Are you completely new to online gambling and looking for a step-by-step on how to gamble? Or are you more interested in our review criteria, to understand how we select the best gambling sites in the UK from the many around?
No matter what you’re searching for, this guide covers the basics to help you get started and beyond. And most importantly, our gambling experts only share trusted sites so you can play with confidence and peace of mind.
How We Rate
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With thousands of online gambling websites to choose from, you’ll need to learn what makes a good site and how to avoid untrustworthy ones. In our gambling guide, you’ll find out about what the best UK sites have in common and how we rate them, and a few things you should look out for to stay safe.
Here’s a checklist of the main things you should ask before joining an online casino. You can also check out our in-depth review process, which includes 23 testing steps.
You should only join the most trusted online gambling sites which go the extra mile to protect your information and money. We look into the casino’s reputation and what security measures it uses. A good starting point is to check for a licence issued by the UK Gambling Commission (UKGC). You should also look for reliable payment methods which keep your details private from the casino.
One advantage of internet gambling is that game libraries are huge, since space isn’t an issue. Look for a variety of slot games including progressive jackpot slots, table games, live casino, video poker games, as well as sports betting. You’ll also find games from many software providers, such as NetEnt, Microgaming, and Playtech.
This is the biggest worry beginners have about playing online. If you gamble at trustworthy sites, the games are fair. Regulatory bodies and independent testing companies like eCOGRA conduct regular tests to ensure the games are 100% fair and provide random results. If something is wrong, an investigation is launched, and the software providers can lose their licenses.
When you sign up to the best gambling sites, you’ll get a great casino welcome bonus to get you started. If you continue playing, you’ll also benefit from offers for returning users. Remember to read the bonus terms and make sure they’re fair. If there are a lot of restrictions on the games you can play or the timeline in which to use the bonus, it’s a red flag.
Top gambling websites offer different methods of how to get in touch with their customer support team. These include live chat, e-mail, and a phone number, which are usually available 24/7. For smaller queries, you can also have a look at the site’s FAQ section.
If you’re going to spend time and money gambling online, then you should be able to play on all devices including mobile. You should get smooth and clear gameplay on your phone, regardless of the screen size. Besides playing in browser, you can also visit the App Store or Google Play and install your favourite UK download casino on your phone.
When playing online, you’ll come across different types of gambling to suit a variety of player needs and preferences. Whether you’re into online slots for real money, crypto gambling, or are simply looking for the best casino overall, you’re bound to find a site that caters to your likes.
To filter the best online gambling sites in the UK by type, discover our full guides below.
Be in the chance to win real cash when playing slots and other online casino games. Choose a casino from our list to get your winnings quick.
Casino, live casino, or sports betting? If you simply can’t choose, check for a best online gambling site with an overall top experience.
Looking for a dedicated online gambling app? Download one of our recommended casino apps for seamless play and an even faster mobile experience.
Still starting out? Play free online gambling games for fun to discover what you enjoy, at no risk. Only then should you try cash games.
Our all-time top UK gambling sites excel in many areas, but they’re specifically known for one major reason. We give you a quick snapshot of our top 5 below so you can easily compare their strengths, as well as the games on offer.
| Gambling Site | Gambling Games | Known For |
|---|---|---|
| Betway | Slots, jackpots, table games, live casino, sports betting, eSports | 👌 Best site overall for casino & sports |
| Casushi | Slots, jackpots, table games, live casino, game shows, poker | 🏆 Best for live casino gambling |
| Casimba | Slots, jackpots, table games, live casino, poker | 📱 Best for online gambling app |
| 888 Casino | Slots, jackpots, table games, live casino, poker, game shows | 🎮 Best for exclusive casino games |
| Sloty | Slots, jackpots, table games, live casino, poker | 🎰 Best for online gambling slots |
Playing online gives you a chance to bet on a range of games that you probably wouldn’t have access to otherwise. After all, there is only so much space available at land based casinos.
Here’s a quick overview of our top 5 casino games you can try online in the UK.
Try classic, 3D, video, and jackpot slots to discover your favourite. Look for different features such as bonus rounds, wild and scatter symbols, and multipliers to improve your chances of winning real money online.
You can play all your favourite table games online, as well as a few variants which you won't find at land casinos. Popular table games include blackjack, craps, roulette, baccarat, and sic bo.
Do you prefer a more interactive experience? Then take a seat at a top live dealer table where everything – including the croupier, the cards, the wheels, the dice – is authentic.
Video poker is more of a cross between a slot machine and poker than an actual poker game. Popular titles include Jacks or Better, Double Double, Deuces Wild, and Joker Poker.
If you know enough bingo lingo, then why not purchase your cards online and play against other players? From 30-Ball to 90-Ball to Spin Bingo, the choice is yours.
Online sports betting is gaining popularity in the UK and also worldwide. If online betting on sporting events is something that interests you, you can either head over to a dedicated sportsbook site or an operator which provides casino, live casino, and sports betting options on the same website.
We cover the most common queries related to online sports gambling in our guide below.
You can bet online on hundreds of top sports gambling sites in the UK. You'll find sports such as horse racing, football, tennis, and basketball. You can also try your hand at live betting, where you can wager on events in real time.
In sports betting, the favourite is the team which is most likely to win the match, whereas the underdog is the team that has the highest chance of losing the match. When looking at a betting line for any match at a sportsbook, you’ll notice who is a favourite to win based on the odds.
The most common way of how UK sportsbooks display odds are as fractions (fractional odds). US sportsbooks use numbers (moneyline odds), whereas decimals (decimal odds) feature in European sportsbooks. In all cases, the odds show who is most likely to win or lose in a match. Keep in mind that betting on favourites poses less risk, but you’ll get lower profits.
In fractional odds, 1/4 odds mean the favourite has four more chances of winning than losing. This means that for every £1 bet, you’ll only make a profit of £0.25. 4/1 odds mean the team is four times more likely to lose than to win, and you’ll get £4 for every £1 wagered, plus your starting £1 bet (i.e. a total payout of £5).
With moneyline odds, you’ll find positive and negative numbers always in relation to the number 100. Favourite teams are marked with negative numbers, and the underdogs with positive numbers. So, if a team has -110 odds, it means that you have to bet £110 to win your original £110 bet back plus a £100 profit. If a team has +120 odds, you bet £100 to make a profit of £120.
Decimal odds are easier to understand, since the decimal simply represents the amount you can win for every £1 bet. So if a team is set to win by 5.5, it means you’ll get a total payout of £5.50 for a £1 bet. Higher decimals and hence payouts show underdogs since they have fewer chances of winning.
Some standard options include single, accumulator and each way bets.
Single Bet: This is the easiest bet you can make. All you need to do is guess the correct outcome of a match and you’ll win the bet.
Accumulator Bet: Commonly known as acca, an accumulator bet is a single bet but made up of a number of selections. For you to win the bet, all the selections you choose need to come true. Accas are popular since betting on multiple events combined gives you higher odds – but also increased risk.
Each Way Bet: This is essentially made up of two bets: a win bet and a place bet. The amount for both bets is equal. For example, in horse racing you can bet on one horse to win and then also bet on the same horse to place within the top three to five. It makes sense to use this bet type when competition is very high, and you can at least make a return if you don’t win the full bet.
While you should always play for fun and with money you can afford to spend, it is possible to win real cash through online gambling. You will have to join a site, make a deposit, and play online casino games for real. It’s important to realize you can’t win real cash by playing on free online gambling games such as free slots.
When playing for real money at UK gambling sites, you should also know the risks involved. Whether you win or lose mostly depends on luck, so ensure you’re playing responsibly. Gambling games are ultimately a game of chance.
If you still want to look into how to make money gambling online, read our top tips to have the best chance.
If you choose to play online slots, for example, check for the RTP (Return to Player) percentage in the game rules or paytable. If a slot has an RTP of 97%, subtract this from 100 to calculate the casino advantage, which in this case is 3%. Gambling on games with a high RTP and low house edge gives you a better chance of winning.
You can protect your bankroll on games such as free online blackjack or real money roulette if you use a strategy chart or betting system. A blackjack strategy chart shows you possible outcomes for different situations, so you can choose the best moves depending on the cards you get and the dealer’s up card. If you follow roulette betting systems such as the Reverse Martingale or the Paroli you’ll know when it’s best to increase, double, or lower your bet depending on the outcome.
While guessing the outcome of a sporting event is mostly based on luck, if you know a sport well and conduct a lot of research into it, you can increase your odds of winning. There are many bets that you can make, which is why the first step is to learn to make quality bets rather than just focusing on the quantity.
While the odds of winning a progressive jackpot are very slim, these slots offer the largest sums of money, which can go up to millions. The amount here constantly increases because multiple users can play the same slot from many online gambling sites. Whenever they place a bet on the game, a part of this goes towards the jackpot amount. Still, you shouldn’t gamble all your money on progressive slots since winning is a long shot.
Before choosing a slot machine, compare paytables and check for a free spins bonus. Some slots such as Book of Dead by Play’n GO give up to 10 extra rounds. To improve your chances further, opt for online slots in which you can re-trigger the free spins bonus. In Book of Dead, you can re-trigger up to another 10 extra rounds if you get another 3 book symbols anywhere on the reels.
Our recommended online gambling sites allow you to add money to your account through many UK deposit methods. We take a closer look at the most popular ones below, and the reasons why they could be a great fit for your play.
Most gambling sites accept debit cards such as VISA and MasterCard. They’re a popular choice among gamblers since transactions are instant, they have no added charges, and are extremely secure. In fact, cards such as VISA include a variety of fraud prevention tools which protect your play. Keep in mind that that UK-licenced gambling sites cannot accept credit card casino deposits because of legislation by the UK Gambling Commission.
Mobile billing methods are great for UK players who value simplicity, speed, and safety. You only need a phone number to use pay by phone providers such as Boku, Payforit, and Zimpler. Since you don’t have to enter any bank details, it’s also a secure payment method. You can choose to use your current phone balance or pay on your next phone bill.
Gamblers like prepaid cards such as paysafecard as you can deposit without sharing your bank or card details. There are also minimal charges to use this payment method. Simply purchase a card, head to the cashier, enter a deposit amount, and type in your 16-digit PIN when prompted. This is also a great option to track and control how much you spend on internet gambling.
E-wallets are ideal if don’t want to share your bank details with a casino site. By using e-wallets like Skrill, the operator only sees the email address linked to your digital wallet. Security, privacy, and instant deposits are some of the biggest advantages of using e-wallets to gamble online. An added pro is that some casinos partner with providers such as Skrill to offer exclusive provider bonuses.
Getting started at an online casino or an online sports betting site is quite simple, especially since the process of creating an account is the same at most operators. Follow 5 easy steps in our gambling guide below and you’ll be ready to play in no time.
Learn how to spot a safe UK online casino by following our top tips to the best gambling sites. These are based on over 1,200 sites we’ve reviewed globally. When you’re convinced, launch your favourite in browser or alternatively, you can also download the online gambling app.
Click on the Sign Up button at your chosen site and fill in the registration form. The casino will send a confirmation email to the address provided, to verify your account. Some sites might also ask you to confirm your mobile number as a protective measure.
Note: Before you begin your online gambling experience, trusted casino websites will need to verify your identity. They might ask you to upload further documents, such as a copy of your passport. All this is part of Know Your Customer (KYC) checks which are required by the UK Gambling Commission.
Depending on the type of welcome offer, you might have to deposit before getting your bonus money. To claim a deposit bonus, check if there’s a bonus code available in the promotions section of the site. You’ll have to enter this code when making a deposit. Some casinos also have a dropdown option when you visit the cashier.
On the other hand, some welcome offers won’t require you to top up. Instead, you’ll need to type in a no deposit bonus code during the registration process.
Note: Make sure you’re familiar with the bonus terms and conditions before claiming it, to get the most out of your offer.
Once you’ve signed up and verified your identity, you can top up your account with real money. Go to your casino account, click on the deposit option, choose your preferred payment method, and select the amount you’d like to deposit. Enter any bonus codes at this stage. You should be able to access your funds instantly at our top recommended casino websites.
If you’ve claimed a welcome offer, check if there are any terms mentioning which games you can play using the bonus. If not, you can choose from the hundreds of options in the lobby. Whatever game you go for, keep in mind that you can practice for free at most online gambling sites in the UK or here on VegasSlotsOnline before betting with your own money.
Note: While gambling is legal in the UK, you must be over 18 years old to do so. This also applies to playing free games. If you choose to play for free here at VSO, we will also verify your age.
Whether you’re new to the online casino scene or a more experienced player, you should learn how to gamble responsibly. This includes being able to spot potential risk and taking steps to minimize it, besides focusing on fun and winnings. Otherwise, it can be a very costly experience.
Have a look at our table below for more responsible gambling tips.
Set session, deposit, and loss limits to control your time and spending
Stick to your decided bankroll
Practice with free games before depositing for real
Request a cashout when you win big, so you don’t lose it all again
Ask for help if you develop a gambling addiction
Check for fair terms and conditions before claiming a bonus
Check the RTP and play games with a low house edge
❌ Don’t join blacklisted casinos with a bad reputation
❌ Don’t gamble with money you can’t afford to lose
❌ Don’t borrow money to gamble
❌ Never mix gambling with alcohol
❌ Don’t pin your hopes on winning a jackpot
❌ Don’t play if you don’t know the game rules
❌ Don't assume that because you’ve had a big win, you’ll keep winning
Note: If your gambling habit is taking over your life, reach out to organizations such as GamCare, Gamblers Anonymous, and Gambling Therapy which can help you deal with problem gambling. You can also access GAMSTOP to self-exclude from all gambling sites in the UK.
You now know how to gamble online safely and responsibly, while also enjoying yourself. And to make things easier, we’ve also come up with a top list of UK gambling sites for you to pick from. Head over to our best online gambling site and get started with a generous welcome bonus:
What is online gambling?
Rather than playing slot machines, table games, and other games at land based casinos, gamblers can now access these on the internet at reputable UKGC-licensed sites.
How does online gambling work?
Simply pick your favourite online casino, fill in the registration form, and add money to your account. Whether you’re new to gambling or a more experienced player, you’ll find our best tips in this comprehensive guide.
Are online casino sites legal in the UK?
Yes, if they have a licence by the UK Gambling Commission. This ensures you’re playing at a trustworthy operator. Keep in mind that you need to be at least 18 years old to gamble online.
What are the best online gambling sites in the UK?
You’ll find the best gambling sites here at VegasSlotsOnline. Our experts choose top UK casinos based on a number of criteria including licensing, game selection, bonuses, payment methods, and more.
Can I win real money at gambling sites in the UK?
Yes. Simply join one of our recommended UK casinos and play on your favourite games for real money. If you land a win, click on the withdraw button to bank your winnings.
Can I make money gambling online?
Online gambling games are mostly random, which is why you should play for fun. Still, there are a few things you can do to better your chances of winning. These include checking the game paytable and Return to Player (RTP) before choosing what to play.
Is it safe to gamble online?
Online gambling is completely safe if you register at UKGC-licenced websites. The best casinos also use encryption to protect your data and have secure payment methods. Avoid rogue casinos at all costs.
What games can I play online?
You can play slots, table games, video poker, scratch cards, keno, and more. Some sites even offer casino, live casino, and sports betting under the same account.
Do casino sites offer bonuses?
Yes. You’ll get a welcome bonus when you sign up and make your first deposit. Returning UK players also benefit from other promotions such as reload bonuses, VIP offers, referral schemes, and more.
Which deposit methods can I use for online gambling in the UK?
You’ll find a variety of options available at top sites, including debit cards, prepaid cards, and e-wallets. Look for trusted payments such as VISA, Paysafecard, and Skrill, among others.
Can I play on mobile?
Yes. Some sites have dedicated mobile online gambling apps while others allow you to play your favourite games at a mobile casino, directly in your browser.
Can I gamble for free?
Absolutely! The best online gaming sites provide free versions of their games. And if you’re into free online gambling games, you can also try over 16,000 slots and other casino games right here at VegasSlotsOnline. Remember that you still need to be of legal age to play free games in the UK.
How can I stop gambling online?
If you’re not gambling for fun anymore, reach out to organizations like GamCare and Gambling Therapy for help. You can also request a time out from the casino for up to 3 months. If you have a gambling problem and need to stay away for longer, you might want to self-exclude for a year or even forever. You can access GAMSTOP to self-exclude from all online casinos in the UK.
