The criteria and their weights
Bonus-terms criteria carry more weight than anything else, for a simple reason: it's where operators differ most and disclose least. Two casinos offering "100 free spins" can be offering completely different things once wagering enters the picture. Games, apps and support follow; nothing is scored on gut feel.
| Criterion | What we check | Weight |
|---|---|---|
| Wagering terms | Playthrough multiples, game weighting, expiry windows, withdrawal caps | 16 |
| Welcome offer type | Structure of the offer: match, spins, wager-free or hybrid | 8 |
| Terms clarity | Whether a careful non-lawyer can understand the offer in one read | 8 |
| Licence & protections | Current UKGC licence, deposit limits, time-outs, reality checks | 12 |
| Slot range | Lobby depth, search quality, new and classic titles | 10 |
| Live casino | Table variety, supplier, stakes spread, game-show formats | 10 |
| Game studios | Which providers are on the shelf and how current the catalogue is | 5 |
| Mobile web | Speed, layout and completeness of the browser experience | 7 |
| Native app | Availability on iOS and Android, stability, parity with the site | 7 |
| Customer support | Channels, hours, time-to-human, quality of answers | 7 |
| Account usability | Registration, navigation, finding your own limits and history | 5 |
| Reputation | Track record, ownership, regulatory history | 5 |
| Total | 100 | |
From notes to a number
Each criterion is marked from 0 to 5 against a written rubric — the same rubric for every operator. Marks are multiplied by the weights above and the result is expressed as a percentage. That's the match score you see on the shortlist. It answers one question: how closely does this operator match what we think a careful UK player should want?
A worked example: an operator scoring full marks on live casino but carrying a 40× wagering requirement with a seven-day expiry will lose more from the wagering row than it gains from the tables — which is the point. Generosity that expires before you can reasonably use it isn't generosity.
What we deliberately leave out
You won't find payment methods, deposit routes or withdrawal speeds on this site. We're a reviews and comparison desk, not a payments guide, and money handling sits between you and the operator. For the same reason we never test with real stakes beyond what a review requires, and we don't score "win potential" — no such thing can be scored honestly.
Independence and funding
Payline Bureau earns affiliate commissions: open an account through one of our links and the operator may pay us. The scores were written before any tracking link was attached, the weights don't move for commercial reasons, and no operator sees a review before you do. The arrangement is spelled out in the affiliate disclosure.
When scores change
Reviews are re-checked on a rolling basis — offer terms monthly, the rest as operators change them. When a score moves, the date at the top of the homepage moves with it. If you spot something we've missed, tell us; corrections beat pride.