Last updated: May 2026 — James Wilson, Cardiffinterchange
At Cardiffinterchange, every review you read on cardiffinterchange.co.uk is the result of a structured, hands-on evaluation process carried out by our lead reviewer, James Wilson. This page explains exactly how we assess new betting sites in the UK, what criteria we use, how we weight those criteria, and how we keep our ratings honest and independent from operator influence.
We believe UK bettors deserve clear, trustworthy guidance when choosing where to place their money. That starts with a methodology built on real testing, genuine expertise, and full transparency.
James Wilson personally tests every betting site featured on Cardiffinterchange before a single word of a review is written. James has spent years analysing the UK betting and casino market, studying licensing frameworks, bonus structures, and the technical standards that separate reliable operators from unreliable ones. He is not affiliated with, employed by, or paid by any operator reviewed on this site. Every assessment reflects his independent judgement based on direct experience with each platform.
Before assigning any score, James follows a consistent evaluation process for each new betting site:
Each site is scored out of 10 in six key categories. These scores are then combined using the weightings below to produce a single overall rating out of 10.
| Rating Category | Weighting | What We Assess |
|---|---|---|
| Licensing and Safety | 25% | UKGC licence validity, responsible gambling tools, SSL encryption, fair play certifications, and data protection practices. |
| Bonuses and Promotions | 20% | Welcome offer value, wagering requirements, time limits, game restrictions, and the quality of ongoing promotions. |
| Game and Betting Selection | 20% | Range of sports markets, casino games, live dealer options, software providers, and the quality of odds offered. |
| Payment Methods | 15% | Deposit and withdrawal options, processing speeds, minimum and maximum limits, and any associated fees. |
| Customer Support | 10% | Availability of support channels, response times, quality of answers, and whether support is UK-based. |
| Mobile Experience | 10% | Quality of the mobile site or dedicated app, loading speed, feature parity with desktop, and ease of navigation on smaller screens. |
All sites are scored on a scale of 1 to 10, where higher numbers represent a better overall experience for UK players. Here is how to interpret our scores:
Our independence is non-negotiable. Cardiffinterchange generates revenue through affiliate partnerships, meaning we may earn a commission if a reader signs up to a site through one of our links. However, this commercial relationship never influences our scores or written assessments. Sites with lower ratings are published alongside higher-rated ones. No operator can pay to improve their score or remove a negative review.
James Wilson applies the same methodology to every site regardless of the size of the operator or the value of any potential affiliate arrangement. Scores are assigned before any commercial discussions take place. If a site that was previously rated highly introduces changes that reduce quality, our review is updated to reflect the current experience.
We also disclose affiliate relationships clearly on any page where referral links appear, in line with UK advertising standards and our commitment to reader transparency.
The UK betting market moves quickly, especially when it comes to new sites launching in 2026. James revisits published reviews on a regular cycle and updates them whenever a site changes its bonus terms, payment options, licensing status, or overall product quality. A review date is displayed on every page so you always know how recently the information was verified.
If you have a question about our methodology or want to flag a change at a site we have reviewed, you are welcome to get in touch directly through the contact page at cardiffinterchange.co.uk.