Our ranking is editorial, not pay-to-play. Here is exactly what we check.
We apply a five-criteria filter before any operator makes it to our shortlist. The filter is deliberately strict — fewer but safer choices are better than a long list of questionable names.
1. Licensing. DGOJ (Spain) or MGA (Malta) are mandatory. We verify licence numbers directly on the regulator's website. Operators licensed only in Curaçao, Anjouan, Costa Rica or similar are excluded regardless of their reputation elsewhere.
2. Payment reliability. We check user-reported withdrawal times, review the operator's cashier policy, and confirm that withdrawals do not face arbitrary delays beyond normal KYC verification.
3. Game library quality. A curated selection of certified providers (Pragmatic Play, Evolution, NetEnt, Play'n GO, Microgaming and similar) matters more than a huge but low-quality catalogue. RNG certification is non-negotiable.
4. Responsible gambling tooling. Deposit limits, session timers, loss limits and self-exclusion must be easily accessible from within the player account — not hidden three menus deep.
5. Terms transparency. We read the bonus terms in full before listing an operator. Wagering requirements over 40x, bet size caps under €2, or extremely short clearance windows (under 14 days) are red flags.