The online casino gaming industry has grown beyond borders. Many casino gamers have fallen in love with the idea of playing at an online casino over a brick-and-mortar casino. Online casino gaming is a more accessible alternative that has taken over the world. The first online casino started in 1994, though it offered just a few regular games. Online casinos had become popular in the UK at that time. 

The United Kingdom Gambling Commission (UKGC) and Online Casinos

The establishment of the UKGC gave the online gambling industry in the UK the legal backing that is required, and the creation of new UK casinos also followed. The UK Gambling Act created in 2015 did not come into force immediately. It came into force in 2017. By 2018 the UK gambling industry was valued at $8.36 Billion.

How many online casinos are in the UK?

At the end of the previous year, there were about 175 legally registered online casinos in the UK. Online casino games like Slots, Blackjack and roulette got the highest engagement in 2020. The body responsible for registering online casinos in the UK is the UK Gambling Commission. It is responsible for regulating gambling in the country. It has issued about 3600 licenses to about 2600 gambling companies operating online.

Do people gamble in online casinos in the UK?

Today in the UK, we have over 25 million gamblers; 10 million out of them prefer to gamble on the net. Before there was no advanced web development, UK casino gamers gambled on their computers alone. Now that we have more advanced technology, casino gamers can play games on their phones and tablets. It is pretty evident that people in the UK like to gamble; more than 45% of people in the UK are involved in casino gambling.

Effect of the lockdown on online Casino Gaming in the UK

The lockdown resulting from the Covid-19 pandemic also helped to increase online Casino gaming in the UK. The deadly virus outbreak caused the shutdown of many activities, including sports, brick-and-mortar casinos, and others. The love for casino games and the ample time people had for pleasure increased involvement in online casino gaming. During the lockdown, the search for online casinos in the UK reached an all-time high. According to the statistics available on Google, online casino gamble stepped up significantly during the lockdown. 

The best online casino to visit in the UK

We have established that there are lots of online casinos in the UK. It is equally important to know the qualities of the best online casino in the UK.

• Licensed casino: The online space can put you at risk if you visit an unlicensed casino. Licensed casinos guarantee that the UK Gambling Commission has reviewed the casino's activities and they are up to standard.
• Reasonable welcome bonus: Online casinos offer a welcome bonus to new casino gamers who have just opened an account with the casino. Before signing up to any online casino in the UK, ensure you compare their welcome bonus to that of others. After then, you can opt for anyone that suits your casino gaming wants.
• Collection of good online casino games: There are several games that online casinos offer, ensure that your chosen casino has all the needed games. The most popular online casino games are Slots, Blackjack, Roulette, etc.
• Easy and secure payment method: Several online casinos payment platforms are available. Your choice payment platform should work perfectly with your financial institution. It is also easy to use. We have several payment platforms like Skrill, Paypal, online transfer, etc.
• Reputable online casino: There are several online casinos in the UK; before signing up with any of them, ensure that they are reputable. One way to know a reputable online casino platform is to first check for reviews online. Another way is to ask friends or family members familiar with online casinos to refer you.

Conclusion

From the statistics presented in this article, we can all agree that online casinos are popular in the UK. The popularity of the online casino gaming industry got a boost with the Covid 19 lockdown that hit the world. This article has also highlighted the qualities of an excellent online casino for those just seeking to start playing. The big question on the lips of everyone is if the online casino industry will maintain the boost or it will drop? Well, only time will tell.

Image source: Pexels