The following listing of online casinos have been reviewed by the editing staff at OnlineCasino.net, and represent a third-party endorsement by OnlineCasino.net. Please note, all casinos reviewed below have been approved for a listing according to industry-best practices and regulatory standards befitting a safe, fair and reliable online gaming establishment. For more information on OCNet's strict online casino reviews approval guidelines, please see here (on-page link to section at bottom of this page).
Online Casino Review Requirements
OnlineCasino.net has been reviewing online casinos since the dawn of online gambling. With thousands of online betting sites ready to take your money, it makes sense to do your research ahead of time. It's common knowledge that everything you find on the internet isn't necessarily what it appears to be. This is especially true in the world of online gambling. Let's just say that over the years we've learned quite a bit about the trust factor: Who you can trust, who you think you can trust, and who you shouldn't trust. You would think this strictly applies to online casinos, but it doesn't. OCNet looks at each of the following factors in determining if an online casino makes finds a place on our reviews page.
Software - First, and foremost, due diligence should be exercised in researching the software platform that powers each online casino. Unless the casino is an established brand with the proper regulatory credentials, those casinos using new or little-known proprietary software platforms are excluded from being reviewed. Normally, a custom-branded software platform is licensed by an online casino operator, who is then held accountable under the terms of the licensing deal. Casinos using software platforms that do not take any role in policing licensees, i.e. fielding player complaints and monitoring operations, will be not be reviewed. Online casinos deemed as white label use centralized support offered directly by the software platform. In effect, the casino owner is essentially an affiliate of the software developer, taking very little part in the day-to-day operations of the online casino. OCNet does allow select white-label online casinos to be reviewed and listed pending a trial run; However, the vast majority of white-label casinos are excluded.
Furthermore, the software platform must hold credentials verifying the source code has been tested for fairness and unpredictability (RNG testing). There are various third-party testing facilities that provide accreditations of this sort, with Technical Systems Testing (TST), eCOGRA, Certifed Fair Gaming (CFG), Gaming Associates and Price Waterhouse Coopers, being the most recognized authority bodies. Regulatory bodies (see below) also provide certifications, often through the aforementioned companies, and are taken into consideration when rating casino reviews. No casino will be reviewed if it is powered by unaccredited software.
Licensing and Regulation - Provided through regulatory bodies, licensing and regulation helps to ensure online casinos are being kept in check. Regulatory bodies are government appointed entities that field and process license applications, and provide ongoing monitoring and audits. Depending on the regulatory jurisdiction, the extent at which online casinos are held to transparent standards can vary. The good news is that with an increasing number of government bodies legalizing online casino gambling, regulatory standards have been steadily improving. By far, the best regulatory jurisdictions are Gibraltar, the UK, Malta, Isle of Man and Alderney. Other European jurisdictions of merit include France, Italy and Spain. The regulatory bodies of Curacao (Netherlands, Antilles), Antigua and Barbuda and Kahnawake also provide regulation, but do not have the "authority" status often bestowed to the aforementioned regulatory bodies, since these jurisdictions permit licensees to do business with U.S. players, which is currently an unregulated market. However, online casinos licensed and regulated in any of the above mentioned jurisdictions are eligible for review at OCNet, pending other requirements.
Please Note: Neither Costa Rica, Panama nor Cyprus provide regulation of online casinos. Cyprus effectively banned online gambling, while both Panama and Costa Rica do not have regulatory framework in place at the current time. This could change as early as 2012 in Costa Rica, as the Costa Rican government is now considering the prospects of legalizing online betting. Until that time, however, great caution should be exercised when gambling at new or unknown online casinos licensed in Costa Rica. Indeed, online casinos can be licensed in Costa Rica, but this simply amounts to a regular business license not providing any regulatory oversight. Only those online casino operators with outstanding reputations and proven track record will be grandfathered for a review at OCNet. Players are nonetheless urged to use more caution when gambling at Costa Rica, Cyprus and Panama-based online casinos.
Player Incentives - If there are two things that keep players coming back to online casinos, it's "winning big" and promotional incentives. These often go hand-in-hand, or at least that's the theory. Most players know (or should know, for that matter) that promotional bonuses cannot be cashed out on their own. From the casino's perspective, they are intended to serve as incentive in getting players to make real money deposits. From a player's perspective, they should be viewed as a means of expanding a bankroll to get through more win/loss fluctuations, and consequently end up with more profit in the end. Needless to say, all bonuses must be met with wagering requirements before any winnings derived from bonus use can be cashed out. Only those online casinos with reasonable bonus terms (see our Casino Bonuses page) are considered for review. Additionally, OCNet approved online casinos must hold regular promotions and a Loyalty Comp Program for rewarding player loyalty.
Customer Service - With software and licensing credentials being met, there is hardly a more important factor in choosing and rating an online casino than Customer Service. 24/7 availability by both toll-free telephone and email is an absolute must for any online casino to be considered for review at OCNet. Live chat is preferred but not mandatory. Players are advised to use email and/or chat when dealing with bonus matters and financial issues. Keeping a record of message transcripts is encouraged, as this serves as vital evidence if third-party moderation is needed. Please note that just like any business, no online casino has a perfect customer satisfaction record. In the world of gambling, where emotions can rise quick, the player is not "always right". Nor is the casino. The deciding factor should be just how each casino handles and resolves complaints - and that falls under Customer Service. Those online casinos with higher-than-average legitimate complaint trails will not be approved for a listing at OCNet.
Overall Reputation - Going hand-in-hand with an online casino's customer service rating is the overall reputation of the casino, which can be directly impacted by the overall reputation of the casino's software platform and licensing jurisdiction. Ensuring all three components are in good standing with the player's and gaming community at large is required for review approval at OCNet. As part of our ongoing commitment to provide the most up-to-date online casino review information, OCNet takes an active role in monitoring player forums, staying abreast with industry changes, and directly corresponding with players. This ongoing research helps keep us informed of any changes - good and bad - directly affecting an online casino's overall reputation. Only those online casinos deemed to have a positive overall reputation will be eligible for an online casino review listing at OCNet.
