How We Rate Gambling Sites
Navigating the world of online gambling sites can sometimes feel like walking through a maze without a map. With so many sites launching every year, you need a reliable way to distinguish between them. That’s exactly where we come in.
We help you sort the wheat from the chaff as we provide honest, thorough reviews of gambling brands not on GamStop. Some UK players seek freedom and variety, but without compromising on safety and quality.
Whether you’re a sports bettor looking for the best odds or a casino enthusiast chasing the latest slots, our team of experts spends hours testing every platform we feature just as you would, ensuring our ratings reflect an authentic experience.
This page breaks down exactly how we reach our verdicts. We believe in total transparency, so walk you through our detailed criteria and the process explaining exactly how we score each site. It puts the power back in your hands.
The Review Process
We don’t believe in guesswork. Our review process is a hands-on evaluation that truly tests all the claims gambling sites make against reality. We meticulously analyse every aspect of the user experience, scoring each category individually before calculating an overall rating.
When we review a site, we register accounts, deposit our own money, and interact with customer support. We test the platform on both desktop and mobile devices..
We assign a numerical score to various categories, which then contributes to an overall rating. This allows you to compare different casinos at a glance. To help you understand what our scores actually mean for your gaming experience, we use the following scale:
| Description | Rating | What it Means |
| Outstanding | 10 | A market leader that sets the standard. It offers a flawless experience with exceptional games, bonuses, and support. |
| Excellent | 9 | Certainly a top-tier choice. While it may have some areas of improvement, it offers a superb environment for almost all players. |
| Above Average | 8 | Still a strong contender that does most things pretty well, but lacks the wow factor of those higher in the rankings. |
| Average | 7 | Just a standard experience. It ticks the boxes for safety and basic gambling, but doesn’t stand out from the crowd. |
| Below Average | 6 or lower | Proceed with caution. These sites have significant flaws, poor terms, or lacklustre features. |
Our Rankings Criteria Explained
A single number doesn’t tell the whole story. So that you have a complete assessment, we break down our analysis into ten critical elements. These factors are the building blocks of a great online gambling site. Here’s what we look for and how each element impacts the final score we give:
Gambling Options
Variety is the spice of life, so it’s arguably the most critical factor in our rating system. We want to see a platform that caters to every type of player. If a site only offers a handful of slots or a limited sportsbook, it simply won’t score well.
For sports betting, we expect extensive coverage that goes beyond the major football leagues and competition. Besides in-depth coverage of other popular sports such as horse racing and tennis, we also seek a good amount of niche ones too. A top-rated site will offer esports, virtual sports, and specials in non-sporting areas like betting on awards, celebrities, political outcomes and reality TV shows.
On the casino side, the game library is a natural starting point. We look for sheer volume, but quality is equally important. You want to see thousands of slots, but also a wide selection of table games.
This includes multiple variants of blackjack, baccarat, and roulette. We also look for a vibrant live dealer section featuring immersive game shows, poker rooms, and other instant-win games. The greater the choice you have, the higher the score we award.
Gaming Software & Extra Features
A casino is only as good as the software that powers it. We analyse the list of providers to ensure you are getting access to fair, high-quality games. Higher scores go to sites that partner with a wide range of top-tier developers, such as NetEnt, Pragmatic Play, Evolution, and Microgaming, as well as innovative boutique studios.
Beyond the games, we look for the extra features that enhance your experience. In the sportsbook, this means additions like live graphics, match trackers, and HD live streaming that allows you to watch the action as you bet.
We also value tools like Edit My Bet or cash out options, detailed statistical hubs, and intuitive bet slips. Sites that invest in this technology, making your session smoother and more engaging will always rank higher in our lists.
Betting Markets & RTP Value
It’s not enough to just cover sports; top sites must offer depth in its betting markets. We check for the availability and breadth of wager types. We also place a huge emphasis on live betting facilities, specifically how responsive the in-play odds are. There’s also the availability of Bet Builders that let you create your own unique wagers.
For casino players, you want a fair chance of winning, and Return to Player (RTP) percentages are the best indicators of that. The best scores go to platforms that host games with high RTPs and favourable payout rates, verified by outside sources. Sites packed with slots offering 96% or higher, and table games with standard house edges, rather than inflated ones, will rank well.
Welcome Packages
The welcome bonus is your handshake with a casino, so we expect it to be firm and generous. We analyse the size of the offer, whether that’s a matched deposit, free spins, or a no-deposit bonus. However, we look past the flashy headline numbers. A massive bonus is useless if locked behind impossible terms.
After meticulously checking T&Cs, we reward platforms that offer large bonuses with fair, transparent, and relatively low wagering requirements. We also check the time limits and game contributions. If a casino gives you a genuine boost to your bankroll with achievable conditions, it scores highly. We want you to start your journey with a boosted bankroll that you can actually convert into withdrawable cash.
Ongoing Offers & Promotions
Loyalty should be a two-way street. We believe that the best sites look after their existing players just as well as their new ones. By monitoring Promotions pages, we can see what’s available to all players and bettors after the end of their welcome bonuses. The greater the number and variety of these, the higher a gambling site scores
On the casino side, you should expect to see reload bonuses, cashback deals, and free spins drops. For sportsbook users, ongoing value comes through Acca Insurance and other accumulator bonuses, early payout offers and Price Boosts for the big game. A Free Bet Club that rewards your weekly activity is also a major plus.
Loyalty & VIP Rewards
We also look at the loyalty schemes on offer. The best platforms provide structured programs that reward you for every spin and hand you play in the casino, but also if you wager regularly on sports. We want multi-tiered systems where you can unlock increasingly valuable perks as you progress.
The best scores go to programs that offer tangible rewards. Think exclusive bonuses, faster withdrawal times, higher betting limits, and dedicated account managers. The very best sites offer VIP experiences that go beyond the screen, such as invitations to real-world sporting events or luxury gifts.
We also value accessibility. A loyalty program should offer something to casual bettors and not just high rollers. The more sophisticated and generous the rewards system, the better the score we award.
Payment Options
Getting your money in and out of an online gambling platform should be seamless. We evaluate the cashier section to ensure a wide range of payment methods suitable for UK players. We expect to see traditional fiat options like Visa and Mastercard, alongside popular e-wallets including Skrill, Neteller and PayPal.
Given the nature of the sites we review, we also place high value on modern payment solutions like cryptocurrencies. We give top marks to sites that support a full spectrum of crypto payments (Bitcoin, Ethereum, Litecoin, etc.) because they offer speed, anonymity, and security.
We also check withdrawal speeds and limits by testing how long it takes for funds to go in and out of accounts. Platforms that process payouts instantly without charging you hidden fees will always find themselves top of the rankings.
Mobile Compatibility
You should be able to place bets and play your favourite games from anywhere these days. We test every gambling site on smartphones and tablets, using both Android and iOS devices. We look for fully optimised and responsive mobile websites where instant touch works.
While a mobile-friendly site is a minimum requirement, we award the highest scores to platforms that go the extra mile with a dedicated downloadable app. We check for lag, loading times, and ease of navigation. If a gambling site offers a glitch-free mobile experience with full access to the game library, sportsbook and banking, or even mobile-exclusive bonuses, then it scores top marks.
Security & Safety
Your safety is non-negotiable. Even though these sites aren’t on GamStop, they still must adhere to strict security standards. We verify that platforms use advanced SSL encryption technology to protect your personal data and financial transactions from cyber threats.
We also check for valid licensing from recognised international bodies such as Curacao eGaming or the Malta Gaming Authority. Beyond technical security, we look at the brand’s reputation and history. Sites that actively promote safer gambling and demonstrate a commitment to protecting player accounts receive the highest praise from us.
Customer Service
If something goes wrong, then you need help fast. We test the customer support channels ourselves to see how responsive and helpful the team really is. You should expect to see multiple ways to get in touch, including 24/7 live chat, email contact forms, and ideally a telephone number.
We assess the quality of the support agents. Are they knowledgeable, polite, and efficient? We also look for comprehensive FAQ sections that allow you to solve simple issues yourself. Sites that provide broad, accessible, and effective customer support across social media and traditional channels score highest in this category.
Why You Can Trust Us
You might be wondering why you should listen to us. The answer is simple: we are players too. There are genuine gambling enthusiasts on the team, who are real veterans of the industry and have seen it evolve. We don’t just write content; we live and breathe iGaming and sports betting.
The team prides itself on impartiality. Acting independently of gambling sites allows for unbiased reviews. We adhere to strict editorial guidelines and value our reputation above all else. That is why our ratings are always fair, honest, and reflect the current state of a platform.
Responsible Gambling
While we’re all passionate about betting in its many forms, there’s an equal commitment to responsible gambling. We believe that such online platforms should be a source of entertainment, not financial stress. We encourage you to always set limits on your deposits and your playing time before you start a session.
Never chase your losses, and never gamble with money you cannot afford to lose. If you feel that your gambling is becoming a problem, or if it is no longer fun, we urge you to stop. There are numerous organisations and tools available to help you stay in control. Please play responsibly and keep the fun in the game.