Cookie Policy
Cookie Policy
Last Updated: January 2025
This Cookie Policy explains how UK Casino Expert uses cookies and similar tracking technologies when you visit our website. We want you to understand what cookies are, why we use them, and how you can control them to protect your privacy.
Understanding Cookies and Tracking Technologies
Cookies are small text files that websites place on your device to store information about your visit. They’re essential for modern websites to function properly and provide personalized experiences.
Types of Cookies We Use
Session Cookies These temporary cookies exist only while you browse our website and are automatically deleted when you close your browser. They’re essential for basic website functionality.
Persistent Cookies These cookies remain on your device for a predetermined period or until you manually delete them. They remember your preferences and improve your experience on return visits.
First-Party Cookies We set these cookies directly from our website domain. They’re used for essential functionality, analytics, and improving your user experience.
Third-Party Cookies External services integrated into our website set these cookies. They include analytics tools, social media widgets, and advertising technologies.
How We Use Cookies
We use cookies for several important purposes to enhance your browsing experience and improve our services.
Essential Website Functions
Session Management
- Maintaining your browsing session as you navigate between pages
- Remembering your cookie consent preferences
- Ensuring secure connections and preventing fraud
- Managing user authentication for registered features
Security and Performance
- Protecting against cross-site request forgery attacks
- Monitoring for suspicious activity and preventing abuse
- Load balancing to ensure optimal website performance
- Error tracking to identify and fix technical issues quickly
Analytics and Website Improvement
Google Analytics 4 We use Google Analytics to understand how visitors interact with our website:
- Pages visited and time spent on each page
- Traffic sources and referral information
- Device types, browsers, and screen resolutions
- User journey patterns and popular content
Internal Analytics Our own analytics system tracks:
- Website performance and loading speeds
- Search functionality usage and effectiveness
- Content engagement and user preferences
- Technical errors and optimization opportunities
Personalization and Preferences
User Experience Enhancement
- Remembering your language and region preferences
- Customizing content based on your interests
- Storing accessibility settings and display preferences
- Maintaining your newsletter subscription status
Content Recommendation
- Suggesting relevant casino reviews based on your browsing history
- Personalizing educational content recommendations
- Customizing responsible gaming resource suggestions
- Adapting site layout based on your device and preferences
Marketing and Communication
Campaign Tracking
- Measuring the effectiveness of our marketing campaigns
- Understanding which content drives the most engagement
- Tracking newsletter signup sources and conversion rates
- Analyzing social media integration performance
Affiliate Link Performance
- Tracking which casino recommendations generate the most interest
- Monitoring the performance of different promotional offers
- Understanding user preferences for different casino types
- Optimizing our review content based on user behavior
Detailed Cookie Inventory
Essential Cookies (Always Active)
| Cookie Name | Purpose | Duration | Category |
|---|---|---|---|
| PHPSESSID | Session management | Browser session | Essential |
| csrf_token | Security protection | 2 hours | Essential |
| cookie_consent | Cookie preferences | 12 months | Essential |
| security_check | Fraud prevention | 24 hours | Essential |
| load_balancer | Performance optimization | Browser session | Essential |
Analytics Cookies (Optional)
| Service | Cookie Names | Purpose | Duration |
|---|---|---|---|
| Google Analytics 4 | _ga, ga* | User identification | 2 years |
| Google Analytics 4 | _gid | Session identification | 24 hours |
| Google Analytics 4 | gat_gtag* | Request throttling | 1 minute |
| Internal Analytics | site_tracking | Performance measurement | 1 year |
| Hotjar | hjSessionUser* | User behavior analysis | 1 year |
Preference Cookies (Optional)
| Cookie Name | Purpose | Duration | Category |
|---|---|---|---|
| user_preferences | Site customization | 1 year | Preference |
| language_setting | Language selection | 6 months | Preference |
| accessibility_mode | Accessibility options | 1 year | Preference |
| content_filter | Content personalization | 3 months | Preference |
Marketing Cookies (Optional)
| Service | Cookie Names | Purpose | Duration |
|---|---|---|---|
| Facebook Pixel | _fbp, _fbc | Social media integration | 3 months |
| Google Ads | _gcl_au | Campaign attribution | 3 months |
| personalization_id | Social sharing | 2 years | |
| Internal Tracking | campaign_source | Marketing analysis | 30 days |
Third-Party Services and Their Cookies
Google Analytics 4
Purpose: Website traffic analysis and user behavior insights Data Collected: Anonymous usage statistics, device information, page views Privacy Policy: Google Privacy Policy Opt-Out: Google Analytics Opt-out Browser Add-on
Hotjar
Purpose: User experience analysis through heatmaps and session recordings Data Collected: Mouse movements, clicks, scrolling behavior (anonymized) Privacy Policy: Hotjar Privacy Policy Opt-Out: Available through Hotjar’s do-not-track functionality
Social Media Platforms
Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn
- Purpose: Social sharing widgets and content integration
- Data Collected: Interaction data when you use sharing features
- Control: Managed through respective platform privacy settings
Email Marketing Service
Mailchimp
- Purpose: Newsletter delivery and email marketing analytics
- Data Collected: Email engagement metrics, subscription preferences
- Privacy Policy: Mailchimp Privacy Policy
Managing Your Cookie Preferences
You have several options for controlling how cookies are used on our website.
Our Cookie Preference Center
Accessing Preferences
- Click the “Cookie Settings” link in our website footer
- Use the cookie banner that appears on your first visit
- Contact us directly to update your preferences
- Access preferences from any page with our floating privacy widget
Preference Options
- Accept All: Enable all cookies for the full website experience
- Essential Only: Use only necessary cookies for basic functionality
- Custom Selection: Choose specific cookie categories to enable or disable
- Reject All Non-Essential: Block all optional cookies while maintaining site functionality
Browser-Based Cookie Management
Google Chrome
- Click the three-dot menu → Settings → Privacy and security
- Select “Cookies and other site data”
- Choose your preferred cookie settings
- Use “See all cookies and site data” for detailed management
Mozilla Firefox
- Menu button → Options → Privacy & Security
- Under “Cookies and Site Data,” adjust your settings
- Click “Manage Data” for site-specific cookie control
- Use “Clear Data” to remove existing cookies
Apple Safari
- Safari menu → Preferences → Privacy
- Choose your cookie and website data settings
- Click “Manage Website Data” for detailed control
- Use “Remove All Website Data” to clear all cookies
Microsoft Edge
- Three-dot menu → Settings → Cookies and site permissions
- Select “Cookies and site data”
- Choose your cookie preferences
- Use “See all cookies and site data” for specific management
Mobile Browsers
- iOS Safari: Settings → Safari → Privacy & Security
- Android Chrome: Chrome → Settings → Site settings → Cookies
- Mobile Firefox: Menu → Settings → Data Management
Impact of Cookie Settings
Accepting All Cookies
Benefits:
- Full website functionality and all features available
- Personalized content and recommendations
- Optimal user experience with saved preferences
- Detailed analytics help us improve our services
Data Usage:
- Anonymous analytics data for website improvement
- Preference storage for enhanced user experience
- Marketing analytics for content optimization
- Social media integration for sharing capabilities
Essential Cookies Only
Functionality:
- Basic website navigation and security features
- Contact forms and essential user interactions
- Secure browsing and fraud protection
- Limited personalization and preferences
Limitations:
- No analytics data to improve our services
- No personalized content recommendations
- Social sharing features may not work properly
- Some convenience features will be unavailable
Completely Blocking Cookies
Severe Limitations:
- Significantly reduced website functionality
- Inability to maintain secure sessions
- Contact forms and user interactions may fail
- No personalization or preference storage
Cookie Consent and Legal Compliance
Consent Management
Clear Consent Process
- We obtain explicit consent for non-essential cookies
- Consent choices are clearly explained with plain language
- You can withdraw consent at any time without penalty
- Consent preferences are respected immediately upon selection
Legal Basis for Processing
- Consent: For analytics, marketing, and preference cookies
- Legitimate Interest: For essential security and performance cookies
- Contractual Necessity: For cookies required to provide our services
- Legal Obligation: For cookies required by law or regulation
Regulatory Compliance
UK and EU Privacy Laws
- Full compliance with the Privacy and Electronic Communications Regulations (PECR)
- GDPR compliance for all data processing activities
- Regular updates to maintain legal compliance
- Transparent information about cookie usage and purposes
International Standards
- Alignment with international best practices for cookie usage
- Compliance with relevant privacy laws in other jurisdictions
- Regular review of emerging privacy regulations
- Commitment to maintaining high privacy standards globally
Data Protection and Security
Cookie Data Security
Technical Safeguards
- All cookie data is transmitted over secure HTTPS connections
- Sensitive information is never stored in cookies
- Regular security audits and vulnerability assessments
- Encryption of any personal data in cookies
Access Controls
- Strict access controls for team members who can view analytics data
- Regular training on privacy and data protection best practices
- Segregation of duties to prevent unauthorized access
- Audit logs for all access to cookie and analytics data
Data Retention and Deletion
Automatic Expiration
- All cookies have defined expiration periods
- Session cookies are automatically deleted when you close your browser
- Persistent cookies expire according to their set duration
- Regular cleanup of expired and unnecessary cookie data
Manual Deletion
- You can delete all cookies through your browser settings
- Our cookie preference center allows selective deletion
- Withdrawing consent automatically stops future cookie placement
- Contact us for assistance with cookie deletion
Updates and Changes
Policy Updates
When We Update This Policy
- When we implement new cookie technologies or services
- If legal requirements change regarding cookie usage
- When we modify our analytics or marketing practices
- In response to user feedback or privacy concerns
How We Communicate Changes
- Updated policy posted on our website with revision date
- Email notification to newsletter subscribers for significant changes
- Pop-up notification on the website highlighting important updates
- Clear summary of changes provided in update notifications
Your Options After Updates
- Review and update your cookie preferences
- Withdraw consent if you disagree with changes
- Contact us with questions about updated practices
- Continue using the site indicates acceptance of updated terms
Contact Information
Questions About Our Cookie Policy
General Cookie Questions Email: cookies@ukcasinoexpert.co.uk Response Time: 24-48 hours
Privacy Concerns Email: privacy@ukcasinoexpert.co.uk Response Time: 48-72 hours
Technical Support Email: support@ukcasinoexpert.co.uk Response Time: 24 hours
Data Protection Rights
Under UK GDPR, you have rights regarding cookies and the data they collect:
- Right to Information: Clear information about cookie usage (this policy)
- Right to Consent: Control over which cookies are placed on your device
- Right to Withdraw Consent: Remove consent for cookie usage at any time
- Right to Access: Request information about cookies and data collected
- Right to Rectification: Correct any inaccurate information
- Right to Erasure: Request deletion of cookie data in certain circumstances
Regulatory Authority
If you’re not satisfied with our response to cookie-related concerns, you can contact:
Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO)
- Website: ico.org.uk
- Telephone: 0303 123 1113
- Address: Information Commissioner’s Office, Wycliffe House, Water Lane, Wilmslow, Cheshire SK9 5AF
Additional Resources
Understanding Online Privacy
- ICO guidance on cookies and privacy
- Your rights under UK data protection law
- How to manage privacy settings across different platforms
- Best practices for online privacy protection
Cookie Management Tools
- Browser privacy settings guides
- Third-party cookie blocking software
- Mobile device privacy controls
- Industry privacy preference tools
This Cookie Policy is effective as of January 2025 and applies to all users of the UK Casino Expert website.
For the most current version of this policy, please check this page regularly as we may update it to reflect changes in our practices or legal requirements.