Best Online Casino Reviews 2024

At Online Casino HQ, we take pride in our comprehensive and unbiased approach to reviewing online casinos. Our team of experienced gamblers follows a rigorous 21-step review criteria to ensure that each online casino we come across is evaluated fairly and thoroughly, providing you with accurate and up-to-date information.

All of our online casino reviews begin by checking if the site holds a valid online gaming license from a reputable regulatory body. If we find online casinos operating without a license, they are immediately categorized as scam operations.

Unlike most casino review sites, we create accounts at any casino we review. This allows us to experience the sign-up process and overall experience just like any player would. We then make a small real money deposit, taking note of the available payment methods, processing times, and any fees.

Once our account is funded, we claim the welcome bonus and any other promotions available to new players. We carefully examine the bonus terms and conditions, paying close attention to wagering requirements, casino game restrictions, and more. This helps us determine the bonus's true value and whether it's worth claiming.

With our bonus funds in hand, we explore the casino's game selection. We play various online slots, table games, and live dealer titles, evaluating betting limits, loading speeds, and the availability of free games. Here, we also look at the game providers and general game selection.

When they review online casinos, our team will also interact with the site’s customer support team, testing their responsiveness, knowledge, and helpfulness. We contact them through all available channels, such as live chat, email, and phone.

After we’ve claimed the casino promotions available and tested the paid and free casino games, we will then make a withdrawal request. We look at the processing time, including KYC and SOW checks, and verify the funds reach our account successfully, confirming that the casino pays out winnings as promised.

This first-hand approach to reviewing online casinos allows us to provide players with the most trusted reviews and ensures our experience is akin to yours. 

Once our team has gathered all the necessary information, we analyze our findings and assign scores to each aspect of the casino. This allows us to generate the renowned Online Casino HQ casino ratings, which accompany each and every casino review we write.

Here’s a breakdown of some of the factors we consider when writing online casino reviews: 

We Evaluate the Casino’s Licensing, Safety, and Security

At Online Casino HQ, the safety and security of our readers are of the utmost importance. We understand that trusting an online casino with your personal and financial information can be daunting. That's why we go above and beyond to ensure that every casino we recommend has a proven track record of protecting its players.

Before writing the best online casino reviews, we thoroughly investigate the casino's ownership and management. We’ll examine when the casino was established, whether it’s part of a casino group (or a White-Label site), and any notable directors we feel are worth mentioning. 

We also examine the company's general history, looking for any red flags, unresolved complaints, or regulatory and compliance issues.

We also verify that the casino holds a valid license from a reputable regulatory body, such as the UK Gambling Commission (UKGC), the Alderney Gambling Control Commission (AGCC), or the Malta Gaming Authority (MGA). We will never recommend an online gambling site operating without a valid license.

We Register a Real Money Casino Account and Deposit

The best way to experience what online gambling sites offer is to sign up and play. That’s why, once we’re happy a casino is operating legally, we create a real-money account, just like any player would.

We always register an account when we review casinos, as this allows us to see exactly what the casino site offers. Once we’ve registered an account, we make a deposit. Our team examines all deposit methods available, looks at any limits and fees that apply, and records our findings accordingly.

We Claim Casino Promotions and Bonuses

Almost all online gambling sites offer a casino bonus to new players. This is often a win-win; new players can claim a deposit bonus to increase the money they begin gambling with, and some sites even offer free spins on slot games or cashback promotions.

Once we’ve created an account, we claim every deposit bonus and casino promotion available. We look at the generosity of the bonuses and promotions, the wagering requirements, game restrictions, withdrawal limits, and more.

If online casinos offer no-deposit bonuses or VIP programs, we will also examine these when we gamble online. This allows us to get a clear picture of all casino bonuses a site offers and to separate the best online casinos from average, cookie-cutter ones.

We Test the Software and Games

It should be no surprise to learn that online casinos are powered by software. What you may not know is that there are hundreds of different software providers powering the casino games you play, with each provider offering different games, themes, volatility levels, and user experiences.

We also pay close attention to the software providers behind these games. We look for partnerships with renowned developers such as NetEnt, Hacksaw Gaming, Nolimit City, and Evolution Gaming, as these companies are known for creating engaging and fair games that players love. 

We understand players want to be able to access all popular casino games, so, in our opinion, the more developers available, the better. Here at Online Casino HQ, we review most software providers, too.

Once we’ve made a list of all game providers available, our team begins to play casino games, live dealer games, video poker, slot games, and more. When we play games, we’re checking the variety of titles on offer, how often new releases appear, and payout percentages.

In addition to evaluating the quality of the games, we also consider the diversity of the casino's game selection. We believe that a well-rounded online casino should offer various games to cater to different player preferences.

We Make Real Money Deposits and Withdrawals

A core factor in our online casino reviews is thoroughly testing the deposit and withdrawal methods. We believe the best online casinos should offer a wide range of trusted payment options that are easily accessible to players in their target markets.

When reviewing online gambling sites, our team makes real money deposits using various methods, including debit/credit cards, EWallets like Skrill and Neteller, and bank transfers. We look at how easy it is to deposit and consider payment processing times and associated fees.

Regarding withdrawals, we pay close attention to the casino's payout speed. We make withdrawals at all online casinos we review, tracking the time it takes for the funds to reach our accounts. If our withdrawal isn’t processed within the advertised time frame, the casino is penalized and its overall rating will reflect this.

Additionally, we evaluate the casino's supported currencies and any transaction limits or fees. We prefer casinos that offer low minimum deposits and high withdrawal limits, as we believe players should be able to deposit and withdraw when they want.

We Play at Online Casinos from Multiple Devices

Here at Online Casino HQ, we understand that in today's fast-paced world, you want the freedom to enjoy your favorite casino games anytime, anywhere. That's why we strongly emphasize testing mobile compatibility in all of our online casino reviews. Our team uses a variety of devices, including smartphones and tablets, to ensure that the casino's games and features are fully optimized for mobile play.

During our mobile testing process, we evaluate the casino's mobile website or dedicated app, assessing the user interface, navigation, and overall performance. We also claim casino bonuses, play a selection of casino games, and test the deposit and withdrawal processes from our mobile devices.

The best online casinos may even offer downloadable casino apps for mobile operating systems like iOS and Android. We understand that not all players use the same setup, and by testing the casino on multiple platforms, we can identify any potential compatibility issues or performance concerns, allowing our readers to make informed decisions about where to play.

We Look at Other Gambling Products

While our primary focus is on reviewing online casinos, we understand that many players enjoy various gambling activities. That's why our casino reviews also explore other gambling products offered, including sports betting, online poker, bingo, and other specialty games.

For example, many of the best online casinos offer a sports betting platform in addition to their casino games. When this is the case, one of our betting experts assesses the range of sports and events covered, the competitiveness of the odds, and the ease of placing bets. 

We also evaluate the quality of the live betting options and any unique features or promotions that set the sportsbook apart from its competitors. If an online gambling website offers other products like poker and bingo, our casino reviews also reflect this. 

We examine the variety of games available, the software's quality, and the player pool's size. We also look at the frequency and size of tournaments or bingo rounds and any promotions or deposit bonuses specific to these products.

We Personally Contact the Customer Support Team

All of our casino reviews have a detailed customer support section where we show you the ways you can contact a casino's team and the times these teams operate. At some point, when playing games, our expert reviewers will contact the customer support team to evaluate their responsiveness and helpfulness.

Virtually every casino offers help and support through email, and the top online casinos offer live chat, too. Live chat allows you to chat in real-time with a member of the support team, greatly reducing the time it takes to resolve your issue.

Some online casinos also offer phone support, and we provide the contact number if applicable. Some sites also have a detailed FAQ section.

There's nothing worse than having a problem while playing online, only to find that the site’s customer service facilities are poor. That's why all our online gambling reviews examine support facilities so you know what to expect when you gamble online.

How to Choose an Online Casino

While Online Casino HQ works round-the-clock to review the best casino games and sites, we understand platforms can vary a lot in terms of what they offer. A mobile casino app can offer a significantly different experience to an online slots site, for example. 

Finding the right casino for you is vital - and below, we’ll show you a few factors to consider when browsing reputable casinos you’re thinking of joining.

Browse the Game Library

Today, most casino operations offer a wide variety of games from multiple developers. Before joining a casino, check to see which game developers it offers and browse the different game categories to ensure what you’re looking for is available.

Find Your Best Bonus 

Check to make sure you know what welcome bonus offers you can claim. Some online casinos offer matched deposit bonuses, while others offer multiple reload bonuses, free spins, or cashback schemes. When you read casino reviews at Online Casino HQ, you’ll be able to view detailed bonus information, but there are a lot of offers - so take the time to find one that suits your needs.

Check the Payment Methods

Today, many casinos offer multiple ways to make deposits and withdrawals. However, if you have specific banking needs, it's important to verify that the casino you're considering can accommodate them before creating an account. 

Check 24/7 Customer Service

Although we've thoroughly tested the customer support of all the casinos featured on Online Casino HQ's reviews list, you may want to verify it for yourself. Most casinos allow you to start a live chat session before registering an account, letting you experience their support quality and responsiveness firsthand.

Live Dealer Games?

If you want to play the most popular casino games but also want to enjoy live online gambling activities, make sure a casino offers a live iGaming product from developers like Evolution (previously Evolution Gaming) or Pragmatic Play LIVE. Browse our best live online casino reviews if you want to find the top live dealer site.

Your Responsible Gambling Tools

Even if you feel in control of your gambling, we recommend using responsible gambling tools. All casinos recommended by Online Casino HQ offer basic tools, but if you require more advanced features like wager or loss limits, check the casino before signing up to ensure it provides the specific tools you need.