How We Review Casinos

CasinoTaba reviews UKGC-licensed online casinos using a fixed methodology. Every operator is assessed against the same criteria, in the same order, regardless of the commercial relationship in place. This page explains exactly what we check, how we test it, and how scores are calculated.

Step 1: Licence verification

Before any research begins, we verify the operator’s UKGC licence number directly at gamblingcommission.gov.uk. We check that the licence is active, that the operator name matches the brand being reviewed, and that there are no outstanding regulatory actions against the licence holder.

If we cannot confirm an active UKGC licence, the operator is not reviewed and does not appear anywhere on CasinoTaba. This applies to offshore operators, grey-market sites, and brands operating under licences from other jurisdictions only.

Step 2: Withdrawal testing

We test the withdrawal process personally. This includes both e-wallet withdrawals (typically Skrill or PayPal) and card withdrawals to a debit card. We note:

• The time taken from withdrawal request to funds received.
• The KYC (Know Your Customer) documents requested and how the process is handled.
• Any fees applied at the operator’s end.
• Minimum and maximum withdrawal limits.
• Whether the cashier is functional in a mobile browser without an app.

Withdrawal performance is one of the highest-weighted factors in our scoring. An operator with slow payouts or excessive KYC friction scores lower regardless of other strengths.

Step 3: Bonus term analysis

We read bonus terms in full. Welcome offers are broken down by:

• Wagering requirement: the multiplier applied to the bonus or bonus-plus-deposit before winnings can be withdrawn.
• Game weighting: which game types contribute to wagering and at what percentage. Slots typically contribute 100%; table games often contribute 10% or less.
• Time limit: how many days you have to complete the wagering requirement.
• Maximum bet cap: the highest stake permitted while wagering is active. Exceeding this usually voids the bonus and any associated winnings.
• Excluded payment methods: some operators exclude players who deposit via e-wallets from welcome offer eligibility.

We do not summarise bonus terms from operator marketing copy. We read the full terms document and report what is actually written there.

Step 4: Responsible gambling tools

We verify that the following tools are present, accessible within the account area, and function correctly:

• Deposit limits (daily, weekly, monthly).
• Loss limits.
• Session time limits and reality checks.
• Cool-off or time-out options.
• Self-exclusion, including participation in the GamStop national scheme.

UKGC licence conditions require these tools to be available. If an operator makes them difficult to find or does not apply reduced limits immediately, this is noted in the review and reflected in the score.

Step 5: Mobile usability

We test the full player journey in a mobile browser: registration, deposit, game loading, and withdrawal. The cashier must be functional without leaving the browser or downloading an app for an operator to score well in this category. We also assess navigation clarity and whether responsible gambling tools are accessible on mobile.

Step 6: Game library and platform assessment

We assess:

• Software providers represented and the breadth of the slot catalogue.
• Live casino quality: provider (usually Evolution, Pragmatic Play Live, or similar), table variety, and stream quality.
• Table game selection beyond live casino.
• Search and filtering tools within the game lobby.

Scoring and listing threshold

Operators are scored on a 10-point scale. Each of the six areas above contributes to the final score, with licensing and withdrawals weighted most heavily. Any operator that scores below 7.5 is not listed on CasinoTaba, regardless of commercial terms.

We do not accept payment to change ratings. We do not give bonus marks for higher commission rates. If an operator’s performance declines after the initial review, the score is updated and, if it falls below 7.5, the listing is removed.

Independence and disclosure

CasinoTaba earns revenue from referral links. This is standard affiliate publishing practice and is disclosed on every page where affiliate links appear. It does not influence editorial scores or conclusions. Our methodology exists precisely to separate the commercial relationship from the editorial verdict.

For information about the team behind the reviews, visit our Editorial Team page.