Learn why you should play free casino games online and how to play for real money. Ultimately, discover the best UK online casino games list!
The internet has provided us with many wild and wonderful things over the years. For fans of casino games, the online casino has been a blessing. No 
longer do slots or roulette fans have to seek out landbased casinos or arcades to get their kicks. With a laptop computer, desktop, or mobile device, anyone can get their hands on hours of fun from the comfort of their homes.
In the UK, casino gaming is massive. The industry is worth billions every year and is in no danger of ever wilting in popularity. The driving factor of the success of online casinos in this country is, naturally, the people who play them. The enthusiasts of these games generate the income on which these casinos then grow and produce more imaginative and pioneering software and titles.
UK Casino Games List
If you’re interested in a casino game, in particular, check this list of casino games and choose one to play for free or real money.
Why you should play free casino games online
Would you walk into a real-world casino with no money in your wallet, pocket or purse? Good luck if you do, because you’ll probably have a very short and very boring evening out.
However, the same isn’t true in an online casino, where you can swan in and keep your money in your pocket and still enjoy a load of free entertainment. Free casino games are an option!
It’s unlikely to be a completely “free” experience if you look at it honestly in its whole because it’s likely that you’ll be asked to provide some personal data to sign up for an account, but you should be able to enjoy most games without paying a direct fee.
Should you play free casino games?
Yes! You absolutely should. As often and as freely as you can!
The advantages are very obvious we think and the disadvantages are usually negligible.
By playing casino games for free you get to learn your way around a game at no immediate financial risks. Most casino and slot games are relatively simple to play. That is one of their attractions. But to get the most out of roulette, blackjack, or even slots – especially if there’s a social element that brings in jargon or specialist terms – you really need to do some homework. You don’t want to be sweating and asking what the hell you have to do when offered a choice of three options when there’s a big win on the line.
Every casino site has its own systems and its own way of doing things. Play for free on the actual games you are going to use if you can.
And you won’t lose any money if you don’t gamble any. The best way to keep your funds safe is not to spend them! Gambling is entertainment, and in the long term you’ll end up paying for it. The longer you keep your powder dry the better.
How to play casino games for real money
Once you do know a game inside out then you can get on with enjoying playing it for real money.
Once you start playing for cash you should be even more careful about what you do.
Firstly, never ever play a real money casino game on a site that you do not know for sure is legally licensed for you to play on in the jurisdiction that you are playing it in. And never ever play a game that you are not legally entitled – because you’re too young or have been banned or whatever – to play.
Never ever play a game for real money on a site that you don’t know is legit. There is a load of checks you can – and should – carry out. Don’t skip them!
Practice safe gambling when you play with real money. Don’t play if you can’t afford it, and don’t play when you NEED to win money. Only play with money you can afford to lose.
Watch your mood when you gamble with real money. If you’re upset or trying to change your mood or avoid something by gambling then that might be a warning sign that you should take a break.
Don’t chase losses. Log off!
Keep an eye on your balance while you’re playing. Some players like to set a limit by cashing up their accounts with small amounts and somehow limiting the extra funds they can add in from their card or e-wallet. It’s not fool-proof but it’s something that’s worth considering.
Bet small when you start off. As we’ve said above, you shouldn’t bet at all unless you know the game inside out, but when you start to keep your wagers small. And play the field. You’re a consumer so check out a wide variety of games and casinos.
Some new casino gambling games
Innovation is a big deal in the online gambling world. While it’s a feature of life online in general, it seems like online slot players and the like can’t get enough of new online casino games, new features, new ways of playing and even new ways to pay for their games.
So keep an eye out for exciting new developments that might include:
New graphics on smaller screens are going to keep on improving. At the moment players seem to be enjoying very simple games and there’s been a revival in simple fruit machines as a result. Don’t expect that to last though because graphics and features keep getting better on all platforms.
Soon we’ll be playing in virtual reality casinos. Headsets and microphones Ahoy, because live casinos are starting to film and stream for a VR audience. If you love the idea of a really immersive experience then the future looks bright for you.
The Far East is the big booming market for casinos, and Chinese and Asian games have really started to become global phenomena. China has a big and deep gambling culture with some fascinating games. As they start to transfer to online casinos you can expect to get a whole new way of playing.
What are some of the best casino games to play online?
The choice is yours!
There’s a huge variety of gambling games available to online players in 2019.
We suggest that you get stuck in and try as many of them as you can.
Online video slots are the biggest thing in the online casino world. Pretty much everyone knows how to play them, and they offer a huge variety of experiences from super-simple to games that are getting more and more sophisticated and closer to video games. Check them out.
Even simpler are games called instant wins that use almost no tech to deliver the experience of a scratch card.
Casino games are available in two styles: simulations and live games. Live casino games are streamed from an actual game that you gamble on as it is played in front of you, with actual people dealing with actual cards and spinning wheels.
Simulations work very like any other online game, running a simulation of the game you’re playing.
The big casino games are probably: roulette, baccarat, blackjack, poker, and keno.
You can play all of those in live and simulated versions but in a huge variety of game variants.
As you browse around online casino sites you’ll also probably pick up options to gamble on sports, even simulated sports, and in related games like bingo, which has a great social scene attached to the game.
Whatever online casino game you choose to play, make sure you enjoy it safely and legally!
UK Casino Games List
Below, we take a look at the most popular games among UK players and break down what it is that makes them so popular.
Here is our UK casino games list:
Slots
In the UK, there is no doubt that slots are the most popular type of casino game. As such, you can expect to find a number of varying and different types of slots online and in landbased casinos. The most popular of these are 3-reel classic slots, 5-reel video slots, 3D slots, in addition to others. Unlike perhaps any other game, the sheer range of titles and constant evolution of the games makes for a frequently changing landscape.
No one can underestimate the role progressive jackpot slots play in the casino sphere in the UK; they certainly seem to appear the place to be for a high number of players. Jackpots which are classed as progressive build up over time and a number of them are linked to a network of corresponding casinos. These give fans the chance to win some absolutely giant payouts. These payouts are often in the millions and are advertised to convince players that just one spin can change your their life.
It may come as absolutely no surprise to learn that casinos will contain more slots than any other game. The huge popularity of slots shows no sign of ever wilting. From the original 3-reel games many relate to fruit machines, to the fantastically designed video slots and jackpots of modern times, there is just so much going on. For these reasons, slots aficionados never run out of games to play.
Never forget that these games are often just simple to play, and do not demand the same level of attention or effort as other games you are likely to find in a casino.
Blackjack
UK players have had a love affair with blackjack long before the game filled up the lobbies of online casinos. It is not just among Brits where the game is lauded, as it is a huge favourite around the world. As a game which is so easy to play and get the hang of, it is very accessible and this has also led to its immense popularity. It is also one of the go-to games for value hunters, partly as the house edge is not so high in favour of the house in comparison other games.
The game also has a connotation of fun and defiance among some players, given its association with gangster flicks and music videos, which adds an element of suave and coolness. Of all the games to play in a casino – especially alone – blackjack is it. Casinos always tend to have a number of different blackjack titles out there for players to try their luck on.
Blackjack is the king of table games when it comes to online casinos. The popularity of this game has never fallen, and it continues to draw many new players to casino games. It could not be easier to play: both the player and dealer will attempt to get to 21 or as close as they can, without going bust. 16 is the lowest a player can choose to “stick” on while “21” is the highest score a player can get.
The main aim of the game (yes, that rhymes) in blackjack is to, well, hit blackjack. This is when a player gets an Ace and a 10. In some casinos, there are bonuses for when this happens, with a small number of casinos offering some pretty tasty rewards for particular combinations (such as 10 of hearts and an Ace of spades).
Roulette
If you have ever played in a casino -be it land-based or online – you will have more than likely have come across roulette. This insanely popular game among UK fans can be found in pretty much every online casino around the world. As simple a game as you will ever find, all you need to do is to simply place your chips down on the table and on the numbers or other choices you have in mind. You can bet on Even, 1-18, and 1st 12, split bets, or simply stick to straight bets.
The odds are what make roulette so popular. Choosing a number on a standard roulette wheel can win you 35 times your bet. It is known as a high-risk/high-reward game and is one which more and more players seem to gravitate towards as the years go by. As mentioned, roulette is among the easiest of the casino games to play. The table has squares between the numbers of 0-36 (with 00 in American Roulette). The player simply places chips where they think the ball will land on the spinning wheel. There are options to bet on even/odd, red/black, low 18/high 18, and more.
When playing roulette on any other platform to standard casino software, you will have a dealer. The dealer is important to the game and will essentially be in charge of proceedings. Once the dealer is satisfied that the game is ready to play (usually within a one minute window of opening for bets) they will spin the wheel. Although players can win up to 35 x their stake if the ball lands on their number of choice, there are also smaller odds for red/black, split bets and so on.
In the end, it all comes down to what bet takes your fancy.
Poker
There are not many games which can trump poker for popularity among UK players. Poker is not just one game, however, but a group of card games. Specific websites have been set up over the years simply to cater to these games, which, in turn, demonstrates just how popular poker is. When it comes to playing via online casinos, many set up specific and special poker portals where players can play a multitude of different games.
Players compete against each other in poker, meaning that there is no need for a dealer. There are hundreds of varieties of poker, although most casual poker rooms and online casinos only tend to cater to a few of the basic varieties of the game. Sit and Go and other simpler games tend to attract the most players. Once again, it simply comes down to which games you prefer to play and the amount you have in your bankroll.
How it works is that players generally raise their bets against the strength of their hands, and try to outwit the other players on their way to winning. There are three basic groups of poker: draw poker, stud poker and community card poker, although there are sub-variations of the games. These will vary from site to site, so do some research in order to figure out the best game for you prior to signing up.
Following the internet boom, there were several sites which were explicitly focused on providing players with the means to play poker on demand. Texas Hold’em became the most popular of these games. “THE” basically revolves around a group of players angling for the best hand they can get, knocking other players out on their way to winning the pot.
Video Poker
Video Poker has been part of the furniture in UK casinos for over four decades, and is massive among online casino enthusiasts, too. With a decent level of skill and a low house edge when compared with other games, Video Poker is one of the big power games in a land-based or online casino. With jackpot machines also a thing in video poker, there is the potential to win big while playing.
Video poker is a game which loners and those who don’t want the distraction of others around like to play. Most give the option of playing with between 1 and 5 coins. The job of a player is to decide how much they are going to play with. Video Poker machines then deal out five cards to a player, who must then decide whether to hold and which cards to get rid of. The machine will then provide cards in place of their discards, paying according to the win, or moving on if there is a loss.
Enthusiasts of the game love video poker partly on the basis that the house rarely holds any real edge over a player when compared to other games. Some machines can actually give players an edge. Some of the Jacks or Better machines are among the most played games in the casino for this reason. The aim of the game is to get the best hand from a randomly generated set of cards, which a number of these cards can be held or discarded.
Video poker is enjoyed around the world, and UK players are no exception when it comes to enjoying the fruits of one of the most impressive games out there.
Live Casino Games
All of these game and more can be played via live casinos, which are essentially a replica of a brick and mortar casino but playable online. At a live casino, you have the opportunity to play casino games against the dealer. Games such as roulette, where you can play with a dealer present, makes this option intriguing. Or how about playing poker at a live casino, where you can play against other players. This can increase the fun when you are playing.
So what’s the difference? Well, there is little difference between those you would find in a landbased casino. While live casino dealers act accordingly and engage with you much like dealers would in a real-life casino, you have the bonus of playing from the comfort of your home. Whether you are playing blackjack or roulette, the game will then play out with you and a number of other players from anywhere on earth.
Another cool aspect of playing casino games in a live casino is that you can type requests and ask questions of the dealer. Playing live casino games is a good way for players to be sociable, too.
Mobile Casino Games
How about playing these games on the go? Providing you are comfortable with playing games on the move, you can access your favourites anywhere there is an internet connection. One of the greatest things about owning a smartphone when you want casino action is that you can take the fun with you, wherever you go. That is providing your smartphone is capable of handling casino games, that is.
There are a ton of mobile casinos available to players in the UK.
Conclusion
There are a ton of games which you can play. Even if you are unsure as to what your favourite game is, there is ample opportunity to find one that will suffice. In order to play those games, you need a casino. More importantly, you need a casino which is compatible with your wants and needs.
The first step is to make sure the casino is safe, and that it has the games you want to play. Ensure that it accepts UK players, has a good range of payment methods and check for anything else which is important to you.
Once you have done your research, you are ready to go!
