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Legislation from the 1960s made all forms of gambling legal in the UK. The legal age for most forms of gambling is 18. Almost all forms of gambling fall under the remit of the 2005 Gambling Act & the 2014 Gambling (Licensing & Advertising) Act. All online casinos and other gambling providers must be licensed by the UK Gambling Commission. Gambling Act of 2005, which modernised gambling licensure to address online casinos, among other factors. Legal Violations in the UK Any country that allows gambling has strict laws for businesses. Gambling Act of 2005, which modernised gambling licensure to address online casinos, among other factors. Legal Violations in the UK Any country that allows gambling has strict laws for businesses.

The online casino industry has grown by leaps and bounds from the time it first came into existence. Today it is a multibillion dollar global industry with millions of players registered with the thousands of online casinos.

There are countries where gambling is legal and online casinos are therefore very popular; there are also countries where the laws regarding online gambling is vague as far as the player is concerned the industry is still therefore thriving. One country where online casinos are legal is the UK.

Gambling on the whole is legalized in the UK and therefore you find a large number of UK online casinos. There are also a large number of overseas operators offering their services to players from the UK. On this page we discuss the different aspects that go into making it to the list of the top 15 UK online casinos.

How do we review UK Online Casinos

There are a large number of UK online casinos today. Many of these are best out of the UK, while there are others who are run by overseas operators. That makes the task of zeroing in on one casino that is the right fit for your gambling aspirations and requires a daunting task. One of the best ways of doing this is to connect to a portal that offers information on all top UK casinos. That is where we step in.

We are the leading provider of information about the top UK online casinos. We have a team of experts that come with enormous industry experience. They put it to good use as they test and analyze all UK online casinos on all the different parameters that go into the making of a top online casino. We also offer reviews of these casinos; so all you have to do is go through our list and read our reviews to find the right casino.

Top UK Online Casinos

Regulation of the Top UK Online Casinos

All the top UK online casinos are bound by rules and regulations. These rules and regulations are set by the regulatory body that was formed to regulate gambling in the UK, the United Kingdom Gambling Commission (UKGC). We take a quick look at the major laws that govern online gambling in the UK:

The Gambling Act of 2005

Online gambling is legal in the UK and completely regulated. The first act that was passed to regulate gambling completely in the modern era was the Gambling Act of 2005. According to the Gambling Act of 2005, gambling was defined as any form of gambling that required a player to place a bet over an electronic device or using electronic technology that made communication possible over any of the following media:

• Radio
• Telephone
• Television
• Internet

This Act was passed with the objective of regulating commercial gambling in the UK.

• It sought to ensure total regulation in collaboration with other licensing bodies in the UK.
• All major gambling activities in the UK were brought under the ambit of this Act, except spread betting, which continued to be regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA).
• As per this Act, local and overseas operators could offer gambling opportunities to UK players.
• There was no independent licensing jurisdiction yet in the UK; this Act led to the formation of the first gambling regulatory body in the UK – the United Kingdom Gambling Commission (UKGC).
• Overseas operators could still function with a license from any of the recognized white-collar licensing jurisdictions across the world.

Later, the Gambling Act of 2005 was thought to be somewhat inadequate when it came to regulation. For instance, foreign operators were still not under the ambit of UK law. That was why, another Act was passed later.

The Gambling (Licensing and Advertising) Act of 2014

The Gambling (Licensing and Advertising) Act of 2014 was passed in that year after approval by Royal Assent. The Law was brought to Parliament n 9^th May, 2013.

• All existing and new gambling operators in the UK had to get a license from the UKGC.
• Overseas operators from white-collar licensing jurisdictions too would require a license from the UKGC to operate in the UK.
• They could apply for a license and obtain a continuity license till they get the full license, for which they need to pay a fee.
• This law has caused a furor among overseas operators because of the additional 15% tax imposed on them for accepting bets from UK players. Many have withdrawn their operations in the UK, including:
  • The Fortune Lounge Group
  • SBOBet
  • The Cherry Group

However, there have been many positives from the passing of the Gambling (Licensing and Advertising) Act of 2014.

• Over 1000 applications have been registered with the DCMS.
• 150+ companies have applied for licenses.
• More than 749 gambling licenses have been issued till 31^st March, 2016.
• Many other overseas operators have taken alternate steps to continue servicing UK players like:
• Applying to the UKGC for a fresh license and using a continuity license till that is issued.
• Shifting their UK customers to a single casino that is part of their group and closing access to the others.
• Shutting out their UK players and either moving them to another casino within their brand or giving them pointers about casinos owned by other groups they could shift to.

Rules at the UK Online Casinos

There are quite a few rules that all the top UK online casinos have to follow in order to offer their services to UK players.

• They all need to pay additional taxes related to wagering and gaming duties apart from the standard taxes they pay like all other non-gambling businesses.
• All casino operators have to comply with the regulations laid down by the UKGC.
• The gambling industry must make voluntary contributions to fund research, regulation, and treatment related to gambling. Some of the recipients of this kind of funding include the Responsible Gambling Trust, which is owns and manages GambleAware®.
• Casinos have to ensure there is zero instance of gambling by minors. That is why they strictly ensure that only players above 18 years are allowed to play their games for real money. The legal gambling age for the National Lottery, football pools, and lotteries is slightly lower – 16 years.
• All the top UK online casinos ensure they have information and advertisement in place to enable players to gamble responsibly.

Software Providers Powering the Best UK Online Casinos

All the top UK online casinos are powered by software from some of the best in the business. This ensures brand recognition and also gives players the assurance of safety and reliability. The following are some of the software providers powering the top UK online casinos.

• Microgaming: Microgaming is one of the pioneers of the online gambling industry. That is not all; ever since it was launched in 1994, it has consistently remained at the top of the rung among online casino software providers. The bouquet of 850+ online casino games makes it the single largest provider of high quality games to the online casino industry.
• Playtech: Playtech is another leader among online casino software providers. With a substantial array of games of the highest quality, it has been consistently ranked among the best in the business. Among its range of games are the highly popular Marvel slots, brought out in associated with Marvel Comics, and also Hollywood slots that have been created through collaborations with major Hollywood studios.
• NetEnt: Another leading casino software provider servicing the UK online casino industry is NetEnt. This provider is known for its high quality games, all with amazing graphics and innovative features. Innovation has been at the core of NetEnt’s philosophy and you see it amply reflected in the slots and other games it provides.
• BetSoft: BetSoft is another major software provider servicing the UK online casino industry for quite a while now. This software provider is the first provider of the amazing 3D slots – slots with 3D graphics and outstanding animation work.

Apart from these individual software providers, quite a few of the top UK online casinos use software from aggregator platforms. These are companies that aggregate the software from the best in the business and offer them on a single platform to casino operators. The benefits are many for the casino operator and player, including, among others:

• A massive collection of games on offer, far more than what a single provider could individually offer.
• Games from all the big names in the casino software industry available together in a single casino; players do not have to go from one casino to another anymore.
• Games of the highest quality: you get the best games in the business at one go!

Games at the Best UK Online Casinos

You get to play all your favorite casino games when you sign up with any of the top UK online casinos. The games generally available depend on the software powering the casino. The most commonly found games at these casinos, include:

• Slots: You get a range of high-quality slots at all the top online casinos in the UK. These are all rich in graphics and animations, sound, and also game features. At some casinos you get even the amazing 3D slots, especially those using BetSoft software.
• Card and table games: You get a range of great table and card games at the top casinos in the UK. The games available include card games like blackjack, baccarat, and table poker games, as well as table games like roulette.
• Video Poker: Depending on the software powering the online casino you are playing at, you get a range of video poker games. All the top online casinos offer exciting video poker games.
• Progressive jackpots: Almost all the top UK online casinos offer at least a few progressive jackpots that you can take a shot at. The games depend on the provider; regardless of the software provider you are sure of a shot at a big win at most of these casinos.

Payment Support at the Best UK Online Casinos

All the best UK online casinos are on our list because they have passed in flying colors all the different parameters we have tested them for. One of the most critical parameters we test them for is the support offered for payment methods. Every one of the casinos on our list support a sizeable number of payment methods, including locally popular methods. At any of these casinos you will find at least the following methods:

• Credit cards: Credit cards supported at these casinos include Visa and MasterCard.
• Debit cards: You find a number of debit cards at most of these casinos, including Visa Electron, Visa Debit, Maestro, Solo, and Switch.
• E-wallets: All the top UK casinos on our list support an extensive number of e-wallets. The common names you will find include:
  • ClickandBuy
  • Click2Pay
  • iDEAL
• Prepaid cards: Every online casino we feature supports the popular prepaid card – PaySafeCard.
• Banking methods: Banking methods like bank wire transfer are also supported at these casinos.

Online Casino UK FAQ

Do you need to pay taxes? How does an online casino prove its fairness? Check out our guide for answers to FAQs and concerns about UK online casinos.

The UK online casino market is one of the largest gambling markets in the world, with many casinos catering specifically to players from this area. If you never tried your luck at a UK casino but are considering giving it a try, take a look at the following FAQs to help you have a smoother start.

Do I Need to Download Any Software to Play?

What Should I look for in a UK Online Casino?

When selecting a UK online casinos, there are several things you have to pay attention to:

• License – The casino must hold a license from the UK Gambling Commission to be able to offer gambling to UK players.
• Software – Leading software providers like Playtech, Microgaming, and NetEnt only provide their games to trustworthy casinos. Thus, if a casino is powered by obscure software providers, it might be a sign of a shady place.
• Bonus Terms –If the bonus terms seem to unbelievable or unfair, it’s normally a sign of a bad casino.
• Banking Methods – Reputed casinos offer a variety of trusted payment methods to ensure their players get the safety and convenience they need.
• Audit Certificates –Some casinos choose to have a third-party audit of their casino software. If a casino holds both a license and an audit certificate, it means it’s definitely a trustworthy place.

Are UK Online Casinos Safe?

How do I Register?

How Can I Check Whether the Casino Holds a License from the UK Gambling Commission?

The UKGC imposes a rule for every licensed casino to clearly display a link on their website that re-directs players to their license information. The link is normally embedded in a UKGC watermark on the casino’s main page and clicking it will take you to a web address. There you should be able to find what kind of games the operator is licensed for but also whether there are any restrictions against it.

Alternatively, you can also use the UKGC website to find the licensing information. There is an online registrar on the Commission’s web page where both authorized and blacklisted casinos are listed for any interested party.

Are UK Online Casinos Rigged?

What Banking Options do I Have? Are there any Limits?

Most casinos offer you a chance to use standard Visa, Master and Maestro cards for depositing and withdrawing money , as well as popular e-payment solutions like Skrill, Neteller, etc. And depending on the casino, you might also be able to use direct bank transfers or Bitcoin wallets.

The standard minimum deposit limit across most UK casinos is £10-20, while withdrawals will have different maximum limits with each casino. Some may choose to cap withdrawals at £3,000-5,000 per week, while others may have more liberal rules.

What’s the Minimal Age to Gamble in the UK?

Are my Winnings Going to Be Taxed?

Can I Play for Free?

Online gambling is legal and regulated in the United Kingdom
by the Gambling Commission, which itself was formed by the
Gambling Act 2005. Online poker, sports betting, casino games,
bingo, and lottery-style games all fall under the purview of the
Gambling Commission. Anyone wishing to offer these games to
citizens of the UK must acquire a license from the commission.

This is a nice setup for our readers from the UK, because you
have a wide variety of safe and licensed gambling sites to
choose from. Unlike some other countries, the government of the
UK doesn’t criminalize online gambling. Instead, it fosters a
safe environment with protections for players and operators
alike.

Gambling laws are vague and oftentimes contradictory in other
parts of the world. This isn’t the case in the UK. Thanks to
the Gambling Act 2005, there’s a clear framework for hosting
games and placing bets online. The only thing you need as a
player is to be 18 years or older and have a connection to the
internet.

Gambling Act 2005

The Gambling Act 2005 brought the UK up-to-date in the
modern world of gambling. The bill set up a process to license
potential operators and ensure the protection of customers. The
opening text in the Gambling Act put forth three primary
objectives for the new licensing system:

1. Preventing gambling from being a source of crime or
   disorder, being associated with crime, disorder, or as an
   accessory to crime.
2. Ensuring that gambling is conducted in a fair fashion.
3. Protecting children and other vulnerable persons from
   being harmed or exploited by gambling.

Operators are required by the act to prove they are
financially stable, capable of maintaining a stable financial
position, and capable of providing fair games to players. The Act
created the Gambling Commission to oversee the licensing and
ongoing monitoring of gambling websites.

The Gambling Act also made it possible for licensed operators
to advertise in the UK. Just watch any major sporting event and
you’ll probably see at least one advertisement for a bookmaker,
bingo site, or other gambling operator. These ads are possible
thanks in part to the Gambling Act.

UK Gambling Commission

The Gambling Commission was created by the Gambling Act 2005,
and it regulates all forms of gambling, lottery, and bingo in the
UK. This includes both land-based and online forms of gaming.
The only aspect not regulated by the Gambling Commission is
spread betting, which is overseen by the Financial Conduct
Authority.

The primary function of the Gambling Commission is to see
that the three objectives laid forth by the Gambling Act 2005
are met. In short, it’s the commission’s job to ensure all
forms of gambling are hosted in a safe and fair manner while
offering protections for children and vulnerable adults.

The commission evaluates potential operators for licenses,
dispenses licenses, and then monitors existing licensees to
ensure everything is run in a safe and efficient manner. So far,
the commission has proven itself to be mostly effective at
providing customers with a safe gambling environment.

However, the Gambling Commission did suffer a blow to its
credibility with the demise of sports betting site Canbet.
Canbet ran into liquidity problems in late 2013 and over the
next few months, hundreds of complaints came out from punters
who claimed they were owed money. The situation at Canbet
deteriorated from there, and the site eventually closed while
still owing customers.

The Gambling Commission later released a statement saying
that although it’s responsible for regulating the industry, it
cannot be expected to monitor the financial health of every
company at all times. The commission went on to state that it
couldn’t revoke the license of Canbet at risk of further
damaging the company and leaving outstanding debts to players
unpaid.

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Canbet surrendered its gambling license voluntarily in May
2014 and has yet to make good on its debt to customers. This series of events shook the public’s
trust in the commission. The state of online gambling in the UK
is still decades ahead of the US and most other nations, but
these events show that there’s no fail proof method for
ensuring the safety of all customers at all times.

The Whitelist

The Gambling Act 2005 forbids all foreigners and those without a
Gambling Commission license from advertising their services to
customers in the UK. The whitelist makes exceptions to the
advertising ban for certain jurisdictions that prove they meet
the standards set forth by the Gambling Act 2005.

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Operators with licenses in any of the following jurisdictions
are considered “whitelisted” and may offer their services to
customers in the UK. Some of the biggest names in gambling (such
as William Hill) are based out of these jurisdictions in order
to take advantage of friendlier tax laws.

Here’s a list of whitelisted gambling jurisdictions:

• EEA (European Economic Area) Countries
• Alderney
• Antigua and Barbuda
• Gibraltar
• Isle of Man
• Tasmania

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The Gambling Commission feels that the above jurisdictions
have appropriately stringent licensing requirements for
operators and is therefore comfortable letting those operators
take wagers from customers in the UK.

The whitelist has been the source of some controversy in past
years. There are some government officials who have argued that
regulators have never even physically visited the jurisdictions
before whitelisting them and haven’t done the proper research
to ensure that their operators are actually held to a high
standard.

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Other opponents of the whitelist claim that it violates the
Gambling Act 2005, which expressly forbids any foreign operator
from doing business in the UK. We haven’t heard much from these
opponents in more recent years, however, and things seem to be
running well enough at the present time.