How We Review and Rate Online Casinos
We take our online casino reviews and sportsbook assessments very seriously – which is why we want to discuss how we rate casinos. That’s because we want you to have every possible piece of information before signing up. In this way, we know that you will be back here whenever searching for a new place at which to play. In the following guide to how we rate casinos, you will find out about 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 when choosing your next online gambling site
We pride ourselves on being a trustworthy resource for your gambling needs. There are three main areas upon which we focus. The first area is our experience – each member of the GamblingAuthority team has years of first-hand knowledge at 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 and sports betting sites in the UK
Below are all of the main criteria we are looking at when reviewing gambling sites. We’re meticulous in our approach. And we dig into every corner to fully assess each UK site.
Casino Welcome bonus
When choosing new online casino sites in the UK, we’re looking for 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. In 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 there are enough seasonal offers, reload bonuses and slots tournaments to sustain you in the long run.
Sportsbook promotions
Gambling sites dedicated to sports betting will often feature different promotions compared to online casinos. This requires a different set of expertise. Luckily, our sports betting team members have got everything you need to know about placing accas and betting in play.
Free bets
Free bets (or bonus bets in the UK) are a big draw for sports betting aficionados. But there are lots of details that can make one sports betting deal better than another. So, we go to town and check all the T&Cs for things like the max bonus bet, wagering requirements and more.
Wagering requirements
Looking in detail at the wagering requirements for any casino or sportsbook deal is absolutely 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 will have video slots, progressive jackpots and table games like online baccarat, online blackjack and online roulette. But we’re also looking out for those who want live casino games and sports betting. And 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 as well as being easy on the eye.
Site reputation
Gambling sites in the UK live or die by their reputation. So, we always keep an eye on other reviews, gambling forums and social media to get a feel for how other players are responding. And 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. In that way, you can make deposits and withdraw your winnings via debit cards, bank transfers, PayPal, 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. In 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 made 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 out the safety and security features of each company we review. In particular, we’re looking for robust data protection policies and the latest encryption technology. Your data is important.
We’ve made it easy to sign up at online gambling sites in the UK
Whether you’re looking for a new online casino, a sports betting site or something that has a little bit of everything, we’ve made the whole process dead simple. Browse and filter our lists of the best online casinos, deposit bonuses and sportsbook free bets. Once you have a short list, read through our expert reviews and find the one that’s best for you and your preferences. From there, one click will take you directly to the gambling site’s sign-up page. After filling in a few details, you’ll be ready to claim your welcome bonus and play your favourite games.
How We Rate Casinos FAQ
Are GamblingAuthority reviews 100% unbiased?
Yes. Even though we earn a small commission from affiliate links, we are committed to being honest, independent and free from bias. The online casinos and sports betting sites featured on our site have no say in our editorial content. We believe that honesty is the best policy.
How do I know if an online casino has a UKGC license?
We will always tell you about the licenses held by a gambling site in our reviews. But if you wish to verify this info for yourself, do the following. Head down to the online casino footer. There you will find links to whichever casino and/or sportsbook licenses are held by the site.
Does GamblingAuthority test out customer support?
We always do this. And there are several reasons why. So, aside from wanting to see 24-hour support, we want to test their response times, friendliness and casino knowledge. Therefore, we send questions over to the team via live chat and email to see what they're made of.
How can I find the RTP for an online slot game?
Again, we will display this information in our online slot reviews. But if you want to check it for yourself, here's what you need to do. Open the game and go to the info or paytable section. You should find the RTP and volatility displayed there. If not, head to the providers' website.
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