How We Evaluate Casinos & Tournaments
Our transparent framework for 2025—what we check, how we score, and how often we update.
Last updated: September 3, 2025 · Policy Methodology
In this page:
Principles & Editorial Independence
- No pay‑to‑play. Inclusion and scores cannot be bought.
- Disclosures. If an affiliate link appears, we label it and it never alters the score.
- Replicable process. Our checklist and math are documented below so readers can sanity‑check outcomes.
- Responsible play first. We prioritize safety tools and clear rules over flashy promos.
Scope: Land‑Based & Online
This framework covers both brick‑and‑mortar casinos/tournaments and licensed online operators. We only compare venues that are legal for the player’s jurisdiction and within the operator’s license.
Note: Laws differ across countries/states. Always follow your local regulations.
Evaluation Criteria (What We Check)
1) Licensing & Compliance
- Regulator & license status (validity, sanctions)
- Jurisdiction fit (player location vs. operator license)
- Responsible‑gaming obligations (limits, self‑exclusion)
2) Game Fairness & Rules
- Published rules/payouts (e.g., blackjack 3:2 vs 6:5)
- RTP disclosures/independent labs (online)
- Clear table signage; avoidance of predatory variants (e.g., triple‑zero roulette)
3) Tables, Limits & Rake
- Typical minimums/maximums by time of day
- Poker rake/fees, caps, promo drops
- Tournament structures: level length, blinds, rake %, re‑entries, payouts
4) Payments & Withdrawals (Online)
- Deposit/withdrawal options & timelines
- KYC practices and data protection
- Transparent fees and limits
5) Loyalty, Comps & Value
- Comps fairness (rooms/food based on tracked play)
- Elite tiers transparency; expiry terms
- Tournament leaderboards & added value (e.g., guarantees)
6) Customer Support & Rulings
- Dealer/floor professionalism and consistency
- Dispute handling track record (cash/TD rulings)
- Support channels & response times (online)
7) Safety, Security & Accessibility
- On‑site security presence (land‑based)
- Site security (TLS, 2FA), privacy policy, AML (online)
- Accessibility (ADA/WCAG), smoke‑free areas, late‑night logistics
8) Reputation & Community Feedback
- Third‑party reports & regulator notices
- Player reviews (patterns over time, verified accounts)
- Media coverage & incident response
Weights & Scoring
We aggregate sub‑scores into a 0–100 rating. Suggested default weights (we may tweak per product type):
| Category | Weight | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Licensing & Compliance | 20% | Must‑have; failures cap total score |
| Game Fairness & Rules | 18% | Math‑based advantages to players |
| Tables, Limits & Rake | 14% | Value for entertainment budget |
| Payments & Withdrawals | 10% | Only for online operators |
| Loyalty, Comps & Value | 12% | Transparent, attainable perks |
| Customer Support & Rulings | 10% | Consistency & fairness |
| Safety, Security & Accessibility | 8% | Player wellbeing & privacy |
| Reputation & Community | 8% | Independent signals & trends |
Where a category is N/A (e.g., online‑only or land‑based‑only), weights normalize proportionally.
Verification & Data Sources
- Primary sources: regulator license lookups, operator T&Cs, property signage, tournament structures.
- Secondary sources: UNLV Center for Gaming Research, industry surveys, reputable media.
- Player feedback: we log recurring themes across verified communities and cross‑check with staff where possible.
- Evidence locker: screenshots, PDFs, photos of signage, date‑stamped.
Update Cadence & Versioning
- Surveys: quarterly review of rules/minimums for major markets.
- Breaking changes: immediate re‑score upon regulator action or policy change.
- Version stamps: each review tagged with date and editor initials.
Original Text (Preserved)
We keep the exact original wording below for transparency.
- Rules & player edge: payout tables, table minimums, and rule variants.
- Operational excellence: dealer quality, floor responsiveness, wait times.
- Safety & compliance: age checks, ID, responsible gaming visibility.
- Logistics: access, cash options, nearby hotels and transport.
- Festival flow: registration systems, structures, and crowd management.
References (Global Authorities & Research)
- United States: Nevada Gaming Control Board — Official site · American Gaming Association — Industry resources · New Jersey DGE — DGE
- United Kingdom: UK Gambling Commission — Official site · Safer Gambling hub — Player resources
- EU/International: Malta Gaming Authority — MGA · eCOGRA — Testing & ADR
- Singapore: Gambling Regulatory Authority (GRA) — Official site · National Council on Problem Gambling — Helpline & Self‑Exclusion
- Macau (China SAR): DICJ — Responsible Gambling
- Hong Kong (China): Ping Wo Fund — Responsible Gambling
- Russia: Unified Gambling Regulator (ERAI) — Official site
- Canada (Ontario): iGaming Ontario — Player resources · AGCO — Regulator
- Australia: Liquor & Gaming NSW — Official site
- Research: UNLV Center for Gaming Research — Gaming reports & data
We periodically review these links and revise scores if operators change rules, payouts, or policies.
