Gambling Sites UK

Online Gambling Sites in the United Kingdom

All UK gambling sites have witnessed an explosion of popularity, regardless of the welcome bonus they offer and which games they make available to gamblers. In fact, the best rated gambling sites have overtaken brick-and-mortar casinos in terms of popularity by quite a long way. The 1960 Betting, Gaming and Lotteries Act essentially legalised gambling outside of physical and licenced premises – it was this move which enabled online casinos to become what they are today.

Players in the UK have enjoyed a range of different games, including blackjack, slots, roulette and more, all from the comfort of their homes. Now, with modern technology, you don’t even need to be at home – you can make a deposit, earn some of the gambling sites free spins, place a bet, and win money all from your phone!

In the UK, all legit gambling sites are regulated, ensuring that they are secure, fair, and safe for people to use. This system – overseen by the UKGC – ensures that vulnerable people are protected. Our website serves to help you identify the best UK gambling websites so that you can place your bets with confidence.

Is Online Gambling Legal in the UK?

Generally, yes! Most of the biggest online gambling sites are regulated by the UKGC, and it’s perfectly legal for players to make an account, place bets and engage in gambling. Quite simply, UK law permits gambling at websites which it approves. What’s important is that you check the site you have in mind so it is regulated and registered.

The UKGC can help you with choosing a reliable site (simply look for a licence number at the bottom of the webpage), or you can pick one which we have already pre-checked for you based on our gambling site reviews. Keep reading for more tips on how to play casino games legally and safely.

Types of Gambling Websites

Some sites aim to cover all types of gaming, whereas others are focused on one. When looking for the best and safest online gambling sites, it’s important to give some consideration to the types of games on offer. Simple as that, the ideal gambling site for most people is going to be the one which offers a wide range of different games and payment methods, but there’s a lot to be said for specialist sites too. Here’s a breakdown of the main different types of popular gambling sites:

How to Find the Best Gambling Sites for You?

We all have different preferences when it comes to selecting the ideal casino. Some people like to prioritise a particular type of game, others want to join a site which offers a range of games, and many of us just love a deposit bonus! Let’s take a closer look at the things you’ll want to consider when choosing one of the top rated online gambling sites.

Licence, Safety and Reputation

It’s crucial that you choose a site which is regulated by the UKGC, the official authority which determines gambling laws and is responsible for granting licences to trustworthy new gambling sites. All of the best UK online gambling sites have a licence number, which you’ll want to validate with the UKGC. Or, if that sounds like too much work, select a website from our pre-approved gambling sites list!

Deposit and Withdrawal Options

Some websites offer much more variety in terms of payment methods, and it’s great having the option to make deposits and withdraw your winnings in the way that best suits you. Popular methods include bank transfers (which virtually everyone has access to but can be a bit slow), cryptocurrencies (which are fast and cost-effective but daunting to some), and e-wallets (which are arguably one of the best ways, offering security and speed). Trustly gambling sites are also increasingly popular.

Bonus Offers

Exploiting offers is part of being a player! Bonuses are out there in all shapes and sizes, and most websites offer a bonus in one form or another, whether it’s a deposit bonus or free spins on registration. It’s important to use them to your advantage in order to make your gaming as profitable as possible. Remember that some require you to meet certain criteria, whereas others call for a bonus code.

Game Variety

Many gambling sites offers include a range of different games and betting types for you to get stuck into, but some can have a limited number of options. If you know what sort of thing you’re looking for, that’ll help. If not, go for something with a wide range.

Mobile and Apps

It’s pretty standard these days that online gambling sites UK have an app or at least a mobile-friendly version of the website. Apps are generally considered best, as they run smoothly on phones and operate in a tab separate from your browser. However, they take up more space on your phone than a mobile site, the latter of which are generally more limited in terms of functionality.

Site Design

When choosing a gambling website UK players should take a look around before registering to see if they like the design and layout. Different people have different preferences here – some like it simple, and others like a busier screen.

Customer Support

The quality of customer support is paramount, so choose a site which has a good reputation for this. At a good site, the customer service agents are there to help in case you run into any issues. Good gamble sites consider customer service to be important.

How to Choose the Right UK Gambling Sites

Choosing from the best online gambling sites UK is fairly easy once you know what you’re looking for. That said, there are a number of stages that you’ll want to follow when making your choice. Here they are:

• Take a look at our list of the best UK gambling sites and pick the one which appeals to you most. Base this choice on the factors above, considering payment methods, customer service quality, and the variety of games on offer.
• Compare the bonuses which are currently available. Remember those live promos can change, so go for the one which looks best at the time you’re registering, and always be sure to check the T&Cs.
• Sign up, make your initial deposit, and claim the bonus you want (bearing those T&Cs in mind). There will be certain requirements to fill, but then you’re good to go!

How to Sign Up at the Best Gambling Sites UK

There are steps you should follow when signing up. These don’t vary much from one site to the next, so here’s an overview:

• Choose a site: Think about the sort of gambling website which would suit you, check that it offers the games you want to try, that it’s licensed and registered, and that it supports your preferred payment methods. The best way is to have a look at our list.
• Create your account: Look for a link or button which says “sign up” or “register”. Follow it to the registration page, and enter your details. They will likely want your address, email, date of birth and full legal name. It’s important to enter these details correctly.
• Complete your registration: This will involve agreeing to the T&Cs (look at them closely and pay attention to detail), confirming that you are of legal age, and probably validating your ID too. Validation typically means uploading a copy of your photo ID, but the acceptable documents can vary.
• Claim a bonus: Once you’re registered, you’ll want to claim your welcome bonus (hopefully, you chose a site with a good one!). This may involve meeting certain criteria and minimum requirements, or it may already be waiting for you in your account.
• Make your deposit: Deposit the necessary funds to play the games you fancy or to claim the bonus you’re aiming for. There will generally be a minimum deposit limit, so don’t try to deposit less than this. It’s recommended that you stick to reasonably small amounts to begin with, unless there’s a bonus at stake!
• Get gambling: You’re ready to go – simply head over to your game of choice and have fun! Also, if you get lucky, don’t forget to withdraw your winnings.

Payment Options at Gambling Website

As we touched upon above, not all payment methods are suitable for every player. Really good gambling sites offer a range of options including:

Mobile Gambling Site & App Compatibility

Finding time for a bit of recreation can be tough. However, virtually all of us carry advanced smartphones which are more than capable of playing a few games. Mobile gaming sites are a fantastic choice for those looking to play a few spins whilst on the move, but the fact of the matter is that even the best gamble site in a mobile browser can’t compete with a dedicated app.

Dedicated apps are generally available on both iPhone and Android, but this isn’t always the case, so you may wish to check before you register with any particular site. They also tend to be free to download, and signing up involves pretty much the same exact steps as if you were registering with a site on a desktop or laptop computer – so you can follow our guide above.

When looking for an app, you can either search the app store on your phone or portable device and then download it through that, or you can use the QR code link on the main website. If one particular gambling site UK appeals to you, you may wish to have both the desktop and mobile versions. Not all gambling sites offer an app, but most of the bigger and better ones do, and if you plan to do a lot of betting whilst on the go, it’s worth noting when selecting the best online gambling site UK for you.

Mobile sites have their merits too. For example, they don’t consume space on your phone, and you can just log in via your existing browser app. There are pros and cons to each, so let’s take a closer look to help you come to an informed decision regarding which top gambling site is best for you.

Pros and Cons of Mobile Gambling Sites & Apps

Terms and Conditions of Gambling Websites UK

When we put together a gambling sites review, one of the first things we look at is the sort of terms and conditions which a particular online gambling site UK requires players to adhere to, and especially how these relate to the available bonuses.

You should always read the terms and conditions (we know, it’s boring!) so that you can protect yourself and ensure that you meet the necessary requirements to claim the all-important bonus. In order to properly understand what you’re reading, it’s helpful to have a good grasp of the technical terminology and definitions first:

• Wagering requirements: Often have to be met before you can withdraw your winnings. When you win using free spins (or a similar bonus), you need to bet those winnings again a certain amount of times before you can withdraw. The number of times varies, but it is expressed as, for example, 35x.
• Minimum deposit: Bonuses require you to make a deposit of above this value in order to claim the bonus.
• Time limits: Can catch you out! Be sure to use your bonus before the time limit runs out and the house reclaims your bonus.
• Payment exclusions: Force you to make the relevant deposit using a specific banking method.
• Game weighting: Refers to the percentage of your wagering requirements to which a particular game will contribute.
• Winning caps: Limit the amount to which you can profit from a particular bonus. If the cap is £50, any winnings beyond this will not be claimable.
• Minimum odds: Bonuses force you to place bets on an event with odds above a particular amount.
• Game exclusions: Restrict you from particular games. For example, if you are granted 20 free spins, these may only be usable on one particular game. This will be specified in the T&Cs.

Customer Support of Best Online Gambling Sites

Great customer support cannot be overlooked. If you run into issues, you’ll want to contact a customer service agent. The best online gambling websites offer multiple ways to do this:

• Live chat functions enable players to quickly get in contact with a customer service agent.
• Phone calls take longer, and you may have to wait in a queue, but they will connect you with a real person.
• Social media is popular amongst many for its convenience and speed.
• Email won’t solve the problem as immediately, but it’s great for those who don’t want direct contact.

Is Online Gambling Safe?

This is an incredibly important question to ask, and you’re already doing the right thing by seeking out this list of gambling sites which are pre-checked and verified. However, there are still a few more precautions that it’s crucial to take. Essentially, online gambling websites are perfectly safe so long as they are licensed. Check that the UKGC has approved a particular website before you register or make a deposit.

It’s easy to understand why some players are a bit cautious when it comes to the safety of online gambling, but the UKGC has authority over all gambling sites available to UK players, and they will shut them down if it’s needed.

The most important factor is the licence, but – if you’re going to try to find your own site, rather than just picking one off our list – you might want to consider security protocols (expect a thorough verification process) and easily accessible customer service agents (they should respond quickly and allow you to raise disputes). Other signs that a site is trustworthy include a clearly-defined privacy policy, plenty of options for verification documents, and the option to stop receiving emails from them.

How to Avoid Scam Gambling Sites

Scam sites employ unfair strategies, overly complicated terms and conditions, and various other tactics to move money from your account into their pockets. Understanding the difference between a scam site and a legit one is a vital part of being a responsible gambler. There are a few telltale signs of dishonest online gambling sites that you’ll want to look out for.

The first thing to check is that the site is licensed. The UKGC doesn’t grant licences to dishonest companies. They keep a close eye on all the sites to ensure that the odds are fair, the fees are reasonable, and that the players know exactly how much they stand to lose on any given game. Characteristics of scam sites include:

• Pirated software
• Cancelling winnings for unfair reasons
• Lack of a UKGC licence
• Dishonest use of personal information
• Associations with blacklisted casinos
• Poor customer service

It’s important that you don’t allow yourself to be taken advantage of by these scam sites. For peace of mind, you may wish to simply choose one of the sites off our list, which have already been checked and are known to be legit.

Final Thoughts About Online Gambling

Whilst no deposit gambling sites are available, you’ll have the most fun when playing for real money. The gambling sites depend on exactly what you want, but you have plenty to choose from, whether you like a full site or a mobile app.

Some of the best offers gambling sites have are well worth taking advantage of, so always consider these when choosing. Security is important, and so is having fun, so if you want to find the best online gamble sites without spending ages doing research, just consider those on our list.