Start with the licence, always. Scroll to the footer of any casino site and find its UK Gambling Commission account number, then check it on the Commission's public register at gamblingcommission.gov.uk. A UKGC licence means segregated player funds, independently audited games, GAMSTOP self-exclusion and a formal complaints route — protections no bonus can compensate for. NetBet, our current top pick, is account 39170; we verify every listed casino the same way.
Then judge the things that shape everyday play: how big and current the game library is (5,000+ titles is strong — and check the jackpot lobby specifically if you play progressives), which payment methods are supported and from what minimum deposit, whether withdrawal times are stated plainly, and how quickly you can reach a human on support. Published RTPs matter too: the same slot can run at different return rates at different casinos, so check the game rules panel rather than assuming.
✓ UKGC licence number in the footer
Verifiable on the public register — the one non-negotiable.
✓ Significant terms next to every offer
Honest casinos show wagering, caps and expiry beside the headline, not buried three clicks deep.
✓ Wagering at 35x or below
The UK market norm; lower is better, and cash-paid rewards with no wagering are best of all.
✓ Fast, named withdrawal times
“Within 24 hours to e-wallets” is a commitment; “processing times may vary” is a warning.
✓ Visible safer-gambling tools
Deposit limits and time-outs reachable in a couple of taps signal an operator that takes its licence seriously.
✗ No UKGC licence — or one you can’t verify
Offshore sites courting UK players offer none of the protections above, and you may have no recourse if things go wrong.
✗ Wagering above 40x, or wagering applied to your deposit
Maths designed so the bonus is nearly impossible to convert into withdrawable money.
✗ Maximum-win caps hidden in the small print
A “£500 bonus” capped at £50 of winnings is a £50 bonus wearing a costume.
✗ Bonuses that lock your own deposit
Some terms prevent withdrawing your own money until wagering completes — walk away.
✗ Pressure tactics
Countdown timers, “last chance” banners and unsolicited bonus calls are marketing built to rush your judgement.