With tens of thousands of online casinos out there, some stand out more than others. At SmartPokies, our mission is to bring you the very best. We only feature casinos on our site that we’d join ourselves.
If we reviewed every casino we encountered, it wouldn’t serve our readers well. Why? Because it would lead to information overload. By being selective, we make it easier for you to find the most suitable options. Stick with us, and we’ll simplify the process of choosing an online casino, making it smoother and more convenient.
When we review a casino, we don’t just take a quick look—we dive in. We make deposits, play games, and withdraw winnings to give you an honest sense of the site’s experience. We evaluate each casino based on several key criteria, which we’ll outline in the sections below.
How we test casinos
Game Selection
When it comes to game offerings, both quality and quantity matter. A top online casino should feature a wide range of games, providing players with ample variety and choice. However, the quality of these games is equally important—they should be sourced from reputable providers known for producing engaging, fair, and visually appealing games.
Hundreds of companies develop content for online casinos, but only a select few consistently deliver exceptional experiences. Ideally, a casino should host a large game collection primarily from leading providers. Additionally, games should be well-organized into categories like Popular, New, Video Slots, and Table Games, with filters to easily sort by provider. New releases should appear regularly, keeping the experience fresh and exciting for returning players.
Payment Methods
Spending your hard-earned money online requires trust, and we only recommend casinos that handle transactions securely and reliably. The best sites accept a variety of popular payment methods for both deposits and withdrawals, including bank cards, e-wallets, prepaid cards, bank transfers, and even cryptocurrencies.
Leading casinos also process payments quickly—deposits should be nearly instant, and withdrawals should arrive within hours. You should be able to manage your banking without hassle, and payment processes should be smooth and efficient. Most reputable casinos don’t charge fees for deposits or withdrawals, and their limits aren’t overly restrictive, allowing you to access your winnings without trouble.
Bonuses
Competition is fierce among online casinos, especially when it comes to bonuses. For many players, the appeal of online gambling lies in these attractive offers. However, not all bonuses are as good as they seem.
Every bonus comes with terms and conditions, which outline how to claim it and specify the rules for using the reward. It’s essential to read and agree to these conditions, as failing to follow them—even unintentionally—can result in forfeiting the bonus.
While most terms are fair, some offers may have high wagering requirements hidden in the fine print. Our goal is to help you navigate the conditions and avoid potential pitfalls so you can make the most of casino bonuses.
Safety and Security
Safety is non-negotiable. When you play at an online casino, you’re entrusting it with your money, so round-the-clock security is essential. We only recommend casinos that take security seriously.
A valid gambling license is a must for any casino we endorse. Reputable authorities like the UK Gambling Commission, the Malta Gaming Authority, and the Government of Curacao issue licenses to legitimate sites. We encourage players to join only licensed casinos for added peace of mind.
We also prioritize fair play. Casinos must use a random number generator (RNG) to ensure game outcomes are genuinely random, with verification from an independent authority. Furthermore, we look for robust responsible gambling tools, such as deposit limits and self-exclusion options, demonstrating the casino’s commitment to player welfare.
Mobile Use and Apps
Mobile gaming has become immensely popular, and any casino we recommend must have an excellent mobile site. The mobile experience should be smooth, with fast load times and intuitive navigation. If a casino offers a dedicated app, even better!
Both mobile sites and apps should be fully responsive, delivering the same quality experience as the desktop site. Most online casinos are well-optimized for mobile, but we always verify this to ensure players can enjoy gaming on the go without issues.
Customer Service
Even top-rated casinos can encounter issues, making quality customer support essential. The best casinos offer 24/7 support with multiple contact options, including live chat for convenience and phone support for those who prefer speaking directly to a representative.
Summary
We hope this gives you a clear understanding of how we review online casinos. Our mission is to guide you to the best options by rigorously evaluating each casino across various criteria. We invest time and effort in our research so you can confidently choose from the cream of the crop, knowing you’re getting reliable, high-quality recommendations.