PAYMENT METHODS AND ONLINE CASINOS IN UNITED KINGDOM
Top Casinos and Best Banking Options for UK Players
Online gambling is widespread across all of Europe, but in the UK it has a special history with the nation and the country’s culture. Over the years, the gambling sector in the United Kingdom has undergone a lot of changes which has led to it now being one of the best regulated and best functioning gambling markets in the world.
The authorities in the UK are working a lot on the prevention of dishonest practices and the protection of players involved in gambling activities while providing them with safe and legal options to choose from.
CBM has been very much in tune with how the UK market works, we’ve observed all the trends and identified both the best payment methods and online casinos a UK player can experience.
The summary of our in-depth knowledge and understanding of the UK online gambling scene is given here, with concrete examples of great payment methods and casino sites to feast on.
We want you to find your perfect combination of games, casino brands and banking methods. For that reason, we are focusing strictly on the vibrant UK market, studying every nook and cranny of the industry to narrow down the options to the very best.
As a UK online casino player, you deserve to be able to access the most advanced gambling platforms where you can deposit easily and safely and cash out your winnings in GBP currency in record time. Cheers to that!
Best UK Online Casinos
Check out the exclusive CBM compilation of ideal online gambling venues for punters from the United Kingdom. It includes web casinos offering a five-star experience for the UK crowd, tailored products, the best payment methods supporting local currency and games from leading software developers.
PartySpins
18+ | New Customers Only |
T&C Apply- Sports-betting page
- Daily cashback
- 3-in-1 welcome bonus
18+ | New Customers Only |
T&C Apply
PokieSpins
18+ | New Customers Only |
T&C Apply- Accepts Cryptocurrencies
- 3-in-1 welcome bonus package
- SSL Encryption
18+ | New Customers Only |
T&C Apply
Golden Panda
18+ | New Customers Only |
T&C Apply- Crypto payment methods
- Sportsbook + live betting option
- Huge welcome bonus
18+ | New Customers Only |
T&C Apply
SlotsAmigo
18+ | New Customers Only |
T&C Apply- Sportsbook + virtual sports
- Crypto payment methods
- 24/7 chat support
18+ | New Customers Only |
T&C ApplyTop Casino Banking Methods in the United Kingdom
British players have a plethora of reliable and convenient deposit and withdrawal methods at their disposal. As a player from the UK, you are free to use debit cards, e-wallets or bank transfers to fund your online casino play, as well as numerous other options such as prepaid solutions or mobile apps. Below you can get acquainted with the best options out there – methods which are not fee-heavy, work well with casual play and can get your money credited super quickly.
Review & Best Casinos
- Trusted around the world
- Fast casino withdrawals
- Great option for UK, SE, IT, ES
Review & Best Casinos
- Good option for UK players
- Extremely convenient
- Bank account not required
Review & Best Casinos
- Available around the globe
- Designed with iGaming focus
- Fast deposits & withdrawals
Review & Best Casinos
- 200+ payment services included
- Near-instant deposits and withdrawals
Review & Best Casinos
- Fast casino transactions
- Available around the globe
- 165 supported currencies
Review & Best Casinos
- A leading payment solution
- Maximum security
- Fast & easy casino transactions
Review & Best Casinos
- eCards with high-security standards
- Accepts crypto payments
- Available as a mobile app
Review & Best Casinos
- Buy, Sell, and Swap cryptocurrencies
- Available on iOS and Android devices
- Non-custodial wallet at checkout
Review & Best Casinos
- Available in different industries
- Instant payouts, withdrawals and refunds
- Innovative safer gambling solution
Review & Best Casinos
- Accepted in 32 European countries
- No fees for EU transactions
- Available for mobile transfers
Laws and Regulations on Online Gambling in the United Kingdom?
Gambling online is a completely legal and regulated activity in the UK. One could say that the modern age of gambling in the British Kingdom started in 2005 when the United Kingdom Gambling Commission was founded. That year, the Gambling (Licencing and Advertising) Act was put into effect and this document legalised online gambling and formed the institution that would regulate and supervise it. According to the Gambling Act of 2005, foreign operators are also allowed to operate in the UK market provided that they obtain a licence from the UK Gambling Commission. The UKGC has proven itself to be most effective at providing customers with a safe gambling environment across the country.
In the UK, you need to be at least 18 years old to gamble legally, whether that is on the internet or in land-based gambling establishments. The only exceptions are lotteries, some scratch card games and football pools. For those, you can be 16 and gamble legally. Gamblers are not required to pay tax on winnings (unless they are not considered to be professional gamblers).
Casino operators, however, must pay 15% tax on all profits from UK services and must comply with advertising standards and codes of practice including the CAP Code and the Gambling Industry Code for Socially Responsible Advertising. Providing gambling facilities without a licence can result in 51 weeks of imprisonment and/or a £5,000 fine.
Are You Required to Pay Taxes on Winnings?
The United Kingdom is a good place to gamble. This applies both to persons who gamble a few pounds a year and those who are famous poker players. While real money gambling operators have many duties, the players are free to gamble as they please and keep the winnings.
HM Revenue and Customs claim taxes from the operators, collecting millions every year. Players, on the other hand, don’t concern themselves with tax forms. So, if you live in Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland, or England – any gambling winnings you obtain are yours to keep.
Another interesting detail about taxing gambling winnings in the UK is that there is no distinction between casual and professional players. In other words, if you live off the proceeds of gambling, you don’t need to pay taxes on your income. However, a tax refund on your losses is not an option you can turn to in this case.
British players are free from paying fees to the government, but it would be naive to think these fees aren’t factored into the odds in various ways. Nonetheless, it’s nice to focus on gambling and having fun instead of calculating tax rates.
Can Casinos That Accept UK Players Be Trusted?
Getting into online gambling comes with a share of doubts and concerns. Oftentimes, a player does not know which site is to be trusted. This is perfectly understandable and being cautious will certainly get you more benefits than being reckless while gambling on the web. With the UK market in mind, though, the situation is rather splendid, if we may say so. Your hard-earned cash and the safety of your personal information will not be compromised if you stick with licenced and regulated UK casinos.
As mentioned, all online casinos that offer their services to UK players need to hold a valid licence from the UK Gambling Commission. This is proclaimed in the Gambling Act. One look at the footer of the casino’s front page and seeing the UKGC logo, along with the licence number, should put your mind at ease.
Apart from licences issued by one of the most esteemed governing bodies in the industry, UK online casinos often boast validations from software testing companies such as eCOGRA, TST and GLI. These independent agencies test the games for fairness and authorize the site as trustworthy and unbiased if everything is in order. Whether playing simply for recreation or to give yourself the best chance of winning real money, UK sites are known to be safe and fair and that makes all the difference.
Best Casino Bonuses for UK Players
UK players enjoy safe and fair online casino play, which is great. But do they get to experience the joys of claiming attractive casino bonuses? Of course! The competition in the UK market is no joke, so casino operators will go to great lengths to win the favour of as many punters as possible. As a result, UK players can choose from an abundance of beneficial bonus offers and promotions. Take a look at our list of the best bonuses for players from the United Kingdom which can be claimed today!
100% UP TO €500 + 200 FS
Claim Magius BonusMagius
Welcome Package
35x (D+B),40x (FS Wins)
Ongoing
€20
No
100% up to 1BTC
Claim Vave BonusVave
Welcome Package
40x (B)
Ongoing
USDT 20
No
100% UP TO CHF1,000
Claim Jackpots BonusJackpots
Welcome Package
30x (B)
Ongoing
CHF1
No
125% UP TO 400€
Claim TikTak Bet BonusTikTak Bet
Welcome Package
30x (B+D)
Ongoing
€20
No
100% up to €500 + 100 FS (Not available for Ontario players)
Claim Casino Days BonusCasino Days
Deposit
Not Needed
35x B
Ongoing
€20
€50 from free spins
140% Bonus up to €1000
Claim Froggybet BonusFroggybet
Welcome Package
40x (D+B)
Ongoing
€20
No
100% up to €600
Claim Asino BonusAsino
Welcome Package
40x (B),30x (FS Wins)
Ongoing
€20/AU$30
10,000
200% Bonus up to €5,000
Claim Golden Panda BonusGolden Panda
Welcome Package
30x (B+FS Wins)
Ongoing
€20
No
Local Payment Methods to Consider
Payment processors usually go for the local approach before they expand worldwide, which is something that is not at all bad in the context of online gambling. Some banking companies decide to keep catering to the local audience if they start taking the primate in the nation’s banking behaviour. The lack of worldwide exposure does not hurt them doe to the massive national coverage they benefit from. The users themselves get significant advantages from using localised methods of payment, such as ease of access and ease of use, the possibility of transferring funds in local currency without conversion charges and sometimes even special casino bonus offers.
If you live in the UK and like to entertain yourself with some online casino action, picking out payment options such as Boku, Revolut or Trustly will likely make your gameplay all the more enjoyable. These solutions do a great job of allowing you to keep a healthy flow of funds onto your gambling account and also cash out in record time very easily. Any insecurity you may have about using any of these methods are easily solved by contacting local customer support. Even though it is focused on international markets and available virtually everywhere, MuchBetter is another excellent payment solution that is based out of the UK. The mobile wallet can be used for both casino deposits and withdrawals, and is becoming a fixture at many reputable online casinos.
Depositing with GBP Currency
The official currency of the United Kingdom is the Pound Sterling, known as the British Pound (£, GBP). Statistically, it is the third most traded currency in the world, just behind US Dollars and Euros. Depositing with GBP currency if you are playing from the UK is always something you should try to do, as it is always better to use your domestic currency and avowing any conversion fees.
Up until now, the CBM team hasn’t come across an online casino with a UK licence that doesn’t accept British Pounds as a currency. These things go together in a neat little package. This means you will have no problem whatsoever depositing and cashing out in GBP as a UK online casino player.
Top Land-Based Casinos in the UK
Punters in the UK have always been enthusiastic. The country can also brag about having one of the most accommodating gambling regulations. Therefore, it’s no surprise the British nation is treated to dozens of excellent land-based casinos. Many boast long traditions and prestige, while others offer more modern, Vegas-like casino entertainment.
We present several great physical UK casinos below.
Hippodrome Casino
Hippodrome Casino is like a mini gambling city, comprising three themed casinos and five gambling floors. This magnificent venue in Leicester Square in London has a rooftop terrace housing up to 15 guests feasting on drinks, cocktails, and mouth-watering food.
The gaming area includes the Grand Casino on the ground floor, Lola’s Casino on the lower ground floor, and the Gods on the fourth floor. The latter features the only dice table in Central London. Players who relish theatrics, luxury and architectural splendour will never grow bored of Hippodrome Casino. The venue is drizzled with electronic gaming machines and world-class table gaming, with dandy dealers rounding up the atmosphere.
Thanks to the casino’s open-door policy, players can walk right in without a membership card. There is no formal dress code, and the venue is open 24/7. The casino is closed only on Christmas Day, and specific areas have their own opening hours. If you’re visiting, try not to miss the Heliot Steakhouse and the Magic Mike Live show. You’ll regret it.
Grosvenor Casino
Grosvenor Casino adorns the fashionable West End on Tottenham Court Road in London. The venue is famous for its lively, social atmosphere and even has a nickname among the locals – The Vic.
Open since the swinging sixties, Grosvenor Casino is home to blackjack, American Roulette, and dozens of top slots. Patrons can also enjoy poker and electronic roulette. The casino’s poker room is iconic since it is one of the largest in Europe.
One of the main selling points of the Grosvenor Casino Victoria is the rooftop gaming terrace called The Loft. It has two levels and a bar, providing spectacular views across the London skyline. In addition, the casino includes restaurant facilities with an exquisite menu and luscious drinks.
Empire Casino
Empire Casino claims to be “the liveliest casino in the UK”. Its portfolio relies on games operated by classy dealers and fantastic bars. Patrons can enjoy a rich offering of slots, blackjack, roulette and electronic games. As for poker fans, they can sit at Empire Casino’s tables with buy-ins from £50 in cash games and £58 in tournaments.
The stylish casino offers food and drinks at King’s Sports and Iron Balcony bars. In addition, patrons are treated to various promotions and gift vouchers. Anyone who isn’t at least 18 years old will be denied access at the Empire Casino, which you can find at 5-6 Leicester Square, London.
Genting Casino Birmingham
Genting is a famous casino brand, well-known even beyond the UK market. One of the company’s land-based casinos is in Chinatown Birmingham. The venue is open daily from 12 pm to 5 am, with live gaming available from 2 pm. The casino floor at Genting is home to live e-tables, poker, blackjack, roulette, slots and baccarat.
At Genting Chinatown Birmingham, patrons can enjoy live Mahjong, tournaments, and special offers. The facility also includes a bar and a restaurant with authentic Chinese cuisine and westernised Chinese dishes. The dress code is smart-casual, and the casino’s parking is free for 12 hours.
Aspers Casino
Aspers Casino Westfield Stratford City may not have a long, eventful history, but it offers excellent entertainment. The tables host poker, blackjack, roulette, and Punto Banco. There’s even Casino War, Spread-bet Roulette, and Duelling for Dollars. These are rare games not many casinos feature. In addition, players can participate in regular poker tournaments every day from Wednesday to Saturday.
Whenever the casino floor becomes too crowded, players can recharge at one of the three bars. Aspers Stratford is also open to those who value great music and quality comedy. The casino becomes a glamorous venue for evening and night activities, featuring quiz nights, comedy nights, and live music performances.
Guests are required to follow a smart-casual dress code and show a valid photo identification upon entry.
Most Famous Gamblers
Tony Bloom
Anthony Grant Bloom is better known as Tony “The Lizard” Bloom. Despite being a secretive person, he is one of Britain’s most successful gamblers. After appearing in the Late Night Poker television series and as a finalist on the World Poker Tour, he established himself as a skilled poker player and a harsh opponent at the table.
Although Bloom earned quite a lot of money playing poker, his wealth mainly originated from value betting on sports events. Tony Bloom is also the chairman of the Premier League football club Brighton & Hove Albion.
Sean Connery
The famous Scot, like one of his iconic characters, loves gambling. The actor’s real-life casino experience is a great story in itself. Following the release of Dr. No, Connery was a frequent guest at the Casino de la Vallee in Saint-Vincent, Italy. The records of one of his most successful feats is retold to this day.
Connery played roulette and placed a straight-up bet on the number 17. His bet lost, so he repeated the wager. Yet another loss was not enough for the actor to abandon the plan. He renewed the stake for the third time. Eventually, he won 17 million Italian Lira (the equivalent of over £160,000 in today’s money). The number came in for Bond, and the actor was photographed with a stack of chips.
Andrew Black
There are actually two Andrew Blacks famous in the UK, both successful in the gambling niche. One is a college dropout who became an accomplished gambler and eventually founded Betfair. The other is Andy Black, a Belfast-born poker player with a rather interesting trajectory.
Black started playing in major tournaments in 1997. Stu Ungar knocked him out of the 1997 World Series of Poker (WSOP) main event, so he returned the following year and got eliminated again. He adopted a different lifestyle and lived in a semi-monastic Buddhist environment for 5 years. Hence his nickname – The Monk.
Andy Black returned to poker in 2004. As of September 2020, his total live tournament winnings exceed £3.9 million.
Harry Findlay
Harry Findlay is a renowned gambler who had many ups and downs in his career. He is a horse-racing enthusiast and a big-time gambler who claims to have won over £20 million and spent no less than that throughout his betting adventures.
Known as “Harry the Dog”, Findlay even served a prison sentence in his younger days for credit card fraud. A nice look into his life would be the 1997 BBC documentary that followed him as he punted across the UK. Alternatively, an autobiography of him was published in 2017 called Gambling for Life – Harry Findlay.
Joseph Jagger
To conclude our list of top British gamblers, we go back to the 19th century to tell the story of the man who broke the bank at Monte Carlo. This man was Joseph Jagger, a textile industry businessman who travelled to the Monte Carlo Casino hoping to overcome financial difficulties.
Joseph observed roulette wheels and noticed they weren’t perfectly balanced. As a result, some numbers came up more frequently. He placed successful bets and earned £80,000, equalling £7.5 in modern money. The sum at the time was over 2 million francs, which was significantly more than the table reserve. In cases when a player wins more than the reserve held, people would use the expression “breaking the bank”.
Fun Facts
A lot of UK gamblers gamble on the loo! The most popular place to indulge in gambling sites online is the living room with 66% of gamblers spending their gambling time there, but 23% of UK gamblers have revealed that the toilet is their favourite spot for playing. As much as 27% gamble at work, too!
According to UK laws, it is illegal to gamble in a library.
The late British rock and roll legend, Lemmy Killmister, of Motorhead was known to be a huge fan of slot machines and would often play them at bars. It is believed that his nickname came from him asking people to lend him money for gambling by saying “Lemme a fiver”.
Annual reports reveal that around 77% of all online gamblers do not read the terms and conditions when playing at an online casino. Ouch!
The Royal College of Psychiatrists says that gambling is a problem for about nine people in every 1,000 – about 1% of the population.
Gambling was so popular amongst British royalty that they even had their own dedicated croupier, named Sir Thomas Neale. For many years, he had a seat in the British Parliament. Although he was very powerful and wealthy in his time, he died penniless in 1699, because of his gambling habits and bad business investments.
If you ever wondered why Britons gamble, it is because they love winning. Surveys indicate that 83% of gamblers are playing to win the big prize, while 78% play for fun.
FAQ
Is gambling in the United Kingdom legal?
Playing online for real money in the United Kingdom is completely legal. It is worth knowing, however, that the state has a monopoly on gambling. The majority of UK players certainly prefer local licenced casinos for the more tailor-made experience since they can rely on local customer support service, nation-wide popular banking methods, tested software and being able to deposit and cash out in GBP.
What are popular casino banking methods for players from the United Kingdom?
Players from the UK have accepted and make use of many different payment options. One of them is certainly PayPal, one of the oldest and most famous e-wallet platforms. Other popular methods of payment include EcoPayZ, Paysafecard, Trustly, Boku, MuchBetter, Webmoney and Entropay, among others.
How can I get help with gambling addiction?
Playing at trustworthy UK casinos can bring you closer to institutions that fight problem gambling. Top-rated UK casinos do not shy away from offering help to their customers struggling with irresponsible gambling habits. They cooperate with several non-profit organisations such as GamCare and Gamble Aware whose main aim is to raise awareness of problem gambling and support those suffering from gambling addiction. Others include Responsible Gambling Trust, Gambling Therapy and Gamblers Anonymous.
Can I access the best UK online casinos and play on my smartphone?
Yes, most leading online casinos offer their lobbies in both desktop and mobile-compatible versions. You can access the game selection with an iOS device, an Android or a Blackberry, for example. You can do it through a mobile app or a mobile-responsive site using your regular username and password. There might even be special bonuses for gamblers who join casinos by means of mobile devices.
I am from the UK and new to online casinos, so where do I start?
You can start by doing some research about recommendable casino sites, games and banking options to use to upload funds onto your gambling account. There could be potential misses in the beginning but if you stick with trusted advice offered by experts such as people in the CBM team you will be on the right path from the get-go. On our site, you can find lots of information including reviews, tips and recommended casinos and payment methods.
Do I need to install any software to play online casino games in the UK?
Not necessarily. Most online casinos nowadays give you the option of playing directly through your browser. Some years ago it was common for casinos to offer downloadable clients. There are still some sites that offer both possibilities, but instant play is certainly more dominant when you look at the selection of modern, top-of-the-line casinos.
Bart Crebolder 
Lead Content Manager
Having dedicated nearly a decade of his career to the iGaming industry, Bart Crebolder stands as a valuable member of the CasinoBankingMethods.com team. His journey in the industry has been marked by his pursuit of the latest trends, making him a relevant source for information about online casinos and payment methods. He is an invaluable asset to the team because of his passion for the iGaming world, contributing with his standing as a trusted authority in the online casino industry. Bart's content consists of comprehensive analyses, reflecting his deep understanding of the casino industry and he is setting standards for informed, reliable, and engaging content in online gaming.