Trixino: How to compare online casinos
Comparing casinos on the size of the welcome bonus tells you very little. Licence, withdrawal rules and the small print matter far more. Here is a step-by-step way to compare casinos fairly.
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The short answer
Compare casinos in this order: licence and legality where you live, withdrawal rules and limits, bonus terms, payment methods and fees, game selection, customer support, and safer gambling tools. If a casino fails on the first two, the rest hardly matters.
1. Licence and where you can legally play
Start with the regulator. Is the casino licensed in your country, or only offshore? Your country's regulator usually publishes a public register you can search. If a casino says it does not accept players from your country in its terms, rule it out, whatever its marketing says. More on this in how to choose a safe online casino.
2. Withdrawal rules and limits
This is where casinos differ most. Look in the terms for the minimum withdrawal, the maximum per day, week or month, any fees, and the reasons a withdrawal can be refused. A low monthly cap can mean a big win is paid out in instalments over months. Our guide to withdrawal times explains the stages.
3. Bonus terms, not bonus size
A 100% match with 10x wagering is usually better value than a 300% match with 40x wagering. Compare wagering, which games count, the maximum bet while the bonus is active, the expiry date and any cap on winnings. See wagering requirements explained.
4. Payment methods and fees
Check that the casino offers a method you already use, whether it can be used for withdrawals as well as deposits, and whether any fees apply. Some methods, such as many prepaid vouchers, are deposit-only. Read online casino payment methods.
5. Games and providers
A large game count is less useful than the right games. Check whether the providers you like are there, whether RTP information is shown in the game help, and whether the live casino covers the tables you play. See casino games explained.
6. Support, terms and complaints
Good support answers clearly in your language and can explain the terms. Look for a published complaints procedure with response times and, ideally, an independent dispute service linked to the licence.
7. Safer gambling tools
Deposit limits, time-outs, reality checks and self-exclusion should be easy to find and set. Check whether the casino is connected to your country's national self-exclusion scheme; offshore casinos usually are not.
8. A simple scoring table
Multiply each score by its weight and add them up. The weights reflect what affects your money and protection most; adjust them if something else matters more to you.
For a worked example of these checks on one brand, read our Trixino overview.
| Factor | Weight | What earns a high score |
|---|---|---|
| Licence in your country | x3 | Listed on your national regulator's register |
| Withdrawal rules | x3 | Low minimum, high or no monthly cap, no fees |
| Bonus terms | x2 | Low wagering, clear game weighting, sensible expiry |
| Payments | x2 | Your preferred method works both ways |
| Safer gambling tools | x2 | Limits and self-exclusion easy to set, national scheme linked |
| Games | x1 | Providers and tables you actually play |
| Support | x1 | Fast, clear answers and a published complaints route |
Frequently asked questions
What is the most important thing when comparing online casinos?
Whether the casino is licensed where you live. Without that, you may have no protection if something goes wrong, and the casino can refuse to pay out if its terms exclude your country.
Is a bigger welcome bonus better?
Not necessarily. Wagering requirements, game restrictions, maximum bets and caps on winnings decide what a bonus is really worth. A smaller bonus with fair terms is often the better deal.
Should I trust online casino rankings?
Use them as a starting point only. Many ranking sites earn commission from the casinos they list. Check the licence, withdrawal rules and bonus terms yourself.