Last updated: May 2026 — James Whitfield, Edward Leigh
At edward-leigh.net, every casino review you read is the result of a structured, hands-on evaluation process carried out personally by James Whitfield. Our goal is simple: to give UK players an honest, accurate and genuinely useful picture of every online casino we cover. This page explains exactly how we assess each site, what criteria we use, and how we protect the independence of our ratings.
Before a single word of a review is written, James Whitfield personally registers a real account at the casino using his own details and, where applicable, deposits his own money. This is not a desk-based exercise. Every site is tested as an ordinary UK player would experience it, from the first click on the homepage through to withdrawal of winnings.
The testing process typically unfolds in the following stages:
Only after completing all of these steps does James assign scores and write the final review.
Each casino receives a final score out of 10. This overall score is calculated from six weighted categories, each reflecting how important that area is to the typical UK player's experience.
| Category | Weighting | What We Assess |
|---|---|---|
| Licensing and Safety | 25% | Valid UK Gambling Commission licence, responsible gambling tools, data security and fair play certifications. |
| Bonuses and Promotions | 20% | Welcome offer value, wagering requirements, fairness of terms, ongoing loyalty rewards and promotional frequency. |
| Game Selection | 20% | Breadth and quality of slots, table games and live casino; software provider reputation; RTP transparency. |
| Payment Methods | 15% | Range of deposit and withdrawal options, processing speeds, fee structures and minimum/maximum limits. |
| Customer Support | 10% | Availability of support channels, response times, accuracy of answers and overall helpfulness. |
| Mobile Experience | 10% | Usability on mobile browsers and apps, load speeds, game availability on smaller screens and overall design. |
All casinos reviewed on edward-leigh.net receive a final score between 1 and 10. Here is what each band means in practice:
We do not publish reviews for casinos that score below 6.0 unless the review serves as an explicit warning to players.
Independence is at the core of everything we do. James Whitfield operates edward-leigh.net free from any ownership, investment or contractual relationship with the casinos he reviews. Scores are determined solely by the testing criteria outlined above and are never adjusted in exchange for advertising spend, affiliate commission rates or any other commercial consideration.
Where affiliate relationships exist — meaning edward-leigh.net may earn a commission if a reader signs up to a casino via one of our links — this is disclosed clearly on the relevant pages. Commissions do not influence ratings. A casino that pays a higher commission rate receives no scoring advantage over one that pays less. If a casino's score changes after publication, we explain why in a clearly dated update note.
We also review casinos that do not have affiliate programmes, and we have published critical reviews of operators we do have commercial relationships with when the evidence warrants it. Our readers' trust matters more than any short-term revenue.
The online casino industry in the UK changes quickly. Licensing conditions, bonus terms, game libraries and payment options can all shift after a review is first published. James Whitfield revisits published reviews on a rolling schedule and updates scores and content whenever material changes are identified. Every review displays a last reviewed date so you always know how current the information is.
If you spot something that appears outdated or inaccurate, you are welcome to contact us directly through the details provided on our contact page. We take reader feedback seriously and investigate every credible report.