Editorial Standards

How we rate, research, and fact-check

Gambling content online has a trust problem. Most of it is written by people with a financial interest in where you deposit. Here's exactly how we work — and what we won't do.

Editorial independence

GamblersGuide editorial content is independent of commercial relationships. Casino operators cannot pay to influence our reviews, rankings, or editorial coverage. Where affiliate relationships exist, they are disclosed clearly and do not affect the content of our reviews.

Our team members are hired for their industry expertise, not their ability to produce positive coverage of gambling operators. A casino that pays well in affiliate commissions but has documented payout problems will receive a negative review. That's the standard and it doesn't move.

Our editorial standards

Primary sources only for legal content

Every state gambling law guide on this site is sourced exclusively from official government websites, state gaming commissions, and regulatory bodies. We do not cite aggregators, secondary sources, or other gambling sites for legal claims. If a .gov source doesn't exist for a claim, that claim doesn't get published.

Verified mathematics for odds and house edge

All house edge figures, RTP statistics, and probability calculations are verified against primary mathematical sources before publication. Our mathematics editor Leon Hartley — a former commercial actuary — reviews every odds-related claim. If a number can't be independently verified, we flag it or don't include it.

Named authors with relevant expertise

Every article on GamblersGuide is written or reviewed by a named team member with direct industry experience. We do not publish anonymous content. Author bios are honest about their backgrounds — we do not inflate credentials.

No promotional language — ever

We do not use casino marketing language. We do not describe gambling as a way to make money. We do not publish content that promises winning strategies or implies the house edge can be beaten long-term. If a piece of content sounds like it came from a casino's marketing department, it doesn't go live.

Last updated dates on every article

Gambling laws change frequently. Every article carries a Last Updated date and we review state legal guides when legislation changes. If you find outdated information, contact us and we will update it within 24 hours.

Errors are corrected publicly

If we publish something incorrect, we correct it and note the correction at the bottom of the article. We do not quietly delete errors. We do not pretend mistakes didn't happen.

How we rate casinos

Casino reviews are scored across five criteria. No single factor — including bonus size — dominates the rating. A large welcome bonus attached to predatory wagering requirements scores poorly. A smaller bonus with transparent terms scores well.

Licensing & regulation

We only review casinos licensed by recognized regulatory bodies — state gaming commissions, the UKGC, the MGA. Unlicensed operators are not reviewed.

Ownership transparency

We verify the company behind every casino we review. Anonymous or opaque ownership structures are flagged.

Payout reliability

We research documented withdrawal complaints and payout timelines. A casino that routinely delays or denies withdrawals will not receive a positive review regardless of bonus size.

Bonus terms honesty

We read the actual terms and conditions of every bonus we cover. Wagering requirements, game restrictions, and expiry dates are reported accurately.

Responsible gambling tools

We assess whether operators offer deposit limits, self-exclusion, and links to problem gambling resources. This is weighted heavily in our scoring.

Found an error?

We correct mistakes quickly and transparently. If you find incorrect odds, outdated legal information, or any factual error on this site, contact us and we will review and correct it within 24 hours. Corrections are noted at the bottom of the affected article.

These standards are maintained by a team with direct gambling industry experience — a former Nevada sportsbook odds compiler, a former NJ gaming regulator, a commercial actuary, and a veteran casino dealer. Their backgrounds are what make the standards above enforceable.

Meet the editorial team