What We Score
Every operator review begins with the same evidence checklist before any opinion is recorded. Editors verify the licence number against the issuing regulator's public register, audit the terms-and-conditions for wagering math, confirm the listed payment methods are actually selectable in the cashier, and test live chat response times before assigning a star rating. A casino that hides its licence, omits wagering numbers, or shows ghost payment methods is downgraded — even when its bonus headline is generous.
Licensing & Compliance
- Licence verified against the issuing authority's public register (MGA, UKGC, Curaçao, etc.)
- Responsible-gambling tools tested for visibility and function
- KYC requirements documented at sign-up
- Restricted-country list confirmed against current operator terms
Bonus Terms & Fairness
- Wagering multiplier and bonus-only vs. deposit+bonus base
- Maximum bet rule while a bonus is active
- Game weighting transparency
- Maximum cashout limits and expiry windows
Payments & Payouts
- Deposit methods tested for availability at the cashier
- Withdrawal processing time measured against the operator's SLA
- Currency support, conversion fees, and minimum/maximum limits
- Crypto support (BTC, ETH, USDT) where applicable
Risk Signals
- History of payment disputes on independent forums
- Recent regulator warnings or fines
- Ownership group reputation and past incidents
- Customer-support responsiveness over a 5-day test window
Star Rating Scale
Our 5-star scale is calibrated so that 4.0 is the floor for any operator we recommend, and 4.8 is the highest rating we will issue. We do not award 5.0 because no commercial casino is risk-free, and a perfect score would misrepresent the inherent volatility of gambling products. A 4.0 means "licensed and operating within stated terms" — it does not endorse heavy play. Anything below 4.0 is flagged as "under review" and not promoted.
- 4.7–4.8 — Tier-1 regulator, audited RNG, clean payout record, transparent bonus terms
- 4.4–4.6 — Mid-tier regulator or newer operator with strong fundamentals
- 4.0–4.3 — Licensed and operational, but with at least one weak signal (e.g. limited payment range)
- Below 4.0 — Not recommended; flagged for re-review or removal
Conflict of Interest
Trial Bonus is an affiliate publisher. We earn a commission when a reader registers at a reviewed operator through a tracked link, and we display sponsored disclosures near every "Visit Casino" button. Affiliate revenue does not change a star rating, and we publish reviews of operators we do not earn from when their data fits our coverage scope. Editors do not hold deposit accounts at the operators they review while a review is in active development.
Fact-Check & Updates
Every published review carries a "last fact-checked" timestamp. We re-verify licence status and bonus terms quarterly for tier-1 operators and at least annually for the wider catalogue. If an operator changes ownership, loses its licence, or alters bonus terms, the review is re-edited within seven days and the change history is preserved in the page metadata.
Corrections requested by operators or readers are evaluated against original-source evidence. Approved corrections are applied without removing the prior assessment's editorial reasoning — we explain what changed and why. Anonymous correction requests without supporting evidence are not actioned.
Responsible Gambling
Every review surfaces the operator's responsible-gambling tools and links the relevant national support service for the jurisdictions where players can legally use the site. We do not run promotions that target self-excluded players, and our affiliate links honour the operator's self-exclusion register integration. If you or someone you know is struggling with gambling, please contact a local helpline before continuing.