Britain’s Top Online Casinos – How to Play Safely and Fairly on the Internet

With so many casinos online, one may wonder, “where can I find a site, that is fun, but also safe and fair?” “How can I differentiate the top online casinos from sites that can’t be trusted?” On this page, I will answer these sorts of questions, as well as others you may have. It goes without saying, that any of my reviews of the best casino sites, utilises the same criteria found below. After testing the best online casinos in the UK, I have concluded that Casino.com is the UK’s best casino from a long list of safe online casinos.

What Would I Like to Accomplish With My Page About the Best Safe Online Casinos

I have been a passionate player of online casino games for years and, over time, I have had many experiences when gaming, some good, some bad. Because of this, I wanted to inform others about the fairness and safety of online gambling. These two themes are essential aspects of a great online experience. Drawn from my history as a gamer, as well as from consultation with other seasoned gamblers, I have collected a few common questions about the trustworthiness of online casinos. I designed my casino test around the themes and topics of those questions.

If you read the following page, you’ll gain a decent understanding of the standards in place, that are designed to protect UK players. Below, you’ll find the top 5 online casinos in the UK. Simply click on the logo of the casinos for more in-depth reviews of the individual operators or you can go to my casino reviews page.

The Top 5 Online Casinos at a Glance

If you simply want to know what the best UK casino sites are, then your search has come to an end. Below you will find a list of the top UK casino sites in the UK. The list is designed to save you the time and energy it takes to find a trusted online casino to play at. The following sites all belong in the same conversation when it comes to overall quality and safety. Each of the listed sites are guaranteed to have valid casino licences, which means the operators must meet all of the strict requirements necessary to obtain and maintain a licence. If an operator did not have a valid licence, it would never appear on my site. Having been assured of the safety of these best casino sites, you can instead choose to focus on the unique aspects of each site, in order to find one that caters to your personal tastes, whether that be a site’s games library, welcome bonus or its mobile gaming experience. Choose your favourite from the list below or read on if you’d like to know more about why these casinos are trustworthy.

How Can You Be Sure That a Casino is Trustworthy?

Perhaps the most important indicator of the trustworthiness of a casino site is whether an operator possesses a licence from the UK Gambling Commission (UKGC), and if that licence is prominently displayed on the casino’s website. I’ll explain, in detail, which organisations are responsible for issuing gambling licences, and which conditions must be met in order to obtain one of these licences. I will then discuss how these agencies and their regulations guarantee the safety of UK players as well as ensure that online casinos continue to operate in a fair manner. My test is informed by the following important questions.

Checklist – What Makes for a Top Online Casino? from www.toponlinecasinos.co.uk

Test Question	Result
Is the casino certified by official licencing agencies?	The casino is monitored by the UKGC and other European licencing agencies.
Is the casino listed on the website of the UKGC?	The UK Gambling Commission website lists the casino as one of its licence holders.
Is the casino’s licence valid?	The casino’s licence is still valid!
Does the casino utilise data protection services?	Payments and data are secured by encryption.
Is the casino regularly tested by independent auditing agencies?	Games found at the casino are tested for fairness!
Are the RTPs of the games published for users?	All game RTPs are found on the site or within the games.
Are payments from well-known banking services accepted?	The operator accepts all known and trusted payment methods.
Are both deposits and withdrawals permitted with your chosen method?	Payments and withdrawals are simple and uncomplicated.
What payment limits does the operator have?	Payment limits are suitable for any type of player.
Are there transaction fees?	The payments at the casino don’t have hidden fees.
Is the customer support available through multiple contact channels?	The casino offers a wide array of contact options.
Does the site offer a free English language hotline?	Free Hotline
24/7 Live Chat	24/7 Live Chat
Email / Contact form	Email / Contact form
Is the casino engaged in player protection?	The site offers responsible gambling resources.
Do players have the tools to limit their play?	At any time, players can set deposit limits, reality checks and activate self-exclusion measures.

PhoneMessageEmail

© Copyright 2018 www.toponlinecasinos.co.uk

Download a Quick Checklist to Verify an Online Casino’s Legitimacy

Below, I have included a helpful checklist of the important questions one should ask when looking for a safe and reputable site to play at. Click below to download the guide free guide. Use it online, or print it out.

Gambling Regulations Guarantee the Safety and Fairness of Online Casinos

If you really want to be sure that the casino that you are playing at isn’t a rip-off, the first thing you should look for is that an operator clearly shows that it has an official licence from the UK Gambling Commission (UKGC). Only when this condition has been met, can an operator offer online casino games to UK players. Licenced operators must submit to strict tests and regular technical audits to prove that they operate fairly. A major component of these technical audits is RNG (Random Number Generator) testing, which is carried out by non-affiliated third-party organisations. All of the licenced top online casinos are tested each month to ensure that their casino games payout as they should. These testing results are published for all to see.

UK Gambling Commission: The Most Important Regulation Authority for the UK

There are three major licencing agencies that ensure the safety of UK players. They are the UK Gambling Commission (UKGC), the Malta Gaming Authority (MGA) and the Gambling Commissioner of Gibraltar.

The UKGC has overseen British gambling licencing since 2007 and has since collaborated with authorities to protect players against unfair or illegal gambling sites. The Gambling Commission also watches out for money laundering, manipulation and fraud and would never license an operator that fails to prove that it has nothing to do with such activities. In addition, the UKGC takes measures to prevent under-aged gambling. In 2013, it began regulating the National Lottery.

The UK Gambling Commission Based in Birmingham

Roulette Games:

Regulated

Slot Games:

Regulated

Blackjack Games:

Regulated

Licence Requirements:

• Proof business has finances to run casino
• Proof of security and transparency
• Secure payment systems
• Anti-money laundering policy
• Anti-fraud and corruption policy

Although you will see that some of the best gambling sites have licences from both the UKGC and the MGA or Gibraltar Gambling Commissioner (GGC), it is only essential for a UK site to have the UKGC licence. Companies only need to meet regulation standards of the MGA or GGC if they are based in either of those countries.

A licence issued by any of the above agencies comes with a long list of conditions. Some pre-conditions require that a prospective operator prove that it has the financial means to run a casino. This is to ensure the company won’t go bankrupt leaving its users hung out to dry.

The following sections will show you, in concrete terms, what these licences require from gambling companies and what this means for player safety. I will be using examples from the UK Gambling Commission’s legislation for this purpose.

As previously stated, all of the casinos that I have reviewed, such as 888casino and William Hill, possess valid UKGC licences as well as licences from the Gibraltar Gambling Commissioner. However, I will focus on the UKGC because it is the most relevant to UK players.

With the following chart, you can learn how to find the licence(s) of an operator, as well as all important regulatory agencies when at an online casino.

On the left side of the following chart, you’ll find two of the more significant agencies that audit the technical aspects of an operator, which include things like game RTPs. On the right of the chart, you’ll find state-funded responsible gambling agencies that are intended to help problem players or those who feel they are developing a problem.

Top online casinos will always state clearly at the end of their websites, which agencies are responsible for the site’s RNG/RTP testing. The same goes for the agencies that protect against problem gambling.

Other International Gambling Licences

In addition to the UKGC, there are a number of regulators from various countries around the world. You can see some of the organisations from the EU and the rest of the world who control regulated markets in a similar fashion to the British gambling industry.

Although operators are only required to hold a UKGC licence in order to market their products to UK players, there are several other organisations that work tirelessly in order to protect players worldwide. If a casino is based in any of these regulated markets, then it is required by law to hold a licence from its home regulator. Each of the above has the power to fine, sanction and ultimately strip licences from operators if they fail to maintain standards and look after their players.

The regulated markets within the EU operate upon similar principles and may be viewed as like-minded in their aims. This is not to say that the Curaçao Internet Gaming Association does not aim to hold companies to the same standards, but the protection of players under EU law does allow for harsher sanctions and closer monitoring of practices. However, UK players can rest easy with the knowledge that the UKGC is commonly regarded as the strictest regulator in the world and benefits from certain UK legislation that allows for the greatest protection of customers. This legislation is also constantly being updated, generally moving more and more in favour of players.

Fair Return to Player (RTP) Rates

It is essential that all games at an online casino are fair. The best way to determine whether or not this is the case is to look at the RTP of the games. The rate describes the percentage of wagers that may, statistically, be expected to return to the player over an extended period of time. It is important to note that this does not mean how often players should expect to win, or that it guarantees such a return. It is merely an indication of the likely payouts from a game over a statistically significant number of rounds.

Different categories of casino games have different average RTP ranges. While blackjack and roulette tend to have the highest payout rates, slots – and in particular video slots – can range significantly. This means that it is always a good idea to check the rate for a game before you begin to play. It is also worth noting that arcade games, scratch cards and instant wins tend to offer the lowest payout rates of any title.

UK Gambling Commission

UKGC General Data Protection Regulation

Quote: 2.1.2

2.1.2 Licensees must, on request, permit an enforcement officer to inspect any of their remote gambling equipment and/or provide to the Commission copies of data held on such equipmenting of online casino games to make sure that they pay out correctly.*

*Quote is taken from the UKGC’s Gambling Regulation and General Data Protection Regulation information note as published in 2018.

UK Gambling Commission

It is also essential to ensure that these rates are calculated and monitored regularly by an independent agency. Calibration should be carried out and subsequently checked by third-party organisations dedicated to monitoring the fairness of casino games. You can see the details for several large testing agencies below:

The UKGC Protects Player Funds

One important reason you should only trust your money in the hands of licenced operators is that licence restrictions are designed to protect the funds of players. Licence condition 4.2.1 states that all operators must disclose whether they protect player funds. They must also clearly state in the casino’s terms and conditions, the level of protection and the method by which it is achieved. There are different degrees of protection. Legal online casinos will always state their level of protection. All remote operators must keep player money separate from business accounts to help protect customer funds during insolvency. The image below shows you the specific differences in the degrees of protection of customer funds. As you can see, there are major differences in the degrees of security. It is up to the player to choose an operator that meets the player’s own protection standards. The UKGC licence only requires transparency, and that minimum protection standards be met. However, casinos that meet the licencing requirements are safe to play at.

UK Gambling Commission

UKGC Player Funds Protection Rating System

Quote: 4.2.1 Protection of player funds

4.2.1 ELicensees who hold customer funds must set out clearly in the terms and conditions under which they provide facilities for gambling information about whether customer funds are protected in the event of insolvency, the level of such protection and the method by which this is achieved*

*Taken from the UKGC regulations for the protection of player funds as established in 2016. Regulations are subject to changes.

UK Gambling Commission

UK Gambling Commission

UKGC Player Funds Protection Rating System

Quote: 3.5 Protection of player funds

3.5 For new licensees, the requirement to notify customers at the point of deposit (and to receive an acknowledgement from the customer before allowing the customer to proceed) applies to both new and existing customers. This was also the case for existing operators when the requirements first came into force*

*Taken from the UKGC regulations for the protection of player funds as established in 2016. Regulations are subject to changes.

UK Gambling Commission

UK Gambling Commission

UKGC Player Funds Protection Rating System

Quote: Pg. 6 Protection of player funds

Pg. 6 We are required by our licence to inform customers about what happens to funds which we hold on account for you the event of insolvency. We hold* customer funds separate from company funds in [a mixture of bank accounts/ investment accounts/ in reserve funds which we hold with our payment processors]. These funds are not protected in the event of insolvency. This meets the Gambling Commission’s requirements for the segregation of customer funds at the level: basic segregation.*

*Taken from the UKGC regulations for the protection of player funds as established in 2016. Regulations are subject to changes.

UK Gambling Commission

In practice, the safest casinos will keep player funds in an independent trust account, which ensures that customer money is legally separated from all affairs of the company, which is subject to controls by an independent trustee or external auditor.

If the protection of your funds is your most important concern, I would take the time to find an operator that meets at least the medium protection standard.

The Best Casino Sites Protect Data and Transactions

All of my recommended best sites are completely secure online casinos because of their commitment to the protection of customers’ personal data and transactions. All data should be transmitted though encrypted connections.

UK Gambling Commission

UKGC General Data Protection Regulation

Quote: 2.3 GDPR Guidelines

2.3 There has been a recognition that consent will not always be the appropriate basis for data processing. For example, it is likely to be acceptable for personal data to be processed where a licence obligation requires it.*

*Quote is taken from the UKGC’s Gambling Regulation and General Data Protection Regulation information note as published in 2018.

UK Gambling Commission

The document above explains why online casinos must collect personal data of players. The collection is part of the licencing requirements and is meant to protect the player as well as to prevent money laundering and other illegal activity. There is nothing to worry about when it comes to your private data, because online operators are also required to protect said information. In addition, they are required to be transparent and forthcoming about what data they compile, and for what uses it is collected.

One of the first indicators of a secure online connection is an “https” in front of the URL of a website. If this appears at the front of the site address, you have stumbled upon a casino that protects all sensitive information with a secure SSL connection. You can also click the symbol of a lock on the left of the address bar in your web browser. This should tell you if the website you are at is secure or not. The box that appears when the lock is clicked will tell you what data is protected on the site. You can also click on the certification to so which institution is responsible for the security of the site. On some gambling sites, you can simply scroll to the footer of the page to see which security agencies are responsible for a site’s technical security. All of the top UK online casinos reviewed on this site comply with the UKGC’s security standards so you can be sure that all sensitive information is secure and doesn’t end up in the wrong hands.

Below, I have compiled a list of the most known and commonly used cyber-security companies that you’ll find when playing online. If the site you are playing at works with one of the following agencies, you can rest easy knowing that you are playing at one of the safe online casinos.

Complimentary Casino Support in English

It goes without saying that all trusted online casinos offer their players support services. The service is there to help players clarify any issues they face while playing. According to UKGC guidelines, casino support must also look for problem gambling behaviour when conversing with a customer.

UK Gambling Commission

UKGC Licence conditions and codes of practice

Quote: 3.4LCCP

3.4 provision to identify at risk customers who may not be displaying obvious signs of, or overt behaviour associated with, problem gambling: this should be by reference to indicators such as time or moneyspent*

*Quote is taken from the UKGC’s Licence Conditions and Codes of Practice as established on October 31, 2018. Subject to changes.

UK Gambling Commission

At any of my reviewed sites, you’ll find English customer support in various forms. Many operators are reachable 24/7 though online chats. If you prefer the telephone, most sites also have a free hotline. Most of the time, you are able to access support before registering at a casino, but sometimes you’ll have to create an account to access an operator’s support services. However, registration is free and easy.

Below, the following overview shows you some of the contact possibilities at the top casinos. As you can see, some operators even offer support in more languages than English. This is perfect for players who reside in the UK but prefer to converse in their native tongues. Some online casinos even offer live games in languages like German and Swedish.

Top Casinos Work Closely with Responsible Gambling Agencies

The UKGC requires that all operators work closely with responsible gambling agencies to protect at risk gamers. To me, if an operator takes its responsibility for the protection of its players seriously, it is a good indicator that I have found a reputable casino.

Most gamblers play for years, and never come develop unhealthy gaming habits. For them, casino games are a fun way to spend some time. However, there are many players who come across many difficulties when playing, which can include the spending of too much money or addiction. According to UKGC regulations, an online operator must do everything within its power to address problem gambling as well as help those who have developed problematic behaviour.

Some ways, in which casinos can help their users is by providing the possibility for players to set individual deposit limits for themselves or to allow players to completely lock themselves out of the casino site. The provision of these services is a requirement according to the UKGC licence agreement. It isn’t just up to players to set their own limits. Casinos are obligated to alert the proper authorities when they notice problematic behaviour. This can range from things like frequent deposits or losses. Support at the top online casinos in the UK will also notify the proper bodies if they notice problematic behaviour during a support call or chat. If a casino fails to protect its players, it faces harsh punishments from the UK Gambling Commission. Below I have included some relevant passages from the UKGC guidelines that discuss the responsibilities casinos have when it comes to responsible gambling.

UK Gambling Commission

UKGC Licence conditions and codes of practice

Quote: 3.3.1LCCP

3.3.1 Licensees must make information readily available to their customers on how to gamble responsibly and how to access information about, and help in respect of, problem gambling.*

*Quote is taken from the UKGC’s Licence Conditions and Codes of Practice as established on October 31, 2018. Subject to changes.

UK Gambling Commission

Below, you’ll find some national and international institutions and agencies that players, with unhealthy gambling habits, can turn to for help. In the UK, the most popular are GambleAware and Gamblers Anonymous.

My Experience with Irreputable and Fraudulent Online Casinos

I have gambled online for many years. During this time, I have come across many suspicious sites. I always decided to err on the side of caution. As a result, I have yet to truly be affected by online fraud of scam casinos. This is largely because I have stuck to licenced operators, and I always took the time to verify the licences before depositing money see my checklist to find a safe operator. I have been bothered more by illogical websites, hard to find information (this is a common problem when testing the casinos on this site) and the following three things: bad service, weird bonus behaviour and slow payouts. Although these things don’t automatically mean a casino is unsafe, they don’t sit well with me. The internet has made a lot of things easier, and ease should extend to online gambling.

Bad Customer Service

It is extremely frustrating to encounter a problem when playing online. However, great customer support can quickly solve an issue. Unfortunately, not all casino sites have great service. For example, a few years back, I was gaming at JackpotCity and wanted to get info on the wagering requirements for the casino bonus. The link to the relevant page, however, was broken. I informed the casino’s support staff about the problem, but they just sent me a link to the same page with the broken link. After repeated attempts to find the information, I was forced to give up. I am happy to see that they have since resolved the issue, but at the time, it was enough for me to stay away from the casino.

Automatic Bonus Activation

One time, I was careless when making my first deposit and didn’t realise that an automatic deposit bonus was given to me. I had won a few pounds on a slot game that I soon tried to withdraw. It was then that I was notified that I had not yet fulfilled the bonus wagering requirements and thus could not withdraw my funds. The online casino had activated a bonus without my knowledge. Now I know better, and perhaps you can now understand why I constantly encourage players to read a casino’s terms and conditions, as well as its bonus conditions before you make a deposit. If anything about the conditions is unclear, the casino support staff should be able to clarify the terms.

Unrealistic Bonus Requirements

Almost all internet casinos set certain terms and conditions for their bonus offers. The goal of these conditions is to prevent the immediate withdrawal of the bonus amount since the purpose of these bonuses is to give the players the chance to play more. At the beginning of my experience with online gaming, I wasn’t aware of these rules and I was very surprised and quite frankly upset about the fact that I couldn’t withdraw my bonus right away. Then I found out that this is a common practice even among the top online casinos. Typically, players have to wager the amount of their bonus funds at least 30-40 times before they can withdraw your funds. In addition, many casinos place a time limit in which this requirement must be fulfilled. I have seen limits as low as 24 hours to spend 50x the bonus amount. You should look for a casino that gives you 30 days or more to complete the requirements.

UK Gambling Commission

UKGC Licence conditions and codes of practice

Quote: 4.1.1LCCP

4.1.1 Licensees must be able to provide evidence to the Commission, if required, showing how they satisfied themselves that their terms are notunfair.*

*Quote is taken from the UKGC’s Licence Conditions and Codes of Practice as established on October 31, 2018. Subject to changes.

UK Gambling Commission

To make matters worse, these bonus conditions are often spread across gambling sites, in a seemingly unorganised fashion. Only experienced players may feel that some info may be missing and thus look for more. Above you will see that all pertinent info should be available to players before they make a deposit.

Slow or Denied Withdrawals

Frustration can arise if one finds themselves experiencing slow or denied withdrawals. Typically, the best online casinos will have quick and easy withdrawals, especially if they accept PayPal payments. If you’re keen on finding a seamless payment experience, I recommend finding a casino that accepts PayPal. If you do experience sluggish payments, chances are it is caused by bonus offers or hiccups in the ID-verification process. When registering at a casino, make sure you provide accurate information about your identity, so that payments will be fast and easy. If you give false info, you may be denied winnings.

Arbitrarily Suspended Accounts

This is another way for rogue casinos to scam you. You sign up for a casino, you start playing, you lose for a certain period of time, and then one lucky day you have a great win that makes up for all the bad fortune beforehand. And while the casino accepted you with open arms, helped you deposit and was very responsive while you were losing, once you win they decide to close your account. Why? They present flimsy, inconsistent motives and deny payout. The only thing you can do at this point is complain to the gambling authority that operates it, but if the casino is not licensed there’s no one who could protect you.

Other reasons for account closures can be the manipulation of casino games, a failed ID check, trying to cheat with bonuses and strange transactions. All of the top casinos, will clearly state what sort of behaviour will forfeit your winnings. You can find this info in the casino’s terms and conditions.

Rigged Games

Although internet security has come a very long way, players can still run into the same problems online that they do at land-based casinos. The harsh reality is that it is possible for nefarious people to rig games in order to scam people out of their money. If you feel like the game, you are playing is acting suspiciously, (e.g. 13 reds in a row on roulette) you should either contact the casino support, or a relevant regulating body to ensure the game is working properly. I have stated above, that casino games at licenced casinos are rigorously tested for fairness, and players have been known to get their money back if a casino’s game was not working properly when the player lost their money. However, if the site you are playing at, isn’t licenced, you will have a more difficult time getting your funds back.

Some Bad Operators I Have Come Across

I have spent a lot of time talking about secure online casinos, that I should take a few moments to focus on some operators worth avoiding. You can see below, that the following casinos do not have any licencing agencies on their website footers. They also lack the logos of responsible gambling agencies.

Example of a Scam Casino

No Licence

Here is an example of an operator that doesn’t have a licence for the UKGC and provides no information about where it is based.

Example of a Scam Casino

Looks can be deceiving

Although a website may look trustworthy because of its commitment to responsible gaming, if there is not UKGC logo, stay away.

At the risk of sounding like a broken record, when it comes to casinos it is better to be safe than sorry. You should always check if a gambling site possesses a UKGC licence. If it does, you’ll be sure the site you are at is 100% safe.

What Can Players Do If They Suspect Fraud

Should you ever encounter unusual behaviour while gaming online, you can, at any time, contact the relevant institutions like the UKGC that ensure that casinos run fairly.

However, before you go to the top, you should make sure that you have clearly understood the operator’s terms and conditions. If not, you should first try to clear anything up by using the casino’s support channels. Should any questions remain, then you can turn to the UK Gambling Commission.

To file a complaint with the UKGC, simply visit the UKGC complaint page and follow the simple instructions.

Below, I have laid out the basic process that the UKGC recommends you follow when making a complaint.

• Provide your contact details (Phone number and Email Address)
• Information of operator (include username)
• An explanation (as detailed as possible) of why you think the operator should be reported. Include the date that you think the wrongdoing occurred
• Explain how you would like the casino to resolve the issue

After submitting a complaint, it will be processed. The responsible agencies will work tirelessly to find a solution, should it be found that you have been wronged.

Test Criteria: How I Rate Online Casinos

Every single casino that I have tested on this site lives up to the standards that I hold when it comes to trustworthiness and security. The previous sections have demonstrated the important aspects of gambling licences, and why you should always play at a website that holds a valid UKGC licence. In the next sections, I turn to the other factors that make for a top casino.

How I Rate Online Casino Bonus Offers: Avoid False Promises

Many of the UK’s best online casinos will offer players similar options when it comes to the size and variety of their games libraries. In order to differentiate themselves from others, online operators try to reel in new players with attractive bonus offers. These offers look rewarding at first glance, and as a result, many new players jump at the opportunity to cash in on the offer. They soon figure out that many of these offers come with a long list of bonus conditions. Experienced players know that these conditions are often hard to fulfil.

One should always keep in the back of their mind that no successful business would ever give away money for free. The same goes for online casinos. My suggestion is this: do not be blinded by the promise of free money. Instead, take the time to consider all of the aspects of the bonus and its conditions.

Before I recommend a bonus, I always check the offer using, what I feel is the most important criteria. Unfortunately, there is not enough room on this page to list all bonus terms and conditions. If you want that, you’ll have to read the T&Cs for yourself. Below, I have compiled the most important questions that you should answer when evaluating a bonus offer. My tip: it is best to start your research with the top 5 casinos listed above.

With this information, you can better evaluate an offer before accepting it. However, if you would like a more detailed look at bonuses, I recommend you follow this link, in order to learn all there is to know about welcome offers and casino promotions. On that page, you’ll find all of the best offers as well as more explanations on what to expect when playing with a bonus. An example of a suitable welcome bonus can be found at 888casino

Payment Methods that are Fast and Safe

To be considered one of the best casinos in the UK, an operator must provide its customers with a plethora of payment methods for both deposits and withdrawals.

Alongside major debit cards, such as MasterCard and Visa, players should be able to utilise e-wallets and prepaid cards like paysafecard. Today, players are flocking to the popular e-wallet PayPal, which has become popular due to its ease of use, but also because players do not have to share bank data with the casino when playing. Usually, a player’s PayPal email address and password are enough to make a payment.

Above, you can find one of the best online casinos that accepts PayPal payments. The website also has award-winning live casino games and an interesting bonus for new players.

What to Pay Attention to With Regards to Payments

Before one decides upon a payment service to use at an online casino, they should consider a couple of factors.

The most important factor is to make sure that transactions are possible in both directions. Some casinos place restrictions on the payment methods that you can withdraw with, others will only payout in the same method with which you deposited funds. Choosing a deposit method that can also facilitate withdrawals will save you the effort of having to reenter new account details upon withdrawal. Some casinos will even make you reverify your identity if you choose a new payment method.

When making a deposit, you should also look at the minimum deposit amount allowed as well as the maximum withdrawal amount dictated by your payment method of choice.

It is important to note that some bonus offers can only be utilised if a deposit is made with specific payment methods. If you don’t read the bonus T&Cs first, you may make a deposit and later find out that you didn’t qualify for the bonus offer because of the method you chose.

Payment methods can also affect the speed of withdrawals. At almost all online casinos, deposits are instant, but withdrawals are known to take more time. This is because the casino must verify the payment to ensure money laundering is not an issue. However, some payment methods have significantly faster processing times.

ID-Check and the Verification of Identity

All licenced and secure online casinos are legally required to verify the identity of a user. One reason is to protect against underage gambling, another is to ensure that you are gambling from the UK. In the UK, operators have 72 hours to verify an account.

The name, with which you register, must be the same as the name attached to your payment method (e.g. PayPal or debit card). This is how casinos ensure that your money does not end up in some unwanted bank account. You may also have to verify your identity if you choose to withdraw funds with a method that differs from the way, with which you deposited funds. These measures also ensure that no money laundering is taking place.

For this reason, casinos will always ask for your proof of identity if the amount you are withdrawing exceeds a certain amount. I know the process may seem frustrating, but in the end, it is designed with the player’s best interest in mind. If you ever find yourself at a site that doesn’t ask for ID verification, chances are you are not at a safe casino site.

1. Create an account
2. Enter in legitimate UK address and phone number
3. You must verify identity within 72-hours of depositing funds.
4. Scan valid ID and send it to the casino
5. Your identity is verified. If anything is unclear the casino’s customer support will reach out to you.

Payment Fees and Costs of a Player Account

Some payment methods have a transaction fee. Most of the time casinos will cover the transaction fee themselves, however, not all operators do this. It is up to the player to find out if there are any fees attached to the payment method they are using.

The reviews found on this site will provide information that is specific to the casino being reviewed. If you’re curious about the payment methods of a certain casino, simply read my review of that casino.

Further costs can fall on the player if their account remains dormant for a long period of time. Some operators will enact a service fee until the money in your dormant account runs out, or until the account is active again. If you know that you aren’t going to be active for a while, it is probably best to withdraw all of your funds. There are casinos, however, that will not charge fees for unused accounts.

A Quality Games Selection is a Must

For a website to be considered one of the best online casinos, it must have an expansive games library filled with a wide variety of casino favourites from the industry’s best software developers. A top online casino will offer its players hundreds, if not, a thousand different casino games to choose from.

Similar to land-based casinos, most of the games found at an online casino will be slots. The UK’s top casinos have legendary slot titles from established developers like Microgaming and NetEnt. In addition, they will include exciting and boundary-pushing titles from smaller developers such as Play’n GO and Yggdrasil. When it comes to the quality and quantity of slots, land-based casinos simply can’t compete with their online rivals.

Alongside slots, you will also find a wide variety of classic casino games. These include games like roulette, blackjack and more. These games have remained player favourites for centuries, and their popularity continues to grow due to the exciting and unique variants on the classic, most of which can only be found at online casinos.

Live dealer games probably rank at the top when it comes to entertainment value. In addition to the fun variants mentioned above, at the UK’s best casinos, you’ll also be able to play your card and table game favourites at their live casinos. Table games are streamed in crystal clear quality so that players can access the excitement of a casino from anywhere. Professional and fun dealers deliver a one of a kind experience. If it’s the excitement you are after, you can’t go wrong playing at the above-listed sites.

Dead or Alive GrandIvy

This site includes NetEnt favourites plus many more games to choose from.

Up to £300 + 25 Bonus Spins

Play Here!

Full T&Cs apply. 18+. New players only. One bonus offer per player. Minimum deposit £20. Max bonus bet is £5. Bonus spins on selected games only and must be used within 72 hours. Bonus funds must be used within 30 days otherwise any unused bonus shall be removed. Bonus funds are 100% match up to £300 on your 1st deposit. Bonus funds are separate to Cash funds, and are subject to 35x wagering the total bonus & cash. Only bonus funds contribute towards any wagering requirements. Terms apply. GambleAware.

Play Without Downloading Casino Software

If you’re been around as long as I have, you may remember the days when you had to download online casino software before playing. Today, most casinos no longer require players to download clunky software. If you do come across an operator that still has downloadable software, just know that downloadable casino software is subject to the same security requirements that a normal website is. So if you are playing at a licenced gambling site, your gaming experience will be secure, whether you play in a browser or with downloadable software.

UK Gambling Commission

UKGC – What is gambling software?

Quote: 6.1 UKGC Technical Standards

6.1 Licensees must make information readily available to their customers on how to gamble responsibly and how to access information about, and help in respect of, problem gambling.*

*Quote is taken from the UKGC’s Licence Conditions and Codes of Practice as established on October 31, 2018. Subject to changes.

UK Gambling Commission

Today, it is no longer necessary to download casino software. At any of my recommended casinos, all you have to do is login, and immediately start playing right on your internet browser. In my experience, top casino sites will run without problem whether you play on your PC, Mac, tablet or smartphone.

If you’d like to learn more about casinos without downloadable software, follow this link to mobile casinos that don’t require a download.

You Can Play on the Go at Any of My Top Online Casinos

An important criterion that determines if a casino is worth playing at, is whether or not it has mobile optimised casino games. More and more people are gaming on their mobile devices, and casinos have taken notice. As a result, operators have put a lot of effort into optimising their games for all mobile devices. On the mobile website of any of my top operators, you will have instant access to all of your favourite games, including jackpots and live games. Whether you’re playing on an iOS/iPhone device or an Android device, you’ll have no issue navigating the best mobile casinos and playing your favourite games.

It is only a matter of time before all casino games are accessible from mobile devices. Although you can find almost all of a casino’s games on its mobile site, it is still common to find mobile game libraries that are smaller than the one you would find on the desktop browser. Below is one of the better operators for mobile play. On its mobile site, you’ll find a large number of games and payment methods.

Questions About Online Casino Gaming

At the beginning of this page, I answered the important questions with regards to the safety and security of the best online gambling sites by taking a look at the UKGC and the measures it takes to ensure that the best casinos comply with all regulations. After that, I looked at important criteria that I use to test online casinos in addition to their security and fairness (which is guaranteed by a UKGC licence). Now, I would like to answer a few other questions that I think many new players have.

What Do I Need to Do Before I start Playing?

The first thing you will need to do is register an account at an online gambling site. This is extremely easy. Most sites require that you provide a username and secure, but memorable, password. In addition, you will supply some basic contact information. After you do so, you just have to make a deposit and start playing.

Take your time when registering, and make sure that you enter in your personal information correctly. A few moments to ensure you did everything correctly may save you from a long headache when withdrawing funds later.

One benefit of online casinos over their land-based counterparts is that online gambling sites often give players the opportunity to test games out for free. Most of the best UK casinos will allow players to play demo versions of casino games. So, if you’re a casino newbie, I suggest you take your time and find the perfect game for you.

If you should have any questions when registering, you can contact the casino’s support staff directly to gain clarification. It is a good sign if the help you receive comes from knowledgeable and competent support staff. Make sure that you are fine with the casino’s games selection, payment options and limits.

Should I Avoid a Casino I don’t Recognise?

The simple answer is no, as long as the casino holds a licence from the UKGC you should be fine at the casino. In fact, some new casinos might actually be a better option than other top uk casino brands. Because new websites lack the selling power of a popular brand, they usually offer innovative and attractive offers to players in order to compete with the big-name brands. Of course, there may be a few issues while the company tries to get its bearings, but overall, there is no added risk when playing at a new or old casino so long it possesses the necessary licences.

Can Online Casino Games be Manipulated to Guarantee Winnings?

Today, it would be nearly impossible to manipulate online casino games so that you never lose. New advances in security make sure of that. In addition, any big win(s) are checked by the casino, and if it appears that the game has been manipulated, the casino can freeze an account before withdrawals can be made.

What Happens if a Player’s Connection is Lost?

Although operators take many precautions to ensure that everything runs smoothly on their websites, it is never 100% possible to avoid a lost connection. It is a common occurrence for your internet to lose connection for a few seconds at home, and this could also happen when playing. Luckily for the player, licencing agencies make online casinos prepare for such situations.

According to the remote gambling technical standards of the UKGC (RTS 10), games must be developed in a way so that they can be restored to their pre-failure state should a connection issue occur.

If you were playing blackjack for real money, craps or video poker when a disconnect occurred and the internet reconnects, you will be taken to the exact moment when the online game was interrupted, and you can continue playing.

Should you have been playing roulette or slots (games where players do ton affect the result of the game after betting), you can simply proceed to the game’s history to view the outcome of your previous bet.

What Are White Label Casinos, and Are They Trustworthy?

White label products are not only for casinos, it’s a concept that is ubiquitous across many industries. The term essentially refers to a product that is produced by a developer (in this case casino games), that is later rebranded by another company so that it looks like they produced it. Online, there are also white label casinos. White label products make it easy for new casinos to start because they have access to many of the industry’s best games. As long as a white label casino has gone through the rigorous licencing process of the UKGC, they should be just as safe as any of the other best UK casino sites.

How Many People Visit Internet Casinos in the UK?

This is one of the hardest questions to answer, as many online casinos aren’t exactly jumping at the opportunity to provide exact statistics on their player numbers. However, a report from the UKGC has revealed that 35% of the £13.9 billion/per year casino industry in the UK is online betting, bingo and casino games, equaling a total yield of around £4.9 billion (between October 2016 and September 2017).

Additional statistics from the UKGC proclaim that 41% of women and 48% of men in the UK have gambled at some point in their lives, while 48% said they had played at least once a month in 2016.

For a bit of perspective to the online market, popular operators Mansion Casino, NetBet and Grosvenor are thought to have between 400,000 and 550,000 active players every month. Meanwhile, newer casinos like PlayOJO and Casino.com hover at around the 90,000-mark.

What Awards are There For Operators and Developers?

The online casino industry is no stranger to glitz and glamour, and as such the concept of an awards night is very much on topic. Every year, the sector congratulates itself for its achievements and highlights some of the businesses making waves, for example with new game developments, technology advancements or innovative creations. The main awards nights are held by casino industry publication, EGR, which modestly calls its annual Operator Awards ‘The Oscars of the eGaming sector’ are held in every October and give awards to the top uk casinos. It also holds an annual B2B Awards ceremony in June to highlight leading service providers such as software developers, mobile activation specialists, recruitment, IT and payment services. Media company Clever Duck also holds the International Gaming Awards in February, and B2B publisher Gambling Inside presents the Global Gaming Awards. These are a more holistic look at the world’s land- and online-based casinos, while the EGR nights hold tribute mostly to the online sector.

What is the Most Well Known Casino in the UK?

When it comes to offline operators, Grosvenor Casinos is the biggest and most well-known chain of land-based casinos in the UK, especially since it bought out the majority of Gala Casinos in 2013. Malaysian-owned Genting Casinos are also quite big, while the Stanley, Hippodrome and Napoleon chains also are among the smaller players in the brick-and-mortar casinos.

When it comes to online casinos, the most well-known are probably William Hill, Grosvenor and Mansion Casino. The reason being that all of these are established name brands in the UK due to the prominence of their land-based locations. Although these names are known and trusted, it doesn’t necessarily mean they are the best UK casino sites. There are many options for players to choose from, and each operator can be rewarding in its own way.

What is the Oldest UK Casino?

Like in many industries, there is a clear correlation between the age of a business, and how trustworthy it appears to be. This does have some sense to it, as any operation that has a shifty side to it would not survive for long. Though there have been numerous online casinos as long as the internet has been around, others are an interpretation of a land-based business with decades of experience.

For example, William Hill has been operating since 1934 and has grown to become the UK’s largest land-based bookmaker, with over 2,300 shops out there to complement its much newer online presence. Ladbrokes, on the other hand, has a history dating back to 1886, when Harry Ogden became the nation’s first bookie when he started taking bets on horse races. Both of these operators are, of course, licenced and regulated for both the online and offline casino business and are considered to be top online casinos.

Have Fun Playing at My Recommended Safe Online Casinos

Within this exhaustive test, I have presented the top online casinos for UK players that are, safe secure, and of course fun. This information should be everything that you need in order to make an educated decision about which online casinos will offer an enjoyable experience with zero stress. With all of the hard work already completed, you can select an operator from my list on this page, or anywhere throughout this website and have the peace of mind that you are in safe hands. Good luck and have fun!