While European online casinos might seem like too broad a term, we define it as online casinos available in any European country. To learn more about the best online casinos in Europe, which gambling licences are available in European casinos, which payment methods are accepted across Europe and more, simply scroll down and continue reading.
How We Rate European Online Casinos
Rating EU casinos works the same as any other type of online casinos. Namely, we employ a complicated algorithm that takes multiple factors into consideration, such as withdrawal limits, customer support, a casino’s Casino Complaint record and more to come up with an unbiased CasinoRank score between 1 and 10.
However, apart from consulting a casino’s impartial CasinoRank, you can also check out your fellow players’ reviews and ratings, and focus on the details you deem most important, be it the number of payment methods a European casino has, its gambling licence, live chat working hours, or any other factor listed in their respective reviews.
Besides using CasinoRank, our team registers with the casino and tests out different features available. Therefore, we always recommend reading the written part of the review before you place your deposit. For European players, we’ve organised the top casinos by country to make it easier to find the best online gambling sites in your region.
Licensing and Regulation at EU Casinos
Different European casino sites are licensed by different regulatory bodies. Listing all the European casino licences would be impossible and redundant, as plenty of European countries have their own regulatory bodies, which determine the rules for online casinos.
For example, online casinos that want to provide gambling in Sweden must get a licence from the Swedish Gambling Authority, have a website and support in Swedish. Additionally, operators can only offer one sign-up bonus with clearly defined and visible Terms and Conditions.
In Germany, meanwhile, there’s a five-second rule between slot spins. The goal of this initiative is to reduce the amount of money spent in online casinos.
As you can see, almost every European country has its own regulatory body and a set of rules casinos must abide by - and we haven’t even scratched the surface. Additionally, obtaining a licence varies by country, from the process itself to the annual fees that casinos must pay.
The following are two of the most famous and respected licences you can run into at EU casinos:
- UK Gambling Commission (UKGC)
- Malta Gaming Authority (MGA)
Both the UKGC and MGA employ strict regulations; therefore, EU-based casino sites that are licensed and regulated by the UKGC or MGA are highly sought after by players who value safety, fairness, and player protection above all else.
The MGA licence allows players from different EU countries to access the casino. On the other hand, if you are gambling in the UK, make sure you register at EU casinos that accept UK players. The best way to make sure UK players are accepted is to double-check whether the casino you are considering holds a valid UKGC licence.
Key Features of Top European Online Casinos
When choosing from the best online casino sites in Europe, it's important to understand what sets them apart from their competitors:
- High safety standards - licensed European casinos are regulated by trusted authorities, but they also use advanced SSL encryption and other security measures to keep your data safe.
- Game fairness - all games in top European casinos are tested and certified by independent regulatory bodies such as eCOGRA or iTech Labs.
- Responsible gambling tools - players at the best European online casinos have access to a wide range of responsible gambling tools, including deposit, loss and wager limits, session time reminders, reality checks, but they can also take breaks or self-exclude in just a few clicks.
- Fast and secure payment methods - European online casinos support trusted and efficient banking options like Visa, Mastercard, PayPal, Skrill, instant bank transfers as well as other local payment methods.
- Game variety - Some of the best online casinos in Europe offer a wide range of games, including progressive online slots, table games and live dealer games.
Bonuses and Promotions at European Casinos
Top EU online casinos will make sure their offer of casino bonuses and promotions is attractive, be it a hefty welcome offer or an exciting slot tournament. While different casinos will have different bonus deals, broadly speaking these are the most popular casino bonuses found in European casinos:
- Welcome bonuses
- Reload bonuses
- Match deposit bonuses
- Free Spins (also Bonus Spins or Casino Spins)
- Cashback bonuses
- No deposit bonuses
- Loyalty bonuses
- VIP bonuses
- High roller bonuses
While most bonus deals will seem appealing, picking the best casino bonuses is not easy even if you have registered at a top European casino.
First of all, you need to check if the bonus is available in your country. Our advice is to always inspect the bonus Terms and Conditions patiently and pay attention to wagering requirements, minimum deposit amount, maximum cashout amount, bonus expiration date, and other specific details. That way, you will know precisely what you can get from a bonus deal.
Casino Payment Options for European Players
Players can typically choose between a variety of payment methods at European casinos. While the offer of payment options varies from European casino site to European casino site, these are the most common casino payment methods found in EU casinos:
- Credit and debit cards (e.g. Visa, MasterCard)
- E-wallets (e.g. PayPal, Skrill, Neteller)
- Prepaid cards (e.g. Paysafecard)
- Bank transfers
- Cryptocurrencies (e.g. Bitcoin, Ethereum, Dogecoin)
Still, before signing up, make sure to check which specific deposit and withdrawal methods are available in said casino; oftentimes, you will be able to make a deposit using a certain deposit method but that same payment option might not be available for withdrawal.
Therefore, carefully inspect a casino’s Terms and Conditions beforehand or make necessary inquiries using their customer support service so that there wouldn’t be any unpleasant surprises later.
Game Selection and Software Providers at Online Casino Europe
The best European online casinos offer various different types of casino games powered by top software providers such as:
- NetEnt
- Play’n GO
- Pragmatic Play
- Evolution
- Red Tiger Gaming
Each of these providers contributed in some way to making European online casinos popular for players. For instance, NetEnt launched classics such as Starburst and Gonzo’s Quest, while Play’n GO’s Book of Dead is searched by players across Europe.
For live casino players, Evolution’s Lightning Roulette and Crazy Time will keep you occupied for hours, while providers such as Red Tiger Gaming and Pragmatic Play offer their fair share of progressive slots and host tournaments where you can win hefty rewards.
Below is the list of most popular casino games found in European casinos including, but not limited to:
- Slot games (e.g. video slots, progressive jackpot slots, Megaways)
- Table and card games (e.g. roulette, blackjack, baccarat, different poker variants)
- Video poker
- Instant win games
- Live dealer games
Still, always remember that not every Euro online casino will feature casino games and software providers that you are looking for; therefore, once more, make sure to carefully inspect and browse the casino in question before registering.
Safe Gambling and Player Protections at EU Casinos
Regulating gambling in Europe is unique because the EU guides regulation, yet it leaves it to member states to make their own decisions. That’s why there’s a diverse range of rules across the continent and players can find anything from free and open markets that accept domestic and international casinos to monopoly and state-controlled systems.
Overall, gambling in EU casinos is regulated, one way or another. Players know, from the get-go, the rules they need to abide by. EU casinos, especially the ones licensed by the UKGC (and some other reputable bodies) put emphasis on responsible gambling, providing tools and features for players.
Casinos need to allow players to customise their casino experience to their liking. Additionally, online casinos must be upfront about bonuses and have everything stated clearly in their Terms and Conditions.
Gambling in EU online casinos is generally safe, but there are always a few rotten apples - casinos created for short monetary gain. This is why it’s important to inspect the casino thoroughly, read Terms and Conditions and check CasinoRank, but also Player rating at AskGamblers.
Future of Online Gambling in Europe
Online gambling in Europe isn’t only here to stay. It’s becoming more and more popular. According to some estimates, the total revenue of European online gambling is expected to reach €52 billion by 2026.
There’s a big shift from desktops to mobile phones, which is why mobile casinos are becoming more and more popular. The increasing number of online casinos is developing apps that can be downloaded for both Android and iOS.
If we put sports betting aside, players across Europe remain most interested in casino games, with online slots taking the crown, and that’s unlikely to change drastically in the near future. The lottery is also quite popular in some EU member states.
The popularity of crypto casinos is on the rise, but not every country allows cryptocurrency operators to provide their gambling services. The reason why crypto casinos are making an impact is that they provide anonymity to players who can safely deposit and withdraw different cryptocurrencies within minutes.
Final Tips for Choosing a Safe Online Casino Site in Europe
When you’re choosing an online casino in the EU, always check the licence as well as the market in which the casino operates. The majority of players like to pick up a bonus on the sign up and if you’re exploring such options, read bonus Terms and Conditions before you start playing.
On AskGamblers, you can find online casino reviews and ratings for operators in Europe, the bonuses they offer and all the details necessary for you to make a good decision.
