Want to know how we rate online casinos for Canadian players? This page breaks down the UniPlay scoring framework, how we weight each pillar, and what our final ratings out of ten actually mean. We keep our process consistent and fully transparent so you can easily double-check our work.
The scoring framework
Every casino we review receives a score out of ten. That score is a weighted average of six pillars. The table below shows what each pillar measures and how much it contributes to the final rating.
| Pillar | What it measures | Weight |
|---|---|---|
| 1. Licensing & legality | Whether the operator is registered or licensed to serve Canadian players. We verify against the official iGaming Ontario (AGCO) operator registry. Operators licensed by the Kahnawake Gaming Commission are recognised as tier two. This is the single most important pillar. | 30% |
| 2. Safety & fairness | SSL encryption, independent game-fairness and RTP testing by recognised laboratories, responsible-gambling tools available to players, and whether the bonus and general terms are fair and readable. | 20% |
| 3. Payouts & banking | Reported payout rates and RTP, withdrawal speed, minimum deposit requirements, and support for Canadian payment methods including Interac and Visa. | 20% |
| 4. Games & software | Range and quality of games, the software providers supplying them, and live-dealer availability. | 10% |
| 5. Player experience | Mobile and app usability, account setup and navigation, and the quality and availability of customer support. | 10% |
| 6. Track record & transparency | Domain age and first-seen history, ownership transparency, and any documented pattern of unresolved player complaints. | 10% |
Our review process
Each review follows the same ordered steps.
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Shortlist
We identify online casinos that are legally available to Canadian players and that meet a minimum threshold of public information to review responsibly.
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Verify the licence
We match the operator against the official iGaming Ontario (AGCO) operator registry and record a clear, authoritative result: registered or not registered. Operators holding a Kahnawake Gaming Commission licence are noted and classified as tier two. This step produces a factual legal status that feeds directly into Pillar 1.
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Gather the data
We collect hard facts from primary sources. This includes domain registration age (via RDAP), first-seen records (via the Wayback Machine), reported payout and RTP figures, banking and withdrawal options, bonus terms, and game and software details. Data is drawn from the casino's own site and the relevant regulator wherever possible.
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Draft the review
A factual first draft is produced. Drafting is AI-assisted; the model is instructed to use only the facts gathered in the previous step and never to invent or assume data.
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Audit and human review
The draft is checked against Google's Helpful Content and E-E-A-T expectations, fact-checked line by line against primary sources, and edited by a person. A review cannot be published until this stage is complete.
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Score
The six-pillar framework above is applied to produce section scores and a weighted overall rating out of ten.
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Re-check on a schedule
Licences and operator details change over time. Reviews are re-checked periodically and updated when facts change. All factual claims carry the date on which they were verified.
Data sources and honesty
We prioritise primary sources. The regulator's public registry and the casino's own website, including its footer, About page, Terms and Conditions, and banking or help pages, are consulted first. Third-party aggregators and other review sites may be used as pointers to find a casino, but their content is never copied or treated as a primary source.
Reported payout percentages and RTP figures are presented as reported by the operator or its testing laboratory. They are not guaranteed outcomes and should be read as such.
Every factual claim in a published review has been checked against a primary source by a person before publication.
Independence
UniPlay is free to use and fully independent — we have no affiliate or paid relationships with the casinos we review, and no operator can pay for a better score or ranking. Read our about UniPlay page to see exactly how we operate.
Responsible gambling
Gambling is intended for adults aged 19 and older in most Canadian provinces and territories, and 18 and older in Alberta, Manitoba, and Quebec. The availability and quality of responsible-gambling tools, such as deposit limits, self-exclusion options, and links to support organisations, is assessed as part of Pillar 2, Safety & fairness. For resources and support, visit our responsible gambling page.
Frequently asked questions
How do you verify a casino's licence?
We check the operator's name directly against the official iGaming Ontario (AGCO) operator registry and record the result. Operators not found on that registry are checked for a Kahnawake Gaming Commission licence, which we classify as tier two. The result and the date of verification are stated in the review.
Do you use AI to write reviews?
Yes. Drafting is AI-assisted. The model is instructed to use only the facts gathered during our data-collection step. Every draft is then fact-checked against primary sources and edited by a person before it is published.
Does affiliate income affect your ratings?
No. Affiliate commissions are earned through some links, but they have no effect on scores, rankings, or editorial decisions. A casino's rating is determined solely by the six-pillar framework applied consistently to the facts gathered.
How often do you re-check a casino?
Reviews are re-checked periodically, particularly when licences, ownership, or banking options are known to change. All factual claims carry a verification date so readers can see how current the information is.