How We Test & Rate Online Casinos

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editor

Last Updated: 5 August, 2024

At Sporting Post UK, we are committed to providing you with objective, unbiased reviews of UK online casinos.

Our goal is to inform you of the strengths and weaknesses of each platform, enabling you to make informed decisions rather than just offering personal opinions.

To ensure clarity and consistency, we evaluate each online casino using the same comprehensive criteria, making it easy for you to compare different platforms at a glance.

Here’s a detailed look at our review process.

Review Criteria

In every review, we utilise the following seven key criteria to assess online casinos:

1. Safety

Safety is our top priority. We evaluate whether the casino holds a valid license from a reputable regulatory authority and review its operational history to ensure your funds and personal information are secure.

Additionally, we highlight any specific safety features the casino employs, such as encryption methods and responsible gambling tools.

2. Bonus & Promotions

We analyse the quality and fairness of the bonuses and promotions offered by the casino.

This includes welcome bonuses, ongoing promotions, loyalty programs, and any terms and conditions that could impact your ability to benefit from these offers.

3. Games & Software

We assess the variety and quality of games available, including slots, table games, live dealer options, and specialty games.

We also examine the software providers the casino partners with, ensuring that you have access to reliable and entertaining gaming experiences.

4. Mobile Casino App

In today’s world, a strong mobile experience is crucial. We evaluate the casino’s mobile app, focusing on its design, functionality, and user experience.

We also consider whether the app offers a seamless experience compared to the desktop version and whether it supports the full range of games and features.

5. Website Experience

We personally test the casino’s website, assessing its design, navigation, and overall user-friendliness.

We highlight the best features and point out any areas where the website may fall short, such as loading times, layout, or ease of use.

6.Deposits & Withdrawals

We review the casino’s deposit and withdrawal processes, including the number of payment methods available, transaction speed, and any associated fees.

We ensure that adding and withdrawing funds is a smooth and straightforward experience, with clear and fair policies.

7. Customer Service

Finally, we assess the quality of the casino’s customer service.

We personally test all available support channels, such as live chat, email, and phone support, to evaluate response times, helpfulness, and overall service quality.

Scoring Breakdown

We use a simple points system to rate each criterion, which is then converted into a star rating.

Points to Star Rating Conversion

Points	Star Rating
9.1-10	5 stars
8.1-9	4.5 stars
7.1-8	4 stars
6.1-7	3.5 stars
5.1-6	3 stars
4.1-5	2.5 stars
3.1-4	2 stars
2.1-3	1.5 stars
1.1-2	1 star
0-1	0.5 stars

We then calculate the average score across all criteria to arrive at an overall rating for each online casino.

Overall Rating

To determine the overall rating of an online casino, we average the scores from all the criteria and convert that average into a star rating.

Overall Rating Conversion

Percentage	Star Rating
91-100%	5 stars
81-90%	4.5 stars
71-80%	4 stars
61-70%	3.5 stars
51-60%	3 stars
41-50%	2.5 stars
31-40%	2 stars
21-30%	1.5 stars
11-20%	1 star
0-10%	0.5 stars

Example

To illustrate, let’s consider a review of Casino X:

Category	Points	Star Rating
Safety	8.8	4.5 stars
Bonus & Promotions	7.2	4 stars
Games & Software	9.6	5 stars
Mobile Casino App	5.5	3 stars
Website Experience	6.6	3.5 stars
Deposits & Withdrawals	8.3	4.5 stars
Customer Service	7.1	4 stars

The mean score results in 73.2 points, giving Casino X an overall rating of 4 stars.

Why You Can Trust Our Reviews

Here’s why you can rely on our casino reviews:

Objectivity: We approach each online casino review with an impartial mindset, evaluating every aspect using a consistent set of criteria. This allows you to compare different casinos easily and find the one that best suits your needs.
Simplicity: Our reviews are designed to be straightforward and easy to digest. We avoid unnecessary jargon and focus on delivering clear, concise information so you can quickly get a sense of each casino's offerings.
Thorough Analysis: We leave no stone unturned in our evaluations. We provide detailed insights into each casino’s features, ensuring that you have all the information you need to make an informed decision.

With this approach, we aim to provide you with trustworthy, comprehensive, and user-friendly reviews of the best online casinos.

Contributors

Josh Miller

Author

Josh Miller, Sporting Post’s Sports & Casino Editor, brings over five years of experience in feature writing, blogging, and SEO. With a strong background in football coverage and sports betting, his work has been featured in VAVEL. Josh also writes extensively about online casinos, providing expert insights into games, bonuses, and gambling trends. His engaging and informative content makes him a reliable resource for Sporting Post readers.

Bradley Gibbs

Editor

With over 12 years of experience, Bradley Gibbs is a seasoned sports betting writer and tipster specialising in uncovering value bets across football, horse racing, tennis, and golf. His extensive coverage of these sports has been featured on numerous websites and in The Racing & Football Outlook, a renowned UK betting publication. Bradley's expertise lies in identifying betting edges and delivering insightful, data-driven content for informed wagering.