Our Casino Review Process
At CasinoHawks, we’ve made it our mission to independently verify every casino brand we partner with to bring you honest and reliable information. We don’t just gloss over the surface; our expert reviewers hone in on the nuts and bolts of what makes a truly fantastic casino, leaving no stone unturned when it comes to what matters most. You can rest assured that our casino reviews are 100% reliable and independent.
Overall Rating
Our casino review system is built around six key pillars that reflect what matters most to players, from safety and game quality to payments and user experience. Each category is assigned a specific weight based on its importance to the overall player experience. The total score is out of 100, with each section contributing proportionally to the final rating.
The 6 Review Pillars and Weighting:
- Trust & Safety (25 points)
- Bonus Terms & Promotions (15 Points)
- Payments & Account Fairness (20 Points)
- Games Library & Usability (20 Points)
- Customer Support (10 Points)
- Popularity & User testimonials (10 Points)
Here’s how we put every casino to the test
Let’s take a closer look at everything we analyse to get our total casino ratings.
Trust & Safety (25 Points):
This pillar assesses the fundamental security and reliability of the casino. We evaluate licensing from reputable authorities such as the UK Gambling Commission (UKGC), the implementation of robust data security measures, adherence to fair gaming practices, and the availability of responsible gambling tools to ensure player protection and peace of mind.
Here’s what we rate:
Brand Credibility & Ownership Trust (5 Points)
1 Point:
Brand-new (<6 months), no track record, unknown ownership, no group affiliation, no player feedback. No signs of legitimacy or transparency.
2 Points:
New (6–12 months), showing early efforts toward legitimacy — basic licensing, some transparency, or limited player feedback. Still relatively unproven.
3 Points:
1–3 years old, developing trust through player reviews, transparency, or affiliation with known groups. Some growing credibility, but not fully established.
4 Points:
3–5 years in operation, consistently positive feedback, no major red flags. Generally viewed as reliable and part of a reputable ecosystem.
5 Points:
5+ years with a strong reputation and widespread player trust. Well-established, often part of a recognized brand/group (e.g., Entain, William Hill). Industry leader in credibility.
Security Measures & Data Protection (5 Points)
0 Points: No SSL encryption or outdated security (HTTP instead of HTTPS). No evidence of security measures in place. History of major breaches with no improvements made. Lack of data protection policy
1-2 Points: Weak or outdated encryption methods. No 2FA, weak password requirements. Significant past security breaches or user data leaks. No clear GDPR compliance information
3 Points: SSL encryption but below 128-bit or unclear level. No 2FA but secure password policies. Some security measures in place but lacking transparency. Minor security breaches reported in the past 3 years
4 Points: 128-bit SSL encryption, 2FA available but optional, Basic firewall protection. Mostly GDPR compliant but minor concerns. No recent breaches (last 3 years), but older minor issues
5 Points: 256-bit SSL encryption or higher. Two-Factor Authentication (2FA) available. Firewall protection and DDoS attack prevention. Fully GDPR compliant (clear data privacy policy). No past security breaches reported
Licensing (5 Points)
0 points: No valid license or licensed by an unrecognised authority.
1 point: No UKGC license, but licensed by another reputable authority.
2 points: Previously held a UKGC license but currently inactive.
3 points: UKGC license in process or pending verification.
4 points: UKGC license verified, but with minor warnings or past issues.
5 points: UKGC license verified and active.
Responsible Gambling Tools (10 Points)
0 points: No responsible gambling tools are available, and there is no mention of safer gambling.
1 point: Basic tools like deposit limits, but hard to find or poorly implemented.
2 points: Some key tools (deposit/loss limits, reality checks) but lacking key features like self-exclusion or affordability checks.
3 points: Good range of tools, including deposit/loss limits, timeouts, and self-exclusion, but no gambling activity reports or in-depth affordability checks.
4 points: Strong responsible gambling measures, including reality checks, deposit/loss limits, self-exclusion, session time limits, and access to support organisations.
5 points: Top-tier all rounder responsible gambling system, featuring all essential tools plus affordability checks, personalised risk alerts, gambling activity reports, AI-based harm detection, and proactive intervention measures.
Bonus Terms & Promotions (15 Points)
This section focuses on the fairness, transparency, and value of the casino’s bonus offers and promotional campaigns. We scrutinise the terms and conditions, wagering requirements, and the accessibility of ongoing promotions to determine how player-friendly the bonus system is.
Here’s what we rate:
Bonus Terms and Conditions (5 Points)
0–1 Points: Unfair or misleading terms. Hidden restrictions (e.g., max cashout on bonuses), deceptive or unclear bonus mechanics. Terms are buried or hard to access.
2–3 Points: Vague or restrictive rules. Strict game exclusions. Terms not prominently displayed. Some transparency, but unclear details or limitations.
4 Points: Fair and readable terms. Reasonable limits on bonuses and withdrawals. Some ongoing offers, though a bit generic or limited.
5 Points: Transparent and player-friendly. No hidden conditions, good clarity on eligible games and limits. Regular bonuses with decent value.
Wagering Requirements (5 Points)
0–1 points: The wagering requirements are extremely high, exceeding 60x the bonus amount. These terms make it very difficult for players to convert bonus funds into real, withdrawable winnings.
2 points: Wagering requirements fall between 41x and 60x. While slightly better, these are still considered steep and may deter casual players from taking advantage of the bonus offers.
3 points: Wagering requirements are more reasonable, ranging between 31x and 40x. These are fairly standard for many online casinos but may still require significant playthrough before withdrawal.
4 points: Requirements fall between 11x and 20x, which is considered generous by industry standards. Players have a strong chance of clearing the bonus with casual or moderate play.
5 points: Wagering requirements are at 10x or below, aligning with the new UKGC guidelines. This is an excellent standard, offering players a fair and attainable chance to benefit from their bonuses without excessive risk or investment.
Ongoing Promotions (5 Points)
0 Points: No ongoing promotions or loyalty system
1 Point: Rare or weak recurring bonuses
2 Points: Occasional promotions with low value
3 Points: Solid bonus calendar, free spins, or tournaments
4 Points: Frequent reloads, cashback, and loyalty incentives
5 Points: Daily/weekly promos, loyalty tiers, offers with real value
Payments & Account Fairness (20 Points):
Recognising the importance of smooth and reliable financial transactions, this pillar examines the variety of available payment methods, the efficiency and speed of withdrawals, transaction limits, the fairness of account rules, and the transparency of payout processes.
Here’s what we rate:
Minimum Withdrawal and Deposit (5 Points)
0 Points: £100+ withdrawal / £20+ deposit minimum
1 Point: £50–£100 withdrawal or £20 deposit
2 Points: £20–£50 withdrawal, £10 deposit
3 Points: £10–£20 withdrawal, £5–£10 deposit
4 Points: £5–£10 withdrawal, £5 deposit
5 Points: £1–£5 withdrawal/deposit, fast or instant processing
Accepted Payment Methods (5 Points)
0 Points: Limited to debit cards/bank transfer
1 Point: Debit and one e-wallet
2 Points: Debit, multiple e-wallets, bank transfer
3 Points: Good mix incl. PayPal, Skrill, Neteller
4 Points: Adds Apple Pay, Google Pay, prepaid cards
5 Points: Full range + open banking + instant options
Account Rules and Player Rights (5 Points)
0 Points: Hidden fees, vague rules, unfair practices
1 Point: Inactivity fees, unclear T&Cs
2 Points: Mostly fair, some issues (e.g. delays)
3 Points: Fair and transparent, no harsh fees
4 Points: Clear rights, no excessive terms
5 Points: Very player-friendly, no fees, fair and clear rules
Withdrawal Speed and Processing (5 Points)
0 Points: Delays over 5+ days, vague payout timelines
1 Point: 3–5 day waits, manual approval lags
2 Points: 2–3 day processing, minor friction
3 Points: 1–2 day withdrawals, mostly reliable
4 Points: Same-day or <24hr processing on most methods
5 Points: Instant withdrawals available, always fast
Games Library & Usability (20 Points)
This pillar evaluates the breadth and quality of the casino’s game selection, the reputation of their software providers, the availability of demo versions, and the overall user experience across both desktop and mobile platforms, including site navigation, design, and mobile app functionality.
Here’s what we rate:
Games Library & Navigation (10 Points)
0–2 Points: Fewer than 500 games, little to no variety, poor UX or quality.
3–4 Points: 500–1,000 games, limited categories or outdated themes.
5–6 Points: 1,000–2,000 games, solid range of developers and game types.
7–8 Points: 2,000–3,000+ games, modern design, smooth filters, good thematic spread.
9 Points: Huge variety (3,000+), well-organised, includes niche and new releases, excellent search tools.
10 Points: Elite-level offering a vast, diverse library with personalised browsing, smart filtering, constant updates, and seamless UX.
Software Providers & Game Integrity (5 Points)
0–1 Points: Uses untrusted or obscure providers; questionable game fairness.
2 Points: Limited mix of providers; a few reputable names but lacking depth.
3 Points: Works with several well-known providers (e.g., NetEnt, Microgaming) but may miss major live or specialty studios.
4 Points: Broad and reliable provider mix including top-tier names like Evolution, Play’n GO, Playtech.
5 Points: Comprehensive and trusted lineup featuring all major global developers, high game fairness standards, and wide genre diversity.
UX/UI Experience (5 Points)
Here’s how we analyse a casino’s UX/UI.
Site Navigation & Design (2.5 Points)
0 points: Very difficult to navigate, outdated design, frequent glitches.
0.5 point: Poor layout, slow performance, hard-to-locate features.
1 point: Usable but not intuitive; cluttered or dated look.
1.5 points: Clean design, mostly smooth, minor navigation issues.
2 points: Modern, polished look; smooth user flow and menus.
2.5 points: Beautiful, intuitive design; seamless user journey; smart filters and personalised features.
Mobile Experience (2.5 Points)
0 points: Unusable on mobile, no app.
0.5 point: Basic mobile functionality with frequent bugs or lag.
1 point: Mobile-optimised site but no app; average performance.
1.5 points: Solid mobile site and/or app, some minor limitations.
2 points: Excellent mobile experience, app works great with all key features.
2.5 points: Flawless mobile UX; fast, feature-rich app and/or site with exclusive mobile perks.
Customer Support (10 Points)
Effective customer support is essential for a positive player experience. This pillar assesses the ease of the sign-up process, the availability and responsiveness of support channels (live chat, email, phone), the clarity of contact information, and the quality and comprehensiveness of the help centre and self-service options.
Here’s what we rate:
Opening an Account (2 Points)
0 points: Unable to complete sign-up due to technical issues or unreasonable KYC requirements.
0.5 point: Very slow or frustrating sign-up, excessive document requests, verification takes several days.
1 point: Lengthy sign-up, unclear instructions, verification takes more than 24 hours.
1.5 points: Standard process, requires multiple documents, verification takes up to 24 hours.
2 points: Smooth and quick sign-up (under 5 minutes), intuitive process, KYC verification is fast and automated.
Availability & Response Time (2 Points)
0 points: No customer support or extremely delayed responses (days/weeks).
0.5 point: Very slow response times (over 24 hours), limited availability, unhelpful replies.
1 point: Response within 12–24 hours, but inconsistent availability or quality of support.
1.5 points: Response within a few hours, but not 24/7 and may require follow-ups.
2 points: Instant or near-instant responses (live chat <5 min, email <1 hour), 24/7 availability, professional and helpful support.
Contact Options (2 Points)
0 points: No customer support available at all.
0.5 point: Only an FAQ section with minimal or no human support.
1 point: Only one support option (e.g., email only) with slow response times.
1.5 points: Offers at least two support channels (e.g., live chat + email or phone) but with limited hours.
2 points: Offers live chat, email, and phone support, available 24/7.
Clear Contact Options (2 Points)
0 points: No contact information available anywhere on the site.
0.5 point: Contact details are hidden, hard to find, or buried in FAQs.
1 point: Contact options exist but require multiple clicks to locate.
1.5 points: Contact options are available but not prominently displayed.
2 points: Contact options (live chat, email, or phone) are easy to find on the support/help page.
Help Centre & Self-Service Options (2 Points)
0 points: No help centre or self-service options available.
0.5 point: Basic FAQ section with very few answers, no search function.
1 point: FAQ section exists but is outdated, vague, or missing key topics like withdrawals and account verification.
1.5 points: Decent help centre with FAQs and some guides, covering common topics but lacking depth or search functionality.
2 points: Fully equipped self-service support, including a detailed help centre, search function, troubleshooting guides, automated chat assistance, and step-by-step KYC verification help.
Popularity & User testimonials (10 Points)
This rating reflects widespread approval and positive experiences shared by real users across major public platforms such as Trustpilot, AnswerThePublic, and Reddit. It gauges community trust, satisfaction, and the overall buzz surrounding the casino.
0–1 Points: Known for user complaints and a poor online reputation, with negative feedback on key platforms and concerns over trustworthiness, fairness, or payout reliability.
2–3 Points: Some presence online but marked by mixed or limited feedback, where a few users report decent experiences but recurring issues like slow support or payment delays hurt overall trust.
4–5 Points: Generally positive reviews with a moderate number of testimonials, showing a fair reputation and a decent level of satisfaction despite some inconsistencies.
6–7 Points: Strong approval across multiple platforms, with many users praising customer support, fairness, and reliability, though occasional complaints still surface.
8–9 Points: Widely praised with high ratings and strong community trust, often recommended on forums and review sites for fast payouts, responsive service, and dependable performance.
10 Points: Universally respected with overwhelmingly positive user sentiment, top-tier ratings on all major review platforms, and a trusted reputation built over time through exceptional service and transparency.
Meet the Team Behind the Reviews
Our diverse team of industry experts, ranging from experienced content writers and designers to IT developers, diligently ensures our reviews reflect the highest standards of accuracy. We believe in transparency, which is why we share not only our expertise but also the process behind our ratings and recommendations.
How does a casino get a good ranking?
So, what can you expect from an operator that scores highly on the CasinoHawks rating scale? A standout online casino will boast a wide variety of games, teaming up with the industry’s leading providers to deliver a well-rounded and enjoyable gambling experience.
In addition, a great site will offer multiple payment options with flexible limits to suit every player’s budget, alongside quick and hassle-free withdrawals. The smoother and more convenient the payment process, the better the overall experience.
Reliable customer support is also key. The best casinos provide 24/7 assistance through various channels such as live chat, telephone, and email. Plus, they usually include helpful resources like comprehensive FAQ sections or dedicated help centres.
Bonuses and promotions play an important role too, but quality beats quantity here. Top-rated operators offer enticing deals with clear, fair terms and conditions, ensuring players know exactly what they’re signing up for.
Any casino we recommend must be fully licensed by the UK Gambling Commission, have a straightforward and transparent registration process, and provide robust responsible gambling tools. Sites that don’t meet these essential standards will not make the cut.
How does our affiliation influence rankings?
At CasinosHawks, it’s our mission to provide honest and reliable information to help players make informed choices. While online casinos can pay to be featured more prominently on our website, such as for increased visibility or preferred placements, these payments do not influence our editorial content, ratings, or reviews.
All reviews on Casinos Hawks are written independently by our team, based on consistent criteria and real user experiences. Here’s the crucial part: casinos cannot pay to receive a higher score or more favourable evaluation.
Running a high-quality comparison platform involves costs, including paying our editorial team and maintaining the website. Featured placements and affiliate partnerships help us cover these expenses,
Why can players trust CasinoHawks rating system?
The team at CasinoHawks has spent years analysing and reviewing the world of online gambling, building a reputation as a trusted and independent voice in the industry. With over 300 detailed reviews of online casinos we help players make informed decisions based on real data and expert insight.
Our content is reviewed and fact-checked by professionals with deep experience in gambling regulation, player protection, and digital payments. Both new and experienced players alike can rely on CasinoHawks for honest, unbiased guidance.
- 300+ expert reviews
- Trusted by millions of players since 2012
- Featured in leading UK news portals such as TalkSport.
- 1000+ articles covering casinos, bonuses, strategies, and industry news
- Committed to responsible gambling and complete transparency
At CasinoHawks, we stay ahead of the industry by holding casinos to high standards and always putting players first.
Responsible Gambling
Online casinos, sportsbooks, and poker rooms have certainly made gambling more accessible to the masses. While we wholeheartedly encourage responsible gambling, like setting sensible budgets and making use of self-exclusion tools, we’re well aware that for some, it can become a serious problem. Chasing your losses or juggling your finances to keep gambling going are clear warning signs of addiction.
If you suspect that you or someone close to you might be struggling with a gambling problem, rest assured, help is at hand.
GamCare: The leading provider of free information, advice, and support for anyone affected by problem gambling. Visit gamcare.org.uk or call their helpline on 0808 8020 133.
BeGambleAware: Offers expert advice and tools to help you gamble responsibly and get support when needed. Visit begambleaware.org.
NHS Gambling Clinic: Provides specialist treatment and counselling through the NHS. Ask your GP for a referral or visit nhs.uk.
Remember, you are not alone.
Disclaimer
Every online casino review on our site follows the rigorous review process detailed on this page. Should you decide to play at one of the casinos we recommend, we may earn a commission, at no extra cost to you.
