Best UK gambling sites 2024 🎖️ the ultimate guide
Play at the best gambling sites in the UK, handpicked by our team of experts with 20 years of experience in online casinos, poker, and sports betting. Get the edge with exclusive insider knowledge and start gambling online today.
Our top recommendations this September
My verdict on 5 of the best UK gambling sites
22.5 million people in the UK gamble. That means 54% of the adult population of the population is on the lookout for the best UK gambling sites. At Casino.org, we’ve spent 20 years reviewing and recommending UK sites to our visitors. These are the five that score highest as of our latest update: 4th September.
#1 Pub Casino - Top pick for UK players overall
Pros:
✅ Market-leading 2000 games to play and countless sports betting options
✅ Exclusive games that are only available to play here
✅ Provides fast withdrawals processed in 24 hours
Cons:
❌ 40x wagering is slightly above the UK average
Pub Casino provides the quintessential online gambling experience for UK players. I was impressed by their market-leading selection of over 2000 games to play, including occasional exclusive games, which is one of the highest number of games available in the UK. You can enjoy all your gambling in one place here with sports betting, Slingo and live games all available to play.
User review: "Signed up and deposited £150. I played for like 10 minutes. I hit a bonus quite quickly and was up £300. I decided that was a decent hit and decided to withdraw. Money was in my account after 45 minutes. No problems. No fuss. " 5/5 ⭐ - Ben Wade, UK, Trustpilot review, 1st March 2024
Editor's opinion: "A great option for no-nonsense gambling. Straightforward bonuses, good navigation, and a huge selection of betting options."
Casino.org rating: 5/5⭐
Read our full Pub Casino review here.
#2 All British Casino - Top pick for cashback
Pros:
✅ Receive 10% cashback with no restrictions
✅ Second fastest withdrawals on the UK market
✅ Enjoy games from 25 game providers and 7 withdrawal options
Cons:
❌ Skrill and Neteller deposits are not eligible for bonuses
With a name like All British Casino, you are guaranteed a casino designed with the UK player in mind. Their biggest USP is their cashback. I have already begun benefiting from their 10% cashback on our money gambled on casinos and sports. Withdrawals here are quick and easy. I received my money within 24 hours. Only Magic Red was faster in July.
User review: "Recently joined very impressed great selection of games and fast payment of winnings would recommend" 5/5 ⭐ - Russell Smith, TrustPilot Review, 9th June 2024
Editor's opinion: "For casino games, this is the top choice. Benefit from 10% cashback as you play the countless games available here."
Casino.org rating: 4/5 ⭐
Read our full All British Casino review here.
#3 Jackpot City- Top pick for casino games
Pros:
✅ Cherry-picked game selection for UK players
✅ Innovative filter system for theme and provider
✅ Tournaments, cash drops and other frequent promotions
Cons:
❌ Negative payment experiences from some players
I was very impressed by Jackpot City's approach to casino games. Many sites aim for quantity over quality but not where. They have a cherry-picked selection of just 600 games which is dwarfed by Pub and All British Casino but is more intuitive. You can filter by theme, provider and features such as Link & Win for a better playing experience. They are also a promotion-heavy casino with frequent cash drops and tournaments to participate in.
"Not bad. Fair selection of games. Wish they'd do away with the cashout minimum." 3/5 ⭐ - Chirs J, TrustPilot Review, 19 April 2024
Expert opinion: "There is a great deal of negative feedback about the withdrawal process at Jackpot City. I would advise you to take adequate precautions to ensure you meet all eligibility requirements and understand the process before you withdraw."
Casino.org: 4.4/5⭐
Read our full Jackpot City casino review here
#3 Magic Red - Top pick for sports & live casino
Pros:
✅ Welcome bonuses available for slots, live casino and sports betting
✅ Fastest withdrawals on the UK market
✅ Exclusive no-wager bonus spins available with Casino.org
Cons:
❌ UX and navigation could be simpler
Magic offers thousands of sportsbook betting options and dozens of live casino playing options in the UK. They also accommodate all gamblers with 3 unique welcome bonuses. One for sports, one for live casino, and one for slots. Thanks to this, my experience started in the best way as I claimed their 100 free bonus spins with no wagering and no cashout. Magic Red also offer the fastest withdrawals I have seen in the UK. My withdrawal reached me within 5 hours.
"So far they are really good actually, played there a couple of times and had no issue with them. For the first time withdrawal took 3 days after that don’t have issues I do recommend this but play safe" 5/5 ⭐ - Nabeel321, Trustpilot Review, 29th April 2024
Expert opinion: "If variety is what you are looking for, Magic Red is the place to play. Great for casino and sports betting, it is a one-stop shop for gambling. Plus, it has the fastest withdrawals available."
Casino.org rating: 4.8/5⭐
Read our full Magic Red review here.
#5 Grand Ivy - Top pick for payment options
Pros
✅ Widest selection of payment methods on the UK market
✅ Over 2000 games including slots, table games and live casino
✅ Frequent prize giveaways of up to £30,000
Cons:
❌ Sports betting unavailable
Grand Ivy leads the UK casino pack in their wide selection of casino payment options with over 10 available. This gave us loads of variety when we were depositing and withdrawing. They were quick too. We also found Grand Ivy's casino games to be awe-inspiring with over 2000 to choose from. A lack of sports betting lets them down slightly, but we thought the frequent prize money giveaways were a nice touch. Wit these, you can win between £500 and £30,000.
"Two wins since I joined last week. Both were paid out within the time frame of 48 hours so no issues with receiving payments. I would have given 5 stars if payouts were quicker. " 4/5 ⭐ - JS, TrustPilot Review, 15 May 2024
Expert opinion: "Payment problems are a thing of the past with Grand Ivy. What's more, their bonus is one of the biggest you will find at licensed UK gambling sites."
Casino.org Rating: 4.4/5⭐
Read our full Grand Ivy review here
Quick-look previs of top-rated gambling sites
🥇 UK’s top online gambling site | Pub Casino |
💸 Best for fast payouts | 888 |
💰 Top paying gambling site | Duelz |
🎁 Best for bonuses | great-britain |
🎰 Popular gambling games | Slots, table games, live casino, Slingo, bingo, scratch cards |
📱 Gambling apps | iOS, Android |
⚖️ Licensed by | UK Gambling Commission |
💳 Top gambling payment options | Visa, Mastercard, PayPal, Skrill, Neteller, Paysafecard, Apple Pay, bank transfer |
Casino gambling sites: expert's pick🏆
"If you are starting in the world of gambling sites then Pub Casino is my top pick. It offers a simple layout with a nice straightforward bonus and loads of betting options for casinos and sports. For a more experienced player, Magic Red or Betway offer loads more variety in their service with a choice of welcome bonuses that suit all needs."
Avoid these gambling websites
The below sites are not licensed by the UKGC and failed our review process in the fields of security and safety. We strongly advise you not to play with them.
Choose your gambling site
Which of the following activities interest you the most?
Popular types of online gambling
There are numerous ways to place bets on gambling websites in the United Kingdom. The following are all legal within the UK market:
Online casinos offer far more playing options than what is available in their real-world counterparts. Dream Vegas is one of the best UK online casinos we have found for games.
We were treated to more than 2000 online slots, over 100 table games, and over 90 live casino games to play. They also offered 30 jackpot games.
These casino games are powered by random number generators audited by third-party organisations like eCOGRA and iTechLabs to confirm their integrity.
The other advantage online casino sites have over their real-world counterpart is bonuses. They come in several forms including free spins, cash bonuses, and cashback.
The most common amounts are usually 100% deposit match bonuses up to £100-£200 with around 50-100 spins on popular slots. Dream Vegas offers triple these figures on their welcome bonus with spins available on several top Netent Slots.
Different casino games have a different house edge. This is the advantage the casino has over the player. A lower house edge means a higher chance of a player winning.
Here are the most popular casino games and their house edge:
- Slots - 5% - 15%
- Blackjack - 0.43% - 2%
- Roulette - 2.7% - 5.3%
- Baccarat - 1.06% - 1.24%
- Poker - 2.16%
- Video poker - 0.05% - 2%
- Craps - 1.36 - 1.41%
- Sic Bo - 2.78% - 4.8%
UK sports betting websites, aka sportsbooks, provide access to thousands of sports betting markets. A good UK sportsbook should offer the most popular sports for betting UK players.
According to stats published in May 2022, the most common are football and horse racing, which make up 45% and 37% of all bets. These should be the priority for any good UK sportsbook. Of course, there should be as many markets as possible to cater for all players.
Nearly all sportsbooks will offer casino games, but not all casinos will offer sports betting, so if you want both you need to choose a site that offers both. Magic Red is one example we can recommend.
Sportsbook offers rewards for joining. Usually, these are free bets or deposit bonuses to get the bets rolling. The average for this would be between £10-£30 in free bets. A big positive for Magic Red is they combine both casino and sports bonuses into one welcome deal.
We managed to claim a £10 free bet which we used on England's opening win against Serbia in Euro 2024 and 100 free spins available on Book of the Dead.
We won the bet which set us up for a few more bets in the other group games!
The UK's most popular sports betting options are:
- Football
- Horse Racing
- Golf
- Boxing
- Tennis
- Darts
- Cricket
- Rugby Union
Some gambling websites specialise specifically in poker. Most offer cash games for playing popular options like Texas Hold'em or Omaha. You can also play versions you won't find at most real-world casinos like Banzai poker at Unibet.
The real allure of these sites is the online tournament. For these, our personal favourite is 888Poker which offers multi-table tournaments (MTTs), knockout (KO) tournaments and bounty games. We claimed a £50 free play to join 888Poker and this gave us access to 6 days of tournament tickets so we could try a few of them out. We loved the MTTs.
If you only want to play poker games, some sites offer a downloadable client. Pokerstars offers one of the best in the UK. It is filled with benefits for players. We downloaded it and found it was quick and simple to use.
If you want to keep variety, PartyPoker provides the best of all worlds. Alongside poker, they offer casino, live casino, sports and arcade games with just one membership. Plus, you can get a 100% bonus up to £400 for casino, and £40 for poker games.
Many sites in the UK have "poker games" but these will be casino variations where you play against a dealer rather than against other players.
The different types of tournaments available at poker sites include:
- Sit & Go (SNG)
- Multi-Table Tournaments (MTT)
- Progressive Knockout / Bounty Tournaments
- Multi-Flight
- Freerolls
- Satellites
Fans of daytime TV shows on ITV will have discovered that their beloved hobby love has moved online.
You can now play 90-ball or the 75-ball variant from the comfort of your own home while maintaining the social element using an in-game chat.
Play from as little as 1p in rooms with unique themes, designs, and styles as you unlock promotions and win prizes.
Enter online bingo halls and choose from games with:
- 30 Balls
- 75 Balls
- 80 Balls
- 90 Balls
Aside from sports betting, "specials" or "novelty" betting is very popular in the UK. At Pub Casino, you can bet on the UK and US presidential elections. while at Betway it is possible to bet on TV shows like Love Island, I'm a Celebrity, and Sports Personality of the Year. These markets change as the year goes on.
Many casinos like Grand Ivy offer options to play the slots and bingo crossover, Slingo. You can also hunt for instant wins with Scratchcards at the click of a button (no need to scratch). Instant Tap mini-games, which are essentially arcade games, are also available if you want to take a break from a more conventional gambling experience
Check out a selection of the more niche gambling options you can find online:
- Novelty betting
- Slingo
- Scratchcards
- Lottery
- Instant tap
- Virtual sports
Our experts tips for UK players
Here are 5 tips from our experts that can improve your online gambling experience:
- 1
Ensure there is UKGC licensing
The United Kingdom Gambling Commission is the only licensing body in the UK. No one else will ensure security, bonuses, and player safety are guaranteed online. Accept no substitutes. Most gambling sites disclose their licensing and other endorsements at the bottom of their homepage. Scroll past the games and look for the UKGC logo.
- 2
Claim bonuses and free bets
Free spins, cash bonuses, and free bets can all be claimed to help boost your playtime. Don't forget to read the terms and conditions before you claim. The most common is wagering requirements (the amount of times you need to play with bonus winnings before they can be withdrawn). Aim for below 35x for the best chance of turning bonuses into real money.
- 3
Make the most of betting options
Online gambling sites are not limited by space, so there are thousands of games and betting options to choose from. Make the most of them. If a gambling site isn't providing what you need, feel obliged to move on. You should find over 1000 slots, 100-200 table and live games, and thousands of betting markets for sports.
- 4
Consider payment and withdrawal options
Make sure to verify your account at the earliest opportunity to prevent delays. Certain deposit methods can also affect the ability to claim bonuses so be wary. The quickest are e-wallets, like Skrill and PayPal. At sites like Magic Red and All British, withdrawals from these be with you in 24 hours. Aim for around 5-10 options at sites to ensure you have options. Avoid any site that offers crypto or credit card payments as they are illegal to offer at UK sites.
- 5
Play responsibly
Responsible gambling is paramount to an enjoyable experience playing online. Never chase losses, set time and deposit limits, and ensure you are fully aware of what constitutes problem gaming. Remember: when the fun stops, stop. Sites like BeGambleAware and Gamblers Annonymous are great organisations if you think you or someone else might have a problem.
Bonuses at UK gambling sites
Gambling site bonuses give you the option for more betting for less investment. Let's take a look at the 3 most common.
How we rate online gambling sites
We rate online gambling sites using a 25-step process which includes the following criteria:
Online gambling product
What do you want to play? Our team knows variety is the spice of life. Our top-rated sites like Pub Casino, All British and Magic Red, offer thousands of games and sports betting options. They also boast live casinos and arcade games.
All of our casinos offer a range of products, but some more than others. Winomania only offers casinos and live casino games, for example. Betway on the other hand offers sports, casinos, live casinos, esports and a Vegas section.
Bonuses & promotions
For the UK market, the average casino offer is somewhere along the lines of a 100% deposit match of up to £100 + around 50-100 free spins, with wagering requirements of 30x or less. Our expert team have discovered casinos like Dream Vegas that offer 3x as much as this with 100% up to £300 + 150 free spins.
Bonuses depend on your gambling preferences. If you want to play sports, then the MyriadPlay Bet £15 Get £10 is a good deal. We claimed this and used it on a correct score bet on a Euro 2024 game between Germany vs Scotland game. We placed an in-play bet for £10 and won over £500!
For Poker, we claimed 888 Casino £50 Free Play and PartyPoker £40 Free Play + 100% up to £400. PartyPoker's came with the added benefit of being able to use the bonus on casino games, demonstrating how you can finetune your bonuses to suit you.
Payment range and policy
UK casinos typically offer between 5-10 secure casino payment options. At all of our gambling sites, deposits will be instant and free.
Withdrawal times are usually 3-5 days. All British and Magic Red are the fastest, with times of between 0-24 hours. Dream Vegas takes 36 hours but offers the widest range of payment options with over 10.
Remember: Credit card payments and crypto transactions are not permitted in the UK.
Safety & licensing
The UK Gambling Commission licenses casinos to operate in the UK.
Many also have a license issued by another leading regulatory commission, such as the Malta Gaming Authority. We ensure always ensure the license number is legit.
Our recommended sites offer SSL encryption, verified by Visa and two-factor authentication. The safer the site, the better it is for gamblers.
Customer care
Customer reviews are ridden with complaints about support.
Our first-hand experience with Grand Ivy was one such example. We had a bad experience with one of our tests. We approached them concerning their UK mobile casino app, which they said they did not have. After showing them a Google Play link where they could download the app, they then thanked us for letting them know there was an app.
Not all casinos are like this. Pub Casino's team helped us with a series of questions about payment options and withdrawals. They also offer a phone number which is a nice touch that is fading from the UK market.
Top UK online gambling payment methods
Ready to deposit? Our team talks you through the best payment options for UK gambling sites, discussing the pros and cons of each, with a focus on convenience, payment speed, and limits.
Apple Pay
Apple Pay is one of the newest additions to UK casinos and it has made it easier than ever to deposit and withdraw. With just a click of a button you can deposit to top gambling sites like All British, Pub Casino and Magic Red in seconds. In our experience, withdrawals are faster than debit cards and you generally get your money within 48 hours.
Is online gambling legal in the UK?
Gambling is legal and strictly regulated in the United Kingdom. All gambling providers are regulated and licensed by the UK Gambling Commission (UKGC), established due to the passing of the Gambling Act (2005).
The UKGC has regulated UK gambling venues and websites since 2007 and has earned a reputation as one of the world’s strictest regulatory bodies. For players, this provides peace of mind that websites with a UKGC license must comply with stringent regulatory procedures relating to player safety.
In the United Kingdom, gambling websites must adhere to responsible gambling policies and provide tools and tips to help players stay in control. They also supply links to responsible gambling charities and resources, allowing bettors to opt-out and “cool off” for specific periods.
Another landmark piece of legislation passed by the UKGC in recent years was prohibiting gambling with a credit card. They also limited maximum bets to £2 for players under 25 and £5 bets for players over 25.
The British government has been increasing legislation in online gambling. The latest from the UKGC in May announced new rules boosting safety and consumer choice This included a new requirement for players to opt in before they can be sent gambling advertising, the extension of the minimum game time rule from online slots, and most significantly, the introduction of “light-touch vulnerability checks”.
You can expect more rolls out of new legislation as looks to help encourage player safety and responsible gambling.
Are gambling sites for you?
Gambling sites offer numerous online betting opportunities, allowing you to play games and bet on sports no matter where you are. But they’re not for everyone. Here are the pros and cons to be aware of before signing up:
Pros
- There are hundreds of licensed gambling websites in the UK to choose from
- Place sports bets or play casino games at any time of the day or night, no matter where you are
- Licensed gambling sites process seamless, secure payments via debit cards, bank transfers, and e-wallet deposits
- Gambling websites offer excellent welcome bonuses and ongoing promotions to help you boost your bankroll
- At licensed websites, you’ll find responsible gambling tools, tips, and resources to help you stay in control
Cons
- Given the availability and accessibility of gambling websites, it’s easy to get carried away with gambling if you don’t set limits and bet responsibly
- With so many gambling sites available in the UK, it can be challenging to decide where to sign up
- Gambling websites don’t offer the social aspect that gambling at offline venues provide
Online gambling FAQs
Which is the best UK gambling site?
We rate Pub Casino as the best gambling site in the UK. However, if you want to enjoy the best mix of types of gambling options, Betway is the best option.
What is gambling?
Gambling is placing a real money wager on a specific outcome. In sports, you check the odds and bet on one team or person to win over another. In casino games, you place a wager to play a game, and if you win, you will receive a payout based on the game’s specific odds and pay table.
You should not regard gambling as a viable way to “make” money. Sure, you can win money when playing casino games and betting on sports, but you need luck on your side. You should consider gambling an enjoyable way to pass the time, not a guaranteed way to make a profit.
What gambling sites accept credit cards UK?
No legal, legitimate online casinos in the UK accept credit cards. The UK Gambling Commission announced a credit card gambling ban, effective April 2020. Cryptocurrencies are also banned at UK casinos. if a casino offers either, then they are likely unlicensed and therefore you could be in jeopardy.
What gambling sites accept phone bill?
Online gambling sites have lots of payment methods, with many sites accepting phone bill payments. This invites you to charge your deposits to your monthly phone bill. Check our list above for the best pay-by-mobile casinos in the UK market.
How to stop gambling?
Gambling can be addictive because it stimulates your brain’s reward system, much like alcohol and drugs. You need to enact safe and responsible gambling practices to avoid problem gambling.
You need willpower to stop gambling. You can also ask for support from your friends and family. We also recommend visiting online gambling resources and reaching out to responsible gambling charities for support if you want to stop gambling.
How to block gambling sites?
GAMSTOP is the UK’s gambling self-exclusion scheme and the best way to block gambling sites and exclude yourself from marketing.
How much is a gambling license UK?
A gambling license in the UK costs £370. But you will also incur legal fees and numerous other costs associated with starting a gambling business.
Written by William Macmaster
William Macmaster is a casino expert who has spent his career connecting players from across the world with unforgettable experiences at safe and reliable online casinos. You can rely on him to provide you with the knowledge you need to get more out of your online gambling experience.
Fact checked by Ian Zerafa
Ian Zerafa grew up in Malta, Europe's online gaming hub and home of top casino regulators and auditors such as eCOGRA and the Malta Gaming Authority. After completing his Master's degree in Glasgow, he returned to Malta and started writing about casinos. He's worked on hundreds of casinos across the US, New Zealand, Canada, and Ireland, and is a go-to authority for Casino.org's team.
References
- Annual Report and Accounts 2021 to 2022 - Consumers and Gambling - UK Gambling Commission
- Best companies in Casino - Trustpilot
- Betway sponsorship - West Ham United
- Euro 2024 - UEFA
- Free online self-exclusion - GAMSTOP
- General elections - UK Parliament
- Most common sports to bet on amongst regular gamblers in the United Kingdom as of May 2022 - Statista
- Order of Play 2024 - Wimbledon
- Sponsors and Partners - The Jockey Club
- Sports Personality of the Year - BBC
