How We Rate Casinos
Reviewing a casino without Cruks is not just a matter of clicking through the homepage and noting down the bonuses. That is the work of someone in a hurry. We take our time because we know the consequences for you as a player can be significant if a casino does not deliver on its promises.
We look at what really happens the moment you click the ‘register’ button. What do you get? What is not immediately visible? Where are the risks? And what makes this casino different from the fifty others that promised exactly the same thing yesterday?
Everything we write is based on our own experiences. Not on press releases or texts from others, but on actual test sessions in which we deposit money, activate bonuses, and request withdrawals. Only in this way can we determine whether a casino truly delivers on its promises.
Why We Do This
The world of offshore online casinos can be confusing. As a player, you have access to more information than ever, but that does not necessarily make things clearer. Many reviews are written by people who have never actually played, or by parties paid to say something positive.
We take a different approach: independent reviews based on real-world experience. What you read is what we have tested ourselves. And if we are unsure about something, we say so.
Our reviews are intended for Dutch players who make informed choices. Players who ask questions before registering, who want to understand the terms before claiming a bonus, and who want to know today whether a casino is really worth their time and money.
Who Reviews the Casinos on This Site?
releases. Everything you read here is created by people who truly know what they are talking about. Not because they read it somewhere, but because they share the passion for playing casino games.
We are players, but also industry specialists. Many members of our team have been working in the iGaming industry for over 20 years. Others have gained their expertise by exploring offshore casinos themselves, learning firsthand what works and what does not.
Everything we review, we test ourselves.
- We create accounts
- We deposit real money
- We activate bonuses
- We play the games
- We request withdrawals
- We check the terms and conditions
After that, we compare everything against the rules, see how a casino measures up to other platforms, and only then do we write the review.
What We Look at When Reviewing a Casino
A good review starts with knowing what to look for. Not everything a player sees is equally important. Some risks are hidden in the terms and conditions, the payment process, or in how a casino handles issues. That is why we work with fixed evaluation criteria.
We assess each casino based on the following aspects:
Licence and Legal Status
The foundation of any reliable casino is a valid licence. However, not all licences offer the same level of protection. We check where the casino is officially registered, under which legislation it operates, and what that means for you as a player. We pay attention to:
- The reputation of the licensing authority
- Oversight of player protection and payouts
- Options for handling complaints
A casino without a valid licence or with unclear information will not receive a high rating from us. If you don’t see a licence listed, keep looking, there are plenty of offshore casinos without Cruks that have this properly in place.
Security of Data and Payments
When you play, you share sensitive information: personal details, payment data, sometimes even ID documents. We check whether the casino uses a secure connection (SSL), whether data is stored according to regulations, and whether payouts are processed fairly. We test all payment methods ourselves, including crypto and e-wallets, and look at:
- Security (SSL, 2FA, etc.)
- Payout speed in practice
- Any fees or limits
- How smooth the deposit process is
Bonus Terms and Ongoing Promotions
Bonuses are always what casinos like to show off the most. But what do the terms and conditions actually say? We go through them as a lawyer would. We check wagering requirements, maximum bets, payout limits, and exclusions. Only bonuses that are fair and achievable receive a positive rating from us.
We also look at promotions after registration. Are players rewarded for loyalty, or are they only enticed to sign up?
Game Selection and Software
A strong game selection is not just about quantity, but quality. We check whether the casino works with reputable software providers, whether the games are varied, and whether they run fairly. This includes:
- Slots from well-known providers
- Live casino with a stable connection
- Fair RTP and external audits
- Search and filter options
User Experience and Mobile Performance
A good casino should not only be safe, but also easy and enjoyable to use. We test whether the site is logically structured, loads quickly, and works well on mobile devices. We look at factors such as:
- Registration and verification process
- Ease of finding games and information
- Loading times, including on 4G
- Clear navigation and language
Customer Support
At some point, you will have a question or encounter a problem. You want to know you can get help. We test the customer support on:
- Availability (live chat, email, phone)
- Response time and quality of answers
- Are the responses human, or are you only speaking to a bot?
- Knowledge and clarity of the information provided
What Makes a Casino Untrustworthy?
Most of the casinos we test look fine at first glance. Attractive layout, smooth registration, and generous bonuses. But that is often where the risk lies. Untrustworthy casinos rarely do anything that immediately raises suspicion. The issues are usually in the details, in the terms and conditions, or in how they respond when you request a withdrawal.
Over the years, we have repeatedly encountered these red flags:
Vague or Incomplete Licence Information
A trustworthy casino clearly shows which licence it operates under. You should be able to easily verify the licence and find clear information about the regulator.
At untrustworthy casinos, this information is incomplete, vague, or even fake. For example, it may state “licensed in Curaçao” but without a registration number, digital seal, or with a number that cannot be verified anywhere.
Unreasonable Bonus Terms
Some casinos entice you with large bonuses but attach conditions that are practically impossible to meet. Examples include:
- Wagering requirements of 60x or more
- Maximum bets of €2 while playing the bonus
- Restricted games without a clear explanation
- Bonuses that suddenly expire if you win too quickly
For us, this is a clear sign that the casino uses bonuses more as a trap than as a reward.
No Clear Support or Help with Issues
A casino without good customer service leaves players to fend for themselves. If you can only contact them via a web form or get standard responses that avoid your question, that says a lot. When it comes to casinos without Cruks, accessibility is crucial. That’s why we always test support ourselves to see if they are reachable and provide clear answers to critical questions.
Hidden but Aggressive Terms
Sometimes everything appears fine at first glance, but the risks are hidden in the small print. This can include the right to close your account or withhold your balance at any time in case of “suspected abuse,” without clearly defining what that means. Such clauses are vaguely worded and give the casino full discretion to withdraw whenever you win.
Automatic enrolment in bonuses, payout restrictions, or hidden fees are also signs that a casino is not playing fair.
Why We Are Strict
Not every mistake makes a casino immediately unreliable. But as soon as we see multiple warning signs at once, such as a vague licence, slow payouts, or unreasonable terms, we raise the alarm. We also highlight these clearly in our reviews.
An unreliable casino is not necessarily criminal, but it does not put the player first. That is where we draw the line.
Responsible Gambling is Standard, Not Optional
Casinos that take responsible gambling seriously show it in practice, not just in words. They provide concrete tools and clear communication so that you as a player can stay in control.
We check the following at every casino:
- Can you set your own limits
- Is self-exclusion or taking a break easy to arrange
- Are you well-informed about risks and available support
Casinos that do not provide these measures do not score highly in our reviews.
If you want to know exactly what we mean by responsible gambling and how we test it, see our dedicated page on responsible gambling.
Reassessments and Updates: Always Up-to-Date
A casino that works well today can look very different in a few months. New terms and conditions, payment issues, a change of ownership, or disappearing bonuses happen more often than you might think. That is why our review does not end after publication.
We actively monitor every casino in our overview. As soon as we see that something has changed, we carry out a new assessment. Sometimes this involves small updates, like a new payment method or additional promotion. For more significant changes, we rewrite the review completely.
When Do We Reassess a Casino?
- If a casino changes its licence
- If we receive multiple complaints about payments or support
- When new terms and conditions affect bonuses or certain limits
- If a casino no longer meets our minimum standards
- As soon as we notice a decline in user experience or security
We do not only look at what was on paper at launch, but at how a casino develops in practice.
Independence and Transparency
We earn money from this website. We are open about that. But we never allow anyone to pay for a positive review. If a casino asks us to change a critical review in exchange for a fee, the conversation ends immediately.
We only collaborate with casinos that we have tested ourselves and that meet our standards. Only after that do we decide whether to form a commercial partnership. Never the other way around. No casino can influence what we write. They do not provide content and they do not decide how we assess their platform. What you read is our own experience.
Our approach is different from many comparison sites. We do not give stars because we have to. And we do not write polished promotional texts. We test, verify, and state our opinion. Positive where it is deserved, critical where it is needed.
Your Experience Matters
We test everything ourselves, but that does not mean we see everything. As a player, you sometimes encounter situations we do not come across during a test week. Think of delayed payouts, blocked accounts, or exceptionally good service. These experiences are very valuable to us.
We take feedback seriously. If you report a problem with a casino we have rated highly, we investigate it. Not because we want to check everything, but because we know how quickly things can change. What runs smoothly today may become an issue tomorrow.
So please share your experiences, good or bad.
- Did you have a problem with a payout?
- Is something incorrect in a review?
- Or were you positively surprised by a casino we have not mentioned yet?
Send an email to info@casinozondercruks.co.uk
We read every email ourselves and if your experience gives reason to update a review, we will do so.
You are not only helping us, but also other players who are looking for a safe and fair casino to play at.
Why You Can Trust Our Reviews
We know that choosing an offshore casino without Cruks comes with risks. That is why we built this site the way we would have wanted it to exist: honest, clear, and based on experience.
Everything you read here comes from real tests with real money. We have no interest in giving a positive review if the casino does not deserve it. We regularly check casinos again, listen to player feedback, and update our content if the situation changes.
This does not mean we are perfect. But we do everything we can to provide you with the information you need to make a good decision. And if you are unsure, you can always send us a message. We reply ourselves.
This is how we work. And you can hold us to it.
FAQs
How do you make money from this site?
We work with some casinos through affiliate partnerships. This means we may receive a commission if you create an account via our link. But only with casinos we have personally tested and approved. Never the other way around.
Does every casino that pays automatically get a positive review?
No. We test the casino first. If it does not meet our standards, there is no partnership. Our reviews remain fully independent.
How often are your reviews updated?
It varies per casino. We regularly check each one and update reviews whenever we spot changes or receive relevant feedback from players.
What if I have a bad experience with a casino you recommend?
Let us know. We take every report seriously and use your feedback to decide if a re-evaluation is needed. If we notice persistent issues, we end the partnership.
Can I suggest a casino that is not yet on your site?
Yes, we’d love that. We test every casino manually, so we are always open to suggestions. Please feel free to send us a message.
