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How We Review Online Casinos in the UK
This guide is a statement and our “Bible” to which you can refer every time you see one of our reviews. We’ll detail exactly how we approach our reviews of casino sites without GamStop and everything we inspect to provide you with the guides you enjoy reading on our site. You’ll know everything, from our testing process to the rating points we go through every time.
Why UK Players Trust Our Expertise
With the launch of GamStop in 2018, a new market appeared outside this system. We immediately felt like these sportsbooks and casinos needed to be reviewed by experienced people to ensure they live up to the highest standards.
Unbiased and Unvarnished Insights
A good review starts with honesty. We commit to offering the most unbiased and straightforward reviews possible to ensure that players can trust our recommendations. We don’t take shortcuts or omit information that we think players need to know, and our goal is ultimately to produce impartial reviews on which our readers can rely.
Moreover, we try to create accessible reviews to help experienced players learn more about the casinos quickly, but also to help new players learn more about how these sites work.
Comprehensive and Reliable Information
In addition to our objectivity, our readers trust us to provide them with comprehensive guides delivering reliable information. It’s vital for us to relay trustworthy information, but also to make it thorough. This means that we explore every aspect of a casino in our guides.
The games, the promotional offers, the terms & conditions, and the security measures are all essential, so we cover each aspect and more. For all these reasons, UK players trust our expertise to find their online casinos.
Our Casino Test Process
Have you ever wondered how online casinos are reviewed? Then, you’ll find all the answers in this section, and, here, we’ll detail how our experts approach every review methodically. Our review process includes evaluating the licensing, reputation, KYC procedure, mobile compatibility, game library, bonuses, withdrawal process, and how customer support is handled.
In-Depth Licensing and Reputation Check
The review process starts by checking the licence and reputation of the casino. Whether we review Curaçao licensed casinos or independent brands, we also ensure that the site benefits from a positive reputation and that it’s a platform you can trust with your personal information.
Registration Process Testing
It’s impossible to review an online casino without actually testing it, so our next step is to create an account with the casino to see that it delivers what is advertised. It allows us to ensure the registration process is secure and straightforward.
KYC Efficiency Evaluation
It’s mandatory for a reputable casino to ask you for verification documents upon your first withdrawal, and even casinos with no document requested to sign up must include this process. We check if this procedure is conducted according to the licence’s regulation and is performed fast.
Multi-Device Website Evaluation
Nowadays, an online casino must be as efficient on a mobile device as it is on a computer. Our experts connect to the casino using various devices, including smartphones, tablets, and desktops, to ensure you’ll have a smooth experience.
Gameplay Testing
Another crucial aspect of the review process is testing the games available. We ensure the games are provided by reputed providers and feature high-quality titles. Our experts also check if the site offers fast loading times and convenient UI around these games.
Bonus Claims and Evaluation
Bonuses can significantly improve the player’s experience, but it’s essential to read the fine print before claiming it. During the review process, we go beyond relaying what the casino is putting forward. We dig through the bonus terms to check if the conditions asked are reasonable.
Withdrawal Process Analysis
Withdrawing your winnings must be accessible, straightforward, and convenient. Our experts check which methods will be available to players after playing with or without a bonus, the time it takes to get paid, the amount limits and eventual fees that may incur.
Cooperation with the support team
Even when playing at a reputable online casino, it’s still possible to encounter issues. These issues must be addressed and solved by the support team. So, we test customer service to ensure you’ll be taken good care of if you need it.
What We Rate in Online Casinos When Testing
After testing the online casinos we review, we rate them according to precise criteria. Here are our rating points for each site and how we give our final verdict.
Gaming Experience and Variety
Our first rating criteria to evaluate casino games not included in GamStop is the game library offered. We check what’s provided, the quality of the games and their variety.
Diverse Game Selection
To ensure the game selection is varied, we check for the presence of slots, table games, and other types of games. We also look for different game mechanics for each category:
- Slots
- Table Games
- Live Casino
Quality of Graphics and User Interface
The games on display must feature a user-friendly interface that responds well on mobile and desktop. It’s also essential to have gorgeous games in terms of artistic direction and design:
- Visual Design
- User-Friendly Navigation
- Mobile Responsiveness
Availability of Live Dealer Games
Live dealers must be varied, and the selection must include games like blackjack, roulette, and variants of these games. The dealers must be professionals, and it must be possible to interact with them:
- Game Variety
- Professional Dealers
- Live Chat Interaction
Bonuses and Promotions
The casino bonuses and the various offers can make or break the experience. So, our team also examines these incentives to ensure you can redeem them and have fun.
Generous Welcome Bonuses
Welcome bonuses must be generous, which means offering a decent match percentage, optionally some free spins, and for which games these promotional offers can be enjoyed:
- Bonus Match Percentage
- Free Spins Offered
- Bonus Codes
Fair Bonus Terms and Wagering Requirements
Our team goes through the bonus terms, which inform players on what the casino wants in exchange for the bonus. The wagering requirement, game participation, and time you have to play with it all come into consideration:
- Wagering Conditions
- Game Contribution
- Bonus Expiry
Ongoing Promotions and Loyalty Programs
In addition to welcome offers, there are also regular promotions and sometimes loyalty programs. Similarly to welcome offers, we check the conditions to claim these incentives and what they bring to the table:
- Regular Promotional Offers
- Loyalty Rewards
- VIP Programs
Payment Options and Security
After the games, our team must rate the payment options offered. We check the different methods available according to the following points, with a considerable emphasis on the safety of using these methods.
Secure Payment Methods
We always start the rating process by checking which payment methods you can use to deposit and withdraw. Whether it’s credit cards, e-wallets, or cryptocurrencies, it must remain secure:
- Credit Cards
- E-Wallets
- Cryptocurrencies
Encryption and Data Protection
Each payment you make must be secured by the site, so we check for the presence of SSL encryption up to the latest standards. We go through the privacy policy and ensure the casino enforces fair gaming practices:
- SSL Encryption
- Privacy Policies
- Fair Gaming Practices
Fast and Reliable Withdrawals
Withdrawals are as important, if not more, than deposits. Our gambling team will check how long withdrawals will take, if the verification process is easy, and the maximum amount you can request:
- Withdrawal Times
- Verification Process
- Withdrawal Limits
Customer Support and Assistance
Customer support is often overlooked when it comes to review. However, if players ever have an issue, it’s critical to have customer support able to assist you rapidly.
Accessible Customer Support Channels
Customer support must be easy to access for all users. It’s essential for the casino to allow for several communication canals, be it via live chat, email, or even by calling them directly:
- Live Chat
- Email Support
- Phone Support
Responsive and Informed Support Team
After contacting the support team, it’s also essential that the team on the other end of the line is competent. The agents must be knowledgeable, able to solve issues quickly, and able to help in several languages:
- Response Times
- Knowledgeable Representatives
- Multilingual Support
Assistance with Responsible Gambling
Outside of technical issues, the support agents and the platform must be able to assist with responsible gambling. We’re keen on testing customer support and the tools offered by the site to self-exclude, seek help, or limit a player’s account:
- Self-Exclusion Options
- Responsible Gambling Tools
- Referral to Support Organizations
Mobile Gaming
Modern casino players aren’t limited to playing in their rooms any more. The casino sites must be accessible from any mobile device, and here’s how we rate this mobile compatibility.
Mobile Optimization and User Experience
To ensure you’ll have an outstanding experience on mobile, we test the sites and apps (if available) on iOS and Android devices to see if the design is ergonomic and if it’s performant:
- Mobile-Friendly Design
- App Performance
- Cross-Device Compatibility
Our Latest Reviews
If you’re looking for reviews of casinos outside of GamStop, we’re constantly putting out new in-depth guides to help you discover the best sites available in the UK. As iGaming experts, we’ve put together these reviews to help you learn more about the games, bonuses, and unique features available. Below, you’ll find a list of our latest reviews.
FAQ About Our Casino Reviewing Process
What happens when we think a casino is bad?
When a casino turns out to be bad, we refuse to list it on our website to avoid advertising it. This means that if you don’t find a review on our site, it means that we don’t recommend playing there.
How do you choose which online casinos to review?
The online casinos we review are usually selected when they emerge and start getting noticed. When we hear of a new casino, we review it to provide our visitors with insights on these new online casinos to ensure they’re safe to play at.
How often do you update your reviews to keep them accurate and current?
We know casinos can evolve rapidly, for better or for worse. That’s why we go back to the sites we’ve reviewed every month. When we revisit a site, we note if there have been any changes and update our reviews.
How do you evaluate the overall reputation and player feedback for online casinos?
To evaluate the reputation and player feedback of online casinos, we conducted thorough research. This research process includes browsing several platforms like casino forums, review websites, and social media. We look for constructive criticism and try to distinguish honest reviews from gratuitous hateful comments or overwhelmingly positive statements.
