Online Casino FAQ | Answers to Common Gambling Questions

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Online Casino FAQ

In line with our mission to provide transparent, objective and comprehensive information, our experts at KingsCasinoBonus.uk compiled a list of online casino FAQs. These are frequently asked questions by both new and experienced players.

The KingCasinoBonus FAQ section was developed as a guidance tool for our UK casino players. From definitions of games and bonuses to complex details about game strategies, our experts have broken everything down into a comprehensive analysis.

Our online casino FAQ page equips you with reliable information to help you bypass common hurdles many players encounter and decode tougher casino terminology. Let’s explore the industry’s high demand topics!

On this page

Casino Regulation

Are casinos legal in UK?

Yes, both online and land-based casinos are legal in the UK. Land-based casinos have been legal since 1960, even before the internet was born. Online casinos were regulated in 2005, when the UK Gambling Commission, the current regulator, was introduced.

Who regulates online casinos in the UK?

The United Kingdom Gambling Commission regulates all legal online casinos in the UK. It oversees the country’s gambling market, ensuring online casinos operate within the set guidelines. So far, they’ve licensed over 2000 gaming websites, out of which 268+ still operate legally.

What’s the legal gambling age in the UK?

You must be at least 18 years old to play casino games in the UK legally. The UKGC demands gambling companies carry out rigorous ID checks on their players. Providing false information about your age, address and name is considered a felony and is punishable by law.

Can you play free casino games without verification in the UK?

Some casino sites used to provide free play games without any age verification feature. The Commission is closing in on them, as it revised the License Conditions and Codes of Practice (LCCP) in May 2023.

In the new Licence Conditions and Codes of Practice (LCCP), all UKGC-licensed casinos must verify the age of all clients (current or prospective) before they can access any free-to-play games (demo versions).

Are there any UK-specific casino restrictions?

There are several casino restrictions specific to the UK market, mostly imposed to combat problem gambling. First, you cannot legally use a credit card for gambling purposes. The Commission banned their usage in casinos in 2020.

Second, there’s a maximum stake limit for slots. For players aged 18 to 24 years, the maximum bet limit per spin is £2. Those aged 25 years and above have a higher limit of £5 per spin. The UKGC introduced these limits in February 2024.

How do I file a complaint against a UK online casino?

If you disagree with a casino result or decision, you can try to resolve the issue directly by following their complaint resolution process. If this doesn’t bear fruit, forward the matter to an Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) provider.

An ADR is an independent service only available when you’ve gone through the casino’s complaint resolution process. The operator is obligated to tell you which ADR you should contact and provide their contact details.

If you’re unsatisfied with the ADR’s decision, you can appeal it. Still not satisfactory? Your last resort is going to a small claims court.

Note that the UK Gambling Commission does not intervene in matters involving gambling-related transactions.

What happens to my money if a casino goes broke?

That will depend on the casino in question. First, the UKGC does not protect money deposited or wagered in an online casino. However, it demands the operator to clearly state (in the terms and conditions) whether players’ money is protected in case of insolvency.

Some UK casinos offer no protection to players’ funds, others provide medium protection (no guarantees; just a commitment), and others offer high protection of your money in case the company goes broke. We strive to find and recommend online casinos that protect your money.

Account Registration and Verification

How do I register at an online casino?

Account registration involves providing personal information such as your

  • Full name
  • Home address
  • Phone number
  • Email address
  • Date of birth.

To register, select one UK online casino on Kingcasinobonus.uk and click ‘Play’ or ‘Visit Casino’. You’ll be redirected to the casino’s bonus or registration page. Depending on this, click play now, register now or start filling in the details above. Make sure to provide correct and accurate data.

Do I need to provide an ID at the registration stage?

Yes. Online casinos in the UK are required by law to verify their customers’ age before allowing them to access any gambling products. In most cases, a photo of your ID is needed immediately after registration.

How do I know that my information is secure?

The only way to be sure your data is safe is by choosing a legal online UK gambling site. Choosing from our top online casinos is a confirmation that the casino has a valid UKGC licence before signing up.

They are all vetted for legitimacy, safety and player protection.

What are Know-Your-Customer account verification checks?

Also known as KYC, verification confirms the details provided during or after account registration. The email address and phone number are verified on the spot via SMS or link.

You must also send a photo of your UK national ID, passport or driver’s licence to confirm your age and identity. Later on, you must submit various documents, including

  • A utility bill (water, electricity, internet) to verify your home address.
  • A screenshot of a bank statement/payment method to prove ownership of the payment method.
  • Sometimes, you may need to send a photo of you holding the identity card (selfie).
  • If you’re gambling large amounts of money, you may have to provide proof of income (bank statements clearly showing your monthly income)

Can I withdraw my casino winnings without verification?

No, you cannot. Verification is mandatory in all UK gambling sites, and you are required to complete it before making any real money deposit, playing games or sending a withdrawal request. Among other things, they want to be sure that the bank or e-wallet where the money will be sent belongs to you.

Can I have multiple accounts in one casino?

No. Only one account per player is allowed in UK online casinos. Remember, there’s a mandatory KYC procedure all UK online casinos carry out. If you use different email addresses and/or phone numbers, they’ll later figure out they belong to one person.

In that case, your winnings may be forfeited and your duplicate account(s) suspended or permanently closed. You may also be banned from getting bonuses. It depends on the casino in question.

Is it possible to permanently close my casino account?

You can close your online casino account in the UK any time you want. To do that, check your account menu or contact the support department and make your request. Although it’s unnecessary, you can explain your reasons for leaving.

Games

What games do online casinos have?

Online casinos in the UK offer the following types of games:

Tap on your favourite game types, and you can choose top casinos from our lists of recommended sites.

What does RTP mean?

Short for return to player rate, RTP shows the amount of money a certain online casino game pays back in the long term. It’s normally presented in percentage form.

Let’s consider a slot game with a 97% RTP. If you stake £100, you can expect £97 back on average. While many casino critics recommend high-RTP slots and table games, there’s more to it than meets the eye. RTPs are calculated over millions of spins and do not clearly reflect your chances of winning, which is why the UKGC has restricted the usage of Return-to-Player rates for promotional ends.

Are online casino games fair and trustworthy?

Casino games in legal UK gambling sites are fair. The games, providers and operators are rigorously vetted before getting a licence. They are also continuously audited by the UKGC to make sure all their products are fair and trustworthy. Testing agencies like eCogra, TST or GLI verify the stated RTPs.

Our team of experts tests game originality and fairness before rating any online casino.

Are there casino game strategies that really work?

Depending on the casino game you’re playing, some strategies can give you an edge over the house, but it still depends on your luck. As our research shows, Reverse Martingale seems to work for many online roulette players. There are more popular strategies you can find in our Guides section, but take them with a grain of salt. No casino strategy guarantees winnings in the long term.

How does the Martingale system work?

The Martingale system involves doubling your bet every time you lose. It’s popular especially among roulette players. The idea is to recoup all previous losses with one win. However, this strategy is faulty for players with small budgets. It may work especially for high rollers with a large enough bankroll.

Our experts recommend Reverse Martingale, which involves doubling your stake after every win (not loss). Remember, no strategy is guaranteed to always work. Play within your means, and most importantly, do so responsibly.

Can I play online casino games for free?

Yes, you can. Some of the top UK casinos offer free-to-play games for registered members. You, therefore, have to open an account first. Note that you must still verify your age and identity even if you do not use real money.

Live games are not available for free play. All you can do is watch the action but not participate.

Do I need to download anything to play casino games online?

You don’t need extra software to play online casino games besides the casino’s mobile/desktop app (if any). And if there’s no downloadable application, you can still play the games seamlessly through a browser. Just make sure your internet connection is stable.

Software Providers

What’s a software provider in online casinos?

Also called game studios or game developers, software providers are companies that develop the games you find in online casinos. Popular ones in the UK include Play’n GO, IGT, Playtech, NetEnt and Evolution.

Some specialise in certain game types, while others are a jack of all trades. For example, NetEnt, IGT and Play’n Go develop slots and table games, while Evolution provides only live dealer games.

Do all casino software providers use RNGs?

RNG stands for Random Number Generators, and all legal software providers in the UK use them in game development. They are used to ensure total randomness of all outcomes.

The UKGC, alongside independent testing bodies such as eCOGRA, tests games to ascertain the reliability of their RNGs.

Does the software provider influence game fairness?

Not at all, as long as you play on UK-legal casino sites featuring original games. Since RNGs are used in game development, outcomes are random and cannot be altered. However, only original games have this guarantee.

Our experts have gone the extra mile to classify these gambling sites by their available software providers:

Why can’t I play games from a certain software provider?

If you cannot play games from a certain developer, it means they are not available in the UK. Most software providers have geo-restrictions. This is usually in line with a country’s legal framework on gambling matters. For example, Microgaming and Playtech are available in the UK but not in Australia.

Making Deposits

How do I deposit at an online casino?

After registration and identity verification, head to the casino’s deposit page and pick your preferred payment method. UK gambling sites accept e-wallets like PayPal, vouchers like Neosurf and mobile payments like Siru and more.

After that, enter the deposit amount and authorise the transfer to add funds to your casino account. Check the operator’s payment terms, such as deposit limits and fees. Also, consult our guide to deposits and withdrawals to better understand the process.

Can I use multiple deposit methods?

Most online casinos in the UK allow players to use multiple deposit methods. However, we advise that you stick to only one option because winnings generated through a deposit method must be withdrawn with that same payment method.

Remember, you have to verify each payment service you add. Sending new documents is cumbersome and avoidable.

Why can’t I use a credit card?

Using credit cards for gambling was banned in the UK in 2020. No legal UK casino accepts payments from players through this banking method. Otherwise, it risks fines, licence suspension or termination.

Why is my deposit still pending?

Sometimes, there might be delays due to communication between the two financial institutions involved – your bank/payment provider and the casino’s. Other times the casino might ask for extra information, such as an extra ID. This could explain why your deposit hasn’t been processed yet.

Are there deposit limits?

Yes, each online UK casino has its minimum and maximum deposit limit. That means the values vary.

Also, if the operator detects problem gambling, it should impose individual account deposit limits. This is done automatically, and the operator doesn’t need to consult the player (account owner) before setting the limits.

Making Withdrawals

How fast are online casino withdrawals?

That depends on the casino you choose. In our recommended fast withdrawal casinos, you can have your money within a day.

You can also speed up cashouts by choosing a fast payout method like PayPal and Skrill. Uploading all verification documents early can also help avoid delays.

Lastly, use one payment method for both deposits and withdrawals. This will eliminate the need to verify the withdrawal option again.

Can I track my withdrawals?

Yes. You can easily track the progress of your withdrawal directly from your casino account. It can either be pending, processing, processed or denied.

Withdrawal requests can be denied if you violate the operator’s terms and conditions. For example, if you don’t play through your deposits the required number of times or you don’t provide verification documents within the indicated timeframe.

Bonuses

What are casino bonuses?

Casino bonuses are incentives given to players to boost their gameplay. Most of them are usually claimed after registering at an online casino or after making your first deposit. Some of the most common bonuses are:

  • Welcome bonus (first deposit bonus or welcome package)
  • No deposit bonus
  • Free spins
  • Reload bonus
  • Cashback

How do I claim a casino bonus?

Depending on the casino, you may need a promo code to claim the offer. This code is available in the bonus terms and/or on reliable review sites like KingCasinoBonus.

If no code is needed, log into your casino account, make a qualifying deposit if required, and the bonus will be automatically added to your account.

What are wagering requirements?

A wagering requirement is the number of times you need to play through deposit or bonus funds before you are allowed to withdraw any winnings earned through the money. It’s also called a playthrough or rollover requirement.

For example, if you claim a £100 casino bonus with a 30x wagering requirement, you must stake the bonus money at least thirty times. So, you’ll have to wager £3,000 or more to cash out any proceeds from the bonus money.

Check out the best low wagering bonuses for UK players this year.

Do all casino bonuses have a wagering requirement?

Not all bonuses in online casinos have wagering requirements. We call them no wagering bonuses. Such funds are ready for withdrawal immediately after they land in your casino account.

Can I use casino bonuses on any game?

No. Every casino bonus in the UK has its terms of use, which include restricted games. Using your bonus funds on a restricted game will breach terms.

Also, applicable games have different wagering contributions. Slots may contribute 100%, while table and live dealer games contribute 10% (this is just an example). So, choose your games wisely.

What are free spins?

Free spins are a type of casino bonus specific to slot games. They are mostly attached to other offers, such as welcome packages and reload offers. We selected the best slot sites in the UK with free spins on various games.

How do I know if I’m eligible for a particular bonus?

To confirm eligibility, check the bonus terms. That’s where you’ll find details about the minimum deposit required (if any), the bonus code needed, applicable games and more.

Do casino bonuses expire?

Online casino bonuses have a validity period within which you should have met all wagering requirements (if any). It may be 24 hours, a week, a month or more. If the bonus expires, you lose the funds alongside all proceeds earned.

Is a VIP program similar to loyalty systems?

While they both provide exclusive perks to members, a VIP program differs from a loyalty scheme. The latter is for return players – those who continuously play real money games in a casino. A VIP program is for high rollers – those who deposit and wager big.

VIP clubs are normally invite-only, but joining a loyalty program can be as easy as opening a casino account, depositing and opting in. However, the process differs from one casino to another.

Responsible Gambling

What is responsible gambling?

Responsible gambling is an umbrella term for the suite of tools, measures, and resources provided to help players control their gambling. Such include deposit/wager/loss/time limits and self-exclusion. With these, the potential negative effects of gambling are reduced.

How do I play responsibly?

First of all, you must accept the fact that gambling is strictly for recreational purposes and should not be a money-making activity. Use that mindset to set some gambling boundaries.

Next, set a budget for both time and money spent on gambling and stick to it. Lastly, never chase losses. You’ll end up losing more.

Online UK casinos provide several tools to help you control your gambling, such as imposing deposit limits. And when things get out of hand, you can self-exclude yourself through GAMSTOP.

How do I identify a gambling problem?

Look out for signs such as trying to reduce or stop gambling with no success. Other signs of problem gambling include:

  • Spending more money than you can afford to lose.
  • Gambling regardless of the serious negative effects it has on your life.
  • Replacing hobbies and family time with gambling.

Who do I contact for problem gambling help?

In the UK, contact the National Gambling Helpline at 0808 8020 1333. It’s free and available 24/7. Alternatively, you can contact international problem gambling help centres such as Gamble Aware.

What is GAMSTOP?

GAMSTOP is a free gambling self-exclusion scheme in the UK. Once you register, you cannot log in or register on any casino licensed in the UK until the exclusion period is over. Once you self-exclude, the casino closes your account and refunds all the money therein.

General Casino Questions

What makes a good online casino?

The UKGC licenses a good online casino in the UK, has a wide selection of games, accepts several payment methods and processes withdrawals fast.

Our experts at Kingcasinobonus.uk rate all gambling sites based on these factors. Check out the best options for UK players this year.

What are live casinos?

These online casinos allow you to play games in real-time with human dealers (not computers) and other players. They use live-streaming technology to air the gameplay in real time.

So, you can see the dealer spin the wheel, deal cards or roll the dice. Some live dealer games have a live chat feature through which you can converse with croupiers and other players.

Will my casino winnings be taxed?

In the UK, casino winnings are not taxed. Only the casino operator is mandated by law to remit taxes. So, whatever you win is all yours.

Is the casino really unbeatable?

It depends. In most cases, predicting a bet’s outcome is impossible. However, you can use our proven strategies to raise your odds of winning. Our experts have tested each one and explained how to implement it.