How We Rate Online Casinos
We rate online casinos by funding a real account, claiming the bonus, playing across game types, and timing a real withdrawal at every site we review. This hands-on method is how sciencearchive.org.au verifies the claims a casino makes, rather than copying its marketing. Each casino is scored on eight weighted criteria, and the full breakdown is set out on this page so you can judge our ratings for yourself.
The eight criteria we score
We score every casino on eight criteria, with licensing and withdrawal speed weighted most heavily. Each criterion is a measurable test, not an opinion, and a serious failure on any single one removes a casino from our lists.
| Criterion | Weight | What we test |
|---|---|---|
| Licensing & safety | High | A valid licence from Curaçao eGaming or the Malta Gaming Authority, plus SSL encryption. |
| Withdrawal speed | High | Time from request to funds received, tested with a real PayID or crypto payout. |
| Game range | Medium | Number and quality of pokies, table and live games from studios like Pragmatic Play. |
| Bonus fairness | Medium | Wagering, expiry, max-bet rules and excluded games, judged on real value. |
| Payments | Medium | Support for PayID, Neosurf, crypto and cards, plus any fees. |
| Support | Medium | Live chat and email responsiveness, tested with real queries. |
| Mobile experience | Low | Speed and usability of the site or app on a phone. |
| Responsible gambling | Pass/fail | Deposit limits, time limits and links to BetStop. |
A casino must pass the responsible gambling check to appear on this site at all, regardless of its other scores. The remaining seven criteria combine into the final rating out of five that you see on each review.
Our four-stage testing process
Every review follows the same four-stage process, so each casino is judged on identical terms. This consistency is what makes our ratings comparable across the whole site.
- Stage 1 — Vetting. We confirm the licence and reject any site with an invalid or missing one.
- Stage 2 — Real-money testing. We deposit, claim the bonus and play across pokies, table and live games.
- Stage 3 — Withdrawal. We request a payout and time it from approval to funds received.
- Stage 4 — Re-checking. We revisit each listed casino regularly, because bonuses and payout times change.
This process means a rating reflects how a casino actually behaves at the cashier, not how it advertises. When a site’s terms or payout speed worsen, its rating drops at the next re-check.
Editorial independence
Our ratings are based on testing, not on commercial relationships, and a casino cannot pay to change its score. Some links on sciencearchive.org.au are affiliate links, which may earn the site a commission at no cost to you, and this is explained in full on our disclaimer page. Commission never influences how we rank or rate a casino.
If a tested casino fails to pay out or treats players unfairly, we remove it regardless of any commercial arrangement. You can report a concern through our contact us page, and we encourage every reader to play within the limits covered in our responsible gambling guide.
Frequently asked questions
How does sciencearchive.org.au rate casinos?
sciencearchive.org.au rates casinos by depositing real money, claiming the bonus, playing across game types and timing a real withdrawal, then scoring eight weighted criteria. Licensing and withdrawal speed carry the most weight.
Can a casino pay to improve its rating?
No, a casino cannot pay to change its rating on sciencearchive.org.au. Ratings come from hands-on testing, and affiliate commission never influences ranking or scores.
How often are reviews updated?
Reviews are re-checked regularly, because bonuses, limits and payout times change frequently. A casino’s rating is adjusted whenever its real performance changes.
To see the methodology applied in practice, browse our category guides from the best online casinos hub, each of which lists only sites that pass these checks.