Our mission at Cointelegraph is to help players pick the very best online casinos, sportsbooks, and poker sites from a sea of options. On this page, we let you in on how we rank gambling sites and the criteria that come into play during our rating process.

Our reviews are not based on third-party experiences or general information. Instead, we approach the review process from the player’s perspective and examine each site in detail. This puts us in a unique position to give you the most detailed and comprehensive reviews in the industry.

Key Criteria for Gambling Site Rankings

Many different elements go into creating a top gambling operator, and we test them all during our rating process. Our reviews are designed to help you, the player, get an idea of what a site is all about before you visit it for the first time.

Keep reading to learn more about the rating process we use when ranking gambling sites, including online casinos, sports betting sites, and poker rooms.

Trustworthiness, Security, and Player Protection

Every review we conduct starts with a detailed security check. Player security is our top priority, so we make sure the operators excel in this department. We check each operator’s gaming licenses for different markets, as well as the security measures used to protect player funds and data. Finally, we look at any player reviews we can find to establish the site’s trustworthiness and reputation with existing customers.

Reputation and Reliability

While it may sound a bit subjective, we find reliability and reputation to be key aspects in an gambling site’s operation. We look into the operator’s history, looking for anything that might indicate a lack of reliability. Our experts also run tests of their own, looking into how reliable the site is in terms of timely payouts, customer support responsiveness, and hidden bonus terms and conditions.

Payment Methods and Transaction Ease

The next thing we look at is the variety of payment methods the operator offers. We look at all the methods players can use for deposits and cashouts and examine their utility. Cashout speed and security, as well as transaction fees attached to different types of transactions, are all a part of this rating segment.

Promotional Offers and Bonus Deals

The extra value players get from bonuses and promotions is a big part of the overall gambling experience. In our reviews, we make sure to examine each bonus offer in detail, looking at all the details and conditions that aren’t always obvious at first sight. We also examine any existing promotions and loyalty schemes and assess their value to the player.

Support Services and Customer Care

A responsive and helpful customer support department can make a big difference. In our reviews, we make sure to directly contact the operator’s customer support as players. We ask the important question and look for speedy and concise resolutions. We also look at the different ways you can contact customer support and the business hours it’s available in.

Mobile-Friendly Platforms and Apps

Mobile devices are dominating the gambling market these days. For that reason, we make sure to test each operator’s mobile compatibility. Both downloadable Android and iOS apps and instant-play mobile sites are considered in our reviews. Our reviewers look into the mobile performance, the scope of mobile games, and other features available in the mobile version.

Registration and Account Verification

Next up is the ease of registration and account verification. The top gambling operators allow for quick and easy account registration and minimal account verification. We rate sites based on how easy they are to sign up with and how fast you can get into action and cash out your funds. Any unnecessary obstacles in this process are considered as a negative point for the operator.

Interface Design and Usability

It may not be the key focus of our reviews, but we also look into each site’s design and usability. In order to get the best rankings, the operator must allow for easy and intuitive navigation and fast loading times. Eye pleasing site design is also valued, as we want the players to be able to enjoy every moment spent playing online.

Innovative Features and Technologies

Many gambling sites use the same platforms and technologies to power their operations, and the system works well. However, a bit of innovation can be all the difference between a mediocre and a top betting site. We look for innovations and extra features that the best online casinos, sportsbooks, and poker sites implement in their platforms to provide the best user experience possible.

Dedication to Responsible Gaming Practices

While gambling can be incredibly fun, it can also be addictive and dangerous. For that reason, we look at each operator’s responsible gambling tools and policies. The sites that excel in this category offer self-exclusion, deposit and bet limits, full breakdowns of player deposits and cashouts, and more. With such features in place, the operators can get the best ratings in this aspect of the review process.

Specific Online Casino Review Criteria

Each type of gambling site has unique features that are not shared with other verticals. When reviewing an online casino site, we look at a few criteria that don’t apply to poker rooms and sportsbooks.

Variety of Casino Games

The number and variety of casino games available in the online casino’s lobby is important. The best online casinos these days offer thousands of different games and cover every possible game category. This means you should be able to play slots, blackjack, roulette, baccarat, dice games, plinko, crash games, and more. We look at both the virtual and live casino games and assess their numbers and quality, as well as the variety of software providers they come from.

Progressive Jackpot Opportunities
Online casinos provide a unique opportunity to win life-changing money in a single spin of the reels on progressive jackpot games. For players who enjoy this kind of gaming, we look at the different progressive jackpot opportunities available. This includes both progressive jackpot slots and table games that are enhanced with progressive jackpot opportunities.
Top-Tier Software Developers
In order to provide the best possible experience, top casino sites offer games from many different software providers. Companies like Pragmatic Play, NetEnt, Evolution, and Red Tiger are only a few of the top developers in the industry. Our ratings compare the variety of software studios available at an online casino and the availability of different games from each particular top-tier developer.

Exclusive VIP and Loyalty Programs

While everyone can benefit from casino welcome bonuses, the most loyal players can get extra perks through VIP schemes and loyalty programs. In our review process, we examine the operator’s loyalty program and compare it to those of its closest competitors. The sites with excellent loyalty schemes are recommended for high rollers and VIPs looking to make big deposits and play for the highest of stakes.

Competitive Casino Tournaments

Casino tournaments can be a fun way to win some extra rewards while playing your favorite games. The best online casino sites often offer slot, blackjack, and roulette tournaments, where the luckiest players can win extra awards. If you play online casino games often, the benefits of casino tournaments can be significant.

Specific Review Criteria for Sportsbooks

When looking at online sportsbooks, there are a few unique factors we rate compared to online casinos. If you are a fan of sports betting, keep in mind that our reviews include the following criteria as important elements of our rating process.

Comprehensive Sports Event Coverage

Having a comprehensive coverage of different leagues, competitions, and matches you can bet on is key for an online sportsbook. Our team examines each operator’s coverage of different leagues and tournaments, as well as the betting markets offered for each sport. The more markets players can bet on, the more favorably our reviewers rate the sportsbook.

Competitive and Reliable Betting Odds

Perhaps even more important than the sports coverage is the quality of the betting odds. Top sportsbooks offer competitive betting odds across all markets. We compare the betting odds across different top sportsbooks and look for discrepancies. Betting sites only get a high rating if their betting odds are comparable with the very best in the industry.

Specific Review Criteria for Poker Sites

Poker players are a unique group of gambling fans whose needs differ significantly to those of casino and betting fans. For that reason, we look at poker sites from the perspective of a poker player and examine several important elements that a non-player might not consider.

Poker Games, Tables, and Tournaments

The variety of different poker games and formats is important for poker players. The best online poker operators offer different games like Texas Hold’em, Pot Limit Omaha, Seven Card Stud, and more. There should also be variety in table sizes and game formats, including full-ring, six-max, and heads-up tables.

Variety in stakes is important in both cash games and tournaments. Poker players want to be able to progress from the smallest of stakes, such as $0.01/0.02 cash games, to the high-stakes tables, all through the virtue of their poker skills. In the poker tournament lobby, we look at the availability of tournaments throughout the day, their stakes, and guaranteed prize pools.

Rake, Rakeback Offers, and Rewards

A poker player’s ultimate outcome when playing online can depend significantly on these criteria. Favorable rake across different games is a big plus for an online poker site. Sites with low rake allow players to realize higher win rates and build up their bankrolls faster. The value of rakeback and player rewards can also not be understated, as these mitigate the effects of rake further. A high rakeback or valuable player rewards can make all the difference between a break-even and winning player in online poker.

A Breakdown of Our Rating System

In each gambling site review, we provide you with an overall score. This score comes as a result of the overall rating process. The number represents an average between the scores from different rating categories. Here is a short explanation of what the final rating numbers actually represent.

Rating	What to Expect
1-3	A rating between 1 and 3 represents a very low-quality gambling site. Typically, you will want to avoid playing at sites with such a rating, as they didn’t satisfy our standards in multiple categories. Security risks and other failures are highly possible.
4-6	A score of 4-6 represents mediocre operators that leave much to be desired. While these sites may pass in a few categories, they also fail in others. In most cases, such sites should be avoided in favor of better alternatives.
7-8	A score of 7-8 indicates an operator that may be a solid pick for some players. The site underperformed in some areas, so make sure to check out the review in more detail to find out the strong and weak points of the operator in question.
9-10	A score of 9-10 is reserved for the very best gambling websites. These operators performed well across all the rating criteria and are highly recommended. As a player, you can rest assured that picking this site will provide you with the best user experience possible.

Our Commitment to Trust and Integrity

At Cointelegraph, we are dedicated to bringing you the latest news from the gambling world and the most comprehensive reviews of the top gambling operators. Our experienced team of experts works hard to bring you the most up-to-date and useful reviews of online casinos, sportsbooks, and poker sites that go well beyond good search engine rankings.

We go above and beyond to ensure that you receive correct and unbiased information about the gambling industry. Our editorial policy and SEO strategies guarantee objective reviews and honest ratings for each operator. This allows you to easily find the best sites and avoid those with security risks and other major flaws in their operations.

Our Team – Experienced Industry Professionals

Made up of dozens of industry professionals, the Cointelegraph team boasts decades of combined experience. Our authors are all well-versed in the world of gambling and have a keen sense of what to look for in an ideal operator. The combined expertise allows us to create the best site reviews and help you find the top operators in each niche with ease.

Unbiased and Trustworthy Reviews

We pride ourselves on being completely unbiased in our rating process. Each review is created from an objective point of view and without any prejudice. We review each operator across many different areas and examine all the available facts. Operators that don’t meet our standards are awarded low ratings across different categories.

Always Staying Updated with the Latest News & Trends

Our team is made up of people with a real interest in gambling. Not only do we boast decades of industry experience, but we also enjoy gambling ourselves. For that reason, we are always on top of all the latest developments in the industry and all the latest trends. This allows us to create content that’s not only relevant but also completely up-to-date with the latest developments in the online gambling industry.

Delivering Consistent and Reliable Insights

Consistency is key in any endeavor, and we ensure consistency in our work. By providing the most up-to-date and reliable information, we ensure that you can trust us. The information we relay to you comes directly from the source and can be counted upon.

Driven by a Passion for the gambling Industry

Made up of real gambling players, our team is one you can trust on the subject matter. We are highly passionate about online casinos, sports betting, and poker, and we know exactly what to look out for. Our true passion for gambling is what separates us from the rest.

We Test gambling Sites with Real Money Bets To make sure our review results are completely accurate, we test the sites with real money bets. Our review process includes creating real accounts, depositing funds into them, claiming bonuses, and playing casino games with real money. This way, we can be sure that the experience we have is the one you will share when you sign up. This approach to reviews allows us to take on the role of a player and give you the most reliable information possible.
We Engage Directly with Customer Support A part of our review process is to test out the customer support directly. We reach out via email, live chat, and phone and ask questions that you might have. We enquire about bonuses, cashouts, and other aspects that might trouble a real player. This way, we can tell you exactly how responsive and helpful the customer support is and what help you can expect to get when you need it.
We Scrutinize Terms and Conditions in Detail Bonus terms and conditions are often the most confusing thing about a gambling site. To help you out, our experts decipher the fine print and explain how a bonus works in practical terms. Each review includes details about the bonuses and an in-depth explanation of how they really work.

We Encourage Responsible Gaming

Our passion for gambling is combined with a great sense of responsibility. Since gaming can be addictive, we encourage only responsible gambling. If you are going to play for real money, we advise you to play with funds you can afford to lose and treat gambling as a hobby, not a way to profit.

If you struggle with playing within your means, we recommend you make use of responsible gambling tools such as self-exclusion, timeouts, and bet limits. This way, you will give yourself a much-needed break and have the time to reexamine your habits or seek help when needed.

Page Contents

Key Criteria for Gambling Site Rankings
Specific Online Casino Review Criteria
Specific Review Criteria for Sportsbooks
Specific Review Criteria for Poker Sites
A Breakdown of Our Rating System
Our Commitment to Trust and Integrity
We Encourage Responsible Gaming

How We Rank Gambling Sites – Our Rank and Review Methodology

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