Best Online Casinos for Real Money in the UK

Choosing the top casino on the Internet is a completely subjective issue. Some players prefer operators that offer hundreds of games, while others favour generous bonuses and promotions. There are also fans that prefer to play at websites that accept their local currency and offer reliable banking options. Therefore, perhaps the more important question would be which is the best casino for your taste.

Nevertheless, despite the personal preferences, it is very important for a player to choose a safe and reputable operator. With the safety of the players in mind, on our site we review only the best-of-breed casinos that are licensed in the UK and have an excellent reputation among players. Whichever casino from the ones we recommend you choose, you will be guaranteed 100% fairness and a superb online gaming experience.

What Distinguishes the Top Internet Casinos from the Rest?

All renowned gambling brands offer a wide and diverse gaming portfolio with several types of games and game variants as well as a bigger number of generous bonuses and regular promotional offers. In addition, they have a higher level of security and offer better experience for the player. They also take care of the players’ needs and provide instant help. Generally speaking, the best Internet casinos are better in all aspects.

Security, Trustworthiness and Fairness

One important criterion players must consider before signing up is the their security measures. In other words, safety should be your number one concern when playing for real money at virtual casinos. After all, you play on the Internet and you must make sure that the sensitive information you provide to these websites such as personal and financial details are well-protected.

There are different aspects on staying safe while playing real money games on the Internet. Continue reading to learn more about each aspect.

• Gambling Licence: The best Internet casinos have a valid licence to offer real-money games to players granted by a gambling jurisdiction or a government regulatory body. Most of the times, this licence is displayed at the bottom of their websites’s homepage. Players from the United Kingdom in particular should only consider playing at operators that are licensed by the UK Gambling Commission. That way they will know for sure that the casino is legally licensed and will remain safe and protected on that site. Other well-known gambling jurisdictions are those in Gibraltar, Malta and Curacao.
• Random Number Generator: This technology ensures that all online games are genuinely random. The task of the random number generator (RNG) is to produce random strings of digits that determine the outcome of a slot spin or a hand in blackjack, therefore, the result is completely random and 100% fair. The results of the RNG cannot be affected in any way and they cannot be predicted either. In addition, the number of produced strings is indefinite. Every trustworthy casino uses this technology on its games and refers to it in its terms and conditions.
• SSL Data Encryption: A Secure Sockets Layer is a standard security technology for establishing an encrypted connection between a client and a server. This typically includes a link between a website and a browser. This type of security is used by many online banks for safely transmitting data and conducting transactions so no wonder why virtual casinos use it also as a security measure. With SSL players can safely transmit sensitive information such as credit card details, login credentials, etc. SSL encryption, in general, provides protection against data loss or interception by third parties.
• AntiVirus Protection: SSL is definitely a top-notch security measure that all secure and safe casinos must use, but additional protection is always welcome. That is why some of them also have an Antivirus protection. In particular, they have Norton (formerly VeriSign) or McAfee certificates for Antivirus protection. This certificate is displayed on their homepage or mentioned in the security terms. With it, operators protect their software and network from malware, viruses and spyware. The Antivirus protection in general conducts assessments for vulnerability and scans an online gambling site for any threats 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
• Independent Testing: This type of testing refers to the software and games that online gambling operators offer to players as well as to the overall trustworthiness and reliability of the site. Third party agencies that perform technical testing and issue certificates are eCOGRA, Technical Systems Testing (TST), Gaming Laboratories International (GLI), iTech, etc. Casinos that are given certificates from these independent testing agencies usually display them in the footer of their website. You can click on it and you will see the full certificate. The main focus of these agencies is on player protection, fair software and games, responsible gambling etc.
• Awards and Popularity: The most trusted and reputable virtual casinos are usually the ones that have won various gambling awards over the years. At the same time, they are also well-known and quite popular gambling destinations for many players, which is a sign that players are well stratified with them. For example, the well-known 888 Casino proudly display their EGR award for the Best Casino Operator of 2013, their iGaming award for the Best Casino Operator of 2015 and the award from the Global Gaming Awards for the Best Digital Operator of 2014.

Rich Game Selection

We register an account with virtual casinos in order to play our favourite game or a number of games we like for real money. After security, the game selection is definitely the most important factor when choosing where to play. The games are usually organised in different categories: slots, table games, card games, video poker, jackpot games, etc. There are players that like playing slots, so a website with a wide array of slots is their top choice. There are also players that prefer playing games of skill such as blackjack rather than slots and they will sign up with an operator that offers such game variants.

Slots: These are the most popular games. The reason for this is because slots are quite simple to play, easy to understand and require no previous knowledge or playing skills. They come in various shapes and sizes. Some are classic 3-reel slots; others are 5-reel video slots. They are also based on various themes; some are based on blockbuster movies, while others are themed around popular superheroes, tv shows, etc. Slots also come with various bonus features such as wild and scatter symbols, free spins, win multipliers, etc. There are even slots that offer huge progressive jackpots. Some of the best can be found at Ladbrokes Casino, powered by Playtech.

Table Games: The most popular and frequently played table game is roulette. This game also has many variations that differ mainly in rules, while the game play is basically the same. For example, well-known variations of standard roulette are European, American and French Roulette. There are also special variants such as Roulette Pro, High Limit Roulette, Live Roulette and so on.

Besides the above-mentioned table-game classic, operators also offer other table games such as Craps, Sic Bo and many more. These games are played on tables with various betting limits and players pick a table based on the size of their budgets.

Card Games: The most popular card-game classic of all time is blackjack. Also known as 21, blackjack has many different game variations such as Double Exposure Blackjack, Classic Blackjack, European Blackjack, Pontoon and so on.

Another card game classic is also Baccarat, quite popular at Macau land-based locations. Other interesting and fun card games are Casino Hold’em, Let It Ride, Red Dog, War, Caribbean Stud and many more. These games are played on tables with specified betting limits and a number of decks of playing cards.

Video Poker: If slots are based on luck and card games are based on skills, video poker games combine both elements. Both strategy and luck is needed to win in video poker and the type of strategy you need to use is based on the video poker variant you want to play.

The most famous video poker variations are Jacks or Better, All American, Aces and Faces and Deuces Wild. Video poker is a combination of slot machines and poker games. You play against the machine and use appropriate playing strategies to discard or keep cards in order to get the highest poker hand value.

Generous Casino Offers – The Best Bonuses and Promotions

Another important factor you should consider when choosing where to play is the types of bonuses and promotions the casino offers, especially if you are interested in claiming free bonus cash. Not only they have generous welcome bonus deals, but all top UK operators we review on our site also offer other regular bonuses and promotional offers on regular basis as well as on special occasions. They are suitable for both new and regular players, amateurs and pros, and range from sign up offers to loyalty rewards and treats.

• No-Deposit Bonus: As the name implies, this type of bonus requires no deposit at all. It is given to new players upon completing the registration process so they can try out the casino games risk free. This bonus cannot be cashed out once claimed. Firstly, you must meet its wagering requirements.
• Deposit Bonus: This bonus requires a deposit which is matched in value by the casino. The deposit is often matched by a certain percentage or amount. The deposit bonus can refer to both new and regular players and this is stated in its terms and conditions along with other bonus restrictions.
• Comp Point System: This system is designed for regular players only. In most cases, players are automatically signed up with it and as they play casino games, they are given a certain number of comp points. The more players wager, the more comp points they gather. These points can be exchanged for real cash.
• VIP Programme: This programme is designed for important players. It is generally comprised of certain VIP levels that determine the VIP status of a player. The higher the status, the more VIP luxuries a player enjoys. Some of the VIP rewards include bigger and improved bonuses, fast payouts, a personal account manager, etc.
• Promotions: They are offered usually on special festive occasions and include a nice prize given to the winner. For example, a casino may offer a promotion where you can opt in and win two holiday tickets along with other prizes like free spins, bonuses and more. Your task is to play games and collect points/tickets.
• Refer-a-Friend Bonus: If you are satisfied with a gambling operator and want to recommend it to your friends, the casino will give you a refer-a-friend bonus. This bonus is given after your friends join in and make a deposit. In most cases, both you and your friend get a bonus.
• Tournaments: These mainly refer to slot tournaments where competitive slot players try to hit as many spins as possible in several slots and make it to the top spot. If they make it in the top ten they might win a nice cash prize. Sometimes operators also host roulette or blackjack tourneys.
• Raffles: Raffles are special events hosted by some casinos where you can win nice prizes. Players usually opt in for the raffles by playing games and earning raffle tickets. Afterwards, random draws take place and the winners get a share of the big bonus amount available.

There are certain things you should consider when picking the best bonus deal for you. These include the bonus restrictions also known as bonus terms and conditions where you will find detailed information about the bonus. Important information you should have in mind are the wagering requirements of the bonus, the minimum deposit required, the bonus validity, the games that count towards meeting the playthrough requirements and so on. A generous bonus is not necessary the biggest bonus amount given to players. It should also have easy-to-meet wagering requirements and a bigger number of games that are eligible for the wagering contribution. If you consider these factors, you will see that the most generous bonus offers are the welcome bonuses. In the table below you can find a couple of generous bonus deals offered to new players by the best online casinos we have personally picked and reviewed.

Trusted Casino Software

Another criterion that will help you recognise a fair and trustworthy gambling operator is the type of software the casino uses. The best online operators use the platforms of the most trusted software development companies such as Microgaming, Playtech and NetEnt among others. These companies are well established in the industry and have an excellent reputation of being fair and reliable. In addition, they also create top notch online gaming products that produce random and fair results, therefore, gaming is fun and enjoyable. Continue reading to find out more about the best software platforms.

• Playtech: Playtech is popular for creating some of the best of breed online gaming products and so far it has created over 200 gaming titles. This software developer is well-known for the creation of the unique Marvel Series slots based on the superheroes from the Marvel comics.
• NetEnt: This software supplier is best known for creating amazing slots with engaging themes and 3D graphics and it has developed over 150 games. NetEnt is also popular for its progressive games that have made many players millionaires. It is also present in the mobile casino industry with its NetEnt Touch platform.
• Microgaming: This software giant created the first online casino in 1994 and it hasn’t slowed down since. Microgaming is one of the founders of eCOGRA and so far it has created over 500 games and twice as many game variants. The software is currently powering a wide number of casinos.
• Cryptologic: This is one of the oldest and most respected casino game producers founded back in 1995. Most of its games have good quality and nice graphics. The table games in particular have excellent quality and are fast paced. Cryptologic has a nice gaming library of about 200 games.
• Novomatic: Most of the popular land-based casino games from Novomatic software made it onto the virtual gaming world and can be played at casinos powered by this software. Despite the limited number of games, the gaming products from Novomatic are pretty fun and exciting to play, especially the slots.
• IGT: International Game Technology is the creator of hugely popular slots played in land based casinos worldwide. These slots also made it onto the Internet. Some of the slots belong to the big pooled MegaJackpots progressive network. The best part about IGT games is that they are all playable in a browser.
• Random Logic: Random Logic is owned by gaming operator 888 Holdings so it is backed by a reputable gambling company. The software developer has a nice section of slots and table games, even though their number isn’t very big. However, some of the games come with pretty huge progressive jackpots making them quite attractive.
• Evolution Gaming: This software developer focuses primary on developing live-dealer games and supplies casinos that want to offer games playable in real time. The live games from Evolution Gaming offer an authentic gaming experience and have true-to-life characteristics. The games are broadcasted online and are run by human dealers.

Live-Dealer Games

Live dealer online games have been recently introduced in the virtual gambling industry and they have become very popular among players. This type of online gaming provides an experience way closer to the one of land-based casinos. Moreover, live games provide a realistic and authentic gaming experience and have true-to-life features. They are streamed and broadcasted on the Internet at virtual casinos and are run by professional dealers. The results of a gaming session are immediately revealed; they are not created by random number generators. In addition, while playing live dealer games players can also chat with the dealer as well as with the other players on the gaming table. The best part is that you can play them without leaving your home. Quite recently, mobile live dealer games have also been introduced and this trend is getting more and more popular.

Two reputable and trustworthy live games software providers are Evolution Gaming and Playtech and their games are quite exceptional. The games that can be played in real time are usually Live Roulette, Live Blackjack, Live Baccarat and Live Casino Hold’em, but at some websites you can also play Live Sic Bo and Live 3-Card Poker. A great Live Casino games collection can be found at William Hill.

Mobile Casino Availability

Mobile casinos have also taken the virtual gambling world by storm. Nowadays it’s even unthinkable for an Internet casino not to have a mobile version. Thanks to new technology, the mobile gaming industry is improving at a fast pace and many software and game developers are creating games on the go. The HTML5 technology has enabled many online casinos to become mobile-friendly and offer games with mobile responsive design. There are also casinos that offer dedicated apps for certain types of mobile devices. Generally speaking, mobile casinos are compatible with smart phones and tablets that use iOS, Android OS, as well as Windows Phone systems and they are fully functional on these devices.

• Android Devices: There is a wide array of mobile phones and tablets that are using Android mobile operating system. The casinos that are compatible with this system are called Android casinos and can be accessed anywhere, anytime. Android mobile casinos are usually only browser-based because real money game apps aren’t allowed on Google Play. This means that they can be accessed on a mobile web browser without the need to download and install any special app. All you need to be able to play the games is a stable mobile Internet connection. Android web-based casinos are often made in HTML5 technology, therefore, their design is mobile responsive.
• iOS Devices: iPhones, iPads and iPods are some of the devices that are using Apple’s iOS mobile operating system. Mobile casinos that are created for this system are known as iOS casinos and they are fully functional on Apple’s devices. iOS mobile casinos can be both app-based and browser-based which means that you can find the apps on the Apple Store and you can play from a mobile browser. Go get the app, download it from the Apple Store and follow the easy installation steps. The alternative is to visit the casino’s website and play directly in your mobile browser.
• Other Devices: There are also some casinos on the go that support other mobile operating systems, namely Blackberry OS and Windows Phone. However, these systems are rarely supported. For example, mobile casinos powered by Microgaming software generally support Android and iOS devices as well as Windows Phone-powered and Blackberry devices in addition to some older handsets that use Java to launch the games. Mobile casinos that are compatible with other devices rather than Android and iOS can only be accessed from a mobile browser. As of this writing, there are no separate apps for Windows Phone or Blackberry.

24/7 Customer Support

When you gamble online, you bet your own money, therefore, you should have a support team at standby if a problem arises while you are playing games. Support and assistance is very important at virtual casinos and it is one of the important criteria of choosing a good casino. The player support service is often ignored by new players and when they come across a problem or want to ask something, they might have difficulty getting in touch with the support staff. Therefore, it is always advisable to check how responsive and helpful the support agents are before you sign up with a casino.

The best casinos on the Internet have a customer support service that is often available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week and can be reached in a number of different ways. The most common ways of contact are phone number, e-mail and live chat help. Some casinos also offer help via Skype or iMessage. At others, you can also raise a support ticket or type in your question on the website via a web contact form. The majority of casinos also have a FAQ page where the most commonly asked questions are addressed.

Secure Payment Methods

To be able to win real cash at online casinos, you must deposit and play with real money. Therefore, another important factor that should be considered is the type of deposit and withdrawal options available. In particular, it is very important to have the possibility to deposit and withdraw with your payment method of choice. Continue reading to learn more about the various and most popular casino payment methods available. These methods are all reliable, safe, secure and efficient to use. Some can be used for depositing only, while others for both depositing and cashing out.

• Credit/Debit Cards:These payment methods are the most popular and available at almost all online casinos. The types of credit and debit cards generally offered are Visa, MasterCard, Maestro, Diners, Solo and Switch and they can be used for both depositing and withdrawing money. The necessary card information that needs to be entered to make a transaction are the card number, date of expiry, owner’s details and the CVV/CVV2 three digit number on the back of the card. Afterwards, players need to type in the amount they want to add or cash out at the casino’s cashier page.
• E-Wallets: E-wallets are the second most preferred payment option used by many casino players worldwide. Several well-known e-wallet options are Skrill, Neteller, PayPal etc. They are in fact third-party payment processing methods and players must have an already registered account with an e-wallet to be able to make transactions with it at online casinos. For example, they need a registered Skrill account loaded with money to be able to make deposits and cash out their casino winnings to Skrill. Deposits via e-wallets are generally processed instantly, while withdrawals take between a few hours and a day to clear.
• Prepaid Cards: These payment methods can be used only for depositing money. Some popular brands are Ukash, Paysafecard and so on. Ukash is widely used by players from the United Kingdom. The biggest reason they are used as a casino payment option is because prepaid cards allow players to remain anonymous without ever revealing their personal and financial data. In addition, players can only deposit the amount that is on the card, so there is also a budget restriction. To make a deposit via prepaid cards, players need to enter the string of numbers on the card and the amount they want to add.
• Other: Besides the above mentioned payment methods, casinos may also offer other types of deposit and/or withdrawal options such as bank transfer, pay by phone, cheque and so on. Whether or not you can use one of these methods and how long a transaction will take depends on your country of residence and the chosen method. For example, not all countries allow their people to make deposits to gambling sites via banks. In addition, deposits/withdrawals via bank transfer take more days to complete. Checks generally take the longest to receive, but they often have the highest transaction limits.

Conclusion

In conclusion, any online casino could be the best for you as long as it adheres to the important criteria that we have mentioned. In other words, it must have a valid licence to offer gambling services and products granted by a jurisdiction, it has to use a secure SSL encryption and/or additional protection, its software and games must be fair; the casino should also offer the types of games you want to play as well as generous bonuses, it must also have helpful player support and secure banking methods. Only at these casinos you can enjoy playing games with a peace of mind.