How We Rate Casinos
Every rating on OnlineCasinoFriend comes from the same editorial scoring framework, not a press release or affiliate brief. Page-level testing claims appear only when the supporting notes are documented.
The Testing Process
The live site currently publishes 119 active reviews, and each one follows the same review framework. We harden claims to match the evidence on the page rather than assuming every review has the same level of documented testing behind it.
- 1 Account Creation — Review the sign-up flow, entry requirements, and any friction documented in the page source or supporting notes.
- 2 Payments & Terms — Review payment options, minimums, fees, and terms. Deposit or withdrawal claims are shown as evidence only when they are documented for that page.
- 3 Product Review — Assess game variety, feature depth, mobile UX, and product quality using the current editorial record and category comparisons.
- 4 Support Review — Review support channels, help-center coverage, and any documented support notes tied to the page.
- 5 Evidence Gate — Attach page-specific deposit, withdrawal, gameplay, or support evidence only when the source record supports it.
- 6 Rating — Score across 6 dimensions on a 1–5 scale. Weighted average produces the final star rating. We flag any dimension where the casino scores below 3.0 in our written review.
The 6 Rating Dimensions
Each casino gets a score from 1 to 5 in each dimension. The final star rating is a weighted average, with payout speed and security weighted slightly higher because they affect real money.
Game Selection
20%Breadth of slots, table games, and live dealer titles. Provider diversity. Whether the catalog matches what's advertised.
Bonus Value
15%Welcome offer quality relative to wagering requirements. Are the terms realistic? Does the bonus actually help new players?
Payout Speed
25%How clearly the redemption flow, timing notes, and KYC friction are documented in the editorial record.
Support Quality
15%Documented support channels, help-center coverage, and any page-level notes tied to the review.
Mobile UX
15%Mobile browser experience plus any app or device-coverage details documented in the current record.
Security & Trust
10%Licensing status, SSL implementation, responsible gaming tools, and overall company transparency.
Sweepstakes vs. Real-Money Ratings
Sweepstakes casinos are rated on a separate curve from real-money crypto platforms. A sweepstakes casino scoring 4.2 is excellent within its category — it can't be directly compared to a 4.2 crypto casino because the product, legal structure, and player expectations differ.
For sweepstakes platforms, we pay closer attention to the redemption flow, AMOE (Any Method of Entry) availability, and state-by-state access when those details are documented. Those are the details that usually matter most for US players comparing that category.
What We Don't Do
- ✕ We don't accept payment for higher ratings. Commission structures don't affect scores.
- ✕ We don't copy bonus terms from the casino's own marketing page without checking them against the current source record.
- ✕ We don't present a withdrawal, deposit, or support claim as verified unless the page has documented evidence for it.
- ✕ We don't give any casino a pass on slow payouts because of a generous welcome offer.
- ✕ We don't maintain positive ratings for platforms that have declined since initial review.
Rating Updates
Pages are reviewed again when material changes are reported, such as ownership changes, payout complaints, or bonus rewrites. Priority pages are revisited on a rolling basis, and each review carries a "Last Updated" date so readers can see how current the write-up is. If a platform declines, the rating can drop regardless of affiliate relationship.
Related Reading
Casino Glossary
Definitions for RTP, KYC, sweeps coins, and other review terms.
Wagering Requirements Guide
See how we interpret bonus friction when a page mentions playthrough or sticky funds.
State Legality Guides
Use the state pages when operator availability or legality claims affect your decision.