Online casinos licensed and regulated in Europe are soaring in popularity, with the estimated overall online gross gambling revenue in European countries reaching more than 25 billion euros per year. While EU regulated casinos are still a fairly new concept, they have a lot to offer new and avid gamblers alike, often in your home language and currency. In this guide, you’ll discover everything you need to know about the best European online casinos.
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Introducing European Casinos
More online casinos are choosing to be regulated by European gambling authorities. As that number grows, choosing the best European online casinos becomes a challenge. But no longer. We’ve done the legwork for you to bring you the best EU casinos around.
Europe is a large continent with many countries and many languages. The good news is that the top EU casinos usually have their sites translated into major European languages, such as:
With so many options, how do you find the best casino for you and your budget? It’s actually easy, we’ve put together a top list of casinos reviews to help you make an informed decision.
There are plenty of reasons to play at European online casinos, too.
Pros
Cons
The Legalities Of Gambling In Europe
If you’re wondering whether or not gambling is legal in Europe, it’s a yes and no answer. Each region is made up of different countries, and each has its own regulations around online gambling.
While the EU, in general, is advanced compared to the United States in terms of online gambling legislation, for many countries, it remains a work in progress.
Below, we’ve put together a summary of some of the main regions in Europe and their laws around playing at European online casinos.
Country | Is Gambling Legal? | Regulating Body | Comments |
---|---|---|---|
United Kingdom | Yes | United Kingdom Gambling Commission | |
Austria | Grey area | Austrian Association for Betting and Gambling | Restrictions in place, players often play at offshore casinos. |
Belgium | Yes | Belgian Gambling Commission | Only legal to play at online casinos linked to land-based casinos. |
Spain | Yes | Dirección General de Ordenación Del Juego | |
Denmark | Yes | Danske Spiel | A change to the laws in 2020 means bonuses are restricted. |
Finland | Yes | Veikkaus & Fintoto | |
Curaçao | Yes | Curacao Gaming Authority | |
France | Grey | ARJEL | Only sports betting is legal, players must find offshore casinos. |
Germany | Yes | Glücksspielstaatsvertrag | |
Ireland | Yes | Gaming and Leisure Association of Ireland (GALA) | |
Italy | Yes | Amministrazione Autonoma dei Monopoli di Stato (AAMS) | |
Malta | Yes | Malta Gaming Authority | |
Netherlands | Yes | Dutch Gambling Authority | |
Norway | Yes | Norsk Tipping & Norsk Rikstoto | Only legal if you gamble with one of the government-approved casinos |
Portugal | Yes | Regulatory and Inspection Services of Games and Tourism of Portugal | |
Spain | Yes | Spanish National Gaming Commission | |
Sweden | Yes | Spelinspektionen | |
Ukraine | Yes | Commission for the Regulation of Gambling and Lotteries | |
Poland | No | Minister of Finance | |
Greece | Yes | Hellenic Gaming Commission | |
Austria | Yes | Ministry of Finance | |
Croatia | Yes | Croatian Government | |
Romania | Yes | National Gambling Office |
These regulations can change, so it’s important to review our page of the best European casinos often to get the most up to date information.
Each European country has the right to allow or prohibit online gambling. So, most of them either completely allow online gaming or allow it to a point. Depending on the country, you must follow the laws and play at properly licensed casinos.
As for whether or not winnings are taxed in Europe, you’ll need to check out the individual country pages, as it differs between countries.
We’ve done our best to review the continent’s top casinos for you. All the casinos that we recommend have respectable permits, guaranteeing a secure gambling environment and world-class service, along with fair and safe payments.
European Casino Regulatory Bodies
Any online casino worth its salt possesses a license and is monitored by a reputable regulatory authority. It all helps to ensure that the sites offer stellar software, first-class services and the utmost player protection.
The licenses held by the best European online casinos on our top list ensure that you’re in safe hands, leaving you to focus on entertainment rather than worrying about your money or sensitive information being at risk.
The regulations imposed by the various authorities ensure that players and operators are covered. Each operator will have different tools to improve your gambling experience, with all of them providing a variety of responsible gambling tools – but more on that in a bit.
The good news is that there are plenty of legit European regulatory bodies. While we’ve briefly mentioned some of them in the above table, there are a few that stand head and shoulders above the rest.
The MGA is the leading licensor in the European Union. Together with the UK Gambling Commission, these bodies ensure that European casinos are held to the highest standards.
The MGA is committed to maintaining these standards, underpinned by its mission to “regulate competently the various sectors of the industry”. This organisation goes to lengths to ensure fair and transparent gaming, preventing corruption, crime and money laundering and protecting both minor and vulnerable players.
The UKGCC is one of the highest-regarded and strictest online casino governing bodies in all of Europe. It’s responsible for monitoring casinos that operate in the UK or those accepting UK-based players.
The GGC is responsible for licensing and regulating many online European online casinos, which means when you come across a site with this licence, you’re assured of a fair and secure gambling environment.
This independent body was established in 2020 and while it’s not the most commonly found licence around, the commission does ensure that online casinos are monitored for trustworthiness and fairness. Like other regulatory bodies, the AGGC allows players the option to self-exclude from any casinos operating under their watch should the player need to take a break.
The GSC has been around since 1962 and oversees all gambling activities in the Isle of Man and casino operators registered there. This body goes to lengths to ensure fair gambling, protect underage gamblers and regularly checks on casinos to make sure they are following the laws around anti-money laundering procedures.
One of the strictest licenses in Europe, the SGA is a trustworthy regulator that ensures the fairness and legality of online casinos operating in Sweden. New bonus regulations were recently implemented in the country, so you’ll find that bonus amounts are somewhat lower compared to the past and weekly maximum deposits are capped at €400.
The Spanish Gambling Authority sets a limit on maximum bonus amounts at online casinos, you cannot deposit more than €600 per day and welcome bonuses are prohibited. It also regulates the number of payment methods available, which can be low compared to other countries in Europe.
Italy is one of the oldest gambling jurisdictions in Europe, but today, online casinos may not advertise via radio or television. What’s more, an ADM license is considerably more expensive than other regulatory bodies, which means you won’t find too many casinos with this licence.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions About European Online Casinos
Yes, online gambling is legal in most EU countries as is playing at offshore casinos. Make sure you check your country’s legislation before playing at European casinos.
Yes, provided you play at legit online casinos that provide provably fair and safe gaming and secure payment methods.
It depends on what you’re after in terms of games, bonuses and payment methods. The best online casinos are the licensed and trustworthy ones featured in our top list.
Yes, European online casinos boast plenty of different bonuses and promotions for EU players.
Yes, numerous EU casinos allow you to try games for free in Demo or Play mode until you’re ready to wager real money.
Check the license, whether or not games are audited by outside parties for random and fair outcomes and read our casino reviews.
Yes, regulated European casinos have standards to meet which means ensuring every player has a fair chance of winning.
Most European online casinos sports software from top providers like Microgaming, Evolution Gaming, Real Time Gaming and Playtech, to name a few.
European Casinos Reward Loyal Players
The best online casinos in Europe offer a plethora of casino bonuses and promotions for players giving you more bang for your buck.
Always read through an offer’s terms and conditions, which can include country and payment restrictions. You’ll also need to adhere to validity periods, game restrictions, caps on winnings and those all-important wagering requirements before you can withdraw any bonus funds an
Some of the most popular offers you’ll find at leading European online casinos include:
Some casinos also host races, tournaments and offer daily Drop & Win promotions – all of which serve up prizes like cash, bonuses and free spins.
Popular Payment Methods in EU
Banking methods are important. Any European casino adventure starts and is finished with payment services, so you want not only your preferred option at your disposal but secure and trusted payment methods that will keep your money safe.
Some of the most popular options for European players include:
It’s important to mention that banking habits (and regulations) vary from country to country. We recommend European online casinos that accommodate players from various parts of Europe and provide plenty of payment options at that.
For example, Neteller and Skrill are not particularly popular in Sweden, with Swedish players often opting for mobile payments. In Finland, though, Euteller is one of the most used casino payment methods.
Below, we’ve created a list of the best European casino payment methods and in which countries they are most popular.
Payment Method | Comments |
---|---|
MuchBetter | Popular in the UK, Netherlands and Germany. |
Zimpler | Popular in Germany, Sweden, Ireland and the UK. |
Cryptocurrency | Popular around Europe with options including Dogecoin, Bitcoin, Tether, Dash, Ripple, Zcash, Litecoin, Ethereum and Tron. Deposits and withdrawals are instant. |
Skrill | Popular in Netherlands, Sweden and the UK. Sometimes excluded from casino bonuses. |
Neteller | Popular throughout Europe. Sometimes excluded from casino bonuses. |
Paysafecard | Prepaid voucher accepted at most European casinos. Can only be used for deposits. |
Debit and Credit Cards | Visa, Visa Electron, Maestro and MasterCard are accepted at top European casinos. Deposits and withdrawals can take several days. |
Trustly | Accepted at Instant Play casinos and licensed by the Swedish financial authorities. |
Mobile Payments | Apps including Google Pay and Apple Pay that let you pay by phone and can only be used for deposits. Some European casinos accept payment via text or part of your monthly phone bill (SIRU and Boku). |
Bank Transfer | Can take up to 5 business days for deposits and withdrawals. Not all European banks allow transfers to and from online casinos. |
Another important factor when playing at European online casinos is that the casino accepts Euros, at the very least. We also appreciate it when sites accept other European currencies like SEK and NOK. You’ll find this information in our in-depth online casino reviews.
Most European casinos will require you to go through a KYC verification process before your first withdrawal. This includes providing copies of your identity and proof of residence to prevent money laundering and fraud and ensure your winnings arrive safely in your pocket.
Games Available at EU Online Casinos
European casinos offer up a wide variety of games to choose from, so you’ll find something to suit your taste and your bankroll.
Here’s a breakdown of what you can look forward to when you sign up at an EU online casino.
The best European online casinos have a fantastic mix of video slots, from classics to some of the latest trends like Megaclusters and Megaways. The slots come with immersive graphics, fun audio, exciting themes and plenty of ways to extend your gameplay with bonus rounds and free spins.
It’s the progressive jackpots, though, that always goes down a treat with players. Similar to video slots, the progressive game’s ultimate jackpot increased every time a player places a wager.
Starburst from NetEnt is one of the most popular video slots amongst EU players, while some of the biggest slot developers include:
When you need a break from spinning the slot reels, or you’re simply a big fan of table games, all the European casinos that we recommend feature a variety of popular and unique games.
Blackjack and roulette are especially favoured.
Blackjack comes with one of the lowest house edges at just 0.39% and is a game where skill can sway things in your favour. All the best online casinos in Europe offer different types of Blackjack, with popular variants including:
Whichever you decide to play, the basic rules remain, making this a game that’s quick enough to get the hang of, and fun enough to learn different strategies to hone your skills.
Roulette’s come a long way since it first appeared in 1655, and now there are three popular versions, including American, French and European. European online casinos offer at least one of these versions, while some even have other options, such as:
Some of these games start from as little as €0.10 and can go up to as much as €10,000 on the VIP and High Roller tables.
Originating in 15th century Italy, this card game sees the banker and player go head-to-head in drawing cards to get a combined value of as close to nine as they can. It’s a social game that you’ll find at most EU online casinos, especially in the Live Casino section.
Baccarat also has a number of exciting versions, such as:
This dice game has truly stood the test of time, seeing players compete against one another by betting on the outcome of either one or a series of rolls of the dice. While you won’t always find Craps at European online casinos, when you do, you can have fun trying out the many different types of bets.
One of the most famous games of all time, poker holds a special place in European online casinos. While many players prefer to play it in a Live Casino section, all the best European casinos have plenty of versions of both Live and Video Poker, such as:
As time goes on, the number of games you’ll find at European online casinos is increasing in number and variety. Some of the more casual, but just as fun, games you’ll find at top EU online casinos include:
Live Casino At The Top EU Casinos
Most of the table games you’ll find at online European casinos can also be played with a Live Dealer, overseen by a qualified, real dealer in real-time.
Live dealer casino games, such as Live Baccarat, Live Roulette and Live Blackjack are usually available 24/7 and may be offered in many languages, including English, German, Italian, Russian, French, Finnish and Swedish.
It’s in this section of a casino that you’ll also find plenty of live game shows, such as Deal or No Deal, Football Studio, Monopoly Live and Who Wants To Be A Millionaire.
As for finding the best Live Casino game developers, look for big names like Evolution Gaming, Ezugi, NetEnt and Playtech who all offer immersive, high-definition live games from casino studios throughout Europe.
Mobile European Casinos
The European online gaming market is more mature than their American counterparts, and this is evident in the way that Europeans love playing from their mobile device.
Online operators (and software developers) have been quick to build mobile-friendly platforms to accommodate gambling on the go. European players can play all their favourite casino games from their phones and tablets, often without the need to download a dedicated app.
Each European country has laws in place, but many of them allow for mobile gambling to enhance the player experience. Thanks to HTML5 technology, games and casino platforms are optimised for smaller screens so you don’t lose quality or loading times when you want to play at your favourite European casino.
Native Customer Support
Players want to feel reassured when they encounter a problem or have a question, which is why European online casinos have special teams ready to help. These casinos know the importance of qualified support staff that players can connect with through live chat, email, contact form, helpline and even social media.
Ideally, you want to play at a casino that offers 24/7 support, but this isn’t always possible. However, the casinos we recommend offer support teams who are able to take care of problems as quickly and efficiently as possible, and often in different languages to suit your native tongue.
Gamble Responsibly
Responsible gambling goes hand-in-hand with casino security and safety. All the European online casinos on this page must adhere to strict requirements imposed on them when they receive a gambling license.
Legit online casinos must inform players about who to contact should they feel that things are getting out of control. Links to websites should be visible, along with tools like Reality Checks, Self-Exclusions, Time Limits, Deposit Limits and Time-Outs.
Some of the common organisations that help gamblers in Europe include:
When you play at a licensed and regulated European casino, you are assured of a safe gambling experience, from payments and support through to keeping your budget and gaming habits under control.