List of Popular Casino Games in the UK

UK punters have plenty of gamers to wager on and win. But between Baccarat, video poker, bingo, stud poker, and roulette, which is the most liked? Read this countdown of the most popular casino games in the UK to find out.

Over the last decade, the UK online gambling industry has continued to see year-on-year revenue increase. For example, the gambling industry in the UK generated a Gross Gaming Yield of £14.26 billion between 2018 and 2019, which is one of the highest in the world.  And this shouldn’t come as a surprise because gamblers in the UK have virtually limitless opportunities to wager and enjoy massive potential returns.

Unfortunately, when most people hear of gambling, the first thing that comes to mind is the glamorous land-based casinos. But believe it or not, most punters in the UK prefer online gambling over the brick and mortar casinos. And if the numbers of sites listed on comparison portals like nodepositz.org are anything to go by, then it’s safe to say that online gambling is not going anywhere soon.

The big question then becomes...What are the most popular casino games in the UK? Are UK slots still the king has it been overtaken by another game?

In this article, we are going to explore the leading online games in the UK market. And for purposes of clarity, we are not going to factor in National Lottery and bingo but solely focus on physical and online casinos. While at it, we are also going to look at the factors to consider before choosing a particular game.

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1. Roulette

Roulette is by far the most popular casino game in the UK both in the online realm and at the brick-and-mortar casinos. Although it’s hard to quantify the amount of money spent on roulette online, a 2020 report released by the UK Gambling Commission shows there were more than 846 Roulette tables in land-based casinos, which generated £2.6 billion. This also makes Roulette the most profitable game for land casinos in the UK.

Aside from being the most profitable game, Roulette offers players higher payouts and an excellent gaming experience, partly explaining why it’s loved in the UK. Still, there are multiple variations of the roulette and betting options, which give players plenty of opportunities to choose from.

2. Online Blackjack

Coming in a close second as the most popular game in the UK is blackjack. As you would expect, the online blackjack variation takes up more than 50% of all the blackjack game players in the country, as UK punters prefer gambling with their mobile devices.

Just like roulette, the popularity of online blackjack in the UK is largely driven by the huge winning potential and a not-so-steep learning curve. Better yet, it allows players to place a wide range of combinations and side bets, making the game entertaining and fun.

Generous bonuses and promotions offered by online casinos, including no-deposit bonuses, welcome bonuses, and more, have also fuelled the popularity of the game.

3. Slot Machines

Slot machines are a staple in casinos the world over, and UK casinos are no exception. They’re an excellent way to enjoy gambling both at the online casinos or their land-based counterparts without wagering on high stake games.

And although players in the UK have plenty of slot machine options to choose from, all of them are pegged on a very basic principle; match and win. If you match symbols on the reels, you stand an opportunity to win jackpots or even access other bonuses. This very basic gaming principle makes slots ideal for newbies, as they don’t have a steep learning curve.

You can also check out our list of the most popular casinos in the US offering online slots here.

4. Craps

If you visit a casino in the UK and see punters playing a dice game, there’s a high chance they are playing Craps. The game entails wagering on the outcome of a dice roll, as players take turns in rolling the dice one at a time.

The player throwing the dice is known as the shooter, which is where the term shooting craps is derived from. Just like in roulette, the participating players on the table need to place their chips on the numbered sections of the table to wager their bets. The only difference between craps and roulette is that crap only uses two dices, meaning the winning numbers can only be between 2 and 12. Although the rules to Craps are relatively complicated at the beginning, you shouldn’t have a problem playing the game after getting the hang of it.

5. Poker

The UK is home to Stephen Chidwick, one of the best poker players in the world. And for this reason, our list would be incomplete if we didn’t include poker games. As of 2020, it is estimated that poker games account for almost 21% of all the online gambling in action, with video poker, electronic poker, and live poker being the most prominent ones.

For many years, poker games were backbenchers in the UK gambling industry. In the last decade or so, poker games have springboarded to the forefront and earned a massive following of raving fans.

Factors To Consider Before Choosing a Casino Game

Now that you have an idea of the best casino games in the UK, what factors should influence your decision when picking a game?

In this section, we’re going to look at the 3 important factors to consider before picking a game- whether in an online or a brick-and-mortar casino.

Your Bankroll

Whether you are a risk-averse gambler or a high-roller, the size of your bankroll has an inverse relationship with the game you choose. This is especially the case in online gambling, where the pace is much faster compared to land-based casinos, which may lead to your bankroll burning at a much faster pace.

Ideally, you shouldn’t wager more than you’re willing to lose. As a general rule of thumb, it’s always advisable to test the waters with small amounts, and progressively increase it as you get comfortable.

Winning Odds

Another factor that should have a bearing as to which casino games you pick is the house edge. Of course, most casino games are designed to give the house an edge – after all, they’re in business. However, there are particular games with lower player odds compared to others, a good example being slots.

Game Preference/ Familiarity

This may sound like a no-brainer suggestion but how familiar are you with the game you’re about to choose?  Common sense dictates that playing a game that you have tried or heard about before is better than trying a game you’ve never seen. This is especially true when playing for real money.

Instead of jumping directly into a new game, you can loosen up a little with the more familiar versions and then start your adventure little by little. Alternatively, some casinos offer free versions of every game, which is a great way to test out the gameplay for free before you invest real money.

Concluding Remarks

Today, the UK gambling market has as many online and land-based casinos as there are games. Better yet, the gaming library continues to grow by the day, with casinos adding more and more varieties to keep players busy and stay competitive. Whether you’re a fan of online gambling or simply love to gamble the good old way in a land-based casino, there are plenty of games to choose from. But if you are struggling to find the right casino game, we hope our list of the most popular casino games in the UK will help.