When we review or rank a specific operator on Gambling13, that evaluation follows a fixed set of criteria rather than a general impression of the site. This page explains what we actually check and how each factor is weighed.
Licensing and regulation
We confirm that an operator holds a valid gambling license by checking the license number directly on the issuing regulator’s website, not just trusting the seal displayed on the casino’s own page. We also note which regulator issued the license, since oversight varies significantly between bodies such as the UK Gambling Commission, the Malta Gaming Authority, and offshore regulators like Curaçao eGaming.
Security and fairness
We check for SSL encryption across the site, confirm whether games are tested by an independent lab such as eCOGRA, iTech Labs, or GLI, and look for a published or verifiable return to player rate on major games. Operators that cannot demonstrate independent testing score lower, regardless of how the site looks or what bonuses it offers.
Payment methods and withdrawal speed
We check what payment methods are available, whether fees are disclosed clearly, and how long withdrawals actually take across different methods. Where possible, this is based on stated processing times from the operator combined with patterns reported by players, rather than marketing claims alone.
Customer support quality
We test live chat and email support directly, asking a practical question before signing up, and note response time, clarity, and whether the answer actually addresses what was asked. Support that is slow, vague, or unavailable outside limited hours affects the overall score.
Responsible gambling tools
We check whether deposit limits, loss limits, session reminders, and self-exclusion are available, and how easy they are to find and activate. Operators that make these tools hard to locate, or that require contacting support just to set a basic limit, score lower here even if every other category looks strong.
Player reputation
We look at recent player reviews and complaint patterns across multiple sources rather than relying on a single review platform. A handful of complaints is normal for any large operator, but recurring themes around withdrawals or account closures are treated as a meaningful signal.
How this affects what you see on the site
Operators that score well across these categories are the ones we recommend in our guides and rankings. This process is the same regardless of whether we have an affiliate relationship with the operator in question. Our Advertising Policy explains how those partnerships work, and our Editorial Policy covers how we handle updates if an operator’s standards change after we have published a review.
Questions about our ratings
If you think we have missed something in a specific review, or you have information about an operator that contradicts what we have published, email us at info@gambling13.com with details and we will look into it.
