How We Rate Online Casinos at BettingGuide UK

At BettingGuide, we find it crucial for you to know how we evaluate online casinos to compile our lists. We want you to know that we conduct in-depth assessments, carried out by experts and based on 30 highly relevant factors for your future user experience.

Written by Steven Hubbard
Verified by BettingGuide team
Last updated 22/02/2024
how-we-rate-online-casinos

We divide our evaluations of online casinos in the UK into 6 sections:

  • Security

  • Casino catalog

  • Usage experience

  • Payment methods

  • Customer Support

  • Promotions

Next, we will explain each of these sections in detail.

Security

Safety is the most important factor for achieving a good gaming experience. When we conduct our evaluations, we focus on the following:

  • License: We check the casino's license and the level of requirements of the regulatory authority that issues such license. In practice, a good license ensures compliance with the rest of the safety factors.

  • Transparency: Casinos should clearly display their license information and terms of service on their website.

  • Encryption: We verify if the website uses TSL encryption technology (previously SSL: Secure Socket Layer) to protect players' data and financial transactions.

  • Privacy Policy: We review the privacy policy to see how the casino handles your personal information, whether it shares it with unauthorized third parties, and whether it is transparent about its data collection and sharing practices.

  • Random Number Generator (RNG): Platforms should use games based on an RNG to ensure that all casino games are fair and the results completely random. To check this, we see if the casinos are accredited by reputable game auditors like Ecogra or Gli.

  • Responsible Gambling: We evaluate the casino's responsible gambling policies and tools to ensure that they are comprehensive and effective in preventing harmful gambling behaviour.

Casino Catalog

When you go to the casino, you want to play, so it's important that there are plenty of games to choose from. We also want to make sure that the games are fair and of high quality. We evaluate casino catalogues based on the following factors:

  • Types of games: We like to see a wide variety of games, from online real money slots to table games like blackjack and roulette to games that are trending at the moment, such as crash games.

  • Game variety: We like to see different versions of games, such as American and European roulette, and different themes in slots.

  • Provider variety: Each provider has its own unique style, so we like to see games from a variety of providers. This gives users more options to choose from.

  • Live games: Live games are a great way to experience the excitement of the casino without leaving home. We like to see a variety of live games available, such as blackjack, roulette mentioned above, and baccarat.

  • Progressive jackpots: Progressive jackpots offer the chance to win a life-changing prize. We recommend casinos with a variety of progressive jackpot games. But always remember: gamble for fun, not for profit.

  • Demo version: Demo versions allow users to try games before they play for real money. We think this is a great way for users to learn about new games and find their favourites.

User Experience

When you use a casino, you want things to be easy to do and find. You don't want to waste time looking for your favorite games. We evaluate the user experience of casinos based on the following factors:

  • Web design: The website should be easy to use and navigate. Users should be able to find games and sections quickly, both on mobile and desktop devices.

  • Mobile app: We like to see casinos offer dedicated mobile apps that are available for all major operating systems. The app should be easy to use and load quickly.

  • Registration process: Creating an account should be a simple process that requires only the necessary information.

  • Verification: The verification process should be clear and secure to protect your personal information. Response times should be reasonable (between a few hours and 5 days).

Payment Methods

When you deposit money into your casino account, you want it to be quick, easy, and secure. We evaluate casinos' payment methods based on the following factors:

  • Variety: We like to see casinos offer a variety of payment methods so that users have options that work for them. This includes Visa, MasterCard, PayPal, Apple Pay, Google Pay, Bank Transfers, and more.

  • Limits: We want to make sure that casinos have reasonable limits for deposits and withdrawals. We negatively value casinos with low withdrawal limits or high minimum deposit limits.

  • Speed: We want to make sure that casinos process deposits and withdrawals quickly.

  • Fees: We want to make sure that casinos are transparent about any fees associated with deposits and withdrawals.

  • Great British Pound: You can deposit and withdraw money using your preferred UK payment method, such as Visa, PayPal, Apple Pay, Google Pay, Bank Transfers and Skrill. You can also play games in GBP, so you don't have to worry about converting currencies.

Customer Service

Customer support is often overlooked until you need it. That's why we take it into account when evaluating online casinos. Here are the factors we look for:

  • Communication channels: We want to see a variety of ways to contact customer support, such as live chat, email, and phone.

  • Accessibility: The customer support channels should be easy to find and use.

  • Language: We want to see customer support agents who speak English.

  • Availability: A good online casino should offer customer support 24/7.

  • Quality of service: The support team should be professional, respectful, and helpful. They should provide clear and precise answers to your questions, and they should not pressure you to register, make deposits, or cancel withdrawals.

  • Help section: We want to see a comprehensive help section that answers common questions.

Promotions

Promotions are the lifeblood of casinos, but poor terms and conditions can ruin the fun. Here are the factors we look at:

  • Types of promotions: We value casinos that offer a variety of promotions, not just casino welcome bonuses. Regular promotions for registered users are a plus, and we give extra points for a fun VIP program.

  • Clarity of terms and conditions: It's crucial that all the terms and conditions of promotions are clearly stated and easy to understand.

  • Fairness of terms and conditions: Wagering requirements should be fair and achievable.

What Else Do You Need to Know?

We appreciate the growing trend of online casinos tailoring their offerings to meet the preferences of UK users. We see it as a testament to an industry striving to enhance the customer experience. This customization sets apart operators committed to delivering a truly engaging gaming environment.

One notable facet of this tailored approach is the inclusion of games that have gained popularity with UK audiences, such as Crash Games and the most favourite one - Aviator. Additionally, the availability of local UK tables and games is a distinctive feature, one not commonly found on platforms operated outside of the UK due to the high acquisition costs.

By localizing their offerings, online casinos not only enrich the gaming experience but also build a bridge of cultural relevance, fostering a deeper connection with their users and setting a high bar for customer satisfaction.

We also regularly revise our reviews and guides and update them if necessary. The world of online casinos is growing so fast that casino operators come and go one after another. We are doing our best to keep our readers updated on what is going on in this ever-changing industry by publishing important news in our BettingGuide blog. So, feel free to come and have a look at our articles if you're curious about the online casino industry.

If you have any questions or concerns about how we rate online casinos and reviews, don't hesitate to get in touch with us anytime.

For tips and strategies, you can also check casino guides in our academy.