Online gambling in the UK is a £14.5 billion industry according to Statista. The same research firm estimates that 32.65 million people have participated in iGaming since the industry was legalized.
The reason why online gambling is such a huge industry in the UK is that it is dynamic. The government doesn’t force everyone to bet at one monopolized institution.
You can bet on almost anything. The only catch is that you need a genuine casino willing to take your bet. In this article, we’ll take you on a journey through the dynamic industry that is online gambling. Let’s get started.
Sports Betting
Sports betting is legal in the UK. In fact, sports betting companies are a dominant force in the country, with some of them acting as sponsors for popular sports leagues like the EPL.
Football is the most popular sports betting in the country. Approximately 40% of sports gamblers in the UK bet on the beautiful game. The remaining percentage focuses on horseracing, rugby, tennis, golf, basketball and hockey.
To be clear, you can bet on both major and minor sports. Most people focus on popular sports because of their popularity. But if you’re into eSports, you can bet on video game competitions at well-known sportsbooks.
Online Casinos
The government legalized online casinos in 2005. Over the years, the Gambling Commission has licensed hundreds of gambling sites, some of which also offer sports betting.
You can play a wide range of online casino games legally in the country—slots, poker, blackjack, roulette and baccarat. Slots lead in popularity and revenues generated. Table games like poker and blackjack follow closely.
You can play your favourite casino games at a local site licensed by the Gambling Commission. Alternatively, you can join non Gamstop casinos in the UK. The latter casinos are usually based overseas. But that’s alright. They’re safe and reliable.
Online casinos usually provide a wide variety of games. But this isn’t to say all online casinos are created equal. Some sites process payouts fast. Others have terrible customer service. If you’re looking for a gambling site, search for a top-rated site.
Bingo and Slingo Sites
Some gambling sites target a specific audience of bingo and Slingo fans. These casinos all acquire licenses from the Gambling Commission. However, they focus on bingo players specifically.
The best bingo sites support all the popular bingo variations, from 90-ball to 30-ball bingo. As mentioned, these casinos also support slingo games—games that combine elements of slots and bingo.
Similar to conventional casinos, bingo sites welcome new customers with bonuses. They also give you more rewards for your loyalty. Many of these sites have chat rooms where you can converse with your fellow bingo lovers.
That said, bingo and Slingo are based on pure chance. If you like to play strategy-based games, your best option lies in casino table games like poker and blackjack.
Live Casinos
Live casinos are a branch of online casinos that specializes in connecting table game players with human opponents. You see, the online gambling sector used to consist of mainly solo players.
Thanks to live casinos, you can play blackjack with a human dealer instead of RNG software. You can play poker with 5-9 other opponents in the same way people in Las Vegas play the game.
Playing table games with human opponents adds a social atmosphere to online gambling. It makes online gaming more interesting and competitive. Due to this, many people no longer play RNG table games. They prefer to play live dealer games.
In case you’re wondering, live casinos aren’t expensive. Many live table games cost a minimum of $5. All you need is a smartphone or laptop computer with access to fast Internet and a clear camera.
Software Providers
Software providers create the slots and table games you find at today’s online casinos. When the online gambling sector started in 1994, fewer than 10 companies had what it took to create an online slot.
Today, more than 100 software providers create games for UK casino players. Some of the most well-known brands include Microgaming, NetEnt, Playtech, Evolution, Betsoft, Big Time Gaming and Pay’n Play.
Choosing a casino with the right software providers can improve your online gambling experience. Generally, you want developers with a track record of creating high-quality, high-payout games.
Also, a software provider needs to be licensed by the Gambling Commission. This is especially true if you want to play at a locally licensed site. If you join an offshore casino, focus on ratings and reviews.
Payment Methods
The UK has a dynamic digital payment industry. The sector keeps changing. During the early 2000s, credit/debit cards dominated the online casino payment niche. At the turn of the 2010s, digital wallets like PayPal and Skrill took over.
These days, you can deposit using a wide variety of payment options. You can use debit cards—credit cards were banned in 2020. You can also deposit money to your favourite online casino using a direct bank transfer.
But in this age of real-time payments, wire payments are too slow. Digital wallets and cryptocurrencies are more convenient. If you must pay with money in your bank account, consider using an electronic check.
Although payment companies are dynamic, they generally change for the better. For example, some companies are working on ways to deposit money to casinos without creating an account. Some Fintech providers also support pay by phone—a service that helps you gamble on credit.
Gambling Platforms
In the UK, the majority of people gamble through one of two popular platforms: smartphones or desktop computers. Until a decade ago, 80% of gamblers preferred to play slots or bet on sports through a computer.
Now, mobile devices are taking over the industry. Sixty percent of gamblers bet through an iPhone or Android device. This percentage might grow in the future for a good reason.
Smartphones are generally convenient. You can use your smartphone to play slots while on the beach. You can’t do the same using a cubicle desktop.
