Best UK Gambling Sites and Casinos 2023
At PlatinPlay you will find the best gambling sites and online casinos in the UK, rated by our PlatinPlay team. We rate all sites based on their performance across seven key criteria. These include licensing and security, bonus offers, payment methods, games and software, mobile optimization, user experience, and customer support. These sites have scored high overall and that is why we have ranked them as the best online UK casinos.
Top Gambling Sites 2023
Why trust PlatinPlay?
In a world that’s full of misinformation, it’s fair to ask yourself why PlatinPlay should be trusted. Our PlatinPlay team is made up of iGaming professionals that have years of experience working and participating in this entertainment industry.
We understand the appeal of gambling websites and what players in the UK are looking for in one. Our knowledge also includes how these online gaming sites operate, and this allows us to evaluate whether a site is genuinely worthy of your time.
Throughout the PlatinPlay website, you’ll come across several reviews for online gambling sites in the UK. Each review has been independently researched by our own team and double-checked by the editorial team. We also strive to update our reviews frequently as operators promote new bonuses, add new payment methods, partner with new software providers, and more.
On the other hand, these gambling site ratings are also worthy of a review re-evaluation when we discover new negatives, decreases in the quality of their platform and services, partnership losses, and more. In other words, PlatinPlay is aware of the dynamic nature of the industry, and we’re committed to keeping our gambling site lists and ratings as updated as possible.
Online Gambling Licensing & Security
Saying that the iGaming industry has undergone improvements over the past 20 or so years is certainly an understatement. Regulation has been stepped up across the world in a bid to reduce fraud, ensure fairness, and provide players with the protection that they deserve. Additionally, the use of new technologies has introduced game mechanics and features that were unimaginable just a few years ago.
For gambling online sites to operate successfully, numerous businesses, professionals, and regulators must collaborate seamlessly. When you’re on a gambling website, you’re sometimes using a software platform that was probably developed externally to the operator or site owner. Additionally, the games are usually developed and provided by different game providers. Before these games are approved for use in the UK, they would have to undergo and pass rigorous testing by independent test labs. Meanwhile, to play with real money, you would need to use one of the payment providers that the casino operator has partnered with. The operator would also need to engage an in-house or external customer care team to support players and assist them with complaints or troubleshooting.
Overseeing all these operations is the regulating authority. In the UK, this is the UK Gambling Commission (UKGC) and all online gambling sites in the country must be licensed by this authority. The UKGC ensures that operators treat players fairly and fines or shuts down platforms of any wrongdoings. It also ensures that operators uphold their commitment towards responsible gambling and provide players with the necessary tools to keep gambling fun and safe.
As you'll find out later, licensing and security is one of the main factors in PlatinPlay's review system. If the UK operator isn't licensed and regulated by the UKGC, it's a no-go for us – it's as simple as that! Additionally, we also pay close attention to the overall security and safety of the operator in question. The same can be said for the platform providers, software providers, payment providers, and the games we review. Our PlatinPlay specialists are strict when coming to this as they understand importance of keeping gambling fun but safe. If done right, gambling can be fun and the PlatinPlay team is motivated in safeguarding players and preventing them from becoming a victim of any scams.
Main types of gambling sites
UK gambling sites can be split into four main categories, though very often, a single platform will give you access to two or more with just a single user account.
Online UK Casino Sites
Many online gambling sites are casino-based sites. Online UK casino sites are based on games of chance and others that combine luck with skill. On the best online casinos, you would normally find the following types of games:
Slots – It’s hard to imagine a casino without flashy, bright, and noisy slot machines and this is also true for best online casino sites. You can typically find hundreds of thousands of these games and experience every theme, game mechanic, and potential payout imaginable. This casino game type is such a popular game category that sometimes players look for slot sites specifically to play the best online slots in the market.
Live Casino Games – The excitement and atmosphere of land-based casinos have been masterfully recreated in live casino games. Featuring professionally trained dealers and a range of tables, these games at live casino sites let you play alongside other players while maintaining anonymity.
Blackjack – The popular card game is available in a large variety of classic versions and variants. It shouldn’t take you long to master the basics of the game, however, becoming a blackjack casino pro requires practice and experience.
Scratchcards – You can enjoy these simple scratchcard games without needing to clean that silver stuff off your fingers at an online casino. You can also play special scratchcard games that also offer random jackpots or other surprises.
RNG Table Games – From roulette to baccarat to craps, the selection of virtual table games in the UK is truly immense. By joining the best UK casino sites you’ll be able to enjoy these games in their classic forms as well as through innovative variants.
Jackpots – This casino game type features impressive prize pools that could heighten your excitement when playing at an online casino. Online jackpot slots add a thrilling element to their gameplay and extraordinary reward opportunities.
Top UK Online Casino Sites
Sports Betting Sites
You can feel closer to the action on the pitch, court, or racetrack by placing bets on reputable and safe online gambling sites in the UK. These sites feature a large collection of national and international sports with thousands of events and markets available throughout the year. These include:
Football – From the English Premier League to the FIFA World Cup and everything in between, the top UK sportsbooks provide you with a comprehensive choice of markets and bets. These sites are the first to publish bets on upcoming events and offer very competitive odds.
eSports – While the eSports industry is still in its infancy, these international events and competitions are attracting millions of viewers and bettors. You can wager on a whole host of events and benefit from a superb view of results unfolding in real time.
Horse Racing – Interest in horse betting has not decreased over the years, but it has become more accessible. In addition to accessing great odds on local, national, and global races, the top racebooks will provide you with cashback, prop bets, and a variety of other benefits.
Cricket – You can jump into the world of cricket betting on your mobile or desktop device. Whether you’re wagering on the T20 or a local match, you’ll find a range of pre-game and in-play odds when playing at a sports betting site.
American Football – Betting on NFL or CFL matches, as well as the Super Bowl, is simple when you join top UK gambling site offering sports betting. In addition to great odds, on the top sports betting sites you’ll find plenty of commentary and analysis on these tournaments to help you plan your betting strategy.
Ice Hockey – From the NHL in the US to the Slovak Extraliga, there are plenty of ice hockey matches and tournaments that you can bet on. Depending on the type of bet, you could also be able to cash out early to maximise your winnings.
Basketball – As one of the most popular indoor sports in the world, there are plenty of basketball events that you can bet on during the year. The NBA is probably the single largest tournament, but there are also many smaller leagues in Europe and Australia.
Poker Sites
Some of the best gambling websites in the UK are poker sites and video poker casino sites, specifically targeting poker players. Mainly focused on Texas Hold’em, though some of these sites might also include Omaha and other popular poker variants. You will also find a selection of limit and no-limit games to suit all players and bankrolls. For registered player, usually you will also be able to join online poker tournaments including ones that offer high-value prize pools.
Bingo Sites
UK players love their bingo games and several gambling sites have been developed to focus entirely on this game. The online bingo experience is just as good as the in-person experience, with the additional benefit of getting success to hundreds of rooms featuring 90-Ball, 80-Ball, 75-Ball, and many other versions. You will also be able to play bingo variants that feature unique gameplay, such as 5-Ball Bingo.
While some games on bingo sites are automatic, others require you to mark the numbers on your card for an even more realistic experience. Different rooms feature different card prices, and there are several sites that provide 1p cards.
How do we review and rate our gambling websites?
When PlatinPlay carries out research to review a gambling site, it bases its scoring on seven key criteria, whether for UK casino sites, online poker sites, online bingo sites, or sports betting sites. The team approaches each gambling site as though it were a player since this is the best way to understand if a site is worthy or not.
Our team understands that no single site can be best for every player. It’s for this reason that we’ve created a gambling site list rather than focusing on just one platform. Different players might find that the second, third or any other operator on our list suit them better than the number one ranking site at PlatinPlay. In any case, you can be sure that no matter which site you choose from the PlatinPlay recommendations, you will always be picking a safe and trustworthy platform.
Here is an overview of how these criteria help us determine which platforms are truly the best online gambling sites.
Bonuses
Online gambling sites should reward players for choosing them, and the best ones certainly do. However, our team looks beyond the bonus value and analyses the associated terms and conditions. Sites that set low or no wagering requirements or have extended expiration periods will certainly rank higher than those that set challenging rules or unfair conditions. Therefore, a casino bonus, a live casino bonus, a sports betting promo, or any bonus in general should come with clear instructions and fair conditions. That's what we like to see here at PlatinPlay.
However, while bonuses are important, there are also other factors to take into consideration when picking a gambling site. Luckily, our rating system takes several factors into account, providing players with fair ratings of all sites we test out.
Licensing & Security
As mentioned earlier, PlatinPlay is strict when coming to the licensing and security of a gambling site. This is a vital element in our rating system and should be the gold standard for any top gambling site in general, and not just in the UK. However, for players in the UK, all online gambling UK sites must be licensed by the UKGC and provide their licence number at the bottom of their website. If a platform does not have this licence, our team definitely won't consider or recommend it!
In addition, the PlatinPlay team also looks at the safety features that are present on the site, including two-factor authentication, encryption, and other multi-level security measures.
Games & Software
The concept of gambling has always been centered around games for the most part. Without games, there wouldn’t be any players. At PlatinPlay, it’s no secret that we’re BIG on games for all types of gambling sites. From the casino angle, we know how important it is to provide players with a variety of casino games from the best casino software providers for each game type. On the other hand, it’s important to provide sports bettors with several sport and bet types to gamble on. The industry is run on games, and we realise this at PlatinPlay. That’s why we have no choice but to include this factor in our rating system.
Mobile Gambling
There is no longer any debate on the popularity of mobile online gambling. Most gambling brands nowadays have been optimized for mobile, without the need for any apps. Though, some mobile casinos still offer casino apps for those who prefer having an app on their mobile. That being said, the best gambling sites make sure to provide players with fast-loading pages and smooth navigation and game play. This is exactly what our team of professionals are looking out for when reviewing gambling sites.
Payment Methods
The next factor contributing to our rating system is based on the variety of casino payment methods available at the gambling site in question, and the efficiency of their deposit and withdrawal processes. Firstly, a player shouldn’t be restricted to solely rely on a single banking method such as a Visa debit card, or an e-wallet like PayPal or Neteller. Rather, they should be rest assured to have several at their disposal. Secondly, a player should be able to withdraw their winnings easily and quickly at all times, while also being able to deposit their money in the most efficient manner.
UX & UI
The overall user experience is an important feature of legit gambling sites that care about their players. Top sites are able to cater to a wide audience, including players that are using such sites for the first time. They accomplish this by developing pages that aren’t too cluttered, having buttons and options of the right size, fast loading pages, and more. We take all this into account when rating gambling sites at PlatinPlay.
Customer Support
Given our previous experience as operators under the Platincasino brand, we know how important customer support is for players. When recommending the best UK gambling sites, it’s a priority for us to ensure that their customer support teams are the best in the business. Gambling sites are never perfect, and problems do tend to happen from time to time. But don’t worry that’s where we come in.
The PlatinPlay team looks at what support options are available to both registered and unregistered users. This feature is commonly overlooked by players until a difficulty arises, but our team includes it in its research to inform players if such help is available in some form. Top Internet gambling sites typically offer round-the-clock assistance through live chat or email. Some might also provide detailed FAQ pages or other communication channels, such as leaving contact numbers on their site or having social media representatives in place.
Finding the right online gaming site for UK players
In the previous section, we explained how the PlatinPlay team determines which gambling sites in the UK are better than the rest. However, we understand that you might want to carry out your own research, so to help you out, we’ve created a list of questions that you might wish to consider.
- What type of gambling site do I want to play at?
As stated earlier, UK gambling sites come in four main site categories. These are UK casino sites, sports betting sites, poker sites and bingo sites. So, what are you looking for? To play the best online slots and live casino games? To place a bet on a sports team? Play a game of bingo or poker? The choice is yours. Just make sure to know what gambling site you’re getting involved in.
- Does the gambling site offer the game types I want to play?
Once you’ve chosen the right platform based on your gambling preferences, you should research the available markets or games. If you’re a fan of horse racing, for example, you should look at sportsbooks that provide a dedicated racebook. Similarly, if you’re a fan of live casino games, you should look for live casino sites that offer a large collection of these games.
- Is this the right bonus offer for me? Is the bonus compatible with my desired game type & can I use my preferred banking method?
If you’re looking to gamble money online, it’s important to ensure that you will be rewarded on your sign-up. When looking at a welcome bonus, you should check whether your intended game or sport is eligible for it. You should also check the offer’s terms and check if there are any payment method restrictions that affect you.
- Is the gambling site licensed and safe?
We recommend only ever considering UK online gambling sites that are licenced by the UKGC. By using such sites, your rights are protected in case of a dispute. Many casinos might also have licences issued from other jurisdictions, but for players in the UK, only the UKGC licence is valid. In addition, you should check that the site offers responsible gambling support. This is a further sign that the operator cares about its users and is legitimate.
- Is this a new gambling site or a famous well-known gambling site in the industry?
Generally, the majority of the top gambling sites in the UK will be platforms that have been established for over five years. These sites have developed successful formulas that keep their players happy and are getting rewarded for it with their players’ loyalty. However, new sites can introduce innovative features or better bonuses to try and compete. So, as long as it is duly licenced, a new casino or sports betting site might still be worthy of your consideration.
- Are the customer support hours acceptable to me?
Have a look at the available customer care options to see if they suit your needs and preferences. A site might offer 24/7 support through a telephone number, but if you’d rather use live chat then this feature is not so relevant. Many of the best gambling sites in the UK provide multiple support options with long or continuous opening hours.
- What did other players say about this gambling site? Are the player reviews positive?
Spend some time reading what other players have to say about a site that you are considering to pick. Player reviews can quickly help you understand if a site is legitimate or not. It’s also worth remembering that even the safest online gambling sites will probably have negative reviews, so you should focus on your overall assessment and judgment. Reputable platforms typically reply to these reviews to try and resolve the matter and show that they truly care.
- Do they offer my preferred payment methods?
Consider which payment methods you would likely use to gamble with real money. Popular gambling sites typically accept a variety of cards, bank transfers, and eWallet options, but each method has its pros and cons. You should also look at the payment limits, especially the minimum deposit and withdrawal limits, to see that they are affordable and reasonable. It’s also important to look at payout times and internal processing times. Typically, fast payout gambling sites in the UK are able to process withdrawals within a few hours.
- Does the mobile version of the gambling site work just as well as it does on the desktop?
It’s worth connecting to the site using your mobile device even if you don’t plan to gamble on mobile frequently. Top UK gambling websites are designed to work seamlessly across digital devices, so if using your mobile highlights bugs or technical issues, you might want to avoid the platform altogether.
- Is the casino gaming experience and platform modern?
As you navigate different internet gambling websites to answer the previous nine questions, how did you feel? Is it easy to find the information that you are looking for or do you have to go through multiple pages and scrolls just to find basic game or bonus information? In addition, does the gambling site feature any gamification elements, such as daily tasks or leaderboard tournaments that can add a little more excitement to your experience?
What are the benefits of playing at an online gambling website?
There are many reasons why online gambling sites have become so popular, not just in the UK but across the globe. Here are some of the reasons why we at PlatinPlay think online gambling sites are a great medium for this.
Player Convenience – All gambling sites are open 24/7, many of which are mobile-optimized. This means that you do not need to waste time getting dressed, travelling, or waiting for opening times like at a land-based casino.
Game Variety – The top gambling sites offer an incredible choice of casino games, sports bets or a mix of them that you can access from your sofa.
Exciting Bonuses – Playing casino games or placing a live sports bet is undoubtedly thrilling, but your experience gets even better when you receive a gambling site bonus.
Safe Destination – When you join British gambling sites, your personal and payment information is stored in protected servers and never divulged to unauthorised individuals. Moreover, when you’re gambling online, no other player or visitor can ever recognise you.
Instant Sign Up – Thanks to the fast sign-up process and instant banking options, you can join an online gambling site and start playing or betting in just a couple of minutes. High speed is also available on payouts and customer support at the best sites.
Signing up to a gambling site
Before you can start using the best online gambling sites for real money, you’ll need to register an account. This process shouldn’t take you more than a couple of minutes to complete and is a legal requirement of all UKGC-licenced sites. While sign-up processes vary from one site to another, you would normally follow these general steps:
- Select a platform from the PlatinPlay list of top-rated online gambling sites.
- Click on ‘Register’, ‘Join’, or a similar button to sign-up on the gambling site.
- Enter your personal information and contact details as requested on-screen.
- Verify your email or mobile number with the one time code provided to you.
- Complete any other registration request and proceed to place your first deposit.
Joining gambling sites in the UK should not be difficult. If you need any assistance to create your account, you should speak to the gambling site’s customer care team.
The Importance of Responsible Gambling
Gambling online in the UK is now easier and better than ever. However, it’s important to understand the risks and ways to prevent them. This is the reason why responsible gambling is strongly encouraged by all iGaming stakeholders, including regulating authorities and gambling site operators.
All the best UK gambling sites dedicate one or more pages of their website to support players to gamble responsibly. On this page, you would normally find a self-check questionnaire that you can use to understand potential signs or symptoms of problem gambling. There would also be instructions to help you set voluntary limits on session times, deposits, and losses. In addition, you’ll find links to charities and professionals that can offer assistance to players who need it. These usually include GambleAware, GamCare and GamStop.
What more to expect from PlatinPlay
At PlatinPlay the player will always be our number one priority. With over 8 years of experience as operators in the UK market, we know what players expect out of a top UK online casino. Therefore, the aim behind PlatinPlay is to aid players in making the right decision when choosing their online gambling site by recommending only the very best in the UK market. Although PlatinPlay is new to the industry, you can expect more of the following throughout our journey together:
- Reviews of several gambling sites in the UK Market
- Several gambling bonuses
- Reviews of the latest and most popular casino games in the UK
- Helpful content for new and seasoned online gamblers
- The latest iGaming news for the UK Market
The hottest online slots in the UK market – reviewed
Platinplay FAQ
PlatinPlay is a new affiliate website aiming to provide online casino players with reliable, trustworthy, and honest information about online casinos while highlighting the very best ones in the industry.
PlatinPlay is based on the principle of always putting the player first. Guiding the player in the right direction when picking a casino will always be our number one priority at PlatinPlay. Additionally, you can expect several casino game reviews, how-to-play guides, table game strategies, the latest iGaming news, and much more.
PlatinPlay is based on the principle of always putting the player first. Guiding the player in the right direction when picking a casino will always be our number one priority at PlatinPlay. Additionally, you can expect several casino game reviews, how-to-play guides, table game strategies, the latest iGaming news, and much more.
Yes, gambling sites are legal in the UK. Online gambling is legal in the UK as long as platforms are licenced by the UKGC and players are 18 years or over.
You can find a list of the best sites to gamble in the UK on this PlatinPlay page. Our team of experts carried out research on hundreds of sites to determine which gambling sites provide the best overall package. This list is continually updated as new or better sites are launched, so be sure to check it frequently.
Our team of iGaming specialists uses seven key criteria to identify the top sites among hundreds of contenders. We provide unbiased, factual, and accurate analysis based on licensing and safety, bonuses, payment methods, games and software, mobile gaming, user experience, and customer support.