Last updated: 27 June 2026
How We Rate Casinos
A score on Joe Fortune AU Review isn't a gut feeling — it's the weighted result of eight objective criteria, applied identically to every casino regardless of any affiliate relationship (see Affiliate Disclosure). This page shows the criteria, their weights, the formula, what each score means, and the red flags that drop a rating automatically. The hands-on work behind each score is detailed in How We Test.
Our scoring system
We rate on a scale of 1 to 10 in steps of 0.1. Each of the eight criteria is scored 1–10, then multiplied by its weight; the weighted sum is the final rating. This keeps comparisons consistent and lets us rank casinos on the things that actually matter to a player. Every casino is scored the same way, with no exceptions.
Criteria and weights
| Criterion | Weight | What we assess |
|---|---|---|
| Security & licensing | 20% | Licence, SSL, data policy, reputation |
| Bonuses & promotions | 15% | Wagering, fairness, variety, transparency |
| Game selection | 15% | Quantity, providers, variety, live casino |
| Withdrawal speed | 13% | Processing time, limits |
| Payment methods | 12% | Quantity, variety, fees |
| Customer support | 10% | Channels, response time, quality, language |
| Mobile experience | 8% | Responsiveness, speed, app |
| Responsible gambling | 7% | Tools, information, help links |
Security & licensing (20%)
Our heaviest criterion, because without security nothing else matters. We check the licence and licensing body, SSL, data handling, any history of security incidents, and whether the operator belongs to a known group. For Australian-facing casinos we're realistic: there is no ACMA licence for online casinos, so these run offshore (typically Curaçao), which offers weaker recourse than MGA or UKGC. We factor that licensing gap into the score rather than pretending it away. A casino with no licence at all scores 1/10 here and goes on our warning list.
Bonuses & promotions (15%)
We score the real value of a bonus, not its headline size. 35x on the bonus is fair (7–8/10); 50x on bonus-plus-deposit is harsh (3–4/10). We weigh variety (welcome, reload, cashback, free spins), the loyalty programme, and how transparent the terms are.
Game selection (15%)
Quantity matters, but quality more: 500 strong games from top studios beat 3,000 from unknowns. We assess the number of games and providers, the presence of leading studios, the spread of categories (pokies, table, live, game shows), and any exclusives.
Withdrawal speed (13%)
One of the most practical criteria. Under 24 hours is excellent (9–10/10), 1–3 days good (7–8), 3–5 days acceptable (5–6), over 5 days poor (3–4), and over 14 days or unreliable payouts critically poor (1–2). We also factor in withdrawal limits.
Payment methods (12%)
We score the number of methods (five-plus for a passing mark), the presence of methods Aussies actually use — PayID and crypto especially — the minimum deposit, and any fees. Strong crypto support earns extra credit, since it's where Aussie-facing casinos pay fastest.
Customer support (10%)
The ideal is 24/7 live chat with a response under three minutes. We assess the channels (chat, email, phone), response time, and whether agents genuinely answer questions or just point to the T&Cs.
Mobile experience (8%)
A fully responsive site with a working cashier is the minimum. A native app, fast loading (under three seconds) and a full (not cut-down) game library on mobile all add points.
Responsible gambling (7%)
We score the presence of deposit limits, self-exclusion, time-outs and reality checks, links to help organisations, clear age information, and support for the national register, BetStop. More on our Responsible Gambling page.
The final-rating formula
Final rating = (Security × 0.20) + (Bonuses × 0.15) + (Games × 0.15) + (Withdrawals × 0.13) + (Payments × 0.12) + (Support × 0.10) + (Mobile × 0.08) + (RG × 0.07).
Example: a casino scoring 9, 7, 8, 9, 8, 7, 8, 6 → (1.80 + 1.05 + 1.20 + 1.17 + 0.96 + 0.70 + 0.64 + 0.42) = 7.94 → 7.9/10. The result is rounded to one decimal place.
What our scores mean
- 9.0–10.0 — Excellent: the best casinos available, with top security, fair bonuses, fast payouts and great support. Recommended with confidence.
- 8.0–8.9 — Very good: high-quality casinos with only minor flaws. Recommended.
- 7.0–7.9 — Good: reliable casinos with some room to improve. Recommended with caveats.
- 6.0–6.9 — Fair: works, but with noticeable weaknesses. Approach with care.
- 5.0–5.9 — Below average: serious shortcomings. Consider alternatives.
- Below 5.0 — Not recommended: critical problems with security, payouts or licensing.
Red flags — automatic downgrades
- No licence — automatic 1/10 on security and a place on our warning list.
- Confirmed non-payment — withdrawal score drops to 2/10.
- Confiscating winnings on flimsy grounds — automatic 3-point downgrade.
- Unrealistic wagering (60x+) — bonus score drops to 3/10.
- No KYC / no age verification — security downgrade.
- No responsible-gambling tools — RG score drops to 2/10.
- Hidden T&C clauses found in testing — overall trust downgrade.
Updating ratings
Ratings aren't fixed. We revisit them at routine 3–6 month re-tests, when a casino materially changes its terms, when serious complaints appear, or when a licence or owner changes. If a rating changes we state the previous score, the new score and the reason. The full method behind the numbers is in How We Test and our Editorial Policy. Questions? Contact us, or return to Joe Fortune.