Start Where You Are
I'm a Player
You spotted the Certificate of Trust badge on a casino’s website and want to know what it actually means and whether the badge you're looking at is genuine.
I Run a Casino
You want to know whether your casino qualifies, what we check and what you need to have in place before applying.
What Is the Certificate of Trust?
The AskGamblers Certificate of Trust is our highest stamp of approval for an online casino.
It means we've audited the operator against nine standards covering the things that matter the most when you're playing online: payout speed, complaint resolution, licensing, responsible gambling tools, AML transparency, security and fair operations.
And this isn't just a questionnaire. We check how the casino actually operates and how it treats players when something goes wrong.
The Certificate of Trust is not a gambling licence, a review score or a guarantee that you'll win. It's a pass/fail verdict based on our own checks and our public complaint service showing that the casino has met our standards for player treatment and service.
Fewer than 1 in 10 casinos that apply are approved. 40 casinos hold the certificate today, out of the hundreds of casinos we review.
- A pass or fail verdict — one unmet standard can be enough to decline certification
- Backed by AGCCS, our public complaint service, so we can see how a casino handles real player disputes
- Available only to casinos that have been listed on AskGamblers for at least six months
- Not for sale. Advertising spend doesn't earn, keep or restore it
- Not permanent. A casino can lose it if it no longer meets our standards
- Not a gambling licence. Regulation is a separate requirement we check
- Not a guarantee you'll win. It gives you an extra reason to feel confident about your choice
Independence matters. AskGamblers does not sell the Certificate of Trust. Commercial relationships, advertising spend or affiliate arrangements cannot earn, keep or restore the certificate. We do earn commission from some links elsewhere on the site, but certification decisions are kept separate from commercial arrangements.
Found the Badge on a Casino’s Website? Check It in 20 Seconds
A Certificate of Trust only means something if you know the badge you're looking at is genuine. Luckily, checking takes about 20 seconds.
Click It
A genuine Certificate of Trust badge always links to that casino's review page on AskGamblers.com. If it goes somewhere else, or doesn't go anywhere at all, the badge isn't genuine.
Check Our Review Page
Open the casino's AskGamblers review page. A certified casino will have the Certificate of Trust badge on its AskGamblers review page too. If the badge only appears on the casino's own website, that's a red flag.
Check the Certified List
Every certified casino appears in our Certified Casinos directory. If the casino isn't on the list, it isn't certified, even if it says it was certified in the past.
Have you spotted the AskGamblers Certificate of Trust badge on a casino? Check our Certified Casinos list to make sure it’s legitimate. If the casino isn’t listed, let us know.
How Certification Actually Works
Certification takes time and doesn't start with an application alone. Before a casino can apply, we already need to have at least six months of data on it. Then we put the operator through our full certification process.
-
Eligibility Check
First, we check two basic requirements: at least six months listed on AskGamblers, and a CasinoRank of 8.00 or higher. If a casino doesn't meet these two requirements, the certification process stops there.
-
Complaint Record Review
Next, our complaint team looks at the casino's full AskGamblers Complaint Service (AGCCS) history. We don't just look at the final percentage, we also look at response times, evidence, actual resolutions and whether the same problems keep coming back.
-
Documentation Audit
We check the paperwork behind the operation, including its licence, AML and funding policies, terms, withdrawal and dormancy rules, and responsible gambling tools. We also check that the operator’s actual setup matches its obligations, not just what’s written on a webpage.
-
Hands-on Testing
We test the casino as a player would, from registration and KYC to deposits, real bets and e-wallet withdrawals, including at weekends and during off-peak hours. We also check security, game-provider licensing and access to gaming and transaction history, timing each relevant step against our certification standards.
-
Experts’ Decision and Ongoing Monitoring
AskGamblers experts review the findings and decide whether the casino meets all certification requirements. If even one standard remains unresolved, the casino may not qualify for the Certificate of Trust. And approval isn’t the end of the process. Certified Casinos continue to be monitored to make sure they maintain the standards required to keep their Certificate of Trust.
The 9 Certificate of Trust Standards
Every standard is mandatory. Here's what we check, why it matters to you and how we verify it.
1 Minimum CasinoRank of 8.00 Threshold: ≥ 8.00
A CasinoRank of 8.00 or higher is required before a casino can qualify for the Certificate of Trust.
CasinoRank combines dozens of factors, including payout and KYC timeframes, payment options, support, game providers, licensing, site usability and complaint history.
2 Excellent AskGamblers Complaint Service Record Threshold: at least 85% resolution rate
This is one of the most important parts of the certification process because it's where we see what happens when a player has a problem.
The AGCCS excellence formula works like this:
- If a casino has 6 published complaints or fewer, it cannot have more than 1 unresolved complaint.
- If a casino has more than 6 published complaints, it needs at least an 85% resolution rate, regardless of complaint volume.
3 Fast Payouts Threshold: 0-24 hours, weekends included
Getting paid shouldn't turn into a waiting game. A certified casino must meet all three of these requirements:
- The withdrawal pending period must fit within 0-24 hours.
- E-wallet withdrawals must be processed within 0-24 hours.
- The operator must process withdrawals over weekends.
Credit/debit card, cheque and bank-transfer timeframes aren't included in this particular standard.
4 Genuine Responsible Gambling Commitment Threshold: self-serve limits + self-exclusion
Responsible gambling shouldn't be something you have to hunt for. Certified Casinos must provide:
- Clear, understandable responsible gambling information.
- Self-exclusion and cooling-off through support and self-serve account tools.
- Deposit, wager and loss limits available by day, week and month.
- Those limits must also be available as self-serve account features.
5 Transparent Funding and AML Policies Threshold: fully documented procedures
Casinos operating across borders need to follow the laws and regulations that apply to preventing money laundering and terrorism financing. Certified Casinos must provide detailed information about the procedures and policies they have in place.
6 Fair, Secure and Transparent Operations Threshold: all five requirements
A certified casino must demonstrate that its operations are fair, secure and compliant with its licence. We check that:
- The website uses SSL encryption.
- Games come from fully licensed and regulated software providers.
- Payments and withdrawals must only be processed once the player has successfully completed KYC and their account has been verified.
- 24/7 live chat is available.
- Players can access their complete gaming and transaction history.
7 Regulated by an Official Licensing Authority Threshold: accepted regulator
A Certificate of Trust doesn't replace a gambling licence. Certified Casinos must hold a licence from a reputable, accepted regulatory authority. Currently accepted regulators include:
- Malta Gaming Authority (MGA)
- UK Gambling Commission (UKGC)
- Government of Gibraltar
- Curaçao Gaming Control Board
- Isle of Man Gambling Supervision Commission
- Alderney Gambling Control Commission
- Kahnawake Gaming Commission
- Tobique Gambling License
- Anjouan Gambling License
8 Six Months on AskGamblers and a Clean Reputation Cross-Check Threshold: ≥6 months, no open issues
A new casino simply doesn't have enough history for us to make a verdict this strong. That's why every casino must be listed on AskGamblers for at least six months. We also check for past and ongoing issues affecting its reputation and operations, both on AskGamblers and across major industry and player-review websites.
9 AGCCS and AskGamblers Integration on the Casino's Website Threshold: Complaint page + footer integration
Certified Casinos must make it easy for players to find their way to AskGamblers. They must:
- Create a dedicated Complaint page linking to the AskGamblers Complaint Service submission page.
- Add the AskGamblers logo to their website footer, linking to their casino review page on AskGamblers.
Operators with a CasinoRank above 9.5 may be exempt from these two requirements.
The Numbers Behind Certification
Two numbers are especially important when a casino applies: CasinoRank and its AGCCS resolution record.
CasinoRank ≥ 8.00 - What goes into it?
- 50%
Casino Details Withdrawal and pending timeframes, payment methods, withdrawal limits, support channels and availability, software providers
- 25%
AGCCS History The casino's track record on the AskGamblers Complaint Service
- 15%
Player Reviews Written reviews and 1–10 scores submitted by the AskGamblers community
- 10%
Design Details Responsiveness, user-friendliness and ease of navigation
| Published Complaints | Requirement | Example |
|---|---|---|
| 6 or fewer | No more than 1 unresolved | 5 of 6 resolved = 83.33% - acceptable |
| More than 6 | At least 85% resolved | 51 of 60 resolved = 85% - acceptable |
And these aren't just application-stage numbers. If a certified casino drops below either gate, it enters the remediation process.
Staying Certified - And Losing The Certificate
Getting the badge isn't a one-and-done deal. Certified Casinos are monitored continuously and fully re-audited. Every certified casino sits in one of three states.
Monitored
We regularly monitor the casino against all nine standards after certification. We also review new complaints filed against the casino as they arrive.
Under Remediation
If a casino falls short of a standard, we notify the operator and give it a fixed window to put things right. The badge remains visible during this remediation period.
Suspended or Removed
If the issue isn't fixed, we can suspend or remove the Certificate of Trust. The badge is then removed from the casino's AskGamblers review page and its own website.
Who Decides and Why You Can Hold Us to It
Certification is reviewed and approved by an internal team of AskGamblers experts, based on the published Certificate of Trust standards.
Since 2006, we have reviewed hundreds of casinos, resolved 30,340 complaints and returned $91,794,154 to players. That record, not a questionnaire, is what these standards are built on.
What Certification Looks Like in Practice
Certified Casinos are held to a required complaint resolution standard, and their cases are published through AGCCS. Here are some examples of issues resolved through our complaint service:
I am submitting a complaint regarding Boho Casino's failure to implement my self-exclusion request and my request for reimbursement of CAD $906 in losses incurred after that request.
On July 15, 2026, I contacted Boho Casino through their live chat and clearly requested to self-exclude my account.
The chat representative informed me that self-exclusion procedures were handled by email and instructed me to contact the following address: [email protected].
I followed these instructions immediately and sent my self-exclusion request to that email address on July 15, 2026, at 12:25 PM Pacific Time.
Despite this request, my account was not self-excluded or blocked. I was able to continue depositing and gambling after I had already clearly requested self-exclusion. As a result, I subsequently lost a total of CAD $906.
I am providing a copy of the original email I sent to Boho Casino as evidence of my self-exclusion request, including the date and time it was sent.
I believe that once I clearly communicated my intention to self-exclude and followed the procedure provided by Boho Casino, my account should have been restricted in accordance with their responsible gambling obligations. Instead, the account remained active and I was permitted to continue gambling.
I have contacted Boho Casino regarding the matter and requested reimbursement, but the issue has not been resolved.
I am therefore asking AskGamblers to review the evidence and assist me in obtaining reimbursement of the CAD $906 I lost after submitting my self-exclusion request.
I am providing the following evidence:
- The email sent to Boho Casino on July 15, 2026, at 12:25 PM Pacific Time requesting self-exclusion;
- Evidence of the deposits and losses made after my self-exclusion request;
- My subsequent communication with Boho Casino requesting reimbursement.
My requested resolution is reimbursement of the full CAD $906 lost after my self-exclusion request was submitted.
Resolved
I am a VIP player at this casino, where I’m told withdrawals would be processed in under an hour and my contact with their online tier 1 support keeps telling me requests are processed on a first come, first serve basis which is their standard response.
Although they have not been completely ignorant of my emails, they are not addressing my concerns either and I’m afraid that i may never get paid out.
I want to also mention that I won on a straight deposit and did not use any type of bonus that has been offered to me.
My first withdrawal was requested on August 31, at 22:23 at $6000 because that is the maximum they will allow through e-transfer so there were 4 withdrawals made totalling $22,000 and being a VIP player grants me higher withdrawal limits.
So I am submitting this complaint in hopes to obtain my winnings and to also make others aware of what they might have to go through if they continue to use this site.
My account still has funds in it, which I hope to be able to withdraw as well.
Barb
Resolved
I have a pending withdrawal on the casino, but its been pending for one week. They also used long time to verify my account. When trying to ask them the reason of the delay, they say a standard phrase «alot of people are withdrawing»
I have tried to chat with the customerservice a lot of time. Classical delay tactics
Resolved
Across all casinos, AGCCS has processed 38,719 complaints and returned $91,794,154 to players. Browse all complaints →
For operators
Applying for the Certificate of Trust
What Certification Gives You
- The Certificate of Trust badge on your AskGamblers review page
- A place in our Certified Casinos directory
- Documented proof of trustworthiness you can display on your own website
- The credibility of a certification earned by fewer than 10% of applicants
What You Must Put in Place
- A dedicated Complaint page linking to the AskGamblers Complaint Service submission form
- The AskGamblers logo in your website footer, linked to your AskGamblers review page
- Both placements checked
- Operators above 9.5 CasinoRank may be exempt from both requirements
Check Before You Apply
- ≥ 6 months listed on AskGamblers
- CasinoRank ≥ 8.00
- Required AGCCS resolution rate
- Pending and e-wallet withdrawals completed within 24 hours, including weekends
- Self-serve responsible-gambling limits and self-exclusion
- Documented AML and funding policies
- Accepted gambling licence
- Fair, secure and transparent operations
The certificate is not for sale. Advertising spend, affiliate terms and commercial relationships have no bearing on the certification outcome.
Casinos That Hold the Certificate of Trust Today
Here you can see all the casinos that currently hold the Certificate of Trust. If a casino is not on this list, it is not certified.
FAQ
Can a casino buy the Certificate of Trust?
No.
AskGamblers does not sell the Certificate of Trust. We grant it only to casinos that meet our certification standards, and commercial relationships have no bearing on the decision.
How do I know a Certificate of Trust badge is genuine?
There are three quick checks. One, the badge should link to the casino's AskGamblers review page. Two, the badge should also appear on that review page. Three, the casino should appear in our Certified Casinos directory. If any of these checks fail, treat the badge as suspicious and report it to us.
Does the Certificate of Trust mean I will get paid?
It means the casino has met our payout standard, achieved the required complaint resolution rate and provided a route for players to escalate complaints through AskGamblers.
But it's not a guarantee.
If something does go wrong, you can submit a complaint through AGCCS.
How is this different from a gambling licence?
A gambling licence is permission to operate from a state or regulatory authority.
The Certificate of Trust is different. It's our independent audit of how a casino actually treats players, including payout speed, complaint resolution and responsible-gambling tools.
A certified casino must also hold an accepted gambling licence. The Certificate of Trust doesn't replace regulation; it adds another layer of scrutiny.
What are the certification criteria?
A casino must meet all nine standards, including a CasinoRank of at least 8.00, the required AGCCS resolution rate, fast payouts and genuine responsible-gambling tools.
It must also have documented AML and funding policies, fair, secure and transparent operations, an accepted gambling licence, at least six months on AskGamblers with a clean reputation cross-check, and the required AGCCS and AskGamblers website integration.
Why have fewer than 50 casinos earned the certificate?
Because the vetting is genuinely rigorous. Out of the hundreds of casinos we've reviewed and considered for certification, fewer than 10% have been approved.
Can the certificate expire?
It doesn't have a fixed expiry date. But that doesn't mean it lasts forever. Certified casinos are continuously monitored. If a casino no longer meets the standards, it can lose the certificate.
Can a casino lose the Certificate of Trust?
Yes. If a casino no longer meets one of the certification standards, we notify it and give it a fixed period to resolve the issue.
If the issue isn't fixed, the certificate can be suspended or removed.
What happens if a certified casino treats me badly?
Tell us. You can file a complaint through the AskGamblers Complaint Service. Certified casinos are held to a higher complaint-resolution standard, so failing to resolve player issues can directly affect their certification.
Why isn't a newly opened casino certified?
Because there's no meaningful track record yet. We require a casino to have been listed on AskGamblers for at least six months before it can apply. That gives us time to see how it actually operates and treats players.
When were these standards last updated?
Standards v3.1 were published in August 2026. We publish a changelog whenever a certification standard or threshold changes.
