How We Rate Casinos
We take our online casino reviews very seriously, so we want to discuss how we rate casinos. We want you to have all the information you need before signing up. This way, we know you will be back here whenever you search for a new place to play. In the following guide to how we rate casinos, you will find the main criteria we assess in each review. You'll also discover more about our editorial and fact-checking process. So, let's get right into it…
Why you can trust GamblingAuthority
We pride ourselves on being a trustworthy resource for your gambling needs. We focus on three main areas. The first is our experience—each member of the GamblingAuthority team has years of first-hand knowledge of UK online casinos, sports betting sites, and other gambling entities.
Secondly, we are 100% independent and free from bias – we’ll always tell you what’s hot and what’s not.
And finally, we don’t feature any sites with a less-than-stellar reputation or a string of red flags. After all, we want you to return whenever you’re hungry for more. And the best way for us to do that is to be completely honest with you.
How we rate casinos in the UK
Below are all of the main criteria we consider when reviewing gambling sites. We're meticulous in our approach and dig into every corner to fully assess each UK site.
Casino welcome bonus
When choosing new online casino sites in the UK, we seek the best welcome bonus with free spins. But we also read every last detail of the T&Cs to ensure there are no nasty surprises. This way, you can play your bonus money and free spins with peace of mind.
Casino free spins
Free spins (or bonus spins in the UK) come in many forms. Some are available when signing up (no deposit required), while others form part of a deposit bonus. Either way, we check the value of the spins, the eligible casino games and the T&Cs so you can play them carefree.
Casino promotions
Once you’ve played through your welcome bonus, you’ll no doubt be hungry for more deals, freebies and extras. Therefore, we always check each casino’s promotions to ensure enough seasonal offers, cashback bonuses, reload bonuses, VIP loyalty bonuses and slots tournaments to sustain you in the long run.
Wagering requirements
Looking at the wagering requirements for any casino or sportsbook deal is vital. We do most of the hard work for you and explain these tricky terms and conditions in plain English. So you will know exactly what you need to wager and which games are eligible.
Games selection
Most UK casinos offer video slots, progressive jackpots, and table games like online baccarat, blackjack, and roulette. But we’re also looking out for those who want live casino games and sports betting. If there are thousands of games, we look for great filtering options, too.
Site design
A site should not only be good-looking but also well-laid-out and organised. It shouldn’t take multiple clicks to get where you need to go. Therefore, we’re always on the lookout for UK online casinos and sports betting sites that are easy to use and easy on the eye.
Site reputation
Gambling sites in the UK live or die by their reputation. So, we always monitor other reviews, gambling forums, and social media to gauge how other players are responding. If we find any red flags, we’ll be sure to tell you about the good, the bad, and the ugly.
Payment methods
Players in the UK cannot use credit cards for gambling. However, we want to see as many payment methods as possible when reviewing a site. That way, you can make deposits and withdraw your winnings via debit cards, bank transfers, PayPal, Skrill, Trustly, Paysafecard, Bitcoin and many others.
Withdrawal times
Just as critical as having a wide range of payment methods, we want to see lightning-fast payment processing speeds and quick withdrawal times. Ideally, you should be able to get ahold of your money within a few hours. And if not, we’ll be sure to highlight any tardiness.
Customer support
Having someone knowledgeable available no matter the time of day or night is critical to a good casino or sports betting experience. That’s why we always test out the customer support team when writing a review. This way, you’ll know you can get an issue nipped in the bud.
UKGC licensing
Playing at gambling sites in the United Kingdom is easier because of the excellent UK Gambling Commission. This notoriously strict licensing authority will have your back if you even get into a dispute with a site. Therefore, we always highlight UKGC-licensed sites.
Safety and security
In addition to guaranteeing fully licensed online casinos and sportsbook sites, we check each company's safety and security features. We look for robust data protection policies and the latest encryption technology. Your data is important.
We’ve made it easy to sign up at online casinos
Now you know how we rate casinos. So, whether you’re looking for a new online casino, a sports betting site or something with a little bit of everything, we’ve made the whole process dead simple. Browse and filter our lists of the best online casinos and casino bonuses. Once you have a short list, read through our expert reviews and find the one that’s best for you and your preferences. One click will take you directly to the gambling site’s sign-up page. After filling in a few details, you can claim your welcome bonus and play your favourite games.
How We Rate Casinos FAQ
Peter is our Editor-in-Chief at Gamblingauthority. He has more than eigth years of experience from the iGaming industry and is a valuable resource for everything related to online casinos.
Read more about the author