Last updated: May 2026 — James Wilson, Cabhoo
Every review published on Cabhoo.co.uk is the result of a structured, hands-on evaluation process carried out by James Wilson. This page explains exactly how we assess new betting sites in the UK, what criteria we measure, how much weight each factor carries, and how we arrive at a final score. We believe you deserve full transparency before trusting any recommendation we make.
James Wilson is the author and owner of Cabhoo. He has spent years analysing the UK online betting market, studying licensing frameworks, bonus structures, payment systems, and player protection standards. James personally registers an account, deposits real money, places genuine bets, tests withdrawals, and contacts customer support on every site before a single word of a review is written. No review on Cabhoo is based on press releases, operator-supplied materials, or secondhand information.
James is entirely independent. Cabhoo has no ownership stake in any operator, no exclusive commercial arrangement that influences editorial scoring, and no obligation to produce positive coverage for any brand. Affiliate relationships may exist with some operators, but commission arrangements never affect the rating a site receives. A site earns its score through testing, not through a commercial agreement.
Before anything else, James confirms that the operator holds a valid licence issued by the UK Gambling Commission (UKGC). A licence number is checked directly on the UKGC public register. Sites without a current, active UKGC licence are not reviewed and are not listed on Cabhoo. This step is a hard filter, not a scored category in isolation.
James creates a new player account using standard personal details. He records how long registration takes, how smooth the KYC (Know Your Customer) identity verification process is, and whether responsible gambling tools such as deposit limits and self-exclusion options are clearly accessible from the outset.
A real-money deposit is made using at least two different payment methods available on the site. James records processing times, any fees applied, and the minimum and maximum transaction limits. A withdrawal request is then submitted to verify how quickly funds are returned and whether the process is straightforward.
James browses the sportsbook or casino lobby in full, assessing the range of markets, odds competitiveness, game providers, and overall navigation. He places real bets across multiple event types and, where applicable, plays casino games to evaluate performance and fairness indicators.
Where a welcome offer is available, James claims it and reads every line of the associated terms and conditions. Wagering requirements, time limits, game restrictions, and maximum withdrawal caps are all recorded. A generous headline bonus with punishing terms scores lower than a modest offer with fair and transparent conditions.
James contacts the support team via live chat and, where available, email. He measures response times, the quality and accuracy of the answers provided, and how accessible the support channels are for a typical UK player.
The site is accessed on a mobile device through a browser and, where one exists, through a dedicated app. James assesses loading speeds, layout quality, feature availability, and whether the mobile experience is genuinely comparable to the desktop version.
Each site receives a final score out of 10. That score is calculated by weighting six individual category scores as follows:
| Category | Weighting | What We Measure |
|---|---|---|
| Licensing and Safety | 25% | UKGC licence status, responsible gambling tools, data security, fair play standards |
| Bonuses and Promotions | 20% | Offer value, wagering requirements, terms transparency, ongoing promotions |
| Game and Betting Selection | 20% | Range of markets or games, software providers, odds quality, live betting availability |
| Payment Methods | 15% | Deposit and withdrawal options, processing speeds, fees, GamStop-compatible banking |
| Customer Support | 10% | Response speed, channel availability, answer quality, UK-focused assistance |
| Mobile Experience | 10% | App or mobile site quality, speed, feature parity with desktop, ease of use |
Independence is the foundation of everything Cabhoo publishes. James Wilson sets every score based solely on the results of his personal testing process. Operators cannot pay to improve their rating, request changes to a published review, or influence the editorial criteria used. If an affiliate relationship generates income after a reader clicks a link, that income is entirely separate from the scoring process.
Scores are reviewed and updated whenever a significant change occurs at an operator, such as a licence amendment, a change in bonus terms, or reports of withdrawal problems from UK players. A site reviewed in early 2026 will be re-evaluated if material changes arise later in the year. Cabhoo readers can always trust that the rating displayed reflects the most current tested experience available.
If you have a question about our methodology or wish to report an inaccuracy in any review, you are welcome to contact James Wilson directly through the contact page at cabhoo.co.uk.