How we compare casinos

Comparing online casinos sounds simple until you actually do it. A welcome offer that looks generous on the homepage can collapse once you read the wagering terms; a polished lobby can hide a slow cashier. Here is how we work through that, step by step.

1. Start with the licence

We only consider operators that hold a UK Gambling Commission licence. The UKGC licence number on the operator's footer is the first thing we check, followed by the named licence holder. If we cannot easily verify the licence, the operator does not make the shortlist.

2. Read the offer terms in full

Bonus headlines are designed to grab attention. The detail lives in the terms. We look specifically at the wagering requirement, the time you have to complete it, the maximum bet allowed during wagering, which games count and which do not, and the maximum amount you can actually withdraw from a bonus.

3. Walk through registration and verification

We open a real account and pay close attention to age and identity checks. UK-licensed operators are required to verify customers, and we prefer brands that do this up front rather than waiting until you try to withdraw.

4. Test the cashier

We deposit a small amount, test a couple of games and request a withdrawal where possible. We record the stated processing times and the methods supported. Hidden withdrawal limits or unclear pending periods are noted in the review.

5. Look at the lobby and the mobile site

Game range matters less than how easy it is to find what you want. We look at filters, search, studio lists and how the live casino is organised. We then repeat the test on a mobile browser to make sure the mobile experience is not an afterthought.

6. Check safer gambling visibility

Deposit limits, time-outs, reality checks, loss limits and self-exclusion should all be reachable in two or three clicks. We score operators down when these tools are buried.

7. Combine and write

The result is a short editorial note for each casino plus a comparison score. The score is a guide, not a verdict — the note tells you what is actually different about a given operator.