How we rate casinos and bookies
Cumulatively, our experts carry decades of experience in the betting industry and aim to give the fairest ratings possible, to all the bookies and casinos we feature on-site. Our reviews consist of a variety of factors and all of those contribute to our overall FIRST rating:
Welcome bonus
We assess and compare the welcome bonuses based on what’s currently available on the UK market. We rate highly for no wagering, no deposits and low wagering bonuses, as well as those that have lots to offer; such as double welcome bonuses.
Deposits & withdrawals
Beyond debit cards, are there other payment methods available? Are there charges to withdraw or deposit? Is the minimum withdrawal higher than £10? These are all things we look for when it comes to assessing whether this element is a positive or a negative aspect to an operator’s offering.
Customer support
A 24/7 live chat is what everyone wants, especially a live chat that is operated by a human. We assess what options are available and how responsive the operator is when it comes to giving support.
Games/sports available
One of the biggest factors to picking a bookie or casino is their offering. We look at the variety and quality, as well as the volume, when it comes to what sports or casino games are available to bet on.
Security, fairness and licences
All of our bookmakers and casinos on-site will be registered by the UK Gambling Commission, but they get extra points if they hold other licences. Additionally, any extra security or fairness measure an operator makes, boosts their rating in our eyes.
Loyalty programme
To keep valuable players, they have to have something worth coming back for and a loyalty programme can be a good way to retain customers; and prevent them from jumping ship. We take a look at whether or not there is a loyalty scheme available and if the scheme is worth signing up to.
Responsible gambling measures
At FIRST, responsible gambling is key. We assess what bookmakers and casinos are doing to follow responsible gambling protocols and who they are partnered with, to further help their players. Responsible gambling companies to look out for are: GamStop, GamCare and BeGambleAware.
