How We Rate Casinos

Our Rating System (Overall Rating)

Our reviews are grounded in six core criteria that matter most to players, such as safety, game selection, payment options, and overall user experience. Each factor carries its own way, based on how much it influences your time on the site. Ratings are given out of 100, each section contributing to the final rating based on its importance.

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The 6 Review Pillars and Weighting:

1. Trust & Safety (25 points)
2. Bonus Terms & Promotions (15 Points)
3. Payments & Account Fairness (20 Points)
4. Games Library & Usability (25 Points)
5. Customer Support (10 Points)
6. Popularity & User Testimonials (5 Points)

Here’s How We Test Casinos:

1. Trust & Safety (25 Points):

This pillar assesses the fundamental security and reliability of the casino. The legal framework gives credibility and trust to the casino. Players want assurance that the casino is operating under recognised regulation. We evaluate licensing from reputable authorities such as the UK Gaming Commission (UKGC), the implementation of robust data security measures, adherence to fair gaming practices, and the availability of responsible gaming tools to ensure player protection and peace of mind.

Here’s what we rate:

Localisation & Language (5 points)

2.5 Point:
Arabic language: Including: Arabic interface, customer support in Arabic, and regional payment options

2.5 Points:
Localisation: cultural sensitivity, and avoiding explicit gaming terminology due to religious, legal, and cultural norms.  

 Security Measures & Data Protection (10 Points) 

0 Points: No SSL encryption or outdated security (HTTP instead of HTTPS). No evidence of security measures in place. History of major breaches with no improvements made. Lack of data protection policy

1-2 Points: Weak or outdated encryption methods. No 2FA, weak password requirements. Significant past security breaches or user data leaks. No clear GDPR compliance information

3 Points: SSL encryption, but below 128-bit or unclear level. No 2FA but secure password policies. Some security measures are in place, but they lack transparency. Minor security breaches have been reported in the past 3 years

5 Points: 128-bit SSL encryption, 2FA available but optional, Basic firewall protection. Mostly GDPR compliant, but minor concerns. No recent breaches (last 3 years), but older minor issues

10 Points: 256-bit SSL encryption or higher. Two-Factor Authentication (2FA) available. Firewall protection and DDoS attack prevention. Fully GDPR compliant (clear data privacy policy). No past security breaches reported

Licensing (5 Points)

GCGRA should be heavily weighed, but since no online casino has it yet, and all other licenses are relatively equal, we follow the global standard.

0 points: No valid license or licensed by an unrecognised authority.

5 point: any global license, such as: UK Gambling Commission (UKGC), Malta (MGA), and Curaçao (CGA). 

Responsible Gaming Tools (5 Points)

0 points: No responsible gaming tools are available, and there is no mention of safer gaming.

1 point: Basic tools like deposit limits, but hard to find or poorly implemented.

2 points: Some key tools (deposit/loss limits, reality checks) but lacking key features like self-exclusion or affordability checks.

3 points: Good range of tools, including deposit/loss limits, timeouts, and self-exclusion, but no gaming activity reports or in-depth affordability checks.

4 points: Strong responsible gaming measures, including reality checks, deposit/loss limits, self-exclusion, session time limits, and access to support organisations.

5 points: Top-tier all rounder responsible gaming system, featuring all essential tools plus affordability checks, personalised risk alerts, gambling activity reports, AI-based harm detection, and proactive intervention measures.

2. Bonus Terms & Promotions (15 Points)

This section focuses on the fairness, transparency, and value of the casino’s bonus offers and promotional campaigns. We scrutinise the terms and conditions, wagering requirements, and the accessibility of ongoing promotions to determine how player-friendly the bonus system is.

Here’s what we rate:

Bonus Terms and Conditions (5 Points)

0–1 Points: Unfair or misleading terms. Hidden restrictions (e.g., max cashout on bonuses), deceptive or unclear bonus mechanics. Terms are buried or hard to access.

2–3 Points: Vague or restrictive rules. Strict game exclusions. Terms not prominently displayed. Some transparency, but unclear details or limitations.

4 Points: Fair and readable terms. Reasonable limits on bonuses and withdrawals. Some ongoing offers, though a bit generic or limited.

5 Points: Transparent and player-friendly. No hidden conditions, good clarity on eligible games and limits. Regular bonuses with decent value.

Wagering Requirements (5 Points)

0–1 points: The wagering requirements are extremely high, exceeding 60x the bonus amount. These terms make it very difficult for players to convert bonus funds into real, withdrawable winnings.

2 points: Wagering requirements fall between 41x and 60x. While slightly better, these are still considered steep and may deter casual players from taking advantage of the bonus offers.

3 points: Wagering requirements are more reasonable, ranging between 31x and 40x. These are fairly standard for many online casinos, but may still require significant playthrough before withdrawal.

4 points: Requirements fall between 11x and 20x, which is considered generous by industry standards. Players have a strong chance of clearing the bonus with casual or moderate play.

5 points: Wagering requirements are at 10x or below. This is an excellent standard, offering players a fair and attainable chance to benefit from their bonuses without excessive risk or investment.

Ongoing Promotions (5 Points)

0 Points: No ongoing promotions or loyalty system

1 Point: Rare or weak recurring bonuses

2 Points: Occasional promotions with low value

3 Points: Solid bonus calendar, free spins, or tournaments

4 Points: Frequent reloads, cashback, and loyalty incentives

5 Points: Daily/weekly promos, loyalty tiers, offers with real value

3. Payments & Account Fairness (20 Points):

Recognising the importance of smooth and reliable financial transactions, this pillar examines the Available variety of payment options, processing times, fees, and supported currencies, especially the official currency of the United Arab Emirates, the Dirham (AED)

Here’s what we rate:

Minimum Withdrawal and Deposit (5 Points)

0 Points: $100+ withdrawal / $20+ deposit minimum

1 Point: $50–$100 withdrawal or $20 deposit

2 Points: $20–$50 withdrawal, $10 deposit

3 Points: $10–$20 withdrawal, $5–$10 deposit

4 Points: $5–$10 withdrawal, $5 deposit

5 Points: $1–$5 withdrawal/deposit, fast or instant processing

Accepted Payment Methods (5 Points)

0 Points: Limited to debit cards/bank transfer

1 Point: Debit and one e-wallet

2 Points: Debit, multiple e-wallets, bank transfer

3 Points: Good mix incl. PayPal, Skrill, Neteller

4 Points: Adds Apple Pay, Google Pay, prepaid cards

5 Points: Full range + open banking + instant options

 Account Rules and Player Rights (5 Points)

0 Points: Hidden fees, vague rules, unfair practices

1 Point: Inactivity fees, unclear T&Cs

2 Points: Mostly fair, some issues (e.g. delays)

3 Points: Fair and transparent, no harsh fees

4 Points: Clear rights, no excessive terms

5 Points: Very player-friendly, no fees, fair and clear rules

Withdrawal Speed and Processing (5 Points)

0 Points: Delays over 5+ days, vague payout timelines

1 Point: 3–5 day waits, manual approval lags

2 Points: 2–3 day processing, minor friction

3 Points: 1–2 day withdrawals, mostly reliable

4 Points: Same-day or <24hr processing on most methods

5 Points: Instant withdrawals available, always fast

Games Library & Usability (25 Points)

This pillar evaluates the breadth and quality of the casino’s game selection, the reputation of its software providers, the availability of demo versions, and the overall user experience across both desktop and mobile platforms, including site navigation, design, and mobile app functionality.

Here’s what we rate:

4. Games Library & Navigation (10 Points)

0–2 Points: Fewer than 500 games, little to no variety, poor UX or quality.

3–4 Points: 500–1,000 games, limited categories or outdated themes.

5–6 Points: 1,000–2,000 games, solid range of developers and game types.

7–8 Points: 2,000–3,000+ games, modern design, smooth filters, good thematic spread.

9 Points: Huge variety (3,000+), well-organised, includes niche and new releases, excellent search tools.

10 Points: Elite-level offering a vast, diverse library with personalised browsing, smart filtering, constant updates, and seamless UX.

Software Providers & Game Integrity (5 Points)

0–1 Points: Uses untrusted or obscure providers; questionable game fairness.

2 Points: Limited mix of providers; a few reputable names but lacking depth.

3 Points: Works with several well-known providers, but may miss major live or specialty studios.

4 Points: Broad and reliable provider mix including top-tier names like Evolution, Play’n GO, Playtech.

5 Points: Comprehensive and trusted lineup featuring all major global developers, high game fairness standards, and wide genre diversity.

 UX/UI Experience (5 Points)

 Site Navigation & Design (2.5 Points)

0 points: Very difficult to navigate, outdated design, frequent glitches.

0.5 point: Poor layout, slow performance, hard-to-locate features.

1 point: Usable but not intuitive; cluttered or dated look.

1.5 points: Clean design, mostly smooth, minor navigation issues.

2 points: Modern, polished look; smooth user flow and menus.

2.5 points: Beautiful, intuitive design; seamless user journey; smart filters and personalised features.

Mobile Experience (5 Points) 

0 points: Unusable on mobile, no app.

0.5 point: Basic mobile functionality with frequent bugs or lag.

1 point: Mobile-optimised site but no app; average performance.

1.5 points: Solid mobile site and/or app, some minor limitations.

2 points: Excellent mobile experience, app works great with all key features.

5 points: Flawless mobile UX; fast, feature-rich app and/or site with exclusive mobile perks.

5. Customer Support (10 Points) 

Effective customer support shows operational reliability and user care. This pillar assesses the ease of the sign-up process, the availability and responsiveness of support channels (live chat, email, phone), the clarity of contact information, and the quality and comprehensiveness of the help centre and self-service options.

Here’s what we rate:

Opening an Account (2 Points)

0 points: Unable to complete sign-up due to technical issues or unreasonable KYC requirements.

0.5 point: Very slow or frustrating sign-up, excessive document requests, verification takes several days.

1 point: Lengthy sign-up, unclear instructions, verification takes more than 24 hours.

1.5 points: Standard process, requires multiple documents, verification takes up to 24 hours.

2 points: Smooth and quick sign-up (under 5 minutes), intuitive process, KYC verification is fast and automated.

Availability & Response Time (3 Points)

0 points: No customer support or extremely delayed responses (days/weeks).

0.5 point: Very slow response times (over 24 hours), limited availability, unhelpful replies.

1 point: Response within 12–24 hours, but inconsistent availability or quality of support.

2 points: Instant or near-instant responses (live chat <5 min, email <1 hour), 24/7 availability, professional and helpful support.

3 points:  Instant or near-instant responses with Arabic language support.

 Contact Options (2 Points)

0 points: No customer support available at all.

0.5 point: Only an FAQ section with minimal or no human support.

1 point: Only one support option (e.g., email only) with slow response times.

1.5 points: Offers at least two support channels (e.g., live chat + email or phone) but with limited hours.

2 points: Offers live chat, email, and phone support, available 24/7.

Clear Contact Options (2 Points)

0 points: No contact information available anywhere on the site.

0.5 point: Contact details are hidden, hard to find, or buried in FAQs.

1 point: Contact options exist but require multiple clicks to locate.

1.5 points: Contact options are available but not prominently displayed.

2 points: Contact options (live chat, email, or phone) are easy to find on the support/help page.

 Help Centre & Self-Service Options (1 Point)

0 points: No help centre or self-service options available.

0.5 point: Basic FAQ section with very few answers, no search function.

1 points: Fully equipped self-service support, including a detailed help centre, search function, troubleshooting guides, automated chat assistance, and step-by-step KYC verification help.

6. Popularity & User Testimonials (5 Points)

This rating reflects widespread approval and positive experiences shared by real users across major public platforms such as Trustpilot, AnswerThePublic, and Reddit. It gauges community trust, satisfaction, and the overall buzz surrounding the casino.

0–1 Points: Known for user complaints and a poor online reputation, with negative feedback on key platforms and concerns over trustworthiness, fairness, or payout reliability.

2–3 Points: Generally positive reviews, though occasional complaints still surface.

4 Points:  Widely praised with high ratings and strong community trust, often recommended on forums and review sites for fast payouts, responsive service, and dependable performance.

5 Points: Universally respected with overwhelmingly positive user sentiment, top-tier ratings on all major review platforms, and a trusted reputation built over time through exceptional service and transparency.

Meet the Team Behind the Reviews

At Emirates Casino, our reviews are led by an experienced team of casino experts and designers to IT developers. Together, we ensure every review meets the highest standards of accuracy. We believe in transparency, which is why we openly share both our expertise and the process behind our ratings.

What Makes a Casino Score Well?

Wondering what sets a top-rated casino? It starts with a wide variety of games, teaming up with the industry’s leading providers to deliver a well-rounded and enjoyable gaming experience.

In addition, a great site will offer multiple payment options with flexible limits to suit every player’s budget, alongside quick and hassle-free withdrawals. The smoother and more convenient the payment process, the better the overall experience.

Customer support matters, too. The best casinos provide 24/7 assistance through various channels such as live chat, telephone, and email. Plus, they usually include helpful resources like comprehensive FAQ sections or dedicated help centres.

Bonuses and promotions are important, but we value quality over quantity. The best deals come with clear, fair terms so players know exactly what they’re getting.

And of course, any casino we recommend must be fully licensed; this is non-negotiable. Each one of the casinos we promote has a straightforward and transparent registration process and provides robust responsible gaming tools. Sites that don’t meet these essential standards will not make the cut.

Does Affiliation influence rankings?

At Emirates Casino, it’s our mission to help players make informed choices with honest, unbiased reviews. While some online casinos may pay for increased visibility or preferred placement on our site, these payments never influence our team.

Each review on Emirates Casino is written independently by our team, based on consistent criteria and real user experiences. Here’s the crucial part: casinos cannot pay to receive a higher score or more favourable evaluation. Affiliate partnerships help us cover the costs of running a high-quality comparison platform, but integrity always comes first.

Why Trust the Emirates Casino Rating System?

Our team at Emirates Casino has spent years diving into the online gaming world, analysing and reviewing to build a reputation as a trusted and independent voice in the industry. With detailed reviews of the best online casinos, providers, and games, we help players make informed decisions based on real data and expert insight.

Our content is reviewed and fact-checked by professionals with deep experience in gaming regulation, player protection, and digital payments. Whether you’re new to online gaming or a seasoned player, you can count on Emirates Casino for honest, reliable guidance.

• Expert reviews
• Trusted by millions of players
• 1000+ articles covering casinos, bonuses, strategies, and industry news
• Committed to responsible gambling and complete transparency

At Emirates Casino, we hold casinos to high standards because players deserve nothing less.

Responsible Gaming

Online gaming has become more accessible than ever, but with that comes responsibility and measures. In our pages, we strongly encourage players to set sensible budgets and use self-exclusion tools when needed. Chasing your losses or juggling your finances to keep gambling going are clear warning signs of addiction.

If you suspect that you or someone close to you might be struggling with a gaming problem, rest assured. Here are trusted resources that offer support:

• Gordon Moody: a UK-based gambling harms support service, who also offer support to friends outside of the UK. Visit Gambling Therapy.

• GamCare: Offers a range of information, advice, and support to people affected by gambling. There are also practical tools and resources available to help you. Visit GamCare.

Remember, you are not alone, and help is always available.

Disclaimer

All casino reviews on our site follow the rigorous process outlined above. If you choose to play at one of our recommended casinos, we may earn a commission, at no extra cost to you.

Author

Suhair

محرر المحتوى

Suhair is a seasoned content creator with 20 years of experience, holding a Master's degree in Political Science. With expertise spanning iGaming, marketing, media, and government relations, she brings a unique perspective to online gaming. Suhair's global outlook enriches her writing because she speaks four languages and has lived in five countries. When not crafting compelling content, she enjoys traveling, immersing herself in diverse cultures, and practicing yoga. Her passion for learning and exploration makes her a captivating voice in the Middle East's online gaming scene.

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