Jarosch has previously contributed to many successful iGaming campaigns. He has personally overseen the rise of many startups, which are leaders in their field of expertise right now. His work hasn’t gone unnoticed. During his tenure at different companies, Jarosch is responsible for winning key awards, including: 

His inside-out knowledge of the industry makes him a great fit for our interview regarding bonuses and what makes online casinos the best. 

TheGamblest: Let’s start with the basics — what traditional factors have historically defined a “top” online casino, and why do you think that’s changing? 

Historically, a top casino was defined by the welcome offer, a big brand name, the game selection and the licensing authority. An attractive welcome bonus at a well known operator and a lineup of the most popular game studios were enough to get players excited. To be considered a top casino today, you need to go the extra mile and build trust with your visitors. Players have become more experienced and are looking for transparency, quick withdrawals, localization, responsible gaming tools and unique player experience 

TheGamblest: Bonuses are still popular, but are they enough to build long-term player loyalty? What else matters today? 

A strong first deposit bonus helps with initial acquisition, but to build loyalty, you need to look beyond that. It’s important to keep players engaged through personalized CRM, fair bonus conditions, gamification, fast payouts, and top-notch customer support. Players who get bored will quickly move on to the next casino. 

TheGamblest: When evaluating online casinos, what lesser-known criteria do you believe should carry more weight? 

We always check the terms and conditions regarding the monthly withdrawal limits, wager requirements and bonus restrictions. Players expect RTPs with payouts that are in line with industry standards and will benchmark them with other casinos. Another one is the KYC process, as it can be a major deal breaker if it is too lengthy and inconsistent. Most modern casinos offer responsible gaming tools and self-exclusion options, but it is important to highlight how they can be applied. On sites like Casino Groups, players can find out which platforms the casinos are using and how they compare to other software solutions in terms of performance and reliability. 

TheGamblest: How do things like customer support, mobile UX, or payout speed factor into your review process? 

They are all critical and play a major role in our reviews. About 80% of our visitors use mobile devices, which is why mobile UX is especially important. Customer support should be localized and available in the players’ language. Fast response times and professional assistance leave a strong impression on new players and can make a significant difference. Payout speeds directly impact player trust and satisfaction. We often have visitors asking about casinos with the fastest payout speeds, so that is obviously a major factor. 

TheGamblest: Is licensing and regulation still a key differentiator, or has it become more of a baseline expectation for operators? 

Sebastian: It has become more of a baseline expectation but nowadays you see lesser known licenses becoming popular again, like Anjouan Gaming, Kahnawake or Tobique. The players want to know how well these licenses protect them and how they compare to strict regulators like the MGA. Licenses can also evolve over the years. Curacao licensed casinos used to be far more unpredictable than they are today for example.

TheGamblest: Many casinos now offer gamification, missions, and loyalty systems. How do these features impact user experience and your evaluation?

Gamification can significantly enhance the user experience and reduce churn. Missions, tournaments, and VIP programs create engagement and help keep players active. It is important that these features are transparent, with clear terms and conditions, so that players fully understand the mechanics. We also evaluate loyalty schemes in our reviews and include them in our ratings.  

TheGamblest: How do you account for regional differences in what players value when building your rankings? 

Regional differences play a major role when building rankings and start with country restrictions. Players want to know if they are eligible to sign up for a specific offer before they click on it. In certain jurisdictions, some types of bonuses perform better than others. Localized payment methods are absolutely crucial in any market. Customer support languages, local game providers, and website translations all play major roles when it comes to determining rankings.

TheGamblest: Do you see a growing demand for casinos with provably fair games, crypto payments, or other niche offerings?

Crypto payments are gaining ground among mainstream casinos, especially among younger players. We have started reviewing pure Crypto-Casinos for example and are seeing that players are more and more attracted to them. Provably fair games offer a high level of transparency and are therefore growing in popularity. Players want more control and flexibility, which is why casinos that offer these options are gaining an edge over their competition.

TheGamblest: How do you handle player complaints or ongoing feedback when determining whether a casino still deserves its ranking?

Player feedback is crucial and directly influences our ratings. We have our own complaint channels, but we also monitor casino watchdog sites like Casino Guru and Trustpilot for additional player feedback. If we find that players are consistently unhappy with a specific online casino, we lower its ranking or remove the listing entirely.  

TheGamblest: Looking ahead, how do you think the definition of a “best” casino will evolve over the next 3–5 years?

The future best casinos will be shaped by the player needs. AI and automation will play a much bigger role in terms of CRM, language support and personalization. Casinos will be selected based on trust, transparency, speed, and fairness. Players will expect seamless experiences, instant payouts, localized offerings, and genuine responsible gaming practices. Operators and affiliates will need to differentiate by offering innovative and player centric products to earn customer loyalty.