Guide to The Best Online Casinos UK Has in 2023

Today, there are three types of online casinos available in the UK’s internet space — UKGC licensed casino sites, crypto casinos, and the so-called “not on Gamstop casinos.” The best UK casino sites are known for their fast payouts and popular real money slots, and live casino games. Bet365 Casino, for instance, consistently ranks high in top UK online casino reviews alongside other leading gambling operators.

10 Notable Online Casinos in the UK

Here, we present a list of 10 well-known online casinos popular among real money players in the UK. We can’t call them the “10 best” since none of them are perfect. You can learn more about them by visiting our casino reviews page and selecting a site you’re interested in, or by clicking on the provided links below. The list has no specific ranking order.

• Note: When you’re ready to play at UK casino sites for real money, be prepared to provide your ID and proof of address. From our experience, document verification takes between 1-24 hours, depending on the site. Further, you may be subject to a source of wealth (SOW) provision if the casino notices significant deposits.

This procedure at online casinos in the UK generally aims to ensure compliance with UKGC anti-money laundering regulations and responsible gambling practices. It generally requires submitting documents related to your financial situation, such as bank statements for the last 3-6 months, P60/Payslips, the latest tax statement, and employment details. As a rule, the required information varies between casinos.

The Key Characteristics of Top UK Online Casinos

Top-rated casinos share certain key characteristics that make them the go-to choice for UK players. If you’re picky about where to play, this section highlights the player-centred features that define a top UK online casino.

Fast Payouts and Convenient Payment Methods

Top UK online casinos like Bet365 prioritize speedy cashouts, offering fast and convenient payment methods such as PayPal, Skrill, Trustly, and Visa Direct. This ensures quick access to winnings, catering to UK players’ preferences and enhancing their real-money gaming experience.

Extensive Selection of Real Money Games

Giving players a wide variety of real money games tailored to their individual playing habits is key. With options like slots, blackjack, roulette, baccarat, jackpots, video poker, and niche games — the best quality casinos make sure the fun never stops, and everyone finds their groove. This player-focused strategy must showcase the casino’s dedication to top-notch content from popular and reliable software developers. After all, who wants to play Novomatic slots on one casino site and Blueprint or Merkur on another?

Online Casino Slots With High RTPs

A top UK online casino should offer slots with high Return to Player (RTP) percentages. The RTP is the percentage of the total amount wagered on an online slot machine that gets paid back to players over an extended period of time. Experienced UK gamblers are well aware that online casino slots in the UK generally have lower RTP settings compared to those available at some of the top-rated EU online casinos, like Winz or Bitstarz. The disparity in RTP settings arises because online casino operators can choose the RTP settings provided by particular software providers.

• For example, Play’n GO offers different versions of the widely popular Book of Dead slot game with varying RTPs ranging from 94.25%, 91.25%, 87.25%, to 84.18%.

By offering high RTP slots, online casinos give players a better return on their real money bets over time.

Bonuses with Reasonable Wagering Requirements

To show real money players appreciation for their loyalty, casinos must offer decent-quality bonuses. The leading UK online casinos excel in this regard, offering a range of promotions with reasonable wagering requirements, such as 40x. This is in contrast to lower-quality gambling offerings that have much higher requirements, such as 35x (deposit + bonus), which add up to 70x in total. These promotions include:

• 100% welcome bonuses designed for new players
• Reload bonuses and cashback offers to reward regular players
• Bonus spins on popular slots to provide free playtime
• Loyalty programs and VIP clubs that offer exclusive benefits and perks

Professional Customer Support

• 24/7 Live chat support for real-time assistance
• Email support for more in-depth queries, with replies no longer than 12 hours
• Social media channels to address concerns and provide updates

While most online casinos have comprehensive FAQ sections, and some even have in-built AI assistants, not all of them offer outstanding support. Reliable, responsive, and professionally acting customer support is a crucial aspect of being a high-quality online casino. The support team must be able to communicate effectively with players, demonstrate patience and understanding, solve problems quickly and ensure overall customer satisfaction.

Casino Design With Players In Mind Features

There are several reasons why the design of top gambling sites in the UK is exceedingly significant for players. Here are some key features that make a difference:

Search Bar

An indispensable feature of modern UK online casino web design; the search bar allows players to swiftly locate their favourite games or search for games from specific gambling software providers. The search bar aids in navigating the website more efficiently.

Filter by Software Provider

Offering a filter by software provider enables players on UK online casinos to effortlessly find games from their favourite providers, saving time and allowing them to focus on the games they enjoy. This feature is particularly beneficial for seasoned players with a preference for certain providers, such as Merkur, NetEnt, Novomatic, Microgaming, or Playtech.

Casino Theme

The casino theme serves as a fundamental aspect that shapes the atmosphere of the real money gaming experience. A meticulously crafted and visually captivating casino theme has the ability to elicit feelings of enjoyment, subsequently heightening the overall casino online playing experience.

Filter by Slot Machine Volatility

A filter by slot machine volatility allows players to find games that match their preferred level of risk. This feature is especially important for those who favour either low or high-volatility games on UK online casinos.

Distinct Casino Menu with Sportsbook and Casino Segregated

A distinct and easy-to-navigate casino menu is essential for all types of players, ensuring they can find the games they want to play promptly. Separating the sportsbook and casino sections allows players to easily locate the games they’re interested in and avoid any confusion.

Easily Accessible Live Chat in the Corner

Live chat support is a top feature of modern casino web design for UK online casinos, allowing players to quickly get support when needed. An easily accessible and readily available live chat feature can make all the difference in ensuring a positive gaming experience.

Clearly Display Game RTPs or When Hovering Over

Providing information about the Return to Player (RTP) percentage of each game helps players make more informed decisions about which slot games to play. Showcasing the RTP either clearly or when hovering over a game assists players in choosing games with higher RTPs, increasing their chances of winning.

It’s worth noting that while testing various UK casino sites, our team at Onlinecasinoinfo.eu occasionally had to use the “Google Advanced Search” option to locate the live chat feature directly from Google search results on some websites. This clearly indicates that not all online casinos in the UK prioritize user-friendly design and accessibility.

Legal Aspects of UK Online Casinos

The popularity and well-regulated nature of online gambling in the UK is evident from statistics collected by Statista.com. This section will discuss the legal framework, the role of the UK Gambling Commission, and the advantages of playing at UKGC licenced casino sites.

Understanding the UK Gambling Commission (UKGC)

The UK Gambling Commission (UKGC) is the regulatory body responsible for overseeing online and offline gambling activities in the United Kingdom. Established under the Gambling Act of 2005, the UKGC ensures that casino operators stick to stringent guidelines and regulations to maintain a safe gambling environment in the country. UKGC’s primary goals include:

• Preventing gambling from becoming a source of crime or disorder
• Ensuring that gambling activities are conducted fairly and transparently
• Protecting vulnerable individuals, including minors, from gambling-related harm

Types of Online Casinos in the UK

This section will discuss the three main categories of online casinos available to UK players: UKGC-licenced casinos, crypto online casinos, and not on Gamstop casinos.

UKGC Licenced Casinos

Choosing a UKGC-licensed casino site for gambling comes with its own benefits, including:

• Ensures player safety, privacy, and fair treatment with strict security measures
• Certified fair real money games by Gambling Commission approved test houses
• Access to an impartial mediator, the UKGC, to handle complaints and disputes
• Promotes responsible gambling with tools like self-exclusion, time-outs, betting and deposit limits

However, it’s evident from UK gambling forums that players well-versed in responsible gambling are increasingly frustrated with UK online casinos due to the UKGC’s rigid regulations, excessive source of wealth (SOW) checks, and continuous gameplay restrictions. In particular, the numerous pop-ups, lack of auto-spin, and lowered RTPs have led to a less enjoyable and more exasperating gambling experience, prompting players to explore alternative options like crypto casinos.

Besides that, constant monitoring and stigmatization of gambling create feelings of guilt and a perception that all casino players are gambling addicts.

Crypto Casinos

Crypto online casinos have emerged as an alternative for players who prefer using cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin, Ethereum, and Litecoin for their gambling activities. This type of casino offers an innovative gaming experience, with some of the benefits being:

• Global accessibility
• User-friendly casino websites
• Enhanced privacy and anonymity
• Support for multiple cryptocurrencies
• Increased security and transparency
• Fast withdrawals and high limits
• Provably fair games
• High RTP slots
• Decent bonuses and promotions
• Varied and unique game offerings
• Decentralised gaming opportunities
• Crypto-based cashback and rakeback deals

On the flip side, cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin, Ethereum, and Litecoin entail gas fees for transactions. To gamble, players must first purchase these cryptocurrencies via software crypto wallets like Metamask or exchanges such as Coinbase, eToro, Kraken, or Gemini, potentially incurring additional fees for buying and transferring digital assets.

We recommend exercising caution when selecting a crypto casino, diligently researching its popularity among players, reputation and trustworthiness. This is particularly important because, unlike traditional casinos and online gambling sites regulated by the UKGC, there is no legal recourse for recovering deposits in crypto casinos should any issues arise.

Not on Gamstop Casinos

Casinos not on Gamstop are online gambling sites that haven’t registered with the UK’s Gamstop self-exclusion scheme. These casinos tend to be the dodgiest around. They’re specifically designed to target UK problem gamblers currently on the Gamstop list and, as a result, unable to play at any reputable casino in the UK. Furthermore, these not-on-Gamstop casinos often lack official licensing from any jurisdiction and typically offer faked casino games. Consequently, the operators can manipulate the RTPs of these games according to their whims.

Evaluating the Best Online Casino UK Sites

The reputation of an online casino is of utmost importance for punters seeking a reliable and entertaining gaming experience. To gauge a casino’s credibility, it’s necessary to take into account personal playing experience, industry recognition, and user reviews on casino player forums. Here’s a glimpse into our methodology for determining the reputation of online casino UK sites in more detail.

Personal Playing Experience at Top UK Casino Sites

To offer a well-rounded assessment, our team personally plays at popular UK online casinos and the biggest bookie sites (Bet365, Betfred, Unibet, Ladbrokes etc) in the country, sharing our first-hand experiences with you. We evaluate aspects like the speed of the registration process, payout times, KYC requirements, on-board online casino games list, user interface and customer support quality to provide a complete picture of what you can expect from each of our recommended online casinos for UK players. 

When you register to play slots at UK bookie sites, the signup process is quite straightforward, and some of them, like Unibet, payout instantly as soon as you request a withdrawal. In our case, the KYC request came after we had deposited around £2,000. After uploading our ID and the most recent bank statement for address verification, the account was reactivated.

With Ladbrokes, the registration process involved filling out the usual forms, providing the user’s name, address, phone number, and email. We added a UK HSBC Visa debit card as our payment method and were able to deposit and play. Ladbrokes, however, set a £10,000 annual deposit limit. Our withdrawal from Ladbrokes took roughly 1 hour. Here is the video of our gameplay of Novomatic’s Lord of the Ocean at Ladbrokes.

• Note: If you’re planning to register at smaller UK casino operator sites, it’s highly likely that they’ll ask you to provide documents with your personal information before they allow you to play for real money.

User Reviews and Feedback on New Online Casinos UK

Another effective method we use to appraise a new UK casino site’s reputation is by looking at user feedback, which offers invaluable insights into the experiences of fellow real players. Delve into popular gambling forums, Reddit communities, and private UK casino-oriented Facebook groups to learn what players are saying about specific new online UK casinos. While it’s natural to encounter negative reviews, be wary of patterns of unresolved issues.

Industry Awards and Recognition for Legal UK Casinos

Prestigious industry awards play a significant role in highlighting the achievements of reputable online casinos, showcasing their commitment to excellence. These casino awards are organized by renowned iGaming industry bodies, media outlets, and organizations that recognize the efforts of online casinos in areas such as game selection, customer service, and innovation. Some of the most prestigious igaming awards and events that legal UK casinos may receive recognition from include:

• EGR Operator Awards
• International Gaming Awards
• Global Gaming Awards
• Gaming Intelligence Awards
• SBC Awards

However, we take these accolades with a pinch of salt, as an awarded casino site for a particular aspect doesn’t necessarily mean it’s a perfect choice for every player to gamble at. As a rule, personal experience plays a more significant role in determining whether it’s truly good or not.

Reliable Casino Review Forums for the Best UK Online Casino Sites

Besides personal experience, gambling forums that are trusted among casino players are an invaluable resource for finding the best UK online casino sites to play at. They offer insights from fellow real money gamblers and a wealth of other relevant information. One good example is Casinomeister.com, established in 1999, which has built a reputation for providing reviews and comprehensive evaluations of different online gambling operators — highlighting the strengths and weaknesses of each over the years to help players steer clear of rogue casino sites. They even offer the Player Arbitration Service (PAB).

UK Casino Games and Top Software Providers

As seasoned players, we can confidently state that the UK’s online casino game list is rather splendid, featuring modern video slots and live casino games hosted by real dealers.

The games here are on par with those found at top European casino online sites throughout Europe.

However, certain European casino software providers, such as Endorphina, Kayot, Apollo, and Synot, are not available, and many slots run at lowered RTPs. Free play without registration is not an option too; players must deposit real money. Bitcoin and other crypto games are not offered at UK-licensed casinos.

• Tip: To find the best paying UK slots, check the RTP of the game and compare it with the one on the official game provider’s website.

UK Online Live Casino Games

UK casino sites offer a variety of over 100 live casino games to play for real money — all from leading providers like Evolution Gaming, Playtech, Pragmatic Play, Real Dealer Studios, and the newly-added Ezugi under Evolution’s UKGC licence. Players can enjoy live versions of classic card and table games that you’d typically find in famous London casinos like Crockfords, Grosvenor and the Hippodrome, such as blackjack and roulette. Casino live-show games such as Dead or Alive Saloon, and Extra Chilli Epic Spins are also ready to be played.

Unlike slot machine games that use random number generators (RNG), online live casinos bring you real human interaction. In Live baccarat, blackjack, or roulette, you can see how often cards are shuffled and how many decks are left in the shuffler. Dealers are switched every 20 to 30 minutes to keep things fair and trustworthy. To play live casino games in the UK, you’ll need to deposit at least £10 or your currency equivalent.

If you’re looking for great live casino games, check out top UK bookies like Bet365. Bet365 has an exclusive Playtech Live Casino with a unique game called Super Spin Roulette, featuring multipliers from 60x to 540x. Playtech is well-known for its top-notch technology and has an excellent reputation in the UK online casino industry.

Mobile Casino Games and Apps

Mobile casino gaming has become more popular than ever. And top UK casino sites are keeping up with this trend by making their desktop platforms easily accessible through any web browser. This means there’s no need for a dedicated app, and British gambling fans can enjoy all their favourite casino games, including classic slots and jackpot titles, on their smartphones and tablets while on the move.

UK mobile casino sites usually offer everything you’d find on their desktop counterparts, from the latest Megaways slots and live dealer casino games to coverage of major sporting events. You’ll also find bonus offers, promotions, payment methods, customer support, and FAQs on the mobile version. Some mobile casino sites even let you pay by phone bill (up to £240).

• If you’re more into casino gambling apps, you can quickly grab free mobile casino apps from Google Play or iTunes. The best real-money gambling apps are often provided by UK bookies, with just a few coming from regular casino sites that focus on slots, table and live casino games. Plus, top casino websites make sure their platforms are compatible with iOS, Android, and Windows phones/tablets while also prioritising players’ security.

UK Casino Bonus Offers

Over the years, UK casino bonus offers for new players have evolved, becoming less generous compared to a decade ago. Nevertheless, these offers still provide incentives for players to join online casinos. In the past, gambling enthusiasts could receive deposit bonuses of up to £500 or more, plus a plethora of free spins on slot games with reasonable 30x wagering requirements. Nowadays, casino bonuses are more modest and hold little value. A typical example includes:

• 1st Deposit: 100% up to £100 + 100 bonus spins on [a slot game]
• 2nd Deposit: 50% up to £80
• 3rd Deposit: 50% up to £80

Some casinos cap their welcome bonuses at a certain amount of winnings, such as £1000. If a player meets the wagering requirement and their balance exceeds the cap, the casino will only pay the capped amount. Typically, the allowed max bet when meeting wagering requirements is £4 or £5.

Tip: A wagering requirement of 35x for a welcome bonus in 2023 is considered optimal. You most likely won’t find anything lower than that.

Cashback Bonuses and VIP Programs

Casino cashback bonuses, designed to help players recoup some of their losses, are a rare find in the UK. One casino we recommend trying out is All British Casino, operated by L&L Europe Ltd. They offer a 10% cashback to all registered players, paid based on their net losses. Specific terms may apply, and we believe the offering may soon become unavailable following the latest Government’s White Paper on Reducing Online Harm published on 27 April 2023.

Proper VIP programs, as seen in high-quality European casino sites, with personalised bonus plans, real money cashback, dedicated VIP managers, and early access to new casino games, are virtually non-existent in the UK. There are, however, establishments like Betfred, which offer a comp-based system rewarding loyal players with 1 Comp Point for every £10 staked. These points can be exchanged for real cash once 1,000 points have been accumulated.

Deposit and UK Online Casino Withdrawal Methods

UK online casino sites cater to players with debit cards, e-wallets, and pre-paid cards. Cryptocurrencies are not accepted at UKGC-licensed sites, and since April 2020, the Gambling Commission has banned credit card deposits to protect users in Great Britain from gambling with money they may not actually own. Among the most popular methods today are the following (in no particular order):

Trustly

Swift and secure, Trustly allows players to deposit and withdraw funds directly from their UK bank account without entering debit card details. Trustly’s open banking solution is ideal for those seeking fast withdrawal casinos in the UK.

Skrill

A popular e-wallet provider, Skrill offers fast processing times and is widely accepted at online casinos across the UK. It’s ideal for players who prefer to keep casino transactions off their bank statements.

PayPal

Known for its near-instant withdrawal capabilities, PayPal is a widely-used option at top gambling operator sites in the UK. Many players already use PayPal for online purchases, making it an ideal choice.

Visa Direct

Visa Direct offers quick payment solutions, with top Visa Direct-powered casino sites processing withdrawals to Visa debit cards within 30 minutes. This method is favoured among UK players who value convenient, fast transactions without involving third parties.

Instant Bank Transfers

Instant banking provides a direct connection between your bank account and the casino, ensuring a safe and speedy transaction process. 

Withdrawal Times

Withdrawal times at online UK casinos can vary quite a bit, depending on factors like the specific casino and your chosen payment method for cashing out. Generally, UK casinos can be grouped into three categories based on withdrawal speeds: fast-paying, medium-speed paying, and slow-paying.

• Fast-paying casinos like Unibet or Bet365 are all about instant withdrawals, giving players quick access to their winnings and making them a top choice for those after speedy payouts. Medium-speed paying casinos process withdrawals within 12 hours, appealing to players who appreciate a trustworthy gaming site with a variety of real money online casino games, while not being overly concerned about payment times.

Slow-paying casinos, on the other hand, take up to 24 hours to process withdrawals, making them more suitable for players who don’t need instant access to their winnings.

Online UK Casino Customer Support

UK casino websites generally offer 24/7 live chat and email for support inquiries. Larger operators may provide phone support (see Betfred.com below), but reaching someone can be challenging. We recommend using live chat for quick assistance.

• Tip: When you come across a top-notch support team, it can really bolster your casino gaming session and build trust with the site.

The Future of Playing at Online Casinos in the UK

As the digital age evolves, the UK’s regulatory bodies strive to ensure that online gambling remains a safe and enjoyable pastime for players. To reduce the risk of harm in online gambling, the Gambling Commission plans to implement new obligations on operators to conduct financial risk checks. These checks, affecting approximately 3% of online gambling accounts, will target customers at moderate (£125 net loss within a month or £500 within a year) and high (£1,000 net loss within 24 hours or £2,000 within 90 days) levels of spend, with enhanced checks for those aged 18-24.

• Source: High Stakes: Gambling Reform for the Digital Age (gov.uk)

The Commission also plans to consult on updating design rules for casino games, introducing a stake limit for online slots between £2 and £15 per spin, and improving player-centric tools such as mandatory or opt-out deposit limits.

UK Real Casinos

Leicester Square in London is well-known for its casino gaming scene, attracting both tourists and UK residents. Boasting four renowned ‘brick-and-mortar’ casinos – The Grosvenor Casino, Horizons Casino, Empire Casino, and The Hippodrome Casino – it’s a top destination for gaming enthusiasts. We recommend visiting The Grosvenor for its relaxed atmosphere and easy access to roulette tables and slot machines. In contrast, The Hippodrome can become quite busy, making it challenging to find an open spot at Novomatic slot terminals after 5 PM. During evenings, roulette table bets usually increase, with chip values ranging from £5 to £25.

While online live dealer casino games are an option, the thrill of playing in a land-based casino with actual real croupiers and gambling chips offers a unique experience worth trying at least once.

If you’re a slot machine fan, make your way to Victoria Casino on Edgware Road. They have the largest Novomatic and IGT slot selection in London, complete with local jackpots.

Frequently Asked Questions