Editorial Guidelines
StanfordKY.org is an independent review site covering online casinos available to Kentucky players. These guidelines explain how we test, evaluate, and rank every casino that appears on our site.
Testing Methodology
Every casino on our site is tested using real money from a Kentucky-based account. Our reviewer, Earl "Buck" Saddler, personally creates an account, makes deposits, plays games, and times withdrawals at each casino before it earns a listing. No casino is reviewed based on press materials, marketing claims, or second-hand information alone.
Our testing process follows four steps:
- Account Creation — We sign up from a Kentucky IP address, verify identity requirements, and note the registration experience.
- Deposit Testing — We fund accounts using both crypto and fiat methods, testing minimum deposits, processing times, and bonus crediting.
- Game Evaluation — We play slots, table games, live dealer, and specialty games with real money, evaluating variety, software quality, and mobile performance.
- Withdrawal Timing — We request withdrawals and time them from submission to receipt. This is the most heavily weighted factor in our rankings.
Ranking Criteria
Casinos are ranked across five weighted factors:
1. Licensing and Security (20%)
A valid license from a recognized jurisdiction is the minimum threshold. We verify SSL encryption, check for audit reports, and research the operator's history and complaint record.
2. Payout Speed and Reliability (30%)
The most heavily weighted factor. We time every withdrawal from request to receipt. Casinos that consistently pay within 48 hours score highest. Sites that stall or impose surprise verification get penalized.
3. Bonus Fairness (20%)
We evaluate the full bonus picture: match percentage, dollar ceiling, wagering requirement, game weighting, max bet limits, and expiration periods. A large bonus with unreasonable clearing conditions scores lower than a modest bonus with fair terms.
4. Game Selection (15%)
We assess breadth and quality across slots, table games, live dealer, and specialty categories. Provider variety matters — sites sourcing from multiple top-tier providers score higher.
5. Kentucky Player Acceptance (15%)
Every listed casino must explicitly accept Kentucky players, allow account creation from Kentucky IP addresses, and have a documented record of paying US-based customers.
Affiliate Disclosure
StanfordKY.org earns revenue through affiliate partnerships with online casinos. When you click a link on our site and create an account, we may receive a commission at no additional cost to you. This is how we fund our testing and keep the site running.
Affiliate commissions do not influence our rankings. Casino placement is determined solely by our testing methodology and ranking criteria described above. We have declined to list casinos that offered higher commissions but failed our testing standards, and we have featured casinos with lower commission rates because they delivered a better experience for Kentucky players.
Content Standards
- All claims about payout speeds, bonus amounts, and game counts are verified through personal testing or official casino documentation.
- Legal information is provided for educational purposes and does not constitute legal advice. We recommend consulting an attorney for specific legal questions.
- We include responsible gambling resources and notices on every page. Gambling involves risk, and we encourage readers to set limits and play responsibly.
- Content is reviewed and updated regularly. Dates on each page indicate when it was last verified.
Corrections
If you find an error on our site or believe a casino review contains inaccurate information, please contact us. We take accuracy seriously and will investigate and correct any verified errors promptly.
These guidelines were last updated on March 18, 2026.