The whirr and bells of the slot machines, the clickety-clack of the roulette wheel and the consistent flip of the cards in the dealers’ hands make up the soundtrack of the casino. There’s no haze of cigarette smoke in the air but the experience is still completed by the chatter – and occasional shouts – of players winning or losing big.
Online casinos are able to recreate most of this experience, thanks to the efforts that developers have put into creating high quality games. With the recent advances we’ve been seeing in VR and AR technology, soon we may even be able to walk that crowded casino floor from the comfort of our own homes.
A review site such as NewCasinos gives aspiring players some insight into the online casinos available, but for those completely new to the industry, there is still a lot of information left to learn. This beginners’ guide to the UK online casino industry will help fill in those gaps and make any new reader feel confident about playing. We will close with some brief reviews of online casinos recommended by NewCasinos as examples of the kind of sites to look for.
Types of games
The types of games available at online casinos are the same as those you’d find at a traditional land-based casino. Slot machine games are the most popular and offer the most options. Table games, including poker, roulette, blackjack and baccarat, are also available, with tons of different options and themes. Many online casinos will also have some dice game options.
Alongside the classic casino games, online casinos in the UK may offer other types of gambling games. These include bingo, keno, scratch cards and other types of instant win games.
The main difference in the games offered by traditional land-based casinos and online casinos is the quantity. Land-based casinos are severely limited in the number of games they can offer because of the realities of casino floor space. Online casinos, on the other hand, can host thousands of games and don’t have to worry about sacrificing quirky, unique games for more popular ones.
Live casinos
Live casino games, also called live dealer games, are a specific type of table game that has become increasingly popular over the years. These games feature an actual dealer that players can interact with. Most are table games but some developers have now launched creative live dealer games inspired by board games or game shows.
The combination of streaming tech and advanced optical character recognition (OCR) software makes it possible for players at home to interact with the cards that the dealer places. These games are the closest players can get to the classic casino experience.
Security
Playing at online casinos in the UK shouldn’t put you at risk of identity theft or fraud. Playing at reliable and safe online casinos is essential. The best online casinos use encryption software to protect their players and themselves. 128-bit SSL encryption is the standard. Players can identify when a site is encrypted by the lock icon in the address bar.
Licensing
All legitimate online casinos in the UK must be fully licensed. The primary regulator in the UK is the UK Gambling Commission (UKGC). Casino regulators make sure that online casinos maintain the standards set by the government. They also protect players when something goes wrong, like if a site closes before you can withdraw your winnings or if there is a problem making a withdrawal. The UKGC website also has information on casinos that have violated their rules so players can make educated decisions.
Bonuses
Online casinos in the UK offer bonuses to their customers to reward them for choosing their site. Welcome bonuses are for new customers. Bonuses for returning customers are usually in the form of a VIP or loyalty program, or a small daily prize.
Bonuses are made up of benefits for the player. These typically include a combination of free spins, deposit matching, free wagers and/or wager protection. Most bonuses can only be claimed when you’ve made a deposit but there are some online casinos that offer no-deposit welcome bonuses.
Keep reading for a look at some of the new casinos that are helping to shape the future of the UK online casino industry, according to the experts at NewCasinos.
Win British Casino
Win British Casino was launched in 2019 and has a library with nearly 1,000 games. Their unique selling point is that they have a fantastic selection of live bingo options for players who love the classic British bingo hall experience. While they have a smaller library than many of their competitors, they only host games from top studios.
Customer support can be reached by email but they don’t have a live chat feature or phone line. This is disappointing for players who prefer to communicate directly.
Matchbook
Matchbook is a very well-established online gambling brand that is best known for their sportsbook. The game library at Matchbook is small but curated very well for casual players. They have a great welcome bonus that doesn’t have a high deposit requirement. Experienced casino players will probably prefer to play somewhere with a larger library but it’s a smart option for new players.
Fantastic Spins Casino
Fantastic Spins is an online casino that takes variety very seriously. Alongside the usual table games and slots, they also offer video poker, scratch card games and keno. They have a live dealer selection as well.
While there is a great selection of games, none of them are bespoke. Fantastic Spins has a good welcome bonus as well as an extensive VIP program.
Lottomart
Lottomart is dedicated to providing casino games for UK players. Their library isn’t huge but most of their games are provided by two of the best studios in the business – NetEnt and Global Games. They have a selection of welcome offers. Unfortunately, customer support can only be reached by email.
