Gambling is one of the oldest forms of entertainment. Ancient dice have been found in archeological digs and most of our popular card and table games can be traced back hundreds of years. Going out to the casino has been a favorite activity of many for just as long.
In the last decade, online casinos have shaken up the market and given it a new lease on life. Nowadays, people can play all of their favorite casino games from the comfort of their own homes or wherever they may be, if they’re playing on a mobile app.
Freed from constraints of square footage and having to consider the profitability of every table and slot machine, online casinos can offer more variety of games and appeal to a wider audience of players.
The big casino brands have become involved and launched their own online platforms but many of the most popular online casinos are operated by small, independent companies that understand the market and how best to appeal to and support their customers.
This is a fast-growing industry and new online casinos are popping up every day. Finding the perfect casino for you is about more than just wherever your friends play or which ones pop up first when you do a search. There are a lot of factors to consider and it all comes down to which aspects are most important to you as a player
What to look for when choosing a new casino 2023?
New online casinos are sometimes immediate hits, sometimes short-run failures. Being able to tell which ones will last and are worth trusting with your money requires a careful eye and a bit of research. Lucky for you, we’ve taken care of that!
Before we discuss the top new casinos in the UK this year, let’s go over what to look for when choosing a casino. These are all factors we took into consideration when compiling our list.
License
The best word to describe online gambling laws around the world is “convoluted”. They are constantly changing, vary dramatically depending on where you live, and can have what seem like bizarre and arbitrary distinctions in them. Some of them are aimed at keeping players safe, others are more about limiting the number of online casinos that can operate in an area.
In the UK, the gambling laws are currently under review and it is possible that betting limits could be introduced for young players under the age of 25. Currently, however, anyone in the UK over the age of 18 can play at online casinos.
Online casinos are regulated by the Gambling Commission. To operate legally, they must be licensed by the Gambling Commission. The UK has one of the most stringent and healthy policies for licensing online casinos. This means that if a casino is licensed through them, they are legitimate and secure.
Payment methods
Having a variety of accepted payment methods for making deposits and withdrawals is a must for an online casino to be considered one of the best. The majority of online casinos accept more methods for making deposits than for making withdrawals but as long as there is a selection for both, that is perfectly acceptable.
Bank or wire transfers and credit or debit cards are the most traditional and common forms of payment. Payment apps are also very popular. These include things like PayPal and Skrill. Paysafe and Paysafecard have become one of the top payment app options in recent years. Some online casinos even accept cryptocurrencies, though these tend to be specialized casinos.
Alongside the types of payment methods offered, it is essential for online casinos to ensure that any and all payments are secure. Taking steps to protect yourself and your data online also means making sure that the sites that you use have strong protections for you.
Bonuses
Online casinos offer bonuses to attract new customers and to reward player loyalty. Welcome bonuses for new players are the most common and are designed to get you off to a fun start. Loyalty bonuses usually come in the form of limited offers, seasonal specials or rewards programs for returning players.
The two main types of bonuses are free spins and deposit matching. The free spins are for slot machine games and are usually only valid on certain games, but are a great way to get a feel for how these games work. The deposit matching credits your account based on your first deposit, up to a certain point. This allows you to play a bit more without making a bigger initial investment.
One thing to keep in mind when comparing the bonuses that are offered is what the wagering requirement is. A wagering requirement is the amount that you have to bet before you are able to withdraw any of the money you’ve won from free credit bets. In the worst cases, this can be so high that it’s not even worth it to claim the bonus.
Customer support
No matter how great an online casino is, problems do sometimes arise. Having an efficient and responsive customer support team is hugely important. What also matters is how you’re able to contact them. This again is partly a matter of personal preference.
The best online casinos will have multiple ways to contact their customer support team. A phone line or email address for complaints and concerns are the most traditional and can be very reliable. An online chat function for customer support is great for people who prefer to get immediate help without having to actually talk to anyone.
Game selection
This one is obvious – why play somewhere that doesn’t have enough high-quality games to keep you entertained? The top online casinos will have large game libraries filled with titles from reputable developers.
If you prefer table games, look for an online casino that has both traditional and live dealer options to get the full casino experience.
What are the newest online casinos in the UK?
Winomania
Winomania is a great choice for players who like variety. They offer a huge range of slot machine games from many of the leading developers and also feature a number of scratch games. They also spread the welcome bonus over your first five deposits so that you can keep getting a little boost for longer!
Winomania accept most major payment options, with the exception of cryptocurrencies. Depending on the time of day, it can also occasionally be difficult to reach customer support.
KaiserSlots
It shouldn’t be a surprise that KaiserSlots is one of the best casinos for online slots! They also have a library of table and card games so you aren’t limited to just slots. They use strong encryption software so your money and data are safe with them.
They accept most major payment methods and have a staggered daily withdrawal limit. The one major downside that we’ve found with KaiserSlots is that their welcome bonus is fairly minimal. They do, however, have a good loyalty rewards program.
Jaak Casino
Jaak Casino is another online casino that is mainly focused on slots. They feature games from over 30 different developers, which is a really impressive range. Their welcome bonus is a 200% deposit match up to £30 and 30 free spins. This isn’t a top of the line bonus but it is better than many of their competitors.
If you enjoy the full casino experience then Jaak might not be for you. They do not currently offer any live dealer games and do not appear to have plans at the moment to expand into live dealer options.
One area where Jaak shines is that they offer players a number of responsible gambling options. This level of concern for customers isn’t always present so it’s a positive sign to see it here.
FruitKings
If you’re looking for an online casino with a neutral, boring aesthetic, you certainly won’t find it at FruitKings. FruitKings are all about making the entire online casino experience fun and engaging. To do this, they offer a huge library of games of all types.
While their customer support live chat isn’t available 24/7, users do find them to be helpful and efficient – when they are able to get in touch. It’s also important to note that they do have a daily win limit but unless you’re a major high-roller, it’s very hard to reach it.
PeachyGames
PeachyGames is a great choice for the gambler on the go. They have a mobile app with an intuitive user interface and a large library of games. Their welcome bonus includes 100% matched deposit up to £50 and 20 free spins on Book of Dead.
PeachyGames doesn’t have the biggest number of accepted payment methods but they do have one of the best ranges of withdrawal methods. If you need urgent help – or just like to know that it’s available – be aware that PeachyGames doesn’t have the fastest response time in the industry.