thadeus 4. March 2020 | UPDATED ON: 2. January 2021 Unlike their US counterparts, UK bettors get a lot of choices when it comes to offline and online gambling. According to Statista, there are around 22 million bettors in the country, with each one of them signed up on one to three betting sites. With this kind of numbers in mind, it’s logical to assume that the UK betting market has many betting platforms. So, if you’re looking for the best gambling sites and want to join this crowded space, keep reading this complete UK gambling site review guide. Our Recommended Online Gambling Site UK 2021 Our Rating Offers Up To £100 Bet Credits Upon Registration Best In Class Sportsbook With Wide Range of Betting Markets Unrivalled In-Play Sportsbook Experience Licensed and regulated Claim Bet Credits Now Is UK Online Gambling Legal? Yes The UK is one of the biggest online gambling markets, with some world-renowned gambling sites operating there. Unlike other governments that criminalize online gambling, the UK has a nice setup for fostering safe betting. The UK Gambling Act 2005 stipulates that the Gambling Commission regulates gambling in the country. Therefore, playing poker, casino games, bingo, and sports betting will all fall under the Gambling Commission. The commission will oversee wagering on both online sites and brick-and-mortar casinos. It is, however, the Gambling Act 2014 that revolutionized online gambling completely. That’s because thee act allowed non-UK betting service providers to start operating in the country. In short, more offshore companies joined the UK gambling space. Interestingly, the act made all offshore companies liable for the 15% tax that all UK-based providers are already paying. Unfortunately, in 2018, chancellor George Osborne announced a 6% tax rise, except on sports betting. This means that all betting companies must part with 21% duty on all wagers placed by UK players. Generally, online gambling in the UK is legal for anybody who meets the age requirement of 18 years. Note: The Gambling Act 2005 defines a “child” as someone under 16 years of age and a “young person” and that under 18 years. As such, children are only allowed to play lotteries, football pools, and scratch cards. On the other hand, gaming buffs aged over 18 years can participate in any form of gambling, including online betting. How We Ranked the Best UK Online Gambling Sites Since the UK online gambling is legal, regulated, and open-to-all, there are dozens of gambling sites angling to dominate the already crowded market. Most of them offer handsome welcome rewards and excellent game variety. Sadly, most players remain puzzled on which gambling site to choose. So, to avoid landing in an unsuitable place, follow these criteria: Reputation and licensing – Before signing up on any gambling site, make sure that it’s licensed and legit. Regulated houses adhere to fair play rules and offer quick conflict resolution methods. A reliable UK betting site should have a license from either the UKGC, Malta, Gibraltar, Alderney, or Kahnawake UK. Game variety – You should, first of all, find out if a gambling site is well-stocked with different game variations like slots, casino games, table games, sportsbook, and live gaming feature. Promotions & Bonuses – All our recommended online gambling sites offer generous bonuses to both new and existing players. We also check the wagering requirements to see if the reward is tenable. Deposit & Withdrawals – The variety of banking methods matters a lot because we’d like all our fans to have several options. Apart from that, a good gambling site should also offer payments in multiple currencies with minimal fees incurred. Customer Support – Even if you’re a pro gambler, things might go south sometimes. Therefore, you should choose a gambling site with an efficient support team. They should be available 24/7 on email, live chat, telephone, or even social media handles like Twitter and Facebook. The site should also include a comprehensive FAQ section. Best UK Online Gambling Sites 2021 1. Bet365 – Tried and Tested Online Sportsbook & Casino Bet365 is a household name in the UK iGaming space, and it deservedly tops our list. This bookmaker went online in 2000, and the sky has been the limit since then. But does it tick all the boxes on our checklist? Let’s find out! For starters, Bet365 is a trusted online gaming site with licenses from the UK Gambling Commission and the Government of Gibraltar. In addition to that, this bookmaker also has licenses to operate in Spain, Italy, and Denmark. So on licensing and regulation matters, bet365 gets a 10/10. When it comes to the design and easiness of use, bet365 is easily one of the best. The website uses a minimalistic approach, with clearly labelled sections for sports betting, in-play betting, Casino, and promotions. Once you sign up, you’ll be greeted with a lovely welcome offer of 15% up to $60 on your first qualifying deposit. Keep in mind, however, that the qualifying deposit is $10 or more, with a 12x playthrough requirement attached. The only drawback is that you only have 30 days to claim the reward. Adding to the generous welcome gift, bet365 offers you a robust and clean sportsbook with an impressive collection of sporting events. Here, you can wager on over 30 events, including EPL games, American Football, basketball, cycling, darts, and many others. You even have the option to toggle your odds between decimal, American, and fractional styles. For in-play betting fanatics, you’ll get a straightforward platform to help you cash out on many ongoing matches. Just click the “In-Play” tab, and you’ll see all sports categories with the number of live events beside it. All in all, if you factor in the unique esports coverage, bet365 is easily an excellent online sportsbook to have. Bet365 also offers a decent online casino besides the feature-rich sportsbook. Here, you will enjoy over 190 casino games playable on either desktop, iPhone, iPad, or Android smartphone. You can enjoy several blackjack games, including Super 7 blackjack, European VIP Blackjack, Single Deck Blackjack, and American Blackjack. Even better, the games available are powered by top suppliers such as Betsoft, Concept Gaming, Visionary iGaming, Priplay, and Nucleus Gaming. For some added casino interaction, enter the bet365 live casino room where you’ll meet professional live dealers from all over the world. Here, players will enjoy an extensive collection of live dealer games. It is, in fact, one of the largest in the gambling market currently. Honestly, I’m impressed by the vast number of banking options available on this online bookmaker. You can make payments via credit and debit cards such as Visa and MasterCard. On top of these two options, you can also use PayPal, Skrill, Neteller, Bank Wire, Cheque, and PaySafeCard. Again, you should read the T & C to avoid any misconceptions later. It also goes without saying that bet365 has in place a knowledgeable customer support team to resolve all your queries immediately. Their toll-free number and live chat options are available 24/7. You can also contact support via email at support-eng@customerservices365.com. Pros: No deposit charges Wide range of games and betting markets Licensed and regulated Excellent in-play betting page Plenty of promotions Cons: Limited video poker options Visit Bet365 Now 2. Betway – Claim 100% Up to £250 on First Deposit After its launch in 2006, Betway got off to a turbulent start that required a change in management to experience growth. Today, it ranks among the most successful online betting sites globally. That said, Betway is licensed and regulated by both the UK Gambling Commission and Malta Gaming Authority. These bodies are known to be very strict when it comes to fairness and other betting rules. Also, it means that Betway can now render its services worldwide, including the UK and other European countries. The bookmaker offers a wide range of casino games, bingo, and sporting events. To start with the casino games, Betway provides 750+ games on its straightforward platform, although most are slots. You can play video slots like the Highlander, Jurassic Park, Immortal Romance, The Phantom of the Opera, and many more. You’ll also get the classic three-reel slot machine to enjoy. On top of the slot games, you can also make a pick from the 27 roulette tables, including the Multi-Wheel Roulette Gold and European Roulette. Even more, you’ll find up to 87 blackjack games, 14 table games, and another 69 video poker games. Oh, don’t forget to check out the thrilling live casino experience powered by Evolution Gaming themselves. But if there is an area where Betway performs best, then it’s the sports betting category. Here, you’ll be spoilt for choice on which market to wager on. Bettors can cash out on worldwide events, including soccer, cricket, rugby, table tennis, football, snooker, motorsport, badminton, and many more. And similar to the casino section, the sportsbook also has the live betting option with attractive odds. You can place wagers on events like soccer, tennis, basketball, ice hockey, rugby, and so on. The platform has two categories, with one consisting of all ongoing matches while the other featuring all upcoming games. As for the available banking options, Betway users can deposit or withdraw funds via MasterCard, Visa, and Maestro. Other than these credit/debit cards, the site also supports PayPal, Skrill, Paysafe, Neteller, Airtel Money, and M-Pesa payments. Honestly, you can’t ask for more. Players with queries can start by perusing through their dedicated FAQ section. If you’re still not satisfied, contact them directly via telephone, live chat, email, Facebook, Twitter, or WhatsApp. It’s also worth noting that the contact address might vary depending on your region. Overall, Betway is any gambler’s dream site. Pros: Impressive banking options Top-notch customer support team Generous welcome bonus Licensed and regulated Extensive game collection Cons: Mobile version has fewer game titles Visit Betway Now 3. Leo Vegas – Modern Platform with Game Variety Going toe-to-toe with Betway is another exciting online casino and sportsbook, LeoVegas. This online betting site has only been around since 2012 but has won more accolades than most of its peers. For example, LeoVegas is the 2016 and 2017 EGR Nordics Awards Casino Operator of the Year winner. But all this success story wouldn’t be possible if not for the years of dedication and hard work. First of all, LeoVegas operates under the strict rules of the UK Gambling Commission, Malta Gaming Authority, and the Danish Gambling Authority. With these regulations, LeoVegas is undoubtedly one of the safest platforms for any gambler. Another reason to choose LeoVegas is the exciting welcome bonus of 100% up to £300. To claim the gift, you must deposit at least £10 or more. To add on the bonus cash, you’ll get up to 30 free spins after wagering at least £5. However, there is a 35x wagering requirement placed on the offer. Also, you can’t claim it if you deposit via either Neteller or Skrill. But if you ask me, this welcome offer is incredibly generous. Just don’t forget to go through the T & C carefully. After that, go ahead and play the wide variety of table games and popular slots like the Reel Rush and Gonzo’s Quest. In fact, LeoVegas offers over 700 casino games, with up to 500 top-quality slots, like the Book of Dead and Starburst. Further to this, you’ll enjoy up to 23 blackjack titles and 18 roulette offerings. There are also several poker variations, baccarat games, Texas Hold ’em games, and more. And if you want it big, you can check out the mouthwatering jackpot games such as the record-breaking Mega Fortune. The fun doesn’t stop there, though, because you can enjoy the live gaming section powered by Evolution Gaming, NetEnt, and Extreme. Here, you can play roulette variations like the Golden Ball Roulette, Immersive Roulette, Live Speed Roulette, etc. Meanwhile, sports bettors can enjoy placing wagers on the many sporting events using the LeoVegas sportsbook. The site uses the industry-popular Kambi betting software to ensure that you never lack when it comes to betting options. You can place single bets, system bets, or combination bets for as little as £0.10. In total, there are about 36 sporting events drawn from key markets such as soccer, American football, boxing, basketball, tennis, and more. You can even select your preferred odds format by choosing between decimal, fraction, and American. Moreover, LeoVegas offers several payment options. Players can deposit or withdraw via MasterCard, Visa, Fast Bank Transfer, Neteller, PaySafeCard, and Trustly. The minimum deposit you can make is £10 with a maximum of £1,000. As for withdrawals, the minimum amount is £20 with a maximum of £10,000, minus any fees attached. For more information, you can check out the detailed FAQ section before contacting their customer support. You can reach the 24/7 support team via live chat, telephone, or email at support@leovegas.com. Pros: Wide range of casino games and betting options Licensed and regulated Excellent customer care Good variety of banking methods Generous bonus offers Cons: Doesn’t accept US players Visit Leo Vegas Now 4. Royal Panda – Enjoy Exclusive Promotions Royal Panda is another Maltese company that offers a high-quality gaming platform. The company was established in 2004 and is licensed by the Malta Gaming Authority and UK Gambling Commission. That aside, brand new Royal Panda customers get a welcome reward of 100% up to £100 on their first deposit of £10 or more. In simple terms, you’ll get twice the online gambling entertainment. However, the bonus money has a 35x wagering requirement attached to it. Also, the maximum bet allowed when wagering with the bonus money is £5, $7.50, or €7.00. And another thing, the reward is available for 90 days after receiving it, which is undoubtedly more than enough. Apart from the exciting welcome reward, Royal Panda also offers lots of slot games. The games available here are supplied by Microgaming, NetEnt, Evolution Gaming, Thunderkick, Rabcat, and many other top-class software developers. So, you can be sure of maximum gaming slot entertainment if you sign up on this bookmaker. You can start by unlocking the riches of Starburst or win millions with a single Mega Moolah spin. You can even enjoy the Wild Water beach plus much more. Players can also spin the several three-reel slots, including Fruit Fiesta, Fortune Cookie, and Double Magic. And don’t forget to try your luck in the different editions of roulette, blackjack, and other favorites like Casino Hold ’em, baccarat, and Vagas Craps. Live gamers will get a real-life experience of playing Roulette and Blackjack. You can duke it out against real dealers in Live Common Draw Roulette, Live Automatic Roulette, or Live Roulette HD. And as if that’s not enough, Royal Panda offers a complete sportsbook with an in-play channel that covers all popular sports around the world. You can place a wager on matches from soccer, tennis, basketball, American football, League of Legends, and many other events. To place a wager, you’ll need to deposit funds via PayPal, Neteller, Skrill, Ecopayz, AstroPay, Visa, MasterCard, or PaySafeCard. And if you win, you can use Fast Bank Transfer, Skrill, Neteller, Visa, or MasterCard to withdraw. For inquiries, don’t hesitate to contact their professional 24/7 customer support through telephone, live chat, or email at support@royalpanda.com. Pros: Several deposit options Professional customer support Nice welcome bonus High withdrawal limit Top-class software providers Cons: Limited withdrawal options Visit Royal Panda Now What Next? With plenty of sites to gamble online, it’s evident that the debate about the best UK gambling sites is not ending anytime soon. That’s because different gamblers have different priorities. Some will prefer a gambling site with generous bonus promotions, while others will lean towards the game variety. However, there are some sticky issues that you should never bypass when choosing a gambling site. Most importantly, it should be fully licensed and regulated by a well-known authority. You should also read some online reviews about its customer service. Better still, you can just make a pick from one of our four options. Our Recommended Online Gambling Site UK 2021 Our Rating Offers Up To £100 Bet Credits Upon Registration Best In Class Sportsbook With Wide Range of Betting Markets Unrivalled In-Play Sportsbook Experience Licensed and regulated Claim Bet Credits Now FAQs How Do I Select the Best Gambling Site? Of course, there are several factors to consider when choosing an online gambling site. You should look at factors like reputation, licensing, game variety, payment options, and customer service. In most cases, more prominent brands will tick all boxes. Is UK Online Gambling Safe? First and foremost, participating in UK online gambling is legal, thanks to the 2005 Gambling Act. Even at that, the UK Gambling Commission is the one responsible for licensing and regulating UK-based gambling sites. Therefore, you can be sure that all the featured gambling sites on this list are safe and secure. Why Wager at Online Gambling Sites? Several advantages come with participating in online gambling. For starters, you can take advantage of several bonuses and promotions to win easy millions. Also, gambling can turn out to be an enjoyable pastime, but only if you don't get addicted to it and start losing a fortune. So, always gamble responsibly. Do I Have to Register First to Gamble Online? Yes. Virtually all gambling sites will require bettors to sign up first before placing any real-money wager. Fortunately, you'll only need to register once on a gambling site to access the sportsbook, Casino, bingo, and poker rooms. Can I Wager Online with Real Money? Yes. If gambling weren't about real money, then most gamblers wouldn't even bother participating. Having said that, the availability of payment methods on an online gambling site should tell you that there is an opportunity to bet with real money. However, you must be 18 years of age or older to play. Also, ensure that the site holds a UK license before entrusting it with your money. Do Online Gambling Sites Accept Credit Card Payments? Yes. Most popular online gambling sites accept credit and debit card payments. However, as of 14th April 2020, all online gambling sites won't be accepting credit/debit card payments after a directive from the UK Gambling Commission. This is a single part of the broader plan to tackle the gambling problem in the country. About thadeus Thadeus G has eyes glued on the casino industry, making sure gamblers and those interested in gambling are fully informed. He covers everything that’s going on in the dynamic and wild world of iGaming. So, what’s new? What games or casinos does he recommend? Find out. View all posts by thadeus →