The best online casino sites in the UK for 2024 💂
Our experts utilise 20 years of experience to test 200+ real money online casinos every month. They find the best licensed UK casino sites, with high-value bonuses of up to £500, 2000+ games, and 24-hour payouts. Pick the perfect place to play from our top 40 below.
Compare our top 40 real money casinos
Rank | Casino | Regional Flag | Bonus Offer | Play Online | Rating | Offers Claimed | Payout Speed | Win Rate | More Details | Casino Review |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
#1 TOP RATED CASINO | 100% up to £100Bonus | 154 claimed this offer in the last month | Payout1-3 days | Win Rate98.49% | Deposit options include
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2 | Get 100 Extra Spins On Your 1st Deposit (No Wagering Requirements)Bonus | 154 claimed this offer in the last month | Payout1-5 days | Win Rate97.83% | Deposit options include
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3 | 100% up to £100 + 10% CashbackBonus | 154 claimed this offer in the last month | Payout1-3 days | Win Rate98.13% | Deposit options include
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4 | Stake £10 & Get 125 Free Spins on Big Bass Hold & SpinnerBonus | Payout1-2 days | Win Rate97.16% | Read Betway Review | ||||||
5 | 150% up to £300 & 75 Bonus Spins on Big Bass BonanzaBonus | Payout1 day | Win Rate96.80% | Read Grand Ivy Review | ||||||
6 | 100% match up to £100Bonus | Payout0-2 days | Win Rate97.84% | Read Jackpot City Casino Review | ||||||
7 | 200% up to £200Bonus | Payout0-1 days | Win Rate98.26% | Read 888 Review | ||||||
8 | Get £40 when you wager £10 + 100 Free SpinsBonus | Payout1-3 days | Win Rate98.56% | Read Betano Review | ||||||
9 | 100% up to £100 + 100 Free SpinsBonus | Payout1-4 days | Win Rate98.72% | |||||||
10 | 100% up to £123Bonus | Payout1-3 days | Win Rate96.76% | Read Fun Casino Review | ||||||
11 | 100% up to £300 + 150 Bonus SpinsBonus | Payout2-3 days | Win Rate96.62% | Read Dream Vegas Review | ||||||
12 | 100% up to £50Bonus | Payout0-6 days | Win Rate97.25% | Read MyriadPlay Review | ||||||
13 | £50 + 50 Free SpinsBonus | Payout1-2 days | Win Rate96.59% | Read Luna Review | ||||||
14 | Spend £10, get 30 Free Spins on Monopoly Paradise MansionBonus | Payout1-2 days | Win Rate97.27% | |||||||
15 | 100% up to £77 + 77 Free Spins on Big Bass BonanzaBonus | Payout0-1 days | Win Rate97.15% | |||||||
16 | 100% up to £100 + 50 Bonus SpinsBonus | Payout3-5 days | Win Rate92.14% | Read Play Frank Review | ||||||
17 | 100% BONUS up to £200 + 100 Wager Free SpinsBonus | Payout2-5 days | Win Rate98% | |||||||
18 | 100% up to £500 + 50 Spins on StarburstBonus | Payout1-3 days | Win Rate96.26% | |||||||
19 | Deposit And Stake £20 On Big Bass Bonanza & Get 120 SpinsBonus | Payout1-2 days | Win Rate96.96% | Read Lottoland Review | ||||||
20 | 100% Welcome Bonus Up To £200 + 25 Bonus SpinsBonus | Payout1-2 days | Win Rate97.56% | |||||||
21 | Get 30 Free Spins when you play £10Bonus | Payout2 days | Win Rate96.26% | Read Virgin Review | ||||||
22 | Win Up To 500 Free Spins on StarburstBonus | Payout2-3 days | Win Rate96.55% | Read Amazon Slots Review | ||||||
23 | 100% up to £300 & 50 Free Spins on Big Bass BonanzaBonus | Payout2-3 Days | Win Rate97.11% | |||||||
24 | Get 30 Spins on Double Bubble when you play £10Bonus | Payout2-3 days | Win Rate96.55% | Read Jackpotjoy Review | ||||||
25 | Play £10, Get 50 Free Spins on Double BubbleBonus | Payout2-3 Days | Win Rate97.04% | |||||||
26 | 100% up to £100 + 100 bonus spinsBonus | Payout1-5 days | Win Rate95.65% | Read Winomania Review | ||||||
27 | Get 30 Free Spins on Rainbow Riches when you play £10Bonus | Payout1-3 days | Win Rate96.96% | |||||||
28 | 100% up to £100 + 20 Spins on Book of DeadBonus | Payout2-3 Days | Win Rate96.73% | |||||||
29 | 500 Free SpinsBonus | Payout2-4 days | Win Rate97.11% | Read Netbet Review | ||||||
30 | 100% up to £100 + 100 Bonus Spins on StarburstBonus | Payout1-3 days | Win Rate97.25% | |||||||
31 | 100% up to £50 + 50 Free Spins on Book of DeadBonus | Payout2-3 Days | Win Rate96.33% | |||||||
32 | £500 + 150 SpinsBonus | Payout2-3 Days | Win Rate96.68% | |||||||
33 | Up to £500 + 150 SpinsBonus | Payout2-3 Days | Win Rate96.65% | |||||||
34 | 200% up to £50 + 20 Spins on Book of DeadBonus | Payout2-3 Days | Win Rate96.41% | |||||||
35 | 100% up to £125 + 100 Free SpinsBonus | Payout1-3 days | Win Rate96.23% | |||||||
36 | 100% up to £50 + 100 SpinsBonus | Payout0-6 days | Win Rate97.11% | Read Hey Spin Review | ||||||
37 | Get 100 FREE Spins plus a £30 Bonus When you deposit £20Bonus | Payout1-3 days | Win Rate95.50% | Read Grosvenor Casino Review | ||||||
38 | 100% Buy in Bonus + 50 SpinsBonus | Payout2 days | Win Rate97.24% | Read William Hill Review | ||||||
39 | 50% up to £100 + 50 SpinsBonus | Payout2-3 days | Win Rate97.21% | |||||||
40 | Up to 1000% BonusBonus | Payout2-4 days | Win Rate96.38% | Read Great Britain Casino Review |
Casinos you should avoid
We only recommend the best online casinos. Avoid these unsafe sites that target UK players. All the recent feedback we’ve discovered about them has been negative:
- Unprofessional customer support
- Site operators linked to questionable practices
- Not paid players their winnings
- Reports of players not receiving winnings
- Misleading claims of licensing
- Unresponsive to customer complaints
- 18+ months for withdrawal
- Locked-out accounts
- Slow response times
A closer look at our top 5 real money casino recommendations
Every month we refresh our list of top real money casinos in the UK. Here’s a closer look at why we selected these casinos for December:
1. Pub Casino — Highest payout rate in the UK
Pros
✅ 98.49% payout rate according to our December data - the highest in the UK
✅ Super fast withdrawals in just 3 hours
Cons
❌ Cash only in welcome bonus - many casinos offer free spins or cashback too
Check out our full Pub Casino review.
Who doesn’t love a trip to the pub?
Pub had the highest return to player of any UK casino in June. This alone is a great reason to open an account but it also has 1,600+ games, including our UK favourites like Rainbow Riches and Starburst.
👨💻 User review: “Just received payment it took only a few hours staff seemed honest and genuine.” 5/5⭐
Mr Benjamin Knowles - Trustpilot review, 10th June, 2024
💡 Editor’s insight: "Pub Casino has all the games you need, and I’m a big fan of the Premier League and Aston Villa too, so I love the fact that there is a sports betting option. Withdrawals are very quick, so if you like to get your winnings fast, it’s worth checking out."
Adam Volz - 14th June, 2024
Casino.org rating: 4/5 ⭐
2. All British Casino — UK casino with British support staff
Pros
✅ Search tool makes finding games easy
✅ 12 progressive jackpots including Mega Moolah and Divine Fortune
Cons
❌ Phone support isn't 24/7
Read our All British Casino review.
We love that All British Casino has a British support team, with real people available via phone 18 hours a day. The site also has a good selection of 1,200+ games. That's around 400 fewer than Pub Casino, but still plenty to keep you entertained.
All British pride themselves on working with the best game developers including some of our favourites Pragmatic Play, Hacksaw Gaming and Play'n GO to name a few.
🧑💻 User review: “Fast withdrawals, friendly staff and a great selection of games. I would deffo recommend playing at this casino” 5/5⭐
Mathew Marsden - Trustpilot review, 9th May, 2024
Casino.org rating: 4.2/5 ⭐
3. Jackpot City Casino – Largest daily promotions in the UK
Pros
✅ Low minimum withdrawal of £5
✅ Established in 1998 – one of the oldest online casinos in the UK
Cons
❌ Only games from 11 providers
Read our Jackpot City Casino review.
Jackpot City Casino combines a highly competitive payout rate with some of the best daily promotions in the UK. After you claim your welcome bonus, you’ll get the chance to enjoy lots of promotions for regular players, including a Roulette Leaderboard every Friday.
👩💻 User review: “Not a bad casino but the games don’t seem to pay much, they do pay out though.” 5/5 ⭐
Kelsey Kemal, Trustpilot review, 28th March, 2024
💡 Editor’s insight: "While Jackpot City doesn’t have as many games as the other top casinos in the UK, it does have amazing promotions. So, if you find your favourite game and you're a regular player, it’s a great fit"
Ian Zerafa, 12th August, 2024
Casino.org rating: 4.8/5 ⭐
4. Magic Red Casino — Established UK brand
Pros
✅ Get 10% of losses back on live games
✅ eCOGRA approved which guarantees fair games
Cons
❌ Only a handful of table and video poker games
Read our full Magic Red Casino review.
Magic Red has been operating for 10 years now, and a big reason UK players have remained devoted to the casino is promotions like Magic Spins Tuesday.
By depositing £20 or more on a Tuesday, players receive free spins on Starburst, a fantastic way to kick off the week. This offer has been a hit among players seeking extra value from their deposits.
👩💻 User review: “No issues at all. Only signed up yesterday won a nice sum of money. Straight in my bank today.”
Charmaine Hall, Trustpilot review, 17th April, 2024 5/5 ⭐
💡 Editor’s insight: "Magic Red is approved by eCOGRA, one of the leading independent testing agencies for casinos. This means the games at Magic Red are fair and genuinely random."
William McMaster, 12th June, 2024
Casino.org rating: 4.8/5 ⭐
5. Grand Ivy Casino — Fantastic welcome bonus
Pros
✅ High welcome bonus amount, free spins and great wagering
✅ Best for live dealer tables
Cons
❌ No phone support
Read our Grand Ivy Casino review.
Grand Ivy Casino has one of our favourite welcome bonus offers on the market. You can earn up to £300 and 75 bonus spins which is one most generous welcome packages in the UK.
👩💻 User review: “Whole process from start to finish has been great! Thanks guys 100% recommend!”
Sam G, Trustpilot review, 10th March, 2024 5/5 ⭐
💡 Editor’s insight: "The Grand Ivy welcome bonus is one of the biggest and the 35x wagering requirements are slightly above the UK average. If you’re looking for a good bonus, this one is worth trying."
Adam Volz, 14th June, 2024
Casino.org rating: 4.4/5 ⭐
Need help finding a casino to suit you?
If you're struggling to pick a site from our extensive list above, then let us lend a helping hand with our convenient Casino Match tool.
Whether you're looking for casinos with the biggest selection of online slots, the perfect bonus type to fit your needs, or the sites best optimised for mobile devices including tablets; then we've got you covered.
Find your next online casino in 5 easy clicks
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Play top UK online casino games for free
Not ready to dive into a UK real money online casino yet? As a leader in the online casino space, we offer thousands of free online slots and other online casino games from top providers.
Pick your favourite game and start spinning the reels risk-free:
The best online casinos in the UK by type
Every casino specialisies in different areas and has strengths and weaknesses. Here are our team's top recommendations based on the different types of real money online casino in the UK:
Slots casinos 🎰
Slots are the most popular type of online casino game, so the competition is tough. These casinos stand out from the crowd as the best places to play online slots for real money:
Dream Vegas
Dream Vegas offers over 2,500 slot games. That's twice as many as other top UK real money casinos like All British and Pub Casino.
The slots come from over 100 software providers including Blueprint Gaming’s Jackpot King slots and Pragmatic Play’s Drops & Wins. This means you’ll always be able to play a huge number of high-quality real money games.
Promotions for slots players:
- Welcome bonus of £300 + 150 bonus spins on Starburst or Aloha
- Weekly chance to win a share of £500
PlayOJO Casino
PlayOJO has an amazing library of 1,500 slots from leading providers including Book of Dead by Play'n GO, and Big Bass Splash by Pragmatic Play.
You can earn 80 free spins on Big Bass Bonanza with just a £10 deposit. There are no wagering requirements either, so whatever you win you keep.
Promotions for slots players:
- 80 free spins on your first deposit
- OJO Specials for existing customers including the OJO Wheel which gives you the chance to earn free spins on your favourite games
Roulette casinos 🟥⬛
Roulette is a casino classic, but online variations have given this table game a new level of excitement. Here are the best roulette casinos in the UK:
LeoVegas
LeoVegas has one of the biggest libraries for roulette available in the UK. There are over 80 types of roulette available, and you can play anything from the traditional, live version, to a Who Wants To Be A Millionaire version.
Promotions for roulette players:
- Up to £50 plus £6
Betway casino
Betway is a great place to play roulette online because of the number of variations available. The site has over 40 versions of the game, including Multifire Roulette, Live Diamond Rush Roulette, and 24/7 live roulette by Authentic Gaming. This is more than double other leading UK casino sites like Grand Ivy Casino and Pub Casino.
Promotions for roulette players:
- £50 live casino welcome bonus
- Weekly casino bonuses of up to £50
Blackjack casinos ♠️
Blackjack is one of the most popular online casino games in the UK. These are some of the leading casinos that offer it:
Grand Ivy Casino
Grand Ivy has a selection of 59 blackjack variations in its game library. Most UK casino sites like Mr Mega and All British Casino have between 10 and 20 blackjack games in total, but Grand Ivy has over 20 live versions. You can play against live dealers in Blackjack London by On Air, Live Blackjack by Evolution Gaming and One Blackjack by Pragmatic.
Promotions for blackjack players:
- £300 plus 25 bonus spins welcome offer
- Regular cash giveaways including the chance to win £500 every week
HeySpin
HeySpin is a solid choice for blackjack players in the UK because 71 versions of the game are available on the site. You can play standard single-hand blackjack against a computer dealer, or live speed blackjack. If you love blackjack but want to mix things up a little, HeySpin is worth a try.
Promotions for blackjack players:
- £50 plus 100 free spins welcome offer
Mobile casinos 📱
Nearly all online casinos are optimised for mobile play, but some do it better than others and offer their customers a downloadable app. Here are our favourites:
PlayOJO
PlayOJO gives players the chance to maximise their mobile experience with their app. Having an app isn’t unique in the UK casino market, other top casinos like Magic Red and Betway have them too.
But PlayOJO is the highest rated by punters. It has a 4.5/5 rating from 14,269 reviews on the App Store and 4/5 from 10,547 votes on Google Play, which is incredible. So, if you’re looking to play real money casino games on the go, you can’t beat PlayOJO.
LeoVegas
Like PlayOJO, LeoVegas is one of the leading mobile casinos in the UK, and the quality of the LeoVegas app is backed up by its reviews from real users. It has a 4.2/5 rating from 5,219 votes on Google Play and 4.8/5 from 85 reviews on the App Store.
Real money casinos 💷
You have two options at online casinos. You can either play for free or make a deposit and play at real money online casinos. These UK real money casinos impressed our team the most:
Pub Casino
Pub Casino has the highest UK casino payout rate according to our data in October. This means that players at Pub Casino win more than other similar sites like Betway or Mr Mega.
There are also 8 different payment methods you can use on the site, including PayPal, Visa and Mastercard. So, it’s easy to get your money onto the site and start making real bets straight away.
Magic Red Casino
Magic Red gives players a range of amazing promotions which make a real difference in real money casino betting. For example, at Magic Red, you can earn 10% cashback on casino games on Saturdays and Sundays.
If you’re planning to play for real money at the weekend, Magic Red is a solid choice.
New UK casino sites 🆕
There are hundreds of UK casino sites available, and they can be pretty similar. We keep an eye on any new casinos in the UK because they can offer a unique experience. This is the best one available:
Pub Casino
Pub Casino was established in 2023, making it one of the freshest new players in the UK.
Breaking down the best online casinos in the UK with a snapshot summary
Check out our team's super-speedy summary of the 10 best UK casinos, showing the bonuses and games they offer alongside their approximate win rates, based on our latest test data.
Rank | Casino | Welcome bonus | Casino games | Win rate | Claim bonus |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
#1 | Pub Casino | 100% up to £100 | 1,600+ | 98.49% | Visit Site |
#2 | Magic Red | Get 100 Extra Spins On Your 1st Deposit (No Wagering Requirements) | 2000+ | 97.83% | Visit Site |
#3 | All British | 100% up to £100 + 10% Cashback | 1,200+ | 98.13% | Visit Site |
#4 | Betway | Stake £10 & Get 125 Free Spins on Big Bass Hold & Spinner | 450+ | 97.16% | Visit Site |
#5 | Grand Ivy | 150% up to £300 & 75 Bonus Spins on Big Bass Bonanza | 2,000+ | 96.80% | Visit Site |
#6 | Jackpot City Casino | 100% match up to £100 | 700+ | 97.84% | Visit Site |
#7 | 888 | 200% up to £200 | 2.000 | 98.26% | Visit Site |
#8 | Betano | Get £40 when you wager £10 + 100 Free Spins | 2,400+ | 98.56% | Visit Site |
#9 | Duelz | 100% up to £100 + 100 Free Spins | 2000+ | 98.72% | Visit Site |
#10 | Fun Casino | 100% up to £123 | 450+ | 96.76% | Visit Site |
Why you can trust the Casino.org team
Casino.org has been providing casino game guides, online casino reviews and industry news since 1995. Our expert UK team brings you all the information you need so you can have the best real money online casino experience.
Here’s why you can trust us:
- UK gambling experts
Our UK team is made up of five industry experts with decades of combined experience. We follow all the latest UK gambling trends, have worked for UK casinos, and still play online as punters.
- 25-step review process
We have the most detailed casino review policy in online gambling. Our 25-step process covers all key aspects of a casino and ensures clear, accurate and fair ratings.
- Local knowledge
Our team has created over 30 pages dedicated to the UK gambling market, from local casino guides to bonuses, payment methods and online casino reviews.
- Strong reputation
Casino.org is the go-to for gambling news both globally and in the UK. We’ve been covered by giant British publications including The Express, The Independent, Daily Mail, and Huffington Post UK.
Award-winning UK casino sites
Don’t just take our word for it — there are plenty of industry awards that recognise the best real money online casino sites in the business. The three leading awards that every casino would love to have are Global Gaming Awards, International Gaming Awards and EGR Operator Awards. Let's look in more detail at the different awards and the most recent winners:
Global Gaming Awards
Organised by gambling industry heavyweights Gambling Insider and G2E, the Global Gaming Awards are held annually in London. They recognise leaders in the world of gaming and are judged by experts such as Chris Harrison (Industry Head, Google) and James Curwen (CEO, Yggdrasil Gaming).
Notable 2024 winners
Category | Winner |
---|---|
Online Casino of the Year | LeoVegas |
Online Casino Supplier of the Year | Pragmatic Play |
Online Slot of the Year | Money Train 4 by Relax Gaming |
International Gaming Awards
Known as the ‘Oscars' of gaming, the IGA awards have been running since 2008. The organisation also owns iGaming Post and Infinity Gaming Magazine, so they are industry experts. Every year they give out awards in 30 categories that cover everything from the best real money online casino to the most sustainable.
Notable 2024 winners
Category | Winner |
---|---|
Online Casino Operator of the Year | Entain |
Slot Provider of the Year | Games Global |
Game of the Year | Just For The Win by Golden Fields |
EGR Operator Awards
Created by the eGaming Review, The EGR Operate Awards recognise the best casino operators and software suppliers. 28 awards are handed out each year, with “Operator of the Year” considered the most prestigious.
Notable 2023 winners
Category | Winner |
---|---|
Best Casino Operator | LeoVegas |
Best Mobile Casino Product | PlayOJO |
Casino Software Supplier | Pragmatic Play |
How we rate the best UK online casinos
Before we recommend any casino, we rate it by completing our 25-step review process. These are the key areas we look at, and the casinos that stand out:
Games and software
The average UK casino has about 1,000 real money games from 20 providers. But, some have much more. We look at the quality of the games and software providers that a casino offers. The most popular software providers in the UK are Pragmatic Play, Yggdrasil, Hacksaw Gaming, and Playtech. Casinos get higher ratings if they offer games from these studios. Grand Ivy Casino is a leader in this field. It has a library of 3,000 games from over 100 top software providers. So, it offers the best choice and quality.Bonuses and promotions
In the UK, casino welcome bonuses are usually £100-200 with wagering requirements of 35-40x the bonus. Some casinos offer free spins alongside or instead of a cash bonus. The average free spins offer is 100 spins on a slot game like Fire Joker or Starburst. Dream Vegas offer up to £300 and 150 free spins, which is above the market average for both bonuses. The wagering requirements are 35x, which is also highly competitive.Banking and money
Most UK casino sites offer about 10 payment methods. The most common are Visa, Mastercard, PayPal, and bank transfer. Withdrawal times take between 1-4 days at most UK casinos, but lots of sites process winnings a lot faster. Kaiser Slots offers a market-leading 18 payment methods, including PayPal.Customer care
Top online casinos offer customer support through several channels. In the UK, it’s commonplace for casinos to have live chat, phone and email options. Live chat agents are usually available 24/7, but phone lines often have limited hours. Our review team scored Pub Casino 5/5 for their customer support thanks to 24/7 live chat, 24-hour response time on email and a phone line open from 7 am to midnight.Mobile experience
Any top casino should have a fully optimised mobile version of their site, and at least 90% of games should be playable. Most casinos also offer downloadable apps to enhance players’ experiences. PlayOJO offers an industry-leading app and one of the top-rated casino apps on the App Store and Google Play.UK focused
We consider what matters most to UK players. We know that PayPal is one of the most popular deposit methods at casinos in the UK and slots are the most played game. So, casinos get extra points for catering to these preferences. We also ensure that the site and customer support are available in English and that you can deposit in pounds. All British Casino's UK-based customer support team gives them an edge over competitors.Security and trust
All real money casinos in the UK have valid licences from the UK Gambling Commission. To get a licence they will have high levels of security, data protection, and operate fairly, so you can trust them.
"With our recommendations, you know that you will be playing at one of the best real money casino sites in the UK, but having a great experience at a casino is still about personal preference. Be clear on what you want at a casino. If you’re looking for the biggest welcome bonuses, I recommend Grand Ivy Casino or Dream Vegas, which both offer £300 plus free spins. If you’re looking for a casino that accept deposits in PayPal I recommend Pub Casino or All British Casino. Decide what's most important to you, check our reviews then make your choice!"
Welcome bonuses and other promotions at casino sites
The best casino sites have the best bonuses. In the UK, average welcome bonuses are between £100 and £200, and most casinos run weekly promos for existing customers too. The most popular types of online casino bonuses are:
- Welcome bonus
These are the most generous offers as they are to attract new players in the highly competitive UK market. Expect deposit matches from £100-200, free spins and favourable terms.
📷 Our favourite: Dream Vegas £300 + 150 free spins with just 35x wagering.
- Deposit match bonus
Casinos will match the amount you deposit, usually up to a certain number. For example, in a 100% match up to £100, if you deposit £100, you'll be given another £100 in bonus wagering funds.
📷 Our favourite: Temple Nile’s 100% up to £1500 with 40x wagering.
- No deposit bonuses
Sometimes casinos give a small bonus simply for registering an account, this is known as a no deposit bonus. This type of promotion is less common, and usually only worth £5-10, though some top UK online casinos will offer it from time to time.
- Live casino bonus
Live casino offers are not super common, especially for new players. However, occasionally casinos do offer them, especially if live casino is a big part of what they offer.
📷 Our favourite: Betway's up to £50 for new players.
- Cashback offers
If a player loses their first deposit at a casino, a cashback offer refunds a percentage of their losses into their wallet.
📷 Our favourite: All British Casino's 10% cashback
- Promo codes
Some UK casino sites send out promotions which are triggered with bonus codes, although it’s not very common. It is more often seen for sports betting promotions and at casinos in the US.
- Free spins bonuses
Some casinos offer free turns on a slot game as a reward or welcome bonus. These free spin bonuses are available on games selected by the casino.
📷 Our favourite: PlayOJO's 80 free spins with no wagering.
- Reload bonus
Where a welcome deposit match may be a 150% match up to £300, a reload bonus is more likely to look like 25% up to £50. The term 'reload' is also sometimes used to refer to cashback offers, so make sure you check the Ts and Cs for clarification.
- Refer-a-friend bonus
Some casinos offer players special links or codes tied to their account. When other players sign up with that link or code and meet some rules (e.g., £20 of wagering), both the referrer and the referee get a bonus.
Common payment methods at online casinos
All online casinos offer different options for players to make deposits. Some payment methods are deposit-only, and some allow both deposits and withdrawals. What’s available varies from casino to casino, but these are the most common in the UK:
- Debit cards
Virtually all online casinos accept Visa and Mastercard. This payment method is a valid option for both depositing and withdrawing. Deposits can range from £10, depending on the casino, and withdrawals take two to five business days on average.
- E-wallets
Popular e-wallets include PayPal, Google Pay, Apple Pay, Skrill, Neteller, and more. Most UK casinos accept at least one e-wallet, with PayPal casinos being the most common. E-wallets typically offer fast withdrawals, so you can usually get your winnings in as little as 24 hours.
- Prepaid cards
Paysafecard is the most commonly accepted prepaid card. In the UK, real money casino players can top up the card at a physical retailer and then deposit online. It gives some players peace of mind because they don't have to input their banking details online.
- Bank transfers
Bank transfers are available at every licensed online casino in the UK. They are safe, secure, and can be trusted but often players opt for another method because they are so slow. They take on average two to seven business days, which is considerably longer than an option like PayPal.
"Some casino welcome bonuses are only eligible on certain payment methods. Deposits with e-wallets like Skrill and Neteller are the most commonly excluded. Also, because of UK gambling regulations, neither credit cards nor cryptocurrency options like Bitcoin, Litecoin or Ethereum are accepted as payment methods at any online casinos in the UK."
In-person casinos in the UK
Thanks to the long history of gambling in the UK, casino fans aren't just limited to playing online. The Casino Club in Port Talbot, Wales became the first licenced casino in the UK in 1961 following the introduction of the Betting and Gaming Act in 1960. In 2023, 144 in-person casinos were operating in the UK. London is home to most of these (54), while Grosvenor is the largest operator and has 53 casinos across the country.
Let's take a closer look at some of the most notable casinos in the UK:
Hippodrome - London
The 93,000-square-foot Hippodrome is the largest casino in the UK and has been operating as an entertainment venue since 1900. It’s open 24/7 and offers six floors of gaming action.
- 0207 769 8888
- info@hippodromecasino.com
- Cranbourn Street, Leicester Square, WC2H 7JH London, United Kingdom
The Casino MK – Milton Keynes
The Casino MK is operated by Aspers Casinos and has been open since 2013. It also offers non-stop gambling, as it’s open 24/7, 365 days a year. There are dozens of live table games available including roulette, blackjack and poker.
- +44 (0)1908 237776
- The Casino MK, Xscape, 602 Marlborough Gate, Central Milton Keynes, MK9 3XS
Genting Casino - Birmingham
Genting’s casino at Resorts World in Birmingham is a paradise for gamblers based in the Midlands. Spread over 59,180 square feet, the casino offers over 100 slot machines, and various classic table games.
- +44(0) 0121 273 1100
- Pendigo Way, Birmingham, B40 1PU
Manchester235 - Manchester
The self-proclaimed ‘Vegas-style casino’ in England’s third largest city, Manchester 235 offers everything you could need for entertainment. When you’re done playing one of the hundreds of casino games, you can get a bite to eat at the award-winning James Martin Manchester restaurant.
- 0161 828 0300
- info@manchester235.com
- Great Northern Warehouse, 2 Watson Street, Manchester, M3 4LP
Alea – Glasgow
The Alea in Glasgow offers one of the best casino experiences you can have in Scotland. It has a range of popular casino games, regular poker tournaments, 3 bars and a restaurant. It was also named the Scotland Prestige Awards Casino of the Year in 2024.
- 0141 555 6100
- infoglasgow@aleacasinos.com
- Springfield Quay, Glasgow, G5 8NP
Real-life vs online casinos
If you're not sure whether to join an online casino or go to your local in-person one, both have their pros and cons. If you’re not sure which one suits you best, consider these factors:
In-person casinos | Online casinos |
---|---|
Socialise with friends | Access to welcome bonuses and promotions |
Visit bars and restaurants at the casino | Play anywhere, anytime |
Atmosphere | Learn games at your own speed |
Can be intimidating for beginners | Limited socialising |
UK gambling laws and legislation
Gambling is legal in Britain, but it is heavily regulated. This is to protect players, prevent children from gambling, and reduce fraud and money laundering. All gambling activities are restricted to adults aged 18 and over except for football pools, which are available to people aged 16 and over. Let's take a close look at the timeline of gambling regulation in the UK:
The Betting and Gaming Act (1960)
This act of parliament legalised betting for small sums on games such as bridge. It also allowed betting shops to be opened and to gain licences. Between 1961 and 1965, 16,000 licences were granted to operators. The act had a good impact on the industry. But it saw the start of a big decline for greyhound tracks.
The Gambling Act (2005)
The Gambling Act saw the creation of the UK Gambling Commission, the new regulatory body for all gambling in the UK. Online casinos were also regulated for the first time. This allowed punters to take legal action against any operator that did not pay out winnings, among other things.
Other regulation
In 2020, the use of credit cards was banned at UK casino sites. This was done to reduce the risk of unsafe practices, as it is deemed that betting on credit is too great a risk.
In 2023, a white paper was introduced with many new proposals to further regulate the industry. These included:
- Affordability checks
- A consultation on stake limits
- Creation of a gambling ombudsman for dispute resolution
- Advertising measures
- Tackling the black market
In February 2024, the UK Government said it would act on the white paper's suggestion and create maximum stake limits for online slots. From September 2024, people aged 18-24 will be limited to £2 per spin and over-25s £5 per spin.
The UK Gambling Commission (UKGC)
The UK Gambling Commission regulates commercial gambling in the UK. It issues licences to any gambling company that wants to legally operate in the country. It oversees all regulations for casino sites and in-person casinos and bookmakers.
For online gambling, it covers advertising, payments, security, and welcome bonus rules. The overall aim of the commission is to make gambling safe and enjoyable for everyone, and it protects players in the following ways:
- Self-exclusion schemes - The UKGC ensures casinos have self-exclusion options so players can block themselves from gambling for a set time.
- Responsible gambling - Casinos have to offer tools like deposit limits, and reality checks and the UKGC promoted education and awareness around responsible gambling.
- Player protection - Casinos are required to prove their games are fair so random number generator games and return-to-player rates are tested regularly.
- Crime prevention - Anti-money laundering and fraud prevention is a big focus for the UKGC to prevent criminal activity in gambling in the UK.
- Complaints resolution - Casinos have to give players access to Alternative Dispute Resolution services so their complaints can be handled impartially.
Any of the UK real money casino sites we've recommended on this page are licenced by the UKGC so they are legal, and adhere to the high standards of regulation.
Resources for problem gambling in the UK
If you or someone you know might have an online gambling problem, we recommend that you seek help:
GamCare - Counselling for the prevention and treatment of problem gambling.
RC PSYCH - (Royal College of Psychiatrists) Receive great help if you want to recover from problem gambling.
Gamble Aware - Find out more about gambling and what responsible gambling means.
NHS Gambling Addiction - Get help if you think you're addicted to gambling through this great resource.
UK Gambling Commission - Regulator of gambling activities in the UK.
The best online casinos in the UK - summary
As you can see from this page, to be considered one of the top online real money casinos in the UK, a site must have fantastic games, offer generous bonuses, have a choice of the most popular payment options, and employ high-end security.
We think Pub Casino and All British Casino give the best all-around experience - over real money 1,200 games, solid bonus amounts of £100 with good wagering requirements and around 8 ways to make deposits. If you're looking for bigger bonuses, Dream Vegas offer up to £300 and 150 free spins, while Temple Nile offer a huge £1,500.
Now it's over to you. Think about what you want to get from your casino experience, choose your favourite from our recommendations and start playing your favourite games.
UK casino sites FAQ
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Sources
- 1UK Gambling Commission
- 2Gambling Act 2005
- 3ICLG - UK Gambling Law
- 4UK Parliament - Gambling: Background and Current Situation
- 5UKGC - Gambling Participation Statistics (2023)
- 6Statista - UK Gambling Statistics
- 7Gov.uk - UK Betting and Gaming Statistics
- 8Gov.uk - UK Gambling Industry Statistics (Feb 2024)
- 9eCOGRA (eCommerce Online Gaming Regulation and Assurance)
- 10MGA - Malta Gaming Authority
- 11Government of Gibraltar - Remote Gambling
- 12Gov.im - Gambling and e-Gaming in Isle of Man
- 13Gamblers Anonymous UK
- 14iGaming Business - £2 maximum stake for under 25s
- 15Translation Royale - iGaming awards
- 16Global Gaming Awards 2024
Adam Volz is an online gambling expert who specialises in researching and writing content to help players find the best casino for them. Expect Adam to use his attention to detail and experience working in different markets worldwide to find the best online casino experiences around!
Ian grew up in Malta, Europe's online gaming hub and home of top casino regulators and auditors such as eCOGRA and the Malta Gaming Authority. After completing his Master's degree in Glasgow, he returned to Malta and started writing about casinos. He's worked on hundreds of casinos across the US, New Zealand, Canada, and Ireland, and is a go-to authority for Casino.org's team.