Last reviewed: 2026-05-12 17:16:54 UTC · Algorithm version: 1.0.0
What is NDB TrustGrade?
NDB TrustGrade is a composite editorial rating from 0 to 5 that NoDepositBonus.cc assigns to each casino we list. It is computed automatically from eight weighted pillars and is recalculated on every meaningful update plus periodically by background jobs. The scoring algorithm is fully disclosed below so readers and operators can understand exactly what we measure and what we do not.
Editorial principles (what does NOT influence the score)
- Affiliate revenue, commission tiers, or payouts from operators have ZERO weight in the score.
- Operators cannot pay to alter or improve their TrustGrade.
- Internal promotional positioning (featured / homepage spots) does not influence the score.
- Click-through rate, traffic-driven revenue, and conversions are excluded from the formula.
Final formula
where w_i is the configured weight for pillar i (sum equals 1.0), s_i is its sub-score in [0, 1], and p_j are penalty multipliers in [0, 1] applied for the conditions listed below.
Pillars and weights
| Pillar | Weight | Signals |
|---|---|---|
| Reputation & Trust | 25.0% | Disclosed regulator (MGA, UKGC, Curaçao, etc.), brand age, closure status. |
| Player Sentiment | 20.0% | Bayesian-smoothed mean of verified user reviews. |
| Bonus Value | 15.0% | Active bonuses, wagering requirements, max cashout, exclusive offers, no-deposit availability. |
| Games & Content | 12.0% | Number of software providers integrated, declared payout percentage. |
| Payments & Speed | 12.0% | Deposit and withdrawal methods, crypto support, payout percentage. |
| Support & UX | 8.0% | Mobile readiness and pros/cons editorial balance. |
| Popularity & Engagement | 5.0% | First-party page traffic last 90 days, log-ratio normalized to 95th percentile. |
| AI Staff Signal | 3.0% | Editorial-approved staff score, used as a small smoothing prior. |
Player Sentiment — Bayesian smoothing
- $R$ — average user rating for this casino (5-point scale, sourced from wpDiscuz aggregates).
- $v$ — verified review count.
- $C$ — global cross-site review average (re-computed every 6 hours).
- $m$ — prior weight (default 10), tuned to dampen low-volume swings.
The result is normalized to [0, 1] by dividing by 5 before entering the weighted sum.
Popularity & Engagement — log-ratio normalization
Where v_i is the page-views count over the last 90 days for casino i, and v_p95 is the 95th-percentile of view counts across all casinos in the same window. We use first-party tracking via Post Views Counter Pro — no third-party trackers feed this signal.
Penalty multipliers
Penalties are applied multiplicatively to the weighted sum. Multiple triggers compound.
| Code | Multiplier | Trigger |
|---|---|---|
closed | × 0.20 | Casino is editorially flagged as closed / no longer operating. |
no_license | × 0.70 | No regulator declared in our records. |
low_tier_license | × 0.92 | Lower-tier offshore jurisdiction declared. |
new_brand | × 0.92 | Brand established less than one year ago. |
low_data | × 0.95 | Fewer than three pillars had real data available. |
Update cadence
- Event-driven: any save of a casino or related bonus triggers a single-casino recalculation within ~30 seconds.
- Daily light pass: every day at 03:00 UTC for fast-moving signals (popularity, sentiment).
- Weekly full pass: every Sunday at 04:00 UTC, all pillars recomputed for every casino as a safety net.
Editorial overrides
In rare cases (e.g., regulator action, confirmed scam reports) our editorial team can override the algorithmic score. Overrides are stored with a reason, an auditing user, and a timestamp, and are clearly labeled on the casino page.
Important disclaimer.
NDB TrustGrade is an editorial assessment for informational purposes only. It is not legal advice, financial advice, or a guarantee of safety, fairness, or availability in your jurisdiction. Online gambling involves risk of financial loss; play responsibly. If you or someone you know has a gambling problem, please visit GambleAware
or GamCare.
Algorithm changelog
- v1.0.0 — First public release: 8 pillars (Reputation 25%, Sentiment 20%, Bonus Value 15%, Games 12%, Payments 12%, Support 8%, Popularity 5%, AI Staff Signal 3%); penalty multipliers for closed, no_license, low_tier_license, new_brand, low_data.