European Online Casinos
Like with the UK and so many other jurisdictions, online gambling in Europe has grown considerably and now hundreds of people enjoy gaming at online casinos. Since Europe is such a large continent, it’s important to go understand how online casinos and the industry in Europe work and how it differs from that in the UK.
The Difference Between EU And UK
Generally speaking, there isn’t much of a difference between online casinos in the EU and those in the UK. Casinos that operate in both jurisdictions will usually offer the same selection of casino games such as video slots, table games and live casino. Regarding online casinos, European sites will offer customer support services in various languages and a provide similar overall experience to UK sites. However, there are some slight differences which can include:
- Payments: Some countries may not accept certain payments while others will accept payments not available in other jurisdictions
- Promotions: The promotions available and how much players can claim in bonuses will depend greatly on the country’s regulator and currency so expect some discrepancies
- Content: Although we mentioned that most online casinos will offer the same games, this does again depend on an individual country’s gambling regulatory body which may prohibit certain activities
As expected, all of this will impact how online casinos across Europe are presented to its customers. While the overall experience may be similar to the sites in the UK, there will be some differences between jurisdictions, but that’s normal.
European Countries With Legalised Online Gambling
Since Europe is such a huge continent, it can be difficult understanding which countries have or have not legalised online gambling. If you’re unsure your country allows for legalised online gambling, take a look at the list below to discover some of the countries that allow for online gambling in some form:
- France (Sports betting, horse race betting, and poker only)
- Germany
- Spain
- Italy
- Poland (Sports betting only)
- Portugal
- Greece
- Belgium
- United Kingdom
The above countries are some of those that offer a form of legalised online gambling, whether’s that’s just sports betting, a mixture of betting and casino-style games, or something else entirely. However, it’s important to note that gambling industries and the rules surrounding them are always changing and evolving, which is why it’s important to keep up-to-date on all worldwide gambling news.
EU Casino Regulators And License Authorities
What’s important to understand about online casinos and the games available is that, for the most part, operators and game developers can only offer their services within a jurisdiction if they possess a valid gambling license. Licenses can be obtained from a gambling regulator or license authority and there are dozens both in Europe and across the rest of the world. The most well-known and those you’ll see the most often include the following…
The UK Gambling Commission
The UK Gambling Commission is arguably one of the biggest gambling regulators and license providers. Any gambling operator looking to offer services in the UK must first obtain a license from the UK Gambling Commission and adhere to the regulator’s strict regulations. If an operator does not hold a valid license it can not promote its services to residents within the UK. More information about the UK Gambling Commission can be found via this link.
Gibraltar Gambling Commission
Gibraltar is one of the more common gambling license authorities and you’ll generally find that most online casinos either possess a license from the Gibraltar Gambling Commission or from the Malta Gambling Authority. It’s widely regarded as one of the best gambling regulators and licencing authorities around for its touch rules and focus on play fairness and safety.
Alderney Gambling Control Commission (AGCC)
The Alderney Gambling Control Commission is another European online casino regulator and licensing authority. It’s been around since the late 1990s and has experienced exponential growth over the last few years. Today, the AGCC has licensed dozens of leading online casinos for Europe and continues to work hard to ensure player fairness.
Malta Gaming Authority (MGA)
As mentioned above, you’ll likely find dozens of online casinos with licenses from the Malta Gaming Authority. This authority, which launched back in 2001, is regarded as another top regulator and is known for offering various licenses for different activities including poker, sports betting, casino-style gaming, and more.
Notable Mentions
The above firms isn’t a complete list of all online casino regulators in Europe and the rest of the world. There are dozens of others including eCuracao, Portugal’s SRIJ, the Danish Gambling Authority, Cyprus’ National Betting Authority, and so many others.
Depending on the operator, some online casinos will possess several licenses for multiple jurisdictions while others may only possess one license to operate in a smaller selection of countries. Regardless, these gambling regulators and license authorities all work with the same goal in mind; to keep the player safe and offer them fair but exciting gambling content.
The Best Online Casino Operators In Europe
Now that we’ve established how online casinos work and differ across Europe and other jurisdictions such as the UK, we can discuss which online casino operators offer services in Europe. Generally speaking, the bigger the casino operator or brand is the more likely it is to be available in multiple jurisdictions. Some of the bigger operators that you’ll be able to find across Europe include SkillOnNet, Genesis Casino, and White Hat Gaming.
SkillOnNet
SkillOnNet is a prominent online gambling operator that runs several online casinos in Europe and the UK. The company is responsible for online casinos such as PlayOJO and PlayJango, with the latter being regarded as one of the fairest online casinos around due to its no wagering casino bonuses.
Websites operated by SkillOnNet generally offer a huge collection of casino games including video slots, jackpots, scratchcards, table, live casino, and more. These online casinos also offer players daily promotions, giving everyone rewards for choosing to play with them.
Genesis Global
Genesis Global is a prominent online casino operator that offers its services to residents in the UK and in other jurisdictions. Online casinos that are operated by Genesis Global include:
- Spinit
- Genesis Casino
- Casoola
- Spela
Like with SkillOnNet websites, Genesis casino websites offer a wide selection of casino game content with generous welcome bonuses, and, unique to them, most websites feature gorgeous artwork and themes that can be found nowhere else.
White Hat Gaming
White Hat Gaming is another prominent gambling operator that runs online casinos in Europe and the UK. Some of our favourite White Hat Gaming online casinos include Jackpot Village, the extravagant Grand Ivy Casino, Casimba, and Klasino.
On these websites, you’ll be able to enjoy a great selection of content, some of the biggest welcome bonuses available, and excellent customer support. You can’t go wrong playing at an online casino from White Hat Gaming.
Notable Mentions
There are several other online casinos worth mentioning including SlotsMillion which is home to around 3,000 video slots, Fun Casino which provides players with a gigantic welcome package, The Sun Play which is home to dozens of unique instant-win titles, and Mr Play which offers both casino games and sports betting services.
How To Register At An European Online Casino
When it comes to registering at an online casino in Europe, there isn’t much different to the way it’s done here in the UK. The first thing you’ll need to do is find an online casino that is registered to operate in your country. If you’re not sure which to go for, take a look at some of the recommendations we’ve shared above and try them out.
Once you’ve found an online casino you like, you simply need to load up the casino website and hit the registration button. To complete the sign-up, you’ll need to enter your full name, date of birth, address, and your mobile contact number. On top of this, you’ll be required to create a username and password to log in. That’s it, you’ve completed registration!
However, it is important to point out that some online casinos, such as those in the UK, may require you to verify your identity before you can deposit or play games. This is a quick process which involves sending copies of documents like bank statements or your passport. Other online casinos may require you to add a payment method before you can complete the registration process. As we’ve stressed before, this falls down to each casino operator, the license it possesses, and the country it is operating in.
Questions & Answers (FAQ)
Should I register at an online casino in Europe?
If you have an interest in online gambling and are based in Europe and in one of the many countries that support legalised online gambling, it may be worth giving one of the online casinos we’ve mentioned here a try. You’ll be offered a huge selection of casino games to try, generous promotions and bonuses, and great customer support.
Why are gambling regulators important?
Gambling regulators help ensure player safety. They’re there to help protect players and to push operators into offering fair games and promotions, and to keep all of your personal information safe. They also help protect casino operators and websites, which is just as important.
Why do the rules for online casinos in Europe vary so much?
The reason for this is because most countries have their own gambling regulators and follow their own rules and regulations regarding online gambling. This means that some countries may or may not offer certain games, payment options, or services. If you find you’re not offered certain games or services, there isn’t anything we or the casino operators can do as it’s the country’s decision.
Are UK websites better than European casino sites?
No! In most cases, you’ll find that UK websites are similar to their European counterparts. They usually offer the same overall experience but you’ll find that promotions, some games, and the payment options will differ down to regulation and licensing. These are usually only minor differences though so nothing to be concerned about.
Are online casino in Europe safe to play at?
Yes. Online casinos in Europe are just as safe to play as those in the UK since they’re all regulated and use the most up-to-date technology to keep your personal details safe. There’s nothing to be worried about.