If you are struggling to find the best online casino games to play in the UK, then you are in the right place.
In this comprehensive guide to casino games, I explore the benefits of playing different types of games, exploring their house edge, strategies, and winning potential.
I also highlight the best casinos to use to play each game for real money, highlighting my personal experiences with the casinos. Keep reading to find out about the best casino games at top UK online casinos.
Top sites for casino games
Neptune PlayDuelzMr VegasBetwayMrQtalkSPORT BET CasinoBally CasinoVoodoo DreamsMagic Redbet36532RedJackpot CityCasumoPlanet Sport Bet777CherryGrand Ivy Casino
Types of casino games
If you visit any top online casino lobby, you will find the games are split into various categories. While this may vary slightly between different casinos, the following are the most common categorisations you will encounter:
Card games – Card games include any game involving cards, such as poker, blackjack, or baccarat. Some casinos, however, have separate sections for poker. Table games – A table game is a wider term for any game played at a casino table. This can also cover the aforementioned card games. Roulette is the game most likely to dominate this section. Dice games – Dice games, you guessed it, are games that involve dice. Dice games are not as popular as they once were, with many casinos only offering craps. In many instances, this is thrown into the table games section.Slots – Slots are the beating heart of most casino lobbies. At all of the casinos mentioned in this guide, you will hundreds, if not thousands, of online slots to sink your teeth into. These can also be broken down into their categories, with popular options including progressive slots, jackpots, 3D slots, and Megaways, to name a few. Crash games – Crash games have become a personal favourite of mine in recent years, and they are definitely having a moment in the iGaming world. Popular examples of this include Spribe’s Aviator. In crash games, players must attempt to time a cash out before the game ends.
How did I determine what is the best casino game?
Determining the best casino games to play is an extremely difficult task. Removing personal preference, I have reviewed each game on two main factors: the house edge range and your ability to impact the house edge.
As you will see throughout this guide, there are some games where optimal strategy use can impact the house edge, whereas, in others, you can not change it all. I have applied the following score to games when assessing the house edge:
Rating 1 (Low): Games where optimal strategy has a minimal impact on reducing the house edge, and players have limited control over their outcomes.Rating 2 (Below Average): Games where optimal strategy can slightly reduce the house edge, but luck still plays a significant role.Rating 3 (Average): Games where optimal strategy can moderately reduce the house edge, and player decisions have a meaningful impact on the outcome.Rating 4 (Above Average): Games where optimal strategy can significantly reduce the house edge, and skilled players have a good chance of winning.Rating 5 (High): Games where optimal strategy can substantially reduce the house edge, and skilled players have a strong advantage.
In the following table, I break down my rating for each game’s ability to impact the house edge and its range.
Casino gameHouse edge impactHouse edge rangeBlackjack50.5% to 2%Video poker40.5% to 5%Baccarat31.06% to 1.24%Craps31.36% to 1.41%Poker42.5% to 20%Roulette2around 2.70%Slot machines13% to 15%Keno125% or moreCrash games1Typically relatively highScratch cards1Typically relatively high
#1 Blackjack
Rating for the ability to impact the house edge: 5Lowest house edge: 0.2%Best casino for Blackjack: bet365
Blackjack takes the top spot on my list, and I recommend signing up and playing blackjack at any of the casinos listed above. Firstly, it is one of the few games where players can have a positive impact on the house edge. Of course, there is never any way you can guarantee a win, but utilising the correct tactics can help you minimise your losses and make the game more enjoyable.
I have used basic blackjack strategy successfully throughout my career. Basic blackjack strategy is, essentially, a chart that tells you the best moves to make depending on your hand and the dealer’s upcard. For example, you may have 13 in your hand, with the dealer having a 5 card. In this instance, basic blackjack strategy recommends standing. This is based on the dealer’s chances of getting a better hand than you or going bust.
Of course, none of this ever guarantees a win, but it is one of the most assured methods for managing your bankroll and reducing the house edge. It is estimated that the player can reduce the house edge to less than 1% when using blackjack strategy correctly.
Best casino for Blackjack – bet365
Bet365 has always been my casino of choice for blackjack. The operator serves up a strong selection of top-quality games, including a range of originals that all use bet365’s stylish interface and colour scheme. There is also plenty of variety on offer in the live blackjack section, with titles like Grand Blackjack and Quantum Blackjack Plus being among my favourites.
#2 Video poker
Rating for the ability to impact the house edge: 4Lowest house edge: 0.5%Best casino for video poker: talkSPORT BET Casino
My next pick for the best casino games to play is video poker. This comes just behind blackjack as it is a little more complex to play and requires a basic understanding of poker. However, it is not as demanding or complicated as traditional poker, as you are playing against the computer, not real opponents.
Like blackjack, there are strategy charts that you can follow to play video poker more optimally. However, unlike blackjack, these charts are a bit more complicated and can take a lot longer to learn. This is due to the number of hand combinations and possible moves you can encounter. I have encountered video poker strategy charts with over 70 lines of strategy, which can be a headache.
Let’s look at a simple hand and see what a strategy chart says. Let’s say you have been dealt 10h, 8d, Js, 10s, 9s. In this example, a strategy chart will tell you to play this as a low-pair by holding the 10s instead of a four-card straight or a three-card straight flush.
Best casino for Video Poker – talkSPORT BET Casino
The talkSPORT BET casino blows the competition away when it comes to video poker. The operator has a section dedicated to Power Poker titles, each of which provides thrilling gameplay and excellent winning potential. You can try your luck on games like Deuces & Joker Poker, All Aces Power Poker, Deuces Wild Poker, and many more.
#3 Baccarat
Rating for the ability to impact the house edge: 3Lowest house edge: 1.06%Best casino for baccarat: MrQ
Baccarat comes in just below video poker on my list, and I would highly recommend signing up and playing baccarat at the casinos listed in this guide. I have always enjoyed playing baccarat; however, unlike blackjack and video poker, no optimal strategy can drastically reduce the house edge. I have ranked it so high because of its relatively low house edge, which sits at between 1.06% and 1.24%.
One of the most popular methods to use in baccarat is to always back the dealer’s hand to win. This is because the dealer has a slight advantage over the player, though this also means they pay a slight commission to the house from their wins.
A player bet has a pay out of 1:1 and the odds of winning sit around 49.32%. The banker bet has an increased chance of winning, coming in at 50:68%. I would also avoid backing the tie. This has a payout of 8:1 but it as a low win percentage of 9.53%.
Most other baccarat strategies are simply bankroll management and betting strategies. One of the most popular examples is the Martingale Method. For this, players double their stakes every time they lose. When they do land a win, they will be one unit up. However, this has no advantage over the house edge and is, in my opinion, a deeply flawed approach to playing, as it relies on a win that may never come.
Best casino for Baccarat – MrQ
MrQ is one of my favourite casinos for a number of reasons (no wagering requirements!), and one of them is its selection of baccarat games. While the selection may not be huge, it serves up some of the most engaging baccarat titles around, including Evolution’s Live Baccarat, and Mega Baccarat from Pragmatic Play.
#4 Craps
Rating for the ability to impact the house edge: 3Lowest house edge: 1.36%Best casino for craps: 32Red
When it comes to dice games, there are few as popular as craps. You can try your chances at some of the best craps casinos in the UK by signing up with one of the casinos listed.
Splitting craps and baccarat on this list was extremely difficult, with baccarat winning out for its slightly less complex gameplay. Like baccarat, I find craps a hugely enjoyable game, in part due to its low-house edge, which is why I recommend checking it out at some of the craps casinos recommended in this guide.
With craps, the most common strategy deployed by players, especially newcomers, is to play a Pass Line strategy. This is because it is the simplest bet to place, and it presents a player with a 1.41% house edge. Alternatively, you can actually lower the house edge by backing the Don’t Pass bet, which means you are betting against the shooter. In this instance, the house edge is 1.36%.
Best casino for Craps – 32Red
Craps has dipped in popularity in recent years, and finding a casino with a big selection of craps games is difficult. One of my favourite craps games is the Live Craps game that you can try your luck on at 32Red. The game is an immersive experience, recreating the thrills of playing craps in a real casino through your desktop or mobile device.
#5 Poker
Rating for the ability to impact the house edge: 4Lowest house edge: 2.5%Best casino for live poker: Bally Casino
Poker is one of the most competitive and exciting card games in the world, and you can put your skills to the test by signing up for one of the top poker casinos in this guide.
Poker is a little bit of an outlier in this list, which is exactly why we have ranked it around the middle. In live poker, you are playing against other players, not the house. As such, there is not a ‘house edge’ in the same way there is in the other games discussed. However, the house may still take a rake from each pot.
So, how can you improve your chances in poker? There are plenty of things you can do to benefit yourself in poker. Firstly, practice makes perfect, with poker definitely being a game you can improve at compared to others, and you can find the type of poker that works best for you.
You should also consider different approaches, with some players preferring to take a more conservative approach to the game while others are more aggressive. Personally, I like to play a tight range of strong hands more aggressively, allowing me to disguise the strength of my actual hands. How conservative you are will also determine whether you’ll play high- or low-stakes poker.
Best casino for Poker – Bally Casino
Bally is one of my go-to poker casinos in the UK. The operator boasts a good selection of poker games and also runs regular poker tournaments.
These are an excellent way of testing your poker skills against other players and winning some top prizes. These tournaments welcome players of all levels and can be an excellent way of learning how to play the game in a competitive but fun environment.
#6 Roulette
Rating for the ability to impact the house edge: 2Lowest house edge: 2.7% approx.Best casino for roulette: Betway
Roulette is one of the most popular table games in the world, and you can enjoy it by signing up and playing at the casinos listed in this guide.
As you can see, roulette scores low on my ability to impact the house edge scale. This is because, despite what some people will tell you, there is no way of reducing the house edge when playing roulette. Instead, your only option as a player is to use bankroll and betting strategies like the Martingale or Fibonacci sequences.
With the Martingale strategy, you increase your bet every time you lose until you land a win. You could have a betting sequence that looks like this:
BetResultProfit/Loss£1 BlackRed – £1-£1£2 RedBlack – £2-£3£4 Red Black – £4-£7 £8 RedBlack -£8 -£15 £16 EvenEven +£32+£1
In the above sequence, when you win on the fifth bet, you will win £32 and have wagered £31 on the previous five bets. As I have mentioned, I feel this is a deeply flawed formula, as it requires a lot of capital and is also dependent on a win definitely coming, which is never guaranteed. Also, this strategy has zero impact on the house edge.
Best casino for roulette – Betway
Betway is a name many people associate with sports betting, but the online casino also serves up one of the best roulette selections. I found the site to have a healthy mix of online and live casino roulette options, with titles from the likes of Playtech, and Pragmatic Play all on offer. They also have games like 20p roulette for players on a budget and Roulette Mega Moolah for the jackpot hunters among you.
#7 Slots
Rating for the ability to impact the house edge: 1Lowest house edge: 3%-15%Best casino for slots: Duelz
I absolutely love online slots and recommend checking out the best slots casino available. However, when it comes to the house edge, they are definitely the worst games to play. The average RTP for a slot game is around 96%, which puts the house edge around 4%. As you can see throughout this guide, that is very high compared to other casino games.
Like roulette, the only strategies you can really deploy when playing slots are bankroll management ones, none of which will have any impact on the house edge or the outcome of the game.
I would recommend looking for slots with high RTPs. You can check the RTP of a game by loading up the paytable. I also recommend approaching progressive jackpot slots with caution. These have high potential returns but tend to have much lower RTPs than standard slots.
Best casino for online slots – Duelz
Duelz is one of the most unique online casinos available in the UK. Not only does it boast a unique theme with fun promotions, but it also has one of the best selections around.
You can find titles from the likes of Pragmatic Play, Play’n Go, Relax Gaming, Hacksaw Gaming, Stakelogic, and just about any other major slot developer you can think of here. Duelz is always my go-to choice when I want to play online slots.
My top five tips for playing casino games online
The following are my top tips to maximise your online casino experience.
Take advantage of bonuses: I highly recommend taking advantage of casino bonuses. All of the casinos I have recommended in this guide come with a healthy selection of bonuses for new and existing customers, all of which can enhance your online casino experience. Of course, you should read through the terms and conditions of each bonus thoroughly before claiming it.Gamble within your budget: I can not stress enough the importance of responsible gambling and knowing your limits. The casinos in this guide all provide deposit limits and time out options, and I recommend using these to enhance your experience and stay in control of your play.Practice with free games: Taking demos for a spin is one of my favourite things to do at an online casino. It allows me to test a game out without parting ways with any of my own funds. It can also be an excellent way to test out strategies such as Basic Blackjack Strategy.Choose low-house edge games: As I’ve highlighted throughout this guide, the best games to play are the ones with the lowest house edge. The first thing I do when I load a game is check the paytable to find out any information I can about the RTP or house edge.Avoid chasing losses: One of the most dangerous traps a player can fall into is chasing losses. It is important to remember that you are never guaranteed a win when playing casino games online. To make the most of your experience, set a playing limit and walk away when finished. Attempting to get your money back is a foolish move and can lead to irresponsible gambling habits.
Free games vs real money games
If possible, I always recommend checking out free games. Testing a game for free will give you plenty of opportunities to try it out to see if you like it and to use some strategies to find out what works best for you.
For example, I encourage anybody who wants to learn basic blackjack strategies to play them in free-to-play games. This will allow you to master these strategies without risking any of your funds.
Of course, the benefits of playing for real money are apparent: you can win real money. When you play games for free, you will only win and lose virtual currencies, whereas playing for real money provides you with the chance to cash in on some big potential wins.
Online casino games FAQ
1. Can I play casino online for real money?
Yes. All of the online casinos recommended in this guide can be played for real money.
2. Are casino games fair?
Yes. Casino games in the UK are required to use random number generators (RNG) to determine their outcomes. This ensures that neither the operator nor the player can influence the result.
3. What is the easiest casino game?
No casino game is easy. It is important to remember players are never guaranteed a win. However, some games, like blackjack, have a lower house edge than others.
4. Can you participate in casino game tournaments?
Yes. Many top online casinos will run promotional tournaments and events.
5. Are online casino games safe to play?
Yes. All of the casino games recommended in this guide can be played safely online. Of course, players should adhere to responsible gambling practices to ensure they have the safest and most enjoyable experience.
6. What are the worst casino games?
If you find yourself in a situation where you are going to play any of the following games, read through this section before you do:
Airport slot machines: While airport slot machines don’t necessarily offer a worse house edge than their online counterparts, airports are just not a good place to play. The simple reason for this is that you are likely to just blow money playing on them. I have found myself leaving a country before and just throwing money into an airport slot machine aimlessly. This is never a good idea and almost always leads to losses. Progressive slots: Progressive slots aren’t bad, but they often present you with a considerably lower RTP than a standard slot and are not great for house edge. Of course, these games have the potential for huge wins, but the chances are slim. 6/5 Blackjack: 6/5 Blackjack has odds of 1.2:1. While this may seem tiny, it is huge. In fact, it can increase the house edge by up to 400%. In short, avoid 6/5 blackjack at all costs. American roulette: American roulette uses two zeroes, compared to the one found in the European variant. This might not seem significant, but it increases the house edge to 5.26%, considerably higher than in European roulette.
7. Which casino games are the best for beginners?
Blackjack, roulette, and slots are some of the most accessible casino games for beginners. This is because they have simple gameplay and can be enjoyed with little to no practice.
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8. What is the house edge for casino games?
The house edge for casino games depends on the game you are playing. In some games, the house edge is significantly higher than others. In slot games, the equivalent of the house edge is the return to player (RTP). Like house edge, this is a percentage.
However, the RTP displays the amount a player is likely to see returned to them over a period of time, as opposed to the advantage that the house has.
Can you earn money playing the best casino games?
Yes. You can win money when playing the online casino games in this article. However, I can not stress enough that you should never rely on them as a way to earn money. As I have mentioned, you are never guaranteed to win and, as such, should always practise responsible gambling.
talkSPORT casino game reviews
If you need more information, you can find reviews for the most famous casino games my colleagues and I tested:
About the author
Liam Hoofe
Liam is an experienced iGaming and sports betting journalist based in Cardiff. He has worked in the sports betting industry since 2017 and has provided content for some of the biggest casino and betting brands in the UK. He has also covered football and other sports for both regional and national newspapers.
Find Liam on Twitter: @LiamHoofe
Commercial content notice: Taking one of the casino offers featured in this article may result in a payment to talkSPORT. 18+. T&Cs apply. GambleAware.org
Remember to gamble responsibly
A responsible gambler is someone who:
Establishes time and monetary limits before playingOnly gambles with money they can afford to loseNever chase their lossesDoesn’t gamble if they’re upset, angry or depressedGamcare – www.gamcare.org.ukGambleAware – www.gambleaware.org
Find our detailed guide on responsible gambling practices here.
For help with a gambling problem, call the National Gambling Helpline on 0808 8020 133 or go to www.gamstop.co.uk to be excluded from all UK-regulated gambling websites.
