The Best Online Casino Sites Reviewed and Compared

Welcome to Online-Casinos.com, the top comparison site for safe online casinos! Are you looking for extensively researched and trustworthy online casino reviews? We test everything from games and bonuses to apps, payment methods and security. Discover only the best online casino sites here!

• On this site you can:
• Find reliable and detailed online casino reviews
• Identify the best performing casino sites
• Get key information regarding regulation and licenses
• Filter our recommendations based on your needs

In addition to our list of the top ten best casino sites, we will also thoroughly explain the ranking factors such as game portfolios, casino safety and bonus offers so you can understand how we judged the casinos. This page has been carefully cultivated and contains only the operators which have met our strict criteria for safety and trustworthiness, giving you the peace of mind to easily choose. Further, going more in-depth with the topic, we’ve listed casinos per country and region, giving you an international overview. And we provide you with answers to your frequently asked questions.

The Top Ten Online Casinos Revealed

Earning high marks across all categories, these top ten online casinos all feature the largest and most varied game libraries, the most generous welcome bonuses and an overall entertaining user experience. You can find all of the crucial data in the table for comparison, and links to take you directly to the casino to get started.

I’ll go into further detail about what factors make a good game library and how to figure out the complexities of the welcome bonus offers as you continue down the page. If you’re already well versed on these topics, pick your favourite and click the Claim Bonus buttons to jump right in.

Top Rated Casinos – What to Look For

There are a lot of different things to keep track of when judging an online casino, which can add to the confusion. We’ve identified seven key factors that are crucial regardless of where you are in the world, each of which will help you avoid shady operators and stay safe online.

• 1. Can you play safely at the casino?
• 2. Are there enough quality games to keep you entertained?
• 3. Do the casino bonuses provide enough added value?
• 4. Is the casino software from a quality provider?
• 5. Is the platform optimized for mobile use?
• 6. Are the best payment methods available?
• 7. Is the customer service there for you?

These seven points cover the fundamentals to casino safety and plain facts that are all important to understand before delving into other things that are more based on personal preference. They are the foundations on which we base our casino reviews. Read on to find out more about each section.

Reputable Casinos Safety Check: Security and Licensing

Trustworthiness is the very first thing to consider when reviewing an online casino. Unfortunately, the anonymity of the internet has given rise to opportunistic people aiming to steal both cash and data from the unknowing. Therefore, when you are sharing personal information and banking details online, you need to be sure that your data is kept out of nefarious hands.

Depending on the market, there are different sets of regulations in place that are there to help keep players safe. Many countries have their own regulators that make casino businesses follow strict guidelines in order to receive operating licences. The guidelines will often include the need for security software and encryption on their websites, as well as being accountable for payouts. Others do not have such processes in place, which can make it a lot more difficult to identify safe gambling locations. For all our best online casino reviews, we check the required licencing, security and responsible gambling partnerships to ensure that we only recommend safe and trustworthy places to our readers.

For those countries that have regulatory bodies, staying safe is as easy as checking the licence status of a casino. For the countries without their own authorities, a good rule of thumb is to check if the operator holds a licence from the Malta Gaming Authority, the Government of Gibraltar or the United Kingdom Gambling Association (UKGC). These three organisations have some of the most comprehensive criteria when it comes to providing licences to operators in their jurisdictions, particularly the UKGC as the UK has a huge focus on player protections.

Sticking to the biggest names in the industry that have long and solid operational histories is always a good idea also. And if you’re unsure about the validity of a casino then simply keep looking – there are more than enough options out there. Stick to those recommended on this site to have the peace of mind of an expert recommendation.

Casino Game Options – Cards, Slots and More

After ensuring a casino’s safety, the next criteria to check is the selection of games that are available to players. The quantities of games can vary wildly from as low as 20-30 titles, up to over 1,500 different options on some websites. However, sheer numbers aren’t the only decider – to be one of the best online casinos an operator should also have cultivated a good variety of gameplay styles. Here an overview of all the game categories available online:

The three most important categories are slots, blackjack and roulette – based on global popularity of the gameplay styles. Which makes sense as they are both entertaining, challenging and potentially profitable in their own right. The best online casinos will have a large number and variety of these types. See for instance the table below.

Due to the popularity of the three game categories in focus in the table above, please allow us to go a bit more in-depth, before we continue with the main criteria in our guide on how to find the top rated casinos.

The Most Popular Slots

Across the globe, the most popular online casino games are arguably slots. The whirr of the reels and the matching of the symbols are no longer just the typical fruit machines of yore, now there are thousands of titles out there, all with new and unique themes and features. Dozens of software developers are releasing more on a regular basis, so the entertainment value continues to grow. The games are easy to understand and require very little input from the player but offer the sliver of potential for a big pay day for a lucky winner.

The best online slots casinos are those that offer not only a massive number of the games, but also a wide selection from several software developers. This will provide the most variety in the themes and gameplay elements, as well as give you access to the progressive jackpots that flaunt their millionaire-making prizes.

Strongest Blackjack Offers Online

One of the oldest casino games at every one of the best online casino sites is blackjack. Fast-paced and simple to play, blackjack attracts punters from all over the globe. The rules are easy to grasp, and the fact that you have some input into how you play your hand gives you back a bit of control.

This card game is also popular because it often offers one of the highest return to player (RTP) rates of all casino games, often around the 98-99% point. The percentage will depend on the variant, as they have tweaks to the classic game that change the payout.

Roulette for Worldwide Fun

The wheel spins and the small white ball drops into a pocket, declaring the winning number and colour. Those who guessed correctly are winners and that’s about all of the rules to roulette. When it comes to choosing one of the top ten online casinos based on its roulette selection, you want to look at the RTP of the games, which usually are around 97.3%.

There are some fun twists to the casino classic that software developers have produced in the last few years, which bring in additional elements like extra balls, jackpots and multiple wheels spinning simultaneously.

The Leading Live Casino Platforms

These days, no website can be considered one of the best online casinos without offering a top live dealer suite of games. The perfect combination of the convenience of online gambling and the atmosphere of a land-based casino, the live dealer games are an important feature that is becoming a deal-maker or -breaker in many markets.

The numbers of companies developing live dealer suites is continually growing, as more companies look to take advantage of the trend. Extreme Live Gaming, Vivo Gaming and Microgaming are all hot contenders, however the leading providers are arguably Evolution Gaming, Playtech and NetEnt.

Evolution Gaming, for example, has won prolific industry awards every year for the past decade for its collection of games, namely the Lightning Roulette and Immersive Roulette titles. All providers have their own unique offerings across the different gameplay styles, however the quality of the live video streams from the Evolution studios in Riga, Latvia, are unmatched across the industry.

The Best Casino Bonuses Online – Claim Your Rewards

One of the main marketing tools that top online casinos use is the welcome bonus, which can see them offering cash, free spins on slot games or other perks to new players who sign up to a casino. These promotions take many different forms, leading savvy punters on the hunt for no deposit bonus options and promo codes. There are also ongoing and seasonal promotions like daily/weekly deals and deposit bonuses to reward loyal players. To make it easy, I’ve highlighted some of the leading options that are currently available in the table below.

Finding a good bonus takes more than just looking at the face value of an offer – you also have to take wagering requirements into account. This is a topic that is central in our casino reviews and is certainly well worth investigating closely. If this is of particular interest to you, read more on our best casino bonuses review for the complete low-down.

Bonus Terms and Wagering Conditions to Watch For

Regardless of the type of bonus being offered by any casino, keep in mind that giving things away for free, no strings attached, is rarely a good business model. In order for you to actually get your hands on the perks of a bonus, you must meet a set of wagering requirements as set out by the operator. Most importantly are the playthrough requirements, which set out the number of times you must wager a bonus amount before you will receive it. This must be completed within a certain period of time, and not all games will contribute to the requirement with equal weighting.

For a deposit bonus to be claimed, you will need to make a payment of the minimum amount required, which must also be processed using a valid payment method. Often, the use of eWallets and pre-paid cards will not be acceptable methods for claiming a bonus. There can also be restrictions on the value of the wagers you can place, as well as the types of wagers you can make. There are a lot of factors to consider here, so let us do the heavy lifting by following our recommendations for the top ten online casinos, which all offer fair conditions for their promotions. If you need help understanding the terms and conditions, each casino review we do contains a dedicated section explaining the fine print so you know exactly what you have to do to obtain your offer.

The Leading Casino Software Providers

Contrary to popular belief, even the top online casinos generally do not produce their own gaming software. Instead, there are dozens of developers that create thousands of titles, which are then provided to the operators that pay to offer the games on their websites. Many, like Microgaming, NetEnt, Play’n GO, NextGen and Playtech, have cultivated varied portfolios that cover many gameplay styles, while others choose to focus solely on developing unique slots, for example.

Each developer will have its own unique style of aesthetic and gameplay features, so the best gambling sites will gather titles from many providers. The biggest global operators often produce the highest quality of software as well, giving you a better gaming experience in terms of smooth graphics, quality soundtracks and generous payouts. The best developers internationally and their popular titles are outlined in the table below, to give you a quick overview of what to look for.

Mobile and Tablet Gaming for Playing on the Go

Replacing a home computer with a smartphone or tablet has become a common situation in a growing number of households worldwide. As the technology develops and the prices of the technology lowers, the penetration of smartphones expands further. All of the operators that performed best in our casino reviews had high performing mobile experiences.

To match this trend, the top gambling sites have ensured their websites are either replicated in dedicated apps, or through mobile-optimised pages. Though not all games are available, our recommended sites are mobile compatible in all standard formats.

Deposits and Withdrawals with the Best Payment Methods

Making a deposit or withdrawal from a casino should be a simple task for the player. We always make sure we identify both the number and types of payment options offered by an operator, as well as the security benefits of each method. It’s important to take into account variables such as fees, transaction processing times and payment limits that are imposed, as these will all affect your experience. Thanks to its security and speediness, many players prefer to choose from the best PayPal casinos and use the eWallet to make secure deposits and withdrawals.

PayPal is one of the leading payment methods as it allows customers to keep their personal data only in between themselves and the service provider, rather than dispersing the information into more hands. Rival eWallets such as Skrill, Neteller and ecoPayz are also growing in popularity for this reason, though they are not always available at every casino. Also, it is worth being aware that not all of the best casino bonuses are valid when you pay with certain methods.

The most common payment option internationally is credit cards. All of the top ten online casinos will accept credit card payments, and these often offer some of the highest and lowest deposit and withdrawal limits. Bank and wire transfers are also popular methods as they allow players to pay for their gambling with their own funds, rather than using credit. In each casino review we write, we clearly highlight the payment methods accepted by the online casino.

The Importance of Customer Support

The ability to ask for help from a business is always important, particularly when there are tricky terms and conditions or concerns with payments. The best online casino sites will offer many communication channels that are open all day, every day, with common options such as live chat, email, phone and contact forms. Our recommendations will always offer customer service in English, however the leading international operators will also offer various language options. Every casino review we do we clearly outlines the various support lines you can use with each individual operator.

Your Best Rated Online Casinos in Each Region and Country

Having an understanding of what makes a great online casino on international standings will give you the ability to judge in general terms. However, there will always be market-specific information to take into consideration, which is why we have put together some country pages for you to get a more focused set of information. If you play from any of these countries that is. Otherwise, your best bet is still our top 10 list of the best casinos internationally.

How to Register at Your Internet Casino of Choice

Once you’ve gone through the criteria and decided on an operator, you should register and start enjoying the gambling experience. Though it will differ from one casino to another, the registration process is generally very simple and only requires you to follow a few steps.

Online Gambling Trends Internationally

The progressions of the casino gambling industries in various countries are at incredibly different stages, making it difficult to identify any completely ‘global’ trends. The best way is really to stay up-to-date with the current news and regularly make your own conclusions. Or simply read the analyses that we regularly post in our news sections.

However, if we have to pinpoint certain trends across the emerging and established markets: In emerging markets, the biggest trend is in the legalisation and regulation of online and land-based gambling, which I’ll explain in the next section.

In terms of established markets, one of the biggest trends is otherwise mobile optimisation. The increasing penetration of smartphones and tablets being used in place of desktop computers and laptops has forced casinos to develop their websites to offer instant-play games, as the popularity of downloading dedicated apps decreases.

Regardless of the place, regulations or outlets that are available, the gambling industry globally is on a massive growth trajectory that shows no signs of slowing. It has grown from US$300 billion in profits in 2011 to almost US$400 billion in 2017. Almost US$25 billion of that is from China, while US$23 billion comes from the United States and US$12 billion from Japan.

The most popular online casino games across the globe are slots, with recent figures showing nearly 50% of players playing slots, while 16% play blackjack, 6% play poker and 5% of players prefer roulette. There is also increasing participation from female gamblers, particularly in the UK. Now, 40% of gamblers in the UK are women, which is mostly due to the growth of bingo sites, which count for 3% of the total online gambling profits.

Legal Gambling Trends

The gambling laws are hugely different from one country to another, so it is always crucial that you understand the legalities of your own region before playing casino games online. The gambling ages can vary between 18-21, generally, some games are completely illegal in certain countries, and others are completely unregulated.

However, the global trend is seeing that more and more governments are taking control over the casino markets and regulating them properly. According to the most recent data, the majority of the world’s online gambling is taking place in white markets. This is a huge win for the industry at large, as the unregulated markets are encouraged to legislate.

This is great news for everyone, including players who will have more protection from rogue operators, and more help when it comes to responsible gambling issues. It’s also good for the countries and governments themselves, which can benefit from taxes on the casino profits. Noteworthy in this topic is the United States of America, which is currently undergoing huge changes in the legalisation of online gambling.

The Seven Best Land-based Casinos

Although they are the younger sibling to the land-based gambling houses, online casino websites have a number of advantages. Aside from the obvious ability to play casino games without having to leave the house, and the ability to play a game or two on the go on mobile, they also have a lot more payment options and promotions available. This is truly a case of more competition being a benefit to the player, as often a land-based casino has something of a monopoly over the area or markets.

However, for some there is really no replacement for the true atmosphere of getting dressed up and embracing the glitz and glamour of a real casino. In saturated markets like Las Vegas or the Philippines, promotions do exist, and others offer entire entertainment suites that take you beyond the traditional concept of a casino. A few examples are highlighted here:

We would always recommend that you play online. It’s safer, more flexible, easier, provides a lot more options, and so and so forth. But should you prefer landbased for some reason, the above casinos are all good choices. Anyhow, let’s move on to the next section.

Frequently Asked Questions from Casino Players

We’ve scoured the web to make sure that this article includes all of the most important information that all players need to understand when playing at online casinos, and will continue to fill in more questions that arise in the following section.

Which online casino has the best payouts?

The payouts for different casino websites will depend on which games they have selected to include in their portfolio, as slots payout rates are generally much lower than table games like blackjack payout rates. The better suggestion is to look at the payouts of individual games.

Can you win money playing at online casinos?

It is certainly possible to win cash from playing online casino games, however overall the phrase 'the house always wins' is absolutely true. Coming out on top from gambling at many real money casinos is a matter of quitting while you're ahead, and generally players end up shorthanded.

Which online slots pay the best?

The online slots with the best and biggest payouts are those that have progressive jackpots, such as the Mega Moolah series from software developer, Microgaming. This is a Guinness World Record-holding slot game that has made several millionaires.

Which online casinos are legitimate?

Identifying reputable online casinos that are safe and trustworthy is slightly different depending on the country and its licencing rules, but looking for the seal of approval from the United Kingdom Gambling Commission, Malta Gaming Authority or Government of Gibraltar is a good start. You can find more information about each country's laws in their dedicated pages, which you can find here.

Why can't I sign up to all online casinos?

Depending on the laws of the country you are in, casinos may require a licence to operate or accept players in that region. If a casino does not have a licence from the UKGC, it cannot accept players from the UK for example. Find more information regarding UK casino licences here.

Conclusion on the Top-Rated Worldwide Casinos

There are a lot of facts that you can use to narrow the search for the best online casino options down – particularly when it comes to safety. There is no more important aspect to your selection process than the security of your data, so make sure you pick one of our recommended sites or follow our advice on identifying reputable online casinos.

Then, you can browse to your heart’s content to find fun games, generous promotions and exciting loyalty programs. There are so many hidden gems out there with interesting inclusions so have a look through all corners of the website and make sure you’re making the most of your selection. For some, exploring the many options of gambling sites is part of the fun – but those who want to get straight into the action can pick from our top ten online casinos or one from the following list of all online casinos and get started now. Otherwise, please feel free to rate this article if you felt like our top online casino reviews helped you get closer to your gaming destination.

The Expanded List of Noteworthy Casinos Worldwide

Though I’ve provided the top ten online casinos at the top of the page, this is by no means all of the options that you have. Below, I’ve included a comprehensive list of all online casinos that are internationally vetted and, in my expert opinion, considered to be trustworthy and reputable online casinos. You can click on the brand logos to see their individual casino reviews or click ‘Opt In!’ and be taken directly to their site.