How We Rate Casinos

At shipyardcycles.co.uk, every crypto casino we review is put through the same rigorous, hands-on evaluation process. Our team signs up, deposits real funds, plays the games, claims the bonuses, and requests withdrawals before assigning a final score. Below you will find the eight criteria we assess, listed in order of importance, together with an explanation of our 1–10 rating scale. All assessments are current for 2026 and are written with players in Great Britain in mind.

Licensing & Regulation

Licensing is the single most important factor in our reviews. We verify every licence directly with the issuing authority and check that it remains valid and in good standing. For players in Great Britain, we give the highest marks to casinos holding a licence from the UK Gambling Commission (UKGC), as this guarantees compliance with strict local rules on fairness, player fund protection, and advertising. We also recognise reputable international licences such as the Malta Gaming Authority (MGA) and, with more caution, Curaçao eGaming, which is common among crypto casinos. Any site operating without a verifiable licence, or with a history of regulatory sanctions, is marked down heavily or excluded entirely.

Game Selection & Software Providers

A strong casino should offer depth and variety. We count and categorise the available titles, looking for a healthy mix of online slots, live dealer casino games, and classic table games such as blackjack, roulette, and baccarat. We also check which studios supply the content — casinos working with established providers like Evolution, Pragmatic Play, NetEnt, and Play'n GO score higher, as their games are independently tested for fairness. Provably fair crypto games are an additional plus for blockchain-focused players.

Bonus Terms & Wagering Requirements

Headline bonus figures mean very little without fair terms attached. We read the full terms and conditions of every promotion and assess the rollover (wagering) requirements, game contribution percentages, time limits, maximum bet rules, and — crucially — any maximum cashout caps on bonus winnings. Bonuses with wagering above 40x, restrictive withdrawal limits, or vague wording lose points, while transparent, achievable offers score well. We also verify that the advertised bonus is actually credited as promised.

Payment Methods & Withdrawal Speed

As a crypto casino resource, payment performance is central to our scoring. We test deposits and withdrawals using cryptocurrencies (Bitcoin, Ethereum, USDT, and others), e-wallets, and traditional bank transfers and debit cards where available. We record real processing times, check for hidden fees, and assess minimum and maximum limits. Casinos that process crypto withdrawals within minutes and fiat payouts within 24–48 hours earn top marks; those imposing lengthy pending periods or excessive verification delays are penalised.

Customer Support

Problems happen, and how a casino responds matters. We contact support multiple times, at different hours, via 24/7 live chat and email, asking both simple and complex questions. We measure response times, the accuracy of the answers, and the professionalism of the agents. Additional channels such as telephone support, a detailed help centre, or an active complaints procedure improve the score.

Mobile Experience

Most players in 2026 gamble on the go, so we test every casino on a range of smartphones and tablets. We evaluate the responsive design of the mobile site — loading speed, navigation, game stability, and ease of banking on smaller screens — and, where offered, the quality of dedicated iOS and Android apps. A casino that delivers the full desktop experience on mobile, with no missing games or broken features, scores highly.

Responsible Gaming Tools

Player protection is non-negotiable. We check that each casino provides practical tools including deposit limits, loss and session limits, cooling-off periods, and self-exclusion options. For the GB market, we also look for integration with national schemes such as GamStop where applicable, links to support organisations like GamCare and BeGambleAware, and clear reality-check reminders. Casinos that bury or omit these tools are marked down.

Our Rating Scale

After completing all tests, each criterion receives a weighted sub-score, with Licensing & Regulation carrying the greatest weight and Responsible Gaming Tools the smallest. These combine into a single overall score on our 1–10 scale:

All reviews on shipyardcycles.co.uk are revisited and re-tested regularly to ensure our scores reflect the casino as it operates today, not as it was at launch. If a casino's performance declines, its rating is updated accordingly.