A rundown of online casinos in the UK, from the best choice for slots to the best offers and promotions
Applying The Independent’s journalistic expertise, we’ve undertaken a comprehensive evaluation of the UK’s best online casinos.
This review draws on in-depth research, statistical data from governing bodies and first-hand testing to assess each casino’s game selection, security measures and promotions.
By leveraging trusted third-party data and our rigorous reporting standards, we aim to provide readers with an accurate and up-to-date guide to choosing an online casino.
Wagering Requirements
Wagering requirements (sometimes called playthrough or rollover requirements) are rules and guidelines imposed on bonus cash and earnings obtained from bonuses.
They outline the minimum bet that players must make in order to be eligible to use and withdraw any bonus earnings. The multiplier used to represent these criteria indicates how many times the initial deposit, bonus, or both must be wagered.
Wagering requirements can include but are not limited to:
- Automatic exclusion: Accepting one bonus offer can automatically exclude players from being eligible for other bonuses.
- Bet limits: Bonuses may impose maximum bet limits while wagering requirements are active, preventing players from placing excessively large bets to fulfill requirements quickly.
Bonus Codes
Some bonuses require players to enter specific bonus codes during the deposit process to activate the offer, with incorrect codes, or not entering the codes during the specific period, resulting in the forfeiture of the bonus.
Bonus Forfeiture
Attempting to withdraw funds before fulfilling the wagering requirements or violating any bonus terms may result in the forfeiture of the bonus money and associated winnings.
Bonus Terms and Conditions
Each bonus you use has its own terms and conditions, so be sure to read them.
Deposit Limits
Some bonuses require players to deposit a minimum amount to qualify.
Exclusive Bonuses
Some bonuses once used may exclude you from using others.
Game Weighting
Some of the casino games’ stakes won’t apply to your bonus wagering requirement in full, or at all. Make sure to read the details of each promotion to be sure.
Location Restrictions
Some bonuses might be location-specific and can not be used outside certain countries.
Payment Method Restrictions
Some bonuses may exclude certain payment methods, or require you to use a certain deposit method.
Sequential Bonus Restrictions
Players may be restricted from claiming multiple bonuses in rapid succession, needing to fulfill the wagering requirements of one before claiming another.
Special Features
Bonuses may come with special features or conditions that impact wagering requirements, such as reduced requirements for players who achieve a certain status within the casino’s loyalty program.
Specific Games
Some bonuses may apply only to certain games that have ongoing promotions. For example, bonus code WIZARD50 can only be used on the slot game Blue Wizard at 777 Cherry casino.
Withdrawal Restrictions
Players may face restrictions on withdrawing funds until wagering requirements are met, including both bonus money and associated winnings.
User Insight
Our review process then factors in feedback from Gambling.com members on the usability, enjoyment and overall experience of online casinos. Insights are gathered through various methods:
- Live User-Testing: One-to-one interviews where users interact directly with casino sites, guided by moderators trained to elicit unbiased responses.
- Focus Groups: Online discussion forums with groups of members to gain in-depth insights into casino products and services.
- User Reviews & Ratings: Members contribute their own reviews and ratings for each casino, helping gauge player satisfaction.
- Online Surveys & Polls: Immediate responses from members on new casinos and games.
These insights into how players interact with online casinos help refine our recommendations to reflect real user experiences.
Join Gambling.com as a member to share your opinions with our community.
Please note: we cannot mediate specific disputes with licensed casino sites; for these, refer to the independent adjudication service, IBAS.
The Number & Selection of Slots
The very top online casinos have a huge coverage of online slots. If slots are your thing then, tell me the last time you walked into a land-based casino in the UK and found more than 500 slots lined up and ready to play. Slots are so popular with online casino players that they are often the no.1 reason for choosing an online casino site, with many online casino players particularly liking to play for progressive jackpots. For this reason, we have a separate page that goes into much detail to help you choose the best payout slots.
The Casino Win Rate
Where the information is available we have listed the casino win rate by each online casino above. This is the payout percentage or return to player. So you can see the amount paid out for every pound staked at a casino. These win rates vary over time of course but taking a long-term look at them we can see how generous the house edge is for a casino overall. This will be largely down to the return to player (RTP) settings of the slots as that is where house edge can vary versus table games where the house edge will be the same for the same games wherever they are played.
The Banking Options
The one thing you will want to have at your disposal if you have a big win at an online casino is the ability to withdraw back to your card, e-wallet, or bank as easily and perhaps as quickly as possible. Thanks to ever-improving online banking technology, this is always the case. But do be aware of withdrawal limits with various casinos and check to see if there are any charges. The best casino sites have various fast banking options and no charges for withdrawals. Some may have a payment plan for huge wins whereby monthly payments are made rather than a single lump-sum amount of a huge jackpot win.
Common Online Casino Deposit and Withdrawal Methods
- Debit cards
- e-Wallets like Paypal Neteller
- Bank transfers
- Retail Cash deposits
As well as an easy option to withdraw when you win at an online casino, you will want a simple process for depositing funds too. Credit cards are not permitted for deposits to gambling sites in the UK. So the more common deposit method for online casinos is debit card. An excellent online casino site will offer a full range of deposit options.
Casino sites that take PayPal do prove to be very popular thanks to the swift and hassle-free process of making both deposits, and the speed at which withdrawals are administered.
Top Casinos for UK High Rollers
A high-roller casino takes care of important VIPs with frequent rewards and personalised bonuses. It should feature a loyalty program where high-volume players work their way up to bigger and better perks.
These gaming sites also offer games with significant stakes so that high rollers can bet big and chase serious winnings.
Best UK Casino Sites for Responsible Gambling Tools
When picking a UK casino, it’s important to make sure they’ve got the right responsible gambling tools in place.
Key features to keep an eye on:
- Self-Exclusion: If you need a break, this lets you take time off from gambling for a set period.
- Deposit Limits: Set limits on how much you can deposit, whether that’s daily, weekly, or monthly.
- Reality Checks: These pop up to remind you how long you’ve been playing, helping you keep track of time.
- Time-Outs: If you need a short break, you can temporarily suspend your account.
- Access to Support: Make sure you can easily reach responsible gambling support whenever you need it.
Most Popular Online Casino Games
Another important factor to consider when choosing your next online casino site is the games it has to offer; after all, what’s an online casino without its casino games? Nearly all of the top online casinos offer a wide variety of different casino games, giving you plenty of options when you sign up.
Many players look for sites that offer specific games that they enjoy playing, or sites that offer a variety of different games within a specific genre. UK punters enjoy a selection of different casino games, and below, we’ve listed the most popular options you’ll find at online casino UK sites.
Online Slots
Online slot games are incredibly popular thanks to the variety of different themes, designs, and gameplay features. Online Slots can be played for as little as a few pence with prizes that can reach tens of thousands if not hundreds of thousands of pounds.
Online Roulette
Roulette is one of the most popular table games available at online casino sites. Online Roulette offers the chance of huge rewards, with the largest odds available being 35/1. You can also find modern variations of roulette that offer greater odds and a more exciting playing experience.
Online Blackjack
Online Blackjack is another popular casino table game that’s easy to learn. The low house edge makes it a great game to play, and the element of strategy allows you to make decisions that impact your potential results, creating an engaging experience.
Live Casino
Live casino games are casino games that use real dealers and real casino equipment. These games are streamed in HD and allow you to play in real time, offering a level of immersion that can’t be matched by traditional casino games. You can enjoy live casino versions of roulette, blackjack, baccarat, and plenty of other games.
Video Poker
Video poker is an exciting casino game with high potential rewards. Players must try to make the best five-card poker hand possible by discarding cards and drawing new ones. The game has a low house edge and rewards worth up to 800x your bet, making it a popular choice amongst UK punters.
Online Craps
Online Craps is an all-time favorite among online casino players. While it isn’t as simple as some other table games, no need to worry – we’ll be there to guide you through every step of the way, right up until you throw those dice.
Android Casinos
As their name implies, Android casinos are online casinos optimised for Android-powered devices. Be it smartphone or tablet, the number of Android users has been increasing since the first version of the platform, and it’s showing no sign of slowing down.
If you are one of them, explore our selection of Android casinos and find the ones that meet your requirements.
iPhone Casinos
Likewise, iOS users are catered to by iPhone casinos. These casinos are fully optimised for use on iPhones and iPads, running smoothly regardless of your preferred device. Check out the full list of iPhone casinos here at AskGamblers and pick the one you like relying on our reviews.
Customer Service
Customer service is a thing that is often overlooked. When things go right, you don’t need to even think about it. But we always test the quality and speed of the support.
The top casinos all need a good customer service that can help you when you need assistance. The best thing is to provide real-time support via live chat or phone, so you can get help immediately. No one wants to wait 24 hours to get an email back asking for more details and no real answers.
Payouts
A good casino is a one that pays out in time and makes sure the players can actually win by playing their games. Casinos have the option to adjust the RTP, or Return To Player value of their games. This determines how much money you can win in the long run.
The RTP of games can vary wildly, and finding ones that have high RTP is something you should do. The highest paying online casinos are the ones that have more of these high-RTP games available. Casino’s payout rate is calculated from the games they have and the RTP settings they use, and the bigger it is, the better it is for you.
Online Casino UK Legislation
The UK is one of the safest jurisdictions in the world for online gaming, and a large part of this is down to the strict regulations of the UK Gambling Commission (UKGC). Our experts have provided an overview of how the UKGC protects you through its strict licensing requirements below.
UK Gambling Commission
The UK Gambling Commission was established in 2007 to keep crime out of gambling. Unlike other jurisdictions in Europe, which will let online casinos operate with licenses from other regions, the only sites which can go live in the UK must have a license from the UKGC.
UKGC License
Any online casino which holds a license from the UKGC has met the regulatory body’s high standards for player safety. Each online casino will employ top personal data protection schemes and modern security measures like SSL encryption. Likewise, these sites will only feature secure banking, welcoming the most trusted payment providers.
Real Money Casinos vs Other Online Gambling
While we focus mainly on real money online casinos, there are other types of gambling available online. There are gambling sites that focus on sports betting, poker, and other gambling genres that are not necessarily played against the house, like traditional casino games are.
Many casino sites combine multiple types of gambling together, resulting in a website with an offering suitable for a wide audience. Also, some players prefer playing casino games for free, without the risk of losing any money.
Best Casino Sites UK FAQs
Are these UK casino sites safe?
Yes, we only recommend safe UK online casino sites with licencing. We specifically look for gaming sites that make fast payouts, have quality customer support, and use trusted software providers. Our reviewers also interact with customer support to make sure reps are knowledgeable.
How do I claim bonuses at online casinos that accept UK players?
Some UK casino sites require bonus codes and others don’t. Check to see if a promo code is required and then make a qualifying deposit. Most UK online casino bonuses have around a £20 minimum deposit.
What payment methods are supported?
Payment options vary across different online casino sites in the UK. Generally speaking, most casinos support credit/debit cards and cryptocurrencies. Other potential banking methods include Apple Pay, CashApp, Google Pay, CashtoCode, and bank transfer.
What is the most Legit Online Casino?
The most Legit online casino is one that holds a UKGC license to operate, as this ensures they are conforming to the laws and regulations set out by the licensing body to ensure security and fair play to all players. In terms of legitimate casino legacy, you can’t go wrong with brands such as BetMGM, Grosvenor, Hippodrome and Les Ambassaduers, all with huge history and land-based casino operations.
Which UK Online Casino is Best?
In the ratings compiled by our expert team and the OLBG members, Duelz Casino is currently the best UK Online Casino offering a huge array of live casino, slots and traditional online casino games.
How do I withdraw my winnings from an online casino?
To withdraw your winnings from casino sites, go to the cashier section, select your preferred withdrawal method (for example PayPal, Apple Pay or debit card), and enter the amount you wish to withdraw. Withdrawal times will vary depending on the method chosen but typically range from a few hours to several days. Make sure to verify your identity before requesting a withdrawal.
What are wagering requirements at online casinos?
Wagering requirements refer to the number of times you must play through bonus funds before you can withdraw any winnings. For example, if a £10 bonus has a 30x wagering requirement, you would need to gamble £300 before any remaining winnings from the bonus can be withdrawn. Many online casino sites apply wagering requirements to welcome bonuses, promotions and free spins.
What is the best online casino UK?
There is no definitive answer to what the best online casino is. It really depends on the type of casino player you are, which is why we have ranked and reviewed the best casino sites according to the most popular games and features, such as live casino and the best casino sign up offers.
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