Best UK Gambling Sites

How we select the Best Gambling Sites

Our method of finding the top online gambling sites is tried and tested, as well as taking into account every kind of variable to help provide you with a genuine and authentic experience, with every site given an exhaustive audit.

One thing that we understand, which we feel helps to give us an edge, is that there isn’t a ‘one size fits all’ approach when it comes to recommending the best online gambling websites because, in a lot of cases, it comes down to personal taste. The things that some people value from casino sites, other players might not consider to be important to them, which is why we provide highly detailed and objective information about each section, which helps readers to be able to make informed decisions.

Licensing plays an important factor

Ultimately, which we consider being the most important thing when it comes down to it, is that all of the best online casinos that we list, review and recommend are licensed and regulated by the UKGC, which means that they are constantly vetted to make sure that they adhere to the strict legislation that the authorities have put in place.

This also helps to provide a benchmark for customers being safe online and that the casino gambling sites have the required level of security in place to protect the player’s details. When it comes to providing readers with information about the top gambling sites, this is one factor that is high on our list of priorities.

The fact that we also make sure to go into extensive detail about every other element of the top gambling websites means that readers can confidently make a decision about which gambling sites they want to try out.

How we review the sign-up process

Our process involves us doing everything from signing up to gambling sites online and going through the entire user journey, even trying the various new customer offers. We then deposit using the variety of methods that are available to see how effective these are before trying the majority of slots and online casino games to see how they function across different devices.

We have a deep understanding of Slots and Games

You might think this is quite time-consuming and unrealistic, however, because of our long history and extensive knowledge of the industry, we are already familiar with the vast majority of the slots and games so we know the quality of the site, purely based on the selection that you are able to choose from.

Customer Service options at Gambling Sites

We also go deep into the customer service aspect of the online casinos as well, because it is often the case that the best gambling sites have a range of different options, such as live chat (sometimes 24 hours), email forms, a telephone number (sometimes free), an FAQs page and even a postal address. What we do here is grade each method on a series of factors including speed, reliability, knowledge and problem solving which means that we are able to provide readers with a detailed account.

The fact that you are able to read reviews about the various different online gaming sites here at CasinoSites.org means that these are the best online gambling sites which have passed our rigorous test and although every site is different, we still feel that these sites are worthy of consideration depending on the elements of casino experience that you value the most.

Why should you play at an Online Gambling Site?

There are many reasons why players are attracted to playing at a gambling website and the best gambling sites cover most of these. Let’s take a look at some of the reasons why the majority of customers find these attractive.

Convenience

It does stand to reason why for most players, an online casino is a preferred option. Compared to a land-based casino, being able to play online is far more efficient because customers can use a device of their choosing and be playing on their favourite slot or table game within minutes. Also, they are able to do this from anywhere if they have access to a strong and stable internet connection such as WiFi (which we recommend to ensure consistent connectivity). As a result, it means that they can visit good gambling sites from the comfort of their own home, while public places such as cafes usually have free WiFi available.

Sign up Offers

In the majority of cases, the best gambling sites often have attractive new customer offers that land-based casinos don’t have which is usually a major advantage for players. In some instances, the top-rated online gambling sites have some of the best in the industry with a number of different options and incentives.

Managing your Bankroll

This is especially true if you are playing at just one site, because rather than making deposits at multiple operator sites, it is far easier to keep track of your funds and how much you are gambling on different games. Being able to record all of your wins and losses helps to be able to better understand how you are performing and then perhaps make a judgement call about which games might be a more suitable fit for you.

Loyalty Schemes

Many of the best gambling sites have VIP or loyalty schemes in place which means compared to land-based casinos, you can qualify for a number of benefits. Depending on the operator site, players can qualify for reward points based on a number of different things such as every £x they deposit, how far they progress in certain games or even just for being active for a sustained period of time. It is often the case that the most reputable gambling sites have a series of tiers for their loyalty schemes and reward their players appropriately based on how far they get.

These rewards can vary depending on how big the operator is, though can include corporate invites to events, entry to exclusive tournaments, free spins or the chance to try out new games before other players. Regardless of how much any of these might appeal though, you should never gamble more than you can afford to lose because this can lead to a number of problems.

Software Providers that Gambling Sites use

In the online gambling industry, software providers play an important role from a user experience perspective, because most players will be aware of which developers created their favourite slots or games and as a result, they may choose their site based on this factor. Below is a snapshot of some of the main software providers in the industry.

Microgaming

An industry leader, this giant has a considerable reputation in the marketplace and has been around since 1994 and is truly a global company with in excess of 200 staff. Their slots have become some of the most sought after in the casino world and they continue to expand year-on-year with many recommended slot sites opting to host their games.

NetEnt

Another software provider which leads the way in the industry, they have a considerable following and for many players, they are a huge draw which means any site which has slots developed by this company often attracts a lot of customers. Founded in 1996 in Sweden, they are a behemoth and have a number of subsidiaries including Red Tiger Gaming who also develop games.

Playtech

Considered one of the ‘big three’, Playtech who was created in 1999 by Israeli entrepreneur Teddy Sagi work with a number of the major gambling brands. It is very rare that you will not find a reputable gambling site which does not work with Playtech and invariably, they choose who they work with.

Elk Studios

A software developer which is considered more ‘boutique’ in the gambling industry, Elk Studios has carved a niche for itself by creating games which aim at particular niches, with a focus on providing players with immersive user experience. Founded in 2012 they are one of the relative late-comers in the industry, however, they continue to impress on a regular basis.

Game Options available at Gambling Sites

Depending on the business model of the brand, each site might have a number of options available for customers to take advantage of. The best place to gamble online is likely to have all of the different possibilities available, though let’s take a look at the different options that the most sought after gambling sites offer.

Slots

Arguably the most popular option for players in the gambling industry, slot games are some of the most heavily played on the best gambling websites and constantly receive a lot of traction. This is because there are literally hundreds of different titles available from a wide variety of software developers, most of which are highly reputable.

These all vary in a series of different ways, such as theme, user journey, graphics and jackpot size with some players preferring slots which are of more of a traditional nature such as ‘Starburst’ and others leaning more towards those that are based on movies such as ‘Indiana Jones’. Needless to say though, slot games are a huge market for the industry.

Sportsbook

Sports betting sites games also get a considerable following, however, this is only really available at the more elite operator sites. This allows customers to bet on their favourite sporting events and the gambling sites which do have this service available are able to cross-market their casino and sportsbook offerings in order to attract more customers.

Betting on Sports

There are many different features available with sportsbooks, which helps to make the experience more exciting for the players. Below is a summary of the different types of things which add to this.

In-Play Betting

This is where you are offered the chance to bet on sports markets during the actual events themselves. While the event is happening, bookmakers update the odds for various eventualities throughout the match, such as ‘next player/team to score’, while each team will also see their odds widen or narrow depending on a number of factors such as what the score is, how long has been played and whether either team has been weakened by injury or a dismissal.

Cash Out

This was a particularly revolutionary feature that was introduced to the world of sportsbooks and gambling sites, which allowed gamblers to cash their bet out at any point during the event, which is something that the best gambling sites let gamblers do.

Live Streaming

Another feature that the best gambling sites offer for gamblers and which also helped to contribute to a more beneficial experience for customers. Some events that gamblers make wagers on might not have television rights which means that they may not be able to watch the event live, which is important for those who may want to make a cash out judgement call.

The true beauty of this feature on gambling sites is that it allows gamblers to also stream via multiple devices with betting sites games that are available to watch, actually considered one of the most specialist attributes of an online operator site.

Table Games

All gambling sites worth their salt have a table games section which usually provides customers with an array of different games which you would expect to find in a land-based casino. The most popular gambling sites have different versions of a lot of them, including blackjack, roulette and baccarat which are sometimes based on a number of themes to appeal to a range of customers.

Poker

UK gambling online poker has become particularly sought after in recent years and there are many top 10 gambling sites which offer players all of the different types of poker. Customers can usually find this in one of two areas on gambling sites. They will either have their own standalone poker section, or the different varieties will be listed on table games, so it is always worth exploring the site to make sure. However, here at CasinoSites.org for each of the gambling sites that we review, it is made clear where you are able to find this. The different types of poker that the best gamble sites have included Texas Hold’Em which is the most popular, as well as Omaha, Draw Poker and Caribbean Stud Poker among others, though these tend to be the main ones that you will find. Read our guide on how to win at poker for some great tips.

Bingo

In some instances, players also have the ability to play online bingo at gambling sites with both 90 ball as well as 75 ball game options available, however, more often than not you will only really find this option at dedicated bingo sites which lead with this as their main product, while also providing the possibility to play slots as well.

Playing Poker Online at Gambling Sites – Where Strategy and Skill Pays Off

Another attractive feature that the most effective online gambling sites offer is the ability to play poker online. Many gambling sites online now provide this due to the considerable demand and, as a result, it means that there can often be hundreds if not thousands of players, especially at the top 10 gambling sites every day testing their abilities against each other. These gambling sites simply know that they will get the players if they offer this, especially if there are different varieties of poker as well.

While the majority of games on gambling sites that you can typically play at a casino (table games like blackjack and roulette) or at a gambling operator are more about luck than skill, poker is one game that you can use some form of skill. As a result, there are many different strategies that players tend to employ when they are engaged in a game. Let’s take a closer look at some of these.

Play fewer hands but do this aggressively

In No-Limit Texas Hold’Em, even for the best poker players in the world, there is a limit to how many starting hands that you can play before the flop and if you try to play too many hands, it will bleed your chips anyway.

One of the quickest methods to increase your bottom line at poker on gambling sites is to develop a solid preflop strategy and while this is relatively easy to do, having the difficulty to stick with them can be a lot harder than people think. The challenge is not getting too impatient and playing a hand that isn’t worth playing.

Do not be the first player to limp

This is simply being the first player to enter a pot on the big blind on gambling sites. In doing this, most players give their position away unless they are wanting to do this on purpose to lure others into a false sense of security. The strategy here suggests that the only acceptable time to limp is if another player has already done so.

Half bluff aggressively with your draws

Arguably where the biggest form of skill comes into play in poker on gambling sites, the ability to bluff effectively, however, this is where being able to read the table is crucial to getting it right. Not bluffing at the right time is a sure-fire way to lose big, unless again you are doing this on purpose so that you lure the players into a false sense of security and underestimate your skills.

While some players bluff regardless of the cards that they have in an attempt to bully others out of the game, if you are playing sensibly the cards that you have will dictate whether you are going to do this or not.

Fold when you are not sure

Quite simply this is just going with your gut. By not letting your ego come into the equation you are ensuring that you are protecting the stack of chips that you have. Even the smartest professional poker players do this as they know when and when not to play a hand.

Live Casino Gaming – Bringing Online and Land-Based Gambling Together

This was somewhat of a game-changer in the gambling industry because it merged two experiences into one to provide ultimate convenience and entertainment to the player. It combined the best elements of visiting a land-based casino with online table games. By allowing customers to play their games as if they are in an actual casino with a live dealer, but online gives gamblers much more freedom because they still get that experience, but from the comfort of their own surroundings.

Some of the most popular casino gambling sites such as the top ten gambling sites offer this and it is easy to understand why they attract so many players, while they also may have especially designated and branded rooms so the experience is made even more authentic.

Mobile Guide

The ability to enable players to use their smartphones has become a priority for gambling companies and since 2010 there has been a considerable increase in the amount of people using their smartphones as the number one device for online gamblers, while at the time the best gambling site online was set up for mobile.

What can also be factored into this is that there has been huge improvement in mobile technology by the various manufacturers. It has made accessing the internet a lot easier due to the increased functionality of the devices themselves. With this transition, it almost forced gambling companies to adopt the mentality ‘mobile first’ which means when it comes to the design of their site they approach it from the strategy that the vast majority of customers will be using their smartphones.

It means that a lot of investment went into creating, arguably new departments within gambling companies whose job it was to focus purely on mobile experience. Every stage of the user journey is dedicated towards mobile users, so everything must be completed to the highest standards. When we review sites, we pay particular attention to how each stage works on mobile, from registration and claiming a welcome bonus, making the first deposit or min deposit with real money all the way through to cash out while ensuring that every device is consistent.

The best online gaming site will have their own dedicated app for both iOS and Android, although there are a few of the major operator brands who have this as well. Others will just have their own ‘mobile site’ which means you have to access it via the browser, with many looking just as good.

Payment Providers for Gambling Sites

In the online gambling industry, prospective customers have an array of options available when it comes to making deposits and withdrawals, however, this does depend on the site itself. Let’s take a look at some of the major ones that you can find at the most popular gambling sites.

Debit Card

Most gambling operators work with many of the main banks which means that customers are able to make deposits and withdrawals via debit cards. While deposits are usually instant, withdrawals can take up to 48 hours.

PayPal

One of the most popular online payment gateways in the world, a lot of operator sites use PayPal and the advantages for customers is that this adds an extra layer of security to transactions. Both deposits and withdrawals are also usually instant. Other internet payment gateways include Neteller, Skrill and ecoPayz, though not all sites will have these.

PaybyPhone

This unique method allows customers to make deposits via their mobile phone while playing a game and the beauty of this is that it is convenient and the money deposited is added to a player’s mobile phone bill. Most of the bet operator sites offer this method and it has become popular. You can check out our great range of pay by phone slots sites if you are interested in using this payment method.

Paysafecard

For more security conscious players, this option allows customers to use a top up method where they can buy this virtually or in a store. By choosing this method under ‘deposit options’ on the site, they are then prompted to enter in their three digit pin, which will credit their account with the amount that they purchased their card for.

UK Gambling Licence, Responsible Gambling Certificates, Payout Reports

Every gambling site that we list and review is licensed by the UKGC (United Kingdom Gambling Commission), which means that they have to adhere to a set of legislation designed to protect players from any wrongdoing by even the most reputable gambling sites. As a result of this, these companies are regularly monitored by the UKGC who keep a tight control on how the brands are operating.

The consequences for any wrongdoing can be as severe as a complete ban or a hefty fine which can send them out of business. Even the best online gambling site can make what could be viewed as a mistake by a customer, such as delaying payment after a big win, however, it is their job to do their due diligence to make sure that the customer was not committing fraud.

Each gambling operator that we list also has Responsible Gambling certificates, which means that they work with gambling charities and encourage their customers to gamble responsibly. You can tell that a brand has a Responsible Gambling certificate because usually at the bottom of their sites, they have each of the charity’s logos who they work with - BeGambleAware, being the main one. Also, while it is easy for a site just to list these, the UKGC regularly monitors each company who knows it is simply not worth their trouble to do this.  Each site also has to issue payout reports to each customer as proof that they have processed their transaction.

Is Online Gambling Safe?

While there is no 100 percent guarantee of anything in life and especially online - sites can make themselves as secure as possible and employ every tactic as they can, the online gambling industry tends to take every necessary precaution to ensure that a customer’s details are kept protected. One of the ways that they do this is having SSL encryption in place on their sites which makes it difficult for anyone trying to breach their security. This is extremely rare in the industry.