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An Overview of Online Gambling in the UK

Online gambling in the UK has developed into a truly sophisticated and secure environment, taking the best of the traditional land-based casinos and bookmakers to deliver a best-in-class online service to UK players. 

Since 1960 and the introduction of the Betting Gaming and Lotteries Act UK, players have been legally allowed to transact with betting and gambling operators in person “off-course”, which allowed those not present at events or casinos to participate in gambling remotely.

With the formation of the UK Gambling Commission and the delivery of the Gambling Act of 2005 the industry moved forward quickly, providing licensed operators in the UK the chance to deliver Casino Games, Slots, Sports Betting, Online Poker, Roulette, and table games, as well as Bingo and Lottery to a mass UK online audience. 

Those operators were subject to regulation to ensure the protection of the vulnerable and children along with set Government levies. What this means for online casino and online sports bettors in the UK is that they have the safest, most secure and best-regulated online gambling environment in the world.

Gambling.com exists primarily to serve that marketplace and ensure that in a highly competitive online gambling environment, where the choice can seem endless and the differences harder to notice, we provide the most informed and up-to-date comparisons, guides and reviews that you can trust.
 

How to Sign up to Online Gambling Sites

Every site we review is legitimate, and while the sign-up process might vary a little from site to site, in our experience, it’ll basically look like this: 
 

1. Find an online gambling site that you like on Gambling.com.
2. Click on our link that sends you to your exclusive offer.
3. Click sign up/register/play now.
4. Enter your details (name, date of birth, email, etc.) You might be required to submit a copy of your photo ID for security. If you’re not required to provide ID here, you will have to provide it when you cash out your winnings.
5. Create a username and password. The site might also ask you to create a security question for the future.
6. Agree to the terms and conditions.
7. You’re ready to make your deposit and have a crack.

Most of the time, this process only takes a few minutes, and you’ll be placing your bets in no time.

Online Casino Gambling Sites

The UK’s best casino sites are the envy of the global gambling space with a vast game variety across slots, table games, live casino and even casino game shows. It is almost impossible for any one person to keep up to date with all the providers, products, and software available to UK gambling players at any one time. That is why choosing Gambling.com as your home for comparison, comprehensive reviews, online gambling guides and recommendations for the best casinos is crucial.

If you want an all-rounder then the list below is exactly that, with best bonuses for new players, extensive game variety and choice, plus optimal customer service and user experience. If you wish to specialise, keep scrolling and we will delve deeper into Online Slots, Roulette, Blackjack, Live Casino, Poker and more.

Online Slots Sites

Online slots players in the UK are the best catered-for anywhere in the world of online gambling. With so much competition across the industry and fully regulated access to the greatest licensed software providers, you can expect to be treated to themed blockbusters, magical genres, progressive slot jackpots and the largest networked prizes as standard.

The very best in mobile technology makes the online slots available in the UK the most enjoyably immersive, safe and secure games in the online gambling space. Take a look at the best online slots sites the UK has to offer right now.

Gambling.com’s Slot Game of the Month

Established 2005

#ad. 18+. Gamble Responsibly. Begambleaware.org. Minimum deposit £10. Get a Casino Bonus matched to your first deposit, up to £100, after you stake £20 on slots, credited within 48 hours. Bonus expires in 7 days and has a 40x wagering requirement.
Additional T&Cs apply. Please bet responsibly.

Established 2005

#ad. 18+. Gamble Responsibly. Begambleaware.org. Minimum deposit £10. Get a Casino Bonus matched to your first deposit, up to £100, after you stake £20 on slots, credited within 48 hours. Bonus expires in 7 days and has a 40x wagering requirement.
Additional T&Cs apply. Please bet responsibly.

Best Online Slots

Play online slots for real money on your laptop, PC or smartphone! At Gambling.com, we have the lowdown on the best online casino slots from the most reputable developers.

Online Roulette

As regular online casino players will know, the thrill of the Roulette table is not just confined to land-based casinos because the technology and gameplay afforded to online roulette enthusiasts is first-class. The top online roulette sites take the best of the old favourite and transform it into a fast-paced, multiple-variant and all-inclusive offering regardless of previous experience or knowledge.

Veterans of Roulette will find everything they need and more, with so many expert software providers supplying the latest in customer experience technology across the American or European varieties, but with plenty of additional bet options and twists along the way. Competition in the online roulette space is strong so it pays to find the roulette games you prefer, at limits you are comfortable with, and the operators we highlight below will certainly give you ample chance to do that.

Online Blackjack

Blackjack is perhaps the most sensible game there is for an online casino player, given it is usually the casino game with the lowest house edge. There are many variations but if you implement solid blackjack strategy you can enjoy this casino stalwart online and rely less on luck than you would anywhere else in an online casino environment.

The user experience of online blackjack is simpler than the standard in-person table environment with easy to understand click button actions to execute for splits, doubling down, insurance and side bets. We have put the best online blackjack sites in the industry to the test and our expertly handpicked card game sites will cater for all types of blackjack player online, whether this is the first time and you want to learn the ropes or if you are ready to play the perfect strategy and skilfully pit your wits against the dealer and the deck.

Live Casinos UK

As shown above with the best in the business for online roulette and online blackjack, you can rightly expect the leading UK casino websites to have state of the art technology and a full suite of live casino games. Maybe it’s live poker, craps, baccarat, sic bo, dragon tiger, or maybe you like live game shows. The options are becoming endless as the technology and the user experience improves year on year.

The best UK live casinos use real-life dealers, real tables and real hosts in real casinos and have revolutionised casino games online. They live stream the casino pit floor into your homes across all devices, whether it’s desktop computer, tablet, iPad or your mobile phones on iOS and Android. There are expert live dealers spinning wheels, rolling dice and dealing cards 24/7 amid the seamless delivery of live pictures, bet options, customer interactions and live chat. To help you choose your preferred live casino site, we have broken them down for you with safety, user experience and game choice at the forefront of our recommendations.

Online Bingo

The ultimate in online gambling engagement and interaction can likely be found in the huge options available to online bingo players. Much like its bingo hall origins, the online version has grown to mass popularity in the UK and the best online bingo operators are keen to provide regular games and lots of ways to win. 

Our expert team of bingo reviewers have delivered their verdicts on the biggest bingo platforms in the online UK marketplace and we suggest you do the same with the list below.

Online Poker

With so much choice from the best online gambling sites when it comes to Poker, it pays to make an informed choice about where to play and what requirements you have for the best online poker sites. Whether it is straight up, Texas hold’em, stud, free roll tournaments or single table cash games you are looking for, the differences in the various online poker lobbies across the UK can be quite stark.

What you can be sure of is a large choice from low-limit to high-stakes and great software providers, all bringing the fantastic game of skill and social interaction to life for you to meet your poker needs. At Gambling.com you can bet your pair of aces that we love the game of poker and all of its different online variants, so check these UK gambling sites out for the best Poker experience you can find outside of Las Vegas itself.

Online Lottery

Online Lottery options in the UK have seen huge traction in the past decade and it is now the best place to buy lottery tickets. Purchasing lotto tickets online with the best online lotto sites in the UK means you never miss a deadline. There is no need to keep lottery tickets in a safe place and no chance of losing your numbers, your dockets or your marbles! The access to huge lottery jackpots and rollovers has never been so big, with online lottery operators providing UK Lottery players with online access to the most famous and popular lotteries all over the globe.

With scratch cards, lotto games, instant wins, number draws and more, the UK lotto scene has truly embraced the online gambling market and its popularity continues to soar as this list of the leading lotto providers in the UK demonstrates.

Online Sports Betting

There is more to online sports betting is more than just having all the best odds at your fingertips. It’s about finding creative ways to maximise enjoyment and potentially profit from some of the greatest, most exciting and even the most obscure sporting events from around the world. 

The best betting sites offer the safest and most secure places to find the best sports odds for any event, as well as strategy and guidance to help you along the way.

From Horse Racing to Football, Tennis to Basketball or American Football to the Olympics, if a sport is on then the best gambling sites in the UK will price it up and allow you to place a bet on it. 

Odds on non-sports events – better known as ‘specials betting’ – can all be found all across the internet. The best UK gambling sites truly play to their audience and the competition to be the best online sports betting operator is fierce. 

Our expert reviewers are sourced from within the industry, crossing customer service staff, odds compilers, UX and Mobile App designers and naturally passionate sports punters. We have the expertise and the data to recommend betting options. 

Our in-depth reviews cover bet builder tools, odds and margins, cash out, acca insurance, ante-post and futures markets to ensure you get full value from your UK sports betting provider.

Payment Providers

Moving money with speed, convenience and especially security is a key factor in your enjoyment of online gambling. You want to upload funds fast to your favourite sites, transfer your winnings when you want or access your account balance 24/7 wherever you are.

The quality of payment providers varies depending on your priorities, but many casinos now offer a wide range of payment methods (and withdrawal options) that are quick, secure and easy-to-use. Let’s take you through some popular payment methods in the online gambling world.

Recommended Payment Providers

Software Providers

The software providers that casinos or sportsbooks choose to partner with are crucial to that online gambling site’s identity. Beyond determining site functionality, the games available at a given casino or betting site are also affected by the quality of the developers present. Sites powered by software giants like NetEnt and Evolution are going to offer more popular games for Casino players and we have taken the time to break down the options out there by just this metric. Who uses which provider and who does it best are important factors in our resultant reviews and recommendations.

Customer Support Services

Every online gambler in the UK will at some point want to reach out to a customer service agent to query a bet, check on a withdrawal or ask for details relating to a game, market or price.

This is totally understandable, but do you use Live Chat, email, telephone, instant messaging or write them a letter? Unsurprisingly all of these options will work at the leading online UK gambling sites but some are better than others and some fall short. We have tried and tested them all for responsiveness, accuracy and expertise and you will find all of that explained in our in-depth operator reviews for the best casino and sports betting operators in the UK right here on Gambling.com.

Guide to Mobile Gambling Sites & Apps

Gambling online in the UK on your mobile device, tablet or iPad has never been better-serviced in terms of speed, user experience and choice. Across the iOS and Android platforms all the best gambling operators online have either built truly brilliant Apps or built their desktop sites for mobile-first experience. The transition has been seamless and, in fact, the mobile experience is often superior to usual desktop computer use.

Mobile-centric innovation dominates the gambling industry at the moment, including pay by phone bill casinos. Mobile-only games and betting options and mobile-only bonuses are becoming commonplace on the huge array of mobile betting apps.

How do we Review Online Gambling Sites?

Our first and most important task at Gambling.com is to know the market inside out. We have a large team of experts from across the UK gambling industry that have worked with some of the leading operators, been part of customer service teams, created the best in user experience gambling tools and launched platforms to market for UK consumers.

That broad range of experience held in-house, along with our large network of remote reviewers and seasoned gamblers across the UK, truly allows us to fairly review and compare the best casinos online and best online sportsbooks the UK has to offer.We focus our efforts across the following areas when considering the content of our reviews, guides and eventually our recommendations:

1. Game Variety

   A key area with any betting operator across Casino or Sports is choice. Knowing different types of games and markets is crucial when deciding to sign up to one of the many gaming sites you will come across in the UK.

2. Bonus/Welcome Offers

   With such a competitive online gambling environment, the UK has a variety of bonus types and welcome offers available to new online gambling customers. We review every single one, the newest, oldest and those just refreshed to ensure they play fair. We highlight the requirements expected for the first deposit and give the best experience to those just starting their online betting journey. Whether it is Free Spins, No Deposit Bonuses, Free Bets, Enhanced Odds or large Matched Deposits, you can expect us at Gambling.com to break it down and explain in full before you take that step and sign up.

3. User Experience

   Our user experience tests analyse how easy it is to find what you want and we look at whether it is simple to keep tabs on your wagers and favourite games. How long does it take to sign up, sign in and get playing? How can you manage your account requirements and expectations? These factors are all key to earning a recommendation from Gambling.com and rightly so.

4. Payments

   Cashing out your winnings at the best casinos and best sportsbooks should be a seamless experience, as should making deposits and receiving instant withdrawal options. We review all the payment options of all the best gambling sites so you know what is possible and what isn’t before you sign up. That includes bonus eligibility of payment operators from debit cards, to e-wallets and bank transfers.

5. Mobile App Experience

   These days placing a bet online has moved almost exclusively to mobile, with the very best gaming sites building products and platforms for a mobile-first user experience. We identify the very best mobile sports betting apps with loads of sports betting markets and mobile casinos with live table games, poker, roulette, blackjack and more. We aim to make sure the on-the-go gaming and betting experience via your mobile or tablet device, iOS or Android is totally up to par and fit for purpose.

6. Safety and Security

   Placing an online wager with an online casino or betting site in the UK is a highly safe and secure environment thanks to a robust and well-developed regulation landscape that makes up the regulators of gambling sites. Every online gambling site will support and promote responsible gambling, highlighting its commitment where applicable. We only review and recommend fully licensed and regulated gambling sites to ensure you receive all the protections and supports that are available.

7. Customer Support

   The best gambling sites in the UK will have 24/7 Customer Support, via live chat, email and telephone and some will go further than that with dedicated account managers and supports within loyalty programmes and alike. We ensure they live up to the claims, liaising with support staff, asking questions, and testing the competency to make sure they provide the first-class service you would expect at all times of the year.

Licensing and Legislation for Casino Websites in the UK

The UK Gambling Commission was created and empowered under the Gambling Act of 2005 to regulate the UK gambling industry, with a particular focus on online gaming. It has become the envy of governing bodies around the world and is rightly held up as a prime example of gambling regulator best practice. The UKGC is used as a benchmark for comparing regulatory licensing bodies in other countries and states. Players aged 18 and older in England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland can legally gamble online with casinos, bookmakers, and even bingo sites, as long as the operator has obtained a registered licence from the Gambling Commission.

Getting a licence in the UK is a truly detailed and extensive process and the UK Gambling Commission continues to stringently regulate and assess existing operators after the licence is granted to ensure fair play and security at all times.

Our award-winning staff with decades of experience in the online gambling industry compile the most detailed gambling guides and reviews on the internet. We guarantee that the recommendations we make for UK gambling websites and apps that have been reviewed by our experts, as well as the bonuses, free bets and free spins they choose to offer, are fully regulated and totally legal in the UK and provide safe and secure deposits and withdrawals for UK-based players.