The best online casinos reviewed and ranked by our online casino UK experts – check out the best UK casinos below.
Our team of UK casino experts are passionate about online casinos. We’ve spent years developing a system to evaluate and find the very best casino sites and we constantly review the most popular online casinos in the UK. We only recommend casinos that offer quality online UK casino games, generous bonuses, the fastest payouts, and seamless mobile gameplay.
Real Money Online Casinos in the UK
While free slots can be fun for a while, you definitely add to the ultimate thrill by playing at online casinos for real money. There is something especially thrilling about having the chance to win or lose cash, adding more drama and fun to the online casino experience. All the casino sites listed here are licensed in the UK to allow you to make a deposit and play casino games for real money and potentially win cash prizes. Indeed, there are many ways to play at real money online casinos in the UK. Finding the best real money online casinos and games is easy. All you need to do is check out our picks for the best online casinos in the UK, deposit your money, and start wagering today.
How to Play at Top Online Casinos
It couldn’t be easier to play at an online casino. Just follow our simple steps below and you’ll be enjoying all the action in no time.
- Pick a casino: Choose one of our top recommended casinos for UK players.
- Register with the casino: Registering with a casino site is easy. You'll be asked to complete a quick form with your personal details to get started. The process should only take a couple of minutes.
- Make a deposit and claim any welcome bonuses: All the best sites offer new players a good welcome bonus, which you can usually claim after you make a deposit.
- Start playing your favourite games: You’re ready to go so have fun and win big!
How We Rate Online Casinos
It all starts with asking and understanding the question, "What makes an online casino the best"? This is the perfect time to give you a very long answer to that short question. Every online casino site we review goes through an established process with strict criteria. So we don't just point you to the right casinos and expect you to take our word for it. By reading our expert casino reviews, you'll get an in-depth understanding of how the best casino sites work. Below are the key areas we look at when evaluating each casino. When we look at hundreds of online casinos, only a few make it into the rankings.
- Great Welcome Bonuses. In the competitive UK gambling market, nearly every online casino offers generous welcome offers to entice new players. In addition, casinos feature lucrative promotions and comprehensive reward programs to retain the loyalty of returning customers. We check out all the small print to make sure that the operator is transparent with their bonus terms and conditions, and fair with wagering requirements. We also tell you which operators require a bonus code to claim your offers, and which do not, just like Rainbow Riches. If you're a high-roller, leave it to us to tell you if there is cashback for big spenders and VIP programs available. We will report back on everything we find.
- A Large Game Variety. The best casino sites in the UK offer hundreds, and at times even thousands, of casino games. We make sure that every site we recommend features games from the industry’s leading software providers such as NetEnt and Pragmatic Play to name a few, including UK online slots, progressive jackpots, classic casino table games and immersive live dealer titles. Having said that, it’s good to keep in mind that not all leading casinos have loads of games, but they’ll usually have all the leading titles across different UK casino games.
- Easy Sign-Up Process. UK online casinos have strict legal requirements for verifying player data upon signup and ensuring features such as deposit limits are easy to set for responsible gambling. We’re all for safety, but there’s no need for a sign-up process to be complex and time-consuming. Therefore, we only recommend casinos that offer efficient and straightforward registration. We sign up to the casino site ourselves, to make sure that registration really is fast and easy.
- Common Payment Methods Accepted. Casino players want a variety of choices when it comes to payment methods. For this reason, we test the deposit and withdrawal options and make sure they are available in abundance, are safe, and easy to use. In most cases, deposits should be instant, and casino withdrawals should never be a hassle when it comes to collecting your money. We don't take our recommendations lightly, so we'll also give you a list of accepted payment methods for every top online casino in the UK we recommend, ranging from debit cards to e-wallets, as well as any bonus or wager restrictions they might carry.
- Fast Withdrawals. Withdrawal processing times vary between casinos and depend on the payment method you choose. Still, some casinos offer quick and easy withdrawals, while others just take their time and make the process more complex. We only recommend casino online UK sites like PartyCasino that let you cash out your winnings efficiently and swiftly.
- Unique Site Features. Gambling sites are reinventing themselves every day. So the same old experience isn’t enough for a casino to make the cut. When recommending the best UK online casinos, we want to see new technology, innovative design, and immersive elements that truly make for a first-class gambling experience. Mr Green definitely makes the grade here, but keep reading for more casinos that push the bar.
- UK Casino Reputation. Our team doesn’t confine themselves to just testing an online casino. We regularly reach out to our network of industry insiders, visit player forums, and attend gambling events worldwide to get the inside story on the best casinos in the world today. If we even ever have a doubt that a player might not be treated fairly, there is no way we are recommending that casino.
- Security and Support. Thanks to the presence of former casino staff in-house, we can engage with casino customer support on live chat, telephone, and email to test their responses. We know the tough questions to ask which separate out the very best in the market when it comes to helping players. We will also tell you when a casino's customer service is open, and make sure to recommend customer support services that are open 24/7 such as at Playzee Casino.
- Licensing and Legislation. When it comes to your safety, we don’t make compromises. Therefore, we will never recommend anywhere on our site a casino that isn’t licensed by the UK Gambling Commission (UKGC) or a respective jurisdiction. We also look for independent arbitration services available to players such as eCOGRA. In addition, we check that the casino’s RNG (Random Number Generators) are certified by independent testing houses, ensuring that games are never rigged, and outcomes are always fair.
- Mobile Experience. Most online casino players in the UK use their mobile devices to play their favourite casino games. With that in mind, our recommended online casinos must have fully responsive mobile websites at the very least. Furthermore, many of our featured operators offer native mobile apps for iOS and Android devices. What sets our recommended online casinos apart from the rest is that they are easy to navigate, and we can guarantee that you won't miss out on anything when switching from desktop to mobile. Due to this rigorous process, any online casino site and app featured on Gambling.com will have met all of the above criteria, and you can be sure it will be an excellent choice for even the most seasoned online casino player in the UK.
Only casino sites that score high on all of the above criteria will achieve an overall score that merits their inclusion on our recommended list of the best online casinos.
Bonuses and Promotions
There are hundreds of casino bonus sites in the UK, and each is competing for your business. Casino bonuses are a way to stand out from the crowd and are available at most online casinos. UK customers get to choose the top online casino offers from the best casino sites. However, there are always terms and conditions to think about, so it is best to arm yourself with all information regarding a bonus. We can help with that, providing you access to the best UK casino bonus offers at our recommended casino sites.
Here's a list of different types of bonuses offered by online casino UK sites:
Welcome Bonuses
The best online casinos in the UK give new players the red-carpet treatment. To stand out in a busy market, casinos compete with each other using lucrative bonuses to appeal to new customers. A standard welcome package includes a deposit match bonus and sometimes free spins to sweeten the deal.
No-Deposit Bonuses
As the name suggests, the no deposit bonus rewards players with extra funds without needing to deposit. You simply need to sign up and verify your account, and the casino will credit your balance with bonus money.
Deposit Bonuses
A deposit bonus is an effective way to power up your online casino deposits to have more funds to spend at the tables (or on the reels, if you are a slot enthusiast). It involves the casino offering a percentage match of a deposit you make, and it is common at reload and welcome bonuses.
Free Spins
For all you online slots fans out there, online casinos have the perfect promotion for you. Whether it is known as bonus spins, extra spins, or free spins, this deal gives you the chance to spin the reels for free on a slot game selected by the online casino. And, subject to restrictions, you can keep your winnings!
Reload Bonuses
While casino welcome bonuses get new players through the door, promotions like reload bonuses keep them coming back for more. The best online casino sites have bonuses that provide rewards when you make a deposit as an existing player, known as a reload bonus.
Mobile Casino Bonuses
Mobile casino bonuses are offers that you can claim and use on your mobile. One thing to note is that not every bonus is available on mobile. We note which casino games and platforms are eligible to claim and clear offers so that you won't be in for any nasty surprises.
Other Common Casino Bonuses
Top online casinos also have a selection of other typical bonuses, including referral bonuses, VIP/Loyalty programs, cashback, and prize draws. You can find these deals and more at the best casino sites we recommend on this page.
Bonus Terms and Conditions
When we’re reviewing online casinos, we take a close look at all of the attached terms. These can include wagering requirements, time limits, game restrictions, payment exclusions, winnings caps, and game weighting, all of which can have an impact on how useful a bonus is. Be sure to read the terms and conditions of a bonus before you claim it to make sure you aren’t caught out by an unwelcome surprise.
Online casino bonuses and wagering requirements are regular bedfellows — in short, wagering requirements block withdrawals against your bonus-related funds until you have wagered its value a certain number of times over.
On average, you can expect wagering requirements of 35x attached to your bonus. Anything lower than 35x is considered ‘low wagering’, with anything above being ‘high wagering’.
Let’s say you’ve claimed a 100% up to £100 matched deposit bonus in full, with 35x wagering requirements attached. The total you have to wager in order to make deposits is calculated in one of two ways:
- Bonus value x wagering requirements = total to be wagered
- (Initial deposit + bonus value) x wagering requirements = total to be wagered
It’s important to know which method the online casino you’ve selected will use, and the details of this can be found in their terms and conditions.
If your online casino of choice uses the second method, your wagering requirements will be considerably harder to clear, as you can see here:
- £100 x 35 = £3,500
- (£100 + £100) x 35 = £7,000
Wagering requirements may be the most important factor to take into account when you’re browsing through bonus offers. If you’re unlikely to wager £3,500, or £7,000, within the stipulated time, and you intend to make withdrawals against any winnings you gain through your bonus, you might be better off looking at another option.
As a rule of thumb, wagering requirements are typically steeper for the best casino bonuses, meaning that satisfying the requirements might be more realistic if you’re a high-roller.
Of course, cashing out bonus funds may be unrealistic for many players, but that doesn’t stop the bonus from being a good way to get acquainted with a site without having to wager your hard-earned cash.
A term closely tied to wagering requirements is game weighting, and it’s another aspect to consider when you claim a bonus at one of the best online casinos. Essentially, this dictates how much a bet on a certain game contributes to these aforementioned requirements. Generally speaking, slots contribute 100% of wagers to wagering requirements, while table games like blackjack and roulette contribute 5-10%. These figures vary between casino sites and bonuses, so check the T&Cs to find out how much your favourite game contributes.
Time limits stipulate how long you have to use your bonus, after which any unused portion will be forfeited. This term is usually easy enough to find — it’s often in the small print under the offer along with the wagering requirements and minimum deposit.
How long you get varies widely between casino sites and bonuses. Many of the best online casinos give players ample time to play through bonuses, perhaps 30 days or longer, but some UK casino sites have been known to offer you just three days or less.
Free spins usually come with tighter time limits in the realm of a week and under; matched deposits are more commonly a couple of weeks to a month. You might even find multiple time limits within combined matched deposit and free spins offers, like 30 days to use the bonus credit and three days to use the spins.
One final consideration: this time limit usually includes the wagering requirements too. Fail to meet these within the clock and you’ll forfeit any winnings associated with the bonus.
Setting a budget is an essential aspect of responsible gambling, whether it’s over days, weeks, or months — don’t let an offer’s time limits sway you from sound decision-making and controlled spending.
While the very best online casinos give their players ample choice when it comes to using their bonus, there’s a strong chance you’ll run into game restrictions at some point. Whether it’s a specific slot or the exclusion of live dealer games, these terms dictate what you can — and can’t — use your bonus on.
Matched deposits tend to be the most flexible, giving players access to table games like roulette and blackjack, as well as free rein on the slots. There’s usually a list of exceptions which can be found deeper within the full T&Cs — excluded games frequently include particular jackpot titles, live casino games, games with unusual features, or anything with a particularly low house edge.
Live casino is often excluded in the game restrictions. If you want to use a bonus to play live dealer games, some of the best online casinos run promotions specifically catered to this genre.
Free spins are the most limited bonus, often valid on just a single slots title. Luckily, top UK casino sites aren’t stupid — they pick fan favourites and time-tested games for their offers. If your free spins bonus is released in multiple bundles, you might even get access to multiple games. SpinYoo’s welcome offer is a great example, with 20 daily free spins on a selected game for five days: Starburst, Rich Wilde and the Book of Dead, Fire Joker, Gonzo’s Quest, and Big Bass Bonanza.
Using an excluded payment method will disqualify you from receiving the bonus. e-Wallets like PayPal, Skrill, and Neteller often find themselves on this list.
There are a couple of reasons for this. The first is that it’s supposedly easier to commit bonus abuse or fraud with these services, purely because less information is required on the user’s part to open an e-wallet account than a bank account.
Secondly, many e-wallets also charge seller fees, meaning casinos can incur a charge when a player claims a bonus with one. As bonuses are offered at the chance of a loss on the casino’s part, an upfront charge for offering one to a new player isn’t in the casino’s interests.
Debit cards are your safest bet when it comes to deposit bonuses. Other methods like prepaid cards and pay by phone bill are usually okay, but it’s important to check the T&Cs so you’re not caught out. The best online casinos give players flexibility and tend to offer at least one e-wallet option when claiming a bonus.
Best Online Casino Games to Play
While most of the best online casino sites in the UK are complete all-rounders, some seem to concentrate on a particular online casino niche. Here we take a look at the most common types of online casino sites in the UK.
Best Online Slots Casinos
All online casinos in the UK have slots, but some sites will only have online slots. Online slots UK sites can have upwards of 1,000 slots, and online slots real money play is the most popular type of online casino play. Look for online casinos no deposit free spins bonuses at specialist online slots UK sites.
Online Roulette Casinos
Roulette is the globe’s most popular gambling game where playing cards are not involved. Roulette online casinos & BTC Roulette casinos will offer several different types of roulette, including European, French, and American. Our tip here is to ignore the American version of roulette, as the house edge is too high.
Blackjack Casino Sites
Aside from poker, more money changes hands at online gambling sites via blackjack as opposed to any other card game. Blackjack is very easy to play and easy to master too, once you have learned about perfect strategy. Want a tip? Ignore side bets in blackjack as they simply are not worth it.
Other Casino Games
Other casino games you will find at all top online casino sites include:
- Baccarat: the odd but compelling card game where royal cards are worth zero!
- Craps: a ‘player v casino’ dice game that’s popular in the US because you can shout a lot while you are playing it.
- Video poker: a version of draw poker where you hope you are dealt or can draw a decent hand.
- Casino poker: casino-style versions of Texas Hold’em and other popular poker variants.
- Sic bo: an Asian dice game that is similar to roulette, but with dice.
- Pai gow poker: a version of poker where you split your seven cards into two different hands.
- Red dog: a simplified and less popular version of poker.
Casino Software Providers
Very few top online casino sites in the UK create their own software and instead source their software from the best providers in the business – dedicated companies who churn out a constant string of games for slots, blackjack, and roulette online casinos.
Here we’ve taken a look at five of the most well-known casino software providers.
- NetEnt: These Swedish software giants are responsible for some of the biggest all-time hits at online casinos in the UK. Everyone who has played slots at online casinos has played Starburst at some time, with Gonzo’s Quest being another of NetEnt’s most famous titles. This company makes casino software too. PlayOJO, Hippodrome Casino, and Betiton all have games from NetEnt.
- Microgaming: One of the longest-surviving casino software providers, Microgaming is famed for its progressive jackpot slots. Mega Moolah is one of the most lucrative, setting record jackpots time and time again and making some fortunate slots players into millionaires.
- Play’n GO: Another Swedish company, Play’n GO is famed for its prolificness and the high quality of its slots. They caused a stir in 2020 when they managed to release 50 online slots in a single calendar year. Rich Wilde & the Book of Dead is their most famous release. PlayOJO, Mr.Play, and Kwiff have games from Play’n GO.
- Pragmatic Play: This company is another prolific one, and they create both slots and software-based casino games, plus they provide live casino games too. If you play this company’s titles you will always be eligible for their ‘Drops & Wins’ promo which drops random jackpots on anyone who is currently playing one of their titles. HeySpin and All British Casino carry titles from Pragmatic Play.
- Evolution: Formerly Evolution Gaming, this company has been top of the live online casinos UK market for well over a decade now. They provide more live casino tables than anyone else, and as well as casino games they have ‘game show’ style titles such as Monopoly Live and Dream Catcher. PlayOJO, Betiton, and Mr.Play all feature live casino titles by Evolution.
UK Online Casino Deposits & Withdrawals
If you want to gamble in the UK, then you need money to gamble with! This involves getting money into your online casino account, and withdrawing any winnings should Lady Luck choose to shine on you. Fortunately, in the UK there are several ways to make payments into an online casino account, and with some, you can withdraw as well.
- Debit cards: You can use Visa and MasterCard debit cards at online casinos. They are convenient and generally safe. You cannot use credit cards when playing online casinos games.
- Prepaid Cards: Prepaid cards, such as Paysafecard, are a great way to manage your spending. Once you’re set up with a card, available at over 600,000 brick-and-mortar retailers worldwide, simply enter its unique 16-digit PIN into the casino site as if it were a typical debit card. Unfortunately, you can’t make withdrawals using prepaid cards, so for payouts you’ll need to provide alternative details.
- Ewallets: There are several online casinos with PayPal and other eWallets such as Skrill and Neteller in the UK. You can fund your eWallet account from your bank account, and then transfer the money into your casino account.
- Bank transfers: Many of the best online casinos UK will allow you to transfer money directly from your bank account. Others will allow you to use a bank transfer facilitator such as Trustly. Withdrawals to bank accounts are not usually available.
- Pay by Mobile: Some online casinos will allow you to use services such as Boku or PayviaPhone to make transfers from your mobile phone bill. ApplePay and Google Wallet are becoming increasingly available at many secure online casino sites.
- Cryptocurrencies: Bitcoin and other non-fiat currencies are popular at online casinos all over the world, but sadly even at the best UK online casino sites, crypto payments are rarely accepted.
Best Fast Withdrawal Casinos
It’s a sad truth at even the top UK online casinos sites deposits always take a lot less time to process than withdrawals. There is no real reason for this (as both deposits and withdrawals at casino sites are automated) and indeed at many fast withdrawal online casino sites your withdrawals can be with you in as little as an hour. However, we recommend keeping an eye out for BTC casinos with instant payouts as they are also available for players from the UK.
Below we list the best online casino sites UK that qualify as fast withdrawal online casino sites. Note that withdrawals are not usually available for bank transfers, Paysafecard, and pay by mobile phone bill payment methods.
Casino Sites Licensing and Security
Arguably the most important thing to consider when weighing up whether to sign up with a UK online casino is licensing and security. The last thing you want to worry about is whether your funds are safe.
We only include online casinos that are regulated by the UK Gambling Commission (UKGC). The UKGC is one of the most stringent regulatory bodies in the online gambling world and they police the industry to make sure that minimum standards are maintained.
It’s worth noting that trusted casinos have licenses from other jurisdictions like the Malta Gaming Authority and the Swedish Gambling Authority amongst others. Scroll to the bottom of a casino site and look for the logos/links.
Online casino sites that operate in the UK have to abide by the rules and regulations imposed by the UKGC. These make sure that games are fair and open. They also ensure that rules are in place to prevent problem and underage gamblers from taking part in online casino games.
If you’re playing at an regulated UK casino, you shouldn’t have any worries about getting your money. Players funds should be kept in a segregated account so even if the worst happened and the casino went bust, you’ll still get your cash back.
The UKGC has teeth too. They have dished out some hefty fines to casino operators that haven’t abided by the rules and regulations.
Like most things, a strong word of mouth reputation is hugely beneficial. With so many competitors in the market, online casinos really can’t afford to play fast and loose with player security without harming their reputation.
As well as looking at individual online casinos, the UKGC also regulates the UK gambling industry as a whole. The Commission outlawed the use of credit cards in April 2020 as a payment method for online gambling.
A quick Google search soon reveals which operators have been squeaky-clean and which have room to improve. A good track record can be worth its weight in gold. Being regulated by the UKGC is a must for UK players and very good starting point.
Best Mobile Casinos and Casino Apps
All online casinos can be played on mobile devices such as phones and tablets. A mobile casino will need to have a full suite of mobile games available, including slots and casino games. You will be able to access your account details via a mobile casino and make payments and withdrawals.
Many online casinos will offer bespoke apps that you can download and install onto your devices. Android users just need to head to Google Play Store to download a casino app, while iPhone users can visit the App Store.
If your favourite online casinos UK site doesn’t offer a bespoke mobile casino app, then you will still be able to play using your mobile device and your preferred internet browser. It’s also possible to bookmark the casino page, create a clickable icon on your home screen, and use the website in much the same way you would use a mobile app.
Responsible Gambling
Responsible gambling means gambling for fun and entertainment. Consumers should aim to set themselves daily/weekly limits and stick to them. Never gamble more than you can afford to lose.
Should you ever find yourself in a position where you’re losing large sums of money regularly, borrowing money, or going into debt chasing gambling winnings, responsible gambling organisations, such as BeGambleAware.org, are on hand to assist you.
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
- Email
- Live Chat
- Social Media
- Contact Forms
Pros and Cons of the Best Online Casinos
Let’s get a quick overview of the benefits and drawbacks of choosing to wager at UK online casinos.
Pros:
- Entertainment;
- Convenience;
- Play at your own pace;
- Countless options;
- User flexibility;
- Bonuses and promotions;
- Trust and security;
- Caters to all budgets.
Cons:
- Rogue operators;
- Impersonal;
- Transaction speeds;
- Strict terms and conditions.
FAQs
Can I deposit using my PayPal account or credit card?
You can use both, as well as all popular UK payment options. The beauty of being a UK online gambler is that you can enjoy real money games whenever you like. Whether it's Visa, Mastercard or PayPal, as a Brit you can enjoy a variety of different payment methods to make deposits and withdrawals at UK online casinos, and most payments will complete within days or hours.
Which online casino pays the quickest?
All casinos have very similar payout times. One thing that can speed up payout at any casino is to use an e-wallet solution. Something like PayPal Skrill, Neteller, etc.
Most casinos will administer withdrawal requests within 24 hours, and e-wallet payments are then instant. This is opposed to credit and debit card withdrawals that will be dealt with by the casino within 24 hours but will take between three and five days for banks to sort out and have the money in your account.
Do I need to download any software?
No, all of the recommended casinos will be playable in browser on both desktop and mobile, with a full range of games and player bonuses available. In terms of promos, features and games range, the no download option is largely the same as using casino client software and apps. If you’re able to download software though, you might find the games run a little faster.
Can I play free games online?
Yes. You can enjoy a huge variety of UK casino games without spending a penny, including hundreds of slots, blackjack, roulette, video poker and baccarat. Practice and enjoy free-play games, learn the rules and, once you're comfortable, make that first real money deposit.
How do I contact a casino’s support team?
Customer support at most top online casinos is now done via live chat. Some still allow you to talk to a person on the phone. Many operators also offer Skype, Twitter and Facebook interactions as well as WhatsApp messaging.
Our Poker Staff
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Ann Preston - A known and respected texas holdem tournament player. writes about the basic concepts of the poker variants. |
Sam Marshal - 5starspoker's editor. been playing poker since the year 2000 and couldnt stop since then. |
Elvis Brunson - Graduated from the Massachusetts institute of technology, Elvis is a mathematical expert and writes about poker strategies. |
Andrew Moss - Our beloved webmaster, keeping things up and running. although the guy is more into blackjack.. |
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