How I verify a casino before I write about it
I start at the operator's own footer and terms pages: the licence number, the regulator named, and the legal entity behind the brand. I then check that same trio against at least three independent review portals. When they agree, that becomes a stated fact. When they don't - a different regulator, a different company name, or no licence found at all - I publish the disagreement instead of picking the version that reads best.
For payout speed and deposit limits I do the same cross-check, then read the most recent complaint threads (Trustpilot, casino-complaint forums) for a pattern rather than a single anecdote. A handful of old complaints is normal for any large operator; a steady, recent run of the same complaint - the same delay, the same excuse - is the signal I write up, and I say plainly when I can't personally confirm a number rather than repeating an unverified figure as if I'd tested it.
Biography, education and professional background
Ailsa holds a postgraduate diploma in Corporate Compliance & Investigation and worked in corporate-registry and due-diligence research before moving into iGaming review work in 2021. She focuses on licensing transparency and operator identity for grey-market and offshore-licensed brands serving Canadian players.
| Period | Focus | Role |
|---|---|---|
| 2015-2021 | Corporate registry & compliance due diligence | Compliance researcher |
| 2021-2023 | Licensing & operator-identity verification, iGaming | Review editor |
| 2023-present | Casino licensing & operator-identity editor (Canada) | Independent reviewer |
Responsible gambling
Gambling is entertainment, not income, and unresolved licensing questions are a reason for extra caution, not a reason to chase a bonus faster. If it stops feeling like entertainment, help in Canada is free and confidential through the Responsible Gambling Council and, in Ontario, ConnexOntario. Set a deposit limit before you claim any welcome offer.