Online gamblers in the UK are welcome to open a real money account at the majority of sites. As there are many gambling sites out there to choose from, making such a choice is potentially difficult. Furthermore, there are several factors to consider between otherwise adequate casinos, depending on what you seek from your online gambling experience.

Rest assured, here at Casinos Explorer, we have taken great care in weeding out the good from the bad, and the best from the good. We have been reviewing them since the 2008 and know what to look for in a safe and fair UK online casino. According to our reviewing guidelines, the following list of gambling destinations comprises our top choices. Each delivers audited average payout percentages above 95%, excellent promotions and bonuses, superior customer service and a variety of secure online deposit methods.

In addition to satisfying the guidelines laid out below in our listing criteria, the UK operators we have chosen for you have been thoroughly road-tested by us personally. What does this mean for you as a potential future player? Well, we've done the hard work for you as taken all the risks and played at the majority of them in the last few years with varying results. We have put up with casinos withholding winnings and bonuses, clueless customer service (sometimes non-existent) and even had some of them fold on us overnight.

• We have played there repeatedly
• We have never been refused a legitimate withdrawal
• We have never been refused a legitimate bonus
• We like the casino environment
• We have good relationships with their staff and in many cases, we have access to top-level management

• They hold a current and valid gambling license.
• They have never had a license revoked or refused.
• All transactions are protected by 128-bit SSL encryption security
• Customer support is available 24/7.
• They must have a publicly audited return to player by eCOGRA or other testing agency.
• Free play is available so you can learn the games before you spend. Update: According to new gambling rules, it is forbidden to offer free play to casino players residing in the UK.
• Today, a mobile-friendly casino is not an option so we won't list online casinos that don't offer a play on the go.
• Payouts must be safe and fast. Besides, the casino site is required to transparently list all transaction fees if they charge them to players.
• They all have a large and varied selection of casino games on offer.

We are very strict when enforcing our criteria, and we will guarantee that all UK online casinos comply fully at all times. The minute we have confirmation that one of our listed sites has stepped out of line, they will be taken down. Our purpose is to promote the world of online gambling and to do so effectively we have to have full confidence in our selections. For more data regarding the history of the UK scene, including timely updates, please read further.

If it were no the UK Gambling Commission, this online industry may very well still be a largely misunderstood pastime floating in a grey area of quasi-regulation. Since liberalised regulation was adopted in 2005 and the UK Gambling Commission was formed (replaced the Gaming Board of Great Britain in October 2005) we have waited nine years to legalise casino industry in the UK fully.

OK, the industry was never entirely lacking regulation because the regulatory jurisdictions in Antigua Barbuda and Kahnawake have been around since the beginning of the internet. But still, the fact of the matter is that with the latest legalisation moves UK scene in 2014, the industry has become legitimate and more powerful. In essence, the UK has become the global leader to embrace regulation and to set a precedent for just how effective regulation can be, not only for the players and operators but also for the government itself.

• Online Casinos
• Betting (track and sports)
• Gaming slot machines, video poker, and betting terminals
• Remote gambling (online casinos, poker rooms, sportsbooks, bingo rooms, skill gaming)
• Lotteries (spread betting and the National Lottery do not fall under the Commission's domain)

The Commission's three primary responsibilities include the protection of minors and vulnerable persons, keeping crime out of gambling and ensuring all activities are conducted fairly and transparently by licensed operators.

In order for an operator to obtain a remote gaming license, the operator must be in compliance on several fronts. Besides the obvious requirement of maintaining a fairness-accredited facility, gaming operators are required to hold a minimum of cash reserves for covering player accounts. These figures are based on maximum bet values imposed for each casino game and are determined according to a mathematical formula - the details of which can be viewed via the Commission's site. For larger operations, the UKGC requires that senior management apply for personal licenses while certain individuals involved with specific occupational functions need apply as well.

The UK Gambling Commission has the power to initiate criminal investigations, make criminal charges and impose heavy fines on operators for misconduct or cheating. Management is closely monitored at all times. A good example is the provision requiring that the Commission receive notice any time a single shareholder of a licensed operation obtains more than 3% of the company's stock. It is also empowered to conduct announced and unannounced inspections of operational facilities. As for software providers, they too are required to apply for a license. Only theirs is a Remote Gambling Software license.

In regards to games fairness, the Commission has whitelisted eleven different testing facilities, which use sophisticated processes to ensure that whatever online casino UK players choose, they get fair and unpredictable hand results. These facilities include Technical Systems Testing (TST), Gaming Associates, Enex TestLabs, BMM Testlabs of South Africa, Gaming Laboratories International (GLI), iTech Labs, Vizuri Limited, Tri Sigma B.V., Slovenian Institute of Quality and Metrology and Cast Ltd. It has also excluded five other regulatory jurisdictions that were previously on the white list. These include Malta, Gibraltar, Isle of Man, Alderney, and Tasmania.

As all sites on this page belong to the category of elite operators, we are sure you will enjoy in their exclusive offers and the great range of games. From time to time new offers such as free bets will be launched for UK customers so make sure to add this guide to your favourites. Good luck!