How we rate casinos and betting sites
Every casino and betting site we review gets six scores out of 10: bonus (25%), payouts (20%), games (15%), mobile (15%), trust (15%) and support (10%). The weighted average is the overall score you see on each review, and it is based on published terms and checked data, never on what an operator pays us.
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The six scores
Each review shows a score out of 10 built from six parts. The weights reflect what matters most to someone choosing a bonus site in South Africa.
| Score | Weight | What we look at |
|---|---|---|
| Bonus | 25% | Size of the welcome offer, wagering and what applies (bonus or bonus + deposit), minimum deposit, maximum bet and cashout, expiry, how easy it is to claim |
| Payouts | 20% | Published withdrawal times, local payout methods (EFT, Ozow, Capitec Pay, eWallets), minimum withdrawal, fees |
| Games | 15% | Number of games and studios, local favourites (Spina Zonke, Aviator, Lucky Numbers), live casino, betting markets for bookmakers, demo availability |
| Mobile | 15% | Android and iOS apps or a mobile site, how fast it loads, whether the cashier and bonuses work on a phone |
| Trust | 15% | Licence (provincial board or offshore), operator and track record, clarity of terms, responsible gambling tools |
| Support | 10% | Channels (live chat, WhatsApp, phone, email), hours and languages |
The overall score is simply the weighted sum. For example, a site scoring bonus 9, payouts 8, games 8, mobile 9, trust 7 and support 8 gets (9 × 25% + 8 × 20% + 8 × 15% + 9 × 15% + 7 × 15% + 8 × 10%) = 8.25, shown as 8.3.
Where the numbers come from
We base each score on recorded facts: the operator’s published bonus terms, its cashier and payout information, licence registers and reputable third-party sources. Every fact in our dataset carries its source and the date it was checked. We don’t claim first-hand tests we haven’t done, and when a figure isn’t published we say so rather than guess.
Bonus scores use the cost of the wagering in Rands, the same maths as our wagering calculator, so a smaller bonus with fair terms can beat a bigger headline offer.
Licences and trust
We apply one rule consistently: a South African provincial licence (for example the Western Cape Gambling and Racing Board, Mpumalanga, Gauteng or KZN) scores higher on trust than an offshore licence. Offshore brands are labelled clearly on every review, along with what that means for you.
Keeping scores current
Scores change when the facts do: a new bonus, a slower payout policy or a licence change. Each review shows the date it was last checked. Commission plays no part in any of this; see about us, our disclosure and bonus policy pages for how we keep the two apart.
Frequently asked questions
How is the overall score calculated?
It is a weighted average of six scores out of 10: bonus 25%, payouts 20%, games 15%, mobile 15%, trust 15% and support 10%. A site scoring 8 on everything gets 8.0 overall.
Do operators pay for higher ratings?
No. Commission never changes a score. Scores come from the terms and data we check, using the same rules for every brand.
Why does a South African licence score higher on trust?
A provincial licence means the operator is supervised locally and you can complain to a South African gambling board. Offshore licences such as Curaçao give South African players no local dispute route.
Do scores decide the order of your lists?
Not directly. Our lists are editorial picks, labelled as such; the scores sit alongside them so you can compare brands on what matters to you.
More about CasinoSlots
Mark has been writing about online gaming since 2007, covering everything from sportsbooks to casino and slot reviews, offering insights for players of all levels.