How to read the rating of online casinos and slot machines

Many beginners and even experienced players make a choice at the top of the rating - "5 stars, good comment, high score." But a rating is not just a number or a visual tag. This is a combination of many factors that need to be analyzed, and not taken on faith.

In this article we will analyze:

• What the casino and slots rankings include
• How to distinguish a manipulative rating from an honest one
• Which parameters are really important
• Why reviews aren't always true

What is a casino rating?

A casino rating is a generalized rating based on:

• 1. Platform reliability
• 2. Speed ​ ​ and honesty of payments
• 3. Reputation among players
• 4. Quality of support
• 5. Bonus terms
• 6. Assortment of games
• 7. Licensing level
• 8. Running the mobile version
• 9. Traffic and popularity
• 10. Real complaints (and their solution)

An example of a point rating structure:

Criterion	Weight in overall score	Comment
Security and license	25%	Is there a license, KYC, data protection
Payments and withdrawals	20%	Speed and integrity of payments
Support	10%	Is there chat, answers, problem solving
Bonus policy	15%	Transparency and honesty of conditions
Games and Providers	10%	Number and Quality of Slots
Mobility	5%	How convenient it is to play with your phone
Reputation/reviews	15%	Complaints, responses, public image

How to read the rating of slot machines?

The rating of a particular slot is usually based on:

• RTP (theoretical return to player)
• Volatility (riskiness)
• Frequency of bonus rounds
• Popularity among players
• Visual, sound, UX
• Maximum winnings

What does RTP mean?

RTP (Return to Player) is the percentage that the slot theoretically returns to the player over a long period.

RTP (%)	Return Rate
96% +	High (good)
94-95%	Medium
<94%	Low (less likely to win)

Important: RTP works on a long distance - this is not a guarantee of instant winning.

Volatility

Low: Frequent but small wins
Medium: Balanced
High: rare but high (e.g. jackpot games)

In tournaments, they often choose high volatility, and for a relaxed game - low.

How are star ratings arranged?

This is usually an average score on a 5-point scale:

Assessment	What it means
(4. 5-5)	Almost perfect site/game. High reputation, few complaints
(4. 0–4. 4)	Reliable, but there are minor disadvantages
(3. 0–3. 9)	Medium, but there may be risks or inconvenience
(2. 0–2. 9)	Best Avoided: Complaints, Payment Issues
(1. 0–1. 9)	Suspicious or malicious casino

Why not blindly believe the reviews?

Feedback is an important but subjective source. That's why:

• Fraudulent casinos often wind up positive reviews
• Disgruntled players leave negative due to their own mistakes (for example, they did not read the terms of the bonus)
• Detailed, neutral feedback with facts have value
• Forums and independent platforms are a more reliable source (AskGamblers, CasinoGuru, etc.)

What to look for if the rating is high:

• 1. Does the casino have a real license?
• 2. Are the conditions of bonuses spelled out in understandable language?
• 3. How does the casino respond to complaints on the Internet?
• 4. What is its historical footprint: when created, were there scandals?

Practical checklist

Before making a deposit, check:

• Rating above 4. 2 (if below - read reasons)
• License specified and verified
• Payment methods are right for you
• Feedback doesn't look like a template
• Slot RTP above 95%
• All output conditions are clear

Conclusion

Ranking is a tool, not a final decision. It is important to understand:

• Where the points come from
• What's behind the figure
• What metrics really affect your experience

The more competent you are in choosing casinos and games, the more chances you have to keep bankroll, nerves and pleasure from playing.

See also: "How to distinguish a fake casino," "What does the license give," "Deceptions with bonuses."