Last updated: June 2026 — Nadia Fonseca, Montrealarabic
At Montrealarabic.com, every casino review you read is the result of a structured, hands-on evaluation process led by our founder and lead reviewer, Nadia Fonseca. We exist to help Canadian players make informed decisions about new online casinos in 2026, and that mission only means something if our ratings are honest, consistent, and built on real experience. This page explains exactly how we assess each casino, what criteria matter most, and why you can trust what we publish.
Every casino featured on Montrealarabic is personally tested by Nadia Fonseca before a single word of review copy is written. Nadia does not rely on operator-supplied information, press releases, or secondhand accounts. She creates real player accounts, makes actual deposits using payment methods available to Canadian players, claims bonuses under standard conditions, plays a cross-section of games, contacts customer support with genuine queries, and tests the withdrawal process from start to finish. Only after completing this full cycle does the review process begin.
This hands-on approach reflects our commitment to expertise built through direct experience, not speculation. Nadia has spent years evaluating the online casino landscape in Canada and brings that accumulated knowledge to every rating decision.
Before investing time in a full review, we confirm that the casino meets basic standards. This includes verifying that the operator holds a valid gaming licence, that the platform accepts Canadian players legally, and that the site uses SSL encryption and responsible gambling tools. Casinos that fail this initial check are not reviewed and are not recommended.
Nadia registers a genuine account using standard Canadian details, going through the full KYC process as any real player would. A real deposit is made to test the payment experience, processing times, and any potential friction points that only become visible once real money is involved.
Welcome bonuses and promotions are claimed and tested. Nadia reads the full terms and conditions, attempts to meet wagering requirements, and documents any restrictions that could affect real players. Marketing language is compared against actual bonus behaviour.
A selection of slots, table games, and live dealer titles are played to assess variety, loading speed, fairness certification, and overall quality of the gaming library. Software providers are noted and verified.
Nadia contacts support through every available channel, including live chat, email, and phone where applicable, with realistic questions that a Canadian player might ask. Response times, accuracy of answers, and professionalism are all recorded.
The casino is accessed on mobile devices across both iOS and Android environments. We assess whether a dedicated app is available, how the browser-based experience performs, and whether all key features work correctly on smaller screens.
A withdrawal request is submitted and tracked through to completion. Processing time, verification requirements, and any unexpected fees are documented.
All data gathered across Steps 1 through 7 is compiled and scored against our weighted criteria. The final review is then written based entirely on findings from this process.
We score each casino on a scale of 1 to 10, where 1 represents an unacceptable experience and 10 represents outstanding quality with no meaningful drawbacks. The overall score is a weighted average calculated from six core criteria:
| Criteria | Weighting | What We Evaluate |
|---|---|---|
| Licensing and Safety | 25% | Valid licence from a recognised authority, SSL encryption, fair play certification, responsible gambling tools, and player fund protection |
| Bonuses and Promotions | 20% | Bonus value, wagering requirements, maximum bet rules, time limits, game restrictions, and ongoing promotions for existing players |
| Game Selection | 20% | Total number of titles, variety of categories, software provider quality, live dealer offering, and availability of games popular with Canadian players |
| Payment Methods | 15% | Deposit and withdrawal options relevant to Canada, processing times, fees, minimum and maximum limits, and ease of the transaction process |
| Customer Support | 10% | Availability hours, response speed, accuracy, channel options, and quality of assistance provided during real interactions |
| Mobile Experience | 10% | App availability, browser compatibility, load times, navigation on small screens, and full feature accessibility on mobile devices |
Independence is at the core of everything we do. Montrealarabic earns revenue through affiliate partnerships with some of the casinos we review. We believe in being fully transparent about this. However, our commercial relationships have no influence over our scores or written assessments. Here is how we protect editorial independence:
Our reputation with Canadian players depends on the accuracy and honesty of our reviews. We take that responsibility seriously and will always prioritise the interests of our readers over those of casino operators.
The online casino industry changes quickly. Licences can be revoked, bonus terms can shift, and new payment options can appear. Nadia Fonseca revisits published reviews on a regular basis to ensure that scores and information remain accurate and relevant for Canadian players in 2