Gambling industry important to the UK economy
People may have mixed feelings about the online gambling industry, but regardless of their sentiments, the facts reveal a highly successful business sector that makes a significant contribution to the UK economy. According to the UK Gambling Commission (UKGC), online casino games generated £4.4 billion in Gross Gambling Yield between April 2023 and March 2024, with £3.6 billion of this amount coming from slot games.
The UKGC is a highly regarded authority that regulates most types of gambling in Great Britain, including the national lottery. In addition to issuing licenses to individuals and businesses that offer gambling, they also provide advice and guidance to operators and the government alike. They exist to safeguard players and the broader public by ensuring that gambling is fair and safe.
Guard rails and safety nets
While that might sound rather clinical, the UKGC’s regulations are the guardrails of the industry. However, while they aim to keep the public safe, they are not the only experts who are interested in ensuring the industry operates to the highest possible standards. Unfortunately, because there is so much money to be made from online gambling, not everyone offering services in the UK market does so in the correct manner. While the UKGC issues licenses, there are plenty of companies that try to get around the regulations and lure players to shady sites.
In addition, just because something is legal does not mean it will be enjoyable or rewarding to play. Gambling, after all, is a form of entertainment, and players want to be entertained. It is essential that they can find expert reviews to guide them to which sites to play on and which to avoid.
Review sites
In today’s online world, we are constantly being asked to review products, experiences and all of our purchases. Many people are jaded from being continually asked to provide feedback, while others are concerned that the reviews are not genuine. After all, if an influencer or reviewer is paid to say nice things about a brand or product, the chances are that they will do just that. Fortunately, in today’s online gambling world, a new class of reviewers has emerged.
The expert reviewers
While peer reviews can be helpful, they can also be incredibly subjective. If someone were playing on an online casino site and won the jackpot, they could rave about it. Equally, if luck was not on their side that day, they might slate a site that is actually decent and fair.
The expert reviewers at Casino.co.uk employ a distinctly different approach to reviews. Unlike influencers, they are not paid to promote a particular product, and unlike players, they are not influenced solely by personal experience. The independent experts from Casino.co.uk are a team of unbiased professionals whose mission is to let players navigate the busy online casino world with peace of mind. Their 100% satisfaction guarantee ensures they only recommend reputable UK online casinos that are safe and provide a great online gambling experience. They acknowledge that there are other online review sites in the UK, but assert that their process ensures that they produce the most trusted gambling reviews.
Their online casino experts have decades of experience and are passionate iGamers themselves. They do not just write clinical reviews, but understand what players want to get out of the experience. They possess a wide range of expertise and employ a blend of data-driven research and personal passion to inform their conclusions. Ultimately, by only recommending the best sites, they enhance the overall reputation of the industry.
Safe and secure
They are on a mission to ensure honesty and player security. The first thing they do is verify that the casino is properly licensed and regulated. Reputable authorities include the UKGC and the Malta Gaming Authority (MGA). Once they are satisfied that the licensing is correct, they verify site encryption to ensure that scammers cannot access players’ personal or financial data.
It is not enough that the site is safe and secure, though. They probe deeper to make sure that the outcome of the games is also squeaky clean and above board. They therefore also check for eCOGRA certification.
Popular and easy-to-use UK-friendly payment options
Payment options and speed are also under scrutiny. To be regarded as a top online casino, the experts expect quick, convenient and reliable transactions. They do not believe that anyone should have to make their deposits through platforms or apps that they are not familiar with, so they are looking for a wide variety of popular and easy-to-use UK-friendly payment options. No one should be forced to share details that they do not want to divulge or link their bank account to a site they cannot trust. Deposits and withdrawals should occur quickly and ideally in real-time. When it comes to payouts, these experts do not expect any hassle.
Fiercely independent
Online casinos do not employ these experts – they are like professional reviewers you would come across in other forms of entertainment, such as TV, film, video games, or books. By giving honest industry feedback, they build trust and weed out weak operations. If the online casino business is represented by companies that recognise the win-win nature of the transactions, then the industry as a whole improves its reputation.
Now for the rankings
If the online casinos meet the experts’ criteria, they then rank them in their recommended list, allowing players to see where they stand against each other. Their reviews include the pros and cons of each platform, and they are ranked alongside scores for numerous helpful categories.
Because they are 100% independent and advert-free, and only review UKGC-approved casinos, their expertise provides an extra level of trust, allowing the best online casinos to shine and thrive.