Last updated: May 2026 — James Whitfield, Hirett
At Hirett, every review you read on hirett.co.uk is the result of a rigorous, hands-on evaluation process. Our founder and lead reviewer, James Whitfield, personally registers an account, makes real deposits, claims available bonuses, and tests customer support at every new betting site we cover. Nothing is assumed, and nothing is taken from a press release. This page explains exactly how we arrive at our scores so you can trust the ratings we publish.
James Whitfield is the author and owner of Hirett. With years of experience evaluating regulated gambling products in the United Kingdom, James brings a consumer-first perspective to every assessment. He is not employed by, affiliated with, or financially incentivised by any of the operators he reviews. When James signs up to a new betting site, he does so as an ordinary UK punter would — using his own details, his own payment methods, and his own money where required. This direct, personal testing is the foundation of everything published on Hirett.
Each new betting site is scored across six weighted categories. The weightings reflect what matters most to UK bettors in 2026, based on both industry standards and ongoing reader feedback. The combined score produces a final rating out of 10.
| Category | Weighting |
|---|---|
| Licensing & Safety | 25% |
| Bonuses & Promotions | 20% |
| Game & Betting Selection | 20% |
| Payment Methods | 15% |
| Customer Support | 10% |
| Mobile Experience | 10% |
This carries the highest weight because no other factor matters if a site is not safe to use. James verifies that every site holds a valid licence issued by the UK Gambling Commission (UKGC). He also checks for responsible gambling tools such as deposit limits, self-exclusion options, and GamStop integration. Sites that fail the licensing check are not published on Hirett at all — they are removed from consideration entirely.
James reads every line of the terms and conditions attached to welcome offers and ongoing promotions. He assesses wagering requirements, minimum odds restrictions, eligible markets, time limits, and maximum withdrawal caps. A generous headline figure means very little if the small print makes it nearly impossible to benefit from. Scores in this category reward transparency and genuine value.
For new betting sites, James evaluates the breadth of sports markets covered, the depth of in-play options, and — where applicable — the quality of any casino or slots offering. He looks at odds competitiveness across popular markets such as Premier League football, horse racing, and tennis, comparing them against established industry benchmarks.
James tests at least one deposit method and reviews the full list of available withdrawal options. He records processing times, checks for hidden fees, and confirms whether popular UK methods — including debit cards, PayPal, and Pay by Mobile — are supported. Sites must comply with the UKGC's ban on credit card gambling to score in this category.
James contacts customer support directly via live chat and, where available, email. He measures response times, assesses the accuracy and helpfulness of answers, and notes whether support is available around the clock. Sites that rely solely on FAQ pages or automated bots without access to a human agent score lower here.
James accesses every site on a mobile device to test the browser-based experience and, where one exists, the dedicated iOS or Android app. He evaluates load speed, navigation clarity, ease of placing a bet, and whether all key features — including live betting and account management — function correctly on a smaller screen.
All sites are scored on a scale of 1 to 10, calculated by applying the weightings above to each category score. Here is how to interpret those final numbers:
Hirett may earn a commission if you click through to a betting site and create an account. This is how the site is funded. However, commercial relationships have no influence on our scores. James applies the same methodology regardless of whether an affiliate agreement exists. Sites are ranked by their scores, not by the size of any commercial deal. We do not accept payment for positive reviews, and we do not allow operators to review or alter our content before it is published. If a site we feature deteriorates in quality after our initial review, we update or downgrade the score accordingly. Our obligation is to the reader, not to the operator.
If you have questions about our review process, you are welcome to get in touch via the contact page at hirett.co.uk.