Cookie & Tracking Technologies Policy

Under the Privacy and Electronic Communications (EC Directive) Regulations 2003 (PECR) and the Data Protection Act 2018, websites operating within or directed at the United Kingdom must obtain informed, freely given consent before deploying non-essential cookies on a user's device. We strictly abide by these statutory requirements.

This policy is administered by:

Cookies are compact text strings containing alphanumeric identifiers that are stored within your internet browser when you visit web pages. Similar web storage technologies include HTML5 Local Storage and Session Storage, which allow websites to retain user preferences and state directly inside the browser environment without continuous round-trip server overhead.

First-party cookies and storage items are generated directly by MeridianReviewGroup.com to maintain core UI state, such as remembering that you verified your age. Third-party cookies, where active, are originated by authorized analytics or affiliate technology partners under binding confidentiality terms.

Strictly necessary cookies are essential for our website to function securely and reliably. Because the site cannot operate without them, they do not require prior consent under PECR Regulation 6. These items include load balancing session markers, security tokens against cross-site request forgery, and accessibility state indicators.

We specifically utilize modern browser localStorage variables to store critical compliance state:

• mrg_age_verified: Set to 'true' upon confirming you are 18+ to suppress repeated age gate popups during subsequent visits.
• mrg_cookie_consent: Retains your selected preference ('all' or 'essential_only') to prevent continuous banner prompts.

Performance cookies collect aggregated, anonymous information regarding how users navigate our portal, such as which UK operator reviews are most frequently consulted and average page loading times. These metrics allow our development team to optimize technical infrastructure and mobile responsiveness.

When you click an outbound link to visit a featured licensed operator, referral tracking tokens (such as click_id or aff_sub parameters) are generated. These markers facilitate accurate business accounting between Meridian Review Group S.r.l. and the receiving operator, confirming that a user referral originated on our domain without transferring personal profile data.

Session tokens expire automatically once you close your browser application. Persistent cookies and local storage tokens remain stored on your hard drive for a defined period (typically 30 to 365 days) unless manually cleared via browser preferences.

Upon your first visit to MeridianReviewGroup.com, our consent banner allows you to select between accepting all cookies or limiting deployment solely to essential technical tokens. You may alter this selection at any time by clearing your browser cache and refreshing the portal.

All standard modern web browsers provide built-in controls to block, filter, or delete cookies:

• Google Chrome: Settings > Privacy and security > Third-party cookies
• Mozilla Firefox: Settings > Privacy & Security > Cookies and Site Data
• Apple Safari: Preferences > Privacy > Block all cookies
• Microsoft Edge: Settings > Cookies and site permissions

Certain browsers broadcast automated "Do Not Track" (DNT) or Global Privacy Control (GPC) headers. When our servers detect a valid DNT or GPC signal, non-essential third-party analytics and tracking scripts are suppressed automatically.

Once you click through to an independent operator’s website (e.g. BetMGM, Bet365, Sky Vegas, Grosvenor), their specific cookie and privacy policies govern tracking on their domain. We recommend inspecting their policy upon landing on their site.

If you disable all cookies or block browser localStorage, you will still be able to read editorial text and view operator comparison tables. However, you may be presented with the 18+ age verification gate and cookie banner on every page reload.

Our cookie architecture adheres directly to the statutory Guidance on the Rules on Use of Cookies and Similar Technologies published by the Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO). We prohibit deceptive cookie banners (dark patterns) or pre-ticked consent boxes.

We perform technical cookie audits every six months to verify that all deployed scripts match this disclosure. For questions regarding tracking technologies, contact our technical desk at [email protected] or write to Meridian Review Group S.r.l., Via del Monte 1, 40126 Bologna, BO, Italy.