The Top Online Casinos in the UK
Welcome to TopCasinos.org.uk – your Number 1 source of information on the best Internet casinos in the United Kingdom. Our mission is to help you make the right choice when it comes to online gambling websites. We have devised the perfect system for reviewing and comparing online casinos.
Play at our top UK recommended casino to enjoy the best games and mouthwatering bonuses!
Our comparing method is sure to help you find the best bonus offers, the most engaging games and the most satisfying online gambling experience. Check out the results of our research and make your choice today!
The Top 3 British Operators
The current top 3 casinos, as rated by our team, are:
We have extensively researched numerous competing gambling websites in order to come up with this list – after all, if you want to put real money on the line, you must make sure you are dealing with professionals who will provide you with a safe and fulfilling gaming experience.
On our website, you can find detailed reviews on each of those casinos. Make sure to check them out and see what features put them in our top 3.
How We Rank the Casinos?
Before we share our method with you, we need to talk about licensure. As you probably know, in order for an operator to provide such services in the UK, they must be licensed by the UK Gambling Commission. Each casino we consider for our list is accredited and therefore 100% legal. For this reason, licensure by the UKGC is not one of our criteria – it’s a requirement every good casino should cover.
Below you can find the main criteria we used for our research and comparison of the best online gambling platforms in the UK.
- Game Selection
- Bonus Offers
- Security
- Software
- Payment Options
- Customer Support
Time for us to go deeper and explore each of the criteria individually, so you can understand our thought process and why we are certain that our list is 100% accurate.
Casino Games Selection – From Slots to Poker
Let’s face it – the quality and quantity of games provided is one of the most important factors when choosing a casino site to play at. We all know that the most popular games when it comes to UK gambling are blackjack, roulette and slots. However, those games have many variations besides the traditional ones, all of them offering different features, options and winning opportunities. A good gambling website should not limit its visitors to just one form of, let’s say, roulette, when there are many other interesting and exciting options suitable for different players.
Our research shows that Ladbrokes has the greatest variety and quality of games – they spot more than 400 types of slot machines! Their game selection has the best overall balance, giving all types of players something to play and enjoy.
We should not forget about live dealer games, as they give you the thrill of a real casino experience while you are in the comfort of your own home. Many websites offer this option, but in order for the players to enjoy it, the broadcast must be good and the video quality – impeccable. 888 Casino has stood out as not only having superb broadcast quality, but also a great number of games that can be played live. If you want to learn more about the games at 888, make sure you read our detailed review.
Another important factor that we must take into consideration is the RTP (Return to Player) percentage. This value shows what part of all bets placed for each game are eventually paid back to players. Many people misunderstand the concept, thinking that it’s the amount you are guaranteed to win when playing a game. RTP is calculated over a long, long time period and includes all games and all dealt hands. A higher RTP means a lower house edge.
All casinos in our Top 3 list have a great variety of games and you are guaranteed to find something you like. Also, all of them feature high-quality live dealer games. Needless to say, we picked casinos that have some of the highest RTP in the industry.
A Guide to the Bonus Offers – Free Spins or Cash Rewards?
Almost all operators offer the players a certain bonus in order to lure them into joining their casino. When it comes to those bonuses, it is rather difficult to choose one as the best. It all depends on the type of player you are. A bonus that seems amazing to you might not be so appealing to someone else.
Common bonus offers include free spins, welcome packages, and additional bonuses for deposits and such. All the casinos in our list have great bonus offers – it is up to you to find the one that suits you best as a player. It’s all about the types of games you prefer and how much you want to deposit.
Welcome Offers
Perhaps the most common type of casino bonus is the welcome bonus – they are exclusive to new players and it’s usually awarded as soon as you make your very first deposit. The bonus itself varies from operator to operator. For instance, some casino sites offer 100% match deposit, which means that you are rewarded an extra pound for each pound you deposit. This number generally varies from 50% to 300% in some casinos.
It is important to remember that in many instances, the welcome bonus has a cap – so if you are looking to deposit a large sum of money, you better go with an operator that offers a higher bonus cap.
Promotions
The Welcome Bonus is usually a one-time deal. What stops players from simply taking advantage of the bonus deal of one casino and then swing over to the next one? That is why online operators offer a wide range of promotions for their existing customers. This variety of special offers, bonuses, and perks keep the players happy and loyal to their casino.
Those promotions are very different from one operator to the next – a good example is 888 Casino, who maintain a great number of regular promotions for their players. An example would be the Daily Deals promo, where you can get rewards every day by playing specific games.
Safety & Security
When rating casinos, security is a really important factor. Thankfully, in order for an operator to get licensed by the United Kingdom Gambling Commission, they must adhere to very strict rules, standards and regulations. This category also includes technical security, player protection and the general ‘fairness’ of the games featured in the casino.
An encrypted connection is a must for financial transactions over the Internet. Some websites even prefer to encrypt all connections – not just the transactions. This way all sensitive information is safe and secure. Our thorough check showed us that our top casinos have certification from reputable technical security companies. You can be sure that your personal information and other sensitive data is more than safe when browsing those websites.
All available games should be fair – there must be no problems with the code or playability. After all, this is real money we are betting on them. To that end, operators hire external QA agencies that test the games and ensure their integrity. You can see their certificates on the operator’s website.
Good online casinos care about their players. That is why they take actions towards protecting their clientele from the so-called ‘problem gambling’. Many reputable casinos team-up with NPOs to support people who have trouble with their gambling habits. Those socially responsible operators finance the prevention and treatment of gambling-related problems.
Overall, this category is complex and covers lots of different subjects. All casinos in our Top 3 list pride themselves on their excellent technical security, game integrity and responsibility to their players.
Website Experience – Software Quality & Mobile Versions
Have you ever wondered why many gambling websites look almost identical to one another? That is because they are most likely using software created by the same developer. Casino operators generally don’t program themselves, but rather use a software development company (like Playtech or Microgaming) to get the job done. Those companies usually do work for more than one online casino – that is why many websites look and feel alike.
What are the most important factors to consider when it comes to software? Here is what we think is essential:
- Stability and reliability
- User-friendly interface
- Ease of navigation
- Quick loading times
- Easy access to helpful information and FAQ
Those are the main criteria we assessed while researching this category. The best online casinos have their bonus terms, payout rates, deposit fees and other useful information visible in plain sight. One should not have to dig through pages and pages of terms and conditions to find a vital piece of information.
Nowadays, the popularity of smartphones and tablets is at an all-time high. That is why it is important for operators to develop mobile-friendly versions of their websites and games. Sadly, not many operators offer a good mobile experience as of yet. There is much to be improved, but the top operators are constantly working towards offering better and better mobile versions of their products.
Payment Options – Variety, Fees, and Withdrawal Time
Since you want to gamble with real money, you will need to fund your account. Every good casino should have several options for doing that. Also, the transactions need to be fast, straightforward and as secure as possible. Some operators tend to include fees when a user funds their account – but most reputable casino sites out there choose not to do it, as it can be a nuisance for a large portion of the players.
When it comes to payment methods, almost every internet casino accepts credit and debit cards. However, as far as alternative payment methods go, there can be a lot of variety between the operators. PayPal has emerged as one of the safest and quickest ways to pay online, so it is widely used by almost every website. Other methods include:
- Skrill
- Neteller
- Paysafecard
Most casinos even offer the good old-fashioned bank transfer as a way of funding your account – if you have the patience. After all, each payment method has its own advantages and disadvantages. It is up to you to choose the method that suits you best.
Another aspect that is worth looking at is the withdrawal time. Naturally, the faster the better. The average time we spotted is between 2-5 days. All websites on our Top 3 list have a wide range of payment methods available, no fees for funding your account and short withdrawal time.
Customer Support – Options & Reliability
No matter what you do, a time will come when you will need help. This is where customer support comes in and it should be fast, responsive, and reliable. A good online casino should offer a variety of support options. Some of the most common ones are:
- Phone support (preferably free of charge)
- Live chat
- Contact forms
- FAQ sections
When talking about customer service, the response time is perhaps the most important factor. All casinos on our list provide 24/7 phone and live chat support, so you can rely on them to help you whenever the need arises. It is also worth mentioning that our Top 3 operators offer phone support absolutely free of charge.
Email is also an option. We made a little test to determine which of our top operators has the best response time. Even though all of them answered us in less than 24 hours, 888 Casino stood out as the quickest one to reply to all our emails.
Conclusion: The Best Places for Safe and Fun Online Gambling
When it comes to real-money online gambling, you should not make any compromises. As avid players ourselves, we know how frustrating it can be to deal with unprofessional, shady websites that offer no clear information, help, or variety of games. That is why we decided to do this research and present to you our findings.
Online gambling can be really fun and rewarding, provided that you find the right one for you. Needs vary from player to player, and what is good for you might not be the best choice for someone else. Our criteria focus on the fundamentals – the things that make an online casino great. We hope that this research helps you discover the casino that is right for you.
Don’t forget to check out our detailed reviews on 888 Casino, Betvictor and Ladbrokes for even more information on the Top 3 casinos in the UK.