Best UK Online Casino - Benefits and Reviews 2024

If you live in the UK and are looking for the best UK online casinos, check out the best UK online casinos. The UK casino sites listed are the best online casinos for UK players. The list includes only verified casinos with high ratings!

It takes more than just a flashy interface and a solid collection of games to intrigue seasoned UK online casino players. When playing at a UK casino site, there are things that may look right on the surface that seems to take on a whole new face once we scratch the surface a little. What UK online casino players want as clients, is more than just a bonus and a few free spins before waving goodbye.

The true value found in playing online games should be with UK online casinos that reward existing customers as well as new players. There is nothing worse than feeling great when you sign up only to be forgotten about once a casino has signed you up and effectively reeled you in.

Welcome bonuses tend to be the way in which casinos can get our attention, and these are getting more and more competitive. This is down to the number of UK online casinos operating these days, which drives that push for market share. New and experienced UK casino players will be offered the sun, moon, and stars to join a casino site, but must decide for themselves if there is any chance of a long-term relationship. The more experienced players should understand that there are small things to look out for which can make an internet casino a long-term home, rather than a stop-gap.

In this UK casino guide, we will take a look at everything a UK casino player needs to know when playing online.

Is Casino Gambling in the UK Legal?

Touting all these casino sites would be pointless if online gambling were illegal. So, is it?

Unlike many countries across the globe, online gambling sites in the UK is legal. That means that online casino gambling is also legal, so long as players follow a few basic rules. To bet online – whether on casino games or sports, or whether with real money or digital currency- you must be 18 or older. This is set in stone and every form of gambling remains restricted to minors.

As far as UK customers go, this is the only restriction. Online casino companies also need to adhere to the required protocols for legal gambling.

Despite the UKGC’s strict rules, the UK remains one of the world’s best places for online casino gambling. In fact, its strict rules are what has allowed casino sites to improve over time. Where many countries either outright ban online casino gambling or have poor regulation, if any licensing, the UK stands as a beacon of light for what online casino gambling should represent. It’s no wonder that all the world’s best online casinos can be found in one place on the UK market.

How We Review UK Casino Sites

Each site submitted has been thoroughly checked. Our team of casino experts delves into every element that has an effect on UK players’ gambling experience, gives each factor a grade, and surfaces anything that our users may want to consider before signing up.

Here’s a quick breakdown of the process:

  1. Our reviewers sign up, make a minimum deposit to claim the welcome bonus, and play at the site they are reviewing. They take each game type for a spin, both on desktop and mobile, and cast a critical eye over each of the factors laid out below;
  2. The reviewer then writes up the first draft of the review, after which it heads to our editors for a spit-shine and fact-check;
  3. Scores are totted up for each factor, weighted against how important we feel they are to the online casino’s overall quality;
  4. The review is published on-site, and we head back in regularly to update any changes in bonuses, terms, games selection, and payment options to make sure it all stays accurate and relevant to our users.

Licensing

While it isn’t something we assign a score to, licensing is the most important factor if a gambling site wants to be featured here. A UKGC licence is the bare minimum requirement, giving UK players the confidence that the games are audited for fairness, that SSL encryption protects their data and transactions, that on-site limiters will be available to manage their playtime and spending, and that the site is beholden to a huge range of ethical considerations. Never play at an unlicensed online casino.

As licensing is the only essential requirement for a review to be completed, it is not a factor in scoring.

Design and Usability

How the site looks, how it feels, and how easy it is to navigate are hugely important to the online gaming experience. We like sites with innovative, lively designs, tonnes of filters to make it easy to find what you’re looking for, and easy access to all the important information you might need.

Games Selection

Every casino site has a different selection of games, whether that’s in the number available or the range of variants accounted for in the catalogue. Slots, live dealer games, blackjack, roulette, poker, bingo… there’s no shortage of options a site can offer. Generally speaking, the more options the better.

Software Providers

There are loads of iGaming software developers out there, and many of them are so good that it’s hard to pick out the best. As with the number of games, we like to see a big selection of software providers accounted for in a site’s catalogue.

Bonuses and Promotions 

Every site featured here offers a welcome package and ongoing promotions, but some are decidedly more player-friendly than others. We look at the size of the offers available, the terms and conditions affecting their true value, and make a judgement call on whether the offers are worth our users’ time.

Mobile

A major benefit of an online casino over land-based casinos is the ability to play on the go, and we reckon the bare minimum a site can offer here is a mobile-optimised website that offers the same experience on smartphones as it does on desktops. Bonus points are available to sites that offer native mobile apps for iOS and Android.

Payment Options

We all have a preferred online payment method, and we like to see a broad range available for deposits and withdrawals to ensure every taste is catered for. Withdrawal speed is another factor we look at, with fast withdrawal casinos being a particular hit with our users.

Customer Support

If anything goes wrong, the site should be available to its users across a broad range of channels. Phone, email, social media, and 24/7 live chat support, or at least most of these options, are available at the best online casinos.

Online Casino Bonuses

Bonuses are part and parcel of the online casino experience, but their scope and quality vary significantly from site to site. Bonuses are a major consideration in our online casino reviews; we ensure the sites we recommend offer strong value against the competition, reasonable terms and conditions, and incentives to come back for more. Below you’ll find examples of the kinds of bonuses you can expect to see at the top UK online casino sites.

Matched Deposit Bonuses

Matched deposit welcome bonuses see the casino top up your initial deposit by a certain percentage up to a maximum amount.

For example, with a 100% welcome bonus up to £100, you could deposit £100, land another £100 as your bonus, and have £200 to play with. Alternatively, the offer may be 50% up to £100, meaning you would have to deposit £200 in order to gather the maximum £100 bonus.

The size of these bonuses vary significantly from site to site. You may find an offer at one casino for 100% up to £50, while at another it could be 200% up to £100. The more that’s being offered, the higher the wagering requirements will be. See below for more details on what wagering requirements are and how they work.

Free Spins

There are thousands of slots to try out at the best UK online casinos. The world’s software developers are continually adding more to the pile, so you’ll never be short of fresh reels to test your luck.

Free spins are a great way to do just that, and these bonuses can be offered as a standalone bonus or as an attachment to something like a matched deposit.

Some casinos limit the games you can use your free spins on, although named games will generally be popular titles like NetEnt’s Starburst or Play n’ GO’s Rich Wilde and the Book of Dead.

As with matched deposit bonuses, wagering requirements typically apply to free spins. The difference is that the playthrough requirements are applied to whatever is won with the free spins rather than the bonus’s monetary value.

No Deposit Bonuses

Generally speaking, you must make a deposit in order to claim a welcome bonus. As with all things, there are exceptions to this rule, cannily named no deposit bonuses.

These bonuses can come in the form of free cash, free spins, or even cashback on lost wagers. Unfortunately, the vast majority of no deposit bonuses have strict terms and conditions, particularly wagering requirements, so anything you win with a no deposit bonus will be tough to withdraw.

Nevertheless, no deposit bonuses are a welcome and player-friendly way to get acquainted with a site’s features without having to commit any of your own cash.

Low Wagering Bonuses

Wagering requirements, which we define in greater detail a little further down this page, oblige players to wager their bonus funds a specific number of times before they’re able to make a withdrawal of their winnings. These requirements are usually the biggest obstacle to players looking to make a success of a bonus, but through low wagering bonuses, the task becomes a little easier. With these bonuses, players will find more favourable requirement rates – anything below 30x is good value, but the lower the requirements, the better the bonus.

No Wagering Bonuses

The best UK online casinos might even offer their members a no wagering bonus, where wagering requirements are entirely removed from the equation. This means that whatever money you win from a bonus is immediately yours to keep. You can withdraw it straight away, or retain the funds in your casino account – it’s entirely up to you.

Rebate Bonuses

Everyone loves a rebate, and that’s no different in the gambling world.

Rebate bonuses, sometimes called cashback, return a small percentage of a losing stake in free bets or spins.

This a nice way to take the sting out of a loss, and it can also mean that you’ve got a little cash injection ready and waiting for your next wager. 

Reload Bonuses

After you’ve claimed a welcome bonus with your first deposit, the best online casinos will offer additional bonuses for further deposits, or reload bonuses.

These might be smaller than your welcome bonus or come in the shape of free spins or bets rather than extra cash to play with, but they’re a welcome incentive for your loyalty to a site. 

How Casino Bonuses Work

For example, you might be offered a 100% welcome bonus worth up to £400. That means you can deposit £400 and the casino will give you £400 as a bonus, taking your total balance up to £800. A rival casino might offer a 200% welcome bonus up to £500. You could then deposit £250 of your own money, and you would be given £750 to play with. 

There are a few bonus conditions to take into account, and there is generally a minimum deposit required to unlock these offers, and it is typically either £10 or £20, but that is usually equal to the minimum deposit at the casino anyway. The condition that's generally a bit more complex is the wagering requirement.

Wagering Requirements

Your bonus credit is normally subject to wagering requirements. For example, you might be offered a 100% welcome bonus worth up to £400, and it would come with a 35x wagering requirement attached. This means you would have to play that bonus credit through 35 times before it is eligible for a withdrawal. You would therefore have to place £14,000 worth of bets before you could actually withdraw any of your potential winnings.

Some games count 100% towards wagering requirements, but others do not, so it is important to check the terms and conditions. If a game you enjoy playing only counts 10%, you would have to make £140,000 worth of wagers as opposed to £14,000. You should also check whether the wagering requirement applies only to the bonus credit, or to your cash deposit too. Other important conditions to investigate include the time frame in which you can use the bonus, bet sizes, maximum win amounts and withdrawal limits.

Best Deposit Options for Online Casinos

Debit Cards

Entering your card details is the most common way to fund an account with the United Kingdom's top casinos. You can use Visa and Maestro cards issued by all the major UK banks. Just enter your account number, sort code and security code.

E-wallets

Most casino sites in the UK accept popular e-wallets like Skrill and Neteller . These are often the quickest methods for withdrawals, but you cannot generally enjoy a welcome bonus if you use an e-wallet to make a deposit.

PayPal

PayPal is one of the most commonly used online payment services in the world. However, several online casino sites in the UK do not accept it as a payment method, so we have grouped together all the PayPal casinos for you.

Prepaid Cards

Prepaid cards are an extremely popular deposit method for players due to the added security they provide. Many of the best casino sites UK and new casino sites UK no deposit casinos accept the most popular prepaid card, which is Paysafecard . The Paysafe Group also owns and operates other e-wallet services including Skrill and Neteller.

Bank Transfers

A direct bank transfer has always been a widely used deposit method for many online casino users. Increased security and technology have also made this option much safer and more popular, but it is significantly slower than alternative methods.

Pay-by-Phone

Pay-by-phone allows you to make deposits to the UK's top casinos, and the charge is added to your next monthly phone bill. Services, such as Boku and Zimpler facilitate pay-by-phone deposits. This is a convenient and secure deposit method. 

How to Deposit at an Online Casino

The best online casino sites in the UK make it easy for you to deposit money using a wide range of banking methods. Follow these steps to transfer funds to your account:

  1. Go to the cashier section of the casino and select 'deposit'.
  2. Decide which payment method you would like to use to make your deposit. Remember most deposit methods must also be used as withdrawal methods to prevent money laundering.
  3. Check to see if there are any time restraints, fees or deposit limits attached to the method you've chosen.
  4. Enter all the relevant banking information, e-wallet address or voucher details.
  5. Enter the amount of money you wish to deposit. You can also enter any relevant promo codes to take advantage of a welcome bonus.
  6. Confirm all the information entered and click to complete the deposit. 

Customer Support at the Best UK Casino Sites

Our readers want a frictionless customer support experience at the casino sites they play at. So when we review a casino, this is one of the main areas as assess; we like to see a range of channels to suit our diverse player base, bolstered by speedy response times and courteous agents. 

  • Phone

Nothing competes with the immediacy of talking to a real person, especially if your money is on the line. As easy as it is to pick up the phone and bend the casino’s ear, this channel isn’t without its drawbacks. Call queues aren’t uncommon, and what could have taken five minutes could take an hour if you happen to call at a particularly busy time. Methods like email and live chat avoid this frustration. While many casino support lines are free to call from within the UK, you do find the occasional toll number which can quickly add up.

  • Email

Email support is ubiquitous at casino sites and for good reason. It’s free and easy to use and, like phones, nearly everybody has an email account. One of the top reasons to contact casino sites via email is the resulting paper trail — you’ll have a complete record of all dialogue, useful if you’re having trouble resolving your issue and need to file a complaint. Speed is the main drawback with email. While the best sites might get back to you within an hour or two, others can leave you waiting days without a reply. If your issue takes more than one email to resolve, these delays can mount and it could be weeks before you see a solution.

  • Live Chat

Cropping up on more and more casino sites is live chat, and it’s especially popular with new UK casinos. You’ll get the same benefits as email — you can download a transcript of the chat log for your records — but typically on a much quicker turnaround. These services are often 24/7, meaning you can get support no matter what time it is. Clicking the live chat button on the casino site opens a pop-up window where you can add details of your query, after which you’ll be connected to a support agent. Live chat is generally one of the more convenient ways to seek support at casino sites.

  • Social Media

Sites like Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram are sometimes an option too. By addressing the casino publicly, they’re under extra pressure to resolve your issue, so you might get a more satisfactory or quicker response. It’s also convenient to use a communication channel you’re likely to already be using. Conversely, not all casino sites monitor their social media profiles constantly and some are absent from the platforms entirely — your mileage may vary.

  • Contact Forms

These are much like emails but accessed directly from the casino site, where you can enter information into a template. There’s no need to open your email account and zero chance of getting the address wrong, although sometimes it does feel like your message has been cast into the void, never to be seen again. The best UK casino sites will send a confirmation via email so you know your message has been received. Like email, response times could vary from a few hours to several days.

Game types

Slots

Slot sites are the most common gambling sites with this game type in the United Kingdom market.

We all know the best part about the web is the abundance of games out there; new games constantly appear, and it can be sometimes hard to keep track of them all. We will present the most well-known new Slot sites, give a few extra tips on their characteristics, and how to best approach them as players.

Live Casino

Ditch the dice and the land-based tables for an innovative on-screen experience on the casino floor. With Live Casinos, everything you need is on one platform. All tested and approved by us!

Roulette

With no random number generator, no computer tells you what you need to do. The only decision you need to make is what bet to make. That is why Roulette is utterly necessary for an operator.

Our list of the best online Roulette sites UK contains the best-in-class gambling websites that offer everything you need for a fulfilling gambling experience. This includes the best Live Roulette options, fast payouts, 24/7 live chat, security, and an intuitive, user-friendly interface.

Scratch Cards

Also known as "scratchers," this game of chance allows a player to win cash rewards, including a massive jackpot. It's generally a variation of the conventional scratch card lottery. The game is gaining popularity fast among players for its quick gameplay, high odds, and zero skill requirement.

Random number generators determine the outcome of games. The player collects winnings if the number on their scratch card matches the number provided by the random number generator.

Blackjack

Unlike most traditional card games where luck is the primary determinant in the outcome, in Blackjack, the player is in control. We’ve analysed more than 50 operators and extracted the best Blackjack casinos that have passed our meticulous testing system. The perfect card game for any gambling site, Blackjack is gambling’s best-kept secret.

Baccarat

This casino card game is typically played between two hands, the "banker" and the "player," using two to three cards. It's purely a game of chance, with each player's moves being forced by the cards they have been dealt. No strategy is involved. Customarily, baccarat is a high-roller game. However, it was tweaked recently to allow players with lower stakes to enjoy it.

You can bet for the player, the banker, and even a tie in baccarat. A tie bet is never recommended. The scoring for each hand runs between a total of 0 and 9. If your card's total is 10+, you ignore the one and use the second number as the total. The hand with the high card score wins.

Video Poker

Video poker refers to a fixed-odds poker casino game inspired by five-card draw poker. The game is played on an interface that looks like a slot machine, which is why it's also called poker slots. However, unlike conventional slots, there is an element of skill required to play video poker successfully. You need to play the hand you are dealt optimally.

The player is always dealt a five-card hand and given a chance to retain the cards they prefer and drop the ones they don't want. They will receive new cards for the discarded ones, and the combination becomes their new hand. A player wins if their final hand matches the winning combinations on the play table.

Casino Software and Game Providers

Several award-winning software providers are engaged in a continual battle to release the most exciting new games each year. These are some of the leading lights to look out for:

NetEnt

This Swedish powerhouse is famed for creating many of the most popular online slots in history, such as Starburst. NetEnt is also responsible for the Mega Fortune progressive jackpot slot, branded slots like Narcos and Guns N' Roses, and many more exciting titles. NetEnt releases new slots on a regular basis, and they have just released their newest slot game - Milkshake XXXtreme at the end of February this year.

Evolution Gaming

This firm is the world leader in live dealer games. If you're keen on playing games with live dealers, find online casinos in the United Kingdom that include a wide range of games from Evolution.

Microgaming

This Isle of Man-based company has been one of the world’s leading software providers for many years. It specialises in slots, with classics like Retro reels and King Arthur rubbing shoulders with record-breaking progressive jackpot game Mega Moolah in its portfolio.

Playtech

The world’s largest supplier of online gaming and sports betting software, virtual casino games , slots, live casino games, bingo, virtual sports and much more. Playtech was launched way back in 1999 and the company is listed on the London Stock Exchange. 

Other Software Providers

Other interesting developers whose games are featured on top casino sites include:

  • Novomatic,
  • Play'n GO,
  • Ygdrassil,
  • Ash Gaming,
  • Quickspin
  • Thunderkick.

Best Mobile Casino Sites Online

The best UK online casinos work perfectly on all mobile devices. While in the past many casinos relied on dedicated apps that players needed to download and install, nowadays it is even simpler. 

Casinos nowadays have mobile optimised sites that you can simply access via your mobile browser. So, there is no need to download any apps or do anything else. Just open the casino site in your mobile browser and that's it. 

However, most casino software providers now adopt a mobile-first strategy when creating slots and table games, and many old classics have been given a reboot to make them fit for mobile play. Statistics show that the majority of players access their favourite sites using a mobile device. So, all in all, it shouldn't make a difference in 2024, as mobile casino is the preferred option for many players.

Mobile casinos should be convenient and fun. We review each mobile site to test its functionality, ease of navigation, game quality, game variety and overall user experience. Our experts download the casino apps and access the mobile optimised sites on a variety of devices before delivering their assessments. You can even find specific mobile casino bonuses, so we will always be sure to highlight them.

Responsible gambling and gambling problems

Gambling at online casinos in the UK is intended to be a recreational activity. However, because real money is required to gamble, entertainment can cross the line and become an addiction with serious financial ramifications.

To protect UK players, all licensed online casinos must have Responsible Gambling safeguards in place. These usually include measures to control gambling sessions, often features that set limits on the amount of time and money that players can spend on the site. These limits can range from 24 hours to permanent self-exclusion.

Responsible Gambling casinos will always include the terms and conditions of any bonus so players will know exactly what they need to do to claim any winnings. They will never try to coerce players to spend more than they had planned. They will also ensure that no minors can play on their sites, and use strict identity checks. In addition, a responsible casino will include links to external sites that help players to identify problem gambling, and offer measures to help players get their gambling under control.

We will continue to monitor the situation and note if there are any legislative changes aimed at tackling problem gambling and we'll inform you whether casinos continue to follow official guidelines.

What is Return to Player (RTP)

The term Return to Player, or RTP, is associated with online slots found on every casino website, without exception. If you are new to online casino gambling, the concept might come as a bit unfamiliar, though it is fairly simple. RTP is the gauge used to notify players how likely they are to win playing slots. Measured in percentage, it should be expected to come at a number over 90%.

For instance, if players make 100x £1 bets on slot games that have an RTP of 90%, they could expect to get about £90 return in winnings over time. If a site has an RTP of 95%, players will win about £95 for every £100 of funds they wager. Then there’s the house edge – if the RTP is 96% the house edge is 4%. Always makes sure that no matter how high the online slots’ RTP, the house will have a slight advantage.

The RTP does not determine how often players win, but rather the percentage of their returns over time. Two slot games can both have a 94% RTP, but one may provide the returns quicker in smaller increments, while the other more seldom but in bigger portions.

UK Online Casinos FAQ

Who Regulates the Gambling Industry in the UK?

The Gambling Commission is the official governmental body responsible for the regulation, monitoring and supervision of all forms of gambling in the United Kingdom, including land-based and online casinos, bingo operations, sports betting, and gaming machines. The Commission enforces the Gambling Act 2005, issues or revokes operating licences and various codes of practice, and specifies the general license conditions operators are required to meet.

Can I Play at Online Casinos in the UK for Free?

Yes! There are many online casinos in the UK welcoming free play, and this means being able to trial games without having to spend a penny. Known as free play demos, the games operate in the same way as they would when playing with real money, the only difference is you don’t get to keep what you win in demo mode. Don’t forget to switch back to real play mode to keep all of your winnings.

Which Are the Most Popular Banking Methods in the UK?

Online casino players in the United Kingdom can safely and easily make casino deposits and withdraw their winnings via a wide range of bank cards and other payment services. Popular banking methods include internationally accepted cards such as Mastercard and Visa, e-wallets like PayPal, Skrill, and Neteller, as well as prepaid services such as Paysafecard, ecoPayz, and Entropay. Casino players can also use various online banking methods, direct bank transfers, and cheques.

 Why are online casinos popular in the UK?

Online casinos are popular in the UK and abroad as they provide a convenient way to bet on sports, casino slots, live table games, games shows, bingo and more, from the comfort of your home or anywhere you are. Online casinos also provide casino bonuses punters might not find elsewhere.

Do I Have to Pay Tax on My Winnings from an Online Casino in the UK?

No! Anything you win from an online casino in the UK is credited to your account in its entirety. Whether you win £100 or £1,000,000, that sum is tax-free.

 Can you get an online casino free money bonus?

Yes, it's possible, however there are conditions. No deposit bonuses require you to fulfil wagering requirements. Also, you'll need to spend money to unlock most bonuses at a UK online casino. You must bet before unlocking cashback bonuses and you usually get free spins after a minimum deposit. So an online casino free money bonus is something of an enigma.

n. 1: automatic, but with an element of magic. 2: too complex to understand and/or explain