It’s a common misconception that each casino site you visit is standalone, but if you look a little closer, you’ll spot that they aren’t. In fact, most casinos are part of large casino groups. After that, white label sites are the most common, and right at the bottom with the smallest market share, you’ll find true independent casinos.
In this guide we’re going to pick apart what the terms casino group, sister site, white label, and independent actually mean. We’ll give you some examples of top-tier casinos from each of those groups, and tell you how to quickly tell them apart.
What Are Casino Groups?
Casino groups own and operate multiple casino brands under one parent company. This makes financial sense because of something called economies of scale.
This makes it more affordable for one company to run multiple casinos, as they can share things like live support staff, payment channels, and marketing. Better still, through careful branding, they can target different audiences.
Examples of Casino Groups We Recommend
Below are two of the casino groups that we highly recommend. Sites from these groups both make it to our list of the best casinos in the UK. Plus, they’ve both been established for well over a decade, with lots of happy players.
Entain
Entain is one of the world’s largest casino groups. It comprises sites like PartyCasino, Ladbrokes, and Gala, as well as many, many others. Entertain casinos operate within the UK, throughout Europe, and in the US as well.
Tip: It’s important to remember that just because a casino is part of a group, does not mean its licensed for the UK. Some casino groups have specific casinos licensed for specific countries, so always check for that UKGC licence.
LeoVegas Group
This casino group owns LeoVegas, as you might have guessed! But, it also owns Pink Casino, BetMGM, and BetUK, amongst others.
The group was founded in 2011 and had a mobile-first strategy right from the start. That’s why you’ll find plenty several LeoVegas Group brands on our casino apps top list.
What Does Playing at a Casino Group Casino Mean for Me?
By choosing casinos that are part of a casino group, you can expect:
- Consistent security, licensing (usually), and banking
- A familiar feel and layout when moving between sites
- Potential restrictions on claiming welcome bonuses – we’ll come onto this later!
What Are Sister Site Casinos?
Sister sites are casinos that are owned and operated by the same parent company – or casino group. If the casino group is the umbrella, sister sites are the casinos underneath it.
These sites share a licence, customer support, and payment systems. But, they may have different themes or focuses. For example LeoVegas group’s Pink Casino caters to slots, bingo and Slingo players, while BetUK is aimed at sports betting enthusiasts.
Examples of Sister Site Casinos We Recommend
Below are some casinos that have well known sister sites. While you get a similar experience, the focus and branding is completely different, so it’s a fresh feel, with an interface you’re already familiar with.
Bet MGM Casino (Sister of LeoVegas)
Sister of LeoVegas, Bet MGM is one of the best new(ish!) casinos in the UK. Harnessing the expertise from one of the most popular casino sites, its top-notch platform complements its varied offering of slots, live casino, bingo and table games. Bet MGM also has one of the best welcome offers of 100 free spins on Big Bass Splash for new customers who sign up and deposit just £10.
Peachy Games Casino (Sister of Casushi)
Peachy Games Casino is the sister site of Casushi. So you probably already guessed that it delivers a sleek, mobile-friendly gaming experience with over 1,000 slots, bingo, Slingo, and live dealer games. With a light-hearted fruity aesthetic, it offers fast withdrawals, a dedicated mobile app, and strong responsible gambling tools. In addition to a matched deposit, it also offers a no-wager welcome bonus of 20 deposit free spins.
Priced Up Bet (Sister of NRG Bet)
PricedUp Bet Casino, the sister site of NRG.bet, is a brand new addition to the online gaming market, offering both sports betting and casino. The platform is designed for easy navigation, with dedicated sections for sportsbook, virtual sports, casino, and live casino games. New players can take advantage of a welcome offer of 90 free spins when wagering £30 on slots.
Pub Casino (Sister of All British Casino)
Pub Casino is the sister site of All British Casino and offers another distinctly British themed casino, but in a different way! This one offers a sleek bar-themed gaming experience, with a vast selection of slots, Megaways, and live casino games from top providers. New players get a 100% deposit match up to £100. Plus, you benefit from multiple payment options, including Trustly and Apple Pay for casino deposits.
What Are White Label Casinos?
White label casinos use a pre-built platform, with the main functions largely dealt with by another company. The company that owns the white label casino creates the brand and markets it, but has little to no input in software (games), payments, or customer support.
Examples of White Label Casinos We Recommend
Below you’ll find some of the white label casinos that we regularly recommend. These sites all have that full UKGC licence thanks to their white label status, but they put their own twist on things with fun branding and bonuses.
Neptune Play (Aspire Global)
Neptune Play Casino is an Aspire Global white label casino. This means you can expect:
- Strong security
- Mobile optimisation
- Solid game library
The downside for some players is that it shares a similar layout to other Aspire Global sites. However, the underwater theme gives it a fresh look, and its selection of the best online slots, table games, and live dealer options is impressive.
Casiku (White Hat Gaming)
Casiku Casino is a white label casino operated by White Hat Gaming. You’ll find over 2,000 slots from leading providers, a high-quality live dealer section, and a range of secure payment options. It’s fully optimised for mobile too, with 24/7 support via live chat and a really generous welcome bonus at the moment too!
Casinomite (Progress Play)
Casinomite is powered by ProgressPlay, meaning it benefits from over 2,000 slots and an impressive live dealer section. The standout feature (alongside the games library) is the generous welcome bonus of 100% up to £100 on your first deposit. Plus, the bonuses keep coming long after you’ve signed up with a Weekend Wheel and Midweek Wheel bonus.
Hot Streak Casino (Grace Media)
Hot Streak Casino is operated by Grace Media. You’ll find more than 1,500 slots alongside a solid selection of table games. Slots are the focus here, which means you’ll regularly be able to snag free spins bonuses and cashback. Plus, there are fast withdrawals too.
What Are Independent Casinos?
Independent casinos are the only type of casino that are truly standalone. They’re operated by one company, using their own platform and technology. This means payments, promotions, customer service, and even game selection is all done in-house.
What Does Playing at Independent Casinos Mean for Me?
Playing at independent casinos means you’ll always get to enjoy unique layouts, branding, and sometimes technology. You’ll encounter new promotions – that you won’t have accidentally claimed already, as well as exclusive games, and sometimes totally unusual features.
The downsides are that the game libraries can be smaller, and payments might feel unfamiliar. However, for us, there’s nothing else like it. In fact we have a whole guide to the best independent casinos in the UK – we like them that much.
Examples of Independent Casinos that We Recommend
There are far fewer independent casinos than there are white labels and sister sites. But, there are still plenty we recommend.
Midnite Casino
This casino originally launched as a sports betting site in 2018, but by 2023 they’d perfected their casino offering and were ready to launch! There are well over 1,000 games in the catalogue and it’s growing all the time. Plus the slick mobile app completely removes loading times and has a fantastically futuristic black and green theme that you won’t find anywhere else.
Kwiff Casino
Kwiff is another casino that initially launched as a sportsbook. Its USP was its super-boosted odds on sports matches, making it an instant hit with sports betting fans who like a surprise. However, its UK-first approach also hit home when its casino launched with a stripped back UI that’s incredibly easy to find your way around – even for beginners.
Lottomart Casino
Lottomart Casino manages to combine access to lots of lottery games, with a huge (over 3,000 strong) slots catalogue. We love the tailored approach of this site that goes right down to letting you choose your own welcome bonus.
Cheat Sheet: Casino Group vs Sister Site vs White Label
Still struggling a little with how to tell the difference? Don’t worry, there are plenty of professionals who get these terms mixed up too! Below is an analogy that I like to use to make sure I categorise casinos correctly.
Think of the restaurant industry.
- Casino groups are restaurant chains: Nando’s, McDonalds, Burger King, etc
- Sister sites are the individual restaurants within that chain: The Nando’s just down the road from you
- White label sites are franchise restaurants: A KFC that’s run by one owner, but franchised from KFC
- Independent casinos are family run restaurants: The local pizza place that’s been there for 50 years
Benefits and Drawbacks of Sister Sites, White Labels, and Independent Casinos
You’ll probably have realised by now that each of these different types of casino have their own strengths and weakness. There’ll probably be one type that you’re gravitating towards, so let’s make sure it’s the right one.
Sister Sites
Pros: Familiarity, shared trust, multiple options under one roof.
Cons: Bonuses may be restricted across sites, less variety.
White Labels
Pros: Polished, reliable platforms with wide game selections.
Cons: Can feel generic; many brands are near-identical.
Independents
Pros: Fresh, unique experiences with exclusive features.
Cons: Fewer resources, may feel less established.
How to Easily Spot the Difference
If you’re after a checklist to look out for when it comes to telling which casinos are white label, which are sister sites, and which are indies, here it is.
Sister Sites: Look for shared licensing info at the footer, or check if the brands mention the same parent company.
White Labels: Notice identical layouts or platforms (Aspire Global, ProgressPlay, White Hat Gaming).
Independents: Branding, terms, and platform feel more unique, with no links to other sites.
FAQs – White Labels v Sister Site Casinos
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What’s the difference between a sister casino and a white label casino?
Sister casinos are operated by the same parent company, while white label casinos are owned independently but run on a third-party platform. -
Are white label casinos safe to play at?
Yes, reputable white label casinos operate under UKGC licences and use trusted platforms that handle payments, support, and security. -
Can I use the same welcome bonus across sister casinos?
Usually not. Many sister sites restrict players to one welcome offer across their network, so always check the terms before signing up. -
How do I know if a casino is part of a sister site network?
Look for shared branding, similar payment methods, or identical licensing details – these usually signal a shared parent company. -
Are white label casinos better than sister sites?
It depends. White label casinos offer quick setup and broad game libraries, while sister sites often provide more custom features and loyalty perks.
