How We Review Online Casinos

Ever wondered what really goes on behind those shiny 5-star ratings? Spoiler: it ain’t magic. Here’s how I tear through online casinos, one spin at a time — no filters, no fakery, just the good, the bad, and the downright shady.

So why the hell should you trust my reviews?

• Experience talks. I’ve been elbow-deep in the online gambling swamp for years. I’ve been scammed, I’ve cashed out big, and I’ve seen it all — from golden gems to radioactive garbage.
• No paid rankings, no brown-nosing. Nobody pays me to push their casino to the top of the list. If a site sucks, I’ll say so — and I don’t care who’s watching.
• Real independence. Yeah, I use affiliate links sometimes. But they don’t buy my opinion. If I wouldn’t play there with my own cash, it’s not getting a green light here.

This isn’t some squeaky-clean corporate “About Us” page. I write what I see, and I’ve got no reason to sugar it up. What you get is the raw truth — no fluff, no filters.

How I Actually Test Online Casinos

Let me level with you: I don’t just log in, click a few buttons, and slap on a 5-star rating. Hell no.

I dig. I test. I poke until something breaks — because if it breaks for me, it’ll sure as hell break for you. Here’s the general drill I run every casino through:

1. Create an account. Full signup, full KYC. If uploading a passport feels like filing for a mortgage — red flag.
2. Trigger every damn bonus. I claim everything from welcome deals to dusty promo codes from 2019, just to see if they still work.
3. Play. A lot. I dive into popular slots, blackjack, crash games — you name it. I want to know if the games are smooth or glitchy messes.
4. Withdraw. For real. I try to cash out — even if it’s just 50 bucks — and time how long it takes. If it turns into a 3-day drama with a support ticket and a prayer… down goes the score.
5. Poke the support. I ask dumb questions, hard questions, weird questions. I want to see how real the people behind the chat box are.
6. Mobile mode on. I jump onto my phone and try the mobile version like a regular Joe — bonus points if it doesn’t lag like a potato.
7. Check security & licenses. Is it properly licensed or just waving around a pretend badge from “Curaçao Unlimited”?

That’s my system. No shortcuts. No guessing. If a casino makes it through all that and doesn’t make me rage-quit — we’re off to a good start.

What I Look At in Every Casino

Not all online casinos are built the same. Some are slick, some are scams, and some are just plain boring. Here’s the rough checklist I use when tearing into a new one:

• Licensing & regulation. Who’s watching them? Do they even have a license that means something?
• Payment options & speed. Can I use my card? Is crypto supported? How long do I wait to get my damn money?
• Bonuses & small print. How juicy are the promos, and how many hoops do I have to jump through to keep my winnings?
• Games & software. Is it just a slot graveyard, or are there actually decent games and live tables?
• Customer support. Real humans or robotic script zombies?
• Mobile experience. Can I play in bed without screaming at my phone?
• Security & fairness. SSL encryption? RNG-certified games? Or just vibes?
• Player reviews. What are other people saying — and are they bots or real folks?

The Core Criteria I Use (Without the Corporate Bull)

What I Check	Why I Bother
Licensing & Regulation	A legit badge means they can’t just ghost you overnight
Payments & Withdrawals	I want my money fast and without fees
Bonuses & Terms	No one wants to read War & Peace just to cash out $10
Games & Providers	Good names = better odds, fewer bugs, actual entertainment
Customer Service	They should talk like humans, not copy-paste robots
Mobile Gaming	I test it on real devices — no simulators, no BS
Security & RNG	Encryption, game fairness, all the boring but necessary stuff
User Feedback	I crawl forums so you don’t have to — real players talk

How I Handle Bonuses (So You Don’t Get Rekt)

Ah, the bonus trap. That shiny welcome offer promising “1,000 free spins + a unicorn” — yeah, I’ve seen those.

Here’s how I slice through the glitter and get to the truth:

1. I claim the bonus. No matter how sketchy it looks — I want to see what actually hits my account.
2. I read the fine print. Wagering requirements, withdrawal caps, sneaky clauses — I read the nasty bits most folks ignore.
3. I play it through. I do the grind — and if I hit the target, I test whether they’ll actually let me take the winnings out.
4. I withdraw the winnings. If they stall, dodge, or hit me with extra KYC hoops — it’s a problem.
5. I watch the timer. Expired before I could blink? Bonus = garbage.

Basically, if it looks good but acts shady — I call it out.

Staying Objective in a World Full of Bribes

Online casinos love throwing cash at reviewers to make their brands look good. Not here.

• Yes, there are affiliate links. If you click one and sign up, I might get a slice. But that does not buy a glowing review.
• I don’t do “pay for placement.” If a casino wants to pay me for a top spot — they can shove it.
• Transparency is everything. I tag affiliate links. I note biases. You’ll always know if I’m making a buck.
• I don’t censor complaints. If players are getting shafted, it’s going in the review — end of story.

If you smell something off — call me out. I’ll listen. Promise.

How Often I Update the Reviews

Casinos change faster than a roulette wheel — and I make sure Jasons.co.nz keeps up.

• Major updates every few months. I re-check licensing, test new games, see if they’ve fixed past screw-ups.
• Minor tweaks all the time. Change in terms? New payment method? I patch the review.
• Player alerts matter. If you hit a snag and shoot me a message, I’ll double-check and update fast.

So no, you won’t be reading about a “great bonus” that expired three months ago. I keep the reviews fresh.