Online casino basics

Online casino basics in five points

• Only play at UK-licensed casinos. Check for a Gambling Commission licence number in the site footer.
• RTP tells you the long-run return. A slot with 96% RTP pays back £96 of every £100 staked on average, so the casino keeps about £4. Higher volatility means bigger but rarer wins.
• Table games have different house edges. European roulette (one zero) has a lower edge than American roulette (two zeros). Blackjack played with basic strategy has one of the lowest edges in the casino.
• Wagering is capped at 10x. Since 19 January 2026, UK-licensed casinos can’t make you play through bonus funds more than 10 times. Many deals now have lower wagering or none.
• Online slots have stake limits. £5 per spin if you’re 25 or over, and £2 per spin if you’re 18 to 24.

Before you claim a casino deal

Check three things on every deal: how much you must deposit or wager to qualify, the wagering on any winnings, and how long you have to use the bonus. Our deal pages list all three.

Set a deposit limit in your account before you play, and treat what you spend as the cost of entertainment. For how slots, roulette, blackjack and loyalty schemes work in detail, read the full online casino basics guide.