Introduction to Online Casinos in the UK
The online casino industry in the UK is thriving, with playing online casino games being a much-loved pastime enjoyed by millions. With many different types of games featured on online casinos, players are spoilt for choice. With everything from traditional roulette games to crash games up for grabs, players can explore new gambling options every time they go online. Offering fun and engaging experiences, with the added extra of possible financial gains, it's easy to see why so many Brits enjoy playing casino games remotely.
At betting.bet, we are the online casino experts, having worked with and reviewed online casinos for decades. On this page, we give you a full breakdown of the UK online casino scene, explaining what's on offer, the best sites to join, while providing tips on how to gamble responsibly. So, let's get started!
How to Choose the Best Online Casino
According to the UK Gambling Commission, there are around 2,750 registered gambling operators in the country, the majority of which offer online casino games. While having so many choices is great for players, the task of finding the best UK casino sites can feel like an impossible one. Below, we look at the key factors to consider when selecting the best online casino for you.
Licensing: For an online casino site to gain our approval, it needs to be licensed and verified by the UK gambling body, the UKGC (United Kingdom Gambling Commission). This is a UK government-backed organisation that is in charge of issuing gambling licences. If a site is UKGC-approved, it is safe to use and follows strict guidelines around fairness and responsible gambling.
Games: It goes without saying that the games lobby is an important factor when comparing online casinos. The more games featured, the more entertaining options are available to players of that casino. The core games found on UK casinos, in order of popularity, are slots, roulette, blackjack, poker and baccarat. Many casino sites also offer crash games, live game shows and live dealer options. When rating UK casinos, we like to see casinos offering a good mix of all games from a variety of casino game developers.
Banking Methods: The banking methods available at an online casino will tell you a lot. The more safe banking methods available, the more trustworthy the casino site is. Visa, Mastercard, PayPal, Skrill, Neteller, Paysafecard, Trustly, Apple Pay, Google Pay, Bank Transfer, Revolut, ecoPayz, MuchBetter, Boku, Cryptocurrencies (Bitcoin, Ethereum, Litecoin), AstroPay, Klarna, Giropay, iDebit, Interac, Jeton, Neosurf, Sofort and UPI are regarded the safest options for players.
Promotions: Checking out the promotions page will be most players' first move when comparing their online casino options. Casinos that are generous with their promotions will gain a lot of attention in the UK, and rightly so! All online casinos will take a different approach to their player incentives, which is why many players register with several casino sites to enjoy a well-rounded online gambling experience. Although the offers will be different, the majority of casinos will have a new player bonus. These free bonuses or cashback deals are highly effective in attracting new players. Other offers include free spins on slot games, free referral bonuses, loyalty rewards and much more. It is always wise to register with casinos that can keep the good times rolling by expanding your gameplay with offers and promotions.
Safe Casino Gambling: If you are new to playing casino games or have been online gambling for decades, it is essential that you exercise responsible gambling practices when playing casino games. This is why it is paramount that the casino site you choose has a robust safe gambling policy and safe gambling tools available. Must-have safe gambling tools and resources include Self-assessment, Self-exclusion, Time Out, Reality Check and Deposit Limits.
Customer Support: When choosing between online casino websites, focusing on the level of customer support available to players is a good strategy. The best online casinos will have Live Chat, telephone and email support, as well as a "Help Centre" with on-site FAQs.
Design and Layout: How a casino website is visually presented is very important. While they say it is not all about looks, when it comes to casinos, it kind of is! A good-looking, professionally-designed casino will make for enjoyable gameplay.
New UK Online Casinos – What to Expect
Due to the popularity of online gambling in the UK, many new casinos are launching, giving players even more options to explore! But what can you expect when playing at new casinos over more established casino sites in the UK?
Well, new casino sites are often the preferred choice for modern players. This is because you would expect them to use the most advanced online casino technology, the newest games and generate the most entertaining casino sessions. New casinos also tend to have the biggest new player bonuses as they are eager to outshine other casinos and attract new players. At betting.bet, we inform our community when new casinos launch, ensuring they know every casino option before choosing a site to play games on.
Online Casino Apps
To enjoy a seamless experience at a UK casino, most will want to use their mobile devices. This is an increasing demand amongst UK casino players. For this reason, almost every UK-registered casino will be mobile-friendly and scale perfectly to all-sized screens. Many casinos go beyond just making their casino sites responsive and decide to launch casino apps. These applications can offer a more mobile-focused casino gambling experience, with features like push notifications, biometric login, app-only promos and integrated payment options like Apple Pay striking a chord with players.
Online Casino Games: Slots, Table Games & More
In this section, we take a deep dive into the best online casino games available to UK players. Here are the main casino game categories:
Slots: Slots are the most popular casino games in the UK, with over 80% of players opting for slot games over other types of titles. Slots are online versions of fruit machines, the aim of which is to spin the reels and match symbols across pay lines to win prizes. Being such a popular category, there are many different slot variations. These include Classic Slots, Video Slots, Progressive Jackpot Slots, Megaways Slots, Branded Slots, 3D Slots, Cluster Pays Slots, Multi-Payline Slots, Multi-Reel Slots, Hold and Win Slots, Cascading Reels Slots, Bonus Buy Slots, High Volatility Slots, Low Volatility Slots, Fruit Machines, Virtual Reality Slots and Cryptocurrency Slots.
Roulette: Roulette is the ultimate game of chance where players spin the wheel and bet on where the pill (ball) will land on the table. Over the years, many new online roulette versions have become available, the most noteworthy being European Roulette, American Roulette, French Roulette, Lightning Roulette, Auto Roulette, Immersive Roulette, Double Ball Roulette, Multi-Wheel Roulette, Mini Roulette, Speed Roulette, VIP Roulette, No Zero Roulette, Progressive Roulette and 3D Roulette.
Blackjack: Online blackjack involves aiming to get a hand total as close to 21 as possible without exceeding that number. In online blackjack, players compete against the dealer, choosing to hit (take another card), stand (keep their hand), double down, split pairs or surrender based on their initial two cards. Online casinos tend to feature a list of different online blackjack games, with popular options including the following: Classic Blackjack, European Blackjack, American Blackjack, Vegas Strip Blackjack, Atlantic City Blackjack, Multi-Hand Blackjack, Single Deck Blackjack, Double Deck Blackjack, Spanish 21, Pontoon, Super Fun 21, Blackjack Switch, Perfect Pairs Blackjack, Progressive Blackjack, Speed Blackjack, Free Bet Blackjack and VIP Blackjack.
Baccarat: The point of Baccarat is to bet on whether the player's hand, Banker's hand, or a Tie will have a total closest to 9. Punto Banco, Chemin de Fer, Baccarat Banque, Mini Baccarat, Speed Baccarat, No Commission Baccarat, Squeeze Baccarat, Dragon Tiger Baccarat, Lightning Baccarat, Progressive Baccarat and VIP Baccarat are all versions of the popular game.
Online Scratch Cards: Most online players enjoy fast-paced, instant-win games. A great example is the growing demand for online Scratch Card titles. Online Scratch Card titles are digital versions of physical Scratch Cards. Their popularity comes from the instant results, simple gameplay, low cost and the fact that they provide players with a chance to win big prizes with minimal effort.
Crash Games: Crash Games are a relatively new phenomenon that has taken the casino world by storm. The games have an increasing multiplier integrated into them. The player must cash out before the game "crashes." Great examples of popular Crash Games include Aviator, JetX, Spaceman and Bustabit.
Live Casino Online – Real Dealer Action!
Even though playing games online is great, many believe that nothing beats the real feeling of going to a casino and playing games in the flesh. This is why when live casino games came about, UK casino players were beyond pleased. Live casinos work by streaming real-time gameplay from a casino studio or a physical casino to players. These games are something in the middle of online casinos and brick-and-mortar casinos, giving players the comfort of their own gambling environment plus all the charms of a real dealer. The most commonly offered types of live dealer games include Live Roulette, Live Blackjack, Live Baccarat and Live Poker variants.
Live Game Shows have also become very popular live dealer options. These are interactive, TV-style games like Monopoly Live and Crazy Time.
Best Online Casino Bonuses & Promotions
Almost every online casino will have a "Promos", "Offers", or "Deals" tab where live promotions are listed. A good selection of promotions is important for a casino as they can help attract new players, keep existing players loyal, help players explore new games and provide value for money. At betting.bet, we like to see a casino offer a mix of offers to attract all sorts of players, giving all gamblers perks. Here are the best types of online casino bonuses and promotions to keep an eye out for:
Welcome Bonus: A welcome bonus, or sign-up bonus, gives players free credits to play games with when they register. There are different types of welcome bonuses. These are "deposit bonuses", where players need to deposit to retrieve the bonus, and "no deposit" options, where no deposit needs to be made. Cashback on initial losses is another popular welcome offer at casino sites.
Free Spins: With slot games being the most popular of all casino games, free spins offers are highly sought after. These are free credits used to spin the slot reels. Free spin offers can be packaged into new player deals as well as standalone deals for existing players.
Friend Referral Bonus: If you have lots of friends who are also into casino games, opt for a casino that has a friend referral scheme. With these offers, players are awarded bonuses and other incentives when they recommend the casino to a peer. Usually, the terms state that the player will need to register and deposit before the bonus is unlocked.
Tournament Promotions & Leaderboards: Many casinos will run tournament promotions such as slot tournaments. With these, players will climb the leaderboard in the hope of bagging the top prizes. These can range from physical gifts such as cars and holidays to free spins and large bonuses.
Loyalty Rewards: Casinos will go above and beyond to instil loyalty in their players, encouraging them to continue playing games on their site over others. A great way many achieve this is a Loyalty Scheme. With these schemes, or "Programs" as they are often called, players can collect points every time they play at the casino. These points can be exchanged for prizes.
Birthday Bonus: When you register an account with a UK casino, you will be asked for your DOB. This is to ensure you are the legal gambling age in the UK (18). Many casinos will use this information to issue you a birthday gift - usually a bonus!
Seasonal Casino Offers: Seasonal occasions like Christmas, Halloween and Easter can see casinos exercise their generous side, launching bonuses and deals to help spread the seasonal cheer. These can come in the form of bonuses, free spins, cashback and many other types of offers.