Wager Layer is an independent research and analysis publication. We do not fabricate test results, manufacture scores, or write promotional content dressed as analysis.
Every claim we publish is sourced from primary documents, regulatory filings, platform terms, or attributed community reports. This page explains exactly how we work.
Position
What Wager Layer is — and is not
Wager Layer is not a traditional casino review site. We do not score platforms on vague criteria, award badges, or publish content whose primary purpose is generating affiliate clicks. The online gambling affiliate space is saturated with sites that produce shallow, interchangeable content — content that exists to rank for keywords, not to genuinely inform the people reading it.
We are building something different: a structured intelligence publication that treats the online gambling space with the same analytical rigour applied to financial services or regulatory compliance.
What we do not do
What we do
Research Inputs
Our sources
Wager Layer analysis is built from four primary source categories. We do not publish claims that cannot be traced to at least one of these.
Primary platform documents
Terms of Service, Bonus Terms, Privacy Policies, Responsible Gaming documentation, and any other publicly published policy documents from the platform itself. We read these in full, cite specific sections when relevant, and capture dated snapshots when terms change. This is the foundation of every platform analysis we publish.
Regulatory & legislative sources
State legislature websites, Attorney General offices, court records, CFTC and FTC filings, and official government press releases. For state legal status determinations, we cite the specific statute or regulatory opinion our assessment is based on. We do not publish legal status assessments without a traceable official source.
Attributed community reports
Player experiences reported in public forums, Reddit communities, Discord servers, and review platforms. We use these as supporting evidence for patterns — not as standalone proof. When we reference community reports, we attribute the source (e.g. "reported in r/SweepstakesCasinos") and note the number of consistent reports where relevant.
Note: Individual community reports may be inaccurate, exaggerated, or represent edge cases. We synthesise patterns across multiple reports rather than presenting single anecdotes as representative findings. Where community data conflicts with platform terms, we present both and note the discrepancy.
Industry news & public records
Published news coverage, company press releases, SEC and regulatory filings, and verifiable industry announcements. For news analysis, we link to primary sources wherever possible. We distinguish between confirmed facts and our editorial analysis of their implications.
Process
How we analyse platforms
Every platform profile on Wager Layer follows a consistent five-step research process.
Step 1
Full T&C review
We read the platform's Terms of Service, Bonus Terms, and any additional policy documents in full. We identify clauses that materially affect users — withdrawal holds, KYC requirements, bonus forfeiture conditions, account closure triggers, and dispute resolution procedures. We note the specific section reference for every clause we cite.
Step 2
Regulatory status assessment
We determine the platform's legal status in each US state it claims to serve, cross-referencing against the relevant state sweepstakes statute, any applicable AG opinions, and the platform's own stated availability list. Discrepancies between what a platform claims and what the law supports are noted explicitly.
Step 3
Community data review
We review publicly available player reports across Reddit, Trustpilot, Discord, and dedicated gambling forums. We look for consistent patterns — repeated complaints about the same issue carry more weight than isolated reports. We distinguish between operational issues (withdrawal delays, KYC problems) and subjective dissatisfaction (game selection, promotional preferences).
Step 4
Editorial assessment
We synthesise the above into a platform profile that separates documented facts from our editorial analysis. Our assessments are clearly labelled as such. Where we express an opinion, we state the basis for it. We do not present opinions as verified facts.
Step 5
Change monitoring
Platform terms, state availability, and regulatory status change. We monitor for material changes and update profiles when verified changes occur. Every update is logged in the platform page's change log with the date and nature of the change. We do not silently edit pages — changes are documented publicly.
Legal Coverage
How we cover regulation
Our regulatory coverage uses official government sources exclusively. For state legal status assessments, we reference the relevant state statute and note the date it was last verified. We do not publish legal status determinations based on platform claims alone — platforms have an incentive to overstate their legal standing.
For legislative tracking, we monitor state legislature websites, committee activity, and bill progress directly. For federal regulatory developments, we monitor CFTC, FTC, and DOJ announcements.
Important disclaimer
Wager Layer's regulatory content is published for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. The legal status of sweepstakes casinos and prediction markets is complex, varies by jurisdiction, and changes frequently. Readers should not rely solely on our assessments for legal decision-making. If you need a definitive legal opinion, consult a qualified attorney in your jurisdiction.
Commercial Transparency
Affiliate relationships
Wager Layer may earn commission when readers click through to platforms and sign up. This is how independent publications in this space sustain themselves. We are transparent about this rather than obscuring it.
Our affiliate policy — three firm rules
We only link to platforms we have analysed. We do not add affiliate links to platforms we have not researched.
Affiliate relationships do not influence analysis. A platform we earn commission from receives the same critical treatment as one we do not.
Affiliate links are always disclosed. Where a link earns commission, it is marked. We do not disguise commercial links as editorial recommendations.
For full details, see our Editorial Standards →
Accuracy
Corrections & updates
We make mistakes. When we do, we correct them publicly and promptly. If you believe any content on Wager Layer contains an error — factual, legal, or analytical — contact us. We investigate every correction request and publish a correction notice on the relevant page if the claim is substantiated.
We do not delete corrections or silently edit pages to remove errors. Corrections are documented in the page change log with the date and nature of the correction.
Wager Layer · wagerlayer.com · Based in Malta · Last reviewed: May 2026 · Terms of Use · Affiliate Disclosure