How we Test & Review Betting Sites: Our Rating System Explained
At Gambling.com, one of our key aims is to provide bettors with objective, accurate reviews of licensed betting sites.
Our mission is to deliver honest insights you can trust, so we've assembled a team of experienced professionals who know exactly what a good online sportsbook should look like.
Our experts test sportsbooks extensively and write in-depth reports based on their experiences, so you have all the information you need to choose a betting site with confidence.
Why Trust Gambling.com?
- We have been assessing sportsbooks since our company was founded in 2006, with more than 3,000 sites tested and reviewed to date.
- Our experts have amassed a combined decades of experience working across a variety of roles in the gambling industry.
- Our global workforce is made up of over 600 professionals.
- We take the views of Gambling.com users into account when comparing and ranking sportsbooks.
- Responsible gambling is at the heart of what we do and we only feature sportsbooks that take safety seriously.
- We have been recognised as a trusted source with industry awards, including the prestigious EGaming Review Sports Affiliate of The Year prize.
Our Promise to You
We are committed to transparency and accuracy, so if a site doesn’t meet our high standards for recommendation, it won’t receive a positive review from us.
Only fully licensed sportsbooks are reviewed at Gambling.com. This is to ensure we never recommend sites that operate outside the legal framework.
Sportsbooks with licensing are required to keep personal details safe. They also provide responsible gambling assistance.
Some of the links on our website are affiliate links. This means that if you sign up, we may receive a commission payment at no extra cost to you.
Rest assured, however, that all reviews are conducted independently by our team, free from external influence.
Our Testing Process
Our independent testing system is designed to ensure all reviews and ratings at Gambling.com are accurate and up-to-date.
We sign up for betting sites and test their features extensively using the process outlined below.
When testing a new site for the first time, the process takes two months on average.
We then revisit the site at least once every month to assess any new features that may have been added or removed.
A full re-evaluation is carried out at least once every six months using this procedure.
Check Licensing & Security Details
The first thing we check for is a valid gambling licence.
If a sportsbook isn’t licensed and regulated, we won't go any further with our testing process.
This is a quick check which usually takes just a matter of minutes.
Sign Up & Verify ID
A member of our team signs up and evaluates the registration process.
While signing up should be quick and simple, we also want sportsbooks to carry out the necessary legal checks to ensure customers can legally place bets.
The time this takes varies depending on the sportsbook, but we're usually fully signed up - with ID verified - within a few hours.
Deposit Money
The next step is depositing real money into a betting account. At this point, we want to see a wide range of payment methods accepted.
We also look for flexible deposit limits and expect funds to be accessible as soon as they're deposited.
It usually takes a couple of hours to test all deposit methods and check limits.
Analyse Odds & Markets
This step is a crucial one - checking which betting markets are available and how valuable the odds are.
To evaluate the odds, we research prices for individual betting markets and compare them with odds from leading sportsbooks.
This is one of the lengthier parts of the testing process. We aim to compare odds for 100 betting lines across at least 15 sports, which can take a couple of weeks.
Claim Existing Customer Promotions
Sportsbooks should have a range of promotions that can be claimed regularly after signing up.
We test offers such as odds boosts, early payouts, money-back offers and loyalty promotions, to ensure a sportsbook rewards existing customers.
We spread these tests over the course of a month to ensure we can form opinions on the majority of promos offered.
Place Bets
We place bets on a range of pre-game, future and live betting markets to determine if this process runs smoothly. After at least 30 bets have been placed, we have a good feel for the process.
We examine the betting slip after placing a bet to ensure the odds and markets selected have been honoured by the sportsbook. If the bet wins, we check to make sure the site quickly pays out the correct amount.
Test Customer Support
To assess a site's level of customer service, we contact support agents using all available contact methods.
If a site offers 24/7 live chat, we test this function to check whether support agents deal with queries in a prompt and professional manner.
We also put email and phone support functions to the test during this step of the process.
Test Mobile & Desktop Experience
We test each sportsbook on a range of platforms, including desktop, smartphone and tablet - devoting the most time to smartphone testing as this is now the most popular way to bet.
If a book has an Android or iOS app available, we download the apps and spend two weeks using all of their key features.
The best betting sites should cater to all users, no matter what type of device you're betting with.
Withdraw Funds
The final step in our testing process involves withdrawing funds. Again, we want to see a range of options available here, including debit cards and digital wallets like PayPal.
We test each method of withdrawal to check how long the process takes, as withdrawal times can vary depending on the method being used.
Why We Regularly Update Our Reviews
"A review is only useful when it's up-to-date. That's why we update our reviews monthly and completely re-evaluate each site every six months, using our testing process.
"Betting sites constantly evolve - introducing new promotions, payment options and features that can dramatically affect your betting experience.
"By staying on top of these changes, we ensure our recommendations remain reliable and relevant for punters seeking the best possible service."
Unlicensed & Unregulated
Licensing ensures a site operates under regulatory oversight, providing a safe, legal environment for users.
Without it, there is a risk of being exposed to unfair practices and potential financial losses.
No SSL Encryption
SSL encryption is vital for protecting sensitive user data like payment details and personal information.
Sites lacking this safeguard put bettors at risk of data breaches and cyber-attacks.
Restrictive Bonus Terms
Unfair bonus terms like unrealistic wagering requirements are a major red flag.
They undermine user trust and make it difficult for bettors to benefit from promotional offers.
Unclear Terms & Conditions
Transparent terms and conditions are critical for informed decision-making when placing bets.
If a sportsbook has restrictive clauses contained within the small print, it should be avoided.
Low Winnings Limits
Excessive limitations on winnings prevent bettors from fully cashing in on successful bets.
Sites that impose low limits on winnings aren't worth your time.
Our Rating System Explained
Once we have fully tested a sportsbook, it's time to assign an overall rating out of 10 based on a detailed evaluation by our review team.
When we have collated all the findings from our testing, we consider these 10 key categories to rate a site, assigning a score out of 10 in each category.
The final rating is calculated by adding up the scores from all categories and dividing that figure by 10.
Sports & Markets
In order to score highly in this category, a sportsbook must have a wide range of sports to bet on, along with plenty of betting options for each sport.
For example, an NHL game should come with more than 200 markets.
Parlays and same-game parlays should be an option for a wide range of sports as well.
Betting Tools
A number of factors go into calculating the score out of 10 in this category.
This rating is based on tools that improve the betting experience, like same-game parlay builders that make it simple to create an SGP.
Payments
A sportsbook with a 10/10 score in this category must cater to all of the most popular payment methods for depositing and withdrawing funds.
High marks are awarded to sites that allow instant withdrawals. If it takes more than three days for a withdrawal to be processed, a low score will be assigned in this category.
Customer Support
In order for a site to earn high marks for customer support, questions must be answered quickly and support agents must be genuinely helpful and courteous.
The best sportsbooks have a 24/7 live chat option and agents that respond to customer questions within minutes.
Reputation & User Feedback
We survey Gambling.com users to determine whether the majority of bettors have had a positive experience with a sportsbook. This has a major impact on the score we assign in this category.
We also conduct thorough research to ensure the site's parent company has a strong reputation within the gambling industry.
Site User Experience
If it's difficult to navigate the site and place bets, a sportsbook won't score high when it comes to UX.
A clunky site or app that is prone to crashing can be extremely frustrating to use. Instead, it should run smoothly and should be visually appealing.
Mobile Features
Our latest Gambling.com user research shows that 87% of bettors now use smartphones to place bets, so the mobile experience is of particular importance.
When rating mobile features, we look for perks like betting apps that send handy notifications. For example, an app might notify us when a horse we've won money on before is set to run again.
This sort of attention-to-detail only comes from the betting sites with the best mobile products.
Responsible Gambling
Responsible gambling assistance should be easily accessible to help bettors stay in control.
If a sportsbook provides customers with tools like deposit limits, loss limits, time-outs or self-exclusion, this is something we really value.
Live Betting Features
To earn a high score for live betting, a sportsbook should have extensive live betting options, real-time statistics and live streams available to watch sports while you bet.
If we want to cash out a bet early, we should be offered a fair value. Sites with low cash out offers won't get a 10/10 score here.
Value of Odds
We collect odds data from dozens of betting sites, allowing us to easily compare prices and separate the sites with the best value from the rest.
To receive a score of 10/10 in this category, a sportsbook needs to consistently beat the odds from its competitors across a range of markets and bet types.
An Example of Our Rating Scorecard
| Category | Score | Reasoning |
|---|---|---|
| Sports & Markets | 7/10 | Exceptional market depth for popular sports, but niche sports not given as much attention |
| Betting Tools | 7/10 | The site comes with an insightful betting picks blog - but the same-game parlay builder can be tricky to use. |
| Payments | 10/10 | All popular payment methods are accepted and instant withdrawals are facilitated |
| Customer Support | 5/10 | There's no live chat option available and email queries can take two days to get a response |
| Reputation & User Feedback | 8/10 | The sportsbook comes from a reputable company and user feedback is largely positive |
| User Experience | 5/10 | The site runs smoothly but the layout makes things difficult to locate |
| Mobile Features | 6/10 | The browser version of the site works well but there are no apps available to download |
| Responsible Gambling | 9/10 | The responsible gambling section provides useful links and there are seven RG tools provided |
| Live In-Play Betting | 10/10 | 12 sports come with HD live streams, live betting options are comprehensive and cash out values are fair |
| Value of Odds | 8/10 | Prices are better than the majority of competitors but a handful of sites still have better odds |
| OVERALL RATING | 7.5/10 | While the sportsbook has some standout features, there is still plenty of room for improvement |
Our Expert Review Team
Here's some information on the professionals who test and review online sportsbooks for Gambling.com - including the roles they play in our testing and rating procedure.
Dean Ryan
Dean Ryan brings 20 years of industry experience to our team, having worked with leading sportsbooks such as 888sport and BetVictor.
A passionate horse racing bettor, Dean is also an analyst, tipster and co-founder of the #Racehour Podcast. His expertise adds a genuine bettor's perspective to our review team.
James Molloy
Before joining the team, James Molloy spent five years working with one of the world's leading betting companies, Flutter Entertainment.
James's experience in client-facing roles has given him a unique insight into customer needs.
This insight informs his evaluations of sportsbooks, making him a key member of our team.
Diarmuid Nolan
Diarmuid Nolan brings over 10 years of betting industry experience to our team, with roles at Sport Caller, RacingFM and BetBright included on his resume.
A co-founder of the popular #Racehour podcast, Diarmuid's horse racing betting knowledge is second-to-none.
Diarmuid also plays a key role in vetting sportsbooks to ensure we only feature betting sites that are fully licensed, regulated and safe to bet with.
Kevin Taylor
Before joining the Gambling.com team in 2021, Kevin Taylor covered sports betting news for major media publications.
Among the stories Kevin reported on was an investigation into alleged match-fixing involving players at a soccer club.
Kevin’s investigative reporting on irregular betting activities underscores his and our team's commitment to protecting bettors from unfair practices.
Jamie Casey
Jamie Casey leverages his sports betting expertise and journalism background in his role with Gambling.com.
Jamie has worked with major sportsbooks such as Unibet and has also contributed to respected media outlets like FourFourTwo and Sky Sports.
He leverages all of this experience to ensure our reviews and betting guides are engaging and informative.
Chris Rivers
Chris Rivers brings experience from sportsbooks like bet365 and Betfred to his role at Gambling.com.
He also brings significant journalistic experience to the table, having worked for publications like the Racing Post.
As a writer and editor, Chris researches and writes about sportsbooks, while also producing sports betting news and tips.
Kevin Walsh
Drawing on his experience working for major sportsbooks and media outlets, Kevin Walsh analyses promotions and is one of our in-house experts on betting offers.
Kevin helps readers understand which bonuses offer real value by breaking down key terms and conditions.
Simon Sinclair
Before joining our team, Simon Sinclair wrote extensively about sports betting for major online sportsbooks such as bet365.
His work has also featured on sports media platforms like Goal.com.
Charlie Mullan
Charlie Mullan has over two decades of professional sports journalism experience.
At Press Association, he helped to launch a new betting channel with statistical data that has featured at leading sportsbooks.
At Gambling.com, Charlie applies his data analysis expertise to deliver insightful sports betting news, equipping bettors with the information they need to place informed bets.
