Editorial Methodology
How Play Filing
rates operators.
Eight criteria, one match score. Here's what we look at, how we weight it, and why game studios and library depth sit at the centre of every comparison.
Play Filing is affiliate-funded: we earn a commission when a reader visits an operator through a link on this site. Our match scores are produced independently of that commercial relationship — operators are not told their scores in advance, do not have approval rights over our assessments, and cannot pay to improve their ranking. A lower-scoring operator may still pay the same commission as a higher-scoring one.
The eight criteria
What we assess
UKGC Licence
Baseline — pass/failEvery operator assessed must hold a valid licence from the UK Gambling Commission. We verify against the UKGC's public register. This is a threshold criterion — an unlicensed operator is not listed. A valid licence is not scored as a positive differentiator; it is the minimum standard.
Game Studio Coverage
High weight — editorial spineWhich game development studios appear in the operator's library, how prominently, and whether the lineup extends beyond the most common combination of Pragmatic Play, NetEnt, and Evolution. Studios like Novomatic, Blueprint Gaming, and Gamomat are meaningful differentiators. Exclusive or original content within the library is a significant positive.
Game Library Depth
High weightRaw title count matters less than depth and variety — a library of 500 genuinely distinct games scores better than a library of 2,000 where most are minor variants of the same mechanic. We look at variety across volatility profiles, themes, and game types.
Live Casino Quality
Significant weightThe studio provider, number of distinct game formats (not just tables), stake range accessibility, and whether game-show format titles are available. Evolution Gaming's output currently sets the quality benchmark; other studios are assessed relative to it.
Mobile Experience
Significant weightWhether a native iOS/Android app is available, and if so, how it compares to the desktop experience. Mobile-web-only platforms are noted and assessed on navigation clarity, load time characteristics, and live game performance on mobile.
Welcome Offer Type
Noted, low weightWe record what type of welcome offer an operator carries (matched deposit, free spins, no requirement) without scoring on the size of the offer. We do not promote offers and do not score operators higher for larger bonuses. The type is relevant context; the amount is not something we independently verify or guarantee.
Customer Support
Moderate weightWhether 24/7 support is available, the channels offered (live chat, phone, email), and operator reputation for response quality. We note what operators state about their support; we do not run live tests with every operator for every review cycle.
Overall Usability
Moderate weightNavigation clarity, registration process, game filtering, and how well the platform presents its safer gambling tools. Platforms where deposit limits and self-exclusion are easy to find and set receive a positive note in this criterion.
The match score
What the percentage means
The match score is our overall editorial assessment of an operator on a 0–100% scale. It is not a financial metric and has no bearing on the size of any bonus or the likelihood of a winning outcome.
Scores above 80% indicate operators that perform well across most of the eight criteria. Scores in the 60–79% range indicate operators that are solid in some areas but weaker in others — often smaller operators with narrower libraries or limited live casino coverage.
No operator currently in the comparison scores below 60%, because operators with significant structural weaknesses (no live casino at all, very thin libraries) are typically not included.
Update cadence
How we keep it current
UKGC licence status is checked periodically against the public register. Scores and descriptions are reviewed when there are significant changes to an operator's library, studio partnerships, or support provision.
We note the date of the last review at the top of each comparison page. If you are reading this significantly after that date, we recommend verifying details — particularly licence status — directly with the operator.
See the full comparison with scores applied.
View operator scorecards →