How we rank sportsbooks
The nine categories
Every sportsbook we cover is scored on the same nine categories, on the same 1-to-10 scale, at the same review cadence.
| Category | Weight | What it measures |
|---|---|---|
| NHL market depth | 15% | Number of NHL games listed, plus depth of each market (side, total, puck line, first-goal, series prices). |
| NHL props menu | 15% | Player prop coverage: shots on goal, points, hits, blocks, saves, first-goal, faceoffs. |
| Live in-play | 12% | Number of in-play markets per game and how tight the freeze windows are. |
| Boost calendar | 10% | Frequency of price boosts and same-game parlay insurance offers. |
| Payout speed | 10% | Median time from withdrawal request to funds received. |
| App quality | 10% | App-store rating, crash rate, and load time on entry-level devices. |
| Customer service | 10% | Response time on live chat and email, plus resolution rate. |
| Deposit/withdrawal options | 10% | Number of methods and coverage of Interac in Canada and ACH in the US. |
| Responsible-gambling tools | 8% | Depth of self-exclusion, limits, and reality-check tools. |
Review cadence
Every book gets a full re-score once a quarter. Between reviews, category scores can shift up or down by half a point if we observe material change. Full re-argues happen at the quarterly editorial meeting.
Who scores
The Desk assigns scoring. Two of our writers each hold veto power on a category they own: Riley on odds and props, Ash on broadcasting-adjacent categories. Disputes get escalated to the desk editor.
What we do not accept
We do not accept sponsored rankings. We do not accept payment for improved placement. We do not run "editor's pick" carousels that quietly rotate. If a book asks us to change a score, we say no and note the request in our audit log.