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Editorial Guidelines / How We Evaluate

AThEME (atheme.eu) helps readers in Austria, Germany and Switzerland choose only vetted online casinos and play responsibly. Our approach is independent, methodical and transparent: we do not sell positions in rankings, and every recommendation is justified with evidence from regulator registers, audit labs and hands-on testing. Below we explain our mission, source policy, scoring model and our 24-step verification, including licensing, security, payments, T&Cs, games, support, mobile UX and local compliance.

Mission & Independence

  • Mission: empower DACH readers to make safe, responsible choices and avoid unlicensed or unfair operators.
  • Independence: no paid placements, no “guaranteed” ratings, no editorial interference from advertisers.
  • Revenue disclosure: some pages contain clearly labelled affiliate links; they never affect scores or ordering.
  • Corrections: we welcome substantiated feedback and update pages promptly when facts change.

Sources, Fact-Checking & Corrections

  • Primary sources first: regulator registers (e.g., GGL — Gemeinsame Glücksspielbehörde der Länder, Halle (Saale); ESBK — Eidgenössische Spielbankenkommission, Bern; Malta Gaming Authority; UK Gambling Commission), official T&Cs, and audit certificates.
  • Verification: cross-check license numbers on the issuer’s website; validate audit seals (eCOGRA — London, GLI, iTech Labs — Melbourne, QUINEL — Malta/Italy); store dated screenshots.
  • Evidence log: time-stamped notes of tests, including cashier flows and support chats.
  • Error policy: report issues via the contact page on atheme.eu; verified corrections are published without delay.

Transparent Scoring Model (100%)

We weight criteria to reflect player risk and relevance. Small page-to-page variations (±2–3 p.p.) are possible, but the logic stays consistent.

  • Licensing & Security — 22%
  • Fairness & Audits — 12%
  • Payments & Payout Speed — 18%
  • Bonus Transparency — 12%
  • Games & Providers — 14%
  • Support — 10%
  • Mobile & UX — 7%
  • Localisation & Responsible Play — 5%

Why these weights? Safety and access to funds are foundational risks; therefore licensing, security and payments carry more weight. Other factors influence long-term satisfaction but should not override basic protections.

Our 24-Step Verification: What We Check and How

Each brand is tested against a 24-step checklist. Where data cannot be measured (e.g., payout pending KYC), we document the reason instead of estimating.

1) Licensing & Security

  • Confirm a current license and jurisdiction; cross-check license ID on the regulator’s site (e.g., MGA, GGL, ESBK, Gibraltar, Isle of Man, Kahnawake).
  • Validate regulator logos link to the correct register entry.
  • Verify SSL/TLS 1.2+ with strong ciphers; check certificate issuer and RSA 2048-bit (or ECDSA equivalent).
  • Review KYC/AML controls for proportionality and GDPR alignment; note any unusual document demands.

2) Fairness & Audits

  • Verify audit seals/certificates (eCOGRA, GLI, iTech Labs, QUINEL) and confirm certificate serials/dates.
  • Review RTP publication policy and any game-specific disclosures.
  • Flag absence of independent testing or unverifiable seals.

3) Games & Providers

  • Assess breadth (slots, tables, live dealer) and presence of demo mode where permitted.
  • Confirm reputable studios (e.g., Playtech, Evolution, Pragmatic Play) and progressive jackpots when applicable (e.g., Mega Moolah, Age of the Gods).
  • Check game search/filters and transparent RTP listings.

4) Bonuses & Terms

  • Parse wagering, deadlines, max bet per spin/round, and game-contribution tables.
  • Identify restricted games, payment method exclusions, or conflicting clauses.
  • Require clear wording in English for DACH users and plain disclosure of country restrictions.

5) Payments & Payout Speed

  • Catalogue DACH-relevant options: SEPA bank transfer, Visa/Mastercard, Trustly, Sofort/Klarna, EPS (AT), Giropay (DE), Paysafecard, Skrill/Neteller.
  • Note fees, minimums/maximums, and supported currencies (EUR/CHF).
  • Conduct real deposits and at least one withdrawal test where feasible; publish observed cashout time (timestamped) without inventing values.
  • Record causes of delay (e.g., KYC steps) when timing is incomplete.

6) Support Quality

  • Verify channels: live chat, email, phone; confirm stated hours (e.g., genuine 24/7 or limited).
  • Test response times with a timer (average in minutes) and evaluate answer accuracy/consistency.
  • Check availability of English support for DACH readers and escalation paths.

7) Mobile & UX

  • Test on recent iOS and Android devices plus responsive web.
  • Measure load times on mobile data/Wi-Fi; note crashes or UI blockers.
  • Evaluate account flows (registration, KYC upload, cashier, limits) for friction.

8) Localisation & Compliance

  • Confirm English interface quality and availability of EUR/CHF.
  • Check links to responsible-gaming tools: self-exclusion (e.g., Germany’s OASIS), deposit/loss limits, reality checks, 18+ signage.
  • Ensure country disclosures and geo-compliance messages are accurate for Austria, Germany and Switzerland.

Editorial Team & Quality Control

  • Authors: analysts with experience in compliance, payments and game testing; editors trained in risk and clarity.
  • Two-stage review: author → editor/fact-checker, then sign-off by a section lead.
  • Review cadence: high-traffic or high-risk reviews revisited every 60–90 days, or immediately after major changes (license, ownership, regulator action, payment outages).

Blacklist & Exclusions

  • Red flags: no valid license, persistent non-payment or arbitrary confiscations, misleading T&Cs, unreachable support, unresolved player complaints with evidence.
  • Process: entries require documented cases (e.g., regulator sanctions, certified player correspondence). Operators may be removed after verified remediation and a clean re-test.

Responsible Play & Legal Notices

  • Age restrictions: gambling is for adults (generally 18+; follow local law).
  • Support resources: Germany — BZgA “Check-dein-Spiel”, Deutsche Hauptstelle für Suchtfragen (DHS); Austria — Gesundheit.gv.at and Verein Spielerhilfe; Switzerland — Sucht Schweiz and SafeZone.ch.
  • Disclaimer: AThEME provides informational content, not legal, financial or therapeutic advice. Always comply with your local regulations.

Feedback & Contact

To report an error, share evidence or request a re-test, use the contact page on atheme.eu. We log all reports, prioritise urgent risks and respond with outcomes after review.