Methodology

How We Test Online Casinos

Last updated: 26 June 2026

Plenty of "review" sites write from press releases. We don't. Every casino on Joe Fortune has been put through a real account, a real deposit and a real withdrawal — the only way to judge it as a player actually would. Here's the full eight-step process, which takes three to ten business days per casino.

Step 1 — Background check

Before we register, we run a pre-check. We confirm the licence and its status on the regulator's register; if it's missing, expired or suspended, testing stops there. We look into the operator — the legal entity, its country and its other brands. We scan independent platforms (AskGamblers, Casino Guru, Trustpilot) for the volume, themes and handling of complaints. We confirm the SSL certificate and basic site security, and we read the Terms for red flags such as winnings confiscation, unrealistic wagering or hidden caps. When we test bonuses we document every step — see the welcome bonus guide and no deposit bonus page for real-world examples. Our payment testing feeds directly into the banking guide, crypto payments overview and withdrawal guide. Game-specific findings go into our pokies, live casino, blackjack, roulette and poker guides.

Step 2 — Registration

We sign up as an ordinary player, with no VIP treatment. We time how long it takes, count the required fields and judge how clear the process is. We test verification (KYC): which documents are asked for and how long approval takes. We check whether the welcome bonus activates automatically or needs a code, and whether its terms are visible before you opt in. Pass/fail: registration under five minutes, verification within 48 hours, and bonus terms available before activation.

Step 3 — Deposit

We make a real deposit, usually A$20–A$50, across two or three methods from different categories: a card (Visa/Mastercard), an e-wallet where available, crypto where available, and a local option. For each we record the minimum, the time to credit, and any fee. We check the balance updates correctly and that any currency conversion is clear. Scoring: instant, fee-free crediting with five-plus methods and a low minimum scores highest; popular local methods for Australian players are expected.

Step 4 — Bonuses

We claim the welcome bonus and dissect its terms: the wagering multiplier, whether it's on bonus only or bonus+deposit, the max bet during play, and game weightings (pokies usually 100%, table games far less). We calculate the real value — a A$100 bonus at x40 means wagering A$4,000, and at a typical 96% RTP you'd expect to lose around A$160 clearing it, so the "value" can be negative. We check the expiry window (a x50 bonus with a 3-day clock is a red flag), the excluded games and the max cash-out. Scoring: fair wagering at or under x35, expiry of 14 days or more, a workable max bet, and no hidden caps.

Step 5 — Games

We test three categories: pokies (at least ten different titles), table games (roulette, blackjack, baccarat, poker) and live casino where offered. We assess the catalogue size, the spread of providers and whether top studios are present, plus load speed, graphics and stability. We confirm demo mode works without an account, and for live casino we judge stream quality, table variety and the dealers. Scoring: a solid library, ten-plus providers, working live casino, and stable play on desktop and mobile.

Step 6 — Withdrawal

This is the step that exposes weak casinos, so we treat it as the most important. We request a withdrawal — back to the deposit method where possible, plus an alternative — and time it from request to money received, splitting the casino's pending period from the transaction time. We note any extra verification, new document requests or added limits, any withdrawal fees, the minimum and maximum, and whether a reversible-withdrawal feature exists (a known trap). Scoring: under 24 hours is excellent, up to three business days acceptable, over five days a red flag; no fees and a reasonable monthly limit count in the casino's favour.

Step 7 — Customer support

We test support through every channel — live chat, email and phone if offered. For chat we measure the wait, check whether it's really 24/7 and judge whether answers are scripted or genuine. We ask product-specific questions (bonus terms, wagering, withdrawal limits, verification) to see if agents actually know the product. For email we measure response time and completeness, and we check support is available in English for the Australian market. Scoring: 24/7 chat answering within three minutes, email within 24 hours, and competent, non-scripted answers.

Step 8 — Mobile & security

Every casino is tested on a phone (iOS and/or Android): responsive layout, page and game load speed, navigation, a working cashier and whether a real app exists. We play at least three games on mobile across categories. On security we confirm HTTPS/SSL, review the data-handling policy and check for account 2FA, and we confirm the responsible-gambling tools — limits, self-exclusion, reality checks (see Responsible Gambling). Scoring: full mobile functionality, SSL mandatory, RG tools mandatory.

After the test

The author then assigns a score using our How We Rate system, the review is fact-checked under our Editorial Policy, and it's published with a date. We retest every three to six months, or sooner if we learn of a material change — and if a casino has clearly got worse, we cut the score and warn readers. Want to suggest a casino for testing? Contact Us us.