What should you consider when choosing new casino sites?
In the world of online gambling, you’ll find many new online casinos popping up frequently. But, how do you know which are the best online casinos? That’s where we can help. In our new casino sites guide, we’ve highlighted exactly what to look for before signing up.
- Check if a casino is safe and legal
- Look at the bonuses and offers the casino providers
- Make sure the casino has your favourite games
- Check if the casino offers the payment method you prefer and the casino’s payout rates
- See if the new casino will offer you proper support in case you need it
- Check out if you like the casino’s website, design and features and if it’s optimised for mobile
- Read our reviews of the latest casinos
How safe is it to play at new casino sites?
Does the casino hold the correct gambling licence? Arguably, this is the most important factor when choosing a new online casino as it proves it is regulated. Remember that all UK-based online casinos are legally required to hold a United Kingdom Gambling Commission (UKGC) licence, so keep an eye out for this. If you do notice that a casino does not have a UKGC licence, your confidential information and transactions could be at risk. Here at CasinoHawks we only recommend safe casino sites.
Why is it important to consider gambling licences when choosing a new casino?
With many new online casinos appearing daily, there’s always a risk that a rogue site with no security measures slips through the net. When a casino is licensed, they are audited regularly to ensure strict regulations are followed to keep players safe and secure. As well as holding a gambling licence, it’s also good practice for online casinos to promote responsible gambling tools and external support.
Are they up to date with online regulations in the UK?
Gambling regulations in the UK often change and all casinos, not just new ones, must be constantly on the ball to ensure these changes are followed and updated. In recent years, the UKGC implemented some pretty major changes, including:
- Players cannot deposit funds or access free games until their age and identity have been verified. These changes were published in February 2019
- The banning of credit cards as a payment method on the 14th April 2020
Must have Responsible Gambling features
As a newly licensed casino, it’s good practice to have responsible gambling features readily available for players to minimise negative impacts, such as loss of control or even gambling addictions. You will find that a lot of new casino sites include features such as deposit limits and game time reminders which players can set themselves via their account.
Types of new online casinos to avoid
So now you are starting to understand how to spot some of the best new casino sites, but how do you know which ones to avoid completely? Here are three top tips to give you a heads-up before parting with your hard-earned cash:
- Stay away from a UK-based online casino without a UKGC licence.
- Read other players’ reviews online to be aware of any issues before signing up.
- Ensure that the terms and conditions on site are clear.
To save you some hassle, we have put together a list of blacklisted casinos in the UK.
| DID YOU KNOW? |
| Players can easily check if an online casino has an approved licence by checking the UK Gambling Commission register. |
Bonuses in new casino sites
More often than not, you’ll find that new online casinos offer a generous welcome bonus compared to other established brands. These offers are simply to attract new and existing players, so it’s sometimes worth checking out what’s new on the market. That being said, some offer a lot more bang for your buck.
Some great bonuses usually give players a deposit match or free spins, like the welcome offers available at BetMGM, Mega Riches and 7Bet.
Most popular bonuses and offers in the UK
Any bonus or offer could snatch the title of best as it all comes down to a player’s personal preference. That being said, you will notice that certain ones are popular across the board, such as:
- Free Spins
- Deposit Bonus Match
- No Wagering Bonus
Wagering requirements
A casino’s wagering requirements can be tricky to navigate, but as soon as you understand how they work, it will be easier to identify which new casino sites are worth it. In short, the wagering figure is the amount you must wager in real money to withdraw real cash from the bonus money received. Players can easily figure out how much they could earn with a bonus wagering calculator.
New casino sites with great game selection & variety
Of course, game selection is a big factor when choosing a new online casino. Variety is the spice of life, so it’s always a good idea to find a casino with a good selection of titles in popular categories like slots and live table games. If you’re a player who prefers casinos with thousands of games, you’ll find over 2000 titles on online casinos such as Bzeebet, JazzySpins and Swift Casino.
Payment methods at new casino sites
These days, depositing or withdrawing funds from an online casino should be a smooth and fast process. Thankfully, you will often see new online casinos offer popular payment methods with fast payouts for convenience and security. You’ll more than likely see the option to deposit or withdraw with PayPal, Visa Debit, Mastercard Debit, and Skrill, for example.
Keep in mind that most casinos require you to withdraw funds in the same way you deposited to avoid money laundering.
New online casino payout rates in the UK in 2024
Payout rates are a massive part of online gaming, with the majority of new casino sites having the return to player (RTP) percentage on display in games such as slots and blackjack. The RTP is the amount of money on average a player gets back from each number they wager.
| DID YOU KNOW? |
| The RTP percentage is calculated by dividing the total amount wagered on the game by the total amount won by players. |
The quality of the casino’s customer support
If you run into a problem, you’ll want a customer support team that can solve the issue, fast. The last thing you will want is to be in limbo waiting for a resolution to a problem or going back and forth with various people just to get your hands on your prize. For peace of mind, check if the casino offers 24/7 support through different channels, an FAQ section, and a help centre.
New casinos’ design & new features
The digital sphere changes quickly and online gaming is no different. From developing technology to player behaviour changes, new trends are often popping up. Here are a few new casino trends you should look out for as a UK player:
The Rise of Virtual Reality (VR) – Experience Online Gaming Beyond the Screen!
VR Casinos are on the rise within the online gaming industry and are expected to deepen as the years go on. It offers players a more realistic and engaging experience that is different from mobile or desktop gaming. This trend is still on the rise, so you won’t find many online casinos in the UK offering this just yet. However, Pokerstars launched its own VR experience called Vegas Infinite in 2018 and NetEnt has also created VR versions of popular games, like Gonzo’s Quest.
Payments in a Flash
Ah, technology is a beautiful thing. We pretty much have the world at our fingertips – online gaming included. With smartphones becoming even more advanced, it’s no wonder we are seeing more new online casinos, like 7Bet and LottoGo, offering speedy virtual wallet payments, like Apple Pay.
Real Dealers, Real Fun
Live game show games give players a real casino experience, without leaving the comfort of their own home. You’ll find that some of the best new casino sites have a great selection of innovative game shows, including the popular Crazy Time, Monopoly Live and Sweet Bonanza Candyland. Casinos like LeoVegas, Grosvenor Casino and Parimatch have a good selection of game show games.
New casinos should be optimised for mobile
The world is evolving, and we can pretty much do everything from our mobile phones, so there’s no reason why online gaming should be any different. You’ll notice that more and more new casino sites are prioritising mobile casino apps with new features, including the ability to play multiplayer games and machine learning to provide a more tailored experience.
| DID YOU KNOW? |
| According to casino mobile app trend updates, 50% of mobile casino apps added leaderboards, tournaments and social sharing in 2024. |
Our reviews of new casino sites
Before joining a new online casino, it’s important to read reviews. You’ll learn everything you need to know about a casino without having to do the digging yourself. At CasinoHawks, we pride ourselves on writing honest, in-depth casino reviews that look at licences, reputation, bonuses, games, and much more.
Why should you choose new casino sites over established ones?
You may already have your go-to online casino and sometimes the unknown can feel daunting. But, with more demand, some newcomers have more to offer than the bigger, more established casinos. But, like anything, pros and cons exist.
| VS | New Casinos | Established Casinos |
| Pros | ✅ Bigger bonuses available to new players ✅ The latest games are more than likely available ✅ A mobile app or mobile browser optimisation is most definitely | ✅ More of an established brand with plenty of reviews ✅ A polished product that has passed the learning stage |
| Cons | ❌ With it being new on the scene, it can be difficult to know how reliable it is ❌ Potential for teething issues with software | ❌ You may have already claimed the welcome offer ❌ As it is an older site, it might not be optimised for mobile devices ❌ The site might not be as user-friendly due to its age |
| DID YOU KNOW? |
| The first online casino was launched in 1994 by Microgaming. Microgaming is still around, but it now goes by the name Apricot. |
Casinos that launched new features
With so many new casino sites making an appearance, older operators need to stay on the ball to keep up to date with the latest trends and technology.
Bet365 Launch Super Mega Ultra Gameshow
Bet365 launched a brand new live game show earlier this year in collaboration with global game developer giant, Playtech. Created in-house by both teams, this game has been designed to imitate the success of Super Mega Ultra Wheel, but with a live game twist.
Lottoland partners with DoTrust to streamline financial risk checks
Lottoland has partnered with an award-winning provider of financial risk assessments for safer gambling, DoTrust, to improve compliance and customer service with advanced automation in identifying vulnerable customers in real-time.
Casumo unveils brand refresh
Casumo unveiled a brand refresh to, in their own words, ‘bring ourselves up to date with the modern world.’ The new branding has stepped away from the cursive, bold fonts, to a more bright and visually pleasing design for players to enjoy.
Find Your Next New Casino
When reviewing new casino sites, we have noticed many utilising new technology, giving players a fresh online gaming experience.
With fresh, new online casinos launching regularly in the UK, there are a lot of features to explore. The jam-packed new player bonuses and game selections are just the tip of the iceberg. So, before you decide on your new online casino, check out our recommendations for the best new casino sites in the UK at the top of this page.
Don’t forget to visit the CasinoHawks site often, we post casino reviews regularly!
Frequently asked questions
