We all like to think we are independent, don’t we? Free from group-think, we run with the wind, not the crowd. Well, some casinos in the UK are much the same; they eschew the cookie-cutter approach where everything looks the same; the same slots, same Live Casino tables, sometimes even the same corny jokes!
Of course, “sister sites” have their place, but nothing tickles a punter’s fancy quite like a strong-minded, independent casino. They do things their way and aren’t afraid to try something a bit different (not to mention winning you over with some serious Welcome Offers and promotions).
Well, we’ve hunted high and low for some of the most exciting independent wagering sites in the UK today. If you are reading this on your phone or mobile device, they are just one click away, so why not take them for a test drive?
What makes a casino independent?
One player’s meat is another player’s poison, but there are still some hard and fast criteria that an independent-minded gambler should look for. First up, the number and quality of games on offer. And we don’t just mean the sheer number of titles (although that is a no-brainer), this means having a varied and exciting roster of software firms providing the technological clout and having a group of “Exclusive” games that you can’t find anywhere else.
A first-class Customer service set-up is essential to be seen as an independent casino. The ideal is the 3-pronged service of Live Chat, Free phone support and an email option. All 3 is best, but 2 will do. Too many of the derivative, chain casinos only offer a solitary email service; a dead giveaway that they are simply one spoke on a very busy wheel.
Welcome Offers need to be generous AND inventive. Look for 100% Matched Deposit Bonuses as well as Free Spins. Also, seek out firms that have a range of on-going promotions and incentives for returning punters. Finally, keep alert for punitive wagering requirements; anything over 40x is fairly self-defeating and a bit of a let-down. Independent-minded casinos want you to get off to a flyer; it means you are more likely to come back!
With so many online casino goers now preferring mobile play to sedate, static action, make sure your independent casino of choice has a cracking mobile site. This doesn’t have to be a bespoke App, but if they have one, check out the rating on Google Play or the Apple Store. In fact, we’ve done al that for you!
Stand Alone Casinos
Rialto
Rialto casino bonus terms: Use code CGRIALTO. Min dep. £20 for up to £100, 50x wr on deposit + bonus plus 100 free spins credited instantly. Winnings capped at 5x bonus amount. Free Spins capped at £10 and carry 25x wr. Valid until further notice. Full T&Cs apply.
The Vic
The Vic casino promo terms: New players only. Code CGVIC required on a minimum deposit of £20 for up to £100 bonus + max 20 Free Spins valid for 7 days. Bonus playable on *selected slots*. Wagering requirements on bonus is 50x (deposit+bonus), max convertible rate from bonus is 5x. Free spins & winnings playable selected *Lady’s Charm Deluxe*, wagering requirements on free spins is 35x, maximum convertible amount from free spins is £30. 18+ only. Valid until further notice. Full T&C’s apply.
Spin&Win
Spin and Win casino promo terms: 1st dep offer code CGSPIN. Minimum 1st dep of £10 to get £100% up to £250 on selected match slots & 100 Free Spins (FS) on Blueprint slots at 0.20P. Deposit Bonus Playable on selected Slots. 40x wagering requirement (Dep + Bonus) & MCR x5 for Bonus. FS and FS winnings are playable on Blueprint slots only, FS: 50xWR & Max win £50. Full T&Cs apply.
bet365
bet365 Bonus Terms. Promo code for free spins is 365GMBLR. New UK customers only. Min deposit £10. Bet Credits available for use upon settlement of bets to value of qualifying deposit. Min odds, bet and payment method exclusions apply. Returns exclude Bet Credits stake. Time limits and T&Cs apply. The bonus code 365GMBLR can be used during registration, but does not change the offer amount in any way.
BARZ
The Barz Casino Welcome Offer is a 100% match of your initial deposit up to a value of £300, with 50 Bonus Spins on Starburst thrown in. The minimum deposit amount is £20 and the maximum size of bet with the bonus is £5. All winnings from the bonus spins are capped at £20 and they must be used within 72 hours. The Bonus fund will disappear after 30 days, if unused. The Bonus and the Bonus Spins are subject to a 40x wagering requirement before any winnings can be withdrawn.
The Top Independent Casinos in the UK
Here is our list of the top-rated UK casinos that are independent and stand-alone brands – selected by CasinoGambler.co.uk’s editors.
Leo Vegas
This stupendous Scandinavian casino started in Stockholm and is now a firm favourite in the UK. With slots galore, quality dealer-led Live Casino Games, and a fully loaded Sportsbook, these guys are truly independent all-rounders.
Best Feature
The huge “Leo Vega Exclusive” chapter is full to the brim with unique and exciting games, including Leo Vegas Mega Roulette (with a whopping £20m+ jackpot) and Sports Speed Blackjack.
Any Welcome Offer?
New players will receive a 100% Matched Deposit Bonus, worth up to £50, AND £6 worth of Free Live Casino chips when you deposit and wager at least £10. A 40x wagering requirement is in place.
32 Red
Red is the colour and these effervescent jokers have developed a strong presence in the industry, partly through blanket advertising, but also by knocking together a superb independent online casino with a UK license and new slots. One of their highlights is the Red Ruby Loyalty Club, which rewards regular players.
Best Feature
32 Red house a very tasty Slingo collection, with some of the more obscure titles on offer. Try Slingo Day of the Dab and Slingo Cleopatra to feel the vibe of this popular Bingo-slots hybrid.
Any New Customer Offer?
The Welcome Bonus is a massive 150% Matched Deposit Bonus, worth up to £150. The minimum deposit is £10 and there is a 50x wagering requirement in place.
Lottoland
Lottoland really is something different and VERY independent. In addition to slots and other Live Casino games, Lottoland allows you to bet on a series of Lotteries from around the world, as well as offering a superlative Bingo range. Oh, and why not add a quality Sportsbook to that list!
Best Feature
Clearly the lottery betting is their USP and the coverage is mind-blowing. From the US Powerball draw, to the German and South African lotteries, the choice is huge. A punter favourite is the famous El Gordo de Verano competition, with pots in excess of £100 million.
Any Sign-up Offer?
Too many to list! But here are 3 of the headliners;
- There is a 100 Free Spins to use on Big Bass when you register and wager at least £20.
- New players can claim 3 tickets for the price of 2 on the US Powerball draw.
- The Super Sunday Bingo offer gives you a Free hour of Bingo (plus a £200 prize pool) when you play at least £20 of Bingo during the week.
Boyle Casino & Games
This Irish heavyweight may have been late to the casino party, but they are dancing now, with a superb, independent online gambling site that supports a minimum deposit customers. As well as a great set of slots, they also offer a first-class Poker set, Bingo Rooms AND lottery betting.
Best Feature
Game Shows are now one of the most in-demand forms of Live Casino games and Boyle Sports have assembled a cracking collection. Standouts include the new Jumanji: The Bonus Level Live and the howlingly-good Big Bad Wolf Live.
Any Bonus for New Depositors?
You can claim a £50 Free Casino Bonus when you deposit and wager your first £10. A 40x wagering requirement applies here.
William Hill Vegas
“Billys” are one of the pillars of the UK betting scene and in recent years have assembled one of the best online casinos. Never afraid to try new things and go their own way, the site is packed with exclusive games and fresh spins (no pun intended) on all aspects of the wagering world.
Best Feature
The “Exclusive” William Hill slots and scratchcards have already wowed thousands of punters and have to be tried to be believed. Have a go on William Hill Shark Bait and Star Stash Wild 7’s to see what the fuss is about.
Any Welcome Offer?
There are 200 Free Spins on Big Bass Splash waiting for you when you register your account and deposit and play £10. Just opt-in and use our casino bonus codes to lock in this Welcome Offer.
Bet365 Games
It’s almost unfair to include these guys in the list, such is their scale and coverage that they can leave rivals in their wake. But they remain one of the preeminent independent casinos and are something of a one-stop-shop for UK casino players for real money.
Best Feature
In the words of Bet365, the “Originals” section is full of “high-quality, unique and innovative games” and they are not wrong. Fantastic titles that you won’t find anywhere else include Spin O’Reilly and Mercenary X. The “Originals Xpress” group is the same…only faster! Instant-win games here include Plinko and Touchdown.
Any Welcome Offer?
The New Player Offer is 10 Days of Free Spins, with the chance to land 200 Free Spins in total. Just sign up and deposit at least £10 and you will be invited to spin the Free Spins Reel once a day for 10 days, with the chance to win 5, 10 or 20 Free Spins EVERY time. Even better, there is NO wagering requirement attached.
Betfred Casino
A giant, independent powerhouse of a casino, Betfred have created an online presence to match their ubiquitous coverage on high streets across the UK. Ever-expanding and bring out new products, these guys are a go-to for an army of punters.
Best Feature
The Betfred Lounge is the place to go for exclusive, dealer-led Live Casino tables. French Roulette and Allbets Blackjack are just 2 of the corkers that await. And don’t miss the latest additions to the Game Show section, notably Football Card Showdown Live and Adventures Beyond Wonderland.
Any Promo?
New Players can claim 5 Golden Tickets to use on any Live Casino table when you register your account and wager your first £20. NO wagering requirements are enforced on this offer, so whatever you win, you keep.
10Bet Online Casino
Faded cartoon graphics greet you as you open the 10Bet site but there is nothing jaded about this online casino. As well as offering a cutting-edge Sportsbook, 10Bet have over 1,000 slots in their collection, with never fewer than 70 new titles, making them one of the unofficial shop-windows of the industry.
Best Feature
The Big Bass craze shows no sign of cooling down and 10Bet have curated a 15 game-strong Big Bass section that will keep all fishing nuts enthralled for hours. Rare titles you won’t find in many other places include Big Bass Mission Fishin’ and Big Bass Halloween. Rods out for the lads!
Any Bonus Codes?
The 10Bet Welcome Offer is a 50% Matched Deposit Bonus worth up to £250, when you register and deposit using the code “CASINO”. A 50x wagering requirement applies to this promotion.
You can also get a 100% Matched Sports Bonus worth up to £50. Just use the code “SPORT” when you register and deposit. A 8x wagering requirement is in place.
Midnite Casino
Launching a “new era of wagering” is ambitious in the extreme, but that’s what Midnite are attempting to do. Assembled from a crack team of engineers and designers, this is an online casino where the geeks have taken over the asylum! But so far, so good and this independent site is sure to make waves.
Best Feature
The Baccarat revival has been a welcome aspect of the last couple of years and Midnite go big on the various games with one of the biggest collections in the industry. Standout tables include Golden Wealth Baccarat Live and Prosperity Tree Baccarat Live.
Any Welcome Offer?
The Casino Welcome Offer gives you 100 Free Spins to use on the uber-slot Big Bass Splash when you set up your account and deposit and wager at least £20. Just use the code “BETGETCASINO” to lock in this promotion.
Here’s a list of the top stand-alone independent sites in the UK:
- BetVictor Casino
- Leo Vegas
- 32 Red
- Lottoland
- Boyle Casino & Games
- William Hill Vegas
- Bet365 Games
- Betfred Casino
- 10Bet Online Casino
- Midnite Casino
