How We Review Operators: PHTTT's Rules for Itself
PHTTT explains game mechanics, where the rules are printed on the paytable. Describing operators needs rules of a different sort: rules for the writer. PHTTT is an independent guide, not a casino; it takes no deposits and runs no games, and its readers are adults aged 21+. These are the rules.
Rule one: describe, do not grade
PHTTT describes what an operator makes public. It does not award scores, stars or positions in a list. A grade claims knowledge of how an operator behaves toward its players, and that knowledge is not available from outside. Description is all a guide can do, and it is done carefully.
Rule two: use the same seven criteria every time
| Criterion | What a page will tell you | What it will not tell you |
|---|---|---|
| Licence disclosure | Whether a licensed company is named and how to match it on PAGCOR's published list | Whether the operator treats players well |
| Payment rails | Which e-wallets and bank rails are stated | The operator's fees, minimums or speed |
| Terms clarity | Whether wagering, max bet and expiry are plainly written | How strictly they are enforced |
| KYC rules | Which documents are named and when | How long verification takes |
| Complaint route | Whether a written escalation path exists | How disputes are decided |
| Responsible-gaming tools | Which limits and exclusions are offered | Whether they apply instantly |
| Support channels and app distribution | What contact routes are listed; whether any app comes only from the operator's own domain | The quality of support or the contents of a file |
Rule three: say what cannot be known
The right-hand column above is not an apology; it is information. Operator payout times, fees, minimums and bonus amounts are set by the operator, and the only current source is its cashier and promotions pages. PHTTT says so each time the subject comes up and does not substitute estimates, averages or other players' stories.
Rule four: print only public facts as facts
- Licence status, as shown on the regulator's own list.
- Terms, as published on the date read.
- Game RTP, volatility and max win, as published by the studio.
- Rail behaviour: InstaPay is real-time and capped per transaction; PESONet settles in batches on banking days.
Rule five: disclose the money
PHTTT may link to operators through partner links and may earn a commission when a reader registers. This is how the guide is paid for. The corresponding rule is absolute: no payment changes wording. An operator cannot buy a description, amend one or have a caution deleted, and pages without partner links are written under the same rules as pages with them.
Rule six: no borrowed authority
No invented reviewer names, no stock-photo experts, no 'our team verified' lines for checks that were not carried out, and no player counts or win stories. If a statement cannot be supported by a public page, it is left out.
Rule seven: date everything and defer when stale
Each page carries a modified date. Operators change terms; when a change is found the page is corrected. In the meantime, the operator's live page is the authority on its rules and PAGCOR's list is the authority on licensing. Readers should prefer both to this guide wherever they differ.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why does PHTTT not rank casinos?
Ranking implies measured performance. PHTTT can only observe disclosure, so it describes and does not rank.
Are PHTTT's operator pages advertisements?
They may contain partner links, which is disclosed. The wording is not paid for and follows the rules on this page.
Who writes the pages?
PHTTT publishes as a guide and does not attach individual names. The method, not a byline, is what readers are asked to assess.
What should I check myself before depositing?
The licence on PAGCOR's list, the cashier page for limits and fees, and the bonus terms in full.