How We Rate Casinos

At Santus Circus, we review online casinos and bingo sites available to players in Great Britain. Our methodology is designed to be transparent, consistent and focused on the factors that matter most to UK players. The criteria below are listed in descending order of importance.

1. Licensing & Regulation

We first verify that a casino holds a valid licence from the UK Gambling Commission (UKGC) if it accepts players from Great Britain. We also consider licences from other recognised bodies such as the Malta Gaming Authority (MGA) and, where relevant, the Curaçao eGaming authority for international comparison. A local GB licence is essential and carries the most weight. We check licence numbers, regulatory history, and any enforcement actions.

2. Game Selection & Software Providers

We evaluate the breadth and quality of the gaming library, including:

We also assess the software providers powering the games, looking for trusted names like NetEnt, Playtech, Evolution, Microgaming and others. Fairness certifications and RNG testing are taken into account.

3. Bonus Terms & Wagering Requirements

Bonuses are only valuable if their terms are fair. We read the full terms and conditions for welcome offers, free spins, bingo bonuses and ongoing promotions. Key factors include:

We penalise unclear, misleading or excessively restrictive terms, especially those that breach UKGC advertising or fairness standards.

4. Payment Methods & Withdrawal Speed

We look at the range of deposit and withdrawal options available to UK players, including:

Withdrawal speed is critical. We test or estimate processing times, identify any fees, and check minimum and maximum limits. Faster payouts and verified payment processes score higher.

5. Customer Support

Reliable support is essential. We assess:

Casinos with round-the-clock support and quick, accurate answers receive the highest scores in this category.

6. Mobile Experience

We test the casino on modern smartphones and tablets. We consider:

A smooth, fully functional mobile experience is expected for any modern UK casino.

7. Responsible Gaming Tools

Player safety is a priority. We check for robust responsible gambling features, including:

Casinos that provide comprehensive, easy-to-use responsible gaming tools score higher in our reviews.

8. Our Rating Scale

Each casino receives a final score from 1 to 10, with 10 being outstanding. We score each of the categories above individually, then apply weighting based on importance. Licensing, game selection and bonus fairness carry the greatest weight, while mobile experience and support contribute less to the final score.

The final score is rounded to one decimal place and reflects our overall assessment for players in Great Britain.