At the best European online casinos, you can play exciting and innovative games for the chance to win extravagant cash prizes. Here at Techopedia, we are here to help you make sense of gambling laws in the UK, Europe, and beyond. If you want easy access to legal, high-quality European casino sites that provide an array of bonuses and games, come with us as we explain everything you need to know.
Benefits of Using European Online Casinos
Why should you try European online casinos from the UK? For starters, these online casinos are all licensed and regulated, which means they’re legal in jurisdictions around the world. Moreover, they can unlock additional opportunities when joining a new casino, such as:
Varied Payment Options
You can play online casino games without spending anything if you are that way inclined. All you need to do is use the demo software at the best European online casinos. However, if you want to win cash prizes and unlock bonus offers, you will almost certainly need to place real money bets. That’s why payment methods are so important.
The best European online casinos offer a variety of deposit options, including credit cards and cryptocurrencies. These methods are not usually available at UK-licensed casinos, and they allow you to make faster withdrawals. In fact, if you use cryptocurrencies such as Bitcoin, you’ll receive your winnings within minutes.
Independent Licensing
We only recommend EU casinos that accept UK players if they’re licensed. The Malta Gaming Authority, for example, is an independent licensing authority that launched in 1996. That means it’s been around for a lot longer than other regulators, and can be trusted.
Cutting-Edge Game Variety
EU casino sites licensed by international regulators have the luxury of being able to target players across the whole of Europe rather than a single country. This means they’ve got more competition and, in turn, a wider demographic to satisfy. Offering cutting-edge technology, innovative ideas, and provably fair games in tandem with the latest live dealer software puts these non-UK online casinos ahead of the curve.
Generous Bonuses
Another significant reason to try top EU online casinos is added value. The same competitive market conditions that force operators to innovate also incentivise them to offer bigger and better bonuses. You may also benefit from fairer wagering rollover requirements, meaning you can withdraw your winnings even faster and without having to deposit as much.
Types of Bonuses Available at Casinos in Europe
Indeed, bonuses are a great way to judge the overall quality. They should reward new customers with generous bonus funds to play with, and ideally with low playthrough targets so that withdrawing in the near future is a realistic proposition.
Offering plenty of promotions is also important, as retaining players is as fundamental as attracting them in the first place. If an international casino ticks these boxes, it’s probably a top-tier platform. That being said, here are the best ways to extract extra value from the best European online casinos.
Welcome Bonuses
Newbies should expect nothing less than a large opening matched deposit bonus. No deposit bonuses aren’t always necessary, but we would recommend avoiding any EU online casino that doesn’t give new players significant bonus credits to use from the outset. You will usually receive some free spins to play with as well.
No Deposit Bonus
I like EU casinos that accept UK players with no deposit bonuses. A no deposit bonus is exactly what you’d expect it to be; it’s a promotion that doesn’t require a financial transaction. Sign-up bonuses are credited to your account once you complete the registration process. Ongoing offers, such as loyalty rewards, can also be classed as no deposit bonuses.
Free Spins
Learning how to play slot machines is good idea, as they are the staple of European online casinos. One of my personal favorite slot games is Big Bass Splash. The bonus features are impressive, and the payouts are great. More importantly, like many slot games, it’s incredibly fun to play and has excellent visuals.
The only thing that makes these games more enjoyable is a free spins bonus. These promos allow you to play popular online slots without spending anything. Even better than playing for free, you can also win cash prizes. Although these prizes are locked away until you hit a playthrough, the fact remains you can still win big without spending any money.
Cashback
Winning is always the aim, of course, but you have to be prepared to lose if you’re going to play casino games such as blackjack, roulette, and video poker. Losses are a natural part of gambling, but the top online casinos in Europe don’t want you to suffer. That’s why you can get up to 10% cashback on net losses at many of them, giving you a consolation prize in the form of more money to play with from week to week.
Loyalty Rewards
Bets can be turned into points at many recommended EU casino sites. These points unlock loyalty rewards and, in some cases, determine your VIP status. The more points you earn, the more perks you get.
My only tip here is to play responsibly. Don’t bet more than you can afford just to earn points. Make sure that you shop around, too, as some casinos reward loyalty much better than others.
Popular Games at EU Online Casinos
There are hundreds of great games available online. I’m a fan of the classics, such as European Roulette and Vegas Blackjack. However, new variants are popping up all the time. Therefore, you should look for European casinos that offer a combination of traditional and modern table games. Tap the tabs below to see how software developers such as Evolution Gaming take long-time favourites and give them a fresh twist.
Slots European Slots
Blackjack Top European online slots such as Book of Dead, Starburst, and Bonanza Megaways
Roulette have all manner of innovative features. From expanding reels and transforming
Live Casino symbols to cluster pays and progressive jackpots, modern slots surprise and delight in Games a variety of ways.
Top Software Providers at the Best European Online Casinos
The above games are created by the world’s leading software developers, which the best European online casinos have access to. These providers are known for their superb graphics, streamlined gameplay, and original ideas and features. This all helps to create a seamless and enjoyable gaming experience. Look out for the following brands when playing at top EU casino sites:
- Microgaming
- Evolution Gaming
- NetEnt
- Playtech
- Quickspin
- Hacksaw Gaming
- Pragmatic Play
- NextGen
- Yggdrasil
- Novomatic
European Online Casinos Payment Methods
It makes sense for online casinos in Europe to accept Euro deposits. The best European casinos that accept UK players process Euro deposits and withdrawals, so you shouldn’t have any issues with currency conversion charges. If you prefer to play in a universal currency not linked to the Euro, many casinos in Europe also accept cryptos such as Bitcoin and Ethereum.
Traditional Payment Methods Traditional Payment Methods
Cryptocurrencies European online casinos don’t have the same restrictions as those licensed by regulators such as the UKGC. This means you’ll be able to eWallets make deposits and withdrawals using credit cards and cryptocurrencies. Alternatively, you can use debit cards, make bank transfers, or other popular services such as Pay by Mobile. The average processing time for withdrawals using all of these methods is two or more days.
Main Licensing Authorities for Best European Online Casinos
Before we guide you through how to sign up to EU casinos that accept UK players, let’s take a look at the main licensing bodies to look out for. European online casinos are licensed by a range of authorities from numerous jurisdictions, allowing players to gain access to additional bonuses, markets, communities, and much more. Here at Techopedia, we always recommend gambling at a licensed operator for your own safety. These include:
European Gaming & Betting Association
EU
The European Gaming and Betting Association (EGBA) represents leading EU online casinos and gambling operators. Many independent nations, such as Malta and the United Kingdom, fall within this organisation. They must meet stringent compliance requirements to receive a license and offer services across the continent.
Malta Gaming Authority
Malta
The Malta Gaming Authority has become an influential presence across Europe since launching in 2001, providing a gambling outlet for stricter nations throughout the region. Changes to legislation in 2018 means operators have found it easier to receive licenses from the MGA, but they are still a highly trusted organisation across the continent and beyond.
UK Gambling Commission
United Kingdom
The UK Gambling Commission is one of the strictest licensing bodies globally, providing an extra layer of security for UK-based casino players.
However, this can go too far on some occasions, such as unnecessarily restricting players’ accounts. This is one of many reasons why some people choose to use an online casino licensed from a different jurisdiction.
Curacao Gaming Control Board
Curaçao
Many of the best European online casinos are regulated by the Curaçao Gaming Control Board. This established organisation has been issuing remote gambling licenses for 25 years, and is widely regarded as one of the most reputable licensing bodies among the gambling community.
Panama
The Ministry of Economy and Finance in Panama has been issuing gambling licenses to trustworthy operators for more than two decades. Regarded as a tax haven throughout the financial industry, it is little wonder that many online gaming operators apply for a license there.
Although mostly focused on the US market due to the close proximity, most operators can still be accessed from the UK.
Alternatives to European Casinos that Accept UK Players
There are many ways to play real money games online without using locally licensed casino sites. Many top EU casinos are available internationally, which means UK residents can access a wide array of platforms licensed by organisations such as the Malta Gaming Authority.
Another safe alternative to European casinos accepting UK players are crypto gambling sites. These allow you to make crypto deposits and withdrawals from anywhere in the world. They also offer thousands of games and unique features like crypto staking, which allows you to earn rewards by owning native tokens.
Best European Online Casinos – Our Verdict
This guide is designed to inform and educate in equal measure. The best EU casinos that accept UK players have all passed stringent tests, so you can join any of them and enjoy a high-quality experience.
Providing you choose licensed casinos and gamble responsibly, you’ll be able to enjoy everything the best European online casinos have to offer. From generous welcome bonuses to innovative casino games and alternative payment methods, the world is your oyster.
Methodology
How We Test and Review Online Casinos:
Here at Techopedia, we follow a tried and tested review process that covers the key features and allows us to rank casinos accordingly.
Our experts carefully analyze:
- Games and variety
- Bonuses and promotions
- Payment methods
- Online security protocols
- Customer support
- Licensing
…and more.
Learn more about our process and see how we rate casinos on Techopedia.
Article by Daniel Smyth
Casino and Poker ExpertDaniel comes to Techopedia.com with a wealth of experience in the gambling sector. Over the last 15+ years, he’s written content for WPT Magazine, CardsChat, and Gambling.com. Daniel has also worked directly with many of the industry’s leading operators, including PokerStars, Betway, and Yggdrasil. If it’s about gambling, Daniel has covered it.