Online Casinos Real Money 2024
Choosing the right real money online casinos in the UK can be challenging; increased regulation, casino closures and stringent rules can make the UK online gambling space a minefield for players. Thankfully, our team of online gambling experts is here to help - and this site is designed exclusively for UK gamblers looking for the best online casinos to join.
In the table below, you can view a breakdown of all of the top UK casinos. These sites have all been hand-picked and vetted by our team of experts - and all of these sites offer generous bonuses and promotions, including matched deposit bonuses and free spins!
What Are Real Money Online Casinos?
Real money online casinos are websites where players like yourself can gamble and bet on various casino games and video slots for real money. Essentially, they’re internet-based versions of traditional land-based casinos.
Today, most real money online casinos allow you to play thousands of different casino games, including everything from video slots and casino table games, to video pokies and live dealer games.
Benefits of Playing at Online Casinos UK
Playing at UK-focused online casinos comes with a wide variety of benefits. Arguably one of the biggest benefits is that all online casinos operating within the UK market need to hold a valid online gambling licence from the UK’s Gambling Commission. The UKGC is known for taking the side of players against casinos - and they’re unafraid of handing out very big fines to operators found to be breaching the terms and conditions of their licence.
UK casinos also offer a huge selection of games. Virtually all of the world’s iGaming software providers are licensed in the UK - and this means their games can be offered to UK players. You’ll be able to enjoy casino games from game developers including Big Time Gaming, NetEnt, Quickspin, Elk Studios, and Nolimit City.
UK casinos also tend to offer generous bonuses and promotions - and new players can often claim especially lucrative offers. We’ll be looking at these bonuses and promotions later on this page.
How We Review Online Casinos
As online gambling experts, we’re often asked how we go about actually reviewing online casino real money sites. Truth be told, we factor in a variety of metrics - and these all allow us to gauge whether a casino is worthy of playing at, or not. Below, we’re going to walk you through some of the key factors we take into account when reviewing a casino.
Reputation
One of the most important things we look at when reviewing UK casinos is the site’s reputation. For example, if it’s an older casino, we’ll look at how the casino’s treated players in the past, how many complaints they’ve generated online, and what real players are actually saying.
If the site is a new operation, we’ll look at whether the owners and operators have history in the online gambling world. If they do, we’ll look at how they treated players in the past. If a site is brand new and doesn’t have any history, we’ll monitor it closely in the first few months of operation. This will allow us to see exactly how they treat their players - and whether they’re worthy of being recommended on our website, or not.
Site Design
Ten years ago, casinos could get away with a boring, old-fashioned and user unfriendly design. Today, however, the online gambling market is more competitive than ever - and there’s simply no excuse for lazy design.
We look at a number of factors when reviewing a casino's design; for example, we look at how easy it is to navigate the different games. Are there search functions available? Can you filter the games? Is the website mobile-optimised? Only when we’re happy that UK casinos are truly user-friendly will we consider recommending them to our readers.
Game Choice
Game choice is incredibly important when choosing an online casino. When you’re gambling with real money there’s simply no point joining a site if your favourite games aren’t available. Generally speaking, the more games on offer - the better - and we like to see casinos offering games from as many software providers and game developers as possible.
Slots
Video slots are, by far, the most common type of casino game players at online casinos - and today, more than 15,000 different video slots are available online! However, not all slots are created equal - and that’s one of the reasons why we look very closely at the video slots on offer at real money online casinos in the UK.
We also like to see a good variety of different slot games - so you can enjoy games with different mechanics like BTG’s Megaways, and Nolimit City’s xNudge.
Progressive Jackpots
Progressive jackpot games allow players from all around the UK to win life-changing amounts of money. Some progressive jackpot games offer multi-million-pound jackpots - and thankfully, almost all real money online casinos offer a decent selection of progressive jackpot games.
However, this isn’t always the case - and if a casino is found not to offer progressive jackpot games, it’s unlikely that we’ll consider recommending them here on our website.
Casino & Slots Bonuses
Bonuses are offered at virtually every casino today - and new players are often able to enjoy especially lucrative welcome bonuses. When we review UK online casinos real money sites, we always look at the welcome bonus on offer. This includes both a look at the generosity of the bonus, along with the terms and conditions.
For example, we like to see low wagering requirements, few game restrictions and high maximum bets. It should go without saying that the best welcome bonuses at UK casinos will come without a maximum win cap - so there’s no limit on the amount of money you can withdraw from the bonus!
Ongoing Rewards
While new-player welcome bonuses are usually highly lucrative, most UK casinos also offer a range of ongoing bonuses and promotions to players. This can include reload bonuses, free spins and one-off promotions. When we’re reviewing an online casino, we look at the value and consistency of these bonuses - ensuring all of the sites we recommend offer our players constant rewards.
Payment Options
Playing with real money at online casinos comes with unique challenges - and one of these challenges is choosing which payment method to use. When you’re making deposits and withdrawals, you want things to be as easy as possible - and you want to be able to use your preferred payment method.
Of course, almost all UK casinos allow you to make deposits and withdrawals using debit cards - and most offer the standard EWallets like Skrill and Neteller. However, we give bonus marks to casinos if they offer additional banking options like PayPal and Cryptocurrencies. Please note, that UK casinos are no longer able to accept credit cards; this is due to new regulations brought in by the UKGC.
Mobile Usability
Today, it’s estimated that over 70% of gamblers play from their mobile devices; this means online casinos need to be fully mobile-optimised and mobile-friendly. Thankfully, the vast majority of sites are mobile-optimised - and some even offer a dedicated mobile casino app.
When we’re reviewing real money online casinos, we always look at the mobile casino. We investigate how fast it is, how quickly the games load, whether live chat support is available - and more. All of the UK casinos listed here on this page are fully mobile-optimised - so you can enjoy gambling regardless of where you are!
Customer Support
Today, it’s rare for things to go wrong when you’re playing at an online casino. However, there are times when you might need to contact the site’s customer support team - and that’s why it’s important that support is there, should you require it.
All of the best online casino real money sites in the UK offer live chat support, allowing you to speak to a member of the customer support team in real time. Some offer phone support, too, which is an added benefit in our eyes.
Online Casino Bonuses
It’s no secret that most experienced players choosing a new online casino will look at the bonuses and promotions available before joining. With thousands of online casinos operating in the iGaming market today, you’ll find a huge variety of bonuses - and some are significantly better than others.
Below, we’re going to walk you through some of the most common types of bonuses you’ll be able to find at real money online casinos operating in the UK. Please note that due to new UKGC regulations, all UK-focused bonuses must be parachute bonuses. This means your real money balance must be separate from your bonus balance - so you can make a withdrawal at any time, provided you haven’t already dipped into the bonus funds.
Welcome Bonus
A welcome bonus is a promotion that’s offered to new players. Generally, welcome bonuses are more generous than other types of bonuses and promotions. This is due to casinos attempting to attract potential new customers.
Generally, UK casinos offer one of two welcome bonuses; a matched deposit bonus, or free spins. A matched deposit bonus means the casino will match your first deposit by a percentage - usually 100%. For example, if you make a £50 deposit, the casino will credit your account with an additional £50, bringing your total account balance to £100.
Some UK casinos have decided to be more creative - offering new players spins on bonus wheels, cashback - and even the chance to win real-life prizes like holidays and cars!
Slots Bonus
As the name suggests, a slot bonus is a bonus that’s available exclusively for use on slot machines. While it’s a lot more common to see free spins offered, some online casinos will offer matched deposit bonuses and reload bonuses which can be used on slots - and this type of promotion is sometimes seen accompanying the release of a new game.
No-Wager Bonus
A no-wager bonus is a special type of promotion that allows you to enjoy the winnings from your bonus right away without needing to complete any wagering requirements. Unfortunately, these bonuses and promotions are becoming increasingly rare - and they are usually accompanied by strict terms and conditions.
Free Spins
Free spins are offered at many UK casinos - and they allow you to play specific (or, sometimes, a range of) slot machines for free. For example, some online casinos will offer new players, say, 50 free games on NetEnt’s Starburst. This means you can simply open up the game and enjoy 50 free games without risking any of your own cash!
Cashback
Cashback at online casinos works in different ways depending on where you play. Most online casinos, however, will offer cashback on your net losses. The amount of cashback that you can claim varies, but it’s usually in the 10-20% range. Most UK casinos credit cashback once per week.
Non-Sticky Bonuses
Non-sticky bonuses are now standard at all online casinos. This is due to new regulations from the UKGC. Non-sticky bonuses means your real money balance is kept separate from your bonus funds. In the past, the two were merged together. The major benefit of non-sticky bonuses is that before you dip into the bonus funds, you can do what you want; you can play any games you like, bet as much money as you want - and, most importantly, withdraw, if you hit a win, without worrying about needing to complete any wagering requirements!
VIP Bonus
A VIP bonus is a special type of bonus offered to VIP players; usually, this is those who wager significantly higher amounts of money than other players. Some online casinos offer VIP programs, where players unlock specific rewards every time they progress through the program, while others offer customisable VIP perks to players.
Different Games Available at UK Real Money Online Casinos
One of the main benefits of playing at UK real money online casinos is the fact that you’re able to play so many games. Below, we’ll look at some of the most popular casino games found at UK online casinos.
Online Slots
Online slots are incredibly popular - and it’s not hard to see why. With many games offering players the chance to stake as little as 10 pence per round, slots give you the potential to win large amounts of money - sometimes into the tens of thousands of times your stake! Today, there are a huge variety of slot machines, all offering their own unique theme, mechanic, and bonuses and features.
Roulette
Roulette is the most popular casino table game in the world, and this classic game of chance is found at virtually every online casino on the planet. Most online casinos offer multiple variations of Roulette - including European, American, and French.
Blackjack
Blackjack, like Roulette, is a highly popular casino table game, and you’ll find it offered at almost all online casinos. Again, like Roulette, Blackjack comes in a number of variations - with many of the games offering unique sidebets such as 21+3 and Perfect Pairs.
Live Dealer Casino Games
Live dealer games have become exponentially more popular in recent years, and it’s easy to see why. Live dealer games combine online gambling with the land-based experience; you can place bets from the comfort of your mobile device or computer, while interacting with a dealer, working out of a real, land-based casino or custom-built studio.
Top Software Providers at UK Real Money Online Casinos
Real money online casinos operating in the UK benefit from being able to offer games from a huge selection of software providers. The online gambling market in the UK is massive, and as a result of this, most game developers try to receive certification from the UK’s Gambling Commission so that they can offer their games to UK players.
In the UK, you’ll be able to enjoy casino games from major game developers like NetEnt, Microgaming, Pragmatic Play, and Quickspin, along with smaller game studios including Foxium, Old Skool Studios, and Rabcat.
Top Payment Methods at UK Online Casinos Real Money
As we mentioned earlier, UK online casinos real money sites offer players a wide variety of payment methods. Every UK casino allows you to make deposits and withdrawals using debit cards - including VISA and MasterCard. Due to new regulations from the UKGC, UK-based players are no longer able to use credit cards to gamble online.
Most UK casinos also let you make deposits and withdrawals using EWallets such as Skrill, Neteller, and PayPal. The major benefit of using EWallets is that - most of the time - withdrawals are instant, and they’re incredibly easy to use.
Some UK casinos have started to accept cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin and Ethereum - although due to regulatory worries, the bigger brands have, generally, stayed away from crypto so far.
Pay by Mobile Phone Bill is another unique UK-focused payment method that allows you to deposit at casinos using your phone bill. The deposit you make will be added to your next phone bill! Other payment methods available to UK players include bank transfers (instant bank transfers can be facilitated using Trustly), Cheques, and, when playing at one of the major bookmaker sites, you can even collect your winnings in cash, from a highstreet bookie!
Online Casinos Real Money FAQs
We hope we've made it easy for you to select your next casino to play real money casino games and slots. Below, we compiled a list of the most important and most commonly asked questions about online casinos for real money. Hopefully, these will also shine a light on certain subjects you hadn't considered, or if you haven't read our site word for word, these quick-glance questions might just help you out for a better, successful experience.
Is It Legal To Play At Real Money Online Casinos?
If you are in the UK, playing at real casinos online is entirely legal. Ensure that the UK Gambling Commission licenses any casino you play at. You can quickly check if it is by looking the casinos name up on the UK Gambling Commission website. We recommend avoiding any casino if it's hard to find any information about a valid license. Usually, all casinos offer full details in its website footer. Playing at offshore accounts is not recommended, as you are not protected in any way. If you're outside the UK, we recommend checking your local laws to ensure that it's legal to play real money slots and casino games where you reside.
Can I Deposit By PayPal At Real Money Casinos UK?
Many leading UK real money casinos accept PayPal as a valid deposit and withdrawal method. Not all casinos accept Paypal however, we recommend checking our casino reviews to find one that does. Most of our recommended real money casinos above accept PayPal, so have a browse to find the most suited casino site!
Can I Play At Real Money Casinos Online For Free?
To play free games at online casinos with real money, we recommend finding a new casino offering new customers a free no-deposit bonus. Not all casinos offer these bonuses; established, more prominent companies usually do. However, check our top list of UK casinos above, as you will find some great no deposit free spins and free sign-up offers hidden in there! Ensure you read the full terms of any bonus you plan on claiming, as usually, free no deposit bonuses come with hard-to-clear wagering requirements and, in some cases, will require a deposit if you want to cash out any winnings. Another way to play free real money casino games is to join a casino and play their games in "play/ fun" mode. Doing this enables you to play their whole game catalogue without spending any of your own budget!
Can I Get Free Spins at UK Online Casinos?
Yes, most, if not all, online casinos offer new customers a welcome bonus that usually comes with an attractive free spins bonus that's available to claim upon deposit. Check the casinos above - they have been carefully selected because they offer fair and high-value bonuses.
Can I Trust Real UK Online Casinos?
If you play with licensed operators, then you can trust them. All casinos that are UKGC (UK Gambling Commission) licensed are vetted and monitored to ensure they offer a fair and responsible casino environment. Licensed casinos offer other perks too: such as low wagering bonuses, fast cash-out times, and around-the-clock customer support centres. Check out the list of top UK casinos above for a reliable casino experience.
How Do I Know Real Money Slots Aren't Rigged?
All online casino games and slots (aside from live dealer casino games, which is a whole other subject!) are built with a "Random Number Generator " technology. This special software ensures all games play out with fair and random outcomes. There is no way any employee or casino itself can tamper with it and change any game outcomes to be in their favour. What's more, legit and licensed casinos will not offer rigged games because they are continuously monitored, and their games are 3rd party tested to ensure fair results. Put simply, a licensed UK casino can't offer rigged games. All UK casinos that hold a valid UKGC license will offer fair games so that you can play with peace of mind.