The Best Online Gambling Sites for 2024 in the UK

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Best Online Casinos According to Citeulike

The providers represented are safe, trustworthy and suitable for all players. However, there can be differences in bonuses or payouts between them. Therefore, to find the best of the best, our experts at Citeulike have tested the popular online casino sites and prepared a special selection of the best online gambling sites ranging by the bonuses they provide.

How to Find the Top Online Casinos with Citeulike

Our idea of creating a unique list of best gambling sites was born completely by accident. We previously worked on a database of links for academics when we realized that some scientific articles began appearing with the application of probability theory. This led us right to casino games articles, and gave us an idea to make a list of top-rated casinos and bookies in the business.

Facts about Citeulike

• Citeulike.org has been around for over 7 years
• More than a 100 of unbiased online casino reviews
• Many games and offers
• Help provided for players from over 24 countries

How We Rate the Top Online Gambling Sites

Rating online casinos is not easy, but someone needs to do it. Our team is dedicated to giving you the best old and new online casinos on the market, and that requires extensive research. We know that players are eager to play popular casino slots and games, but before you do that and hopefully win real money, you need to read online casino reviews. We take into consideration various criteria when writing reviews, including:

• Trustworthiness: Is the online casino gambling site safe and reputable?
• Payment methods: Do these online casinos offer fast payout speed?
• Bonuses and promos: What kind of rewards does it offer?
• Variety of online casino games: Does it have the latest online slots and live dealer games? Are there free spins and live casino games on offer?
• Mobile availability: Is the casino available on mobile devices and does it have an app?
• Customer support: Which customer service channels are on offer?

Our team will rank and review only those online casino sites that satisfy these criteria:

Secure & Reputable

When testing gambling pages, we always take an in-depth look into the security methods it employs. Great UK gambling sites should at least have a valid SSL certificate that ensures the safe transfer of your funds. The safety and security measures implemented at an online bookie or casino are of major importance to us as we want to give our readers only safe web casinos. We also pay great attention to the reputation the best Internet gambling sites receive online. Their history is important too. A casino with a bad track record that’s just been launched is suspicious and we always think twice before giving it a pass.

Banking & Payments

If you want to play with in real money online casinos, you’ll have to fund your account first. This can be done in a number of ways including bank transfers, credit/debit cards, and e-wallets. Some casinos also opt for cryptocurrencies, but they’re not globally accepted. We’ve tried and tested numerous payment methods and consider the ones in the table below as the best.

When choosing a deposit option, make sure it has a fast payout casino speed too. After all, you’ll like your winnings to arrive ASAP when you win something at good gambling sites.

Bonuses & Promotions

Good online gambling websites will have a range of promotions for new and existing players. The majority of the best online casino games participate in the offered promotions, but keep in mind there are bonus excluded games too. Free spins and promos can help a lot in web casinos and online betting sites. Deposit bonuses are most common, and they often come in the form of a welcome offer. The welcome bonus spins are available to new players only and will most likely cover 100% of your first deposit while also offering a batch of free spins. Here’s a list of available bonuses you’ll find at the UK online gambling sites in 2024:

• Welcome bonus,
• Deposit bonus,
• No deposit bonus,
• Free spins,
• Loyalty rewards,
• Cashback bonus,
• Reloads

Besides the welcome bonus, casinos these days offer regular deposit bonuses, cashbacks, reloads, free spins, and loyalty rewards too. Keep in mind that no matter if you get a deposit bonus or free spins, you should always read the T&C. While reading you may come across something like: “Free bet stakes are not included in any returns”, which may be valid for a number of popular casino games and live casino games too.

Unique Features of Real Money Gambling Sites

The website is the first thing that attracts the player to the gambling platform. When visiting a casino site, a player will obviously compare it to other online casino sites in terms of design and layout as well as the number of casino games and online slots available. Some may be very particular about the sites offering progressive jackpots.

This is very common as many of the best gambling sites utilize the same online gambling software developers and casino groups for their slot games. This means that they may share the same features, colors, and roadmaps. We have highlighted the most common features of a top online casino that UK gamers most appreciate:

• Intuitive and user-friendly interface, even with the mobile casino games
• Easy navigation and clear site map
• Quick loading time irrespective of the device used
• Reliable and stable functioning
• Up-to-date design and quality graphics of the slot games
• Use of security certificates like SSL
• Absence of bugs and errors
• Links to licenses and gambling problem organizations
• Catchy and branded URL address

Are Legal Gambling Websites Easy to Find?

We only rank and feature legit and good gambling websites on our pages. If a casino or bookie don’t have a license, they don’t belong at citeulike.org. It’s that simple. A proper online casino these days will be licensed by the leading governing bodies and local gambling laws. Getting those licenses is not easy at all, and keeping them is even harder. However, serious websites that comply with online gambling laws will do everything in their power to obtain an online gambling legal license from the UKGC or MGA. The biggest governing bodies in the world of iGaming are:

• UK Gambling Commission,
• Malta Gaming Authority,
• Alderney Gaming Control Commission,
• Gibraltar Licensing Authority,
• Nevada Gaming Commission,
• New Jersey Casino Control Commission

Online casino sites must comply with the rules in accordance with local laws. Failing to follow the requirements will result in a revoked license and losing their right to offer gambling services to players in that jurisdiction.

Top 10 Biggest Online Gambling Companies in the World

What are the biggest online gambling sites in the industry in 2024? Ranking casinos is a hard job, but we’re filtered through them all and give you the top real money gambling sites that pair casino games with sports betting.

Overview of the UK Gambling Market

The UK gambling market is continuing to grow, with over 33.6 million active accounts currently operating across the country. There are also over 200 online casino sites that are currently operating with a UK gambling license, meaning players have hundreds of thousands of casino games to choose from and play online.

All of this combined means that every year the gambling industry is brings a profit of an incredible £14.4 billion to the UK economy and despite its epic growth it is still showing no signs of slowing down. The reason for this growth can be attributed to a number of reasons, primarily through the 2014 change in the laws which govern remote gambling.

In the same way that they do not reveal the overall winnings of their customers, online casino sites in the UK also do not reveal the total number of players they have on their books. From the little data that is available, Leo Vegas is believed to currently be the biggest.

Online Casino Market in the UK

We can all agree that the online casino market in the UK is definitely taking a turn for the better. It was a slow start at first, but recently, the number of online sports betting sites and casino sites in the UK has been rising exponentially. Not just that, but these online betting sites are improving in terms of safety and overall quality as well. More of the online casino brands offer progressive jackpots and table games, as well as online bingo and online roulette.

Most importantly, all new online casinos sites are featuring great payment methods which offer the much-needed convenience for UK customers. Besides that, there is plenty of casino bonus offers you can enjoy at the best online betting sites in the UK, i.e bonus spins and free bets. Everything is regulated by the UKGC as there is no sports betting site that’s running illegally today.

The Legal Aspect of Gambling & Betting Sites UK

One of the first things to consider when it comes to identifying the best online gambling site in the UK is understanding the legislation related. To help with your knowledge, our Citeulike experts researched the frequently asked questions on online gambling legal system to help you:

• Gambling online is completely legal in the UK
• The permitted age to register UK-based casinos and gambling websites is 18
• Fully regulated by the British Government providing fair and transparent gambling
• The main supervisor and quality guarantor is the United Kingdom Gambling Commission, so licenses & disputes resolution is managed by UKGC
• UKGC license is obligatory for British gambling sites and international brands operating in the UK
• Gambling winnings are not taxable; applies only to British citizens and do not affect representatives of other countries.

It is important to note that we have only analysed those UK gambling sites that are licensed by the UK Gambling Commission, allowing us to make certain that all of them are checked and approved. Any site that did not comply with this simple rule did not fall into our focus of interest, as it could easily be unreliable or illegal.

Gambling Laws Overview in the UK

Let’s just start by saying that the UK gambling market is definitely one of the best-regulated industries in the world. iGaming casinos are offering the best online gambling payouts for their players and everything is regulated by the special government body UKGC. As for the laws and actual regulations, they published a couple of Gambling Acts in order to fully regulate every part of gambling in the UK. So, let’s review each gambling act and see what they bring to the table.

• The Gambling Act 2005 – This is the fundamental piece where basically everything related to gambling is regulated. This act shows the exact regulations of the top three most important parts, gambling, betting, and lottery.
• The Gambling Act 2014 – As time goes by, technology advances, and therefore, UKGC had to make the first amendment. The gambling act of 2014 is strictly regulating every loophole that was used by gamblers to abuse the system.
• Review of the Gambling Act in 2020 – Lastly, this regulation is brought in cooperation with the department of Culture, digital, sports, and media. They managed to regulate every aspect of the online gambling world and everything that goes with it.

Online Trends at Safest Online Gambling Sites in the UK

There are several trends that have been evident at UK betting sites in recent years. We will talk about them in more detail below.

New technologies

The industry is highly related to technological development. The presentation of new technologies such as VR and blockchain brings a boost to the foundation of casinos with virtual reality and crypto-casinos. This trend will progress in the near future and who knows which technologies will wait for us in the far future. Just imagine how cool it could be to play your favourite casino games via VR.

Market indicators

Are forecasted to grow year by year, upholding the existing trend line both globally and for the United Kingdom. In the same way, competition between casino operators will get tougher which will positively influence players as new online table games, online slots and services are created.

Mobile gambling

Will conquer more and more hearts as cell phones are transforming from user devices to companions of life which mankind are not willing to unhand.

The average age of players in the UK is between 45 and 65 years of age, as these are the people who have the most disposable income. However as the UK market continues to improve its image and the public understands the trust and fairness iGaming sites offer, a younger crowd is beginning to join. The youth is especially fond of betting on their favourite games such as Dota2 and League of Legends tournaments.

About the United Kingdom Gambling Commission

The UKGC is a specially tailored government body that specialises in gambling in general. Namely, this commission is offering licenses to online gambling sites that are offering live casino games and other types of betting to players. They are also regulating the whole gambling market in the UK which makes them the most reputable body in the industry. On top of that, UKGC is choosing the best online betting site each year as they reward it with credibility so players can play without worrying about being scammed. They are also providing annual reports on gambling statistics in the UK. These numbers and statistics are used to further improve the market and make it more friendly without increasing addictive behaviour.

Pros & Cons of Legit Gambling Sites UK

Both new punters and active offline casino players sometimes find the idea of gambling online strange. Statistically, most fear fraudelent activities, the online casinos being untrustworthy etc. We have collected some pros & cons to help you better understand the online casino ways:

Online Casino Slots and Games

The game library is the backbone of any online gambling site. It’s where you find all the best online slots and casino games. While slot games remain the most popular type in casinos, you can also play:

• Online Blackjack,
• Baccarat,
• Roulette,
• Keno,
• Video Poker games,
• Slot machines,
• Live Casino games

What online slot or casino game you choose is ultimately up to you. Our experts at citeulike.org can easily recommend slot games as they come in a variety of shapes and sizes and with incredible rewards like bonus spins for the luckiest players. No one’s stopping you from going for table games like blackjack, roulette, or poker to test your card skills. Find the best casino sites with fast payout speed, and you’ll have your winnings ready to withdraw right after the game.

Sports Betting in the UK

Sports betting in the UK is one of the most popular forms of online gambling. Many residents of the UK look to register with a reputable online or mobile sportsbook in order to wager on their favorite sports and place free bets. Most importantly, you can easily enroll for a qualifying deposit if you play your cards right.

Without a doubt, the most popular sport in the UK that bettors wager on is football, particularly the English Premier League, which is tagged as the world’s most-watched top-flight football league. There’s tons of options for a free bet for this one. In the second place in the sports popularity contest is horse racing. Horse racing betting is an activity that punters love to bet on every day of the week from regular race meetings to annual events. All in all, all these sports have great odds guaranteed and even if you use the minimum deposit, you can surely activate some exciting free bets.

Other popular sports with minimum odds that UK bettors bet on include:

• Greyhounds,
• Tennis,
• Golf,
• Boxing,
• UFC,
• American Football.

Lotteries in the UK

Betting on lotteries in the United Kingdom has become mainstream since the introduction of the UK National Lottery in 1994. Since then, many Brits have gambled by attempting to predict what balls will be drawn each week by either choosing a set of numbers or selecting a lucky dip for random numbers.

In addition, many online gambling sites offer lottery betting as a product that plays host to a number of real lotteries around the world along with virtual lottery games and keno-style titles. Lotteries in the UK continue to be popular choices for wagering on events such as Irish Lotto, Lotto Plus, MegaMillions, EuroMillions, and PowerBall. All these games are quite fun and offer a special welcome free bet, however, you need to put in a qualifying deposit first.

eSports Betting in the UK

Over the last five years, eSports have become increasingly popular in the UK and other parts of Europe. Although this betting market is still in its infancy stage, more people are wagering on eSports, primarily due to the rise of online games such as League of Legends and Counter-Strike.

With eSports betting, bettors are able to wager on the outcome of games such as Dota 2 and watch the play unfold via live streams, whilst feeling the thrill of betting on a particular outcome or event. What’s more is, some of the games available are closely linked to living sports, such as FIFA, which provide the opportunity of enjoying their favourite games during live event downtime. All games have competitive odds and minimum odds and are offering great excitement to bet on.

Poker in the UK

Online poker in the UK has been around for decades. This card game of skill remains one of the most popular played table games online and has now evolved to mobile platforms such as tablets and iPhones. Since the 1990s, the UK online poker landscape has changed dramatically, with new game variants being introduced and popular poker brands disappearing from the industry. Despite its fluctuation in trend, online poker is still one of the table games enjoyed by many British players, who compete in low-stakes games through to big-money tournaments.

In addition, with the regular broadcasting of poker on TV, table games such as Texas Hold’em, Omaha, and Seven Card Stud are still at the forefront of many players’ choices when it comes to gambling online. And, in case you want the best gambling start, you should definitely take advantage of the free bets.

Bingo in the UK

Some people are fed up with calculating min odds and maximum odds while making a winning combination. And, in most cases, they turn their heads the other way as they choose to play a bit more relaxing game – Bingo. Therefore, you can find great bingo games on these betting markets and have a blast.

From 90-ball, 80-ball, 70-ball, and even 30-ball bingo games, players can fully enjoy this game and win some great prizes. Most importantly, you can count on deposit bonus offers as well. The best betting sites are offering specially tailored free bets offers for bingo players. Also, this type of casino gambling is definitely the most lucrative if you play carefully and with a certain strategy.

What Makes Gambling Sites Safe & Secure in the UK?

1. RNG Casino Testing: We regularly check the random number generator (RNG) of the software used. This way, you can be sure that casino and slot games are safe and fair.
2. 200+ Hours: Over 200 hours have been spent checking all the information provided in online casinos.
3. RTP 90 – 99,9%

The games and slots have these values on average in all tested online slots sites and casinos.

Mobile Gambling Sites

Since the UK is probably the best country for gambling, their mobile app casino game is quite strong. To be more precise, all well-known betting sites are offering great mobile casino solutions. You can gamble, play free games, make deposits, and do basically anything you wish by using the mobile app for gambling.On top of that, there are some gambling sites that are offering special welcome bonus packages for those using mobile to gamble. These are usually rated as the best casino sites for mobile gambling.

Also, customer support is available through the app itself. So, if you come across a problem or any type of difficulty, they will gladly help you out. Most importantly, you will have access to all payment methods while using the mobile casino. And, for those looking to score some extra points while betting, there’s always a way to utilise qualifying bet options while on the go. The list below has the most important features of mobile gaming sites:

• Easy to navigate,
• Available on Androids and iPhones,
• May offer mobile-exclusive bonuses,
• Don’t require specific hardware – you just need a stable Internet connection

If there’s no app, Internet gambling websites are always optimized for mobile devices. Some players prefer these sites to apps as you don’t get to install third-party apps on your phone.

Top-5 Trusted Online Casinos in the UK

Simple Guide on How to Register and Make Your First Deposit

As technology has increased, it has never been easier to sign up for a gambling casino site and make your first deposit. Featuring truly cutting-edge security, players’ data is highly secure, and all of the ones that made our UK gambling platforms list are leading the way in terms of data protection. Note that the best gambling site does not have any deposit method restrictions, especially when it comes to the welcome bonus.

Registering at gambling site is very easy, here’s how you can do it:

1. Choose a brand from our top 5 UK casinos list and visit the website.
2. Click the ‘Register’ button. (whichever platform you choose to sign up with, you will be able to see the link to register clearly from their homepage).
3. This quick process will require your email address, which you will need to confirm.
4. Complete your information section including name, home address, and telephone number. There is also usually a number of security questions to complete too.
5. Verify your identity by providing a photo of your passport or ID, you will need to do this before you can make your first deposit.
6. Depending on the casino you choose, you will then have access to a number of different ways to claim a deposit bonus, from using a credit or debit card to PayPal.
7. Don’t forget to check all casino bonuses available, some require bonus code activation.

Tips for Safe Gambing for Beginner Players

More often than not, players find themselves in a situation where they are likely to be scammed. Namely, not all gambling sites are offering safe and fair gambling, and if you happen to gamble on these sites, you’ll see that it’s quite hard to actually profit. So, in order to stay away from shady sites, we’ll offer some of the best responsible gambling tips you can use. Let’s discuss everything you need to consider before making a decision on where to deposit money.

Always check for security protocols

Even if you know that the site is legit and licensed by the UKGC, it’s often a good idea to check their security protocols. Namely, you should always look for SSL encryption as this is the bulletproof method of protection.

Use bonuses and promos

Casino deposit bonus and promos are there for a reason. If you use them the smart way for your casino games, you can win a nice sum of real money with them.

Play the games you love

Always stick to the games you love. If you’re skilled in table games like poker, go for poker sites. If you believe luck is on your side, roulette or online progressive jackpot slots are the best choice.

Choose reputable payment methods

Always use the most reputable payment methods for deposits and withdrawals. Never go with an option you’re not comfortable with.

Stay away from public WiFi

While gambling on public WiFi, there’s always a possibility of getting hacked. So, if you’re on the go and have your mobile app activated, simply use a VPN or your own internet to gamble. This is especially important if you want to take advantage of the deposit bonus.

Think twice before downloading the app

Some gambling sites are encrypting malware in their dedicated app for gambling. That’s why you should only download the app from licensed and reputable online casinos. Most UK gambling sites are offering this solution for desktop users on Mac or Windows.

Check the liability of their payment methods

Another important thing to consider is the liability of the payment methods. Simply speaking, you should always check if the payment method is featured on the UK gambling sites you want to use.

Responsible Gaming

Nearly any casino site web casino you come across these days will proudly display the Responsible Gambling badge. This program and others such as Gamcare are focused on helping players in need. and offer free gambling addiction resources. Online gambling can be very addictive, so it’s important to learn how to play responsibly and keep your bankroll in check.

Recommended gambling sites focus on ensuring their players are only playing for entertainment, helping to create a set time limit for players. Many of these do this by creating deposit limits and adding regular messages when playing for a long period of time. Each of those listed is also proven to be protecting underage users. The legal age for gambling in the United Kingdom is 18 years old, so our top gambling sites UK all require identification during the signup process to ensure that they are old enough to legally play.

The UK Gambling Commission reports that over 2 million people are currently in a risk zone, with them being susceptible to financial losses and personal problems. Remember, the best casinos always cooperate with non-profit organizations to protect their players. That is why trusted casino sites are the only choice for players, so please gamble responsibly.

Organisations That Can Help UK Players

For any players that are feeling like they have a gambling problem, there are a number of websites and organizations for them to seek help. More information on the warning signs of a gambling problem can be found on the Gambleaware and Gamcare websites. Other alternatives include:

• BeGambleAware.org,
• Gam-Anon,
• and Gamblers Anonymous.

In addition to this, there are a number of other organisations that can help those struggling with debt, consumer issues, and a whole variety of other issues surrounding the gambling market. If you are struggling, then you can find the full list, including contact details for every organisation, on the UK Gambling Commission website.

Disputes with Online Casinos in the UK

Any regular player of internet casinos will know that occasionally there will be a problem with a withdrawal or deposit. Whilst any reputable gambling site, like those featured in our UK online casinos list, will have a customer service team who will solve these problems swiftly for you sometimes you might need to raise a further dispute.

If you do, make sure you keep track of all conversations and communications you have had with the casino. You should also try and speak to someone in a higher position than just a standard customer service team member. If these fail, then you can seek the help of eCOGRA or GPWA who can help to ensure you receive your money.

Overview of Land-Based Casinos in the UK

Whilst the online casino market in the United Kingdom is booming, there is still a very high demand for land-based casinos too. In fact, the UK Gambling industry is experiencing growth in all sectors and there are a number of plans to build super casinos across the country. The land-based casino enjoyed a total Gross Gambling Yield (GGY) of £1.1 billion in the year 2018-19.

The first of these was The Aspers Casino at Westfields in London, offering gamers an incredible 70 tables to choose from alongside over 150 electronic gambling machines too. At the moment, there are over 100 land-based casinos in the UK, typically all offering a mix of classic games such as Roulette, Blackjack, and Craps.

Alongside these, many UK casinos are bringing lesser-known games to UK players including the likes of Kalooki and Mahjong alongside live versions of popular TV games such as Wheel of Fortune. There is also a growing popularity for regular Poker nights and dedicated rooms in every casino for high rollers. Whilst the gambling age in the UK is 18, and players are able to play in land-based casinos from that age, many facilities operate a ‘challenge 21’ policy and require regular ID checks for anyone looking under that age.

Beware Blacklisted Gambling Sites

Our team never reviews sites you should avoid. There are plenty of factors that can give away bad casinos when we write our reviews. For most online casinos, the reputation speaks volumes about the site. If the casino has previously engaged in rogue activity, it won’t appear on our list of gambling sites. Other criteria that give bad vibes are not paying out winnings, player complaints, and unfair (rigged games). These are the red flags we always look out for. Here’s a list for easier overview of the factors that contribute to blacklisted gaming sites:

• No license
• Expired or missing SSL certificate
• Bad reputation online
• Numerous player complaints
• Rarely pay out winnings

References

• https://www.gamcare.org.uk
• https://www.gamblersanonymous.org.uk
• https://www.responsiblegambling.org
• https://www.gamblock.com
• https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/high%20roller
• https://www.investopedia.com/terms/e/esports.asp
• https://www.hypr.com/random-number-generator/
• https://www.wikihow.com/Play-Online-Slot-Machines

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