Review Process
Expert reviewers open accounts with UK casino sites, depositing and playing to assess a variety of factors.
Our review checklist includes evaluation of 10 core components:
- Regulation: Verification of a casino’s valid gambling licence with the UK Gambling Commission.
- Sign-up Process: Speed and ease of registering and verifying an account.
- Payment Options: Variety of deposit and withdrawal methods, including e-wallets.
- Payout Speed: Time taken for a casino site to process withdrawals.
- Welcome Offer: Type and value of the sign-up bonus, along with restrictions like wagering requirements and maximum win limits.
- Promotions: Regular offers for existing users, including cashback, free spins, or prizes.
- Loyalty Rewards: Quality of VIP schemes rewarding players for engagement and gameplay.
- Game Variety: Breadth of games, including Live Dealer options.
- Site Usability: Ease of navigation and accessibility on both desktop and mobile.
- Customer Service: Quality and availability of support options, with emphasis on Live Chat and 24/7 assistance.
Every casino review is thoroughly fact-checked and verified by our team of experts before publication. We continuously update reviews to keep information accurate, relevant and up-to-date, adhering to a detailed review methodology and editorial policy.
Licensing and Regulation
We ensure that all of the sites we recommend are fully licensed and regulated by the UK Gambling Commission. The UKGC exists to enforce the rules of independent testing agencies such as eCOGRA, so a licence shows customers that said bookmaker operates fairly and legally.
Who Created, Edited & Fact Checked Our Casino Content
Our team at OLBG boasts almost 100 years of combined experience in the online casino industry, with each member playing a crucial role in crafting the high-quality, informative, and engaging content you enjoy. These dedicated individuals are the backbone of our casino section, tirelessly ensuring you have access to the best information and resources available. Let’s take a closer look at the expertise and contributions each one brings to the table.
Best UK Live Dealer Casino Site
UK live casino sites let you enjoy land-based gaming action through a phone or computer. But almost every online gambler knows this—what specifically should you look for to find the best UK live dealer sites?
Our first step involves checking the studios that supply the tables. For example, Evolution and Pragmatic Play are two of the best live studios in the game today.
We also consider the number of available games and how many are unique, versus the same blackjack and roulette variations disguised with different names.
Best Online Casino Site in the UK for Roulette
Roulette has been around for well over two centuries, so it’s a tough game to keep fresh. We look for casino sites UK that can accomplish this goal through large roulette selections and unique variations.
Some interesting variants that we’ve come across in a casino UK online include double ball, multi-wheel, and multiplier roulette.
Best UK Casino Site for Table Games
This category includes a broad variety of games, such as baccarat, blackjack, Andar Bahar, Caribbean stud, casino hold’em, Pai Gow poker, three-card poker, and war. It also includes variations of popular games like blackjack (e.g. Double Exposure, Switch).
We prefer UK online casinos with at least a dozen table games. UK casino sites that offer separate sections for their table games are also preferred. After all, we don’t want to use a search box to find every game.
Top UK Casinos for Mobile Play
Quality mobile casino sites for UK players obviously must offer a user-friendly layout and lag-free browsing experience. But they need other qualities too, like secure mobile transactions and convenient payment options.
We always verify that mobile casino sites in the UK have SSL encryption. We also go through the banking section, looking for payment methods that are easy to use from phones.
Best Online Casino Site in the UK for Fast Payouts
The best casino sites in the UK typically feature at least 8-10 banking options across multiple categories, such as crypto, credit card, and bank wire. They also offer trustworthy payment methods so you don’t have to worry if your winnings will arrive.
We like UK gambling sites that process withdrawal requests within at least 24 hours, but we’re also fine with processing being done within less than 48 hours.
Most Unique Casino Game Selection for UK Players
Many online casinos that accept UK players offer extensive specialty game sections. This niche includes games that don’t fall into the slots, live dealer, or traditional table game categories, like arcade, bingo, crash, keno, lotteries, and scratchcards.
Casinos that excel in this category not only offer a large quantity of specialty games but also have rare and/or exclusive titles.
Online Casinos Bonuses & Promotions
Ever since casinos moved online, operators have been offering lucrative bonuses and promotions as a way of enticing new players. There are a variety of different bonuses available to casino players, each trying to attract a certain type of player. While these bonuses are made by the casino to attract players, they do provide value to UK players.
It’s a win-win situation, the casino gets a new player to join their site, and the new player gets to take advantage of the value offered by the bonuses and promotions. In fact, many players will choose a new casino specifically based on the value of the bonuses they offer. They will sign up to the casino, use the bonus, and play there until they find a new casino with an even better offer.
It’s a win-win situation, the casino gets a new player to join their site, and the new player gets to take advantage of the value offered by the bonuses and promotions. In fact, many players will choose a new casino specifically based on the value of the bonuses they offer. They will sign up to the casino, use the bonus, and play there until they find a new casino with an even better offer.
Over the years, certain bonuses have proved more popular than others and have become the standard for online casinos in the modern era. Below, we’ve listed the most popular types of casino bonuses, along with a short explanation of what they are and how they work.
Welcome Bonus
A welcome bonus is a type of casino bonus that’s given to a player who is creating a casino account for the first time. These bonuses are often the most generous bonus offers available at the site, as they’re used to entice players to sign up. Welcome bonuses typically consist of free spins or a matched deposit bonus and can sometimes combine multiple bonuses in one package.
No Deposit Bonuses
A no deposit bonus is an online casino bonus that does not require the player to make a real money deposit to claim. Instead, once you have created your account and verified it, you will receive your bonus. Typically, players will receive bonus funds that can be used at the casino or free spins for specific slot games.
Free Spins Bonus
A free spins casino bonus is an online slots bonus. When a player receives this bonus, they are able to play certain real money slot games for free. Simply play one of the eligible slot games, and your free spins bonus will be automatically applied. Any winnings you receive can be withdrawn once you’ve met the wagering requirements.
Matched Deposit Bonus
A matched deposit bonus is a casino bonus that matches a certain percentage of your deposit up to a certain amount. For example, if you claim a 100% matched deposit bonus by depositing £10, your account will be funded with your initial £10 deposit, plus an additional £10 in bonus funds.
Cashback Bonuses
A cashback bonus is a type of casino bonus that rewards players with cash based on their deposit losses. For example, if you deposit and lose £50 after claiming a 20% cashback bonus, you’ll receive an extra £10 in your account.
Reload Bonuses
Reload bonuses are online casino bonuses that are available to players who have already made an account and deposited at a casino. They reward players for making an additional deposit with bonus funds, free spins, and even cash back.
Pay N Play Casinos
One of the most popular online casinos are the so-called Pay N Play casinos, or no account casinos. As their name says, you don’t need to open an account in order to play there. No account casinos are deemed extremely convenient by some players, especially as the registration process can be quite rigorous and detailed at certain casinos.
Sweepstakes Casinos
Sweepstakes casinos are online casinos that are popular in the United States and Canada. These are not real-money casinos but an alternative that doesn’t include real-money gambling. Players use Gold Coins instead that they receive in their welcome bonuses or purchase them in Gold Coin packages, which can also include some free Sweeps Coins.
Gold Coins are not redeemable for cash prizes, but Sweeps Coins you win when playing games at a sweepstakes casino can be redeemed according to the casino rules.
Sweepstakes social casinos often organise tournaments on social media where players can win Gold Coins and use them later to play their favourite games. Sweepstakes social casinos emphasise the social aspect of gaming and are not considered gambling sites.
Crypto Casinos
Crypto casinos have become increasingly popular around the world because they offer higher privacy, provably fair online gaming, low transaction fees and quick withdrawals.
Besides this deposit and withdrawal method difference, crypto casinos are not much different than regular online casinos. You can still play some of your favorite slots and table games, benefit from various bonuses, participate in tournaments and so on.
However, players are still advised to be cautious, beware of phishing scams, as well as to only use trusted exchange platforms and trustworthy e-wallets.
Mobile Casinos
Life without a smartphone is hard to imagine in this day and age. Therefore, online casinos put a lot of effort into making their website mobile-friendly, optimising every single aspect of their offering for mobile users.
From mobile-optimised games to smoothly running live chat, most online casinos strive to make the mobile experience as seamless as on desktop versions of their websites. Mobile casinos have, therefore, become a sort of a must, and you will hardly find an online casino that doesn’t cater to people who prefer to try their luck on the go.
Different Games From Various Game Providers
Games are the biggest singular factor, as that is what we are going on casinos for. A good casino that is on our top 100 list needs versatility in both game types and game providers.
Slots
Slots are the most popular game type on casinos, no questions asked. A top-listed casino has a lot of slots and preferably plenty of different providers.
Providers like Pragmatic Play, Play’n GO, Yggdrasil and NoLimit City are all great additions to any online casino. The one that people want to see the most is still NetEnt. They have been the big dog of online slots for years with no signs of slowing down. You can check our NetEnt online casinos for more information on their games.
You can easily find good slot sites among the top 100 casinos. If you play actively on online casinos, you should check out our new slot sites page for the latest casino releases.
Table Games
Table games are classics. These games have stood the test of time and are a great addition to any online casino. When you look at the top 100 casino sites, it is easy to find a good site for table games.
If you want to find casinos that specialise in them, you can check out our blackjack online casino page or pick the best roulette online casino from our dedicated roulette page. These games may not be plentiful on all casinos, so the top 100 casinos might only have a handful of them.
Live Casino
Live casino games are a great way of getting that realistic casino feeling. You have a lot of great options for live casino games these days. The number of providers and games has grown rapidly in the last few years. Check out our online live casinos to find the best sites.
Evolution is the world’s largest live casino provider. Their live games are often regarded as the best in the business. If you like playing on live casinos, then Evolution is the name you want to find listed.
Sometimes you may encounter Evolution slots on an online casino. These are just a short list of NetEnt games, as Evolution bought NetEnt’s live casino services and sometimes has a few of their slots under their name.
What Payment Methods Do UK Online Casinos Accept?
Most UK online casinos offer various different ways that you can deposit and withdraw. Almost all deposits to online casino account are instant, and most online casinos don’t charge deposit fees, but depending on the casino, there might be some small fees for withdrawals. Withdrawal timelines depend on the casino and on the method, so you might wait anywhere from one hour to two or three days to get your funds.
These are some of the most popular payment methods at UK online casinos:
💰 Bank cards
UK players can use debit cards to deposit at online casinos (but not credit cards). The most common bank cards that are accepted are Visa and Mastercard casino deposits. Bank cards are convenient because almost everyone has a bank account! This is also a very secure method, as the money goes straight in and out of your bank account. The only drawback with using a bank card is that withdrawals may take some extra time, compared to other methods. Bank transfer casinos will accept this too, but you won’t need to enter your card details.
💰 E-wallets
Methods like PayPal casinos deposits, Skrill, and Neteller are very popular at UK online casinos. E-wallets are a safe and secure way to deposit and withdraw, and they have a bit of an edge over debit cards because withdrawals to e-wallets are generally much more rapid. It’s important to check promotional T&Cs before depositing with an e-wallet, as Skrill and Neteller deposits can sometimes be excluded from claiming promos.
💰 Cryptocurrency
This is a relatively new addition to UK online casino payment methods, but it’s being adopted by some top UK casinos already. Crypto options include Bitcoin, Litecoin, and Ethereum, and when you use crypto, there’s no need to link your bank account or any other personal details, as you’ll be using funds that already exist in your crypto wallet.
💰 Mobile options
Mobile-first payment methods are ideal for players who prefer mobile phone and tablet to desktop play. Casinos with Apple Pay and Google Pay are becoming two of the most popular places to play, and are also really convenient ways to pay. Mobile methods like this retain the security of bank cards transactions, but just mean that you don’t need to type in your card number every time you want to deposit or withdraw.
How to Start Playing at a Top Real Money Online Casino
If you’d like to register and start playing at a real money online casino, the process is usually pretty straightforward, although it tends to differ from casino to casino. In general, here are the steps you should follow at most casino sites:
- Select your preferred online casino: Use the information above on how to choose the best option for you thanks to our advanced filters and sorts. If you need more information about any particular casino, click through to its review, where you should be able to find everything you need to make a good decision.
- Click on the ‘Visit casino’ button: You will be taken directly to the casino’s website.
- Create a casino account: At most real money online casinos, you will be able to find a button that takes you to the registration form (e.g., Register, Create an account, Start playing). Fill in the detail required by the casino and proceed through the registration steps. Make sure to enter your truthful and correct personal information.
- Verify your e-mail or phone number: Most casinos will send you a verification e-mail or text message to make sure you entered correct contact information.
- Make a deposit: Unless you receive a no deposit bonus from the casino, you will have to deposit real money into your casino account to be able to start playing. Proceed to the Cashier section of the casino, choose your preferred payment method, and go through the steps to fund your casino account.
- Start playing: Once all of the steps above are completed, you will be ready to start playing. Play your favorite casino games or explore new ones, but make sure to gamble responsibly.
Note: At some point, you will have to go through a verification process at most online casinos. Also known as KYC (Know Your Customer), this process verifies that your personal details match those entered during registration, most commonly by checking your ID, bank or utility statement, or other documents. This is why you should always use your own and correct information when creating a casino account.
Responsible and Safe Gambling at Online Casinos
Playing real money casino games online can be fun, but it can also have a negative impact on people’s lives. Besides the possibility of losing money, gambling addiction can be extremely dangerous, which emphasizes the importance of safer and responsible gambling, such as setting a budget and limits in advance, as well as looking for help if your gambling habits start getting out of hand.
Our responsible gambling section contains a plethora of information on the topic, allowing you to stay informed on how to gamble safely, where to look for help if needed, and many other topics. If you feel like you are at risk, don’t hesitate to talk to a professional.
Safer Gambling Tips
Here are some quick safer gambling tips taken from our safer gambling article:
- Always see gambling as a form of entertainment, not as a way of making money.
- Never chase your losses.
- Remember that you are always playing at a disadvantage against a casino.
- Set a gambling budget and stick to it.
- Use responsible gambling tools like deposit limits, loss limits, etc.
- Never gamble while depressed, anxious, or generally in a bad state of mind.
- Never gamble while under the influence of alcohol or drugs.
FAQ
How do online casinos work?
Web-based online casinos, aka no-download casinos, are websites offering casino games without the need to download separate software to your device. A stable internet connection is all you need to access an online casino, as graphics, animations, and sounds load seamlessly through the web.
Can online casinos be trusted?
Yes, online casinos can be trusted as long as they carry a valid licence. You can tell a licensed casino from a rogue one by checking for a licence on the casino’s website.
How are online casinos regulated?
Online casinos are regulated by relevant authorities overseeing gambling on the internet. Before obtaining a licence, online casinos must meet the requirements laid out by a regulatory body in charge of the jurisdictions they seek approval from.
How to choose an online casino?
When choosing an online casino, you should focus on the following:
- Safety and security: Licence and reliability of a casino operator, and encryption used.
- Customer care: Availability and approachability of customer support.
- Banking: Deposit and withdrawal methods and timeframes.
Is it legal to play at online casino sites in the UK?
Yes, it is completely legal to play at online casino sites in the UK. Gambling has been legal in the UK since 1960, and in 2005 the government passed the Gambling Act which set up the UK Gambling Commission as a licensing authority.
Are UK casino sites safe?
Many UK casino online sites are safe, but there are some sites that cannot be trusted, so it’s important to look for secure options. Secure casinos have a licence from the UKGC, provide responsible gambling tools, and offer security features such as firewalls, encryption, and secure data servers.
What is the best UK casino site?
There are a number of UK casino sites that all offer a quality gaming experience, so the best UK online casino site comes down to a matter of preference. However, our experts agree that some of the top casinos include Spin Casino, Red Casino, and Hyper Casino.
