Real Money Casino Games UK

Why You Should Play Online Casino Real Money Games

Online real money casino games have been getting popular. In 2020, online searches for slots, poker and blackjack reached an all-time high. Why have these games become so popular?

Casino Games are Exciting

Casino games are thrilling. They make you feel good regardless of whether you win or lose. Take slot machines as an example. These games have beautiful graphics, melodious soundtracks, exciting storylines and fast-paced gameplay designed to keep you hooked.

Unless you play an old, bland game, it’s hard to get bored by a modern slot machine. And if you don’t like slots, chances are will get excited by roulette, blackjack or poker.

You Can Win Money

It’s true—there are no guarantees when you play real casino games for money. But that’s true for almost everything that involves risking cash. You can lose money by investing or starting a business.

However, it’s always good to focus on the bright side. This is especially true if you’re responsible and have a budget. Sure, you may spend £20 on slot machines today and lose it.

But you could also get lucky, really lucky—some slots pay up to 100,000x your stake. And if it has a progressive jackpot, the payouts could increase to more than £1,000,000.

For context, an ex-soldier from Cheshire holds the UK record for the most amount of money won at an online casino: £13.2 million in 2015.

There’s a Game for Everyone

It’s easy to think you wouldn’t like casino games until you try them. There are so many games that everyone is assured of finding a game they will like. Let’s take a look at slots. They make up the majority of casino games, after all.

Slot machines come in a wide range: classic, video slots, progressive jackpots and Megaways. More than 50 developers are licensed to create slot machines in the UK.

Some of them create sports-themed slot machines. Others get inspiration from ancient mythologies. Still, some developers create movie and TV-themed slot machines.

Against that backdrop, think of your likes and hobbies. Find a slot inspired by your hobby and you will probably love it.

Live Casino Gaming

Gone are the days when people avoided online casino games for real money because they all relied on RNG software. For the uninitiated, RNG software keeps casino games fair by producing winners and losers randomly.

Although RNG games are fair, they lack the social element that drives people to brick-and-mortar casinos. But then came live casinos. These games use video technology to connect you with fellow human gamblers.

What’s more, they have live studio rooms decorated to look like real casino rooms. These studios have real human dealers who guide players in the betting process.

The best live casinos support all major table games: poker, blackjack, baccarat, roulette and craps. You can also find a few more unique titles like Monopoly Live and Football Live Dream Catcher.

Our best online live casino guide helps players to make the best decision when choosing a casino for live casino games

Online Casinos are Convenient

When you think about it, we all want to have fun conveniently. Not everyone wants to fly to a foreign country for entertainment. And if they do, they may not have the time or money to do so.

Casino games for real money online allow you to kill time and get entertained conveniently. You might be on a break from work. All you need is to install a casino real money app. Most brand new online casino sites have accompanying apps for those looking to streamline their experience

Then you can play your favourite slots or invite your friends to play virtual poker together. Mobile real money casino games function as efficiently as their desktop versions. As such, you only need your iPhone or Android device to gamble online.

Simple to Play

Unlike video games, you don’t need any skills to win slot machines or baccarat. All you need is to pick your bet. Let’s say you feel lucky about the number 8. You can bet £10 the marker on the roulette wheel will stop at this number.

Some casino games require a little bit of learning. But it will barely take you 10 minutes to get started. Think about blackjack. It’s a game of two people—you versus the house dealer.

The rules are that you get two cards at the start of a game. Depending on their value, you can hit for another card or stand. Blackjack has a few more rules. But they’re straightforward.

How to Play Casino Games Real Money Safely

Choosing to play casino games online for real money is a big decision. You want to have a delightful experience and probably also win some money. How can you go about this process safely?

Choose a Safe Casino

This should go without saying. If you want to enjoy your time gambling online, choose a safe casino. We already mentioned some of the things you can check to know if a casino is safe.

As a reminder, look for a license from the Gambling Commission. Also, check the website for a locked padlock sign. If it features a seal of trust—this is an added advantage.

To save you time, we’ve listed some of the best online casinos for real money below. We also have a list of our top 20 UK casinos for players in the UK

Know Different Games and Software Providers

If you just want to gamble once, you can pick a random slot to have fun. But if you plan to gamble casino online games for real money regularly, take time to learn about different casino games and the people who make them.

We’ve already mentioned popular casino games like slots, blackjack and poker. But do you know how they work? Slots are fairly straightforward. You choose your bet amount, adjust paylines and leave the rest to lady luck.

With video poker, blackjack, poker and roulette, there are some rules you need to know. For example, learn the poker hands. Discover how to use blackjack strategies and how to choose the best roulette bets.

Importantly, know about software providers. Some of them have a reputation for creating truly awesome games. We’re talking about NetEnt, Microgaming, Betsoft, Play’n GO, Evolution and BTG.

Also, learn about new and upcoming software providers: Relax Gaming, Eyecon, 4ThePlayer and Novomatic. They may not be available at every casino in the UK. But you should play their casino real money games once in a while.

Play Your Favorite Games

The goal of playing online casino games with real money isn’t to win money. The main objective should be entertainment. Playing slots produces ‘feel-good hormones,’ which get you excited.

That’s why casino games are such a popular pastime for people in the UK. They want to unwind after a busy day. Or, they want to get thrilled without leaving their houses or spending a lot of money.

You may ask. Why, do you have to spend money on casino games? You don’t. You can play slots and blackjack for free. But it’s not as entertaining. That’s why it’s recommended that you play your favourite games using money you can afford to lose.

Use Your Preferred Payment Method

Modern casinos support a wide range of banking providers. In the UK, it’s not uncommon to find a casino site with more than 20 payment methods. That’s okay. But use a company you like.

To expound more, you probably want free, fast deposits. You want safety and assurance that you can get your money back in case of a scam. You also want bonuses and fast withdrawals.

All these services don’t come from top-level payment companies. You can’t get them from every provider. If you love to use debit cards, choose between Visa and MasterCard.

But keep in mind card payments take more time than e-wallets and crypto. It may take three days to withdraw money from a casino through Visa. But with PayPal or Google pay, you can get your money in a day.

Use Fair Bonuses

Bonuses can be enticing. They give you the chance to play a casino game online for real money. But you don’t use your own money. The house gives you free spins or betting credits to play slots or card games.

Although bonuses are great, they’re not created equal. And this is why. Every casino makes the rules for who can claim a bonus, how to use it and whether you can cash out your winnings.

To help you understand online casino bonuses, we’ve outlined some of the terms and conditions you should care to know:

Bonus Qualification Requirements

In the UK, any adult above 18 years can qualify for online casino bonuses. They’re two major bonus types: welcome and loyalty bonuses. For you to claim a welcome bonus, you must be a new customer.

It must be your first time creating an account at a casino to get a no deposit or first-deposit bonus. Keep in mind you can claim your bonus just once—don’t get tempted to open multiple accounts. This can get your account suspended.

How to Claim Your Bonus

Claiming casino bonuses is the easiest part. All you need is to understand the type of bonus being offered. Then follow the stated rules:

• No deposit bonus: requires you to sign up for a free account at a casino.
• No deposit free spins: you get free spins after you register a free account.
• First deposit bonus: you earn a bonus only if you complete a deposit.
• Matched Bonus: the casino matches your deposit 100%.
• Reload bonus: you receive a bonus after you add money to your casino account.
• Cashback: you get a percentage of losses made from real money online casino games. It could be 5%, 10% or 20%.
• Loyalty Program Points: you earn points every time you play real money casino apps.

Wager Requirements

Wager requirements are a multiple of your bonus amount. To illustrate, let’s say a casino gives you a £20 no deposit bonus. You spend the money on roulette and win £200.

However, you can’t withdraw your profits before you fulfil 30x wager requirements. This means you must spend £600 at the casino (£20 x 30) before you can withdraw your winnings.

Against that backdrop, it’s essential to claim bonuses with great wager requirements. For example, look for bonuses with zero-wager terms. If you’re unlucky, settle for a bonus with no more than 40x playthrough requirements.

Game Weighting

Game weighting goes hand in hand with wager requirements. It determines which games you can play to complete wager terms. It also dictates how much money goes towards meeting your requirements.

Let’s expound more. A real money casino app may decide that video slots contribute 100% while live casino games contribute 50%. If you want to complete wager requirements quickly, you must play video slots.

Withdrawal Limit and Validity Time

In many casinos, there’s a limit to the amount of money you can withdraw from a bonus. It can be £100, £500 or £5000. If you’re lucky, you can also discover bonuses with no withdrawal limits.

However, there’s always a validity time. There’s a time limit for using your bonus. And there’s a deadline for fulfilling wager requirements. If you fail to meet your deadline, you lose your bonus and winnings.

Best Paying Real Casino Games for Money

Earlier on, we said casino games with real money are not created equal. Some are better than others. In this section, we’ve highlighted the 5 best games to win money:

• Blackjack (99% RTP)

With a 99% RTP, there’s no doubt blackjack is one of the best casino online real money games out there. The goal is to beat the casino in a card game. However, the casino plays through an employee known as the dealer.

• Slot Machines (95%+ RTP)

We’re a slots site so we may be a little biased here. But slots are really great casino games. They come in a wide variety. Some of them have 97%+ RTPs. And their features—free spins, jackpots, wilds, multipliers and cascading reels make slots incredibly entertaining.

• Video Poker (97% to 100% RTP)

Video poker is a game of luck that also gives you one chance to tilt the odds of winning in your favour. The game displays five poker cards on a video screen. But you get the chance to change some of them. After that, the screen produces the final five cards. If they form a poker hand like ‘Three of a kind,’ you win.

• Roulette (97% RTP)

European roulette has a 2.7% house edge. This places its payout at 97.3%–not bad. American roulette has a higher casino advantage at 5.2%. But if you play European roulette, the house edge can be as low as 1.35%.

• Poker

Poker is one of the few casino games with no house edge. Casinos make money from poker by charging a fee for every game (rake). That means you can actually be a profitable poker player.

All you need is to become good at it. Poker has several variations, so decide which one to specialize in: Texas Hold’em, Omaha, Caribbean Poker and 7-Card Stud to name a few.

Understand How Real Money Slots UK Work

Our main job here at Fruity Slots is to help people like you discover great online slots. We list new slots on our websites every month. But we understand not everyone knows how these games work.

To help you become a better slot player, we’ve included this section on the basics of slot machines.

Random Number Generator

RNG is short for Random Number Generator. It’s the standard software used to create games of chance. This includes slot machines, video poker, blackjack and roulette.

RNG software runs in the background to trigger winning symbols as programmed. Let’s say you’re playing a slot machine with fruit symbols like oranges, bananas, melons, apples and pineapples.

When you play the game, RNG software controls which symbols appear on the reels. In one spin, it can produce a mix of bananas and oranges. In another, it can produce melons and cherries.

RNG produces symbols randomly. However, it’s programmed to produce both winning and non-winning symbols.

Reels and Paylines

Nearly all real money slots feature a video screen with 3-7 columns. These columns are known as reels. The games also feature 3-5 rows that turn the video screen into a grid.

Slot symbols appear on these reels and rows. Winning symbols follow a certain format known as paylines—horizontal, vertical, diagonal or zigzag. For example, three hockey symbols appearing from left to right can get you free spins.

Coin Values and Paytable

Online slots real money coin values refer to your bet amount per spin. If you wager 10p per spin—this is your coin value. Most slot games for real money allow you to adjust your coin value.

You can also adjust the number of paylines. Let’s assume a slot has 243 paylines. You can decide to wager on 50 paylines. The rest will remain inactive. To determine how much you will win if you get lucky—check the paytable.

Slots online real money pay tables show you what you win when you trigger different symbols. For example, three Thor symbols on Thunderstruck II activate the bonus round.

In other slots, three wilds replace all existing icons on the reels with winning symbols. Scatters activate free spins or take you to the bonus game. Of course, some slots also give you instant winnings.

Slot Symbols and Features

Symbols are the face of a slot machine. RNG software may do all the hard work. But it’s the symbols that get you interested in real money slot games. The standard slot has two types of symbols: low-value and high-value symbols.

Low-value symbols have low payouts. They include poker cards like A, K and Q. The symbols exist mainly in the base game. But if you’re patient enough, you can trigger the bonus round of a slot.

The bonus round packs all the best high-value symbols. It also reveals the best features: multipliers, scatters, wilds and jackpots.

Slot Jackpots

If you’re looking for the best real money slots online so that you can win a life-changing jackpot, you should probably play progressive slots. Many slot machines have random jackpots.

However, random jackpots pay up fixed amounts of money. They may give you 5000x your stake if you land five symbols on the reels. Or, you can get 50,000 coins on a more generous random jackpot.

The biggest wins come from progressive jackpots. These slots aggregate bets from different players and allocate some of the money to the jackpot. Let’s say 100 people play Mega Moolah. The game will deduct a small amount from each bet and add it to the main jackpot.

The game will do the same every time people bet and fail to hit the winning symbols. The best progressive jackpots pay 100,000 to upwards of 10 million pounds sterling.

How to Play Slots with Real Money and Win

The best online real money slots provide an excellent chance to win a lot of money. Of course, slots are based on pure luck, so you won’t win always. However, you can improve your odds of winning if you follow these tips:

Find the Right Slot Site

Not every real money casino in the UK prioritizes slots for real money. Some of them focus on bingo, poker or live casinos. If you want to enjoy slot machines, though, look for a good slot site.

Look for a safe casino. Look at its website or app to ensure it’s functional and easy to use. Then take a look at the available slots. Select a casino with all your favourite slot machines.

It should also tick other important boxes. For example, you want the fastest payout casino sites. That way, you will always get your winnings stress-free.

Look for Real Money Casino Free Spins and Bonuses

The best real money online slot sites have an array of free spins and bonuses for new customers. Look for no deposit free spins you can use on popular slots like Money train 3 and Wild Falls 2.

If you can get no wager bonuses, claim them. You will be able to withdraw your bonus winnings without the need to fulfil wager terms. Otherwise, claim first deposit bonuses with low wager requirements.

Pick the Best Online Slots for Real Money

There are a few ways to determine which slots to play. First, choose a theme. Do, you want to play animal-themed slots? Are you in the mood to play ancient Egypt themes?

Next, compare real money slots based on their RTPS. Choose games with RTPs above 95%. Additionally, check each game’s volatility. The most volatile slots take time before activating winning symbols. But when they do, they pay you large sums of cash.

Low variance slots trigger winning symbols often. But they pay your small amounts. There’s also a category for medium variance slots—they balance between hit frequency and winning amounts.

Needless to say, check a slot’s betting limits, symbols and bonus round features. Find games with features that appear regularly.

Play Real Money Slots to Trigger the Bonus Rounds

Nowadays, some slots win real money games that allow you to buy your way into the bonus round. That’s alright. But you can also get into the bonus round by being patient.

Usually, you must play the bonus rounds. The bonus round has low-paying symbols and can be boring. But if you’re patient, you might trigger the bonus round and activate free spins, wilds, multipliers and cascading reels.

Maximize the Paylines

If a slot has 5 to 20 paylines, bet on all paylines. In many cases, a few of them will appear. And you will walk away a winner. If a slot has too many paylines, say more than 100—bet on at least a third of them.

The only way to play online slots with real money and win is to activate winning symbols on paylines. By activating multiple paylines, you maximize your chances of winning.

Can You Win Real Money Free Slots?

Online casinos sometimes give out free slots to their customers. Can you win money by playing these games? It depends on what you really mean.

Most slots have demo versions that allow you to experience the games at no cost to you. While playing such games, you don’t risk your own money. However, you also can’t win real cash.

That said, you can win real money if given free spins by a casino. Free spins are different from free slots. Free spins are a type of bonus offered as a welcome or loyalty gift.

Each free spin is worth money. It can be 10p or 50p per spin. As a result, free spins can help you win real money. This is money you can cash out from your casino account. But keep in mind there might be rules you need to follow.

5 Types of Online Slots Play for Real Money

Ready to play slots online for real money? Congratulations! Slots are some of the most entertaining games online. Although there’s a wide variety of slots in UK casinos, learn their different categories below:

Classic Slots

Classic slots are the original types of slot machines. You know—the slots you would find at Las Vegas casino in the 1990s. They had mechanical reels, simple graphics and fruits as symbols.

Many classic slots are simple by nature. They have one game mode with low-paying symbols. Their RTPs are relatively low, at least compared to modern video slots.

Classic slots also lack the bells and whistles of modern video slots. They lack bonus rounds, scatters, wilds, multipliers and jackpots. That said, some software providers are creating slots with classic looks but armed with modern features.

They include Reel King, Pay Day, Sunny Fruits, Xtra Hot, 777 Strike, Lightning Joker and Roaring Forties.

Progressive Slots

Also known as progressive jackpots, progressive slots share one thing in common. They have a jackpot that increases until someone wins it. The jackpot size varies from one game to another. But some of them pay up to £20 million.

In many cases, progressive slots are managed by software providers and not the casinos. A case in point is Mega Moolah from Microgaming. You can play this slot across all Microgaming slot sites in the UK and around the world.

When you place a bet on Mega Moolah, the game deducts some of your money and adds it to the main jackpot. The remaining amount is used to help you win smaller amounts of cash.

Mega Moolah and other progressive jackpots deduct money from each player regardless of where they play the game. Due to this, the mega jackpots can balloon to millions of pounds. If someone wins the main jackpot, it resets to a smaller amount. With that in mind, check out these progressive slots:

• Santa’s Ways
• American Jet Set
• Dragon’s Riches
• Gladiator
• Buffalo Grand

Video Slots

Video slots are the modern, more advanced versions of classic machines. They have 3D graphics, operate on mobile devices and have features like scatters, wilds, free spins, and bonus rounds.

Put simply, video slots are the best real money slots online. It doesn’t matter if you’re looking at payouts, themes, soundtracks or gameplay. Video slots offer the best online slot experiences.

Some video slots are so advanced that they support VR and AR. Others have ultra-realistic 3D graphics, cascading reels and expanding symbols. What are the best video slots in the UK?

• Tombstone RIP
• Money train 3
• Mental Chaos Crew
• Big Bamboo
• Avalon Gold

Megaways Slots

Megaways slots are all the rage in the UK. But how do these slots work? Invented by Australia-based software provider BTG, Megaways slots feature a unique slot engine that modifies the symbols on the reels with every spin.

The result is hundreds of new symbols with every spin and thousands of ways to win. The average Megaways slot has 117,649 ways to win. It’s a high-variance slot, though, but features all the other symbols found in video slots.

Top Megaways Slots:

• Aztec Gold Megaways
• Dragon’s Fire
• Buffalo King
• Temple Tumble
• Dog House Megaways

Best Online Slots for Real Money

Although there are hundreds of amazing slots to play for real money in the UK, it’s impossible to play all of them. Nonetheless, we all want to play the best games. To help you out, we’ve outlined our favourite slot machines below:

Money Train 3 (Relax Gaming)

Relax Gaming first launched Money Train in 2019. After the game’s quick success, the developer quickly released Money Train 2 and Money Train 3. The latest edition of the Money Train series has better graphics, better stats and an intriguing plot.

This 5×4 reel slot has 40 paylines and a maximum jackpot of 100,000x your stake. To add the cherry on top, the game has a buy bonus. That is to say, you don’t have to toil your way into the best features. You can buy early access.

Alternatively, land three scatter symbols. You will activate the Money Cart bonus game, which is jam-packed with goodies like free spins, collector symbols, and multipliers.

Fruit Party (Pragmatic Play)

You may have been to a beer party. But ever tried a fruit party? Pragmatic Play gives you such an experience in a 7×7 cluster-pays slot. For clarity, you win money when a few winning symbols form a cluster.

With 7 reels and 7 rows, Fruit Party provides hundreds of ways to win. More importantly, it feels thrilling with its Candy Crush-inspired looks. Trigger a cluster of 15+ strawberries and you could walk away with 3000x your stake.

Chaos Crew (Hacksaw Gaming)

In Chaos Crew, you join a gang of anti-establishment characters led by Cranky Cat and Sketch Skulls. The game has 5 reels and 15 paylines. Pay attention to graffiti symbols.

They trigger the bonus round, which in turn activates consecutive winning spins several times. If the Cranky Cat appears on your reels, expect to win real money with x2, x3 or x5 multipliers.

Sweet Bonanza (Pragmatic Play)

If the thought of fruits and sweets makes you want to lick your lips, you will love Sweet Bonanza. It’s beautiful. It’s fast-paced and has a soundtrack that keeps your eyes focused on the 6×5 grid.

Although Sweet Bonanza whets your appetite with its candy bars and ice cream cones, some symbols pay better than others. Fruits like bananas and grapes have low payouts while purple and red candies offer much higher payouts.

Temple of Treasure Megaways (Blueprint Gaming)

The Aztec Empire was known for its lucrative treasures. Blueprint Gaming takes you on a trip back to the ancient South American city. Find the right treasures and you could win up to 10,000x your stake.

Being a Megaways slot, Temple of treasures has 117,649 ways to win. It comes armed with multipliers, free spins and wild symbols. What’s more, you can buy the bonus round for 100x your stake.

If you don’t want to pay for bonus round features, activate four scatter symbols. You’ll get four options:

• 5 free spins and 10,000 Megaways
• 10 free spins and 2304 Megaways
• 15 free spins and 324 megaways
• Mystery choice—up to 15 free spins and 10000 Megaways

What is Real Money Online Gambling?

Real money online gambling is the act of playing casino games of chance or betting on sports using real money through Internet gambling websites. Gambling real money online is the modern way of betting.

The traditional method involves betting on sports through a brick-and-mortar betting shop or casino. In the UK, online gambling is getting more popular than high street-based casinos. Here’s why:

Convenience

No need to dress up. No need to leave your house. Real money gambling online lets you bet at the convenience of your own home. All you need is to sign up for a free account, add funds and play your favourite games.

Because you can bet online using a portable smartphone, online gambling allows you to play slots and bingo wherever you go. It’s like having a portable casino you can launch at any time—on the metro, during your vacation or while in bed.

Easy to Access

With more than 1000 legal gambling websites in the UK, accessing an online casino or sportsbook is pretty easy. A quick search of the word ‘UK gambling website’ produces hundreds of casinos and bookmakers.

All of these websites require just an email address and password and you can get an account. Some of them provide bonuses to help you play your first game free of charge. And if you have to make a deposit, the minimum amount allowed is a measly £10.

Available 24/7

Gambling real money apps operate 24/7. They do not close down except for scheduled technical maintenance. That means there’s no wrong time to log into your account and gamble online.

If you decide to play online slots at midnight, all you need is to visit your favourite casino. If you decide to bet on a South American sport taking place at 6 am UK time, there are no limitations.

A Full Range of Betting Markets

Online betting websites provide all types of betting markets, from blackjack and roulette to keno and scratchers. If there’s anything you can gamble on at your local casino, it’s also available online.

The wide range of betting products online means there’s really no need to leave your house for 30 minutes of playing poker. You can just relax on your sofa and play poker conveniently.

To spice up things, many real-money online gambling sites provide higher-quality games than their land-based counterparts. This is mainly true for slots—online slots have high Return to Player (RTP) rates.

Advanced Technology

Modern technology is a big reason for the growth of real money online gambling. For starters, advanced programming allows casinos to provide their games through software you don’t have to download.

Then there’s the graphics. Today’s graphics enable developers to create crisp, beautiful games. On the other hand, mobile gaming allows casino players and bettors to gamble through their smartphones.

Generous Bonus Deals

Unlike high street betting shops, online betting platforms offer bonuses indiscriminately. You don’t need to be a high roller to get a bonus. All you need is to create an account or make a deposit.

Casinos and betting sites have different bonus promotions. Some of them give out free spins to play roulette. Sportsbooks offer free bets while poker sites may give you rake backs.

Gambling Real Money Online Basics

When you think about it, online gambling works the same way it did when the industry launched in the 1990s. Let’s break it down:

Licensing and Regulation

In the UK, online gambling is a regulated industry. The Gambling Commission is responsible for licensing and regulating all gambling companies in the country. Truth be told, this hasn’t always been the situation.

The UK legalized online gambling in 2005. It then established the Gambling Commission to regulate the industry in 2007. The UKGC licenses both homegrown and foreign operators.

If a foreign casino wants to offer its games in the UK, it must get a license from the UKGC. The licensing process is incredibly extensive. For starters, the people running the casino must be trained and experienced in operating a gambling platform.

What’s more, they must be law-abiding citizens with no prior criminal records. Then, they need to pay for licensing, and pay 15% of their gross income as tax to the UK government.

Other requirements include creating secure websites, complying with data privacy laws, executing KYC verification, offering fair games and promoting responsible gambling. Failure to comply with these rules can attract a fine or suspension of the gambling operator’s license.

What You Need to Gamble online

To gamble online, whether bet on sports or play casino games, you need the following items:

• A smartphone or PC
• An account
• Money
• Internet connection

In the early days of gambling online, you couldn’t bet using a smartphone. You needed a desktop computer. Nowadays, you can use an iPhone, android phone, laptop or smartwatch.

Needless, you need access to the Internet to create an account and access games like slots and poker. What’s more, you need money you can deposit to your account for real money gambling.

Gambling Platforms: Websites vs Mobile Apps

We’ve already established that you can gamble through a desktop computer or smartphone. But here’s something you probably don’t know. You don’t need to install an app on your smartphone to bet online.

Today’s casinos and sportsbooks have mobile-optimized websites: instant play websites that avail casino games online. No need to download software for you to bet.

What’s better, websites or apps? The short answer is that it depends. If you love mobile apps, you will probably choose to install an app on your phone. But if you hate downloading apps, then playing on a website is more convenient.

Real Money Online Gambling Payment Methods

Online gambling websites support a wide range of banking options. Some of these banking methods are accepted in the UK. Some are not. For example, you can no longer use a credit card for real money gambling.

You can only use a debit card from a company like Visa or MasterCard. Alternatively, you can deposit through these popular e-wallets:

• PayPal
• EcoPayz
• Google Pay
• Skrill
• Neteller
• Sofort

Other accepted payment options include crypto, bank transfer, e-checks and gift cards. As we mentioned earlier, you can deposit from £10 at most gambling websites. The maximum you can deposit ranges from £10,000 to £100,000.

Forms of Real Money Gambling online

Real money online gambling is a general term for all major types of gambling: sports betting, casino games of chance, poker, lotteries, bingo, scratchers and fantasy sports.

Sports Betting

Sports betting is fairly straightforward. It’s the act of predicting sports events using real money. For example, you can bet £10 for England to beat Wales in a football game.

In standard betting websites, sportsbooks provide betting odds. Let’s say England have 2/1 odds to beat Wales (7/1). You will win £2 for every £2 wagered on England to win and £7 for every £1 spent on Wales to win.

You can bet on a wide range of sports in the UK: football, rugby, cricket, basketball, tennis, horse racing, table tennis, and American football, to name a few.

Casino Games of Chance

The standard real money gambling app contains at least 500 games of chance. They include slot machines, blackjack, roulette, video poker, craps, keno and baccarat.

Slot machines are the most popular games at online casinos. They make up more than 70% of games on some websites. That said, table games are increasingly growing popular thanks to the invention of live casinos.

Live casinos create a virtual platform for playing games like blackjack and poker against fellow human opponents. You can see and interact with your opponents, which makes the gaming atmosphere competitive and lively.

Online Poker

Online poker is a card game that combines elements of luck and skill. You need at least one opponent to play the game, although most games require 5-9 players. Like many casino games, poker has several variations: Texas Hold’em, Omaha, Omaha HI/Lo, Caribbean Poker, and 3—Card Stud.

Being a game of skill, poker is incredibly popular with professional gamblers. So popular is this game that some online gambling sites with real money only feature poker games.

Online Bingo

Like poker, bingo has a dedicated fanbase that often plays this game on websites that do not offer any other games. Bingo is a game of chance, though. The goal is to have the correct numbers on a horizontal, vertical or diagonal line. There are several types of online bingo: 90-ball, 75-ball, 80-ball and 30-ball bingo.

Gambling Real Money Online Bonuses & Promotions

Many real money online gambling sites market their brands by giving out bonuses to both new and regular customers. The bonus you get depends on the casino and what you want to gamble online.

At online casinos, new players get bonuses like no deposit, first deposit and live casino bonuses. At betting websites, you can get a free bet. Odds’ booster, or a first deposit bonus.

Bonuses help you bet without using your own money. However, many promotions have terms and conditions. As a result, not every promotion is worth accepting. This applies to both welcome and loyalty bonuses.

Speaking of which, loyalty bonuses include cashback, VIP rewards, daily competitions and point-based programs. Great bonuses have fair terms and conditions. Terrible promotions have difficult-to-meet policies.

Real Money Gambling Apps: Native vs Web Apps

Real money gambling apps have been around since the mid-2000s. Back then, you could play one or two slot machines through your smartphone. When the iPhone came out in 2007, things changed for the better.

Casinos, independent casinos and betting websites began to launch their own real money gambling apps. This trend increased rapidly as iPhones and android smartphones replaced traditional cell phones.

Unfortunately, Google and Apple Play stores were not so excited about gambling apps with real money. Google banned gambling apps in 2013 while Apple made a similar move a few years later.

Following these frustrations, gambling sites became innovative. They embraced HTML5, the markup language used to create interactive mobile-responsive websites.

Today, you can bet online through native apps or mobile web apps. Is there a difference?

• Native apps operate on one device (iOS or Android)
• Web apps work across multiple devices through browsers
• Native apps must be downloaded to a device
• Web apps work through browsers online

Against that backdrop, it’s easy to see why web apps are getting popular. You can bet at many betting apps without having to fill your phone with native apps. Secondly, they make more sense for gambling operators.

A native web app can be used on both android and iOS devices. No need to create separate apps. Importantly, web apps cannot be restricted by Play Stores like Apple and Google.

Online Safety at Real Money Gambling Apps: How they Keep You Safe

Online gambling with real money is exciting and largely safe. But it is not without its challenges. As a result, some poker players and sports betting fans are scared not to play on betting apps.

Are real money gambling apps safe? To help you determine if a gambling app real money platform is safe, look for these features:

A Licence from the UKGC

By law, every safe gambling real money app in the UK must have a licence from the Gambling Commission. The licensing information must be included at the bottom of the casino or sportsbook’s homepage.

Including licensing information helps you take note of the casino’s license number just in case you need to verify it’s genuine. Most operators also include a link leading to the UKGC website for verification.

Data Encryption and Protection

Data encryption protects you from hackers. No one can intercept your personal information or payment data while you’re gambling online. If they attempt to, they can only see scrambled letters and numbers.

The standard way of encrypting websites and apps is Secure Socket Layer (SSL). As such, look for SSL encryption while reading an app’s security protocols. If it has a website, check its address bar for a locked padlock sign.

With that in mind, website security also means data privacy. Choose a casino or bookmaker that complies with UK GDPR rules.

Password Protection and 2-FA

Choose a gambling app which supports both password protection and Two-Factor Authentication. A password helps you prevent nosy friends and family members from accessing your account. It can also protect you from hackers.

Two-Factor Authentication adds an extra layer of security. Not only do you need a password to access your account, but you also need a unique authentication code sent to your email address, authenticator app or phone number.

A Seal of Trust and Positive Reviews

It takes a lot for people to trust an online gambling real money app. Some casinos and bookmakers invite independent auditors to audit their games and banking data to provide proof that a gambling app is safe and reliable.

In other words, a seal of trust from independent auditors like eCOGRA, GLI, Thawte, and iTech Labs provides proof that you can trust an app. If that’s not enough, read an app’s reviews.

Reviews show you the experiences of different people. Some will mention the good things they experienced. Others will warn you about bad things on the website. Top-rated apps provide the best experiences.

Safe Banking and Withdrawals

Safe real money gambling apps work with trustworthy banking providers like Visa, MasterCard, PayPal and Google Pay. These banking providers assure you of safe deposits and withdrawals. UK PayPal slots and other innovative payment methods have become popular options at UK casinos

Some of them include chargeback options—you can reclaim your deposit if an unsafe app defrauds you. To ensure this doesn’t happen to you, read reviews.

Fair, High-Quality Games

Another way to check if a gambling app cares about your safety is to check its games or betting software. The best apps provide games from trustworthy, licensed software providers like Microgaming, Evolution and NetEnt.

Game fairness is determined by the provider. By law, most casino games must have Random Number Generator (RNG) software. RNG determines when you win and lose. And it can’t be rigged by the casino.

When it comes to the quality of games, look at the features. For example, check the payout rate in slots. The best slots have payout rates of over 95%. They feature modern graphics, nice soundtracks and generous bonus features.

Customer Service and User Experience

An online gambling for real money app is safe only if it provides reliable customer service. So, check if there’s a way to contact the company: live chatting, emails, social media or phone contacts.

Crucially, also look at the app’s design. Is it user-friendly? Can you select games fast? Do games freeze? Safe apps use professionally-designed, functional apps.

How to Win Real Money Gambling online in the UK

One of the most common questions we get asked is, “how can I win real money gambling online? Our answer is always the same. We share a guide for how to maximize your winning chances.

Choose Between Sports Betting and Casino Games

First things first. Decide whether you want to win money by betting on sports or by playing games like slots, blackjack and roulette. Sports betting is ideal for people who already love football, rugby, horse racing, tennis and other sports.

Sports betting features elements of skills. Research and experience can get you consistent winnings. And isn’t that what everyone wants? That said, betting on sports is a process.

You need to learn about a sport, major leagues, teams and players. What’s more, you must follow sports news, analyze matches or even watch them become an expert.

On the other hand, casino games save you all that trouble. They give you the chance to win real money even though you have no skills or experience. You may have to learn a few strategies. But you can also win money based on pure luck.

Select a Genuine Gambling Sites

The UK is home to some of the best online gambling sites real money casinos and sportsbooks. You have no excuse for not finding a reliable operator. Select a licensed, safe and reputable website.

First, there’s the safety element. No one wants to get scammed or hacked. Secondly, there’s the quality of services. Pick a website with quality casino games and competitive sports betting odds.

Additionally, you will benefit from fast withdrawals, regular bonuses and efficient customer service.

Create a Budget

Before you place your first bet, create a budget. Set a budget using the money you don’t need to settle bills or cover emergencies. Think of the money you spend while out drinking with friends. Or, the average amount you spend on weekend vacations.

This can be your budget. Add it to your casino or betting account. Then decide how many bets you want to make. This will help you decide how much to spend on every bet.

According to many gambling experts, you should spend just 1% or 2% of your bankroll. This helps spread your risk and increase your chances of winning.

Bet Like a Pro

Professional gamblers choose games and sports bets wisely. They bet on those betting markets they understand comprehensively. Do the same. If you decide to play casino games, choose the best games.

Look for slots with the highest Return to Player (RTP) rates. If you choose live casino games, look at the house edge. Select a game with a low house advantage. Importantly, learn tips to win these games.

Professional players have goals. So, set your goals. And figure out how to achieve them. Experts also have rules that guide them on how long they should play, when to quit and how to cut losses.

Online Casino Real Money Gambling: How Does it Work?

Online casino real money gambling is the act of betting real money on casino games like slots and blackjack.

Every casino game has rules on how to win:

• Slots: you win by triggering specific symbols on a payline. A payline can be a horizontal, vertical or zigzag formation of symbols like fruits, animals or fictional characters.
• Blackjack: you win by producing a hand of 21. You can also win if you have a better hand than the dealer. A hand refers to the total number of points on your cards.
• Poker: the goal is to produce the strongest hand. Hands are ranked from high cards to a royal flush.
• Roulette: you win when the wheel stops at a number, colour or area you predicted. For example, you win 1:1 if the wheel stops at a black-coloured slot.
• Baccarat: the winning hand must be equal or close to nine.
• Video poker: the strongest hand wins. Video poker uses the same hand rankings as traditional poker.

How much money do you need for real-money casino gaming? You can play online slots with a budget of £10 or less. The standard slot has a minimum bet size of 10p. That means you can play your favourite slot a few minutes before you deplete your £10 bankroll.