The Best Online Casinos For Real Money in the UK 🚀

How We Choose the UK’s Best Real Money Online Casino Sites

Various things are taken into account when we choose the best gambling sites for real money gaming. Here are some of the major factors we assess when coming up with an opinion.

1. Games selection: Many real money casinos have hundreds, if not thousands, of games to pick from these days, giving a huge amount of choice to customers. From live casino games to real money slots, the library of titles can sometimes be overwhelming. Ideally, top online casinos will have more than just slots, with online blackjack among the other games that can be played. Some real money online casino sites even have bingo.
2. Legality and safety: Security and safety issues are paramount for anyone gambling online, so this is one of the first things we look at. All of the real money online casinos that we recommend are legal as they have a licence from the Gambling Commission. On the safety side, UK casino sites should have technology like SSL encryption in place too.
3. Payment methods: Most real money casinos these days offer a good choice of payment methods, though sites catering to UK players can no longer accept credit card payments. Apple Pay, cryptocurrency and pay by phone bill are becoming more common, as are classic options such as debit cards, bank transfers and e-wallets like Skrill.
4. Reviews and ratings: Assessing the views of players with experience in real money online casinos is also important. Users who have been playing online casino games will know better than anyone if there are major issues with a particular online gambling site.
5. Bonuses: A casino bonus is a top priority for many people who want to play games for money online. Welcome bonuses are widely available, but existing customers should be able to claim free spins and other reload bonuses on a regular basis too. There is more to this section than how much bonus money is up for grabs to spend on a casino game, as terms and conditions such as the level of the wagering requirement are important.
6. Mobile play: A lot of people playing games for money these days now prefer to use a handheld device such as a smartphone or a tablet computer. This means that a mobile casino site has to work well on a range of screen sizes. Some casinos these days even have their own mobile app that is available to download for both iOS and Android too.

Which Casino Games Should I Play to Win Real Money?

With so many real money casino games to pick from, which are the best to win real cash?

• Slots: These days, slot games make up the majority of the online games on offer at casinos in the UK. Many people love to play online slots due to the fact that they have a shot at winning a large sum of money from a single spin of the reels. Progressive slots that share a jackpot can even have millions of pounds up for grabs for players. Some of the best slots are based on popular TV shows, movies, and even rock bands as well. As an example, there are lots of different slots based on Monopoly and Deal or No Deal these days, while Motorhead and Game of Thrones also have their own slot games to play too.
• Blackjack: Deciding which real money games to play at an online casino can often involve thinking about the house edge, which is the advantage retained by the site. With blackjack, the house edge is particularly low, and the game is easy to learn for beginners. Blackjack is sometimes known as 21 or pontoon and is available as a live dealer game.
• Roulette: The house edge may be a lot higher for roulette, but this is perhaps the easiest game to learn for real money casino gambling on an online site. Players have to guess which number will come up on the roulette wheel, with red or black also options. As with blackjack, fans of live dealer areas at casinos can pick roulette games as well.
• Baccarat: Like blackjack, the low house edge for baccarat makes this traditional card game, which is particularly popular in Asia, a good value choice when online gambling for real money. Baccarat might seem to be complicated at first, but it is straightforward. Live dealer baccarat is another one of the most popular casino games to play in this country.
• Poker: Many casino games that can be played for real money in the UK are based on luck, but this is not the case for poker. With this card game, it is a mix of luck and skill. Poker players will often find there is a limited choice of their favourite game, but it can be offered in the live casino, and some sites also have a dedicated online poker area too.
• Video poker: A combination of poker and slots, video poker games are still popular even though the selection at some casinos can be a little limited. At sites where there are no dedicated poker games to play, there are still likely to be a few video poker options to try.
• Dice games: Like baccarat, casino dice games tend to be particularly popular in Asia, but that does not mean players in other parts of the world cannot enjoy them as well. Some of the very best dice games to play for money online include craps and Sic Bo.
• Bingo: One game that can be played for real money that is growing in popularity at a rapid rate in the UK is bingo. Indeed, online bingo saw a dramatic spike in people playing during the pandemic, when a lot of bricks and mortar bingo halls had to close. Many online casinos are now adding a bingo option to their websites to cater to the demand.
• Live dealer games: For online casino games with a social element, it is hard to look beyond the live dealer section at real money gambling sites. Blackjack, baccarat and roulette are among the classics that can be played with a live dealer, while modern alternatives include games based on the likes of Deal or No Deal and Monopoly too.

Online Casino Real Money Payment Methods

When playing at real money online casinos, there are plenty of payment methods to use: 

• Debit cards: While credit cards cannot be used to make a deposit at a casino site in this country anymore, debit cards from the likes of Visa, Maestro, and Mastercard remain a top option. Debit cards offer instant deposits, and most people already have one to use.
• Bank transfer: Traditionalists might prefer to opt for a bank transfer, which is often deemed to be one of the safest ways to move money online. However, the major downside when it comes to using bank transfers at casinos is the slow withdrawals.
• E-wallets: Skrill, PayPal, and Neteller are some of the top e-wallets to use at online casinos, with the benefit of this option being the super fast withdrawal speeds offered. Those who take money out of a casino account using an e-wallet like Skrill or Neteller – which are actually part of the same British company – get their cash in a matter of hours.
• Cryptocurrency: A growing number of online casinos are now allowing their customers to make a deposit using cryptocurrency, despite many deeming the technology risky. A benefit of using crypto like Bitcoin is that a player can avoid having to share any of their financial information, such as their bank details, directly with the site. However, the value of crypto is unpredictable and can fluctuate wildly, which must be taken into account.
• Pay by phone bill: Mobile players can increasingly opt for specialist payment options, such as being given the chance to pay by phone bill. While the maximum deposit limit for this banking option is low, it can be a convenient way to add funds to a casino account.
• Apple Pay: Alternatively, mobile users will find there is probably an app on their phone that can do the job. Those with Apple devices such as the iPhone might be able to opt for Apple Pay, which has extra security standards in place to ensure it is safe to use.
• Google Pay: Android users have an alternative option in the form of Google Pay. Fast and simple to use, as with Apple Pay people just have to load up a payment method into the app and then they will be ready to use it as a payment method at many casinos.

How to Join a UK Real Money Casino in 3 Easy Steps

Want to learn how to join a casino in three easy steps? Simply follow our basic guide below: 

1. Choose a site: Picking the right casino to play at is the first hurdle, with so many options out there that it can be very hard to choose. Factors such as the bonuses on offer, the range of games available and the different payment methods that can be used should be taken into account when deciding which casino is the best one to sign up to play at.
2. Sign up: After selecting a casino, the next step is to complete the registration process. The form is usually short and simple, asking for details such as the player’s name, date of birth and email address, the latter of which is likely to be used to verify the account.
3. Claim the bonus: After registration, players might be able to claim a bonus, perhaps when they come to make their first deposit into the new account. Keep in mind that wagering requirements and other terms and conditions are likely to apply to bonuses.

Reasons to Play Real Money Casino Games

There are plenty of reasons to opt to play for real cash, not least the fact that if a player gets lucky, they could end up walking away with more money than they started with. Playing for real cash at an online casino can be a lot of fun and offer plenty of excitement, while the fact that bonuses are up for grabs means it is rewarding for new players and existing customers too. The chance to try out new games such as slots and casino classics like roulette and blackjack is also likely to be very appealing, so it is no wonder playing for real cash is getting more popular. With a lot of bricks and mortar casinos closed as a result of the pandemic, going online to play games like slots is now the natural choice, especially as sites are open around the clock. Playing for real cash is also likely to earn players rewards at their chosen online casino. Most of the top sites to play at these days have a form of VIP loyalty scheme, where the more money people spend playing games, the more points they get to climb up to the highest levels. Perks such as dedicated account managers and customer service are often offered, along with extra bonuses like a birthday gift, as well as the chance to scoop great prizes like special holidays.

Regulators and Authorities that Protect Security at Online Casinos

There are various regulators and authorities in place around the world that help to protect our security at casinos and look after matters like responsible gambling, such as the following: 

The UK Gambling Commission (UKGC)

The UKGC is responsible for the regulation of the online betting and gambling world in this country. Having been set up in 2007, the UKGC has become more influential in the last few years, pushing through responsible gambling policies like changes to the law, such as the banning of credit cards as a way of making a deposit into a casino account. The UKGC has also introduced new rules around advertising and can hand out fines to online betting sites and casinos that do not stick to the industry’s rules and regulations. All internet casinos in this country need to have a licence from the UKGC in order to be able to legally operate here. As a result, all of the sites that we recommend are fully licensed by the UKGC, even if they may have other licences from other top regulatory authorities in place too.

Malta Gaming Authority

As well as the UKGC, another gambling regulatory body whose logo is often seen on internet sites in this country, is the Malta Gaming Authority, usually described as the MGA for short. Malta has become a hotbed of the online betting and gambling world, with a lot of casino operators choosing this small Mediterranean island as their base for financial reasons.

Do Real Money Casino Sites Offer Bonuses and Promotions?

A lot of good promotions, deals, offers, and bonuses are up for grabs. Here are some examples: 

• No deposit bonuses: Players do not have to risk any real cash when signing up at some sites, as no deposit bonuses might be in place for them to access. A small amount of money is usually made available in a no deposit bonus, giving a player a chance to test out a new casino or play some games that they may never otherwise have tried out.
• First deposit or Welcome bonuses: More commonly, casinos have a welcome bonus for the first deposit that a player makes into their new account. It is often the case that players can receive a 100% bump on their first deposit in the form of bonus funds. However, in order for money to be unlocked and become available to be withdrawn as cash, players must meet terms and conditions, which include wagering requirements.
• Reload bonuses: It is not just the first deposit that often has a bonus; reload offers are often in place in order to encourage repeat visits to a site these days as well.
• Free spins: A common type of bonus offered by casinos is free spins, which can be used to get a chance at winning real cash from spinning the reels on online slots.

The Best Online Casino Bonuses in the UK for 2022

Taking all of that into account, we have picked out the best bonuses around for the current year: 

Key Things to Know About Bonuses at Real Money Casinos

Players should look at more than just how much bonus money is being offered; however, when they assess the deals that are being offered at a real money casino. Here are the key terms: 

• Wagering requirements: The most important detail in the terms and conditions of any bonus offer will be the wagering requirements. For those who have never heard of the term, wagering requirements refer to the number of times a bonus must be gambled before it becomes unlocked and can therefore be withdrawn as real cash. Wagering requirements are in place in order to protect sites from unsustainable losses, but they can make it hard for players to turn bonus funds into real cash. As a general rule, the higher the bonus offer, the higher and more complex the wagering requirement.
• Max bet limit: When meeting the wagering requirements of an offer, sites may also have a maximum bet limit in place as well. Again, this protects sites from the losses they may otherwise accrue if there were no terms and conditions in place. A maximum bet limit might make it quite a grind to complete the wagering requirements and unlock bonuses.
• Winning cap: Sites may even have a winning cap in place as part of the T&Cs too. This means that even if a player is fortunate enough to win the jackpot from the bonus they receive, they will not receive the full amount of cash due to the winning cap the sites have.
• Maximum withdrawal: Similar to the winning cap, the maximum withdrawal limit is. Here, sites may dictate how much cash players will be able to withdraw from a bonus.
• Time-related limit: It is usually the case that casinos have a time limit in place for all of the offers, bonuses, deals and promotions that they make available too. Players should check the small print of the terms and conditions to be sure, but for a lot of the offers out there, the time-related limit stands at a week. If a player has yet to fulfil the wagering requirements of an offer before the time expires, they will lose any remaining bonus.
• Game contribution: As part of the T&Cs for a wagering requirement, sites will probably explain that not all of the games they offer will contribute 100% to the requirements. Slots do usually provide the full 100%, but for other games like blackjack and roulette, this is likely to be a lot lower, which again makes it harder to unlock the bonus funds.