If you are a newcomer to the UK online casino world, you will most likely be shocked by the huge number of available operators. As you probably suspect, only a small number of them are trustworthy, and can be played at without substantial risk for your cash and sensitive data. If you’ve been around the block, it is easy to determine several features that all reputable casinos have in common. We have decided to create this small guide so that you can take one peek at a casino and figure out if it’s good or not.

Licenses & Certificates

Gambling is a ‘regulated’ market for a reason – there are certain rules and standards that all operators must adhere to. One of them is licensure by the local government authority in charge of gambling operations. For the UK, that would be the United Kingdom Gambling Commission. All casino operators must apply for a license in order to legally operate. In other words – a casino that does not have a license by the UKGC is illegal, and should not be played at! Upon entering an online casino site, look for the UKGS’s seal near the bottom of the home page. If you do not see it, exercise caution.

Bonuses & Special Offers

Great casinos go out of their way to attract new players and retain their existing ones. The best tool operators have to achieve that are bonuses and promotions. All reputable casinos usually offer some incentive for signing up with them – the most common thing is the so-called ‘Welcome Bonus’, which is basically free money with which you can play at the casino. Each operator creates its own custom offer, with different conditions for cashing out the bonus – the so-called ‘wagering requirements’.

Aside from that, reputable operators offer a variety of special offers for their recurring players. Cash bonuses, free spins, promotional offers, and different loyalty programs. Before registering at a casino, make sure you check out what promotions are available to existing players.

Game Library

Of course, the quantity and quality of available games are one of the most important things to consider when choosing an online casino. Good casinos generally have several hundred games, most of which are usually slots. However, other casino classics should be present – blackjack, roulette, video poker, baccarat, etc. Some operators choose to include software by only one provider, while others feature games by many developers. In our opinion, diversity is just as important as quality, so we tend to favour casinos that feature many and unique games.

A good example of a casino that features a ton of great games by a variety of different developers would be Leo Vegas. Head over there and you will see just what we are talking about.