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 2020
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.
- No wagering requirements
- High limits
- Excellent live casino
- Impeccable reputation
- 200+ live dealer tables
- Seven gaming licences
Masked Singer
18 + | New Customers Only |
T&C Apply- Lightning-fast payouts
- The Masked Singer branding
- Top-notch live casino
- Trustworthy UK licenced casino
- Positive player experiences
- Quick and easy withdrawals
- Excellent reputation
- Multilingual support team
- 150+ live dealer games
- More than 5,000 games
- Over 400 live games
- Live casino cashback
- Free deposits & withdrawals
- Reel Races
- Evolution & Playtech live dealers
888 Casino
18 + | New Customers Only |
T&C Apply- 10 gaming licences
- In business since 1997
- Top-notch live casino
All British
18 + | New Customers Only |
T&C Apply- Impeccable reputation since 2013
- A leading UK casino
- Real money cashback
- Excellent reputation
- Local payment options
- PayPal payments for UK, SE, ES
Top 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 credit 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
- Quick casino deposits & withdrawals
- Available around the globe
- Designed with iGaming focus
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
- Quick casino deposits & withdrawals
- Available around the globe
- Designed with iGaming focus
Review & Best Casinos
- Instant deposits & withdrawals
- Safe and reliable e-Wallet
- Widely accepted at casinos
Review & Best Casinos
- Instant casino deposits
- Excellent reputation
- Great option for Sweden, Finland
Review & Best Casinos
- Fast and secure transactions
- Free casino deposits & withdrawals
- High maximum cashout limit
Review & Best Casinos
- High acceptance worldwide
- Fast casino withdrawals
- Highly secure option
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.
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
PlayOJO
Free Spins
No Wagering
Welcome Package
Not needed
None
Ongoing
€10
No maximum
5% Live Casino Cashback
Cashback
No Wagering
Not required
None
Ongoing
€2
No maximum
Masked Singer
Deposit
Free Spins
Not needed
60x (Free Spins winnings)
Ongoing
£10
£100 for Free Spins
LeoVegas
Deposit
Not needed
20x
Ongoing
€10
No maximum
Up To €100 Live Blackjack Bonus
Free Play
Not needed
30x
Ongoing
No minimum
€500
Live Roulette Daily Lucky 8
Deposit
Not required
30x
Ongoing
€8
€500
888 Casino
Deposit
Free Play
Not needed
30x B
Ongoing
€20
€500
PlayFrank
Deposit
Free Spins
Not needed
35x B
Ongoing
£20
No maximum
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.
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.