Find the best online casinos in the UK. We have chosen the best gambling sites in the UK this year based on games, bonuses, reputation and payout speed.
Internet casinos in the UK have been around since 1996. Over the years, there has been a mass injection of these sites in the country.
Is it because the gambling laws in Britain are favourable?
We’ll look at the UK’s gambling market in more detail. Also, we will:
Let’s get started!
The gambling market in Great Britain continues to grow by the day. Between April 2020 and March 2021, the country’s Gross Gambling Yield (GGY) was £1.04 billion. It increased to £2.13 billion in the following financial year.
Online casinos are taking over Britain’s gaming market, no doubt. Even before the pandemic, physical betting shops in the country were on a decline.
Between 2011 and 2022, over 2000 shops had closed.
At the start of 2022, the UK’s online betting industry had a GGY of £250 million. This was an improvement compared to the average pre-pandemic figure of £92 million.
By March 2022, the number of online gamblers grew by 6.38 million. The number of online gaming establishments also increased.
Legality of online casinos | Legal |
Licensing body | United Kingdom Gambling Commission (UKGC) |
Legal gambling age | 18+ |
No. of land-based casinos | 150+ |
No. of online casinos | 200+ |
Fastest payout casino | HeySpin |
Largest land-based casino | Hippodrome Casino in London |
As said, your gaming experience will vary across different internet casinos in Britain. That’s because these websites are from different companies and offer distinct features.
We’ve cherry-picked the top UK casino sites that guarantee an immersive gambling experience.
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Right off the bat, Luckster is a top UK casino operating under Marketplay Ltd. Marketplay is a Malta-based iGaming company with a UKGC licence. So, this online gambling house checks the box for legitimacy.
The casino’s website design is simple and modern. There isn’t much going on so finding whatever you’re looking for is a breeze. Furthermore, the harmonious fusion of green and white colours makes it eye-catching.
Highlights:
Luckster features over 5 reliable payment methods, including e-wallets, credit cards, and prepaid cards. Also, it supports 10+ currencies, including the GBP. There are no cryptocurrencies, though.
Over to the games section, over 2000 different titles await your exploration. All the games come from 45+ reputable software developers, guaranteeing quality and variety. The best part is you can play demo versions, only that you must log in first.
Playing at a legit gambling site in the UK assures you of the safety of your finances and other information. For Plaza Royal Casino, it holds Malta and UKGC iGaming licences. Rest assured, this virtual gambling house passes the legitimacy test with flying colours.
What’s more, this gaming site employs cutting-edge 128-bit Secure Socket Layer (SSL) encryption technology. This guarantees the secure transfer of all sensitive data to their protected server over the internet.
Highlights:
When it comes to banking, there are over 5 options to choose from. While cash-out times may vary, all deposits are instant. It’s also best to mention that GBP is among the 10+ supported currencies.
Plaza Royal truly cares about the pain points of its gamblers. In fact, the mantra of this gambling establishment is Customers Are Really Everything (CARE). So, you can be sure of client support 7 days a week from 8 AM to 12 AM CET.
The name of this gaming establishment says it all. You don’t have to travel from the UK to Vegas for casino gaming. Thanks to Vegasland, you’ll experience Sin City anywhere, anytime.
From the onset, this casino's commitment to player satisfaction is crystal clear. The platform doesn’t just offer casino games; it offers Vegas casino games. There are hundreds of high-quality video slots to keep you on the edge of your seat.
Highlights:
With hundreds of high-quality slots, you can’t get bored at this online gaming house. Furthermore, the slot machines are mobile-compatible. So, you can play on the go.
As for banking, this internet site processes deposits instantly. Withdrawal times may vary depending on the cash-out method you use. For example, bank transfers take 2-6 days, whereas PayPal takes 0-2 days.
The dedicated client support team at Vegasland handles issues professionally and promptly. They’re at your service via live chat from 8 AM to 12 AM. Besides the live chat option, you can also drop them an email.
Is there anything to worry about when playing at a legit, experienced gaming website? Registered under the laws of Malta, Karamba is a 2005-founded casino with a UKGC licence. So, you've hit the jackpot in terms of legitimacy with this online gaming house.
Furthermore, the casino has an iTechLabs certificate. This proves the games at this gambling house are safe and fair. To guarantee the overall security of the website, there’s a 128-bit SSL encryption in place.
Highlights:
The game library features everything – from hot new picks to evergreen titles. Here, you’ll find games from different categories, including slots, live dealer games, and table games.
There are over 5 secure banking options to choose from at this online gambling site. They include e-wallets, prepaid cards, and credit cards. Depositing via all methods is instant, but withdrawal times differ.
Signing up at this UK casino doesn’t take much effort. It’s a 2-step straightforward process with no KYC protocols in between.
Online casinos vary in terms of withdrawal speeds and payment methods. They’re also different based on the games they offer and the devices they’re compatible with.
Here’s a broad classification of UK casinos by type:
There are over 50 million smartphone users in the UK. This number continues to rise each year, and so do mobile UK casinos.
UK mobile casinos offer the same games, bonuses, and features as their desktop counterparts. The major difference is you can access them when you’re on the go.
Slow-payout online casinos are a pain for any gambler. It always seems like you’re begging the casino to pay out your well-deserved winnings.
Fortunately, there are no waiting times at instant withdrawal casinos in the UK. As their name implies, cashing out at these gambling establishments guarantees instant winnings.
The fastest withdrawal casino in the UK is Luckster casino.
Cryptocurrencies are legal in the UK. Also, there are plenty of crypto exchanges in the country. They operate under the supervision of the UK’s Financial Conduct Authority.
Playing at crypto casinos in the UK guarantees faster deposits and withdrawals. That’s because virtual coins process transactions instantly. Also, most of these sites don’t charge transaction fees, allowing you to keep all your profit.
Crypto is officially forbidden for gambling in the UKGC casinos, but luckily there are couple of offshore sites where you can play with Bitcoin and other crypto currencies. Sites like: MyStake.com & Seven.casino.
Online slots are the most popular games among casino players in the UK. According to a 2018-2019 study by the UKGC, online slots make up about 69% of the total gaming yield.
Top UK Sites for slots are:
Only the best slot sites in the UK guarantee high-quality slot machines. These casinos collaborate with respected slot providers to offer engaging titles with jam-packed features.
The mushrooming of new online casinos in the UK is evident. Not all of them offer the same experience, though.
Compared to older casinos, the best new gambling websites offer generous bonuses. They also offer thousands of first-rate quality games. Further, they feature reliable modern payment methods.
Online casinos usually feature a long range of payment methods. This gives players wider options when making transactions.
The following are some of the popular banking options you’ll come across at UK casinos:
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Established in 2001, Payz is a secure UK-based payment method. It offers e-payment services under the watchful eye of Britain’s Financial Conduct Authority.
As a UK player, this e-wallet is a convenient option when making casino transactions. It supports over 50 currencies, including GBP. So, there’s no need to convert currencies.
You’ll also love the transaction speeds of this banking option. Payz processes casino deposits instantly. Withdrawals take less than 24 hours to reflect in your account.
This payment method also allows you to make casino transactions anywhere, anytime. It comes with a user-friendly mobile app that’s available on Google Play and App Store.
Making online casino payments just got easier, thanks to CashtoCode. This eVoucher has been around for quite a few years and is legally available in the UK.
With CashtoCode, you can make anonymous and secure online payments. You don’t need to share your debit card number or other sensitive information.
Notably, this banking option is only available for making casino deposits. You cannot use it to cash out your winnings.
There’s no need to worry about the speed of this transaction method. It processes casino funds quickly, so you can be sure of instant deposits.
Since its debut in 2009, Boku has continued to expand its reach. Currently, it’s available in 90+ markets, including the UK.
In 2014, this mobile payment service won the Best Alternative Payments at the Payments Awards. It also scooped the Future Digital Award for the Best Mobile Money Offering and Fraud Detection and Prevention Innovation.
Notably, this payment method is only available for deposits. You cannot use it to withdraw your casino winnings.
Fortunately, you can make Boku casino deposits anywhere, anytime. That’s because this mobile payment system is available on iOS, Android, and Windows devices.
Online casino players in Britain have more attraction towards slots than table games. These are the popular titles in the country:
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Provider | Fortune Factory |
RTP | 96% |
Paylines | 4096 |
Reels | 6 |
Rows | 4 |
Min. Bet | £0.2 |
Max. Bet | £50 |
Max. Win | 5000x |
Released in 2022, this is an openly money-themed video slot with jackpots and cash symbols. The reels have a golden frame and are set against a background of electric blue. Furthermore, a powerful electronic song serves as the music to heighten the tension.
One of the symbols you’ll come across is the scatter symbol. It comes in the form of a red ball, and it activates free spins.
The low-paying symbols in the game pay between 0.3x and 1.5x. These are card numbers 9, 10, A, J, K, and Q.
For additional rewards, watch out for the collect feature. This feature comes with 3 jackpots: Mini, Major, and Mega. The jackpots come with 25x, 250x, and 2500x.
Provider | Eyecon |
RTP | 95.44% |
Paylines | 25 |
Reels | 5 |
Rows | 3 |
Min. Bet | £0.01 |
Max. Bet | £12.5 |
Max. Win | 9500x |
Released in 2016, Shaman’s Dream slot takes you on a discovery adventure. You'll travel back to a time when Shamans served as the keepers of knowledge and magic.
Shaman's Dream is notable for giving you control and numerous options to customise your experience. Meanwhile, it is simple enough for even new players to understand the game’s mechanics.
The Shaman symbol is the wild. It can replace all other symbols, allowing you to win more combos on the reels. It appears anywhere on the reels at any time.
There’s also a scatter symbol in the form of a star. You don’t have to align them on specific reels to trigger a win. Landing 3 of them anywhere on the reels activates the bonus round with 10 free spins.
Provider | Blueprint Gaming |
RTP | 95% |
Paylines | 10 |
Reels | 5 |
Rows | 3 |
Min. Bet | £0.10 |
Max. Bet | £100 |
Max. Win | 50,000x |
Ever watched the 1985 The Goonies movie? If you have, then you won’t have trouble relating it to this slot.
With the reel set displayed in widescreen mode, the graphics are of the expected calibre. As for the background music, the soundtrack is just like in the movie.
The highest-paying symbol in this game is the Never Say Die Skull and Crossbones. Landing 5 of them gives you 1000 coins.
You’ll also come across One-Eyed Willy representing the scatter symbol. By landing 3 of them anywhere on the reels, you’ll get 10 free spins.
There’s also the Sloth that triggers more free spins and multipliers. Collecting multiples of three, such as 3, 6, 9, and 12 sloths grants 5 free spins. You’ll also get multipliers of between 2x and 10x.
The UK is one of the few countries with straightforward gambling laws. It also offers some of the strictest regulations and client protections.
Notably, the nation actively regulates and permits gambling and casino games. It’s not like most countries where gambling is severely regulated on paper but is unrestrained in practice.
The UK began regulating games of chance in the 1400s. At that time, the country's authorities only allowed the nobility to wager on horse races and sporting events. The poor were limited to dice games.
In 1541, the Unlawful Games Act forbade all gambling, although it was never truly put into effect. A few years later, Queen Elizabeth I issued a royal charter that allowed the legal establishment of lotteries.
The first clubs and gaming establishments appeared in the late 1700s. They functioned under various legislative frameworks.
The following years saw the enactment, alteration, and rejection of various gambling laws. Despite being temporarily prohibited, underground casinos remained popular.
In the 1960s, the country approved casino businesses. Today, any UK resident aged 18 years and above can play at gaming institutions.
Notably, the Gambling Commission is the primary regulatory body. It regulates all gambling activities and operates under the Department for Culture, Media, and Sport (DCMS).
The Gaming Act of 1960 legalised private casinos but was pretty restrictive. The British Gaming Board granted licences to these casinos. The casinos could only install up to 20 gaming machines and had to be members-only clubs.
Eight years later, the gambling laws in the UK became a bit lax thanks to the Gaming Act 1968. It made it possible to run bigger casinos with more gambling machines and simpler access for customers. The Act forbade casino gaming for anyone younger than 18.
According to the 106-page Act, constables can arrest anyone gambling illegally on the streets. This includes any bridge, lane, road, alley, or passage. Any form of illegal gambling may attract imprisonment of up to 2 years.
Remarkably, the Gambling Act is the primary law that governs physical and internet casinos in the UK. The UK Parliament passed it in 2005.
This piece of legislation regulates all gaming activities in Wales, Scotland, and England. Notably, it was this legislation that created the Gambling Commission.
The Gambling Act ensures that all gaming is fair and transparent. Furthermore, it stops gambling from being linked to any type of criminal activity.
What’s more, this Act emphasises reducing the detrimental effects of gambling on society. This involves preventing compulsive gambling among youngsters and other vulnerable groups.
Of note, there are no limits on casino players. As a UK gambler, you can play without a licence. You also don’t need to pay taxes from your winnings.
According to the Act, all casinos must obtain an operating licence from the Gambling Commission. Furthermore, they’re subject to taxation.
The tax rates depend on the games of chance a casino offers. Blackjack, roulette, and poker, for example, come with tax rates of 15% to 50%. For land-based slot machines, it ranges from 5% to 25%.
In 2014, the 2005 Gaming Act underwent various amendments. Under the new law, all offshore casinos must obtain licences from the UK Gambling Commission.
As said, the UKGC superintends over online casinos as it does brick-and-mortar establishments. This includes territory-based online gambling sites and offshore ones offering services to players from Wales, Scotland, and England.
The remote operating licence enables operators to provide customers with casino games through various channels. This includes websites and TVs. Additionally, all online casinos must use software from vendors who hold a Gambling Commission licence.
The prohibition on using credit cards for gambling is another move that primarily targets internet operators. It came into effect on April 14, 2020.
The restriction applies to almost all physical and online casinos. It aims to lessen problem gambling's prevalence among consumers, especially online gamblers.
According to research the UKGC conducted in 2019, over 800,000 people in the country used credit cards. A separate research showed that 22% of online credit card players were problem gamblers.
There has been mushrooming of land-based casinos in the UK since the mid-2000s. This was the time the government relaxed the strict gaming laws.
S
ince then, there has been an increase in casino attendance. Compared to the previous years, millions more Brits visit the casino floors nowadays.
For gamblers in the UK, there is unquestionably a wider variety of casinos than before. However, once they enter the casinos, customers have a limited number of options.
Only large casinos may provide about 150+ video slot machines. Smaller establishments have a few slot machines and maybe five to ten gaming tables, such as roulette and blackjack.
But there’s no denying even the smaller UK casinos have a laid-back vibe, focusing on cuisine and entertainment. Some of them have exclusive poker rooms, too, offering Omaha and Texas Hold ‘em tournaments.
The table below summarises the most popular brick-and-mortar casinos in the UK:
Casino | Opened | Games | Located |
Aspers | 2011 | Over 70 table games and 150+ slot machines | Westfield Stratford City, Olympic Park |
Hippodrome | 1900 (renovated in 2010) | 450+ tables and slot machines | Cranbourn Street, London |
Genting International | 2008 | Over 100 slot machines and 30+ table games | Resorts World, Birmingham |
Alea | 2008 | 20+ slots and over 45 table games | Nottingham, England |
Grosvenor Victoria | 1970 | 35+ table games and over 40 slot machines | Edgware Road, London |
Besides issuing licences, UKGC promotes responsible gambling. The commission has collaborated with various organisations to achieve a safe gambling environment for UK citizens.
One of the partners is GambleAware. This is a leading charity institution that provides gambling harm education and prevention in Great Britain. It also provides early intervention and problem gambling treatment.
GambleAware comprises clinicians and other treatment providers to offer gambling advice, including:
They also offer specialised services via different communication channels. For instance, you can call 0808 8020 133 for tailored confidential advice, support, and information.
You may also contact them via live chat. Notably, GamCare is the agency that operates the live chat option.
Away from that, the UKGC also works hand in hand with the Betting and Gaming Council. This agency ensures improved self-exclusion schemes and bank-blocking software.
Another responsible gambling service in the UK is Gamstop. It’s a product of collaborations between online casinos licensed in the UK. And like other responsible gambling programs, it also helps players control their online gambling through restrictions.
Once registered on Gamstop, you cannot access any casinos registered in the UK for the chosen period of time.
The legal gambling age in the UK is 18 years. This cuts across its 4 regions, namely Wales, England, Northern Ireland, and Scotland.
Yes, online casinos in the UK are safe. Besides operating under the supervision of the UKGC, they employ various security measures. This includes encryption.
Crockford’s Casino in London is the oldest brick-and-mortar gaming establishment in the UK. It has been around since 1828.
Scotland has the most online gamblers in the UK. From March to June 2020, gambling in Scotland increased by 16%. On average, 28% of adult Scotts gamble once per week.
Yes, it’s possible to bet on sports at UK online gambling sites. However, not all casino websites in the UK feature exclusive sportsbooks.
Yes, the UK government taxes funds from gambling. However, as a player, you don’t have to pay taxes. Only casino operators in the country pay taxes.