Year after year, more and more gambling sites are flooding the UK market. For first-time players this can make choosing an ideal place at which to play mighty difficult. To take some of the guesswork out of your search, we’ve assembled the best gambling sites available – and have explained how we chose them.
Table of Contents:
- BetVictor
- 888casino
- Mr. Play
- Betway
- Bet365
- Casimba
- PlayOJO
- Mansion Casino
- The Grand Ivy
- Grosvenor
- What Makes a Good Gambling Site?
- Summary
- FAQs
You can jump to any of the featured online gambling sites to get the low down on their advantages and disadvantages by using the navigation. Otherwise, stick around for the full ranking courtesy of www.bestcasinosites.net. Without further ado, let’s get right into it.
The Ranking of the Best Gambling Sites
We’ll be going over what makes each of these online gambling sites great throughout this page, but if you’re keen to know the results right away, simply take a look at the table below. These are the sites that scored the highest using expert criteria and are sure to be crowd-pleasers.
| Gambling Site | Casino Games | Sports Betting | Poker | Bingo | Play Here |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. Grosvenor |
|
yes | yes | no | Grosvenor |
| 2. Grand Ivy |
|
no | yes | no | Grand Ivy |
| 3. Mansion Casino |
|
no | yes | no | Mansion |
| 4. PlayOJO |
|
no | yes | no | PlayOJO |
| 5. Casimba |
|
no | yes | no | Casimba |
| 6. Bet365 |
|
yes | yes | yes | Bet365 |
| 7. Betway |
|
yes | no | no | Betway |
| 8. Mr. Play |
|
yes | no | no | Mr. Play |
| 9. 888casino |
|
yes | yes | yes | 888casino |
| 10. BetVictor |
|
yes | yes | no | BetVictor |
Naturally, we’re aware that different users prefer different things when it comes to their choice of gambling sites. That’s why we’ve narrowed things down even further for you in the list below. If you’d rather read about the rankings in full, you can skip to our number ten slot.
Otherwise, if you’d like to jump in right away, here are our top picks based on different categories.
The Best Gambling Sites in the UK by Category:
- Best Overall: Grosvenor
- Great for Slots: PlayOJO
- Best for Sports: Bet365
- Top Live Casino: The Grand Ivy
- Greatest Choice for Bingo: 888casino
- Poker Player Favourite: 888casino
10. BetVictor
Even if you’re not an intrepid explorer of online gambling sites, it’s very likely that you’re already familiar with the name BetVictor. A household name throughout the UK, thanks in large part to its large marketing campaigns, this operator is, perhaps, better known for its sports betting fare.
While members of the site can absolutely enjoy their share of sports betting, ranging from the most popular games like soccer and rugby to tennis and cricket, there’s a wealth of casino titles to be enjoyed too. Coming in at number ten, we heartily recommend BetVictor.
9. 888casino
As the masthead operator of the well-regarded 888 Holdings Ltd., 888casino enjoys a lot of favourable reviews – and with good reason. This site features a wide array of slots, table games like online roulette and live titles, sure to impress any die-hard gambler.
Though sports betting is available here, it’s certainly not the site’s primary focus. This operator is more geared towards the casino crowd, with sister site 888Ladies catering to the online bingo community. So if either of those strike your fancy, 888casino is the way to go.
8. Mr. Play
Though perhaps one of the lesser-known sites to fans of online gambling, Mr. Play has been a feature of the internet gambling landscape for fifteen years. With a large emphasis on slots, and some great live games to boot, it’s well worth a visit.
The only massive downside to this site is its lack of native app, but even that is becoming less of an issue as more and more gambling sites turn towards HTML5 technology allowing for in-browser gameplay on mobile devices. With a wealth of promotions on offer, it’s earned its spot in our countdown.
7. Betway
Betway is another UK heavy-hitter, whose name should be recognizable across the British Isles. Though not as comprehensive as some of the other sites on this list, it nevertheless offers some choice casino, sports betting and live options for its members.
With over two decades of gambling industry experience under its belt, Betway is one of the safest and most well-respected brands on the market. Their catalogue includes some of the industry’s most celebrated software developers and exciting slots, making this site a must for discerning players.
6. Bet365
Number six on our run down of the best gambling sites available in the UK is Bet365, another popular brand best known for its multifaceted gambling offerings. Whether its sports betting, casino games, bingo or poker you’re after, you’ll find it here at Bet365.
Though the site offers fewer games overall than some of its competitors, the titles available are of the highest standard and come from multi-award-winning studios like Playtech Playtech. The Bet365 mobile platform is also a highlight, allowing you to enjoy its wares as easily on the small screen as you would on your desktop.
5. Casimba
Entering our top five with great fanfare is Casimba. A relative newcomer to the scene, having only been founded in 2018, this up-and-comer has been delighting gamblers with its varied casino catalogue, top live suite and stunning poker offerings.
This site features games from 40 of the best software developers in the business today, as well as an unmissable live casino suite powered by Evolution Gaming and NetEnt. Though sports betting and bingo fans won’t get a look in, this is nevertheless a site worthy of your time and attention.
4. PlayOJO
Next up is PlayOJO, a site that garnered widespread attention and affection online upon launch thanks to its colourful layout and casino cheeky llama mascot. Now that the hype has sufficiently died down, we can proudly report that PlayOJO is worthy of acclaim.
Perhaps the biggest selling point of this site is its no wagering welcome bonus, which allows new players to jump right into the action with no need to meet the often restrictive requirements that most bonuses entail. That said, the lack of sports betting and bingo might be a deal-breaker for many.
3. Mansion Casino
Opening the coveted top three of this ranking is Mansion Casino, a site whose very name inspires prestige and luxury. A mainstay in the British gambling scene, Mansion remains a firm favourite with fans of online gaming throughout the nation.
As you might have guessed from the name, this operator is geared towards casino games above all else, so it likely won’t claim a top spot from any sports bettors or bingo players out there. If you’re looking for a trustworthy and well-respected entry into the world of online casinos, however, this is your best bet.
2. The Grand Ivy
Just missing out on the top spot of our ranking of the best gambling sites is The Grand Ivy. Known for its sterling casino fare and thoroughly impressive live game offerings, Grand Ivy offers by far one of the most rewarding online casino experiences.
This site scored especially highly for its lofty betting limits, making it an ideal choice for high rollers. In addition to this, its table game offerings are second to none (ironically, given its placement on this list). The only real downside is that its welcome bonus does not extend to said table games.
1. Grosvenor Casino
Beating out the rest of the competition to nab the coveted number one spot on our ranking of online gambling sites is Grosvenor Casino. Scoring highly for both its casino and sports betting options, this is a site that won’t fail to impress.
Though the welcome bonus might not seem much compared to competitors – coming in at just twenty quid – the site boasts enough regular promotions to make up for this alleged shortcoming. Paired with an intuitive loyalty point system and a comprehensive game selection, this is easily the best on the market.
What Makes a Good Gambling Site? – Our Expert Criteria
Now that you’ve taken a look at our ranking of the best gambling sites, you might find yourself wondering how we came to the above conclusions. After all, it’s no mean feat to narrow down the many available gambling sites online to just ten. Thankfully, we have a set of criteria to help us.
There are a number of things to consider when choosing a gambling site, and every player’s needs will be different. With that in mind, we’ve broken it down to the absolute most basic requirements. We’ve explained each criterion below, in the hopes that it might help you with your search.
Safety and Security
Security is always our number one priority when selecting online gambling sites. After all, a site that leaves your data or money vulnerable to theft simply isn’t worth your time. When it comes to screening operators for online safety, there are a few easy things you can do. The first, is to look for valid licenses.
Licenses are issued to gambling sites by national or regional regulators. In the case of the UK, an operator must carry a valid license from the Gambling Commission in order to legally provide gambling services. To check if your site holds a license, scroll down to the bottom of its page.
At the bottom of the page, you should be able to find all of the necessary licensing information. Alongside this, you should also find links to problem gambling organizations and services. This shows that the site has partnerships with said organizations, indicating its legitimacy.
Finally, you can check your chosen site to ensure its data encryption software is up to code. Simply click the little lock icon in the left side of your browser’s address bar to examine the software certification. A valid certificate means your data is in safe hands.
Betting Services: Casino Games, Sports, Poker and Bingo
As you can see from our top ten, no gambling site is made equal. While some may offer the full spectrum of betting delights, others limit themselves to just casino fare. This doesn’t mean that strict casino sites are not worth your time, but variety is the spice of life.
When it comes to variety, there are a number of things we screen for. Firstly, we look at the array of services on offer – is it casino only, or is sports betting provided? Is there a separate poker platform, or do players have to make do with RNG poker? A broad offering is definitely a mark in an operator’s favour.
However, there is something to be said about quality over quantity. This goes not only for the available services, but also the games on offer. That’s why we pay particular attention to the software sites use. The presence of prestigious developers like Evolution Gaming and Microgaming is always a good sign.
Place Your Bets: The Available Payment Methods
Payment methods are an aspect of online gambling that are often under-appreciated, which feels slightly ridiculous given the fact that you can’t place a bet without first making a deposit. That’s why we pay particular attention to the payment options available at every gambling site we visit.
As you might guess, the broader the variety of available methods, the better. It’s imperative that users feel comfortable when making transactions online, and the best way to ensure comfort is to allow them to make deposits and withdrawals using their preferred method at their chosen casinos and betting sites.
The array of payment options can also be a good indicator of a site’s legitimacy. For instance, there are a number of methods that are no longer permitted in the UK, for various reasons. If a site offers any of the following, they’re likely not a trustworthy casino or gambling site.
| Payment Method | Reason for Exclusion |
|---|---|
| VISA, Mastercard, Diner’s Club | As of 2020, it is no longer legal for online betting sites to offer credit card payments. For the full explanation, you can read the statement from the Gambling Commission. |
Play on the Go: Compatibility With Mobile Devices
One of the last things we look for is strong mobile compatibility. Nowadays, that’s a given with the top gambling sites and casinos. Operators have cottoned on to the fact that users spend more time on their phones than they do perched in front of laptops and desktops, so they’ve altered their approach accordingly.
While native apps were the go-to way for gambling sites to reach mobile audiences for a long time, new technological breakthroughs have allowed for a more seamless approach. Thanks to HTML5 technology, the days of downloading an app and sacrificing RAM for your bets at casinos are gone.
While we certainly don’t give negative scores to sites that only offer apps as their method of mobile gameplay, we really do admire forward-thinking operators who have made the shift towards browser apps. All of the sites and casinos featured in this ranking offer a mixture of both mobile-ready sites and apps.
In Conclusion: There’s Never Been a Better Year for Gambling Sites
Online gambling is an industry where innovation, entertainment and availability are not expected to slow down any time soon. Thanks to casinos and sites like those included in our rankings, players and punters can avail of a wide variety of trustworthy and enjoyable options from the UK.
We certainly hope that this article has been of help to you in your search for the best gambling sites, and that you take some of our suggestions for a spin. Failing that, we hope that our criteria will guide you to a better fit for your needs. If you’ve made it this far, thanks for reading, and happy playing.
Frequently Asked Questions
We’ve tried to cover everything as best we can in this article, but we’re only human and everyone makes mistakes. Occasionally there are details that we miss. If you’re still uncertain about anything and feel like clarification is required, please have a read over some of our frequently asked questions below.
What are the best online gambling sites?
Preference will always prevail, so reaching a unanimous verdict on which gambling sites are the very best is next to impossible. We have, however, attempted to narrow down some of the top sites currently on the market. You can find them in our official ranking.
How do I win on gambling sites?
Unfortunately, there’s no surefire way to win at a gambling site. If you’re playing casino games, you might wish to pay attention to a game’s RTP to get a better idea of your odds. But even this is no guarantee of you actually winning. Any site purporting guaranteed wins is likely illegitimate.
If you’re concerned that your chosen site isn’t trustworthy, simply check for the features we’ve outlined in our guide to gambling site safety.
Can I gamble on my mobile device?
Yes, you can absolutely gamble using a mobile device such as a smartphone or tablet. The best gambling sites on the market will feature strong mobile compatibility. To learn more, read our overview of mobile gambling.
