Scoring system
How We Rate Casinos
Last updated: 26 June 2026
A Joe Fortune score isn't a gut feeling — it's the weighted result of eight measured criteria. This page shows exactly what we measure, how much each part counts, the formula, and what every score band means. The same system applies to every casino, with no exceptions, regardless of affiliate status (Affiliate Disclosure).
Our rating system
We rate on a 1–10 scale in steps of 0.1. Each of eight criteria is scored 1–10, multiplied by its weight, and summed for the final rating. Scoring this way lets us compare casinos consistently and fairly, and it's grounded in the hands-on results from our How We Test process rather than impressions.
Criteria and weights
| Criterion | Weight | What we assess |
|---|---|---|
| Security & licence | 20% | Licence, SSL, data policy, reputation |
| Bonuses & promos | 15% | Wagering, fairness, variety, clarity |
| Game selection | 15% | Count, providers, variety, live |
| Payment methods | 12% | Range, variety, fees |
| Payout speed | 13% | Processing time, limits |
| Customer support | 10% | Channels, speed, quality, language |
| Mobile experience | 8% | Responsive, speed, app |
| Responsible gambling | 7% | Tools, info, RG links |
Security & licence (20%): The heaviest weighting, because nothing else matters without it. We check for a valid licence (a respected regulator scores high; an offshore Curacao licence scores moderate; no licence means an automatic 1/10 and a black-list entry), SSL encryption, the data-handling policy, any security incidents, and whether the operator belongs to a known group.
Bonuses & promos (15%): We rate a bonus on real value, not headline size. Clean x30 on the bonus is fair (7–8/10); x50 on bonus+deposit is predatory (3–4/10). We weigh variety (welcome, reload, cashback, free spins), the loyalty programme, how clear the terms are, and whether a no-deposit offer exists.
Game selection (15%): Count matters, but quality more so — 500 good games from top studios beat 3,000 from unknowns. We assess the number of games, the providers, whether top names are present, the spread of categories, and any exclusives.
Payment methods (12%): We look at how many methods are offered (five-plus for a passing mark), whether popular Australian options are present, the minimum deposit, and whether fees apply. Crypto support is a bonus.
Payout speed (13%): One of the most practical criteria. Under 24 hours is excellent (9–10/10), 1–3 days good, 3–5 days acceptable, over five days poor, and over 14 days or erratic payouts critically bad. Withdrawal limits factor in too.
Customer support (10%): 24/7 live chat in English answering within three minutes is the ideal. We score the available channels, response times, and whether agents answer specific questions or just point at the Terms.
Mobile experience (8%): A full responsive site with a working cashier is the baseline. A native app is a plus, as is fast loading (under three seconds) and a full — not cut-down — game library on mobile.
Responsible gambling (7%): We check for deposit limits, self-exclusion, time-outs and reality checks, links to help organisations, clear age rules and support for national self-exclusion such as BetStop. Detail on our Responsible Gambling page.
The formula
Final rating = (Security × 0.20) + (Bonuses × 0.15) + (Games × 0.15) + (Payments × 0.12) + (Payouts × 0.13) + (Support × 0.10) + (Mobile × 0.08) + (RG × 0.07). The rating system informs every section of our reviews including the bonus breakdown, pokies assessment, live casino, banking guide, VIP program and responsible gambling sections.
Worked example — a casino scoring 9, 7, 8, 8, 9, 7, 8 and 6 gives (1.8 + 1.05 + 1.2 + 0.96 + 1.17 + 0.7 + 0.64 + 0.42) = 7.94, rounded to 7.9/10. Ratings are rounded to one decimal place.
What the scores mean
9.0–10.0 — Outstanding: the best casinos going. Top security, fair and generous bonuses, fast payouts, excellent support. Recommended with confidence.
8.0–8.9 — Excellent: high-quality casinos with only minor flaws. Recommended.
7.0–7.9 — Good: reliable casinos with a few areas to improve. Recommended with caveats.
6.0–6.9 — Fair: works, but with noticeable weaknesses. Approach with care.
5.0–5.9 — Below average: serious shortcomings. Consider alternatives.
Below 5.0 — Not recommended: critical problems with security, payouts or licensing.
Red flags that cut the score
- No licence — automatic 1/10 on security and a black-list entry.
- Confirmed non-payment — payout score drops to 2/10.
- Confiscating winnings on flimsy grounds — an automatic 3-point cut.
- Unrealistic wagering (x60+) — bonus score capped at 3/10.
- No KYC (no age check) — security score cut.
- No responsible-gambling tools — RG score down to 2/10.
- Hidden terms found during testing — an overall trust cut.
Updating ratings
Ratings aren't fixed. We revise them at scheduled retests (every three to six months), when a casino materially changes its terms, when serious complaints surface, or when a licence or owner changes. If a score moves, we note the old rating, the new one and the reason. Read how we gather the underlying data on How We Test, our standards on Editorial Policy, or Contact Us us with a question.