This Cookie Policy explains what cookies are, how BestUKCasualGamesHub Ltd ("we", "us", "our") uses cookies and similar technologies on BestUKCasualGamesHub.com (the "Platform"), and the choices you have regarding their use. This policy should be read alongside our Privacy Policy, which provides further detail on how we process personal data.
What Are Cookies?
Cookies are small text files that are placed on your computer, smartphone, or other device by a website when you visit it. They are widely used to make websites work more efficiently and to provide information to the website owner. Cookies are stored in your browser's dedicated storage and may persist for a session (until you close your browser) or for a set period of time (persistent cookies).
It is important to understand the distinction between browser cookies and another technology we use called localStorage:
- Cookies are small text files that can be read by web servers each time your browser makes a request. Some cookies are transmitted back and forth between your browser and the server with every page load.
- localStorage is a browser-based storage mechanism that stores data locally on your device only. Unlike cookies, localStorage data is never automatically transmitted to servers — it remains entirely within your browser. We use localStorage to store your game progress and preferences.
Both technologies are governed by the Privacy and Electronic Communications Regulations (PECR) and the UK GDPR. You have the right to control how both are used on this Platform.
How We Use Cookies
We use cookies for the following purposes on the Platform:
- Essential functionality: Certain cookies are strictly necessary to enable the Platform to function correctly. Without them, you would not be able to use core features of the site. These essential cookies do not require your consent under PECR because they are necessary to provide the service you have requested.
- Analytics and performance: With your consent, we use analytics cookies to collect anonymised information about how visitors use the Platform. This helps us understand which pages are most popular, how users navigate the site, and where technical issues may occur. All analytics data is aggregated and anonymised — it cannot be used to identify you personally.
- Preferences: Preference cookies allow the Platform to remember choices you have made, such as your preferred visual theme or language setting, so you do not have to set them again each time you visit.
Types of Cookies We Use
Essential Cookies
These cookies are necessary for the Platform to function and cannot be switched off in our systems. They are usually set only in response to actions you take, such as confirming your age or setting your cookie preferences.
-
hub_age — Type: localStorage item. Purpose: Records that you have confirmed you are aged 18 or over so that the age verification modal is not shown on every visit. Duration: Persists until you clear browser site data.
-
hub_cookie — Type: localStorage item / cookie. Purpose: Records your cookie consent decision (accepted or declined) so that your preference is respected on return visits and we do not display the consent banner repeatedly. Duration: Persists until cleared.
-
hub_*_balance — Type: localStorage items (e.g., hub_slots_balance, hub_poker_balance). Purpose: Stores your current virtual credit balance for each game locally in your browser so your progress is maintained between sessions. This data is never transmitted to our servers. Duration: Persists until you clear browser site data or use the in-game balance reset feature.
Analytics Cookies
These cookies are only set if you accept analytics cookies via the cookie consent banner. They help us understand how visitors interact with the Platform so we can improve it.
-
analytics_session — Type: Session cookie. Purpose: Assigns an anonymised identifier to your current browsing session to allow us to understand navigation flows within a single visit. No personally identifiable information is stored. Duration: Session (deleted when you close your browser).
-
analytics_id — Type: Persistent cookie. Purpose: Assigns an anonymised identifier that persists across sessions to help us understand returning visitor patterns in aggregate. This identifier cannot be used to identify you personally. Duration: Up to 26 months.
-
analytics_ref — Type: Session cookie. Purpose: Records the referral source (e.g., whether you arrived via a search engine or direct link) to help us understand how users discover the Platform. Duration: Session.
Preference Cookies
These cookies allow the Platform to remember choices you have made to provide a more personalised experience.
-
hub_theme — Type: localStorage item. Purpose: Remembers your chosen visual theme preference (e.g., light or dark mode) so it is applied automatically on your next visit. Duration: Persists until cleared.
-
hub_lang — Type: localStorage item. Purpose: Stores your language preference where language options are available on the Platform. Duration: Persists until cleared.
localStorage vs Cookies
As noted above, the Platform makes significant use of the browser's localStorage API for storing game-related data. It is important that you understand the key differences between localStorage and cookies:
- Server access: Cookies can be read by web servers; localStorage data cannot. Data stored in localStorage never leaves your device unless code on the page explicitly sends it.
- Transmission: Cookies are automatically sent with every HTTP request your browser makes to the relevant domain. localStorage data is only accessible to JavaScript running on the page.
- Storage limits: localStorage can typically store up to 5–10 MB of data per domain, compared to approximately 4 KB for a single cookie.
- Expiry: Cookies can be set with a specific expiry date. localStorage data has no automatic expiry — it persists until explicitly cleared.
- Privacy implication for this Platform: Because we use localStorage (rather than server-transmitted cookies) to store your game balances and history, this data is entirely private to your device. We at BestUKCasualGamesHub Ltd cannot access your game history or balances.
Under PECR, the requirement to obtain consent applies to "the storing of information, or the gaining of access to information already stored, in the terminal equipment of a subscriber or user". This encompasses both cookies and localStorage. We therefore obtain your consent before using non-essential localStorage items and analytics cookies.
Managing Your Cookies
You have several options for controlling cookies and localStorage data:
Through Our Cookie Banner
When you first visit the Platform, you will see a cookie consent banner. You can choose to "Accept All" (which enables essential and analytics cookies) or "Decline" (which restricts us to essential functionality only). You can revisit this choice at any time by clearing your browser's cookies and site data, which will cause the banner to reappear on your next visit.
Through Your Browser Settings
All major browsers allow you to control cookies and local storage through their settings menus. Please note that blocking all cookies may affect the functionality of many websites, not just this Platform.
-
Google Chrome: Go to Settings > Privacy and security > Cookies and other site data. You can block third-party cookies, clear all cookies, or manage exceptions. To clear localStorage, go to Settings > Privacy and security > Clear browsing data and select "Cookies and other site data".
-
Mozilla Firefox: Go to Settings > Privacy & Security > Cookies and Site Data. You can manage cookie blocking and clear stored data. Select "Manage Data" to view and remove data for specific sites.
-
Apple Safari: Go to Preferences > Privacy > Manage Website Data. You can see which websites have stored data and remove individual sites or all sites. On iOS: Settings > Safari > Advanced > Website Data.
-
Microsoft Edge: Go to Settings > Cookies and site permissions > Cookies and site data. You can block, allow, or clear cookies and site data per site or globally.
For guidance specific to other browsers, please consult your browser's help documentation or visit aboutcookies.org.
Third-Party Cookies
Where you have accepted analytics cookies, third-party analytics tools may set their own cookies on your device. These tools are used by us solely for the purpose of understanding aggregate usage patterns on the Platform. We select analytics providers who:
- Process data only on our documented instructions;
- Have appropriate data processing agreements in place with us;
- Use anonymisation techniques to prevent identification of individual users;
- Comply with applicable UK and EU data protection law.
We do not permit third-party analytics providers to use data collected from this Platform for their own independent purposes or to share it with further third parties. We do not use advertising networks, retargeting services, or social media tracking pixels on this Platform.
Your Consent
When you first visit the Platform, our cookie consent banner will ask for your permission to use non-essential cookies (analytics and preference cookies). You are under no obligation to accept non-essential cookies and may continue to use the Platform with only essential cookies active.
To withdraw your consent to analytics cookies at any time, you can:
- Clear your browser's cookies and site data, which will remove the stored consent flag and cause the cookie banner to reappear on your next visit, at which point you can select "Decline".
- Use your browser's built-in controls to block cookies from this domain going forward.
Please be aware that withdrawing your consent does not affect the lawfulness of any processing that took place before you withdrew consent. It also does not delete anonymised analytics data already collected in aggregate form, as such data cannot be traced back to any individual.
Essential cookies (including the localStorage items used to store your game data and consent preference) cannot be disabled through the consent banner, as they are necessary for the Platform to function.
Changes to This Policy
We may update this Cookie Policy from time to time in response to changes in the cookies we use, changes in applicable legislation, or changes to our practices. When we make material changes, we will update the "Last Updated" date at the top of this page and display a notice on the Platform.
We encourage you to review this policy periodically so that you remain informed about how we use cookies and similar technologies. Your continued use of the Platform following any update to this policy constitutes your acknowledgement of the changes.
If you have any questions about our use of cookies, please contact us at dpo@bestukcasualgameshub.com.