Casino.org and setting the standard for trust and safety for 20 years

Casino.org is one of the most established affiliates in the industry having made its debut back in 1995. Since then, it has become one of the most trusted sources for finding reputable casinos and the biggest bonuses. To learn more about how it has done this while always prioritizing responsible gambling, we spoke with Alexander Korsager, industry veteran and Casino.org General Manager.

You are one of the most established and trusted online casino affiliates in the industry. Tell us more about what makes you the go-to site for players?

We have been around since 1995 and this makes us the world’s leading independent gambling authority. We provide players with all of the information they need to find online casinos and bonuses that offer what they are looking for. This is because our online casino reviews are the absolute best in the business. We put each casino through a 25-step process to determine the score it receives. This is to ensure we take all aspects of the player journey and experience into account, from signing up, claiming the bonus and depositing, to the game selection available, the licences held and the customer support offered. Due to our global reach and incredible team, we do this in more than 100 countries around the world.

Why are reviews so important to players when deciding where to play?

There are literally hundreds of online casinos and bonuses available to players with each offering something different. Given this incredible choice, it can be hard for players to decide where to play – imagine trying to find content on Netflix without it recommending titles based on your preferences and viewing habits. Players also want to know what the casino has to offer before they go through the process of actually signing up, providing payment details and making a deposit. They also want to understand the different bonuses available to them, and any terms and conditions attached to the offer. They can find all of this and more in our reviews. I also think there’s still a lack of trust between players and casinos, so our reviews help overcome this by telling them the good and the bad, and ultimately whether we recommend they play there or not.

What are the key factors players consider when deciding where to play?

The bonus offer is important, especially among regular players looking for the latest offer to take advantage of. In terms of bonuses, no deposit free spins are always in demand as they allow players to try the casino without using their own money. If the player likes the experience, they can then make a deposit and play with their own funds. This takes me nicely on to the next consideration – payments. Players want to see a good choice of payment options – Visa and Mastercard are a must, but we are seeing greater demand for digital wallets such as PayPal and mobile wallets like Apple Pay. They also take into account whether the casino offers fast payouts. The selection of games is important, with players wanting to see a great line up of slots and table games as well as crash and arcade titles and, of course, live dealer. We also see a lot of interest in new online casinos.

Are there any interesting online casino trends emerging?

More and more casinos are now offering no wagering bonuses so that players get to keep their winnings. This is also helping to build trust between players and casino brands with wagering requirements often causing confusion and leading to a negative player experience. The rise of non-traditional games such as crash, mines and plinko can be seen in how these games are increasingly appearing in the top game lobby spots and, in some cases, even having their own tabs. This type of content is really helping players to connect with a broader audience, especially Millennials and Gen Zers. We’ve also seen a shift in payments and while standard methods like debit cards still dominate, more and more players are using digital and mobile wallets making them a must-have for casinos looking to acquire players at scale.

Which online casinos are ahead of the curve with these trends and are offering the best player experiences right now?

You have to look at the major players like PlayOJO, Betfair, BetVictor, William Hill and LeoVegas. These brands offer everything I mentioned in the previous answers, from generous yet fair bonuses to a great line up of payment options with instant deposits and fast withdrawals. Their lobbies are packed with thousands of games, and they have really good customer support. They are also the brands pushing the boundaries and trying new things when it comes to promos, payments and stocking games from the latest suppliers. That said, there’s always room for new casinos to get in on the action.

Responsible gambling is a hot topic right now. What is Casino.org doing to support the industry’s efforts to promote safe play?

We take responsible gambling very seriously and have a dedicated page packed with information, advice and links to support charities and more. We also add responsible gambling advice to all of our pages where relevant, so that players are always reminded of the need to stay in control of their play and how they can actually do that. We want to really empower players so that they can sign up and play at the brands listed on Casino.org confident that they offer the safe gaming and entertainment experiences they are seeking. The way we see it, affiliates are the front line of defence and it’s our responsibility to educate players about the tools available to them to help them gamble responsibly.