UK Casinos online

Online Casinos in the United Kingdom

In the United Kingdom there are a large number of online casinos that have a Licence issued by the Gambling Commission. The Gambling Commission was set up to regulate the gambling industry when the Gambling Act of 2005 came into force. On the 7th May 2019, the Gambling Commission announced new rules surrounding the registration of new players at online casinos. Operators must verify the age of players before they are allowed access to their online casino websites. Unverified users are not able to deposit any funds, place bets, play free online casino games, place free bets or accept bonuses until their age has been verified. Players who have self excluded from online casinos are also not allowed to register.

Among the most popular games at online casinos with players from the United Kingdom are slots, Blackjack, Craps, Roulette, Poker and Baccarat. Software manufacturers Microgaming, Playtech, NetEnt, Play´n GO, NextGen, Betsoft, Pragmatic Play, iSoftBet, Big Time Gaming, Barcrest, Reel Kingdom and Evolution Gaming who are also the largest provider of live dealer games.

ChoiceCasino has thoroughly analysed all online gaming websites to ensure that we only provide accurate and true information about UK online casinos. To give you peace of mind, we recommend that you only register at online casinos that hold a licence that has been issued by the Gambling Commission.

The Best Live Casinos in the United Kingdom

ChoiceCasino has selected the best Live Casino sites based on the variety and quality of live dealer games. Alongside Roulette, Blackjack, Baccarat and Poker you can also play live bingo games.

Live Casino Games

The most popular games at live casinos are Blackjack, Roulette, Dream Catcher, Ultimate Texas Hold´Em, Lightning Roulette, Sic Bo, Caribbean Stud Poker, live Monopoly and Deal or No Deal. Providers of Live Dealer games include Evolution Gaming, NetEnt and Playtech.

Live dealer games are extremely popular among players as you can place bets on the games and follow the gameplay as it unfolds live. Players also interact with the dealers and other players via chat as they play along with the live game.

Most games are broadcast live from special studios located throughout the United Kingdom, these games are provided by Evolution Gaming, Pragmatic Play, Playtech and Authentic Gaming.

There are some land based casinos in the UK that also stream live games, usually roulette. This includes the Hippodrome, Aspers, The Ritz Club, Genting Palm Beach and the Grosvenor in London. Casinos in other parts of the UK that also stream live games are the Genting International Casino in Birmingham and the Genting Casino in Manchester.

All providers of live casino games have to hold a licence from the Gambling Commission.

What Online Gambling Games are the most Popular in the United Kingdom?

The most popular gambling games with online players in the UK are slots, roulette, blackjack and bingo. The games are usually divided into the following categories:

• Table games:
  • Roulette: The most popular Roulette games in the UK are American Roulette by Microgaming which you can play at LeoVegas, American Roulette by NetEnt and Premium European Roulette by Playtech which you can play at Ladbrokes, Age of the Gods Roulette by Playtech which you can play at Betfair and European Roulette by NetEnt which you can play at 888Casino.
  • Craps: The most played Craps game is Craps by Betsoft which you can play at Casino Euro.
• Cards:
  • Blackjack: Blackjack is really popular at UK online casinos, the most played are: Premium Blackjack by Playtech which you can play at Ladbrokes, Blackjack Switch by Playtech which you can play at Betfair and Lucky Lucky Blackjack by Playtech which you can play at Slots Million.
  • Baccarat: Baccarat and Punto Banco are both popular with players from the UK. Baccarat by Playtech is available to play at Ladbrokes and VIP Baccarat by Playtech is available to play at Casino Euro. Punto Banco by Playtech is available at Casino Euro.
  • Poker: UK players enjoy lots of different types of Poker including Texas Hold ´Em, 5 card Stud, Omaha and Razz. Popular games are 3x Deuce Poker by iSoftBet which you can play at SlotsMillion and All Aces Poker by Microgaming which you can play at Casino Euro.
• Slot Machines: The most popular slot games include Starburst by NetEnt which you can play at most online casinos including 888casino and SlotsMillion, Age of the Gods by Playtech which you can play at Betfair, Big Bass Bonanza by Real Kingdom which you can play at Betway, Immortal Romance by Microgaming which you can play at Casino Euro, Book of Dead by Play´n GO which you can play at Casino Euro, Gladiator by Playtech which you can play at Ladbrokes, Bonanza by Big Time Gaming which you can play at William Hill, Mega Fortune by NetEnt which you can play at Yako Casino, 9 Pots of Gold by Microgaming which you can play at Betfred, Game of Thrones by Microgaming which you can play at Casino Euro, Gonzos Quest by NetEnt which you can play at 777 Casino.
• Bingo: traditionally 90 number bingo is preferred among UK players, however, 80 ball, 75 ball and 30 ball games are also played. A popular game is Bubble Bonanza by Microgaming which you can play at Yako Casino.
• Scratch Cards: Physical scratch cards have always been popular with residents of the UK and this has led to numerous different scratch games now being offered at online casinos. Among them you will find Panda Gold by Pragmatic Play which you can play at Casino 777, Football Scratch by Gamevy which you can play at Casino 777 and Scratch n Go: National Race of Champions by Inspired Gaming Group which you can play at William Hill.

Game Developers of the Best Online Gambling Games

All online casinos that are available for players from the United Kingdom provide games from numerous different game developers. The top game creators that hold a Licence issued by the UK Gambling Commission include: NetEnt, Playtech, Microgaming, IGT, Novomatic, Quickspin, Evolution Gaming, Red Tiger, Ezugi (owned by Evolution Gaming), Pragmatic Play, Isoftbet, Greentube (Alderney), Red Rake Tech SL, Leander Games and Play´n GO.

There are also a large number of other game developers whose games you can find at UK Gambling Commission Licensed online casinos including Fugaso, Yggdrasil and Betsoft who are Licensed by the Malta Gaming Authority. Other creators of popular games include, Big Time Gaming, Rival Powered, Cryptologic, NextGen and Real Time Gaming.

The Legal Regulation of Online Casinos in the United Kingdom

Safety should be one of the main factors when selecting an online casino. If you are playing from the United Kingdom, you should always make sure that your chosen operator holds a valid licence from the UK Gambling Commission. Players who choose to register with an online casino that holds a Gambling Commission licence know that the online casino site is safe and secure. Please note that licensing authorities such as the MGA, or the Government of Curacao have no legal power in the United Kingdom. Therefore, even though their licences are an indication of high-security standards, they cannot protect your rights as a player in the UK.

We also recommend that you check whether your chosen online casino holds an SSL (Secure Sockets Layer) certificate. This ensures that the link between a web server and a web browser is encrypted. Additionally it is important that your considered online casino has it´s software regulated by an independent testing laboratory such as eCogra (eCommerce Online Gaming Regulation and Assurance). Based in London, eCogra, is a self-regulator for the global gambling industry. They are a testing laboratory and inspection and certification body who specialise in certifying web-based gaming software. They also audit Information Security Management Systems. Part of their role is to periodically check online casinos and game developers to ensure the fairness of the games and that players are protected. Their investigations include making sure that the RNG (Random Number Generator) software is operating correctly, that the RTP (Return To Player) percentage is within an acceptable range and that all payments are made in a timely manner.

It is also important that you choose an online casino that has links to responsible gambling organisations including GamCare, GamStop and Gamble Aware. We have links to the safest live casinos in the UK.

Why Play in Regulated Casinos in the United Kingdom

By registering at an online casino with a licence that has been issued by the UK Gambling Commission, you can feel safe knowing that not only is your money safe, but that the online casino has met and adheres to strict licensing conditions. These conditions are in place to protect players from fraud, ensure that the games are fair, regulated and offer a good RTP (Return To Player) percentage. The Gambling Commission constantly works hard to ensure that vulnerable players are protected and issues fines to any licence holders that it feels are not meeting their high standards.

How to Verify if an Online Casino is Legal in the United Kingdom

It is quite easy to check to see if an online casino holds a valid UK Gambling Commission licence. There are two different ways to find out, you can go to the homepage of the online casino, scroll to the bottom and you should see the Gambling Commission logo or it may state that they hold the licence and show the licence number. If you click on this it will take you to the UK Gambling Commission website which shows you all the details about the licence.

Alternatively you can visit the Gambling Commission website: https://www.gamblingcommission.gov.uk/ directly and put in the name of the casino and you will instantly see if they hold a licence, the licence number and any additional information.

Illegal and UnLicensed Casinos

As a resident of the UK, if you decide to play at an online casino that does not hold a licence from the UK Gambling Commission your player rights will not be protected. Even though there are other licensing authorities such as the Curacao and Netherlands Antilles, Antingua and Barbuda or Costa Rica and Licence holders will have had to have met certain criteria, these Licences are often easy to obtain for operators and don´t provide any protection for players from the United Kingdom. There are also a number of online casinos that don´t hold any Licences and these are among the most risky to register with as they are not regulated or monitored. The last thing you would want is to register at an unlicensed online casino, make a deposit and then be unable to withdraw any funds.

How to Deal with a Complaint

If you feel that you have been treated unfairly or wish to make a complaint, the Gambling Commission strongly advises you to contact the online casino´s customer support department and follow their procedures. If you are not satisfied, the online gambling company should have details of an independent person who can look at your problem and try to find a solution. This is known as the ADR (Alternative Dispute Resolution). The online casino should give information about their complaint process and provide contact details for the ADR provider on their website. You can also contact the Gambling Commission, contact Citizens Advice or seek independent legal advice.

Betting Limits at Online Casinos in the United Kingdom

There are currently no restrictions to the amount that you can play per hand/spin at online casinos in the UK. However, in order to reduce the risk of gambling related harm, the Gambling Commission have been actively looking at introducing a maximum bet per hand/spin of £2 as well as deciding if a maximum daily expenditure limit should also be imposed.

This follows the successful introduction of reducing the maximum stake at Fixed Odds Betting Terminals (FOBTs) from £100 to £2 in 2019.

Jackpots at Online Casinos in the United Kingdom

There are a number of online games that feature Jackpots, the majority of them are via online slot games. These games are extremely popular among players due to the large “jackpot” amounts that can be won, with just one spin of the reels.

There are two different types of jackpots:

• Fixed Jackpots: The prize amount of the jackpot remains the same however, you need to be aware of the qualification criteria as you often have to bet the maximum amount. Once the prize has been won, it will instantly be available again.
• Progressive Jackpots: These are often found in slot games but are sometimes also available in blackjack, video poker or roulette games. The total prize amount grows as more players join in the gameplay as a percentage of the bets from all players is contributed to the jackpot prize fund. Once the jackpot has been won it will reset to the seed amount which varies depending on the game that you play.
  • Some Jackpot slots have more than 1 Progressive Jackpot, with many having 4 different jackpots.

The 5 biggest jackpot wins from online casinos by UK players are:

• £13.2 million on Mega Moolah by Microgaming - October 2015 - Guinness World Record Holder and is the biggest online progressive jackpot
• £7.9 million on Mega Moolah by Microgaming - August 2016 - New record payout for a player via a mobile app
• £6.3 million on Hall of Gods by NetEnt - November 2017
• £6.2 million on Mega Fortune by NetEnt Slot - December 2016
• £4.5 million on Jackpot Giant by Playtech - January 2016

As well as the slot games listed above, other popular jackpot slots include Mega Fortune Dreams, Arabian Nights and Divine Fortune by NetEnt, Joker Millions, Empire Fortune and Holmes and the Stolen Stones by Yggdrasil, Age of the Gods by Playtech, African Legends by Slingshot Studios and Microgaming, Great Rhino Deluxe by Pragmatic Play, Aztec's Millions by Realtime Gaming and Genie Jackpots Megaways by Blueprint Gaming.

The most popular online casinos with progressive jackpots among UK players are Paddy Power, Casumo, Karamba, Mansion Casino, Casimba, Casino Cruise, NetBet, Betway, Casino.com. Yeti and LeoVegas

Bonuses and Promotions in Online Casinos in the United Kingdom

The majority of online casinos offer bonuses and promotions that often include free spins on certain games or bonus money that you can use to play with. Some of these bonuses are defined as Welcome Bonuses and are only for new players. Although existing players are not eligible for them, they are able to access other types of bonuses and promotions. It is in the best interests of any online casino to not only appeal to new customers but to keep their existing customers satisfied.

If you are considering registering with an online casino and find a particular bonus or promotion tempting, it is really important that you read all of the terms and conditions thoroughly.

The Gambling Commission knows that in the past players have not always understood all of the different terms and conditions that are associated with the bonuses and promotions at online casinos and they have worked closely with the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) to produce guidance for players to ensure that they know what to be aware of when trying to decide if they want to apply for bonuses and promotions.

“The CMA and the Gambling Commission expect all online gambling firms to review their terms and practices for fairness and, if necessary, change them.” This short video shows some of the things that players need to be aware of before accepting any offers, bonuses or promotions at online casinos.

Online Casinos with Cryptocurrencies

Although it is not illegal to use cryptocurrencies to make deposits at online casinos, there are currently no online Bitcoin casinos that are Licensed by the Gambling Commission. This is due to the fact that in order to get a licence from the UK Gambling Commission, applicants must meet strict anti-money laundering requirements. As cryptocurrencies are anonymous, the casinos cannot confirm that the source of the funds is not from the proceeds of crime.

If you wish to use cryptocurrencies to play at online casinos, it is best to convert them into GBP and then deposit them via an acceptable payment method into your online casino account.

Payment Methods

There are many different payment methods that are accepted for online players in the UK, including debit cards and online wallets. However, in April 2020 the Gambling Commission enforced “a ban on gambling businesses allowing consumers to use credit cards to gamble.” The ban also includes the funding of e-wallets from credit cards. The following types of payment methods can be used at online casinos:

• Debit cards: Connected directly to a bank account, accepted debit cards use VISA, Maestro, American Express Debit and Revolut platforms.
• E-Wallets: These offer additional protection as they are not connected directly to bank information. PayPal, NETELLER, Skrill, EntroPay and ecoPayz are the most popular
• Prepaid cards: Can be bought with cash at local retailers all over the UK and are not associated with bank accounts. However if you use them for deposits at online casinos there will be fees to pay and some cannot be used for withdrawals. PaySafeCard is the most recognised.
• Apple Pay: Is a safe and secure way to make deposits but is only available to players who use an iPhone, iPad, Mac or Apple Watches.
• Google Pay: Safe and secure and available to any players with a Google Play account.
• Bank transfers: These are made directly from your bank account.

Other forms of payment include EcoCard, iDeal, Euteller, Astro Pay, Trustly, WebMoney, iDebit, Giropay, Pay by Phone and the Boku pay by mobile service.

Each online casino has it´s own deposit and withdrawal limits depending on the method of payment so it is important to check the details that are listed on the online casino website. Minimum deposits range from £5 to £25 and withdrawals have a minimum amount of £10 to £20 and maximum amounts that range from £5,000 to £100,000. Some online casinos also have monthly restrictions.

Requirements to Register at an Online Casino in the United Kingdom

Before you are able to gamble at any online casino in the United Kingdom, you will be required to prove your age and identity. Usually your account details are matched with existing information that is stored on the electoral roll and credit referencing agencies. However, you may also be required to provide additional documents such as a passport, a driving licence or a household bill. This is so that the operators can confirm your identity, check that you are 18 or over and ensure that you have not self-excluded from gambling.

How to Register at an Online Casino in the United Kingdom

To register at an online casino when playing from the UK we recommend that you follow these steps:

1. Look at the Choice Casinos online casinos list: We have a large selection of online casinos that are available to players in the United Kingdom.
2. Choose the casino that best suits your requirements: Read the reviews, check licence details, review the range of games, payment methods and bonuses and promotions.
3. Register: Provide your personal data (name and surname, date of birth, address, telephone number, email address) and create your online profile.
4. Bank details: Add the details of your preferred payment method.
5. Verify your data: This is only necessary if the online casino requires additional documentation to confirm your identity.
6. Make a deposit: You will only be allowed to do this once the online casino has made the necessary checks to confirm your identity.

How to Choose the Best Online Casino in the United Kingdom

There are so many online casinos that are legal to play at in the United Kingdom that it can seem overwhelming when it comes to trying to decide on the best one to play at. 888 Casino has a large variety of online games, Ladbrokes and William are popular for sports betting and PokerStars have a good selection of poker games and guaranteed jackpot games. Here at ChoiceCasino we have selected the best online casinos based on their range of games, payment methods, player safety systems, bonuses and promotions and player reviews and opinions.

With a little bit of research you can easily find the best online casino, we recommend that keeping in mind your personal preferences, you consider the following criteria:

• Holds a valid licence that has been issued by the UK Gambling Commission
• The variety and number of slot, table and live games available
• The range and type of sports betting facilities
• Deposit and withdrawal limits and available payment methods
• Minimum and maximum bet limits on games
• VIP programs
• Promotions, tournaments and special offers
• Reliability and functionality of the Mobile App
• Quality and speed of customer service

This should help you to choose the best online casino for your personal gambling preferences.

The 10 Best Online Casinos in the United Kingdom

888 Casino - One of the biggest online casinos in the UK

888 Casino was founded in 1997 in the United Kingdom under 888 Holdings PLC and is licensed by the UK Gambling Commission. It has a large variety of casino table games, more than 500 slots including jackpot slots and a great selection of live dealer games from Red Tiger, NetEnt, Yggdrasil, Cryptologic, IGT, NextGen Gaming, Ash Gaming, Quickspin, Blueprint Gaming, Pragmatic Play and Evolution Gaming.

Ladbrokes - Great for Sports betting and Baccarat

Ladbrokes have a well established sports betting business that started in the mid 1880s. It launched its online casino and sportsbook in 2000 and is licensed by the UK Gambling Commission. There are over 400 slots, table games and live casino games from Playtech, NetEnt, Barcrest, Pragmatic Play, Novoline, Evolution Gaming, IGT, NextGen and WMS.

William Hill - Popular for Sports betting and Slots

William Hill has a long history in the United Kingdom with numerous sports betting shops. Its online casino was launched in 1998 and is licensed by the UK Gambling Commission. William Hill has a large selection of casino table games, live casino table games and more than 300 slots from NetEnt, Microgaming, Playtech, Cryptologic, Novomatic, WGS Technology, Evolution Gaming, Gamseys IGT, Genesis Gaming, Ash Gaming, and Big Time Gaming. There is also a dedicated page for slot games that have exclusive jackpot prizes.

Betfair - Powered by Playtech

Betfair was founded in 2000 and is licensed by the UK Gambling Commission. In 2016 they merged with PaddyPower and became PaddyPower Betfair plc. Powered by Playtech there are over 200 slots, progressive jackpot games, casino table games and live casino table games from Playtech and Ash Gaming.

PaddyPower - Top Sports Betting and Roulette Site

Originally a sports betting shop, PaddyPower was founded in Dublin in 1988. In 2004 it launched its online casino and has a UK Gambling Commission Licence. In 2016 PaddyPower merged with Betfair and became PaddyPower Betfair plc. Their range of slots, casino table games and live casino games are provided by Blueprint Gaming, Playtech, Red Tiger Gaming, CryptoLogic, IGT, Gamesys, Evolution Gaming, OpenBet, Tiger Gaming, GTECH G2 and GamesOS/CTXM.

Pokerstars Casino UK - Top Poker Rooms

Pokerstars Casino was established in 2015 and holds a UK Gambling Commission Licence. The range of live casino games, table games and more than 700 slots are provided by Playtech, Red Tiger Gaming, iSoftBet, Playson, Leander Games, NYX, Big Time Gaming, NetEnt, Blueprint, Microgaming, 2by2 Gaming, Gameplay Interactive, Quickspin, gameswarehouse, the Games Company and Push Gaming.

Slots Million - Launched the First Virtual Casino

Slots Million was launched in 2014 and is licensed by the UK Gambling Commission. They have more than 3,000 games including slots, live casino games and virtual casino games provided by numerous game developers such as NetEnt, Microgaming, iSoftBet, Relax Gaming, Novomatic, Big Time Gaming, Yggdrasil, Gamevy, Barcrest, Play´n Go, Cayetano Gaming, Oryx and NextGen.

Casino Euro - Exclusive Slots

Casino Euro was launched in 2002 and is licensed by the UK Gambling Commission. Their extensive range of games includes slots, live casino games and table games by Red Tiger Gaming, NextGenGaming, Microgaming, Play´n GO, Novomatic, IGT, Pragmatic Play, Blueprint, NetEnt, Quickspin, Big Time Gaming, Evolution Gaming, Barcrest, iSoftBet, Elk Studios, Rabcat, Bally Gaming and Push Gaming.

Video Slots - Extensive Selection of Live Dealer Games

Video Slots was launched in 2011 and is licensed by the Gambling Commission in the UK. They have a great selection of casino table games, slots and live casino games from Quickspin, Yggdrasil, Play´n GO, Microgaming, NetEnt, IGT, Just for the Win, Betsoft, Cryptologic, Shuffle Master, Rival, Leander Games, Relax Gaming, Nolimit City, Cayetano Gaming, NextGen, Slot Factory and Evolution Gaming.

Yako Casino - Excellent Live Casino

Founded in 2012, Yako Casino holds a licence from the UK Gambling Commission. The range of over 1,000 games includes live table games, slots and casino table games by NetEnt, NextGen, Microgaming, Evolution Gaming, Mazooma, High 5 Games, Amatic Industries, Big Time Gaming, Pragmatic Play, WMS Gaming, IGT, Blueprint Gaming, Inspired Gaming, Elk Studios, Barcrest, Play´n GO, Merkur Gaming, Novomatic, Eyecon, Thunderkick, Iron Dog Studio and Bally Technologies.

Mobile Online Casino Apps

Online casinos offer app versions which have been specifically adapted to the dimensions, capabilities and touch screens of mobile phones and tablets. Mobile online casino apps are popular with players as they allow quick and easy access. You can either download the apps from the Play Store on Android devices or the App store on iPhones and iPads via search or you can download the app directly from the online casinos home page. The best online casino apps in the UK are 888casino, Pokerstars, Slots Million, Casino Euro, Video Slots, Yako Casino, All British Casino, Play Ojo, Energy Casino and Mr Green.

Sports betting is extremely popular in the United Kingdom and the most used sports betting apps are Ladbrokes, William Hill, Betfair, Paddy Power, Betfred and Bet365.

History of Online Casinos in the United Kingdom

During the mid to late 1990s online casinos started to become available to players in the United Kingdom. Microgaming launched the first online casino in 1994 shortly followed by Cryptologic. In the early 2000s, more and more online casinos were launched. In order to legalise the industry, The Gambling Act was created in 2005 and came into force on the 1st of September 2007.

With the growth of the internet many land based casinos and betting shops decided that it was in the best interests of their businesses to also offer their consumers the ability to access gambling games and sports betting online. The online casino industry has continued to grow with numerous new online casinos entering the market in a bid to compete with well established online casinos. Advances in technology have made it easier and safer for players to be able to make deposits and withdrawals and play their favourite casino games from the comfort of their own home.

To date The Gambling Commission has Licensed more than 3,368 activities that are held by 2,439 operators. Approximately 0.25% of the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) in the UK comes from the Remote, Casino, Betting and Bingo (RCBB) sector of the industry which contributed £6.9 billion in Gross Gambling Yield (GGY) to the economy of the United Kingdom from April 2020 to March 2021. Online casino games contributed £4 billion which included £2.9 billion from slot machines. Online football betting contributed £1.2 billion, online horse betting contributed £856 million and online bingo contributed £189 million.

What Taxes need to be paid when Gambling in the United Kingdom?

Regardless of the amount of winnings, all gambling is tax free for players in the United Kingdom. However, gambling premises and online gambling and betting sites have to pay taxes on their profits. Remote gaming operators have to pay the remote gambling duty which is 15%.

Contribution of Online Casinos to the Economy of the United Kingdom

In the United Kingdom from April 2020 to March 2021 the Gross Gambling Yield (GGY) from the Remote, Casino, Betting and Bingo (RCBB) sector was £6.9 billion. £4 billion was from online casino games, including £2.9 billion from slot machines, remote football betting totalled £1.2 billion, horse betting £856 million and online bingo £189 million.

Covid-19 had an impact on the industry as many physical premises were forced to close temporarily due to the restrictions of the pandemic so more people turned to online casinos. The figures reflect the increase in players using online casinos as the total GGY from the RCBB sector from April 2019 to March 2020 was £5.7 billion. The figures from April 2020 to March 2021 show an 18.4% increase to the figures from April 2019 to March 2020.

The Remote, Casino, Betting and Bingo sector of the UK Gambling Industry brings in approximately 0.25% of the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) of the UK economy. The gambling industry also employs more than 95,000 people in both online and offline roles.