CASINO SITES UK 2019

ALL SITES ARE UK LICENSED, REVIEWED AND RATED BY OUR TEAM

THE CASINO HEAT CHECK LIST

  • Licensed by the UK Gambling Commission
  • Fair and transparent promotional terms
  • Fully reviewed by our team
  • Mobile friendly
  • All games are tested and audited

Here is a list of the best casino sites online for UK players, all reviewed and rated by our expert team. We have hand-picked the very best tried and trusted brands as well as a selection of the latest casinos to open for business. You can find more of these in our list of new casino sites. All casinos on this page are licensed by the UK Gambling Commission and offer a wide range of slots, RNG table and live casino games. Whatever your want to play – from Jackpot Slots to Live Roulette via Video Poker – there is sure to be something for you here.

RANK

CASINO

SIGN-UP OFFER

QUALITY SCORE

AWARD

HIGHLIGHTS

JOIN NOW

9.6

Smart and exciting brand
Paypal accepted
Massive slots catalogue

CASHIER AND PAYMENT OPTIONS

Withdrawal Time: A few hours
Min Deposit: £10
Min Withdrawal: £10

Visa Debit and Credit Mastercard Skrill Neteller Paypal Paysafecard

PlayOJO Casino QUICK REVIEW

Website: www.playojo.com
Operator: Skill on Net
Launch Date: 2017
Licence: UK Gambling Commission and Malta Gaming Authority
Game Providers: Big Time Gaming, Blueprint Gaming, Microgaming, NetEnt, Play n Go, IGT, Just For The Win, Lightning Box Games, Merkur Gaming, Bally Technologies, Realistic, Barcrest, ELK Studios, Evolution Gaming, Foxium, NetEnt Live, Pragmatic Play, Yggdrasil, NYX, Rabcat, Red Tiger, Thunderkick, and WMS

A charismatic and ground-breaking casino from Skill-on-Net. The first to offer no-wagering free spins to its customers back in 2017, as well as a stack of top class games.

SIGNIFICANT TERMS:
18+, first time depositors only. Min deposit £10, Maximum amount of free spins is 50. Free spins valued at £0.10 per spin. Excluding new players in Northern Ireland. OJO’s Reward and Game Play Policy Applies. Terms apply. BeGambleAware.org.

9.0

300 NetEnt spins
Live dealer bonus
Genesis Global brand

CASHIER AND PAYMENT OPTIONS

Withdrawal Time: 1 to 5 Days
Min Deposit: £10
Min Withdrawal: £10

Visa Debit and CreditMastercardMaestroSkrillNetellerPaypalPaysafecardTrusty

Casino Gods QUICK REVIEW

Website: www.casinogods.com
Operator: Genesis Global Ltd
Launch Date: 2019
Licence: UK Gambling Commission and Malta Gaming Authority
Game Providers: Big Time Gaming, Microgaming, NetEnt, Play n Go, Quickspin, Thunderkick, ELK Studios, Just For The Win, Lightning Box Games, NYX, Evolution Gaming, Yggdrasil, Red Tiger, NextGen, Rabcat, Fantasma Games, Kalamba Games, Foxium, Triple Edge Studios, and Oryx Gaming

An Olympian-themed casino brought to you by Genesis Global Ltd featuring 1000s of slots and live dealer games, and 300 NetEnt spins wrapped up in a generous welcome package to get you started.

SIGNIFICANT TERMS:
18+, New Players Only, £10 Min Deposit, £5 max bet using bonus. 40x wagering applies. Bonus valid for 14 days. 30 Spins on pre-selected games will be credited instantly + then 30 per day for 9 days. Free Spins valid for 72 hours from credit. Max Free Spins winnings £100. Skrill + Neteller exlcluded. Always refer to bonus terms. Terms apply. BeGambleAware.org.

8.8

Wager free spins
Evolution tables
Not a white label!

CASHIER AND PAYMENT OPTIONS

Withdrawal Time: Up to 24 hours
Min Deposit: £20
Min Withdrawal: £20

Visa Debit and CreditMaestroMastercardSkrill Neteller Paypal PaysafecardTrusty

Volt Casino QUICK REVIEW

Website: www.voltcasino.com
Operator: Fair Play Bets
Launch Date: 2018 Re-Launch
Licence: UK Gambling Commission and Malta Gaming Authority
Game Providers: Big Time Gaming, Evolution Gaming, Microgaming, NetEnt, NetEnt Live, Play n Go, and Playson

A stunning independent casino re-branded in 2018 and featuring a big slots selection as well as live tables and sportsbook, and offering up to 300 wager free spins to new players.

SIGNIFICANT TERMS:
For players registering from 24/02/2020 to 31/05/2020. Registration = 100 Crystals & 500 Vollars. Max Rewards on 1st Dep = 300 Starburst cash Spins, 2,500 Vollars & 1,000 Crystals. Only on 1st Dep of min €20. Dep needs to be wagered x1. Every £10 on 1st Dep = 10 Cash Spins, x5 Vollars & x2 Crystals. No wagering On Cash Spins wins. Max wins = £300. Neteller & Skrill deposits excluded. Listed gameplay excluded on 1st dep. Terms apply. BeGambleAware.org.

8.4

Exciting, fun brand
Novomatic slots
Live Chat support

CASHIER AND PAYMENT OPTIONS

Withdrawal Time: Up To 24 Hours
Min Deposit: £10
Min Withdrawal: £20

Visa Debit and CreditMastercardPaypalSkrillNetellerPaysafecardTrusty

Hyper Casino QUICK REVIEW

Website: www.hypercasino.com
Operator: L and L Europe Ltd
Launch Date: 2019
Licence: UK Gambling Commission and Malta Gaming Authority
Game Providers: Big Time Gaming, Blueprint Gaming, ELK Studios, Microgaming, NetEnt, Thunderkick, IGT, Just For The Win, Bally Technologies, Amatic Industries, Novomatic, Barcrest, WMS, NYX, Scientific Games, High 5 Games, and Evolution Gaming

A brash and confident casino brand from L and L Europe with over 700 slots, jackpot, live dealer and video poker games. Stacked with bonus offers and welcoming you with a cheeky smile.

SIGNIFICANT TERMS:
18+, New Players Only, Min Deposit £10, Wagering 45x Bonus, Max Bet £5 With Bonus Funds, Live Casino Play Excluded With Bonus. 100% Up To £100 on 1st Deposit, 50% up to £200 on 2nd Deposit, Welcome Bonus excluded for players depositing with Skrill or Neteller. No Max Cashout on deposit offers. Eligibility is restricted for suspected abuse. Terms apply. BeGambleAware.org.

8.0

Big welcome package
Evolution live tables
Regular cashbacks

CASHIER AND PAYMENT OPTIONS

Withdrawal Time: Up To 48 Hours
Min Deposit: £10
Min Withdrawal: £20

Mastercard Visa Debit and CreditNetellerSkrillPaysafecard

bCasino QUICK REVIEW

Website: www.bcasino.co.uk
Operator: GS Technology Ltd
Launch Date: 2018
Licence: UK Gambling Commission and
Game Providers: Big Time Gaming, Blueprint Gaming, ELK Studios, Microgaming, Iron Dog Studios, Lightning Box Games, Bally Technologies, Barcrest, NextGen, Ainsworth, Scientific Games, WMS, Thunderkick, Playson, No Limit City, and Shuffle Master

bCasino is an independent casino brand packed with first class slots, jackpot slots and live dealer games, and offering a super-charged three-part, £1,200 welcome package for new players.

SIGNIFICANT TERMS:
18+, New customers only. Free spins are valid on the games : Highlander, Game Of Thrones 243 Ways, Immortal Romance, Jurassic World. Bonus split over first 3 deposits. £20 deposit minimums. 30X wagering on deposit + bonus. Slots only. Some slots not allowed. Wagering contributions vary by game. Moving from low to high wagering slots not allowed. Max bet: £5. £5000 max winnings. Terms apply. BeGambleAware.org.

8.8

Huge slots catalogue
90 Book of Dead spins
White Hat Gaming casino

CASHIER AND PAYMENT OPTIONS

Withdrawal Time: Up To 24 Hours
Min Deposit: £10
Min Withdrawal: £20

Visa Debit and Credit Mastercard Maestro Neteller Skrill Paypal Paysafecard Trusty

Casilando QUICK REVIEW

Website: www.casilando.com
Operator: White Hat Gaming
Launch Date: 2019
Licence: UK Gambling Commission and Malta Gaming Authority
Game Providers: Big Time Gaming, Blueprint Gaming, ELK Studios, Microgaming, NetEnt, Thunderkick, Eyecon, Just For The Win, Leander Games, Lightning Box Games, Merkur Gaming, Bally Technologies, Play n Go, Red Tiger, NYX, Evolution Gaming, Foxium, and Scientific Games

A sharp-looking casino from White Hat Gaming that will appeal to slots players but not live dealer fans. 100s of top slots and 90 Book of Dead spins to get you started.

SIGNIFICANT TERMS:
18+, New players only, Min Deposit £20, Bonus spins are valid on Book of Dead only. Bonus funds are 100% up to £300 and separate to cash funds. 35x bonus wagering requirements apply. Only bonus funds count towards wagering requirement. £5 max bet with bonus. Bonus funds must be used within 30 days, spins within 10 days otherwise any unused shall be removed. Terms apply. BeGambleAware.org.

9.0

Epic, intergalatic brand
300 spins bonus
Live dealer bonus

CASHIER AND PAYMENT OPTIONS

Withdrawal Time: 1 to 5 Days
Min Deposit: £10
Min Withdrawal: £10

Visa Debit and Credit Mastercard Maestro Neteller Skrill Trusty Paysafecard Paypal

Genesis Casino QUICK REVIEW

Website: www.genesiscasino.com
Operator: Genesis Global
Launch Date: 2018
Licence: UK Gambling Commission and Malta Gaming Authority
Game Providers: Big Time Gaming, Microgaming, NetEnt, Play n Go, Quickspin, Thunderkick, Just For The Win, Lightning Box Games, ELK Studios, NYX, Oryx Gaming, Yggdrasil, Evolution Gaming, Red Tiger, NextGen, Rabcat, Fantasma Games, Kalamba Games, Foxium, and Triple Edge Studios

A slick and cool space-age-themed casino offering a great selection of slots, RNG and live dealer games. Join today for a generous 100% match bonus with 300 Starburst Spins.

SIGNIFICANT TERMS:
18+, Full T and Cs Apply. New players Only. £10 min deposit. £5 max bet using bonus. 40 x wagering applies. Bonus valid for 14 days. 30 Spins on Starburst games will be credited per day for 9 days after qualifying deposit/wager is met. Free Spins valid for 72 hours from credit. Max Free Spins winnings £100. Skrill + Neteller excluded. Always refer to Bonus Terms Terms apply. BeGambleAware.org.

8.6

Novomatic slots
Evolution live tables
Paypal accepted

CASHIER AND PAYMENT OPTIONS

Withdrawal Time: Up to 24 Hours
Min Deposit: £10
Min Withdrawal: £20

Visa Debit and Credit Mastercard Paypal Neteller Skrill Paysafecard

All British Casino QUICK REVIEW

Website: www.allbritishcasino.com
Operator: L and L Europe
Launch Date: 2013
Licence: UK Gambling Commission and Malta Gaming Authority
Game Providers: Microgaming, NetEnt, Novomatic, Thunderkick, IGT, Just For The Win, Bally Technologies, Scientific Games, WMS, ELK Studios, Blueprint Gaming, Evolution Gaming, High 5 Games, Barcrest, Amatic Industries, Big Time Gaming, and NextGen

A red, white and blue casino experience with top class slots, including Novomatic, and live tables, 10% cashback for life and 100% match to get started.

SIGNIFICANT TERMS:
18+, Welcome Bonus for New Players Only, Maximum bonus is 100% up to £100, Min deposit is £20, No max cashout, Wagering is 35x bonus, Maximum bet while playing with a bonus is £5, Eligibility is restricted for suspected abuse, cashback is cash with no restrictions, Skrill and Neteller deposits excluded, Cashback applies to deposits where no bonus is included. Terms apply. BeGambleAware.org.

8.8

Cool immersive theme
Live chat support
Up to 500 spins bonus

CASHIER AND PAYMENT OPTIONS

Withdrawal Time: Up To 24 Hours
Min Deposit: £10
Min Withdrawal: £10

Visa Debit and Credit Mastercard Neteller Skrill Paysafecard Trusty

Wishmaker QUICK REVIEW

Website: www.wishmaker.com
Operator: MT Secure Trade
Launch Date: 2018
Licence: UK Gambling Commission and Malta Gaming Authority
Game Providers: Big Time Gaming, ELK Studios, Blueprint Gaming, Microgaming, Bally Technologies, NetEnt, Thunderkick, IGT, Merkur Gaming, Push Gaming, Yggdrasil, Evolution Gaming, WMS, NetEnt Live, SG Digital, NYX, Push Gaming, Red Tiger, No Limit City, Cayetano Gaming, iSoftbet, Barcrest, Betsoft, Play n Go, Quickspin, and Scientific Games

An immersive casino experience set in a far-away land with level-ups and special rewards throughout your journey. Over 1,500 games in total and up to 500 spins welcome package.

SIGNIFICANT TERMS:
18+, New customers only, Min deposit £10/£50 (excl. Neteller and Skrill). Claim period is 14 days. Daily spins claim period is 1 day. Winnings from spins 40x wagering within 7 days. Max 500 spins total. Max winnnings on all spins £1,000. Max bet £5. Game weightings apply. Terms apply. BeGambleAware.org.

8.8

Novomatic slots
Fun, unpretentious brand
Paypal accepted

CASHIER AND PAYMENT OPTIONS

Withdrawal Time: Up To 24 Hours
Min Deposit: £10
Min Withdrawal: £20

Visa Debit and Credit Mastercard Skrill Neteller Paypal Paysafecard

Fun Casino QUICK REVIEW

Website: www.funcasino.com
Operator: L and L Europe
Launch Date: 2017
Licence: UK Gambling Commission and Malta Gaming Authority
Game Providers: Blueprint Gaming, ELK Studios, Microgaming, NetEnt, Novomatic, Thunderkick, IGT, Just For The Win, and Bally Technologies

A refreshingly simple and down-to-earth casino from L and L Europe featuring a rare sighting of Novomatic slots, a fast reliable cashier and generous loyalty offers.

SIGNIFICANT TERMS:
New customers only, min deposit £10, wagering 50x, max bet £5 with bonus funds. 11 Free Spins on registration (max withdrawal is £100). 50% up to £499 bonus + 100 Free Spins on 1st deposit. 50% up to £499 bonus on 2nd deposit. No max cash out on deposit offers. Welcome bonus excluded for players depositing with Skrill or Neteller. Terms apply. BeGambleAware.org.

8.2

Massive slots catalogue
Evolution live tables
24/7 Live Support

CASHIER AND PAYMENT OPTIONS

Withdrawal Time: Up to 72 hours
Min Deposit: £10
Min Withdrawal: £20

Visa Debit and Credit Mastercard SkrillNetellerPaysafecard Paypal Trusty

The Online Casino QUICK REVIEW

Website: www.theonlinecasino.com
Operator: Nektan
Launch Date: 2019
Licence: UK Gambling Commission and Gibraltar Gambling Commission
Game Providers: Big Time Gaming, Microgaming, NetEnt, Pragmatic Play, Eyecon, IGT, Iron Dog Studios, Lightning Box Games, and Merkur Gaming

A Nektan casino launched in 2019 and offering a superb £5 no deposit welcome bonus, a stack of brilliant slots and live dealer tables. Slick, fun, no nonsense gambling from a top UK operator.

SIGNIFICANT TERMS:
New customers only, 18+, Verification needed for UK players, No Deposit, Max bonus £5, Valid on: Shamrock n Roll, Mayan Marvels and Candy Swap. Wagering 100x, Max Winnings capped at £20. First 3 deposits only, Min deposit $/€/£10, Max bonus $/€/£ 500 + 50 Free Spins on Starburst, Selected slots only, 4x conversion, 40x wagering. Terms apply. BeGambleAware.org.

8.6

Novomatic Slots
Trusted operator
Evolution Gaming live tables

CASHIER AND PAYMENT OPTIONS

Withdrawal Time: Up to 24 Hours
Min Deposit: £10
Min Withdrawal: £20

Visa Debit and Credit Mastercard Neteller Skrill Paypal Trusty

Casino Casino QUICK REVIEW

Website: www.casinocasino.com
Operator: L and L Europe
Launch Date: 2014
Licence: UK Gambling Commission and Malta Gaming Authority
Game Providers: Microgaming, NetEnt, Novomatic, Thunderkick, Blueprint Gaming, ELK Studios, IGT, Just For The Win, and Bally Technologies

Another excellent casino site from trusted operator, L and L Europe, featuring a quality slots and live dealer portfolio, wide choice of payments options and professional, responsive support service.

SIGNIFICANT TERMS:
18+, New customers only, min deposit £20, wagering 35x, max bet £5 with bonus funds. Max bonus is 100% up to £100. No max cash out on deposit offers. Welcome bonus excluded for players depositing with Skrill or Neteller. Cashback is cash with no restriction. Terms apply. BeGambleAware.org.

8.4

Trusted operator
Evolution live tables
Massive slots selection

CASHIER AND PAYMENT OPTIONS

Withdrawal Time: Up to 24 Hours
Min Deposit: £10
Min Withdrawal: £10

Visa Debit and Credit Mastercard Maestro Neteller Skrill Paypal Trusty

Fruity Casa QUICK REVIEW

Website: www.fruitycasa.com
Operator: White Hat Gaming
Launch Date: 2014
Licence: UK Gambling Commission and Malta Gaming Authority
Game Providers: Big Time Gaming, Blueprint Gaming, ELK Studios, Evolution Gaming, Foxium, Leander Games, Lightning Box Games, Merkur Gaming, Microgaming, NetEnt, NYX, Play n Go, Red Tiger, and Scientific Games

A classic online casino from the trusted White Hat Gaming label that goes big on slots as well as offering a selection of Evolution Gaming live tables. Straight forward gambling fun.

SIGNIFICANT TERMS:
18+, New Customers Only, Minimum Deposit £10, Bonus spins are valid on Fruit Shop only and subject to a 35x wagering requirement, and must be used within 10 days, otherwise any unused bonus spins will be removed. Bonus funds are 100% up to £100 and separate to cash funds. 35x bonus wagering requirements and only bonus funds count towards wagering contribution. £5 max bet with bonus funds. Bonus must be used within 30 days otherwise any unused bonus will be removed. Terms apply. BeGambleAware.org.

A GUIDE TO UK CASINO SITES

THE CASINO HEAT: WHO WE ARE

On this page you will find our pick of the top 20 casino sites currently operating in the UK. The Casino Heat team are experts in the field of online gambling and we have chosen these brands based on our knowledge of the industry. Our experience covers both playing and working at online casinos, including some of the biggest name operators. This gives us a powerful perspective when it comes to assessing the strengths and weaknesses of the sites currently on the market for UK players. Our reviews aim to provide you with an in-depth knowledge that goes beyond the headline bonus numbers to give you the full picture.

 

PART 1: CHOOSING A CASINO

OPERATORS AND BRANDS

There are hundreds, most likely thousands, of online casinos accepting bets from UK players right now. Whilst this huge choice is a good thing for the customer – a competitive market naturally drives better value and pushes operators to work harder to provide a better experience – it can also be a little overwhelming. Many of these sites look the same – a splash of color, a few images of live dealers and Starburst slot, and a bumper bonus package to entice you in.

So, which is better? Are all these sites reputable? And where should you play?

To help you answer these questions, one place to start is the operator name – always displayed along with the licensing information at the bottom of all pages on a casino site. Many of the big-name operators  run multiple casinos from the same license, and also sub-license casino brands owned by third parties. For example, L and L Europe run their own casino brands like Fun Casino and Casino Casino, whilst they also sub-license the brands Hyper and Yeti Casino.

Gambling with a reputable operator is a good idea because they are trustworthy, they are well-financed, and their scale and experience means that the operational side of their businesses, including payment processing and customer services, are efficient and professional.

Doing a bit of research to find out which operator owns the brands you like is worthwhile because if they own other sites you can play at those too in the knowledge that you will get a similar experience – usually the same promotions team will create offers for all the sites under one operator license, the same games will be available, and the same support team will answer calls and chat.

As well as betting with a trusted operator, you might also like to look for sites with a distinctive brand identity. By that we mean casinos that haven’t simply followed the crowd and produced A.N. Other generic casino. Think of sites like Casumo, and those that came in its wake like Rizk and Cashmio. Or more recently sites like Metal Casino, Play OJO from Skill on Net, and Hyper Casino from L and L.  Each of these has a distinctive brand identity which is an indicator that time and money has been invested into the proposition, it is being taken seriously, and they are in it for the long haul.

That makes them a good bet to play with.

5 TOP CASINO OPERATORS AND THEIR BRANDS

Operator

GVC Holdings

Top Brands

Foxy Casino, Party Casino, Bwin, Ladbrokes

Total Brands

30

License

Gibraltar Gambling Authority and UK Gambling Commission

Operator

White Hat Gaming

Top Brands

Temple Nile, Dream Vegas, Spinland, Casilando

Total Brands

15

License

Malta Gaming Authority and UK Gambling Commission

Operator

L and L Europe

Top Brands

Fun Casino, All British Casino, Hyper Casino, Casino Casino

Total Brands

10

License

Malta Gaming Authority and UK Gambling Commission

Operator

Genesis Global

Top Brands

Casino Gods, Genesis Casino, Casino Joy, Vegas Hero

Total Brands

8

License

Malta Gaming Authority and UK Gambling Commission

Operator

Jumpman Gaming

Top Brands

Slots Baby, Irish Wins, Pots of Slots

Total Brands

150

License

Malta Gaming Authority and UK Gambling Commission

OPERATOR

TOP BRANDS

TOTAL BRANDS

LICENCE

WEBSITE

GVC Holdings

Foxy Casino

Party Casino

Bwin

Ladbrokes

30

Gibraltar Gambling Authority and UK Gambling Commission

White Hat Gaming

Temple Nile

Dream Vegas

Spinland

Casilando

15

Malta Gaming Authority and UK Gambling Commission

L and L Europe

Fun Casino

All British Casino

Hyper Casino

Casino Casino

10

Malta Gaming Authority and UK Gambling Commission

Genesis Global

Casino Gods

Genesis Casino

Casino Joy

Vegas Hero

8

Malta Gaming Authority and UK Gambling Commission

Jumpman Gaming

Slots Baby

Irish Wins

Pots of Slots

150

Malta Gaming Authority and UK Gambling Commission

BONUSES AND PROMOTIONS

Eye-catching deposit matches and triple figure free spins offers are the casino-operators big juicy carrot – that irresistible gift package designed to make you sign up right now. In recent years bonuses have changed and the days of 500% matches and 300 free spins are all but gone. These offers usually came with a long list of prohibitive terms and conditions that made it very hard to win any withdrawable cash from your bonuses or spins. The UK Gambling Commission has cracked down on these opaque promotions and operators are now pushed to ensure complete fairness and transparency.

The result has been offers that are bold – fewer spins and lower percentage matches – after wagering conditions have either been reduced significantly or removed entirely. Whilst the headlines might not be quite so eye catching, better value is the trend now with less restrictions and better chances of winning. Many casinos now push ‘no wager free spins’ with ‘no win limit’.

The bottom line is that whatever bonus you choose to play with, you should always check the terms and conditions before taking it, including the maximum winnings available from your spins.

Here are five of our best featured bonuses. You can find more on our casino bonus page.

THE 5 BEST UK CASINO BONUS OFFERS

CASINO

BONUS

SPINS

WAGERING

GET BONUS

100% Up To £400

50 Bonus Spins For All NetEnt Slots

35x Bonus AND Cash

None

50 Bonus Spins

on Book of Dead

Winnings Paid in Cash

No Win Limits

Up To £300

On First Two Deposits

33 Bonus Spins

on Lights By NetEnt

45x Bonus Amount

100% Up To £500

30 Bonus Spins

on Wild Scarabs Slot

40x Wagering Bonus

AND Deposit Value

100% Up To £300

90 Bonus Spins

On Book of Dead Slot

35 x Bonus Amount

BONUS CONTROVERSIES

Of all the issues dealt with by any customer support team at an online casino or sportsbook, bonuses (and withdrawals) are the most contentious. Always read the terms and conditions to be sure you don’t get caught out.

Here are three typical bonus controversies to avoid:

1. Minimum Deposit – always check to see how much you have to deposit to claim the bonus. It’s usually £10, but sometimes it can be £20.
2. Game Weightings – Not all games count the same towards your wagering requirements. Slots with a high RTP and many table games contribute less or not at all.
3. Withdrawal Limits – Some operators restrict how much you can withdraw out of bonus winnings. Usually £100 or £500.

GAMES AND SOFTWARE

At the heart of your casino experience are the games. The wealth generated by online gambling and the level of competition in the industry means that the quality of the products you play online is very high. From 3d video slots and Virtual Reality casino floors, to the real live dealer experiences streamed from Monte Carlo casinos, everything is underpinned by high production values and driven by the very latest technologies.  The very best games will work across all devices and all platforms, from iPhone and Android to Desktop Mac or Windows PC, the game quality, speed and smoothness remains the same.

There is an important distinction to make between the companies who create the games and the operators who run the casinos.  Very few operators are game developers as well. These are separate specialist areas within one industry. And which games are on offer at your chosen casino will depend on which studios the operator has struck deals with. The most high-profile of theses, such as NetEnt and Microgaming, supply games to almost all operators, whilst smaller studios like Thunderkick or ELK Studios, are found less frequently.

FIVE OF THE BEST CASINO GAME DEVELOPERS

Industry leaders since 1996 and specialists in video slots and live dealer games.

Australian slots company who created the revolutionary Megaways™ games.

Swedish slot developer creating quirky off-beat and entertaining games with slick gameplay.

Live Dealer market-leaders with studio and casino-based tables worldwide .

Slot developer with a wide range of games including some good Progressives.

Just like operators, software providers must also hold licenses to allow them to develop games for gamblers in the UK to play. Under the terms of these licenses the developers must adhere to strict regulations around security, encrypted transactions, and fairness.

SITES WITH EXCLUSIVE GAME RELEASES!

Some of the biggest casinos will get exclusive releases of new slots when they come on the market. Recent examples include Leo Vegas who regularly take an exclusive of a new Big Time Gaming slot for a month before it goes on general release to the rest of the UK.

CUSTOMER SUPPORT

It may not be the first thing you look for when you choose which casino you want to play at, but customer support can be a very important part of your experience at any site. You will want to keep interaction with agents to a minimum and hopefully you won’t have any reason to contact them at all. But if you do, you want to know that they will be there when you need them.

So, before you sign up have a look to see what contact options are available to you and what hours the support team work. There are three standard options:

LIVE CHAT

For most of us, this is the best way to contact a support agent. You can interact and engage with the other person in a two-way real time conversation and, critically, you can save the text of what was said in case you need to use it later in a dispute. Not all casino live chat facilities are open 24/7 however, so check the site for the available times.

PHONE

Whilst most big casinos offer phone support to their customers, not all do, preferring to provide live chat instead.

EMAIL

Email is the slowest way to communicate with your casino. However, it can be useful if you want your interaction to be recorded in writing in the instance of a dispute or any other issue that want to be able to refer back to later. All casinos will offer this method of getting in touch.

CASHIER OPTIONS AND WITHDRAWAL TIMES

It might not be the most exciting part of your casino experience, but a reliable and fast cashier is critical to enjoying your time at any site.

Online gamblers want to be able to deposit and withdraw from their account with their preferred method without any fees, delays or hassles. The biggest operators have made sure that they offer a wide range of card payments, eWallets and bank transfer systems. Others provide less choice. As a consumer you should be aware of the benefits and drawbacks of the available payment methods. There may even be some out there that you haven’t heard of that would suit you better.

Check the cost of your chosen payment method, the time it takes to process withdrawals to it, and the minimum and maximum deposit and withdrawals you can make. Remember too that all gambling operators will only process payments back onto the card or eWallet you made your deposit with. This is a strategy to combat money laundering through online gambling sites.

LICENSING, SECURITY AND TRUST

Perhaps the least sexy but most important aspect of any casino site is its license. In the case of online gambling the issue of trust and security is a huge one. After all, you are entrusting a company with your money as well as trusting that they are delivering a fair and safe gaming experience to you. These areas of responsibility are all covered by the licenses that your casino must hold. ALL online casinos in the UK by law must hold a license issued by the UK Gambling Commission. The License Conditions and Codes of Practice (LCCP) is a document that sets out all the rules that an operator with a UK GC license must adhere to. That includes holding all your data securely and keeping the balance of all customer accounts ringfenced from the rest of the business finances.

Many of these operators are based offshore in territories that are online gambling jurisdictions and have favorable tax laws for big companies and high earners.

These are the biggest jurisdictions:

UK Gambling Commission

UK Gambling Commission

Victoria Square House
Victoria Square
Birmingham
B2 4BP

0121 230 6666
info@gamblingcommission.gov.uk

www.gamblingcommission.gov.uk

Malta Gaming Authority

Malta Gaming Authority

Building SCM 02-03
Level 4
SmartCity Malta
Ricasoli SCM1001
Malta

00 356 2546 9000
info.mga@mga.org.mt

www.mga.org.mt

Gibraltar Regulatory Authority

Gibraltar Gambling Authority

Gambling Division H.M Government of Gibraltar
Europort Suite 812 & 813
GX11 1AA
Gibraltar

00350 20064142
gamblinglicensing@gibraltar.gov.gi

www.gibraltar.gov.gi

Alderney Gambling Control Commission

Alderney Gambling Control Commission

The Alderney Gambling Control Commission
St Anne’s House
Queen Elizabeth II Street
Alderney
Channel Islands
GY9 3TB

+ 44 (0) 1481 825500
info@agcc.gg

https://www.gamblingcontrol.org

HOW DO CASINOS GET AUDITED?

To fulfil the requirements of the LCCP, all online games and the platforms they are published on, must be audited for fairness and security. There are several auditing houses that are used for this purpose. Each audit will test to make sure that the games are producing truly random results through the Random Number Generator that decides the outcome of each spin, card turn or dice roll. They will also produce payout reports that show the Return to Player (RTP) % of each game across a set number of games. The most regularly used auditing houses are eCorga, iTech Labs and GLI.

NOTE: Some casinos will share the results of games auditing on their websites in the interests of transparency.

PART TWO: CHOOSING A GAME

VIDEO SLOTS

Slots, video slots, fruit machines, pokies. Whatever you want to call them, these fast paced, fixed odds betting games are at the heart of any online casino. There are thousands of them on the market, hundreds more produced each month, and with no limit to how many a casino site can offer to its players, there will always be a massive selection to pick from.

Avid slots fans will know which game developer created their favorite titles and will look for more from them. But if you are new to this type of gambling then you may prefer to let the casino guide you by their categories of ‘latest slots’ or ‘most popular’. Remember as well that different games pay out at different rates. If you haven’t played a slot before then you should start with low variance games that pay out regular prizes in short intervals. High variance games that have bigger but infrequent payouts, are riskier and preferred by hardened gamblers.

Not all casinos feature games from every game developer and some will have signed exclusive deals to offer only one company’s products. Our own preference is to play where there is the widest variety of games.

5 OF THE BEST CASINO SITES WITH SLOTS

CASINO

TOP SLOT SUPPLIERS

ALL SLOTS

MOBILE SLOTS

JACKPOT SLOTS

Big Time Gaming, Microgaming, NetEnt, Play n Go, Quickspin

1,100

500 +

48

Playtech

800

500 +

96

NetEnt, Big Time Gaming, Thunderkick, ELK Studios, Blueprint Gaming, Push Gaming

1,000

750 +

83

ELK Studios, Microgaming, and NetEnt

300

450

26

Microgaming, NetEnt, Novomatic, Thunderkick, IGT, Just For The Win, Bally Technologies

700

400 +

13

LIVE DEALER GAMES

One of the biggest developments in online casino technology in the last 10 years, alongside mobile gambling, has been the live dealer casino experience. Advancements in streaming technology and much improved broadband and wireless speeds have paved the way for companies like Evolution Gaming and NetEnt to allow players to interact with real croupiers dealing cards and rolling the dice on real tables in studios and bricks and mortar casinos across the globe. This is a very different experience from the RNG (Random Number Generator) games delivered through Flash and then HTML5 that were the only ways to play Blackjack, Roulette, Baccarat and Craps online before the arrival of live gambling streams. Live Dealer largely eliminates the accusations of fixed and unfair gambling software and creates a more sociable and realistic setting for your play.

It is possible to play live dealer games at almost every casino site in the UK now, though there are a few exceptions and some sites which offer a stripped-down selection of tables. The best will have multiple formats of all the table games and at a range of stakes to suit every player from casual gamblers up to high roller VIPs. The market is dominated by two developers: Evolution Gaming and NetEnt, with the former having the greater share.

5 of the Best Live Casino Sites

LIVE CASINO SITE

TOTAL LIVE TABLES

LIVE BLACKJACKS

LIVE ROULETTES

LIVE DEALER BONUS

93

45

20

100% Up To £100

90

20

20

100% Up To £300

15

5

5

100% Up To £500

10

4

4

121% Up To £300

50

20

10

100% Up To £100

VIDEO POKER

Video Poker is very popular in America but less so in the UK. Even so, many online casinos still offer the format to their players. It is a mixture of slots and poker and has a higher Return to Player (RTP) than most other table or slots games. It is a single player game involving two draws. The initial draw will give the player five cards. The player then chooses which cards they want to keep and which they want to discard. Discarded cards are replaced with new ones dealt from the pack. The objective is always to from one of the classic poker hands, from a pair of  Jacks which pays out even money, up to the Royal Flush, which is a five-card run of 10, Jack, Queen, King, Ace in the same suit which usually pays out 250:1.

There are several different formats of Video Poker including Joker’s Wild where the Joker is used as a wild card to substitute for others in a hand, Dueces Wild, in which 2s are all considered to be wild cards in the game, and the most common format of Jacks or Better, with an average RTP of around 99.5%.

INSTANT WIN

The simplest form of gambling made available at online casinos in the UK is found in the fixed-odds Instant Win games. These include single player bingos, scratchcards and keno. In bingo the player is presented with a card with a grid of numbers. Once the game starts numbers are drawn, and the higher the more matches that are made with the player’s card, the higher the prize payout. Scratchcards work in the same way as the offline versions. The player can choose to scratch the cards themselves by clicking on the hidden symbols, or press auto play to let the computer reveal the symbols in one go. Keno is a lottery-style game that originated in America and rewards players for matching numbers on their card with those drawn during the game.

LOTTERY

It is also possible to play lottery-style games at many casinos. Some are exclusive to the casino you play at whilst others use the National Lottery game draws and take bets on the outcome.

PART THREE: TRY THE LATEST NEW CASINO SITES

The surest bet in the world of online gambling right now is that tomorrow, next week, next month, and next year for that matter, we will wake up to the launch of another new casino. The popularity of gambling has reached a level where top operators can comfortably launch 3 or 4 new casinos each year whilst smaller operators may launch many more as they team up with third party businesses with marketing budget ready to spend on a new off the shelf white label solution. The important considerations to look out for when choosing a new casino are the same as those for established brands. Always ensure that you are gambling with a licensed operator, with the games you want to play, and with clear and fair terms and conditions around all their offers.

If you’re looking for something fresh that incorporates the latest design innovations, probably offers a slightly better bonus deal as the operator seeks to establish their new brand in the market, and has the best choice of games, then these casinos are worth checking out.

5 BEST NEW CASINO SITES IN 2019

CASINO NAME

LAUNCH DATE

WELCOME BONUS

FREE SPINS

VISIT CASINO

2019

£300 On First 2 Deposits

33 Bonus Spins on Lights From NetEnt

2019

100% Up To £150

150 Bonus Spins on NetEnt Games

2018

100%  Up To £300

100 Spins on NetEnt’s Starburst Slot

2019

100% Up To £300

300 Bonus Spins on Selected Games

2019

100% Up To £100

150 Bonus Spins on

NetEnt’s Gonzo’s Quest

PART FOUR: READY TO PLAY? JUST REGISTER, VERIFY AND DEPOSIT

So, now you’re clued up on UK casinos and your more or less ready to sign up and start playing, here’s a really easy step by step guide to registering, account verification and making your first deposit.

1) Registration

Registration at most casinos is very straight forward.  Usually the personal details you will be required to enter are these: name, address, date of birth, email and the currency you wish to play in.

2) Account Verification

New regulations brought in on 7th May 2019 require all online gambling sites to verify the age and identity of their customer before they can play a game with real money OR for free. This is to fulfill the UK Gambling Commission’s remit to prevent underage gambling and money laundering and to protect problem gamblers. Age and ID verification are carried out in basic checks behind the scenes when you register but your casino will also seek documentary evidence soon after registration. This may be in the form of copies of your passport or drivers license.

3) Deposit

Once you are ready to play with real funds, choose your payment option, ensure you are depositing enough to quality for the bonus, deposit and then start playing.

SUMMARY AND FAQs

What is the most trusted online casino in the UK?

For casino players in the UK, trust is one of the most important factors in deciding where to play. After all we are making financial transactions and we want to know that the operator we are dealing with will offer safe, secure and fair gaming. The good news is that all UK gambling is regulated by the UK Gambling Commission, so all licensed casinos have been tested and audited.

If you are looking for the ‘most trusted’ then you should look to the biggest brands, and those that have been around for longest. Highstreet bookmakers like Betfred are a good option, as are tried and trusted online brands like Casumo and Play OJO.

 

Which is the best online casino in the UK?

Every gamblers idea of what make the ‘best’ online casino might be different. Some may look for the best live dealer casino games, whilst others may prefer slots. For some, the option to deposit with Paypal is a priority, whilst others are looking for a generous VIP program. In our opinion, the casino site that offers the widest range of games, the most generous and fair bonusing, the biggest choice of payment options, and delivers an all-round top-class customer experience is the best. Amongst the best casinos currently open to UK players based on these factors are:

  1. Genesis Casino
  2. Temple Nile
  3. Casumo
  4. Play OJO
  5. Casino Joy

You can read more about all these sites on our casino review pages.

 

Which casino site has the best payouts?

The payout of any online casino is made up of the payout of all its games. And because casino games operate on pre-defined payout models, usually between 95% and 99%, almost every casino will have a similar payout ratio over time. This means that no one casino will be ‘luckier’ than any other. However, there are games that have better payout ratios than most. For example, whilst most slots pay out around 95% to 97%, some pay out as much as 99% – look for titles like Mega Joker (99%), 1429 Unchartered Seas (98.6%), Bloodsuckers (98%) and King of Chicago (97.8%). It’s also worth checking out table games with a small house edge, like Blackjack (98.5% to 99.5% RTP) and Baccarat (98.5% RTP).

And if you are looking for big payouts, the biggest prizes usually come from Progressive Jackpot Slots like Mega Moolah and Mega Fortune, with regular jackpots well in excess of £1,000,000.

Which casinos have a free sign up bonus?

There are many online casinos that now offer no deposit bonuses to new customers. These will usually come in the form of bonus spins, and sometimes bonus cash, though this is rarer. If you get bonus spins as part of your welcome package then always check the terms and conditions to see what wagering requirements and win limits the spins come with. Winnings will usually be credited as bonus funds and won’t be withdrawable until they have been turned over 20 or more times. You can find free casino sign up bonuses in our casino listings. One of our current favourites is Casumo who offer 20 Starburst spins for all new players.

 

What are the most popular online casino games?

At any online casino in the UK there are hundreds, and sometimes thousands, of games to choose from. The most popular are the video slots because they are the simplest to play and they come with many different themes and styles. Starburst is the most popular of theses, and high variance games like Big Time Gaming’s Bonanza are also high on the list. For those who prefer the live casino experience, the Blackjack and Roulette tables streamed by Evolution Gaming are usually amongst the most popular. Here is a list of five of the most popular online casino games:

  1. Starburst Video Slot
  2. Mega Moolah Progressive Jackpot Slot
  3. Live Dealer Online Roulette
  4. Live Dealer Online Blackjack
  5. Bonanza High Variance Slot