Best Rated Casinos in the UK 2023

Every casino found at TopCasinoSites.co.uk is subject to several fundamental requirements, many of which are covered indirectly by the UK ‘Gambling Act 2005’, which you can read more about UK gambling licenses here. These include but are not limited to:

1. A valid license issued by the Gambling Commission (UKGC)
2. Transparent ownership structure
3. Secure payment methods
4. Prompt withdrawals
5. Player identity protection
6. Self-exclusion mechanisms
7. Encrypted connections
8. No required downloads
9. Full mobile compatibility (via browser)
10. Full range of fair casino games (including live dealers)

All of the items above are in some way integrated in the platform, the backbone upon which the entire casino rests. Some parts are presented visually but most are hidden for players. Even if the overall design is important, scratching the surface and peeking under the hood is what we are more interested in when evaluating an online casino.

The rating of a casino ultimately hinges on how well the above parts work together; Loading times, payment options and fees, game selection, and other measurable data are the main determinants in deciding a casino's rating. We might offer our opinion on how well information is presented but we try to avoid making value judgements regarding colour choices and other subjective matters.

Let us go through some of the aspects above in more detail and make a case for why they are important, but also how they influence the reviews found here.

Money talks at UK online casinos and transferring funds to and from the site in a safe and secure manner is probably the most important thing to every gambler. Modern casinos have integrated numerous secure payment solutions, but some methods are better suited than other. Credit and debit cards are accepted at most sites but not all will allow transactions in the other direction - i.e. back to the bank account connected to the card in question and this can for many be a deal breaker. We will do our best to note this in our reviews.

How fast withdrawals are handled, how the cashier is structured, and available payment methods will weigh heavy in our casino ratings.

For an extra layer of security and convenience players might prefer a third-party-payment-service and there are plenty to choose from that are integrated into most online casino platforms. Skrill and Neteller are popular alternatives, but unfortunately users of these web-wallets have abused bonuses over the years and both of these methods are often excluded to from claiming deposit bonuses.

Fans of e-wallets and bonuses will have better luck playing at PayPal casinos. Let us take this opportunity to demonstrate how you can interact with our site:

• Press the PayPal logo in the infobox below (or hoover over it to the right on desktop on desktop)
• A small bubble will pop up if there are lists created for this particular feature or function
• Press it and you will be taken to it, in this case our PayPal casinos

The above can be done on almost everything on our site and is a great way to learn more about how everything fits together, or just discover cool casino features.

A couple of years back it was still relevant to speak of the mobile casinos, but not so much anymore – it is 2020 and most of us primarily access the web via our phones. If an operator does not offer an online casino product that works just as well on mobile devices as on desktop computers they obviously have not got a clue what they are doing, and will not be featured in any shape or form here at Topcasinosites.co.uk. It is as simple as that.

All featured casinos are available to play on mobile phones and tablets

We require every casino in our lists to be fully compatible with mobile and tablets without downloading any apps (or desktop software as well, for that matter). By this we mean that as long as you have a somewhat recently updated web browser you should be able to access the site – be it on a mobile, tablet or desktop computer.

If there are casino apps available for download it might be a plus (depending if they bring anything extra to the table), but they should not be a requirement to access the site.

As you are more likely to spend most of your time inside the games, so to speak, available software and game providers are crucial to your overall experience. You can rest assured that the casinos we recommend offer games from the most popular premium providers – all of which routinely have their integrity tested by independent and accredited control bodies.

To make it onto our list of recommended casinos the site must provide a live dealer offering of some sort, a decent collection of RNG table games, at least some progressive jackpots, and of course a library of modern video slots.

In our dedicated section about games you can find reviews of most variants mentioned above, and of course where they are available. Do not miss our listing of the best video slots, an invaluable tool if slots are your prerogative.

With the evaluation process of online casinos explained, let us move on to general thoughts and tips to keep in mind when picking a casino site - but also regarding behaviour once you have found a home that suits your gambling needs.

Utilise casino bonuses

There are no guarantees to be profitable when it comes to gambling but making smart decisions and keeping your options open will in most cases give you at the least more entertainment for your money, but could in the long run be what makes you come out on top. Remember that the odds are always stacked against players, and the only way to make it out with a win is to stop before teorethical statistics and probabilities catches up with reality.

Online casinos will always have an advantage over players - any way that edge can be cut should be utilised

Casino bonuses are arguably the easiest way to make the most out of your casino experience, while at the same time take some of the edge away from the house. Always be on the lookout for bonuses but make sure the terms and conditions are beneficial and fully understood before accepting any type of reward.

If you are unsure of how to spot good casino bonuses make sure to visit our guide on the subject - see 'Bonuses' in the main menu. There we go through all the important terms, the pitfalls to avoid, and also give some practical tips on how to best make use of the different types of rewards out there.

Many UK casinos run slot tournaments on a recurring basis. These run day and night, every day of the week, and taking part is almost always free - in the sense that you only pay what you wager. The winners are generally decided within fifteen minutes and prizes payed out immediately.

The format of this type of competition, or slot race as they are also called, varies somewhat depending on which casino you are playing but the main concept is the same; play a certain number of game rounds, within a specified time, on a slot determined by the casino. What might vary is the length of each race, how points are generated and winners decided. Example demonstrating how a race/tournament can be structured:

• Reel Thrill at Mr Green Casino: Weighted wins (total wagers/total wins) over 20 consecutive spins within 15 minutes decides the winner. Prizes are typically bonus spins in the same slot as the race was held. Reel Thrills run every 15 minutes all day, every day of the week. (18+, T&C applies, play responsibly)

As most of us will be playing the same slot games as in which these tournaments regularly are held, and play in a similar manner as the tournament’s rules allow - the only difference in partaking will be that additional prizes are thrown into the mix. A net positive in other words. Just make sure you have enough funds to complete the required game rounds, and don’t get suckered into tournaments above your regular wager level and you should be fine – play responsibly.

Make a habit out of checking a casino's promo page and opt-in to any free prize contests

The above race-against-the-clock type competitions are not the only way to spice up the online casino experience without additional cost. Prize contests of various kind are offered on a regular basis on most sites with varying rules; random prize drops, lotteries and mission based structures are common, and prizes can come in all imaginable forms; all-inclusive holiday packages, bars of gold, AV-equipment, sports cars, you name it.

Tying into the above, and to be able to get that edge you deserve, you might have to be a bit flexible. Don’t be afraid to try out and opening an account with more than one online casino before settling down, which should only be done if the casino provides a generous loyalty program.

As welcome bonuses await on most UK casinos you can get more for your initial deposit even at later stages of your casino career. Most casinos will after some time of inactivity try to engage inactive players and they usually do this by offering some kind of freebie. In other words there are lots of extras to be had, if the timing is right. Be flexible and play where you get the most out of your deposits.

Having accounts on several different casino sites offer additional advantages, beyond just getting access to more welcome bonuses and re-activation attempts as described above. In the long run this will make the experience cheaper and possibly increase your winnings. Here follows why it is a good idea to keep an eye out for, and take part in, promotions and competitions on several casinos:

• Casino A and B runs the same promotion but only allow you to take part once per account - you partake at A then switch to B to double the fun.
• Casino A and B runs different promotions at the same time – you partake in A’s then switch over to B’s for an additional treat.
• Casino A might run a promotion over the weekend, while Casino B runs one during weekdays - you play accordingly and will get more for your money.

Add even more casinos and it is possible to enjoy a constant stream of casino goodies. If you don’t want your personal inbox cluttered with casino offers, make a separate one that you dedicate to gambling.

With accounts on several casino sites you can adapt and take advantage of more promotions.

The trade off with this approach is that you will have a hard time reaping the full benefits from loyalty and VIP programs. If you find one particular site you like, make sure they have a well thought out VIP system in place that rewards your loyalty.

…or don’t and reap rewards for being loyal and become a VIP

The fact that switching from one online casino to another is so easy – you simply withdraw your money and deposit them somewhere else – is of course something casino operators are well aware of. In order for a casino site to shield itself from this kind of behaviour it will need to offer some kind of incentive that keeps us playing. If it is more profitable (or convenient) for us to stay than to go through another registration process then we won’t leave, simple as that. VIP and loyalty systems serve this purpose and there are some really good options out there. This type of casino typically employ some kind of progression based reward system, rather than time limited promotions and offers.

Finding a casino site with a good loyalty program and sticking to it is usually a better strategy for the casual player. Not everyone is keen on researching where the best place to play is at this particular moment, some just want to start playing. Not sure how to spot one of these casinos? Have a look at our dedicated section and find a VIP casino club suited for your needs.