How We Review

CasinoHex team is here to introduce players to the best online gambling sites and apps operating in the UK in full compliance with current legislation. To keep you focused on the action and make you feel like you’re in a safe and secure environment, we thoroughly check every UK online casino before adding them to our list. Our team of experts performs checks against a multitude of criteria to make sure each casino site complies with high industry standards and provides a fair gaming experience. We make sure that every online casino on our site has been thoroughly checked and is a trustworthy option. We share our expertise and experience to make it easy for you to find the best casino brands on the British market.

Author Alex Williams

Fact Checked

Update: December 17, 2024

Criteria We Consider When Assessing Casino Sites

Every online casino undergoes a detailed and comprehensive check based on a variety of criteria before being listed on our website. Understanding how we do our checking of gambling sites will give you an idea of what things you need to consider when choosing iGaming platforms you can trust. So, here’s what our algorithm for evaluating gambling sites looks like.

Licences and CertificatesFor an online casino to operate legally in the UK market, it must have a valid licence issued by the UK Gambling Commission, the gambling regulator in the UK. There are also several foreign gambling authorities with licences recognised by the UK regulator, including the MGA, GBGA, AGCC and others. However, an operator licensed by a whitelisted body of the UK Gambling Commission must also obtain a licence from the UK regulator. Having a license from the UK Gambling Commission guarantees that an online casino operates fairly and complies with all the gambling laws in the UK.The first thing we look for when checking a UK gambling site is whether it has a valid license issued by the UKGC. The license details are usually published at the bottom of the casino site’s home page. We also compare the license information with that published by the UK regulator on its website.
There are several independent auditing companies in the UK that independently audit gambling sites. Being certified by eCOGRA, TST, GLI, iTech Labs and several other auditors is additional assurance that the RNG algorithms work correctly and all game results are random.
Reputation in the IndustryWe always read the reviews users post, either on our site or on other credible online resources, to find out what they think about different casinos. This gives us an idea of the positive and negative aspects of gambling sites and also helps us to point out problem areas that need more research. In addition, experts from our team regularly attend industry conventions and conferences to meet operators and find out how they treat their brands.
Personal Data ProtectionTo ensure the security of their users’ personal and financial information, UK online casinos must use the best firewalls and advanced data encryption algorithms. For example, reliable UK online casinos use Secure Sockets Layer (SSL), a technology that greatly reduces the risk of hacking and sensitive data theft.
Variety of Online Casino GamesWe favour reliable and safe online casinos with well-diversified gaming portfolios featuring online slots, table games, live casino games, bingo and fast-paced lotteries. By having a comprehensive lobby, an online casino will be able to provide the player with everything they need without having to look for another gambling venue when they want to try something new.
A Risk-Free Demo ModeBefore making a deposit and betting for real money, a player should be able to test the gaming platform in a risk-free demo mode. We only trust reputable online casinos in the UK that offer a demo mode on some of their RNG-based games. After trying a few games in risk-free mode, a player can decide for himself whether a gaming platform is a worthy place to play or not.
Reputable ProvidersWe highly regard UK online casinos powered by reputable game providers having made a name for themselves in the industry. The operator’s cooperation with the best providers of software platforms and gaming products is an additional guarantee of the fairness and impartiality of the gaming process. Seeing big names like NetEnt, Microgaming, Pragmatic Play, Evolution Gaming, Playtech and several others, you can be assured of getting the best gaming experience possible
Top-Notch Live Casino GamesAlthough the concept of live casino gaming was introduced back in 2006, it’s now the case that live dealers are quickly gaining popularity. We’re assessing higher UK casinos that have jumped on the live casino bandwagon and are offering well-diversified live dealer portfolios including live roulette, live blackjack, live baccarat, live poker, and live show games from industry-leading providers such as Evolution Gaming, NetEnt, Pragmatic Play, and others.
Table Games Featuring a Wide Betting RangeAlthough online slots with their exciting gameplay and simple game rules dominate the industry, many UK gamblers still gravitate towards classic casino table games. Our online gambling specialists have a preference for gambling sites that offer their players a wide range of games, including table game options like blackjack, baccarat, roulette, and poker. We also focus on betting ranges, also highlighting casino sites that cater to both casual and high-stakes gamblers
PC and Mobile GamblingWith an increasing number of UK people preferring to access the internet via mobile devices, it’s no surprise that mobile gambling is already dominating over more traditional gambling. That’s why every well-respected British online casino also has a mobile version or a responsive website with content that adapts to the screens of mobile devices. We test each online casino on a variety of smartphones and tablets to make sure you won’t have any problems or hassle.
Mobile-Friendly GamesWhile a casino platform itself may be adaptable for mobile devices, it’s frustrating when you encounter a limited selection of mobile-friendly games. We take a closer look at the UK online casino portfolios and their mobile versions to make sure that gamblers who prefer to play on the go also have access to a huge selection of HTML5/JS-based casino games that run smoothly on any modern mobile device.
Fair GamingGames offered by UKGC-licensed UK casinos must operate fairly based on an auditable RNG. To make sure the games are fair, we carefully check the list of providers an online casino operator works with, as well as certificates from independent auditors recognised in the UK.
Native AppWhile browser-based versions of mobile casinos are more versatile as they work on any device regardless of OS type, some operators also run native apps. Available for download from the App Store and Google Play, these apps provide an even smoother gaming experience thanks to deeper optimisation. That’s why we commend mobile-friendly UK online casinos for offering native apps.
Bonuses & PromotionsBonuses with favourable terms and conditions and low limits on stakes and featured games can be a great boost to a player’s bankroll, so we commend British online casinos for offering bonuses to new and existing users alike. The best UK casinos offer both welcome packages and ongoing promotions including reward schemes for loyal users.
Fair bonus terms and conditionsWe focus not only on what bonuses UK online casinos offer but also on what terms and conditions they come with. Our experts review T&Cs for various restrictions including maximum wagering limits, limits on the maximum amount of winnings available for withdrawal, as well as eligible games. In addition, we explain the bonus wagering requirements and how to calculate how much you need to wager to unlock the withdrawals of winnings earned from free spins. We only list the best UK casinos that offer bonuses with transparent and not misleading terms and conditions.
Loyalty SchemesWhile some websites strive to attract as many new players as possible, others use more long-term strategies involving loyalty schemes and VIP programs to keep existing users engaged. In our ratings of UK gambling sites, you will find reliable online casinos offering loyalty schemes with additional bonuses and rewards, cashback, personal account manager and other perks.
Simple RegistrationOur experts test gaming platforms by registering real gambling accounts at all of the gambling sites we review. We give preference to UK casinos with a simple and intuitive new player registration process that does not take much time and effort. Our top-rated UK casinos include sites that allow you to sign up in a matter of minutes and offer tips at every step to keep even a complete novice player from getting confused.
Convenient and Secure Payment OptionsWhen looking to play at online casinos for real money, you should choose a site that accepts safe and secure payment methods. We rank highly gambling sites that support popular payment methods like debit cards, e-wallets, prepaid payment solutions, pay-by-phone options and cryptocurrencies. When selecting gambling sites by available payment methods, we check that the payment methods are safe, secure, fast and approved in the UK.
Speed of Transactions and FeesAlthough the time it takes to credit your winnings to your account depends on the payment method used, some online casinos are running additional checks, increasing the duration of the cashout processing. We appreciate UK gambling websites that pay out winnings as quickly as possible without compromising the safety of user payment data.
Responsible Gambling PracticesAlthough online gambling is more accessible than its offline counterpart, statistics show that online gamblers have a lower risk of gambling addiction. This is due to the fact that British online casinos offer their users advanced responsible gambling tools enabling them to limit their deposits and gaming sessions (in terms of duration and amount of money spent on wagers in the games). In addition, as required by the UK regulator, operators offer a self-exclusion option and provide links to resources that can help combat negative gambling habits. We thoroughly check each casino for responsible gambling tools to ensure that you can find a solution if you have a problem.
Clear T&CsWe carefully read all official documents such as the User Agreement, Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy to make sure all items are written clearly and in plain language. In addition, UK online casinos should prominently post links to official documents on their sites, and we check this carefully.
Support for GBPWhile local operators only support GBP, some platforms licensed by regulators whitelisted by the UKGC may offer other currencies. In order to be compliant with current legislation, a UK online casino must support British pounds.
English-Language HelpdeskAny UKGC-licensed online casino operating in the UK market must have customer support staff with English-speaking experts. This is especially important for platforms with operators registered in other jurisdictions.
A Decent Payout RateKnowing the RTP (return to player ratio) for the different casino games you can calculate an average value that will correspond to the payout rate of the online casino. For example, a payout percentage of 96% means that £96 for every hundred pounds casino players spend on games is deposited into the prize pool, while £4 goes to the casino operator. We only include sites with a payout percentage of 92% or higher in our rankings of the best UK casinos.
design and UXNo matter how good an online casino is in terms of honesty and reliability, we also don’t neglect such an important thing as usability. Our experts rate UKGC-licensed gambling sites highly with well-thought-out design, intuitive navigation and a good set of tools. We also evaluate the loading speed of pages and games so you don’t have to wait for a long time, which also spoils the gaming experience.
Our Own ExperienceEqually important is the experience of the experts on the CasinoHex team. We always check UK casinos ourselves by registering at gambling sites, making deposits and placing real-money bets. This allows us to learn more about a gaming platform from a regular gambler’s perspective to then share our experiences with our readers.

How do we determine that an online casino is a scam?

There is a list of red flags that tell you that an online casino may be unreliable and dishonest. Check the online casino of your choice against the criteria below, and if it meets at least a few, you’re better off trying some other gambling site:

Lack of a license from the UKGC or an invalid license
Poorly drafted and evasive Terms and Conditions
Unknown or unreliable payment options
Bad feedback from users
Poor design and confusing navigation
Request sensitive details you should not reveal to anyone
Poor or non-existent customer service

Who is responsible for compiling the online casino rankings?

In order to produce authoritative, accurate and easy-to-read reviews of online gambling platforms, we employ a huge number of experts.

Check In the first stage, our experts register with the online casino being checked, make a deposit and test all the different promotions and games available on offer. We also check the withdrawal process to make sure everything is working properly and the money arrives in your bank account in full and on time.
Review Then, on the basis of their experience of interaction with online casinos, our experts write a review that is then checked and edited by the content manager. We do our best to write interesting and easy-to-read articles about gambling sites.
Research At the same time, a researcher contacts the online casino to gather all the necessary data first-hand. This includes launch date, license details, number of games on offer, providers, terms and conditions and other things. We check all the information for accuracy and validity and provide it in a readable format to our users.

It would be wrong not to say that you, our users, are the most important element of the gambling site review process. Because we get so much feedback from our users, it’s up to each and every one of you to find out where a UK online casino is ranked. By going to the “Contact Us” page on our website, you can let us know what you think of a particular gambling site and share your experiences with it. We only take into consideration unbiased and well-reasoned opinions. Thanks to our responsive and conscientious users, we can only represent honest and reliable gambling sites that put the interests of their users first.

Author

Alex Williams

Senior Content Manager

Experience:4 years

Alex has 10-years experience in writing creative copy for various niches. But playing slots, poker and other card games online, made him think if maybe writing casino reviews is what he wants to do for a living.

So, here he is, part of the CasinoHEX UK team from the beginning of 2020, writing honest and fact-based casino reviews to help you make a better choice. Think we’re missing on some cool brand? Don’t hesitate to drop Alex a line and he’ll be on it right away!

Reviewer

Harry Burth

Digital Marketing Manager, Blog editor

Experience:3 years

Harry is a long-time member of our team and has been working with CasinoHEX UK for a number of years. Looking for a good job, Harry decided to move to the UK capital from his hometown of Liverpool.

Passionate about gambling and with a good understanding of how it works, he worked for a while as a croupier in one of London’s famous casinos. Eager to gain experience in the online gambling segment of the market,

Harry continued to browse through job openings regularly. One day a vacancy for a marketing position at CasinoHEX UK caught his eye. Talented, experienced, and eager to grow, he made a solid impression on CasinoHEX UK.