There are literally hundreds of online casinos on the internet, but not all of them meet the high standards required for inclusion on onlinecasinos.org.uk.
On this page you’ll find a guide to the best online casinos for UK players, all of which offer play in GBP and all licensed regulated by the Gambling Commission.
For each casino we’ve provided a brief summary of what they offer and why we like them, as well as an in depth detailed review.
BetVictor Casino
If all you really want is a well stocked, professional, great value casino site then you need look no further than BetVictor – it’s a good looking site and easy to use to boot.
The brand, previously known as Victor Chandler, have been around as a bookmaker and casino for donkeys years, and they confidently go about their business providing a good honest product with equal measures of cheek and charm.
BetVictor are admired for their clear and straightforward terms as well as their focus on quality and style. The casino offers 1000+ games from all the major software operators, all hosted on one of the sleekest interfaces in the industry. With BetVictor, you are safe from obnoxious flashy adverts, too, instead being treated to a fun yet grown up casino with high-value regular promotions.
888 Casino
888 casino is one of the oldest online casino sites in the world. First launched back in 1997 as Casino-On-Net, the product is now 25 years old and counting so has had ample time to develop an understanding of what customers want in an ever-changing industry. They have put this knowledge to good use and have tailored a great package to fit most players.
The casino dates back to the days when game software was rare, and so they developed their own. This means you can play bespoke games here not available elsewhere. Plus, with all development done in-house the games are high quality, fast, and bug free. 888 do also run top games from other providers, but only if they meet 888’s high standards – overall there is a focus on quality over quantity at this casino – not that quantity is an issue.
For existing customers this is a fantastic casino for regular rewards that span all of the casino content offering cashback, free plays, reload bonuses as prizes, plus a very clear and simple comp scheme. For higher rollers there is a truly amazing VIP club.
Gala Casino
Gala Casino is a sister site to Gala Bingo, and one of the best known gambling brands in the UK. Their casino is a clean, streamlined affair that is a doddle to navigate, with a great collection of carefully selected games from some brilliant development studios.
New players will find this a palatable place to begin their online gaming journey, and a fantastic introduction to what is on offer without being overwhelmed, safe in the knowledge that their casino is run by an experienced and trusted firm.
There are plenty of benefits to playing here as well, with plentiful rewards and promotions backed up by an impressive support service and enviable withdrawal processing times.
All British Casino
There are so many casino sites now all offering 1000’s of games yet it is hard to find unique sites as a lot just offer the same providers and look like clones of each other. This is where All British Casino stands out. They have a completely unique catalogue of 1400 games, 1100 slots and 45 jackpot games that is entirely tailored British players, as you might suspect from the name. Here you get access to games from over 25 studios that includes the big names like Netent down to more bespoke studios like Shuffle Master.
All British Casino have been going since 2013 and that means they have a good handle on what their customers want. Here you get 24/7 customer support, they even have a phone number (a rarity today), lots of payment options with clear and fair limits, and a host of features and promos that you usually only get with the really big brands.
This is one of the best casinos you can play with if you are a Brit, they even now have a sportsbook too for those that like to place the occasional sports bet.
Betfred Casino
Betfred is one of the most well known online casinos and high street bookmakers in the country, and as such they have access to everything required to build a top drawer, fully rounded casino website where there is always plenty to do.
Here you can play games of every description, from slots and jackpots to poker and bingo, and there are offers and promotions galore associated with all of them. In fact, when you take the reward points and VIP structure into account Betfred is arguably the best online casino there is for regular customer retention offers and bonuses.
Even if this wasn’t the case, the mobile friendly design and super easy to navigate interface are difficult to do down, not least because of the quality of the games on display from the likes of Playtech and friends. There is so much here that Betfred casino could be the only website you will ever need.
LeoVegas Casino
Over the course of a decade LeoVegas have gone from a start-up online casino to a multi-national brand offering sports betting, slots, live casino, table games, and more. Their rise to fame came off the back of their decision to corner the mobile market before it really took off, and to say this decision paid off is an understatement.
What that means for the player, is a casino app that has won so many awards it’s hard to keep track, from which you can access thousands of games from providers big and small, and the product range is really something – if you can’t find something to suit you at LeoVegas then it probably doesn’t exist.
Plus, with customer service that is open all hours and plenty of different banking methods all aspects of the player experience seem to be sewn up nicely. This is a place where gamers can really nestle in and explore everything the online casino world has to offer.
Grosvenor
Grosvenor is one of those few names that people recognise even if they have never played a casino game in their life, given the company have been running since 1966 and run the biggest land-based casino operation in the UK with 53 casinos employing over 6000 people. The parent company, the Rank Group, also run Mecca Bingo and this shows you the depth of experience and resources available with this company.
Despite being best known as a real world casino Grosvenor have actually been running an online casino since 2007 and it is one of the most well stocked (games from 20+ leading developers) and well liked sites online. They are known particularly for retaining customers through strong promotions and rewards, given they’ve been in the game over half a century they know better than anyone what customers want from a site.
There are also advantages to playing with Grosvenor you can’t get elsewhere such as being able to use a Grosvenor One account to link real-world and online accounts, meaning you can deposit and withdraw in cash and earn additional rewards, amongst other things.
Bet365 Casino
Bet365 have moved from a small high street bookmaker in Stoke to one of the biggest online casinos and betting sites in the whole world. In the space of two decades they have converted the local bookie into one of the UK’s biggest companies with tens of millions of customers. This alone tells you Bet365 must be doing something right when it comes to online casino.
The site is packed with features, the main casino is powered by a single provider and is available as a download and instant play. The Vegas and Games sections provide titles from other providers creating an overall package with a wide range of games and platforms. Personalised regular rewards at Bet365 are unbeatable, in our opinion, and this is why the casino can boast one of the most loyal customer bases in the world.
With unlimited withdrawals available, weekend payouts, no reverse times, exceptional customer service and a choice of other high end products including an industry leading sportsbook and bingo platform it is no wonder why they go by the tag line the ‘worlds favourite betting site’.
Unibet Casino
An online casino this good should really be getting more credit from UK players, yet despite its global presence and huge customer base it never seems to feature in conversations about dominant forces in the casino industry. Despite this, Unibet is an excellent choice as an alternative to any of the big 5 or 6.
Not only do they have over 1000 games on desktop and mobile, but they have their back office in order as well; the banking terms are fair and straightforward, and the customer support team is one of the best in the industry – there is even a forum where players can get to know each other and help each other out. It’s a real community casino is Unibet.
The game library comprises of slots, exclusives, jackpots, bingo, poker, table games, two live casinos, and plenty of must drop and Megaways titles too, so there is always lots to pique your interest once you are through their virtual doors.
Vbet
Vbet are fairly new to the UK having only had a license since 2018 but they have in fact been around since 2008 and are Armenia’s biggest betting company. The reason we list them is they have one of the best casino sites available to British punters, it looks fantastic and is a pleasure to navigate, but the real reason is the variety of games they offer, especially slots. Vbet boast over 22 providers and 7000 games and there are very few sites that can boast that kind of range.
The fact the company have been around a good while and have different origins means they deliver a unique product, this is certainly not a clone of another site as you get with so many brands. They back up the gargantuan games selection and stylish theme with very good retention offers for existing customers, low deposit limits, a range of banking options and an honest approach. They also have a very good sportsbook with exceptional in-play features, useful for those that like to play games and place bets.
Genuinely one of the best casino sites in ten years, the UK is not their biggest market but that in itself makes it special – the fact they have a wider outlook means you get a more varied product.
Parimatch Casino
Anyone who has spent a lot of time in Eastern Europe will recognise this brand. It is one of the oldest online betting companies around, set up in 1994 when the internet was a baby, Parimatch went on to dominate the eastern European gambling market.</P
In 2020 they decided to launch in the UK for the first time. Rather than go through the hassle of getting a license and dealing with specific regulations they decided instead to get BetVictor to run their UK site under their license. This was a smart move as it makes Parimatch out-of-the-box ready to go and fully compliant with UK laws and guidelines.
BetVictor are the ones that provide the nuts and bolts of the site, payments, promotions and features. BV are highly regarded for their professional approach to betting and gaming and you will get exactly the same with Parimatch. This means Parimatch come with all the same games as BV, i.e. thousands of games from a dozen or so leading providers.
One of the best options for someone looking for something new but without compromising on quality.
Mr Play
Mr Play is a casino and betting site that has come about from a partnership between Aspire Global, the company behind the unique brand Karamba, and Market Play. Often when companies mix things up you end up with a mismatch of ideas that results in a site without focus but in this case this seems to be a very good match. Aspire bring a lot of knowledge about online casinos and what customers want and Market Play bring that personal element that gives the brand some soul.
This is a good option if you are looking for someone new to play with but want to know the experience and know how is there. The site offers games from no less than 21 different providers, around 600 in total, so no problems with choice. They also have 18 different banking methods available, which is a sign of how they value giving customers options. The site in general is open and honest, it is easy to find key information and this seems to be the ethos of the brand, their moto being CARE: Customers Really Are Everything.
The design is more classical than modern but at the same time it is also a non-frills approach that put the games at center stage, which is the overall point. If you are someone that likes a bet on the side they also have a full SB Tech sportsbook alongside.
Regal Wins
Regal Wins is owned and operated by Daub Alderney (now part of the Rank group), a group that has achieved a huge following over the last decade due to its focus on providing good products and listening to what customers want. This is reflected in a site that is great looking, exceptionally easy to use and provides over 1.500 games from 8 different providers. Minimum deposit and withdrawal is just £10 and terms in general are clear and straight forward, for example, they don’t limit larger withdrawals, you can withdraw any cash amount in your account over £10 – useful if you win a big jackpot.
Daub in general punch well above their weight and produce excellent casino sites with their resources, by staying smaller and customer-centric they have carved out a niche the mega corporations cannot even understand let alone compete in.
The site of course has a regal theme, meaning it is sleek and stylish. It is a casino only too, perfect for those that don’t like massive sites that have a million other products.
10Bet Casino
When 10bet first entered the UK in the early 2010’s they were one of the first new sites that upset the apple cart for the traditional UK bookies. The premier SBTech brand came along with a modern look and innovative features that made the old land-based giant sit up and take notice. Over a decade on 10bet are now a well known brand in the UK and easily compete with the biggest operators on every level.
The company has been going since 2003 and so they know a thing or two about the industry and about what users want to see. You will therefore find more than 1,000 games from over a dozen major providers on the site, backed up by lots of banking options, fair limits, their own customer supports and if you like sports betting one of the most expansive books around.
If the site has a unique selling point it would be their existing customer promotions, which are both numerous and applicable to all players whatever your stake range. Overall a great addition to anyone’s portfolio of casino sites.
Spin And Win
Spin and Win are categorically middle aged in terms of online casinos having been going since 2011. They are a premiere gaming site belonging to The Rank Group, but were launched by Daub (later bought out by Rank) who made their name by running one of the most successful bingo networks in the UK. The age of the site and experience of the company behind it means they have a really well rounded overall product with one of the best games selections from a dozen high end partners along with some of their own titles made in house.
The site was updated after the Rank takeover and now looks fresh and contemporary, but what Spin and Win have done is stuck to a structure that worked for their older customers while simultaneously balancing that with a refresh that keeps everyone happy – no mean feat. The site works far better than most modern online casinos and proves to some degree that less is more.
The main draw to a Spin and Win is their singular focus on games, there is no splitting off titles into various different sections of the site and adding complexity for the sake of it. Games can be found in literally one click and if you are someone that likes to use promotions then they have plenty on offer. A rock solid online casino.
NetBet Casino
Netbet set up way back in 2001, which makes them a grandfather in the world of online betting and gaming. They were one of the first brands to set up an all-round site for sports betting and gaming, in the way that all sites are now, except they were doing it years before anyone else. Netbet have also remained independent, effectively allowing them to do what they want to do, which creates a lot of personality you don’t get with the big multi-brand company.
You can see from the design of the NetBet site and apps that this is a proper casino that is more professional than many of the ‘flashy’ casinos you see these days, that look good but have little substance. This is reflected by the fact they offer games from over 35 different companies (which you can search by) culminating in literally thousands of titles with more new games coming through than almost anyone else.
Having been around for over 2 decades now they know what customers want and need. They have a lot of banking options with low limits, a huge number of promotions and a very good players club.
The Rialto Casino
Rialto Casino is a rebrand of the old Aspers site, which is great because it means everything is already well worn in and any kinks have been ironed out. It is an interesting casino because of its links with the Grosvenor Casino brand, and this sort of backing shines through in their content and general approach.
You can visit Rialto in the real world too, since they operate out of a Grade II listed building in Leicester Square, welcoming their clientele with a relaxed approach but an air of luxury. You can even wear jeans.
This online casino is overflowing with games from a select handful of top developers, and if you enjoy betting at the live casino then you will not easily find more choice or variety than is on offer at Rialto. They have 2 of them including live streams to real games in real casinos. While live casino might be their speciality, there is something here to suit players of all tastes – there is very little you can’t do, even Slingo gets a fair crack of the whip.
There is still work to do in one or two areas it’s true, but overall this site delivers the goods and has bags of potential for the future too, since it is already in such a good place. Oh, and lets not forget the reward scheme that can distribute bonus money, free spins, and loyalty points.
UK Casino Club
A site that has been running successfully since 2000 must be doing something right, and while UK Casino Club still feels like it is back in the early 2000’s in some ways, it obviously still has plenty of appeal as lots of players opt for it as their first choice casino every day.
One major benefit of using this company is the fact that they offer a download option, so you aren’t forced to play via your browser. This used to be the way things were done everywhere, but these days it is extremely rare. If this appeals to you, then UK Casino Club has to be on your list.
Of course, this does restrict you to a single game developer, but when that game developer is Microgaming you can rest easy in the knowledge that you are going to have plenty of quality games to play and a great selection of them at that; 600+ no less.
There are some issues with the site it’s true, and some of the banking terms are less than impressive, but with 24/7 customer service and a clean track record with the UKGC you can be confident that UK Casino Club are a safe and fair place to play.
32Red Casino
32Red have been in the online casino game for more than 20 years and have maintained a user-focused ethos from the outset. They have avoided the temptation to add too much complexity to their site, resulting in one of the most functional and usable instant play and downloadable online casinos on the planet.
The Ruby Red loyalty points reward scheme is one of the most highly regarded in the industry, being honest, open, and attainable with sensible rewards for playing. The Club Rouge VIP scheme is also one of the very best for higher level players.
This casino is a Microgaming specialist so it’s probably the best place you will find to play Microgaming titles, although other providers like IGT and NetEnt are available. It isn’t the most snazzy interface to look at, but in terms of performance and navigation it’s up there with the best.
777 Casino
The 777 Casino comes from the same company that runs the 888 casino. Sister brands are not usually covered on this website, but for this one we’ve made an exception, why? Because the company behind 777 have been going for over 20 years and they really know their stuff when it comes to running an online casino. They also run a lot of good regular promotions that are worth knowing about.
777 Casino has some great games available and the company even run their own software package meaning you can only play those specific titles with them. The underlying package is the same as 888 but there is an entirely different look and feel to the 777 brand, so you can see immediately that this is not just a clone of 888.
Yes, a lot of the playable content is the same, but 777 have gone all out on a theme that a lot of players will love because it gets to the very heart of casino history; Las Vegas in the 1950s. If you always dreamed you could have been there, then 777 gives you that opportunity, as long as you can get to grips with the interface.
William Hill Casino
If size matters to you then you won’t be unhappy with the William Hill online casino. The brand is one of the biggest in the whole casino industry and this means they have a wealth of resources and experience to pour into providing an expansive but highly functional casino.
The choice available at William Hill is not staggering, but that’s because they have streamlined back down to just the very best games from all providers, so this is a place to come if you aren’t interested in all the surplus but just want headliners. There are still around 300 games from 10+ providers though, from the casino, live casino, slingo games, scratch cards, sports, etc., you name it you can play it here. Hill’s also have more banking options than any other online casino we know of.
The casino is available instant play via a browser on desktop or mobile, and there are apps for all products too.
Magical Vegas
Magical Vegas are part of Rank International Ltd who have a huge reputation in the industry. They own and operate Mecca bingo among other brands, so it’s safe to say they understand how to make a good product. They are known for having simple clear products and a very customer oriented focus, but despite owning some huge brands they also develop smaller ones too.
Most of the casinos we list here are bigger feature packed offerings from large companies, we know however that there are a lot of people that just want a more pure casino experience without the nonsense. Magical Vegas is probably the best you will get in that regard, it has over 1100 games from a dozen software providers, with a nice mix to provide good variety.
Banking options are simple and easy as is customer support and finding your way around the site is top draw given to the fact they are a focused site. The site also looks good without being flashy, it’s the best of old school and new school website design and made possible by the fact they have more control over their own interface, unlike most other smaller casinos. Rank have backed up their experience with a range of solid existing customer promotions applicable to low and high stakes players.
Coral Casino
Coral are the perfect all-round betting site, as a one-stop shop bookmaker and online casino there is no better operator. Established in 1926 Coral have never stood still, always looking to stay on the cusp of technology giving punters and players what they want rather than what it is convenient to push.
Coral have a great reputation for honesty, giving customers clear terms and promotions that are attainable without hidden extras. Their priority loyalty scheme is also one of the best for regular customers.
The casino at Coral offers one of the most varied packages in the industry, and the number of games on offer is very high at well over 500, running on Playech at the main casino as well as many many other top software platforms elsewhere on the site. The casino is available as instant play on desktop and on mobile.
Ladbrokes Casino
When Ladbrokes began in 1886 as a commission agent for horse racing they could scarcely have imagined what they would become over 100 years later. Since merging with the Gala Coral Group in 2016, then being bought by GVC (now Entain), Ladbrokes have become one of the biggest gaming operators on the planet and their combined years of experience have been put to good use when it comes to the online casino.
The casino is powered by a multitude of providers big and small creating a huge range of game types and styles, and even comes with a tool to help you find something new. There is also a multi-provider Live Casino section containing hundreds of further games streamed live to your screen, as well as additional bonuses and promotions. Despite their size, Ladbrokes somehow maintain a mostly user-friendly package with all games accessible quickly after logging in.
The Grid presents further benefits to players, especially those who also use the sportsbook, and the resources behind this powerful company enable them to offer more than almost any of their competitors.
Prospect Hall
Prospect Hall is a casino owned and operated by gaming-platform developer Betable. The brand may be fairly new but the experience behind it is evident. This is one of the easiest casino sites to use, and they have over 450 games from big names such as NetEnt, Playtech and PlayN’Go; yet you can access everything directly from the home page. This makes it an ideal place to start for new players.
There is clear intent from this casino to develop with the user in mind, and as a mobile first product it’s easy to get to grips with and scalable on any device – as well as moving at rapid pace. Promotions are bespoke and regular with deals that give you real cash back, and better offers can be unlocked too.
Other than needing a little work on their banking options and payout limits (e.g. you can only win up to a max of £1M a year), and perhaps bolstering the game library a little, this is a near perfect online casino.
Casino Comparison Table
Name | Min Deposit | Min Withdrawal | Processing Period | Software | Visit |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
£5 | £10 | Up to 24 hours | NetEnt, Micro, IGT +++ |
T&Cs Apply, 18+
|
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£10 | £10 | 1 day | Own Software + Others |
T&Cs Apply, 18+
|
|
£5 | £5 | Up to 24 hours | Multiple, 2 Live Casinos |
T&Cs Apply, 18+
|
|
£10 | £20 | Up to 24 Hours | 25+ Providers |
T&Cs Apply, 18+
|
|
£5 | £5 | Up to 48 hours | Playtech + Other Big Names |
T&Cs Apply, 18+
|
|
£10 | £10 | Up to 5 days | More Than 30 Providers |
T&Cs Apply, 18+
|
|
£5 | £5 | Up to 15 minutes | 20+ Different Providers |
T&Cs Apply, 18+
|
|
£5 | £5 | Up to 3 days | Multiple Big Names |
T&Cs Apply, 18+
|
|
£5 | £10 | Up To 48 Hours | Top Providers Only |
T&Cs Apply, 18+
|
|
£1 | £1 | Up to 72 hours | 22 Providers & 7000 Games |
T&Cs Apply, 18+
|
|
£5 | £5 | Up to 24 hours | NetEnt & Microgaming +++ |
T&Cs Apply, 18+
|
|
£10 | £10 | 2 Days | 21 Different Providers |
T&Cs Apply, 18+
|
|
£10 | £10 | Up to 15 minutes | Novomatic, BTG and Others |
T&Cs Apply, 18+
|
|
£10 | £1 | No | 17+ Different Providers |
T&Cs Apply, 18+
|
|
£10 | £10 | Up to 15 minutes | Own Games + 12 Providers |
T&Cs Apply, 18+
|
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£10 | £10 | Up to 24 hours | 35+ Software Developers |
T&Cs Apply, 18+
|
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£5 | £5 | 15 Minutes | 7 Leading Providers |
T&Cs Apply, 18+
|
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£10 | £10 | 48 Hours | Microgaming Casino |
T&Cs Apply, 18+
|
|
£10 | £10 | 24 Hours | Microgaming Specialist |
T&Cs Apply, 18+
|
|
£10 | £10 | 1 Day | Dragonfish + Others |
T&Cs Apply, 18+
|
|
£5 | £5 | Up to 4 hours | Playtech, NetEnt, 10+ |
T&Cs Apply, 18+
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£10 | £10 | Up to 15 minutes | Dozen Providers + Own Titles |
T&Cs Apply, 18+
|
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£5 | £5 | Up to 8 hours | Playtech and Others |
T&Cs Apply, 18+
|
|
£1 | £5 | Up to 8 hours | Top Providers + Exclusives |
T&Cs Apply, 18+
|
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£10 | £10 | Up to 48 hours | Suite of Providers, 450+ Games |
T&Cs Apply, 18+
|
How To Choose An Online Casino Site
Most online casinos look the same but I promise you there are major differences between them. It’s not all about the welcome bonus either, there is no point taking a big bonus if you can’t play the slots or games you want to play.
Before you pick a casino to try consider the way you want to use an online casino. Do you want to play a specific game? Then you will need to find a casino that runs the software your game is hosted on. If you want to play on mobile or through download then you will need to find a casino with the correct platform. If you are worried about banking and payout limits or speed then you want to look for casinos that have the methods and time scales that suit you.
Below is a basic guide for the things to look for in a casino. We cover all of these aspects in more specific detail in our reviews, software, banking, games and articles sections to allow you to compare online casinos objectively.
Software
Online casinos don’t run the games themselves (well mostly not) instead slots and games are designed, developed and delivered by software providers. If you want to play a specific game or slot then you will need to find out what software it runs on and which casinos have that package.
Some of the major software brands include:
- Microgaming
- Playtech
- NetEnt
- IGT (International Game Technology)
- Gamesys
- Amaya
- Electracade
- Endemol Games
- iSoftBet
- Cryptologic
Not to worry if you don’t know which casinos run which software (they don’t make it very easy to find out) visit our software section where we list online casinos by the software type. If you are unsure what game your software is hosted by you can also find lists of the top games and slots in on our software pages.
Platform
Desktop
Most casino games and slots are available for desktop devices although some newer mobile casinos now restrict their games to hand held devices.
Most games are instant play, this means they run in your browser, but sometimes in a pop out window. These games generally run on Flash or HTML5 based systems, although Flash is no longer supported so these games will begin to fade away as time goes on. Nevertheless, if you do play on desktop you will need to have relevant flash players installed and turn off any blocking software or plugins in order to play certain games.
The other option is to use a downloadable package if you can find one – they are rare these days. This allows you to access the majority of the games on a specific software package with less strain on your machines resources. You do still need an active internet connection even if you are using a downloadable application. Many multi-player and progressive jackpot games are not all available this way though.
Mobile
Most online casinos are now either fully or partially mobile. Pretty much every game developed will be designed for mobile and hand held devices. Saying that don’t take it for granted you will be able to play on mobile, some casinos are certainly better than others. If you play on mobile most of the time you may also want to consider a mobile specialist such as LeoVegas.
With mobile you will usually be ablke to play via the browser or download an app to play, so in some ways mobile is both downloadable and instant play rolled into one package.
Sign Up Bonuses
This is the area where may fall down when picking an online casino welcome package to go for. Remember bigger isn’t always better and there are many other considerations to think about when picking the right bonus for you. Here is a brief guide to bonuses:
Bonus Value
How much are you getting relative to how much you are putting in: is a 100% matched offer up to £200 better than a deposit £10 get £50 deal for example? Well only you can answer that and it depends on what is most important for you. If you want to get the highest possible bonus then go for the first example giving you £200 free, but you will need to outlay £200 in your first deposit to claim the full amount. If, however, you want the highest percentage bonus go for the second offer that gives you 500% on your first deposit, requiring only a £10 outlay to activate.
Consider also any tiered bonuses such as second and third deposit bonuses, these can add further value to a deal but they tend to be less valuable than the first deposit bonus. Look at wagering requirements too and the amount of time you have to achieve these.
No Deposit Bonuses
Some casinos still run no deposit bonuses, these tend to be low amounts to give you a feel for the casino before you decide to deposit to claim a larger bonus. These are a great way to test out a site but note there will be a fairly large wagering requirement and possibly a maximum withdrawal or winnings limit.
No deposit bonuses are designed to give you a ‘try before you buy’ option and are not really for you to win money, saying that if you meet the requirements and still have winnings they are yours to keep and you can still go on to take the main sign up offer.
Wagering Requirements
Every bonus comes with wagering requirements, or rollovers as they are often called, this basically means you need to turn over the bonus amount several times in order to turn the bonus cash and bonus winnings into real withdrawable cash.
Wagering requirements are not there to screw you over as a player, they are mainly there to ensure players use the bonuses as they are designed to be used, to test the casino out. If there were no wagering requirements you could take a bonus, throw it all on red or black on roulette and never play another game. It makes good sense for the casino to make you split your play and it also makes good sense for the customer as you are more likely to get a feel for whether you like the casino or not.
This doesn’t mean you should take a bonus with any old wagering requirement. Some are certainly fairer than others. Here are a few points to look out for
- Rollover – How many times do you need to wager the bonus. If this is 30x and you’ve taken a £50 bonus this means you will need to play with a total of £1500 worth of bonus funds and winnings to be able to withdraw.
- Deposit and Bonus? – Some wagering requirements apply just to the bonus whereas others apply to both the deposit and bonus. If you have a 30x wagering requirement for deposit and bonus in this example you need to play through £3,000 instead. Remember to factor this in.
- Contribution – Most games and slots will contribute 100% to the wagering requirement however some games, quite often games with a low house edge like blackjack and roulette, have a lower % contribution or are excluded all together.
- Maximums – To prevent you wagering all of your bonus in one go some offers have terms that state the maximum amount of the bonus that can be staked in one go. This may be 10% or 10 chips, etc.
Game Restrictions
If you want to sign up to the casino to play a specific game or series of games it is worth checking in advance that the bonus can be used on those games.
For example, popular games such as roulette will often have tougher wagering requirements or be excluded from the bonus altogether since the house edge is so small.
Withdrawal / Payout Limits
On occasion bonus winnings or maximum withdrawals from bonus winnings can be capped. This is especially common for no deposit bonus. Check in advance, all terms are shown clearly in our reviews.
Regular Offers And Loyalty Points
It’s not all about the sign up bonus. We all want to get a good deal when we first join but ultimately there is no point if beyond the initial bonus there is nothing to keep you there.
There are four major types of existing customer promotions to look out for. The first gives you free bonuses for playing in the casino or on a specific game, such as play £20 on slots get £10 free to use on Rainbow Riches. These deals are great but only if you play the games listed in those deals. The second type is the prize promotion; this usually gives you access to a prize draw if you play a specific amount over a certain time. The third type is the reload bonus, this is similar to the sign up bonus and will generally match a deposit up to a certain amount. This will be subject to wagering requirements and restrictions similar to the introductory bonuses. The final type is the loyalty point scheme and these tend to be the most valuable of all in the long run.
Reward points schemes give you points for playing that can be exchanged for free spins or plays, reloads, prizes and even real cash. For anyone playing regularly it really makes sense to be playing with a casino with a good loyalty scheme.
VIP Programmes
If you are a regular player in online casinos and you wager over around £100 a week then you should be eligible for most VIP programmes.
If you are staking these amounts or more it is really worth playing with a casino with a VIP option.
These schemes will give you things like enhanced loyalty points, larger reload bonuses, quicker banking, hospitality, personal customer service, and more. The more you play the more you get, but only if you choose the right casino for you.
It tends to be the bigger more established casino sites that have the best VIP programmes, simply because these are the brands with the resources to be able to deliver for high stakes players.
Withdrawal Limits
Maximum payout amounts don’t really apply in the casino especially as progressive jackpots can easily reach into the millions.
Some online casinos do however have withdrawal limits and this is something to be aware of especially if you play high payout slots and jackpot games.
Some operators may restrict you to say a maximum withdrawal of £50,000 a month, if you were to win a £2,000,000 jackpot it would take you 40 months to withdraw the whole amount for example.
It is really worth checking these terms in advance if you either wish to wager big or play big jackpots.
Flushing And Pay Out Speed
It is common for casinos and betting sites to have a pending period for a withdrawal, this is usually just the internal processing time it takes for someone at the company to verify the transactions.
Sometimes however pending periods can be unfairly long, sometimes taking 3 or 4 days or even a week. This is more common in online casinos than in sports. The operator is effectively holding your withdrawal in case you change your mind, which is a bit unfair.
Withdrawal reversals are no longer allowed so we might see pending periods desiappear as the years go on, but in general it helps to play with an online casino with lower pending periods.
If your online casino does have a long pending period where they hold your money there are other options with some however known as flushing. Flushing allows you to override the pending period to force the withdrawal. Either way it is something to consider.
UK Licenced Casinos
With so many online casinos out there it can look at times like the industry is unregulated. This couldn’t be further from the truth, the UK actually has some of the most stringent and comprehensive gambling legislation in the world, there is really no safer market place to play in. A summary of the law is shown below.
To operate a casino legally in the UK whether online or offline you are required by law to possess a UK Gambling Commission licence. In order to obtain a licence the operator must demonstrate they adhere to the guidelines stipulated in the Gambling Act of 2005 and 2014 which includes:
- Ensuring an open, fair and honest industry – This means all aspects of gaming and promotions should have clear terms with no misleading or false language or phrasing.
- Protecting under 18’s and vulnerable groups – By promoting responsible gambling for customers and by age checking all new players.
- Reducing Crime and Fraud – The licence offers protection to both the player and bookmaker from fraud. This is one reason you are required to verify who you are to a casino before you can play.
All the operators we list are fully UK licenced, details of their licence numbers and information can be found in each review, click the licence number to be taken directly to their respective Gambling Commission licence page. The Commission will uphold the law for licenced operators but they do not check every gaming website in the world. It is up to the player to check the online casino you are playing with has a licence, these details are usually found at the bottom of every page or at least the home page.
If an operator is not displaying any licence details it should be a big red flag not to gamble with them. If you want to double check visit the gambling commission and search for the brand or website name, if they don’t show up they are unlicenced. If you do play with an unlicenced casino then you have no protections afforded to you by law, this means if your funds are stolen, incorrectly used or your payment details cloned then there is little you can do, especially as the operator is probably based abroad too. With so many great licenced casinos and amazing sign up deals it really makes sense to play it safe.
If you feel any operator has contravened the terms of their gambling licence you can contact the commission who will attempt to mediate the complaint. In serious cases the GC can revoke licences or take legal action. The GC will not however mediate complaints between you and an online casino about things such as incorrect payouts, transactions or game play. If you feel you have been treated unfairly in this regard firstly complain directly to the operator, if this fails to result in a satisfactory resolution you can contact the Independent Betting Adjudication Service (IBAS) who will attempt to mediate your complaint.