How We Review the Best Online Casinos
The process of how we review and rate each UK casino site is rigorous and includes certain criteria from our expert team here at Online-Slot.co.uk. We’ve identified the top factors you need to consider when choosing the best online casinos in the UK:
- Licensing, Security + Verification
- Online Casino Games
- Casino Bonuses + Promotions
- Payment Methods + Withdrawal Times
- Site/Mobile Usability
- Customer Support
Licensing, Security + Verification
Our Criteria:
- Licensed by the UKGC
- Good reputation
- Automatic or quick account verification
Our recommended casino sites in the UK are regulated by the UK Gambling Commission (UKGC). The rules and regulations imposed by the UKGC are there to provide you with regulated, audited and fair casino games as well as rock-solid security to protect your personal data and funds.
UK-regulated casino sites will also keep your money in segregated accounts so you won’t lose your money. The UKGC has teeth too. They have dished out some hefty fines to casino operators that haven’t abided by the rules and regulations.
A quick Google search soon reveals which operators have been squeaky clean and which have room to improve. A good track record can be worth its weight in gold. Being regulated by the UKGC is a must for UK players and a mandatory starting point.
Check a casino site’s license status by visiting the UKGC’s public register where you can search by trading name, business name, domain or account number.
Finally, all UK casino sites are required by the UKGC to confirm the identity of their players. This is to prevent underage and problem gamblers from accessing gambling sites and to stop money laundering.
The better online casinos will try and automatically verify your account as soon as you register. If this isn’t possible, you may need to provide documents including:
- Photo ID: Driving license, passport or ID/National Card
- Address: Bank statement, tax/government-issued letter or utility bill
- Payment Method: Copy of debit card or PayPal account details
Online Casino Games
Our Criteria:
- Good variety of casino games
- Slot games from the top providers
- New releases + jackpot slots
Players at casino sites in the UK are in an environment with a huge variety of casino games to choose from. The catalogue varies from site to site, of course, but the top casinos will offer a range of popular games such as blackjack, roulette, baccarat and video poker, as well as a healthy selection of online slots.
Offering games from reputable slot providers is key and includes the likes of NetEnt, Playtech, Games Global, Play ‘n GO and Pragmatic Play. The best slot sites will offer slots from a vast range of providers, including frequent releases. We like casinos that allow you to filter their games by type and provider so you can play exactly what you want easily. Here at Online-Slot.co.uk, we look for the following:
- Number of Slots: Having 1,000+ slot games ensures you’re guaranteed to find a game you’ll enjoy. Look for slots from the top providers like Games Global, NetEnt and Play ‘n GO.
- Latest Releases: With new casino games released virtually every day, the best online casino sites will bring you the latest slots on the day of release. Check a site’s homepage to see the newest titles, too.
- Table Games: All the favourites like roulette, blackjack and baccarat, as well as new live casino versions.
- Jackpot Slots: While online slots are the most popular type of casino, many players want the chance to win 7 or 8-figure progressive jackpots. Good UK casinos will have the most popular jackpot titles like Mega Moolah, Mega Fortune and the Jackpot King series.
- Exclusive Games: A top casino site will provide games you won’t find anywhere else. This includes exclusively produced slots or games that are released ahead of the general release date.
- Games with Special Game Mechanics: This includes slots that use Big Time Gaming’s Megaways engine or cluster pays slots. These are increasingly popular amongst UK casino players.
Casino Bonuses + Promotions
Our Criteria:
- Welcome bonus/offer
- Clear + transparent Terms & Conditions
- Variety of promotions + offers
Online casino bonuses, which include the welcome offer, are normally the initial attraction when deciding to join a UK casino site or not. We look at all offers in detail to ensure you’re getting a fair deal. Including wagering requirements, deposit restrictions, eligible games and maximum payouts, check out what makes a good online casino bonus.
With a range of bonuses and promotions available, here are the types of casino offers you’ll come across:
- Welcome Bonus: Known as the sign-up or first deposit bonus, it’s the initial offer from a casino site. This normally consists of a 100% match bonus and/or free spins when you make a deposit.
- Free Spins: With a focus on slot games, free spins bonuses can be offered when you make your first deposit or as part of a welcome package. They are normally valid on the most popular online slots such as Starburst (NetEnt) or Book of Dead (Play ‘n GO). Free spins with no wagering are increasingly popular as you keep what you win.
- No Deposit Bonus: Less common at UK casinos, no deposit casino bonuses allow players to try out a site without having to deposit. They usually consist of free spins on a certain slot game and come with high wagering requirements/restrictions.
- Cashback: Som casino sites with a slots focus offer money back when a player loses. This normally varies between 5 and 10% and gives something back to players for their loyalty.
- Reload Bonus: A reload casino bonus is for existing customers. It depends on how much you play normally, with better offers reserved for players who deposit and play more frequently.
- VIP/Loyalty Programmes: Selected UK casinos have a system to reward their customers. Players normally earn points, which can be redeemed for promotions and offers. The higher up the ladder you go, the more benefits you’ll get, like quicker cashout times, customised promotions, birthday gifts and a personal account manager.
- Slot Tournaments: Becoming increasingly popular, casinos offer tournaments on certain slot games daily. Cash prizes, bonuses and free spins are normally up for grabs. Many tournaments are also free to enter.
New UK casinos want to attract new customers, so normally, they are more generous with their bonuses and promotions. You’ll typically see no deposit free spins offers or exclusive welcome bonuses.
Payment Methods + Withdrawal Times
Our Criteria:
- Wide range of popular banking options
- Quick/instant cashouts with no fees
The best online casino sites will give players a variety of casino payment methods. This includes trusted favourites as well as new, mobile-focused methods:
- Debit Cards: The most popular and widely accepted method.
- PayPal: Used by many UK players, especially on sites like eBay.
- Apple Pay: Increasingly used by players with iOS devices.
- Google Pay: Players with Android smartphones love this method.
- Trustly: A free, simple, quick, and secure option is on the rise.
Just as important for players are fast banking options. Many casino sites will offer the top payment methods, but getting your winnings ASAP is just as important. We test the withdrawal process with our own funds to make sure we offer you casinos with fast or instant withdrawals. Some offer cashouts in under 1 hour!
It’s not all about speed, though. There are other things to look out for, including:
- Free Cashouts: Some UK casinos charge fees to make deposits and/or withdrawals, so playing at sites that charge nothing for cashouts is important.
- Weekend withdrawals: You don’t want to have a big win on a Friday night and wait until Monday to get your winnings.
- Deposit/Withdrawal Limits: Each payment method will have its own limits for depositing or cashing out (i.e. £20). There’s been a rise in minimum deposit casino sites where you can deposit from as little as £1.
Site/Mobile Usability
Our Criteria:
- Easy-to-use website
- Mobile-friendly site/dedicated mobile apps
- Filtering options + search functionality
A good user experience is vital to enjoy your favourite casino games. This is why a casino’s website and mobile offering have to use the latest technology and offer a seamless service. User-friendly sites that allow easy searching and filtering options have become increasingly important among savvy players.
With more and more of us using our smartphones for almost everything, having access to online casino sites on your mobile device is a must. With many casinos and slot providers adopting a mobile-first approach, we look for UK casinos that offer:
- Shared functionality on mobile and desktop versions
- Good selection of casino games and slots
- Dedicated mobile payment options (i.e. Boku and Pay by Mobile)
- The same range of promotions and offers
- Dedicated iOS and/or Android mobile apps
Having iOS and Android mobile casino apps is a great sign to tell you’re playing at a top UK casino. With all the action just 1 tap away on your smartphone screen, many sites will offer exclusive releases on mobile apps as well as special promotions focusing on particular payment methods.
Customer Support
Our Criteria:
- Live Chat
- FAQs section
If you need to contact a casino site’s support team, it’s important they have a well-trained and helpful customer support service. We look for round-the-clock availability as well as a number of ways to get in touch. They include:
- Live Chat: The quickest and most popular way to contact a casino
- UK Telephone Number: Being able to call them is still important to many players
- Email/Online Form: Sending an email/message regarding your query/issue is a must
- FAQs: A comprehensive FAQs section or Help Centre is vital
The top UK casinos will offer all of the above. The FAQs or Help section will cover the most common queries, and having a search function will only help with matters. Waiting times via Live Chat or on the phone need to be small, too, so you can get your issue or question resolved/dealt with swiftly.
Independent Casino Sites
With so many sites to pick from, independent casinos are becoming increasingly rare yet popular in the UK. They can offer their customers a tailored solution in many respects. Some of the benefits include:
- Unique website design/theme
- Cherry-picking of the top slot providers/slots
- Exclusive casino games
- Responsive + personal customer support
- More casino bonuses + promotions
- Quicker withdrawals
Online Casinos vs Land-Based Casinos
Online casino sites are very different from land-based operations. Whilst there are many advantages, there are also drawbacks. Below there is a comparison between the two types:
| Online | Land-Based |
| Play when you want without having to travel | Can enjoy with friends + food/drink |
| Bigger selection of casino games | Instant withdrawals (walk up to the cashier) |
| Casino Welcome Bonuses | Lower RTP rates for casino games |
| Wider selection of payment methods | No welcome offer on arrival |
| More self-help/responsible gambling tools | More sociable + normally offers live entertainment |
Why You Can Trust Online-Slot.co.uk
Online-Slot.co.uk was first launched in 2011 and is an independent site owned and operated by Time2play Media. The UK-based team has over 20 years of experience in the online gaming industry. Avid slots players, we’ve spent countless hours registering, depositing, withdrawing and playing at UK casino sites.
We are players first and foremost, so we would never recommend a casino if it doesn’t meet our experts’ high standards. Objectivity and transparency are key so you can make an informed decision about where to play online. Here are some facts about Online-Slot.co.uk:
✅ Founded in 2011
✅ Independent firm with no ties to any casino
✅ First UK site to introduce slot demo verification
✅ 5,000+ slot game reviews
✅ 200+ UK-licensed casino sites reviewed
✅ Exclusive welcome bonuses/offers
✅ Blog: regular news articles + interviews
Responsible Gambling
Before you start playing at any of the recommended casino sites, it’s important to stress that we are committed to responsible gambling. Only offering licensed casinos that are proactive when it comes to playing online safely, below are our 5 tips for safer online gambling:
- Only gamble with what you can afford to lose
- Manage your spending with deposit, loss and wager limits
- Don’t gamble when stressed or upset
- Don’t chase losses
- If it’s not fun, take a break or stop playing
Our responsible gambling section goes into more detail about the measures you have to help you, the common signs of problem gambling and links to getting help.
FAQs
The answer to that question depends on what you’re looking for. Do you want a huge variety of games? Slots from a certain provider? Progressive jackpots? A big new player bonus or regular offers? Check out our $1 which have been vetted by our team of experts.
The casino sites reviewed here are all regulated by the UK Gambling Commission which is one of the most stringent regulators in the online gaming world. They ensure that UK casinos abide by the rules to ensure that games are fair and that players and their funds are protected.
Yes, players at UK online casinos need to verify their accounts as it’s a legal requirement by the UK Gambling Commission. This is done automatically when you register or by submitting documents such as a driver’s license or copy of a utility bill.
Yes, you can win money at online casinos. Like all forms of casino gambling, it’s a matter of luck. One lucky UK player pocketed £13.2 million playing Games Global’s Mega Moolah in October 2015. Some slots can pay up to 300,000 x bet per spin.
Customer support at most top online casinos is now done via live chat. Some still allow you to talk to a person on the phone. Many operators also offer Skype, Twitter and Facebook interactions as well as WhatsApp messaging.
Withdrawal times vary depending on the method used and the casino you’re playing at. Withdrawals to money wallets can take just minutes at some of the best UK casinos. Things to consider are processing times, cashout fees (if any), account verification and weekend cashouts.
Some, but by no means all, online casinos offer their players a mobile app for iOS and Android devices. The best of them offer slick design, a great slots catalogue and plenty of bonuses.
