Are online gambling sites legal in the UK?

Yes, these sites are legal in the UK, so long as they are licensed within a recognised country, such as Malta, Gibraltar, or the UK itself. All legitimate websites will display their license information prominently, usually at the bottom of the page, and we will not list a site that does not hold a gambling licence. UK law also requires players to verify their identity; this might be via scanning documents like a passport or driving licence, or matching your debit card information to the personal details you used to sign up to the site. This check also makes withdrawals smooth. Only those 18 or older may gamble in the UK.

What should I consider when choosing a gambling site?

As shown in our methodology, there are lots of factors to consider when choosing a gambling site, such as whether it is a well-known brand, is licensed and operating legally, provides good user support, and a wide variety of payment and withdrawal options. The rest comes down to personal taste. Do you want an all-round gambling site with a virtual casino, slots, live rooms, bingo, poker, and sports betting, or do you prefer a specific type of gambling? You will also want to consider what kind of bonus you get for signing-up or if there’s a long-term loyalty programme to make it worth gambling there once you’ve benefited from any welcome bonuses.

Is online gambling safe?

Yes, gambling online is highly regulated, and if the site is licensed and generally has positive reviews, you can be sure it is safe. You will also want to look out for SSL encryption technology and the HTTPS protocol, which will be displayed with an icon in the address bar if using a browser. All good sites have informative pages that explain their odds, payout rates, random number generation (RNG) process, and which third-party audits them for fairness and safety. We will never list a site that we consider unsafe or one that has had multiple issues in the past, as we take gambling regulation seriously.

Can I deposit with credit cards at online gambling sites?

Not if you’re based in the UK. The government recently outlawed gambling with credit cards because of the risk of racking up large amounts of unpayable debt. Hence, the standard is now to use a debit card linked to your current account, a bank transfer straight from your bank, PayPal, mobile payments, or an e-wallet. Of course, there are ways you might move funds from a credit card to one of these accepted methods, but you cannot directly deposit funds from a credit card in the UK on a legitimate site. Look at our list and reviews to see the accepted payment options.

Do I have to download software to use an online gambling site?

No, the vast majority of gambling sites work perfectly from your browser, whether that’s on a desktop or a mobile device. However, many sites also provide dedicated apps for mobile devices and software for PCs because some users find them more comfortable to use. We will never list a website that doesn’t work well across all devices, whether that be within the browser or some kind of software.

Are certain types of gambling more popular?

Everyone has their favourite type of gambling. The UK has a long history of betting on sports, and this remains popular online, though casinos are also popular. A growing area online that has seen interest from the female demographic is bingo and slot-style games. Ultimately, if you find a good gambling site, there will be something to suit everyone’s tastes.

Are there any gambling sites with no deposit bonus offers?

It is quite rare for a gambling site to offer a bonus without you depositing any real money because that means they’d have no way of making it back. However, they do pop-up occasionally. The proposition might include free spins or a few bingo tickets. But even then, you’ll probably have to verify your identity and end up depositing and wagering a certain amount before you can make a withdrawal. If we spot any no deposit bonuses, we’ll let you know!

What are the best Bitcoin gambling sites?

Bitcoin is still relatively rare on UK gambling sites because of stringent regulations on payment options required by licensed sites, though it does sometimes pop-up as an option. Currently, none of those in our top 20 list offers Bitcoin. When pursuing Bitcoin gambling, we advise you to follow our methodology, checking the site’s history, licensing, and other features to make sure it’s reputable.

Best Gambling Sites in the UK

If you’ve been searching for the best gambling sites, then your hunt is over. We’ve gathered 20 of the absolute best sites on the Web that you can sign-up to right away! These include casino games, sports betting, and everything in between. Check out our table below to see what bonuses are available to new users and get started straight away.

Our reviews feature the best online gambling sites UK players can access, with many of them also open to EU residents. Here’s a sneak peek:

21 Best Online Gambling Sites: UK Quick List (November 2023)

Viva Fortunes

Great Rewards Programme
500+ Slots Games
Great Customer Support

200% Bonus up to £20 & 100 Free Spins

Best Gambling Sites in the UK

21 Best Online Gambling Sites: UK Quick List (November 2023)

Viva Fortunes

Electric Spins

Vegas Mobile Casino

Betway

All British Casino

The Sun Vegas

10bet

Bet365

Unibet

888 Casino

HeySpin

Coral

Lucky Vegas

William Hill

Karamba

Ladbrokes

Betfred

BetVictor

Bet-at-home

Mr Play

NetBet