Best Online Casinos in the United Kingdom

Is Gambling Legal in the United Kingdom?

Gambling is legal in the United Kingdom, but it is relatively new! In 2005, the Gambling Act was approved which made it legal for residents of the UK to gamble both online and at physical casinos and gambling establishments.

It is estimated that around 10.5 million people from the UK play casino games online, and the industry is booming all over the world! In the United Kingdom, you can find a long list of online gambling sites that are licensed by the UKGC, which stands for the United Kingdom Gambling Commission.

Gambling Authority, Licence and Jurisdiction

These casinos, just like many other gambling sites licensed by European gambling authorities, are heavily regulated to ensure ultimate safety for both the gambling site and its players, and the licence is a guarantee that the site complies with important regulations such as using random number generators for fair games and allow only those over the age of 18 to gamble.

Stepping into the virtual gambling world can be overwhelming when you are new, and even though UK registered casinos are generally highly regarded and fully trustworthy, there are a few things you should know as a prospective or already active UK gambler.

About the UK Gambling Commission

The UKGC in its current form was founded in 2007 (preceded by the UK Gaming Board), and its headquarters are located in the United Kingdom. The agency currently has over 350 employees working hard to regulate the casino industry and make sure that the casinos where you play are safe and fair.

One of the main objectives for the UKGC is to keep the gambling industry as “clean” as possible, by implementing strategies to combat online crime such as fraud, money laundering and other illegal activity that could put either the player, the casino or the general public at risk.

A remote gambling site needs to meet the UKGC criteria in order to get (and get to keep) a licence, and it is a good indicator for players when it comes to whether a casino can be trusted. If the site was licensed by the UK Gambling Commission, then you have absolutely nothing to worry about as long as you gamble responsibly and use common sense.

Famous Casino Games in the UK

As you may know, game preferences often differ depending on the country and area, and what gamblers tend to prefer in the UK isn’t necessarily the same as in other countries. Are you curious about what UK gamblers play and what types of games they like the most? We have the answers.

Playing Slots at UK Licensed Casinos

Considering the fact that the UKGC is a world renowned casino licensing authority, it shouldn’t come as too much of a surprise that these casinos tend to offer impressive game selections packed with top slots! Slots are some of the most popular games in the casino industry, and all your favourites and hundreds of more.

Check out gambler favourites like Gonzo’s Quest and Starburst, or why not try a progressive jackpot game like Mega Moolah, where you could have the chance to win millions of pounds? UK casinos feature some of the best slots in the casino industry, and they are only a few clicks away once you decide to sign up.

Not sure where to get started? How about having a look at some of the most popular slot machines in the UK? Sounds good? Start working through the list below to see which slots you find yourself liking the most.

• Starburst (NetEnt)
• Goblin’s Cave (Playtech)
• Private Eye (Microgaming)
• Sunrise Reels (Realistic Games)
• Mega Moolah (Microgaming)
• Thunderstruck 2 (Microgaming)
• Immortal Romance (Microgaming)
• Book of Ra (Novomatic)
• 9 Pots Of Gold (Microgaming)
• Gonzo’s Quest (NetEnt)

Live Casino for British Online Gamblers

If you haven’t heard already, UK casinos have an impressive selection of live games! When you gamble live, you get to watch a real game table via live and high-definition cameras, where a real dealer deals the cards, rolls the dice, spins the wheel and much more. This authentic gambling experience isn’t unique to UK casinos, but casinos licensed by the UK Gambling Commission are known for their impressive libraries with live games.

Here are some of the live casino games available at UK sites:

• Live Blackjack
• Live Roulette
• Live Lottery
• Texas Hold’em
• Live Baccarat
• Dream Catcher
• Monopoly Live

Sports Betting in the UK

If you are into betting on sports, such as horses, volleyball, football, tennis, golf or any other activity, then you are undoubtedly going to feel right at home playing at a UK licensed casino. Betting is legal in the United Kingdom and very popular among both sports enthusiasts and those who are only in it to win it.

Another fun fact is that if you are lucky enough to actually win, then you can withdraw your winnings without having to worry about tax. It might sound too good to be true but it is actually 100% real, as all winnings on sports betting in the UK are tax free.

Popular Game Developers in the United Kingdom

Game developers are companies that create and distribute all your favourite casino games, and you’ll find a very long list at most (if not all) UK licensed sites. A contributing reason is how highly regarded this licensing authority actually is, which attracts developers from all over the globe.

If you are unfamiliar with game developers and especially for casinos in the UK, then it wouldn’t hurt to take a look at the names of some of the best. Some players enjoy sticking to games from specific game providers, while others prefer to change it up.

• Evolution Gaming
• Pragmatic Play
• Quickspin
• Rabcat
• Push Gaming
• Northern Lights Gaming
• ELK Studios
• Realtime Gaming
• Red Tiger Gaming
• Microgaming
• Play’N Go
• NetEnt
• Betsoft
• iSoftbet
• Yggdrasil Gaming
• NYX gaming

This is only a small fraction of the list at many online gambling sites in the UK, as there are dozens and dozens of game providers out there, and many are working daily to produce new casino games for eager players.

UK Bonuses Found at Online Casinos

There are so many online casinos in the UK that each gambling site needs something special to attract players, and this often becomes bonuses. A good bonus offer can be what makes a player choose one gambling site over another, and it is something worth looking into before you decide where to play.

Bonus Offer Types at UK Licensed Casinos

Not all bonuses are the same, and to make it easier to compare available offers and to know what you can expect, we have listed some of the bonus types you are likely to come across when you gamble in the UK.

Welcome Bonuses

The casino welcome package is designed to make you want to sign up as a casino member, and it is often something you get when you make your first deposit. Many welcome bonuses are cash matching bonuses where the casino gives you a 100% increase of whatever amount you choose to deposit into your new account.

An example would be if you deposit £100, as the casino would then give you an extra £100 to play with, making your casino bankroll total £200. It is also common to get free spins as an extra addition to your welcome bonus.

Reload Bonuses

It doesn’t have to end after you get your welcome bonus at a UK casino, as many also offer reload bonuses! These are bonuses you get on later deposits, and they can be weekly, monthly, temporary or pretty much anything the casino decides on. It is a good way to reward returning players for their loyalty.

Some countries have restrictions on bonus offers, but casino bonuses are legal and very common in the UK. Reload bonuses are used to keep you engaged and to make you want to stick around and continue playing, rather than choosing another casino.

No Deposit Bonuses

It is rare, but you may come across the occasional no deposit bonus! In these cases, you don’t have to make any deposits or payments in order to get a bonus, and you essentially get “free” money without having to do anything more than to activate the bonus.

Don’t mistake these for bonuses with no strings attached, as almost all casino bonuses have wagering requirements, including no deposit bonuses. The difference is that you don’t have to deposit any money of your own before you can start using your casino bonus.

Cashback Bonuses

UK casino players love cashback opportunities, and it is not hard to get why. When you opt in for a cashback program, you get pounds back on your losses! It sounds too good to be true, but the casino basically rewards you for the money you spend (and lose) while gambling. The percentage can vary depending on the casino.

What’s unique about true cashback bonuses is that it is actual free cash without wagering requirements, and who wouldn’t want that? Cashback bonuses are frequently found at many UK licensed casinos, but are sometimes only available to some members.

Bonus Wagering Requirements in the UK Casino Industry

Just like when you gamble in other countries and at casinos licensed in other parts of the world, you usually come across wagering requirements. These are the commitments that need to be fulfilled before you can withdraw your winnings after accepting a bonus, and it is a casino’s clever way to make sure you won’t just take your bonus and go.

The types of wagering requirements present at UK casinos differ greatly, but you tend to need to wager your bonus amount a certain number of times. Let’s say you get a £100 bonus with x10 wagering requirements, then that means you need to gamble for 10 times £100 before your bonus money and any winnings are released to you.

Payment Methods Popular in the UK

You want your GBP to be in good hands when it is time for a casino transaction, and at UK registered gambling sites, your options are almost endless. It is smart to look for a site with a long list of payment methods as this gives you the opportunity to pick something that works for you and your preferences.

The following list contains some of the most popular payment methods in the United Kingdom, and ones you are likely to encounter once you start gambling on the internet. If you have a preferred payment method, double-check the availability before you bother signing up.

1. VISA/Mastercard

Online purchases with bank cards like VISA and Mastercard are very common all over the country, and as a result, many still prefer this familiar payment method over the alternatives. The only downside is that you need to have access to your card number. You can no longer use credit cards at casinos licensed by the UK Gambling Commission, and only debit cards.

2. Skrill/Neteller

Use one of the world’s most popular e-wallets to make cardless payments without having to reveal your payment details to the casino. Neteller and Skrill offer GBP as a currency option and are both fast and convenient, while also allowing you to pay with only your login information. Some casinos do not grant bonuses to those depositing with Skrill and Neteller.

3. Paysafecard

If you already have a Paysafecard, then you also have a very convenient casino payment method! Fees are reasonably low for UK users and you will find the option available at most gambling sites. It is a prepaid card that isn’t tied to a bank account, and that allows you to make secure and fast payments on the internet.

4. Apple Pay

While only available to iOS users, Apple Pay is one of the top contactless payment methods in the world, and it is also one of the most popular ones for casino deposits among Britons. The only disadvantage is that Apple Pay can only be used for deposits, and you will have to pick a different payment option for your withdrawals.

5. Google Pay

When comparing operative systems in the UK, it is estimated that around 44.71% of all phones are Android devices, while approximately 54.79% are iOS phones. For Android users, the alternative to Apple Pay is Google Pay! Google Pay is only available to iOS users in the United States and India, and is therefore only an option for those with an Android device in the United Kingdom.

6. Cryptocurrency

The interest in cryptocurrency for online gambling is spreading all over the country, and online casinos aren’t too far behind! Cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin and Ethereum are starting to show up as payment methods at UK registered gambling sites, but you won’t find it everywhere just yet, unfortunately.

Responsible Gambling in the UK

The United Kingdom government, along with the UKGC, takes responsible gambling very seriously, and there are plenty of resources available for those who need help. Gambling should be fun, and if you ever feel like you are losing control, it is time to reconsider your gambling habits and start making a change.

Each casino licensed by the UK Gambling Commission should be able to point you in the right direction if you need help, and you can also make use of gambling limits or even ban yourself from a casino or online gambling for a set period of time.

Gambling limits mean that you can decide how much money you are allowed to spend per day, week or month, and the casino will then prevent you from depositing more money once you have reached your budget.

In a case where you need additional assistance, here are a couple of examples of services you can reach out to.

• NHS
• Be Gamble Aware
• Safer Gambling UK

Casinos don’t benefit from players with gambling addiction, as that could end up jeopardising the whole operation, and they are there to help you get back on the right track. You also need to take your own responsibility and make sure you gamble responsibly at all times.

A Quick Look at UK Gambling History

Gambling and online gambling has become such a common phenomenon in the UK in recent years, and while it is completely legal now to gamble on slots, live casino, sports and more, it hasn’t always been that way. There was a time when only the wealthy were able to gamble on, for example, horses, and for the rest of the population gambling was illegal.

It even got to the point that the UK government went on to pass laws against all types of gambling and betting, and these were known as the Betting Act and the Gaming Act. While this might seem like a foreign concept to UK gamblers today, similar laws still exist in many other countries around the world.

Fast-forward to the 1960s and the Gaming Board for Great Britain, which was the authority that originally started to regulate gambling and put it on its path to legalisation. Interestingly, online gambling wasn’t officially legalised until 2005, and only online gambling sites that were licensed under UK Gambling Commission.

Online casinos in the UK now need to comply with strict regulations, such as making sure all gamblers on the site are of legal age (18) and that gambling addiction resources are readily available to all players.

In a Nutshell: What to Look for in a UK Casino Site

If you are feeling a little adventurous and wish to check out a few additional casino sites or find your own UK gambling sites to play, there are some perimeters you want to double-check first to ensure you’re gambling at a reputable casino site. If a casino ticks these boxes, then you should be good to go.

Game Selection

Casinos in the United Kingdom can have anything from a couple of hundred casino games to well over a thousand, but are bigger game libraries always better? We recommend focusing on quality rather than quality, and to just have a look to make sure the casino features the games you are interested in, or a big enough selection for your preferences.

Bonus Offers

You won’t have to look far before finding bonus offers at casinos available in the UK, but the types of bonus offers can vary greatly. Compare welcome bonus packages with offers for returning players, and don’t forget that some payment methods in the UK might not make you eligible for bonus offers.

Overall User Experience

With UK casinos having so much to offer, you also want to feel comfortable and well cared for while you play. Pay attention to how user-friendly the platform is, if the games can be sorted into categories and how fast the page loads, and pick a site that makes gambling both simple and fun.

Customer Support

Gambling with real money is a hobby that should be taken seriously, and it is essential to have practical ways to receive help if needed. The best UK gambling sites tend to offer a live chat, email, phone and more as a way for players to get in touch, but some sites may have more restricted options.

Mobile Casino

At some point, you might want to gamble when you are out and about, and then it is important that the casino is mobile optimised. This means that the website should adjust to your screen size when playing in a mobile browser, and/or there should be a casino app available for iOS and Android devices.

Licenses & Casino Security

The UK casinos we recommend here should all be licensed by the UK Gambling Commission or any other UK-based licensing authority, but it can be smart to look for other licenses as well. Licenses show that it is a casino you can trust, and that your personal data and payment information is secure.

Responsible Gambling Resources

UK gambling licenses also require casinos to take gambling and gambling addiction seriously, and this includes to offer players gambling limits, as well as resources for those who want to take control of their gambling.

Casino Payment Methods

When it is time to make a deposit, UK casinos give you plenty of different options. A recent change means that you can no longer use a credit card to pay at UKGC licensed casinos, in an attempt to combat gambling addiction and other unhealthy gambling behavior. That said, you can still pay with debit cards, e-wallets, wire transfers and more.