How We Review and Rank Casinos

Our complete methodology: the T&C review checklist, withdrawal testing protocol, scoring rubric, and disqualification criteria.

By Marcus Webb Updated February 2026 Affiliate Disclosure

Every casino that appears on Clear Pick Casino has undergone the same standardized review process. This page documents that process in full — our T&C review checklist, withdrawal testing methodology, scoring rubric, and the criteria that result in automatic disqualification. We publish this so that our process is transparent and our conclusions can be independently verified.

1

T&C Review

Download and evaluate the full terms and conditions against our 23-item checklist covering bonus, withdrawal, and general terms.

2-3 hours per casino
2

Withdrawal Testing

Real-money deposits, wagering completion, and timestamped withdrawal requests across multiple methods and sessions.

3-7 days per casino
3

Reputation Check

Review complaint databases, community forums, licensing records, and regulatory action history for pattern analysis.

1-2 hours per casino

Phase 1: T&C Document Review

We download the complete terms and conditions document from the casino's website. We then evaluate it against our 23-item checklist, which covers the specific clauses that most directly affect the player experience.

Bonus Terms (8 items)
1
Wagering requirement — The multiplier applied to the bonus amount before withdrawal is permitted. Industry average is 35x. Our preferred range is below 35x. Disqualification threshold: above 50x.
2
Game contribution percentages — What percentage of bets on each game type count toward wagering. Slots typically 100%, table games 5-20%. We note contribution for slots, blackjack, roulette, and video poker.
3
Maximum bet during wagering — Maximum single bet allowed while clearing a bonus. Exceeding this can void the bonus. We flag casinos with limits below $5.
4
Bonus expiration window — Days allowed to complete wagering. We flag periods shorter than 14 days as insufficient for most players.
5
Maximum withdrawal from bonus winnings — Some casinos cap withdrawal amount even after wagering. We flag caps below $5,000 and disqualify below $500.
6
Restricted games during wagering — Games entirely excluded from wagering contribution. We note popular categories that are restricted.
7
Minimum deposit for bonus eligibility — The minimum deposit required to activate the bonus. We note deposits above $50 as potentially exclusionary.
8
Bonus stacking policy — Whether multiple bonuses can be active simultaneously, and consequences of depositing without claiming.
Withdrawal Terms (8 items)
9
Withdrawal processing time by method — Stated processing time for each payment method, compared to our actual testing results.
10
Minimum withdrawal amount — The smallest withdrawal permitted per payment method.
11
Maximum withdrawal limits — Per transaction, day, week, and month. We flag weekly limits below $5,000 and disqualify below $2,000.
12
Withdrawal fees — Any fees charged for processing withdrawals, by payment method.
13
Pending/reversal period — Waiting period after request during which it can be cancelled or reversed by the casino.
14
KYC requirements and timing — Documents required, when requested, and stated processing time for verification.
15
Cryptocurrency-specific terms — Special conditions for crypto deposits or withdrawals, including network fee policies.
16
Free withdrawals per period — Limits on free withdrawals and fees for additional requests.
General Terms (7 items)
17
Account dormancy/inactivity policy — Timeframe after which inactive account may be closed or fees applied. We flag periods shorter than 6 months.
18
Balance confiscation clauses — Language allowing seizure of funds. Vague "abuse" or "irregular play" clauses without definitions are a red flag.
19
Dispute resolution process — How disputes are handled, including external arbitration or regulatory complaint mechanisms.
20
Responsible gambling tools — Deposit limits, loss limits, session timers, cooling-off periods, and self-exclusion availability.
21
IP/VPN restrictions — Whether VPN use is prohibited and consequences for violation.
22
Multiple account policy — How detection is handled, including shared household IP treatment.
23
Amendment clause — Whether terms can be modified retroactively and how notice of changes is provided.

Phase 2: Withdrawal Testing

After completing the T&C review, we conduct real-money withdrawal tests. Our protocol is as follows:

  1. Initial deposit: We deposit a standardized amount via the casino's primary payment method (typically Bitcoin). We timestamp the deposit submission and the moment funds are credited.
  2. Bonus claim and wagering: If testing the welcome bonus, we claim it and complete the full wagering requirement through slot play (the highest contribution percentage). We note the time required to complete wagering.
  3. KYC completion: At casinos that require verification, we submit documents immediately and timestamp the request and approval.
  4. First withdrawal request: We submit a withdrawal via the same method used for deposit. We timestamp the request, any confirmation messages, and the moment funds arrive in our wallet.
  5. Follow-up withdrawal: We make at least one additional withdrawal to verify consistency. Some casinos process first withdrawals faster as a retention strategy.
  6. Alternative method test (where applicable): If the casino offers multiple withdrawal methods, we test at least two to compare processing times.

We conduct these tests across different days and times to account for potential variation in processing schedules. Each casino is tested at least twice before publication.

Phase 3: Reputation Assessment

We review public feedback and complaint records across:

  • AskGamblers: Casino rating and complaint resolution history
  • Casino Guru: Safety index and complaint database
  • Trustpilot: Player reviews (filtered for verified reviews)
  • Reddit: r/onlinegambling and r/Gambling communities
  • Licensing authority databases: Any regulatory actions or sanctions

We specifically look for patterns rather than isolated incidents. Every casino receives occasional negative reviews. What distinguishes reliable operators is how they respond to and resolve complaints.

Scoring Rubric

Each casino receives a composite score out of 5.0 based on the following weighted categories:

30% T&C Fairness
25% Withdrawal Speed
15% Bonus Value
15% Reputation
15% Licensing & Security

Weight distribution out of 100%. Higher weight = greater impact on final score.

Disqualification Criteria

The following conditions result in automatic exclusion regardless of score:

  • Wagering requirements above 50x on any bonus component
  • Crypto withdrawal processing exceeding 48 hours in testing
  • Three or more unresolved complaints on major forums in the past 6 months
  • Unverifiable license (cannot be confirmed on regulator's website)
  • T&C clauses allowing unilateral balance confiscation for undefined "abuse"
  • Maximum weekly withdrawal limit below $2,000
  • Exclusive use of unlicensed, unaudited game software

Re-Evaluation Schedule

Casinos are re-evaluated under the following triggers:

Quarterly Review

Every 90 days

Top-10 casinos in each category are re-tested for withdrawal speed and T&C changes.

Complaint Threshold

Immediate trigger

2+ unresolved complaints in a 30-day period triggers an immediate re-evaluation.

T&C Change

On detection

When changes to a listed casino's terms are detected, we re-review the affected sections.

Ownership Change

Full re-evaluation

If a casino changes ownership or parent company, a complete re-evaluation is conducted.

You can see this methodology applied across our casino reviews, including the instant withdrawal rankings, no KYC analysis, and offshore jurisdiction overview. Every casino on that page has completed the full process described above.

Questions about our methodology? Contact us at editorial@eyeplaceplano.com.