When I test new casinos, I don’t trust my memory. Three tabs in, everything starts to look the same. So I built a simple “shortlist stack” that keeps my picks clear, ranked, and easy to revisit. I’m dropping it below – feel free to pick it up.
While I build a shortlist, I like brands that make the “first test” easy. Lucky 7 Casino has 5,000+ games, a welcome pack that covers your first four deposits, plus weekly reload deals and a VIP level with cashback and spins. Add 24/7 support and many payment methods, including crypto.
The Tool Set I Use to Organize my Casino List
Here are the 8 tools I use to keep the mess under control.
Tool 1: A One-Page Scorecard Template
This is the backbone. One page. Same fields every time. My scorecard has two parts:
● Must-Haves: license info, my payment method, game makers I play, cashout rules, support options
● Reality Check: signup time, KYC steps, withdrawal time (or promise), limits, any weird rule I spot
I keep each field short. One line each. If I can’t explain it in one line, I don’t know it well enough yet.
Tool 2: A Spreadsheet Tracker With Filters
The scorecard helps me judge one site. The sheet helps me compare ten. I use a basic table with filters. Nothing fancy. Columns like:
● Brand Name
● Country Access (works / blocked / shaky)
● Payment Methods I can use
● Min Deposit
● KYC Style (easy, medium, painful)
● Cashout Notes (speed + limits)
● Games Tested (just 2–3 names)
● Final Status (Testing / Approved / Dropped)
The “Min Deposit” column tells me if I can do a quick first run without forcing a big commitment. I tag low-entry options as “small-test friendly,” and I keep a reference like 5e talletus to spot casinos that allow that kind of start.
Pro tip: add quick filters that match real life. I use: Fast Cashout, Crypto, Mobile Good, Live Games, and No-Nonsense KYC. Now I can sort my shortlist in seconds, not minutes.
Tool 3: A “Dealbreaker List” Note
What saves me the most time is a short note I check before I go deeper. Here are a few dealbreakers from my own list:
● My payment method shows up on the site, but vanishes in the cashier
● Support refuses to answer a simple limit question
● Withdrawal rules look like a trap (odd fees, tiny limits, unclear steps)
● The terms page feels sloppy or full of contradictions
● The site pushes me into extra steps that make no sense
This note keeps me strict. If a place hits two dealbreakers, I mark it Dropped and move on.
Tool 4: Browser Bookmarks With Tags
Most people bookmark homepages. I bookmark proof pages. My folder setup looks like this:
● Shortlist – Testing
● Shortlist – Approved
● Shortlist – Dropped
Inside each, I save links to pages I actually need later:
Cashier page
● Withdrawal rules / limits page
● Promo page (even if I don’t use it, I want to see the terms)
● Support page / live chat entry
If your browser supports tags, use them. Mine are simple: fast, mobile, crypto, slots, live, and KYC.
Tool 5: Screenshots With a Naming Rule
Screenshots beat memory. Every time. I take shots of things that can change or get “edited” later:
● Withdrawal limits
● Fee lines in the cashier
● KYC requirements page
● Support answers (chat window or email)
Then I name files like this:
● Brand_Date_WhatItIs
● Example: LuckyHarp_2026-01-11_WithdrawalLimits.png
Later, when I write a review or re-check a site, I don’t guess. I open the screenshot and confirm what I saw.
Tool 6: A Repeat Test Script
This is how I keep tests fair. Same steps for every new place. No special treatment. Here’s my basic script:
1. Create an account (I note how many steps and how long it takes)
2. Open the cashier (I check my method and the min deposit)
3. Find 2–3 games I know (same makers, same style each time)
4. Ask support one real question (not “hi,” a real limit or KYC question)
5. Read the withdrawal page and look for limits, fees, and waiting rules
6. Write a 3-line summary: one good, one bad, one “watch this”
Tool 7: A Password Manager + Email Aliases
If you test a lot of casinos, logins get messy fast. I don’t reuse passwords, and I don’t trust my brain to track them.
My setup includes a password manager for unique logins and one email alias per brand. I also add a note inside the entry for the support chat link, my user ID, and ticket numbers.
Tool 8: A Reminder System for Follow-Ups
A shortlist dies when you forget to follow up. So I set reminders for anything that matters:
● Pending withdrawal status check
● KYC follow-up if the docs sit too long
● Support reply deadline (“If no answer by tomorrow, drop it”)
● Re-check dates for sites I like but don’t fully trust yet
How I Cut a Long List Down to 3 Final Picks
When my sheet gets crowded, I pick three “roles,” not three random winners:
1) Main Pick: the one that fits my normal play style
2) Testing Pick: the place I use to try new games or new makers
3) Backup Pick: solid basics, good payments, no drama
And yes, I keep a Dropped log. That way, I don’t “re-discover” the same bad option three months later.
Conclusion: A Shortlist That Stays Clean
My big lesson: the best shortlist is not the biggest one. It’s the one you can trust a month later. Start with the scorecard and the sheet, then add screenshots and reminders as you go. After that, picking the right casino stops being guesswork and starts feeling simple.