Top UK Casinos 2021

Because we’ve got the skills to help! Since 2014, we’ve been spending our days online, searching Google for casinos, bonuses and games. In that time, we’ve learned how to examine terms and conditions, find excellent UK sites and offer in-depth independent reviews. We’re also savvy bonus hunters too.

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We’ve put together a list of the top 10 things to consider when joining a new online casino in 2021.

1. UK licensed, regulated and compliant

The UK Gambling Commission licenses and regulates the people and businesses that provide gambling in Great Britain. Amongst other things, they prevent harm to the consumers and protect the interests of players. If you’re joining a new casino in 2021, it must hold an active UKGC remote gaming licence.

You can check the status of any UK casino site licence at the United Kingdom Gambling Commission website. Search for individuals and companies who hold online gambling operating licences here.

Another great thing about the Gambling Commission is that they publish all actions, breaches and fines associated with any online casino that’s dropped the ball. Thumbs up for public information!

2. Online slots and casino games

It’s 2021, so there’s no excuse when it comes to online slots and games. In the past, it was normal to find sites loaded with repetitive and boring ways to win money. Fast forward, and it’s all change. We look for UK casinos with the latest slots, newest games and top providers. This includes:

• Sites with demo play slots
• Best online slot games to win
• Highest rtp slots and fair payout rates
• HTML5 casino games for crisp mobile gameplay
• Multiple game providers
• High-quality graphics, bonus rounds and exciting features
• Attractive jackpots, paytable prizes, free spins and ways to win

3. Best casino bonuses UK

If you’re joining somewhere for the first time, you want the best new player casino bonus. Whether it’s a 500 first deposit bonus, free spins no wagering no deposit or a card registration bonus, we’ll show you the latest offers.

We’ll talk more about this later, but we look at the 5 main parts of an online casino welcome bonus to help determine how good the offer.

• 1. UK casino welcome bonus with deposit or no deposit needed
• 2. Bonus wagering requirements or no wagering required
• 3. free spins or bonus money
• 4. Number of free spins or the maximum amount of bonus
• 5. Percentage of casino match deposit bonus 50%, 100%, 200% etc

4. Terms and conditions

Like most industries, the online gambling industry uses long, tedious and difficult to read terms and conditions. Often printed with small text, loaded with jargon and with words all clumped together – there’s nothing more frustrating than online casino terms and conditions. But we don’t mind; we’re eager to trawl through the bull mush. At Slotsquad, we look at T&Cs to help players find out what their registration means.

Casino terms and conditions are watertight and legally-binding written agreements. You’ll find the T&Cs link at the bottom of your chosen UK casino site as well as near any bonus, offer or promotion offered by the brand.

The best UK casino sites won’t hide the details. They should make legal agreements clear, transparent and easy to find. While this information isn’t easy to understand or read, everything important should be made available. We’ve provided a list below of useful online casino terms and conditions ‘pieces of information’ worth overlooking.

Casino terms and conditions: Useful stuff worth knowing about your chosen UK slots site

• Information required for ID verification checks
• Owner, operator and casino company details
• Proof of United Kingdom Gambling Commission licence
• Restricted jurisdictions – are UK players accepted?
• Details of the minimum and maximum deposit details
• Any withdrawal fees or other service charges
• Any charges or fees for processing deposits
• Whether your money has medium protection, high protection or no protection
• Specific rules for casino bonuses and promotions
• Responsible gaming tools
• How to close your account
• Complaints and dispute resolution procedure

5. Software

The casino software is the magic that pulls the site together. Software allows the player to run certain functions. Whether it’s choosing games, making a deposit or looking for promotions, it’s the background code that makes all the difference.

Some of the best slots websites are the ones with excellent software. In our reviews, we take care to look at the platform. You might have noticed that most UK casinos look familiar; in fact, some of them are identical. We call these casino sister sites, brands that use a white label common platform.

Finding platforms that provide the ultimate user experience is essential. And that’s finding casinos with good software. To test a website, we look for mobile-friendliness, game selection, banking simplicity, gameplay, performance and security.

6. Mobile Casino

Can you use a mobile casino app easily without any guidance? As of January 2021, most players want mobile gameplay alongside desktop gameplay. And why not, smartphones are computers in their own right. If you’re looking to join a new UK slots site, it should be available wherever and whenever you want it. That’s why a mobile-friendly casino is a must.

It’s extremely important to check that your online casino works on IOS and Android. Don’t settle for anything other than high-performance and ensure there’s a high mobile games count. Being able to access demo play slots on your smartphone is another advantage. We review casinos by using both desktop and mobile variants, so everything at Slotsquad has already been tested.

7. Free play and demo slots for fun

We’re big fans of demo play slots and freebies. It’s also an excellent way to find games worth playing for real money. Most UK casino sites that we list offer online demos. Just visit the website, register, and you’re good to go.

Bare in mind that you’ll need to complete an age verification check beforehand, as laid down by the UK Gambling Commission. But it’s well worth the three-minute wait. Age verification involves an automated system, but sometimes you might have to upload documents.

8. Reputable and legitimate

We select the most reputable online casinos because reputation is everything. Due to strict regulations and marketing rules within the UK, you can’t overlook trust. By searching Google, forums, news agencies and the United Kingdom Gambling Commission, you can rule out dodgy casinos quite quickly. Slot sites with a UK gaming license are legitimate online casinos – but some can have poor reputations.

It may be a player dispute, withholding of winnings, drawn-out withdrawals or poor customer service – whatever the issue, we try to avoid casinos that are not reputable.

9. Casino banking options

Casino banking is everything from how you deposit to making withdrawals. The best casino sites offer the right mix of e-wallets, debit cards and pay by phone solutions. Given the upcoming ban on credit card gambling, UK players should stay well clear of borrowing to gamble online. As of April 2020, you won’t be able to deposit using a credit card. Probably for the best really.

As for deposits, any charges should be visible, the same goes for withdrawals. You’re also looking for a brand with reasonable processing times, fair maximum withdrawals and a sensible minimum deposit.

10. Responsible gaming tools

They say when the fun stops, stop, but sometimes that’s not enough. Enter responsible gaming tools – integrated features to help players stay in control of their recreational gambling. If an online casino doesn’t offer responsible gaming tools in 2021, there is something wrong. We would even question whether the slot site is legitimate – and probably look for a gaming license too.

We know that the top UK casinos don’t just push the latest no deposit casino bonuses, they also promote responsible gaming. By checking the bottom of any gambling site or FAQs section, you should find advice, guidance and tools to help you play responsibly. If not, don’t bother playing with that operator.

Slotsquad Step-By-Step Guide to Getting a UK Casino Bonus

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Joining an online casino, particularly for the first time can be confusing. But that doesn’t have to be the case. Once you understand the basics of new customer offers, you’ll be an excellent casino bonus finder in no time, just like us. So to help you make the best choice – here’s our step-by-step guide to understanding a UK casino welcome bonus.

1. Decide which type of casino bonus is right for you

If you’re looking to join a new casino site, decide whether you want to play for free or with real money. If you’re looking for low risk casino offers, you’d be more suited to no wagering free spins or casino sites with a free signup bonus. If you’re happy to deposit, then something like a 500 first deposit bonus might be worth considering.

Some of the most popular UK casino welcome bonuses include:

Free spins for adding card

Online casinos can sometimes offer free spins with no deposit required, you just need to register a debit card. This type of bonus is perfect if you’re looking to play for real money later. It was probably popular with players betting on credit cards too, thankfully credit card gambling will be phased out April 2020.

Bonus Rating: 4/5 Stars

Who? If you don’t mind sharing your debit card details early, the free spins for adding card bonus is a no brainer. Plus, if you’re going to deposit later anyway, it sets you up nicely for a first deposit bonus. Tip – don’t register your card if you don’t need to, most casinos offer free spins for just opening an account. That’s our next bonus.

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Free spins on registration no deposit

Used by some of the best slots websites in the UK, this offer is aimed at entertaining players – typically using a new game or popular online slot. It might be 10 free spins, 50 free spins or even 200 free spins, whatever the number, the deal is the same. Register and you’ll get a set amount of free play with no deposit required.

The catch is often wagering requirements, capped wins and the value of free spins received – usually £0.10 a spin. Small bets mean small wins and therefore, less chance of winning big. Once you’ve won, it’s time to play through winnings in the hope of meeting the requirements, and eventually making a withdrawal. It’s for this reason we treat free spins on registration with no deposit as pure free play. Don’t get your hopes up!

Bonus Rating: 3.5/5 Stars

Who? UK players looking for free stuff, minimal wins from a bonus and possibly a new game. This is the most common type of no deposit bonus, and 2021 is still jam-packed with this signup deal. If you want more value, look for a no wagering casino bonus that lets you keep what you win.

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Free spins no deposit required keep your winnings

If you’re looking for free money, no deposit and to keep your winnings, it may seem too good to be true. But there’s a legitimate UK welcome bonus that does precisely that. Perhaps the best casino no deposit bonus to win real money, the keep what you win deal is a hit with players. Sign up, register, receive a bonus and keep what you win while using that bonus – what’s not to like.

Bonus Rating: 5/5 Stars

Who? Everyone, free spin casino offers don’t come any bigger.

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No wagering casino bonus

No wager, no wagers and no wagering – this is often the most player-friendly of all sign up welcome deals. Why? Because there’s nothing to stop you from taking advantage of winning situations. We mean, really take advantage. Thanks to the UK Gambling Commission, tighter marketing regulations, compliance and competition – it’s much safer for online casinos to promote no wagering casino offers.

Unlike bonuses with wagering requirements, there’s no need for players to play through their bonus, free money or free spins to win a prize. Whether it’s a deposit bonus or free spins with no deposit, no wagering means a very good and fair casino site. If you can find 0x wagering, no deposit and keep your winnings in the same bonus, you’ll have found one of the best low risk casino offers anywhere.

Bonus Rating: 5/5 Stars

Who? Careful freeroll players. No wagering requirements on free spins can make all the difference – there’s everything to play for here.

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First deposit bonus

A deposit match is when an online casino matches your first deposit with bonus money, free spins or another value with wagering or no wagering requirements. The 500 first deposit bonus and 200 first deposit bonus are two of the most common registration deals. Often set at 100%, players can double their play although half is often subject to terms and conditions. Some casinos offer no wagering ever, and these are considered the top UK casinos if playing for real money.

An example of a 100 deposit bonus casino offer at 100%:

You deposit £100 when the offer is a 100% deposit match up to £100. The casino matches your £100 deposit at 100%, that’s £100. You play with £200.

Bonus Rating: 4/5 Stars

Who? Cash players only. If you want to bypass small fry free spins and get straight down to business, there’s no substitute for real money play. But the risk of losing is now much higher when you’re using your own money. On the flip side, this is the only way you might hit those bigger wins.

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Promo code and bonus codes

Some of the best deposit bonus casino sites offer promo codes. Now, call me old-fashioned, but there’s nothing wrong with a coupon code. You’ll often find a promo code for something seasonal or topical, it might be Halloween, Easter or Christmas, or a big sporting event. Whatever the promotion, the offer works the same. You sign up or register and enter the code provided, you’ll then be eligible for free spins or a bigger first deposit bonus.

Bonus Rating: 4.5/5 Stars

Who? Anyone but mostly depositing players. We put casino promo codes high on our list because sometimes they’re exclusive. And it’s not just about new customers, bonus codes can be given to existing players too.

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2. Decide on your budget

How much do you want to spend? A new player casino bonus can be anywhere between 50% and 500% deposit match. By knowing your budget early, you can make the most of any casino bonus deals from the very beginning. Just be mindful of the minimum deposit; normally £10 or £20.

3. Use demo play slots and games first

If you’re unsure about committing cash, go with free play first. You can spin free casino slot machine games at most UK sites – you just need to sign up and verify your age first. It doesn’t take 5 minutes. The benefit is trying out new games, using the casino’s interface and getting familiar with the controls, all at no cost whatsoever.

4. Look at the numbers

Don’t always be swayed by the numbers put in front of you. At Slotsquad, we look at the numbers. Deposit 10 play with 80, 200 first deposit bonus or a 200 percent deposit bonus. While some of the biggest online casino bonuses might look fantastic, the numbers might tell us something different.

For instance, 20% up to £1000 is rubbish against a 500 first deposit bonus at 100%. £10 free no deposit might look good until you examine the 50x wagering on any winnings. Then there’s the 150 free spins that get given out in drips of 20 per day. We don’t accept the first line, and neither should you. Always look at the numbers carefully.