

We will check your casino site’s licensing and security credentials. We will assess the games you provide and bonus offers. In fact, we will check all of the criteria we have covered on this page to rate your casino. If you think that your site is worthy of attention, then head over to our dedicated page to get your casino listed.

Submit Your Casino for Listing

What Casinos Would Be Blacklisted?

Not all online casinos that we review will make it onto our website. And that’s because not all casino sites are reliable. Some operators should be avoided at all costs. Rogue sites could lack the required licensing and security to provide a safe gaming platform. They could also withhold payouts for arbitrary reasons. Here are the main reasons why an online casino could be blacklisted:

⚠️ Missing or Revoked Licence
⚠️ Personal Data Abuse
⚠️ Unreliable Software
⚠️ Poor or Unqualified Customer Support
⚠️ Slow Payment Process
⚠️ Lack of Sufficient Website Security
⚠️ Unjustly Unpaid Winning
⚠️ Misleading Bonus Offers