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The Herald Scotland
06-06-2025
- Business
- The Herald Scotland
Best online casinos 2025 - Top UK casino sites
18+ Gambling Can Be Addictive. Please Play Responsibly. Registration Required GambleAware GamStop Gambling Commission. Overview of the top UK casino sites Below, we have detailed the leading UK online casino sites and their top features to help our valued readers find their next casino site. Players can expect to discover huge bonuses and vast game libraries to fulfil all players' needs. Find out more below. Jackpot City (Image: Acroud Media) Jackpot City Casino is widely recognised as one of the leading online casinos in the UK, thanks to its impressive game selection, intuitive platform, and generous promotions. With a polished design optimised for iOS and Android, players can enjoy smooth gameplay on mobile devices without sacrificing quality. Established with years of industry experience, Jackpot City UK consistently provides a top-tier gaming experience that appeals to beginners and seasoned players. While the vast selection of games and features might seem overwhelming for newcomers initially, the platform's user-friendly interface helps make navigation easy and enjoyable. Whether you're spinning the reels on your favourite slots, exploring live dealer games, or testing your skills at the table, Jackpot City UK stands out for its reliability, security, and commitment to player satisfaction. Pros: 24/7 customer support Robust live casino platform Secure SSL data encryption Easy-to-navigate website Generous welcome offer Cons: Bonus wagering requirements are higher than average Could be more software providers Hippodrome Casino (Image: Acroud Media) The Hippodrome Online Casino delivers a premium gaming experience through its sleek and user-friendly platform. Players can dive into an impressive selection of casino games, including classic table favourites like blackjack and roulette and a vast range of thrilling slot titles. Popular games such as Big Bass Bonanza, Eye of Horus, and Rainbow Riches are just a few exciting options. For those who crave real-time action, the live casino section offers an authentic experience with professional dealers. Hippodrome Casino is accessible on iOS and Android devices, ensuring smooth and engaging gameplay wherever you are. Whether spinning the reels or placing your bets at the live tables, Hippodrome provides a seamless casino experience designed to captivate and entertain. Pros: Generous welcome promotion Extensive slot game collection A variety of deposit options Live casino available Cons: Live chat support is not 24/7 Pub Casino (Image: Acroud Media) Despite being relatively new to the UK online casino market, Pub Casino has swiftly gained a strong following. Its growing popularity is driven by various games, excellent mobile compatibility, and top-notch security features that ensure a safe gaming experience. Players appreciate the fast withdrawal times and the availability of multiple trusted banking options, making transactions quick and hassle-free. While its shorter history might seem a disadvantage, Pub Casino consistently keeps up with the latest gaming trends, offering fresh experiences and innovative features. This commitment to quality and innovation makes it a standout choice for those looking to enjoy online gaming in a secure and user-friendly environment. Pros: Strong sports betting platform alongside casino games Regular updates to the game library Wide range of banking options Over 1600+ high-quality games from 19 providers The website is easy to navigate Cons: RNG poker and baccarat games are limited Welcome bonus has relatively high wagering Grosvenor Casino (Image: Acroud Media) Grosvenor Online Casino delivers a top-notch gaming experience with an impressive collection of slots, table games, and live casino options. Renowned for its strong reputation, the platform boasts user-friendly navigation and full mobile compatibility, allowing players to easily access their favourite games, whether at home or on the go. Grosvenor prioritises player safety with advanced security measures, ensuring a secure transaction environment. Its commitment to customer service is evident through responsive support and a variety of convenient banking methods, making deposits and withdrawals quick and hassle-free. While its bonus offerings may not be the largest in the industry, the casino's reliability, smooth gameplay, and overall quality have solidified its place as a trusted choice among UK players. Grosvenor's dedication to delivering a seamless gaming experience makes it a standout option for newcomers and seasoned players. Pros: Exclusive live casino games Excellent mobile app for iOS and Android Generous welcome bonus 24/7 customer support Cons: Fewer payment options compared to some competitors BetMGM Casino (Image: Acroud Media) BetMGM Casino brings the prestigious MGM brand's legacy of top-tier entertainment to the UK. Featuring an extensive collection of games, players can enjoy popular slots, classic table games, and immersive live dealer options. The platform is designed with a sleek, user-friendly interface that works flawlessly across both desktop and mobile devices, ensuring seamless gameplay no matter where you are. BetMGM Casino also prioritises player security with advanced encryption and offers a variety of trusted payment methods for smooth, hassle-free transactions. While its promotional offers may not be as numerous as some competitors', BetMGM makes up for it with exceptional customer support and a solid reputation for reliability. BetMGM Casino is a top choice for UK players seeking a premium gaming experience, and it is committed to quality and player satisfaction. Pros: New online casino in the UK Wide selection of casino games 24/7 customer support Available on both iOS and Android Fast PayPal withdrawals Cons: Limited payment methods are available More promotions are available on the sports platform How to choose the best online casinos in the UK Our experts use strict criteria when choosing the top UK casinos to ensure all our valued readers enjoy an exemplary and secure online casino gaming experience. These key criteria include the range of customer bonuses and the security measures. Below is more information on the key factors to consider when selecting the right platform for your gaming experience. Usability and design A top-notch online casino should feature an intuitive, user-friendly design that caters to players of all experience levels. Easy navigation is crucial, allowing users to find their favourite games and explore new ones effortlessly. High-quality graphics and well-organised game categories enhance the visual experience and streamline browsing. Additionally, including a search bar allows players to locate specific titles or features without unnecessary scrolling. A well-structured layout, clear menus, and responsive design also ensure players enjoy smooth gameplay on desktop or mobile devices. Game selection A diverse game selection is a hallmark of a high-quality online casino. Leading platforms typically offer many options, including slots, table games, live dealer experiences, bingo, Slingo, crash games, and exclusive speciality titles. The best casinos partner with top developers such as Pragmatic Play, Microgaming, Evolution Gaming, and NetEnt to guarantee high-quality gameplay and innovative features. Some online casinos also extend their offerings to sports betting, providing even more variety for players. This broad selection ensures that players can always find engaging and exciting options, no matter their preferences. Bonuses and promotions Online casinos use bonuses and promotions to attract new players and reward loyal customers. Typical offerings include welcome bonuses, free spins, no-deposit bonuses, cashback deals, and VIP programs. These incentives provide extra value, boosting players' bankrolls and extending their gameplay. However, reading the terms and conditions attached to these promotions is essential, as wagering requirements, time limits, and game restrictions can impact their overall value. A good online casino will have transparent policies and fair terms, allowing players to take full advantage of their bonuses. Security and player safety Security and player safety are critical factors when choosing an online casino. Trustworthy platforms are licensed and regulated by respected authorities like the UK Gambling Commission (UKGC), ensuring compliance with strict standards. These sites use advanced SSL encryption technology to protect player information, safeguarding personal and financial data. Random Number Generators (RNGs) are also implemented to guarantee fair gameplay, and eCOGRA certifications provide additional verification of game integrity. Reviewing a casino's privacy policy can further confirm its commitment to player safety and responsible data handling. Mobile accessibility With mobile gaming becoming increasingly popular, top online casinos prioritise seamless mobile accessibility. Whether through dedicated apps for iOS and Android or fully optimised mobile websites, the experience should mirror the quality and functionality of the desktop version. Players should have access to the same wide range of games, promotional offers, and account features when playing on mobile devices. Responsive design ensures smooth navigation and gameplay, while mobile-specific bonuses sometimes enhance the experience even further. This allows for flexible, on-the-go gaming without sacrificing quality. Customer support Reliable customer support is a crucial component of any reputable online casino. Leading platforms provide multiple contact methods, including live chat, email, and phone support, ensuring players can get assistance quickly and efficiently. A well-structured FAQ section can also help address common questions, saving time for players. Top casinos also prioritise responsible gambling by offering tools like self-exclusion, deposit limits, and access to support organisations. This commitment to player care and well-being enhances the gaming experience and builds user trust. Payment options A good online casino provides a range of payment options to facilitate smooth deposits and withdrawals. Popular methods include e-wallets like PayPal, Skrill, and Neteller, alongside traditional debit cards such as Visa and Mastercard. Many sites support mobile payment options and even cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin for added flexibility. Fast transaction times, secure processing, and minimal fees ensure a hassle-free experience. Transparent banking policies and multiple currency options further enhance convenience, making it easy for players to manage their funds effectively. How to create an online casino account Our readers will be pleased to hear that signing up with the leading UK online casino sites could not be easier, allowing access to leading features within minutes. Players must be 18+ and adhere to all requirements to be eligible for these leading sites. Follow the guide below to get started. To begin, select one of the leading UK casino sites from our top list and click on the corresponding link to access the site. Once on the interface, select "sign up" or the equivalent to begin registration. You must enter all required information on the form, including your full name, email address, and login details. The brand will protect this information. Next, you must verify your account via the confirmation email. Deposit funds (if required) to claim a welcome bonus. Start playing your favourite games! How to identify unsafe online casinos Before getting stuck into the leading UK online casinos, our team have provided several aspects to look for when determining if an online casino is unsafe or not: Lack of licensing - Ensure the UKGC licenses the casino. Unlicensed sites are unsafe and may operate illegally. - Ensure the UKGC licenses the casino. Unlicensed sites are unsafe and may operate illegally. Poor customer support - If customer service is slow or unhelpful, it's a red flag. Reliable casinos offer quick, knowledgeable support. - If customer service is slow or unhelpful, it's a red flag. Reliable casinos offer quick, knowledgeable support. Negative player reviews - Consistently poor reviews indicate potential issues. However, always verify feedback for credibility. - Consistently poor reviews indicate potential issues. However, always verify feedback for credibility. Unfair terms and conditions - Read the fine print to ensure reasonable bonus and withdrawal policies. Best online casino bonuses in the UK There is no better feeling than being potentially rewarded whilst enjoying the leading UK online casino sites. Fortunately, all of our recommendations are bursting with generous bonuses. Find out more below. Welcome bonuses - To attract new players, welcome bonuses may include free spins, deposit matches, or no-deposit offers. - To attract new players, welcome bonuses may include free spins, deposit matches, or no-deposit offers. Deposit match bonuses - Casinos match a percentage of your deposit up to a set limit, such as 100% up to £X. - Casinos match a percentage of your deposit up to a set limit, such as 100% up to £X. No-wagering & no-deposit bonuses - No-wagering bonuses let you withdraw winnings without playthrough requirements, while no-deposit bonuses reward you just for signing up. - No-wagering bonuses let you withdraw winnings without playthrough requirements, while no-deposit bonuses reward you just for signing up. Free spins - Ideal for slot lovers, these bonuses range from a handful of spins to hundreds and may come with wagering conditions. - Ideal for slot lovers, these bonuses range from a handful of spins to hundreds and may come with wagering conditions. VIP & loyalty programs - Frequent players can enjoy cashback, exclusive bonuses, and faster withdrawals. Frequently asked questions (FAQs) Can I access all casino features on mobile? Yes, top casinos ensure their mobile versions offer the same games, promotions, and features as their desktop counterparts. The leading sites are accessible on both iOS and Android devices. What should I look for when choosing an online casino? Prioritise a valid license, a diverse game selection, secure payment options, reliable customer support, and attractive promotions. How can I verify if a casino is safe? Check for UKGC licensing, SSL encryption, fair terms, and positive player feedback. Are table games or live dealer games better for beginners? Due to their simplicity, table games like blackjack and roulette are great for beginners, while live dealer games offer a more immersive experience. Why are slots so popular at online casinos? Slots are easy to play, visually engaging, and often feature exciting jackpots and bonus rounds, making them a favourite among players.
The Guardian
04-05-2025
- Business
- The Guardian
Spin doctors: gambling firms adopt hard tactics to flood towns with 24hr slot machines
It is almost 2am in Peterborough and a handful of punters are wordlessly feeding their money into the machines at Merkur Slots. A fragment of a song, the lyric 'nothing to lose', drifts through the shop as their funds rapidly evaporate. Closing time is fast approaching, but that does not mean the end of the gambling. Five minutes' walk down Lincoln Road, a near-deserted street lit by the neon signs of shuttered vape shops and fast food outlets, sit two more Merkurs, this time with 24-hour licences. Even in the small hours, many of the roughly 20 machines in each shop are doing a brisk trade. Staff provide regular doses of caffeine and sugar, ferrying free coffee, chocolate bars and Haribo sweets to customers as they play their way through games such as Shaun the Leprechaun and Rainbow Riches. Some Merkur venues even have compact pizza ovens, to keep the punters playing. Zoom out to national level and this picture – of towns and cities pockmarked by 24/7 slot shops – is replicated time and again. Welcome to the business of 'adult gaming centres' (AGCs) – the under-scrutinised network of slot machine arcades that are expanding rapidly on Britain's high streets, even as their more traditional cousins, bookmakers, retreat. In Great Britain, the number of AGCs rose by 7% to 1,451 between 2022 and 2024, figures from the Gambling Commission show, reversing a longer-term decline since 2010, as gambling shifted online. Merkur alone has opened 100 new venues since 2020 and now has more than 230 in the UK, each packed with machines of varying types. Including Merkur's rivals, there are now more than 14,200 £2-a-spin slot machines in Britain, each making £32,600 annually from customers, according to Gambling Commission figures. On that basis, every terminal is sucking a sum close to Peterborough's average salary out of the fragile local economy. That adds up to £463m across the country and more than £500m when factoring in less popular £1-a-spin machines too. The AGC renaissance has given addiction professionals cause for alarm. Slot machines, digital and in-person, have consistently been rated among the highest-risk products for problem gambling, including in surveys conducted last year for the Gambling Commission by experts at the University of Glasgow. 'They are designed and built for prolonged play and harm is the inevitable consequence,' says Dr Matt Gaskell, a consultant psychologist and clinical leader at the NHS Northern Gambling Service. 'Increasing their availability on the high street is of massive concern.' Whatever fears public health professionals may express, nobody has been able to stop the AGC juggernaut, at least for the time being. For, as the Guardian reveals today, the industry has deployed a host of highly effective tactics – ranging from legitimate legal firepower to apparent dishonesty – to sweep aside all opposition. The sign above the door at 551 Lincoln Road advertised a Chinese takeaway called the New Golden Dragon, until Merkur decided that three venues in one small city was not enough. Peterborough's newest Merkur received the green light in 2024 after a lengthy planning and licensing approval process that appears to have involved, at the very least, a flexible approach to accuracy. Appearing before a council committee in June 2024, a representative of the company sought to allay any concerns about Merkur's plan to convert the store into an AGC. 'This is not a betting shop,' she told the committee. AGCs, she said, were a very different prospect to betting shops because they were mostly patronised by women, while average stakes were as little as 30p. Nor did they offer, as bookies did, high-octane 'fixed-odds betting terminals' (FOBTs) that allow customers to stake up to £50 a spin. There were, however, problems with that testimony. The maximum FOBT stake hasn't been £50 since 2019, when the government cut it to £2, in line with machines in Merkur shops. That change has helped fuel the AGC boom as punters, deprived of the chance to use high-stakes machines in their local bookmakers, flocked to slot shops instead. Merkur's representative, who the Guardian has chosen not to name, also told councillors that AGCs were places where people came to have 'a game of bingo principally'. This claim, too, appears to be in question. Merkur shops do offer bingo games, typically via iPad-style tablets. But this appears to be part of a tactic commonly used to exploit a weakness in the regulatory system and increase revenues. Under Gambling Commission rules, the number of £2 (category B) machines allowed in a gaming centre is limited to one quarter of the number of their lower-intensity £1-a-spin machines (category C). According to the government's white paper on gambling reform published last year, some companies have found an ingenious way around this. A tablet technically counts as a category C machine. This means that placing a rack of tablets in a corner allows companies to pack the remainder of the shop with more higher-stakes machines. In multiple visits to Merkur shops, the Guardian has never seen a bingo tablet in use. Merkur says its representative's comments to Peterborough's licensing committee have been 'taken out of context', without explaining how. A spokesperson adds: '[The company] categorically denies making any dishonest or deliberately misleading representations to any local authority planning or licensing committee.' One former Merkur staff member says they believe the company has also sometimes been less than forthcoming with the local authorities about criminal damage in its shops, mindful of future planning and licensing battles. The former employee, who asked not to be named, says Merkur spends huge sums each year on replacing or repairing machines damaged by customers who lose their temper after 'playing to extinction' – the industry term for losing all your money. 'They don't go after anyone for criminal damage even though it costs a fortune. When they apply for licences, they want to be able to stand up and say their sites are trouble free,' the former employee says. A Merkur spokesperson says it is 'entirely untrue that Merker has a policy or practice of avoiding the reporting of criminal damage to the police. Such a suggestion is both inaccurate and unfair.' In fact, Merkur does not need to burnish the image of its shops, for it also has the entire planning and licensing system on its side. Like Peterborough, the London borough of Brent is saturated with slot shops, including seven within a few hundred metres of one another. Like Peterborough, it also has relatively high levels of economic deprivation. Around Harlesden and Kensal Green ward, which includes some of Brent's 'trouble spots', more and more slot shops have sprung up, even in the face of furious objections from local residents. On the latest one, residents have daubed graffiti saying: 'Ban gambling in deprived areas'. Sign up to Business Today Get set for the working day – we'll point you to all the business news and analysis you need every morning after newsletter promotion Councillor Matt Kelcher, the chair of the planning committee, does not condone the defacing of private property but understands the sentiment behind it. 'It's that frustration people have of not being in control of their neighbourhood and their lives. People have no say of what's happening on their own high streets,' he says. Time and again, he says, councillors, dozens of locals and even the police objected to a new AGC, only to be outlasted and outspent by companies with a steely resolve to expand and deep pockets. Merkur is owned by Germany's billionaire Gauselmann gaming dynasty, while its main rival Admiral Slots is part of Austria's Novomatic, providing their UK subsidiaries with serious financial heft. 'There's one of us objecting to it and then the AGC brings two KCs and a solicitor,' says Kelcher. Analysis of planning documents by the Guardian reveals that Merkur has routinely been able to submit hundreds of pages of supporting documents to under-resourced local councils. These include submissions from leading planning consultants and even reconnaissance reports from a firm of former police officers paid to stake out nearby AGCs and opine on whether they are associated with antisocial behaviour. In the examples seen by the Guardian, the same glowing reports emerge each time. Ultimately, gambling operators have the resources to keep going until they get what they want, says Kelcher. When they meet a particularly resistant local authority, they appeal to central government's Planning Inspectorate. According to a freedom of information request by the Guardian, Merkur and its Cashino brand appealed to the Planning Inspectorate 32 times between October 2020 and June 2024, succeeding in about two-thirds of cases. The licensing system, which focuses on how a business must operate once it has planning permission, is even kinder. Under the Gambling Act 2005, Labour's landmark liberalisation of gambling laws that successive governments have begun to roll back, the Gambling Commission and local authorities must 'aim to permit' gambling, meaning they are legally bound to err on the side of permissiveness. Kelcher's fellow councillor, Mili Patel, says: 'I was in a licensing committee for a Merkur application for three hours. The whole thing becomes a farce because we know it will go through and they know it will go through.' Brent council is at the forefront of a nascent fightback, which now has the backing of 30 local authorities and Greater Manchester's mayor, Andy Burnham. They have put forward a six-step plan including the abolition of the 'aim to permit' mandate and putting AGCs into the same category as betting shops for planning purposes, so that councils can consider the overall volume of gambling activity. So far, the government has made vague noises about giving councils more power over planning decisions. If critics of AGCs are to win further concessions, they will have to point to real evidence of harm in their communities. That evidence is starting to mount. In February, Merkur was fined almost £100,000 by the gambling regulator after the Guardian revealed how staff allegedly exploited a vulnerable cancer patient. Now, sources say, the same Stockport branch is under investigation by the regulator after a customer complained they had deposited almost £9,000, and lost more than £2,000, without staff intervening to check he was in control of his gambling. Part of the complaint alleges that the branch was 'single-staffed', something that high street betting firms typically try to avoid, for the safety of employees and customers. When it came time for that sole employee to cash up, the customer alleges, single staffing meant that he had to be shut inside for security reasons leaving him literally locked in the grip of gambling. Reviews on the employment website Glassdoor by people who said they worked for Merkur repeatedly highlight single staffing as a concern. Merkur has confirmed it is cooperating with a Gambling Commission review of the customer's claims but adds that a full internal inquiry found the allegations are 'inconsistent with the investigation's findings'. Merkur says: 'We take our responsibilities as a licensed operator extremely seriously, particularly in relation to planning compliance, safer gambling, and public safety.' In Peterborough, its shops appear sufficiently well resourced to cope with the steady flow of gamblers who were still there in the small hours, including bouncers poised to snuff out any trouble. Outside one branch, two punters are divided over whether AGCs are doing any harm. Monica, 28, from Lithuania, says it is the 'best place in the world'. 'Everywhere else is closed,' she adds, gesturing unsteadily at the high street. 'Here you can spend your money and have a good time,' she says, although she does admit to having lost £1,300 at the Admiral Slots in the town centre, one of six gambling establishments in a stretch of nine shopfronts. A 51-year-old man, who declines to give his name, disagrees. Merkur is the 'worst' place in the world, he says, adding: 'They make you lose all your money.' Inside, another song serenades punters over the PA: 'I got a feeling that tonight's gonna be a good, good night' goes the lyric, as their credit on the machines steadily counts down to zero.
