Casino Games

What to Consider When Looking for the Best Casino Games

The selection of casino games on offer varies from site to site – some of them have a very wide range of titles across the various casino game types, while others focus on a particular niche such as live casino or online slots.

There are various ways to get a feel for a casino game before trying it out. A common term you’ll encounter with video slots is RTP (return-to-player), which denotes the average percentage rate that the game pays out. For example, if the RTP is 98% it means that, over the course of the game’s lifecycle, 98% of the money paid in will be returned to players, with the casino keeping 2% as profit. It’s important to note this doesn’t mean you’ll win 98% of the time, as the percentage is only a reflection of the outcome over the course of hundreds of thousands of spins, if not millions.

We should also point to the house edge, which refers to the casino’s mathematical advantage that’s built into each game. The higher the house edge, the greater the advantage, on average, for the casino. House edge varies between casino games. For example, online blackjack can offer some of the lowest house edges in the gambling space, with single-deck blackjack going as low as 0.5%. While this isn’t a reflection of your odds of winning, it gives you an idea of how much of an advantage the house has over each game.

Software Developers

Online casino game providers tend to be specialist software developers rather than casino operators themselves, although some operators –– such as 888 –– do develop games in-house. As with any industry, there are a handful of companies that stand tall as leaders in the field of online gaming. Here are some names behind the best online casino games. 

NetEnt

NetEnt is one of the oldest software developers for online casino games, having been around since the mid-90s. It has a huge portfolio of slots and table games, and it has also developed a range of live casino titles. When it comes to slots, many of NetEnt’s titles are familiar to millions of players globally – these include the iconic Starburst and Gonzo’s Quest which are frequently the subject of free spins welcome bonuses.

Evolution Gaming

Evolution specialises in live casino games that give players a genuinely immersive  casino experience from the comfort of their own homes. Its trailblazing games include multiple variations on live roulette, live blackjack, poker, and more. Some of its most popular titles include the buzzy Blackjack Party, which features music and merry chitchat, and Lightning Roulette with its sudden bet multipliers. 

Playtech

Playtech is another A-list name behind a wide range of traditional casino games and live dealer experiences. Its library of offerings includes over 700 casino titles including popular slots like the Age of the Gods series, as well as movie-themed titles such as Gladiator, RoboCop, and Man of Steel. 

Microgaming

Microgaming is a true pioneer, laying claim to being the first company to launch online casino games back in the early 1990s. It’s famous among players for its cutting edge slot games, including popular branded slots such as Game of Thrones and Jurassic World, as well as Megaways slots with their numerous ways to win.

Table Games

Table games are games played against the dealer, such as blackjack, roulette, baccarat and craps. While poker is played at a table, it’s not technically a table game as your opponents are other players and you’ll typically find poker in its own section at online casinos.

There are two options for playing table games online. The first is to play the games in a software format, where a virtual dealer handles the cards, roulette wheel, or dice. There’s no need to worry about the algorithm being somehow rigged – software developers are reputable and licensed, and all legal online casinos in the UK are overseen by the UK Gambling Commission (UKGC). The UKGC ensures that every licensed casino’s games are fair, that all of your transactions will be encrypted, and that each casino fulfils a broad range of ethical considerations designed to keep players safe.

Your second option for table games is in the form of a live dealer. In this scenario, the casino brings the dealer into your home by filming the game, and a real-world croupier, in real time. Most classic casino games, such as blackjack, roulette, baccarat and craps, are available as live dealer games. All you need is a relatively fast and stable broadband connection, and you’ll be able to bring the atmosphere of a real casino a lot closer to home.

Check Out Some Classic Casino Games Guides

We’ve created the following casino game guides to tell you the rules and provide useful strategies for some of the most popular online casino games. While no strategy will ever guarantee success, having a plan in mind can enhance your playing experience and help you manage your bankroll effectively.

• Baccarat
• Blackjack
• Craps
• Video Poker
• Online Roulette
• Keno
• Live Casino Games
• Slots

Slots

Just like table games, new slots sites are also hugely popular in the online gambling space. Slots come in multiple variations. This means that there is something for everyone. This will include classic 3 reel slots, for those that prefer old-school titles. However, the more popular branch of the online slot space is feature and casino bonus-rich slots. This will include in-play bonuses such as free spins and interactive features. In effect, these slots keep players on the edge of their seats!

Furthermore, you’ll also find a huge range of progressive slots. As software developers have their casino games installed within multiple online casinos, slot jackpots are often in the millions of pounds! As such, progressive slots offer players the chance to walk away with a major payout, although you must bear in mind that your odds of winning the grand prize are extremely low.

RTP

A requirement of UKGC licensing is that casino operator must state the RTP, or return-to-player percentage, for every online slots game featured on their sites. The RTP indicates how much the game will pay out in winnings, though it’s essential to remember that this figure reflects the average returns over the course of hundreds of thousands of spins. So, if the stated RTP of a particular title is 90%, it doesn’t mean you’ll definitely get back 90p for every £1 you bet.

Volatility

Slot volatility, otherwise known as slot variance, effectively refers to the level of risk in a slot game. High volatility slots tend to pay out less, so winning spins are far apart, but the prizes tend to be relatively large. Low volatility slots, meanwhile, offer smaller pay outs with higher frequency. Most slot players have a preference of high, medium, or low volatility depending on preference and the size of their bankroll. High volatility slots are better suited to players with larger casino wallets as they’ll generally need to invest more time, and money, to see any winning spins. Low volatility slots, on the other hand, are better for slots players with a smaller budget. Either way, you can take advantage of online casino game deals such as free spins if you want to try out a game without risking real money, or indeed check out the demo version of the game at its developer’s website. Volatility isn’t always stated by the casino or slot developer, with communities often working out what a slot’s volatility is through anecdotal evidence.

Progressive Slots

Progressive jackpot slots feature prize pots which increase each time a losing spin is made. As a result, progressive slots have some of the biggest jackpots around, often in the multiple millions. Your odds of winning such jackpots are extremely slim, but the prospect can certainly make for an exciting slots experience. Some progressive jackpots are even pooled between multiple games, with these prizes being the most lucrative whilst offering individuals vanishingly small odds of winning.

Video Poker

Poker remains one of the most popular casino games, and it’s available at a broad selection of the best online casinos. Whether you’re a fan of Texas Hold’em, Omaha, Seven Card Stud, or any other poker variant, you’re sure to be catered to. Many of the best poker sites offer tournaments for everyone from high-rollers to freeroll players, and the ability to interact with other players can really bring the experience to life.

Live Casino

Live casino games are broadcast live from specially-built studios or actual brick-and-mortar casinos. They allow you to play a range of table games hosted by real online casinos at real dealers and streamed to your home, providing the kind of atmosphere and interaction and gameplay you’d get in-person at a casino. It’s easy to get involved – new customers simply need to register at live casino UK sites, then access the games in exactly the same way as slots and virtual table games. You will, however, need a relatively fast and stable internet connection for the best experience.

Live Blackjack

Blackjack’s gameplay is well-suited to the live casino experience, pitting you directly against a real-life dealer. There are numerous variations available, from high stakes VIP tables to more relaxed games like Blackjack Party.

Live Roulette

At a live roulette table, you’ll see that famous wheel in action with a real ball tumbling around it. You can place all the familiar bets of this casino classic, with the use of up-close camerawork really making you feel like you’re sitting there at the table. Every variant has been reproduced for live casino games, including European roulette, French roulette, and American roulette.

Live Baccarat

A simple game of chance, baccarat has long been regarded as one of the most glamorous casino attractions. Traditionally, that sense of prestige has been hard to replicate through virtual versions of the game. Live baccarat, however, is available at many popular live dealer casinos and it’s the next best thing to playing James Bond’s favourite card game in the flesh.

Game Shows and Board Games

Many live casinos offer game show experiences. If you like the thought of playing Deal or No Deal with a live host from your sofa, you can do exactly that. There are also board game spin-offs to try like Monopoly Live.

Virtual Casino Games

Virtual casino games come in a full range of variations. Scratch cards, for example, are a popular virtual game found at many online casinos. Just like the real thing, the player scratches a virtual scratch card and hopes to land 3 identical images. A benefit over the real-world version is the chance for you to set your own stakes. If, for example, the top prize available with a scratch card was 500x, this amount would be multiplied by the total stake. So, if you decided to stake £10 per scratch card, this would amount to £5,000.

Scratch cards are just one example of virtual casino games. You can also play a range of virtual sports, such as ‘Ultimate Soccer’ which allows you to bet on the outcome of a virtual football match. As the game has become more and more popular, the number of markets on offer has also increased. As such, you can bet on the winner of the match, the first goalscorer, and even the correct score. Once the player places their bet, they can then watch the simulated highlights of the game they betted on.

Bonuses

You can browse the best online casino bonuses at Gambling Deals, and there are plenty to choose from.

Matched Deposits

With a matched deposit bonus, the site will match what you transfer into your account up to a certain percentage. So, if there’s a 100% up to £200 matched deposit bonus and you add £200 to your account with your first deposit, you’ll be given a further £200 in betting funds. Remember that wagering requirements almost always apply, which will mean having to bet your bonus funds a certain number of times before you can cash out your winnings. On average, wagering requirements stand at 35x, but you can find out what the specific bonus’s requirements are in its terms and conditions.

Free Spins

Free spins are another popular type of welcome offer and a good way to try out different types of slots without wagering your own cash. It’s worth remembering that anything you win using free spins may be subject to wagering requirements, however. Wagering requirements work differently with free spins than they do with matched deposits, with your winnings being subject to the multiplication rather than the bonus’s monetary value.

No Deposit Bonuses

No deposit bonuses give you a chance to try online gaming without having to make a deposit. This kind of welcome offer is generally quite small, and wagering requirements usually apply, but it’s useful to opt-in if you want to try new casinos or new games without even needing to deposit any of your own cash.

Banking Options

Most online casinos will offer a conveniently wide variety of payment methods for deposits and withdrawals.

Debit Cards

Debit cards are one of the most popular payment methods for online casinos as they’re easy to use and accepted right across the board. However, some players may prefer a method that doesn’t involve sharing account number details online, and withdrawals can take several days through debit cards. While this isn’t necessarily a deal-breaker, many fast withdrawal gambling sites offer same-day payouts for e-wallet options.

PayPal

As it’s an e-wallet, using PayPal means you won’t have to share sensitive bank or card details when playing online casino games. Casinos will often offer fast, or even instant, payouts to PayPal casino accounts, but it’s important to check that making a first deposit with PayPal won’t render the welcome bonus off limits.

Boku

Boku is a payment platform that allows you to make a deposit using your mobile phone. You simply enter your phone number and deposit value on the cashier page, and the amount will be charged to your next phone bill. While this is a secure and straightforward banking option, there are a couple of caveats. There are low spending limits here, so pay by phone bill options aren’t really suitable for high rollers. Plus, withdrawals aren’t possible with this method, and you’ll need to provide an alternative when you come to cash out your funds.

Paysafecard

Paysafecard is a payment method using vouchers you can buy in shops or online. This makes it a highly secure way to fund your account as you just have to enter a PIN to send the prepaid funds across. Although you can open a My Paysafecard account, many casinos won’t support withdrawals that way, so double-check your casino’s terms and conditions to find out if you’ll need to choose an alternative when you come to make a withdrawal.

Finding Other Amazing Gambling Sites

Gambling Deals also offers the best bingo sites, betting sites and other amazing offers. Including the ability to bet on the latest football betting sites and games.