Casino games, bonus offers, tournaments and loyalty programs are great, but should always come second to trust and reliability when seeking a new online casino. The most trustworthy online casinos hold a verifiable license from a respected and recognizable authority, have transparent terms and conditions, a track record of paying out and a visible complaints resolution process.

Those are the very standards we built mBitcasino around and should be what you look for when choosing your next platform.

Casino Licensing – the First Thing to Check

A license should always be the first thing you look for when considering an online casino. It should be expected and not just considered a bonus point. Holding a license means the site and its operating company have to adhere to regulations aimed at protecting players and giving them a fair and safe experience.

Numerous regulatory bodies issue iGaming licenses and oversee online gambling platforms, but some of the most common are:

UKGC: The UK Gambling Commission is known for offering the strongest player protection and for taking a tough stance against sites that fall foul of its regulations. It is the gold standard for UK players.
MGA: Widely respected, the Malta Gaming Authority is another strong regulatory body that values player safety above everything else.
Curacao Gaming Authority: While the CGA is generally weaker than the two authorities above, it is the best option for crypto casinos seeking licensing. Neither the MGA or UKGC licenses sites offering cryptocurrency transactions and gameplay.

How to Verify a Casino License

Just because a gambling platform claims to hold a license or displays a license badge on its pages does not mean it’s licensed. Many lie about their licensing and show fake badges in order to dupe players into believing they’re legit platforms.

That’s why it is paramount that you always verify a license before you sign up to any online casino.

Click the licensing logo on the site – it will take you to a verification page on the regulator’s website.
Better yet, go directly to the license register on the regulatory bodies’ website and search for the casino name or license number.

Just check the license covers the casino you’re playing at and is valid/active. If you cannot verify the casino is licensed, do not sign up. At an unlicensed casino, you won’t receive dispute resolution, there’s no guarantee the games are fair and you’ll have nowhere to go if the casino decides not to pay your winnings. Find out how to tell of if a crypto casino is legit.

Fairness and Transparency – How Casinos Prove They Play Fair

Another key indicator of whether an online casino is trustworthy is how transparent it is regarding the fairness of its games and bonuses. For example, the best online casino sites are open about the RTP of their games and will also have their RNGs (random number generators) tested by third-party testing companies.

The RTP is the return to player percentage of a game and is how much is given back from bets received over a long period of time. The industry standard for slots is around 95 – 96%, meaning they’ll pay back that amount of the money received over the long term.

As for the RNG, this is the mechanism tasked with producing the random results to tie in with that RTP. The likes of eCOGRA, iTech Labs and BMM Testlabs are enlisted by legit sites to certify the fairness of RNGs against the listed RTPs of the games. If a platform hides its RTPs and does not use an RNG testing company, it clearly has something to hide, meaning its games are probably not fair to play.

The transparency of the casino’s T&Cs and bonus terms is also important. Both pages should be accessible within a single click from the homepage and list important information clearly, such as game and country restrictions and bonus wagering requirements.

The bonus terms should clearly state what the bonus is and what the wagering requirements are. For example, it could be a 100% match deposit bonus up to $100 that comes with a 30x playthrough requirement. It tells you that you’ll need to wager $3,000 before your bonus funds become withdrawable.

What is a fair wagering requirement at an online casino?

Typically, a fair wagering requirement is between 25x and 40x. A requirement of 50x or more should be treated as a red flag.

Advantages of Using Provably Fair Gaming in Crypto Casinos

Responsible Gambling Tools – A Sign of a Casino That Values Players

While responsible gambling tools are often overlooked by players when determining the trustworthiness of an online casino, they can be a strong indicator of how a platform values player safety.

A site that gives players more control over their gambling habits through such tools is not only showing a willingness to comply with licensing regulations but also a care for its members. The opposite is true for platforms that provide no tools at all.

What responsible gambling tools should a licensed online casino offer?

Every licensed casino should provide:

Deposit and loss limits
Session reminders and reality checks
Temporary breaks and self-exclusion options

We offer all the above at mBitcasino. If you do not find them on other gambling sites, you should consider it a warning sign.

Complaints & Disputes – What a Casino’s Track Record Tells You

All online casinos receive complaints, but that’s just the nature of the beast in the gambling industry. However, how an online casino responds to these complaints is a good indicator of a platform’s values.

For players, the first point of contact for a complaint is the casino itself. Following that, if a satisfactory resolution is not met, players will have the following options:

Speaking to an ADR (if the case has one): An ADR (Alternative Dispute Resolution) is a third-party company that acts as a middleman in disputes between a casino and the player. Many licensing authorities require licensed platforms to use an ADR and list its name in their T&Cs.
Speak to the gambling authority: Depending on the regulator, it may be possible to make complaints against casinos on the licensing body’s website. Some, like the MGA, will provide free dispute mediation services.

Players often also use trusted review/testing websites to give their opinion on casinos, whether good or bad. The key is to determine any patterns rather than taking isolated incidents too seriously.

When using these sites to research a casino you’re thinking of joining and ask yourself these questions:

Does the casino respond publicly?
Are complaints resolved?
Does support communicate professionally?
Are withdrawal issues recurring?

Where can I check if an online casino has unresolved complaints?

Various sites like AskGamblers, Casinomeister and ThePogg allow players to leave complaints and will act as a middleman between the player and the casino in an attempt to resolve disputes.

Payments & Withdrawals – The Real Test of a Trustworthy Casino

Some sites look great during registration and promise many games and big bonuses, but then use any excuse under the sun not to process your withdrawals.

Your first step is to understand the site’s KYC policy and when it may be required. Not completing this is usually the first obstacle you’ll face when trying to cash out. At some point, you’ll typically need to provide copies of:

Government-issued photo ID
Proof of address
Verification of the payment method used

We always recommend completing a KYC as soon as possible so that you’ll not have delays when you decide to request your first withdrawal.

Assuming you have completed KYC and have not broken any terms and conditions, a trustworthy online casino will process your withdrawal within a couple of days and will not charge any fees on top. At mBitcasino, we support 9 cryptocurrencies for your fee-free transactions, and ensure you’ll receive your winnings the same day.

Some of the red flags to watch out for at casinos are:

Excessive withdrawal fees
Unexplained pending periods exceeding 48 hours
Constant requests for additional documents
Withdrawal limits hidden in bonus terms

How long should a casino withdrawal take?

Once processed, you should not have to wait any longer than the following to receive your winnings:

Method	Expected Time
E-wallets	0-24 hours
Debit/Credit Cards	2-3 business days
Bank Transfers	3-5 business days
Cryptocurrencies	0-24 hours

Learn how to deposit at mBitcasino

Reputation & Independent Testing – How Experts Evaluate Online Casinos

Using online casino review sites is another way to get an idea about a new platform, although not all of them are completely trustworthy. Stick to established websites with a good reputation rather than alternatives that are nothing but affiliates that will give a false positive experience to convince you to sign up and deposit.

Trusted sites use professional casino reviewers to sign up and test platforms using their own money. They will test the bonuses, games, customer support, deposits and withdrawals and will also analyze all T&Cs. These platforms will explain their methodology and use real-named reviewers.

How do I know if a casino review site is trustworthy?

Read through a few reviews and then ask yourself questions like:

Is there a transparent testing methodology?
Are there named authors used with links back to their LinkedIn and other social media profiles?
Did the review accurately verify casino licenses?
Are the reviews honest, with both positive and negative findings?

Safe Online Casino Checklist – 10 Signs a Casino is Trustworthy

Before making a deposit, check whether the casino can satisfy all ten points on our checklist below:

Verifiable license from a recognised regulator
Independent RNG testing
Game RTP information available
Bonus terms easy to find
Wagering requirements within a reasonable range
No hidden maximum win restrictions
Responsible gambling tools available
Public complaint history visible
KYC requirements clearly explained
Fast and transparent withdrawals

If the platform passes the checklist, there’s a greater chance you’ll enjoy a safe and reliable experience. We tick all of those boxes at mBitcasino and so should all other site’s who value player safety and fairness. You can find out more about our philosophy and focus on player safety over on our About Us page.

Online Casino Red Flags – Warning Signs to Avoid

On the flip side, stay away from sites that:

Do not hold a verifiable license
Display fake license badges
Have unclear or unfair bonus terms
Charge fees for deposits and withdrawals
Ignore public complaints on testing/review sites
Delay withdrawals for any reason
Do not offer responsible gambling tools
Hide the RTPs of their games

While one or two red flags do not automatically prove a casino is unsafe, any more than that should make you think twice about signing up.

FAQ

How do I verify a casino licence is real?

To verify a casino license is legit and active, click the regulatory body’s logo in the footer of the homepage. It will take you through to a verification page on the regulator’s website.

What is KYC at an online casino?

KYC is conducted to ensure account holders meet legal and regulatory requirements and to prevent money laundering, fraud and other criminal activities.

What wagering requirement is fair?

A wagering requirement of anywhere up to 40x is generally regarded as fair. Anything above 50x, and you should start looking at other online casinos and their bonuses.

Where can I check a casino’s complaint history?

AskGamblers, Casinomeister and ThePogg are just some casino review sites that maintain public complaint sections. Using these can help you determine the reputation of an online casino.

What is an ADR provider?

An Alternative Dispute Resolution provider is an independent company that mediates in disputes between players and online casinos.