The Best Safe and Trusted Gambling Sites in the UK for 2024

When choosing gambling sites in the UK, players have much to consider. In this review we put all the games, bonuses and betting sites under the microscope to deliver you only the very best, safest and scam-free operators on the market in 2024.

The Best Online Gambling Websites in the United Kingdom 2024

Our top priority is safety, but we’ll also look at how the best gambling sites handle the little extras that set them apart in a crowded market. Bonus fairness, payment options, customer service, and mobile compatibility are all taken into account and rated.

As shown in the tables above, there are numerous significant differences between the best gambling sites UK platforms, ranging from welcome bonus amounts to accepted payment methods and mobile readiness.

Each excels in a specific niche, be that online casino, sports betting, bingo, poker or lottery. Whatever your preference, they all have one thing in common: they are all licensed and trusted websites deserving of any UK player’s time, attention, and, ultimately, money.

If you find an operator on this domain, you can rest assured that they have passed not only our stringent judging criteria, but also the tests of numerous other sites. As a result, the vast majority of these operators can be found among the best online casinos on the UK market today.

Which Is the Best Gambling Site in the UK ▶️ Top Categories

We know that everyone has different priorities and preferences when choosing a gambling site. If you want to bet on sports, you will be looking for the best betting sites. Whereas if you enjoy playing slots and live casino games, a top casino site will be your priority. To help you select the right operator for you, here are the best gambling sites in the UK by type:

The best operator for you will be determined by more than just the type of gambling product. Maybe you want to take advantage of a generous welcome offer. Choosing an operator that accepts Paypal may be critical for you. Perhaps a high-quality gambling app is high on your priority list. Whatever you’re looking for, the list above contains the best UK gambling sites for every taste.

How to Distinguish Safe Gambling Sites from Scams

Once you know what to look for, distinguishing between legitimate and fraudulent gambling websites is simple. Our experts have created a strict set of criteria that we use consistently when testing and reviewing each site.

You’ll soon learn how to separate the good from the bad. The majority of our testing criteria are concerned with determining whether or not the player will have a safe online experience. We also check the online casinos have quality content, ensure the bonuses are up to scratch and whether any betting site under the spotlight offers enough markets.

To begin, we look for the website’s gambling license and security features. We believe that the best gambling site is a safe gambling site, which is determined by the operators’ efforts and consideration for their players. The table coming up will outline other criteria so you can see which topics we believe are the most important.

After reading our guide to the best online gambling sites for UK players, you’ll not only understand why we’re known as gambling scam experts, but you’ll be well on your way to becoming one yourself.

Each of these seven criteria is further subdivided depending on your preferred types of real money gambling, such as football betting or casino games. We go over those in more detail later.

By following these seven standards of safety, you can be sure that no matter which of our recommended online sports betting and casino sites you choose, you will be in good hands. It can be a tiresome task to search through all of these criteria to identify the top gambling websites. Nonetheless, our expert reviewers have already put each of these operators to the test and found them to be reliable.

Safe Online Gambling Sites

That sure sounds like many things to consider when choosing from online gambling UK sites. That’s where we come in! We consider all of these factors before recommending any gambling sites and only include links to safe, reputable destinations with a valid UK licence. By following our own set of advice and criteria as set out above, we have put together this list of the 5 safest gambling sites:

As you can see, the safety of all gambling sites listed above is verified not only by us but also by the Gambling Commission. You can learn more about how this licencing authority operates further down the page.

You should already be aware that these UK gambling sites meet the stringent criteria set by both our expert reviewers and the UK Gambling Commission. Of course, they also have fantastic collections of games, sports betting, and lottery activities, which we’ll go over in greater detail in the following sections.

The Team Behind Our Platform

Our expert team is made up of six key members and spearheaded by our Chief Editor, Nicholas Crouch, who steers the ship with proficiency and expertise. Every team member brings something different to the table, whether it’s Larry’s past poker career or Alya’s journalism background.

Our team members may come from different walks of life, yet they all share one common goal: aiding you in navigating the occasionally murky waters of the online casino world. Take a look at the faces behind the content below:

The Variety of Gambling Types

Enthusiasts of UK gambling sites are spoilt for choice when it comes to the variety of different gambling experiences that are legal and readily available. There are no other countries with such a wide industry, which makes it a strong target for fraud sites and scams. But it also means that there is a huge amount of choice for safe and trustworthy sites, too.

In the next parts of this page, we will explain each different type of online gambling that you can enjoy, with a selection of the top gambling sites UK residents can choose from. We’ll describe each type here, explain why our selected sites deserve to be recommended, and how you can maximise your experience for any type of wagering. So, read on to find the best betting sites, top online casinos, and more.

Online Casinos for Cards, Table Games and Slots

One of the most popular types of gambling sites among UK players is online casinos. Online casinos have grown in popularity in tandem with technological advancements, making them the ideal way to enjoy your favourite classic games without leaving the comfort of your own home.

Given the complexity of the offering at the best online casinos, it can sometimes be difficult to find the best venue for your needs

From your desktop online casino site or gambling apps, you can now enjoy everything from blackjack, roulette, craps, slots, baccarat, and keno, and there are thousands of casino games to choose from. We’ve outlined the best sites for each of the most popular gambling games in the table below to help you easily find a safe casino that meets your needs.

Each one provides a reasonable and generous welcome bonus, excellent customer service, and, of course, is licensed by the UKGC.

The online casinos in the table above have been chosen as the best for each named variant while also offering a fair casino bonus. Furthermore, all offer a comprehensive selection of both RNG and live dealer games.

In recent years, advances in mobile technology have made it much easier to access online gambling sites. You no longer need the most recent version of a mobile device to play on the go. All of the sites we recommend are fully mobile compatible.

Safe Sports Betting Online

Sports betting has long been one of the most popular pastimes with Brits. Initially through horse racing but in recent times betting on football, cricket and US sports have become the mainstay of the UK punter and why many seek out the best online gambling site for their particular need.

As you can see in the table below we have selected the best online betting site for each particular sport. Each one of our recommended operators offers a competitive welcome bonus with fair and easy to understand terms and conditions. Click on the operator logo to find out more about each particular betting website.

While we’ve honed in on particular sports above, it is fair to say that all our nominated online sports betting sites offer hundreds of markets on an increasing number of sports. The options for real money gambling on sports have never been so good for UK punters.

You can now place live bets at your chosen best online gambling site as the games play out, with fluctuating odds that reflect the actual scores of the game. In-play football betting and live betting on other popular sports are available at the best UK betting sites – another way the online UK bookmaker industry is expanding!

Best Gambling Sites for Bingo

Bingo has been a favoured pastime in the UK for decades, and its popularity has increased as the game made its seamless transition into sites UK players can access. The variety of the games and rooms available are matched only by the perfectly moderated communities, ensuring the all-important social aspect remains at the forefront of the online experience at UK gambling sites.

Not all varieties of bingo will be available at all operators, so we have divided our recommendations into game types. No matter whether you prefer 75-ball or 30-ball cards, we have tested and reviewed all available options at the top online gambling sites to find trustworthy and scam-free options for you to enjoy.

As you can see, all of these reputable bingo sites are gaming divisions of major gambling websites, which means they have great selections of slots and other casino games to complement the bingo rooms. The bonus offers at all of our recommended sites in the United Kingdom offer exceptional value, and the social aspect of the game is enjoyable at all of them.

Switching from bingo to other gambling options is very easy given players will have all options available under one account. While waiting for a bingo room to fill up, players can switch to online slots or even place a sports bet. Most online gambling sites use this single-account structure for ease of access.

The Top UK Poker Sites

As there is a long list of gambling sites where you can play real money poker online, players can often find themselves suffering from choice overload. We have selected only the very best options for UK players – some come with downloadable software – though these days playing in a mobile or desktop browser is equally popular.

Below you will find our pick of the best gambling sites for UK poker players. Each one has been selected for its strong liquidity, depth of poker variants and the quantity and quality of its MTTs. All are suitable for both low and high-stakes players.

You can play these fantastic online poker games for real money online using the certified and safe payment options available at the operators on this best gambling sites UK list. Once you have made an account and signed in, many gambling sites will offer a play money version of the software to allow you to hone your skills.

The above types of poker do not necessarily include tournament-style games, which are usually available through separate downloadable software rather than online gambling sites. However, some of the leading options outlined above also include this option among their enormous punting options. It’s worthwhile checking the availability of tournament poker before you sign up.

Best Online Lotto & Sites to Bet on the Lottery

There are a few misconceptions about how online lotteries work for online gambling UK sites, which leads people to believe there is something dodgy about perfectly legal options. First of all, you can purchase tickets for the National Lottery or Health Lottery on their websites, and you can use lottery syndication sites like Jackpot.com to buy tickets for you as a proxy.

The other alternative to lotto gambling is available on the leading online casino sites and the best betting sites, which is more akin to sports betting than participating in the lottery itself. By this, we mean that you can bet on the outcome of a lottery draw with fixed odds, so while you don’t win the jackpot if you choose correctly, you win your odds paid out in full.

These two forms of lottery gambling are very different, but both are very simple to participate in. All of the operators in the table meet our criteria to be the best gambling sites for UK players, so you don’t have to worry about landing on fraudulent websites.

Best Gambling Apps for Mobile Gambling

In this day and age, everyone owns a smartphone device – either Apple or Android – that is powerful enough to run even the most modern online casino software without a problem. Therefore, the best online casinos and gambling sites often have a mobile-first approach to developing their software, as do the top software providers. Of course, there are massive differences between the apps from a user perspective, so to help you choose, we have outlined the top mobile casino apps for gambling:

One of the best things to note about gambling apps is that they are all connected to the web app and the desktop versions of casinos or betting sites. This means that you only need one user account and log in, regardless of which type of device you are using to connect. You can place bets at your favourite UK bookmaker on desktop or mobile using the same account. This also means that your bonuses, high scores and favourited options will all be synched across the online gambling sites systems.

Live Gambling

A fantastic trend that is sweeping the UK casino market is live dealer casinos. A cross between the ambience of going to a real, land-based casino and the convenience of not leaving your home. The live casinos feature real croupiers live-streamed in high definition to online casinos in real-time. Play live casino games against dealers and other gamblers from all over the world in one of these fantastic, safe gambling sites.

All of your favourite classic casino games are available in these safe live casinos, as well as many interesting and award-winning variants from the creative developers at leading software providers like Evolution. Live gambling is becoming a focal point for more and more gambling sites in the UK, so you can expect the market to become even more exciting as it expands.

Other Types of Online Gambling for UK Players

As we mentioned earlier, there are so many different types of online gambling sites for UK players that it can be overwhelming trying to pick the best to suit you. If you haven’t seen your preferred type of wagering activity yet on this page, fear not. Playing games like sic bo and scratch cards, plus making E-Sports and novelty bets, are all possible at our recommended best sites in the table below.

These may not have as many variants available in each type, but you will find them as part of the full portfolios of live games and betting options. As they’re not as popular as the likes of casino slots or online blackjack, for example, they aren’t always a certainty to be available, but you will find them at these great gambling sites:

While this is in no way a full, inclusive list of all game types available across the confusion of top gambling websites out there, it does give fans of these a good idea of where to start. Rogue operators and fraud sites are all around, so stick with these trusted names that the experts recommend to experience the safest options.

UK Online Gambling Regulation: Licensing and Legal Gambling

If you find yourself asking, “Is gambling legal in the UK” then rest assured, it most certainly is. In fact, all of the different types of online gambling UK players can enjoy are regulated by the Gambling Commission. This is a government agency that protects all gaming enthusiasts from the likes of nefarious operators and rogue websites and ensures all legit sites operate fairly and securely.

You can always check if a gambling site holds a licence from the UKGC through the agency’s website. Plus, all trustworthy operators will display the UK Gambling Commission seal in the footer of their page.

Other Countries

The majority of the information you will find across our domain is online gambling websites UK-specific, though we also cover other English-speaking markets. If you’re from the USA, Australia, India, Canada, Ireland, South Africa or New Zealand, it’s well worth checking the local legislation, as not all countries are as widely accepting of gambling activities as the UK. The table below gives you an overview of the legal gambling age variances and taxes, and you can find out more information about each country by clicking on the links.

As you can see, if you are from South Africa, you are not legally allowed to gamble online. The same goes for online casinos in Australia – it is expressly forbidden by Australian law to offer casino games in the country via online casinos. Yet, countless gambling websites continue to do so. Avoid these sites as they are likely to be scams. be sure to only visit legal gambling websites to place real money bets.

Welcome Bonuses, Promotions and Deals

When any business – whether it be an online casino, gambling site, retailer or fast food outlet – offers you something for free, it’s always wise to find out what the catch is. The saying ‘There’s no such thing as a free lunch’ is particularly true when it comes to gambling site promotions, where there is ample opportunity for sneaky websites to lure you in with false promises. The most important thing to remember with deals is to check the wagering terms, whether it is a no-deposit bonus, free bet bonus or sign-up bonus.

Always check the terms and conditions stated on the online casino to see the number of times you must wager a bonus before you can claim it. Common wagering requirements in the UK market currently sit between 5-75x, and you should never opt into a promotion with a playthrough higher than that. It can trick you into spending a lot more money online than you anticipated. Check the terms and do the math for your budget first before claiming any deposit bonuses.

Tips for Safe and Responsible Online Gambling

The most important reason why we need to avoid scams when we are online gambling for real money is to protect our hard-earned cash. Unfortunately, it is also the greatest object of desire for fraudsters, so it must be the subject of much consideration.

A great tip is to make sure you never share your password or account details and stick to our list of the best gambling sites. We also recommend that you never save your payment details on the site itself. It may take longer to input your credit card number again, but it is much safer.

There are many other things to look for at UK gambling sites to help you confirm your safety. You can also look for the small padlock icon in the address bar of the website for the little padlock. If you see it there, it means the site is encrypted using SSL technology, which is designed to keep hackers at bay.

Another area of an online gambling site to check is the footer. Scroll right to the bottom of the page, and there you will see a lot of different logos and links to trustworthy sources. Of course, you’ll see the logo of the UK Gambling Commission alongside links to organisations that promote responsible gambling habits.

You’ll also see certificates provided by third-party authorities such as eCOGRA or iTech Labs. These companies are responsible for checking the fairness of the games at online gambling sites by testing the return to player (RTP) percentages.

Responsible gambling is a fundamental aspect of enjoying online casinos. It’s crucial to understand the importance of setting limits, managing budgets, and knowing when to take a break. Doing this helps you stay within your means and avoid adverse impacts to your mental well-being.

Choose Secure Payment Methods

The table below is a short overview of our recommended payment methods to use at the best online gambling site of your choice. These are the global leaders in financial services for good reasons: they allow you to make withdrawals and deposits using protected processes. All of the below services are massive industry powerhouses that you can trust to look after your money and help you if you fall victim to a scam. You can place a real money bet online safely with the following payment methods.

These recommended payment methods are the most secure and are also the most commonly used because of their trustworthy nature. A great example is the best Neteller casinos in the UK. However, at online gambling sites, there are also many other notable payment processes available, including those at bank transfer casino sites.

We always recommend that you make payments using desktop gambling sites as opposed to mobile gambling or downloadable apps. This is because the internet connection is usually more stable – it wouldn’t do to have the connection drop out in the middle of a transaction. If you are looking for other top casino sites with secure payment methods like those in the UK, then check our LeoVegas review as well.

Online Gambling Scams: 5 Types of Fraud

Online gambling is an enormously profitable industry, which is great for the consumer as it means there is plenty of interest in its continuous development. However, this also makes it a target for criminal activity. Online gambling scams are sadly prevalent at casino sites, and the people behind the fraud are getting very sneaky with how they pull off these tricks. To help you avoid these nefarious undertakings, we’ve highlighted some common frauds.

By keeping these online gambling scams in mind while you are playing, you can avoid being cheated out of your money. The top way to avoid all of these problems is to stick to licensed and safe sites that the experts recommend. Always use your critical thinking skills before spending any money or sharing any information online.

Responsible Gambling Partnerships

Having partnerships with responsible gambling organisations is a requirement from the UKGC for any top gambling sites to gain and maintain their licence. All casinos and online betting sites will work together with firms like Gam-Anon, BeGambleAware, and GamCare to help players recognise and treat the symptoms of addictive gambling.

These organisations have literature and helplines for both sufferers and their loved ones. If you find any operator that doesn’t have this infrastructure in place, it is likely trying to scam you into wagering more than you wish.

Gambling Scams: Fake Gambling Sites

Thanks to the massive profit potential in the online gambling industry, there is, unfortunately, a proliferation of fake sites that players need to avoid. To stay safe from scams, make sure you take the time to check for licences, trusted payment methods and IT security features before sharing any sensitive data on the internet.

CS:GO Gambling Scams in E-Sports

Counter Strike: Global Offensive (CS:GO) is a popular video game with high-profile tournaments worldwide and has also become a sought-after game for Esports betting. Unfortunately, there were many CS:GO gambling scams that popped up alongside the new gambling method, including something called ‘skin gambling’.

This scam involved countless players and betting sites skirting gambling laws by wagering with in-game cosmetic elements called ‘skins’ instead of real cash, then selling said skins in the real world.

Conclusion: Find Safe and Secure UK Online Gambling Websites

Now that you’ve read through our guide to staying safe when gambling online, you should have a better understanding of how to spot good websites from scams. By using this information, you can put your mind at ease and instead focus on enjoying one of the UK’s favourite pastimes, no matter what type of gaming you prefer. If you’re still unsure, stick to our list of the best gambling sites or choose your preferred wagering style from our list of legal gambling types. Use our expert advice and avoid fraud pages with ease.

FAQ

Hopefully, you’ve learned plenty about how to avoid scams and know how to only sign-up with licensed UK gambling sites. In our FAQ section below we have answered some of the most common queries from our readers with some links back to the most important content.