After the Interactive Gambling Amendment Bill passed in 2016, it became illegal for offshore operators to offer online casino games to Australians. While there might be some online casinos still accepting Australian players, all the reputable operators have left the market. The purpose of the bill was to specifically target the online casinos according to The Guardian. At the moment only Australian casinos licensed by the state are allowed to offer to games of chance and unfortunately, there aren’t any available.

While there are some casinos that accept players from Australia, it isn’t recommended that players do so before more information comes to available.

Gambling in Australia

While online casinos aren’t available in Australia at the moment, residents still like to gamble in some ways. According to Wikipedia, 80% of the adult population engage in some sort of gambling activity. This is one of the highest rates in the whole world.

Future of gambling in Australia

At the moment, there aren’t any clear future plans regarding gambling in Australia. Casino Professor will update the information as soon as possible. In the meantime, both players and operators are currently eagerly awaiting the market to open again. Poker players, especially, have tried to keep the online casinos alive, but so far their results have been empty. Both big poker sites 888 and Pokerstars, have withdrawn from the market and no longer offer games to Australian players. The players were forced to cash out money as the operators erased all accounts. The players are there, but casinos are having difficult times in breaking in the Australian market. For example, William Hill faced hefty losses due to Australia writedown.

Despite being a huge fan of slots, Casino Professor has collected a list of the best live online casinos in the UK. Playing at live casino sites can be an exhilarating feeling, but what really makes it special are the live dealers. Still, you want to make sure you play at only the best online live casinos to get the awesome all-round experience you deserve.

Check out our top live casino reviews below and take your pick.

What is Live Casino?

Despite the explosion of online casino popularity, one thing that’s always been criticised is the lack of social interaction. As stated by the Malta-based conference SiGMA’s website, online casinos focus on being “as practical as possible” whereas land-based casinos “try to preserve their social function as an overall entertainment center” (SiGMA - Land-based vs. Online Casinos: The Ultimate Showdown). However, this internet industry never sits back and is constantly on the verge of new breakthroughs. This lead to the birth of the live dealer casino many years ago. In case you’re very new to the scene, you’ll have probably seen a live table in action. There are several live casino game types, with a few requirements in order to play:

• A steady internet connection
• A compatible device (e.g. desktop or iOS/Android mobile)
• An account

Once these three are in order, you can simply select a table to be taken to a stream of a real dealer issuing cards or spinning wheels - just like in a land-based establishment! This is how online casino combats a lack of social atmosphere, with a chat box included for interaction with the dealer. Respectful comments only, please. While this was seen as a huge technological achievement a few years ago, game developers haven’t rested on their laurels with additional live casino developments since.

Is Live Casino Rigged or Fixed?

It’s no secret that some gambling sites are scams. It’s also widely accepted that some land-based casinos rig or fix their games to issue certain results. This is, of course, unfair - so, naturally, there are plenty of questions and Google searches questioning live casino’s credibility. However, the Professor believes that choosing a trustworthy live casino follows the exact same principles of selecting ANY genuine gambling site.

• Proper licensing: All live online casinos in the UK must be licensed and regulated by the Gambling Commission. A license from this kind of authority is a big indicator of trust, and all on this page have one from them or the Malta Gaming Authority (MGA).
• Regular game audits: Checks by independent bodies - such as eCOGRA - make it extremely unlikely that fixing is taking place.
• Prior reputation: Those that often pop up in lists of best casino sites are there for a reason - and a lack of fairness isn’t one of them!

Best Live Casino Providers

Unlike slot machine development which has several major players, the production of live casino is much more diluted. That’s probably due to the complexity and expense of running one - with studio space, dealers, technology, props and other costs to consider. However, the very best live casino providers always leave no stone unturned, giving players plenty of reasons to return:

• Tables open 24/7
• Fast-paced action (no waiting around to place bets)
• Professional and engaging croupiers
• Multiple games, not just roulette and blackjack
• Interactive experience
• Themed tables for special events
• Surprise bonuses and other promotions

Perhaps the most famous suite is Evolution Live Gaming, streaming from their three bases of Riga in Latvia, Vancouver in Canada (for Canadian online casino players in British Columbia only), and sunny Malta. They claim to have “the widest selection of shared and bespoke live tables” around, and one look at their mind-boggling number of options (eight specific gaming areas in total!) is evidence enough. Some sites, like LeoVegas for example, have even bought exclusive tables from Evolution Gaming for their gamers. But they’re the only players in town. While NetEnt Live Casino doesn’t have as many games as Evolution, they focus on creating the most advanced technology to achieve, what they describe to be, “Better Live Gaming”. With the growing iGaming trend moving towards smartphones and tablets, NetEnt focusses on mobile and uses Chroma Key technology to enhance the atmosphere. The leading NetEnt Live casino in the Professor’s eyes is undoubtedly Mr Green. These two powerhouses joined forces in early 2018 to bring you Live Beyond Live - a new live casino mobile experience with unique technology. Finally, Playtech Live Dealer states to be the largest supplier of this gaming type "in Europe and Asia”. They have also set up camp in Latvia’s capital of Riga and are known to create unique environments for some of their leading sites - similarly to Evolution. One such Playtech exclusive table can be found at Mansion Casino.

Games

Although your actual selection of live casino games varies dramatically - first by studio and then by casino - there are a lot of classic card games overall. Roulette and blackjack - plus their many variations - are obviously included. After all, they are the most popular table games among European casino players! However, live baccarat is widely popular in Asia and other areas as well so many studios offer tables for it. Card poker variations - such as Hold’em, Three Card, and Caribbean Stud - are frequently found. Finally, those spinning Money Wheels - most notably, Evolution’s Dream Catcher - may be hosted.

Live Casino Reviews

With the live dealer concept now fully explained, the Professor would like to turn your attention to his comprehensive casino reviews. He makes sure to give every site on his site a thorough inspection so they’re fit for purpose. As part of this, he describes their gaming library in great length - including the live casino options. But what exactly should you be looking for?

How to Find Your Best Live Casino Online

Alongside the hallmarks of trustworthy casinos mentioned under the fixed or rigged section, the best live dealer casino sites have a proper plan. This is instead of merely seeing it as an add-on or sweetener to slots. The first way to do this is by offering a special UK live casino bonus for new players. Some make an all-in-one bonus. Yet, others provide a separate promotion for new live casino gamers specifically. Luckily, most of the options above do the second option - just make sure to scan each site’s wagering requirement weighting to fully understand your obligations. Then, the actual number of live casino games is key too. While a casino site might have Evolution installed, for example, this doesn’t mean they’ll host every single table in the studio. Instead, they can pick and choose a select package, so if you like to have a lot of choice then a large portfolio is required. Rizk is perfect for this. There’s no doubt that slot machines generally dominate, but they shouldn’t take up the whole thought process. However, not too many live casino promotions are available - except at somewhere like 888casino. Not only do they have an aforementioned live casino welcome bonus offer, but they also have a dedicated tab under their Promotions page which has only live dealer offers. Once these three core areas have been reviewed, you can start to paint a picture using other features. Live casinos with PayPal are popular for instance. Any good VIP program should include live real money wagers and offers. Also, 24/7 support is useful if you run into any problems.

Live Casino on Mobile

All the top live casinos arrive fully equipped for Apple and Android mobile devices. Previously, it used to be reserved for computers only, due to technological restraints for providers and data costs/slow internet connections for players. However, studios have made significant progress with their hardware and software, while low-cost 4G data plans have opened up mobile live casino worldwide. The Professor isn’t about to waste your time with anything else, so you can rest assured that every live casino option on this page is mobile-ready.

New Live Casinos

However, you shouldn’t be fooled into thinking that these are your only choices. Rather, these are just the Professor’s top picks. Whenever brand new online casinos impress the Prof, there’s a very good chance they include live dealers. Therefore, if you’re after a new live casino, this page is a useful resource.

Live Casino FAQ

Can anyone see me as I play?

Nope! Even though you’ve probably got a webcam on your laptop or front-facing camera on your mobile, live casino dealers or fellow players cannot see your side of things. It’s a one-way video stream.

Can I play at multiple tables?

That depends on the site and provider. In some cases, you may be able to play at multiple tables of different games to enhance the action. On the other hand, you can simply watch others if you’d prefer to take a timeout. Playing your standard games, poker or sports betting on the side is easily be done by opening another tab or window in your browser.

What happens if I lose connection?

This depends on the policy of each casino site and the game you were playing. Often for roulette, if you lose connection before the spin takes place then your bets will be returned to you - although not always! For blackjack, things are a bit trickier if you were halfway through a hand. In this case, you may be given the opportunity to complete the round on a temporary table once your connection resumes. Be sure to check the terms and conditions or FAQs to understand how they work. Alternatively, contact their customer support.

Are there any live dealer casinos in the USA?

Yes! If you reside in a US state which has legalised online gambling then live casino sites should be everywhere - such as at PokerStars Casino.

What are private tables and how do I get invited to them?

Similarly to Las Vegas, casino sites may decide to put on special private tables for esteemed patrons. These could be for VIP members only, or perhaps high rollers. Alternatively, a private table may be exclusive to players at one specific platform - as we mentioned above. Entry requirements depend on the nature of the private table.

This best online casinos category contains the top online casinos according to Casino Professor. The Professor and his team spend countless hours reviewing casino platforms so you don’t have to. Continue reading and you will find out more about what makes a casino site worthy of being under the best online casinos category.

Best Online Casino Criteria - What Makes a Top Online Casino Work?

The best online casinos need to be able to provide more than just bonuses. The casino needs to be trustworthy, safe and secure. And of course, licensed by recognised licencing authorities. In addition, the casino needs to be able to provide excellent customer service, have secure money transfers and handle withdrawals quickly and efficiently. You have many casinos to choose from, so why not choose the best online casino?

Best Mobile Casinos - Look and Usability

Online casinos need to be up to modern times. It should be easy to use and please your eye. While some people like different things, there are a few best practices out there that should be met. Usability should be good on all devices, especially now the internet is being used more and more on mobile devices.

Best Online Casinos Offer Great Service & Support

If problems occur, help should be available around the clock. And it should be available now, not tomorrow. Phone and live chat are two good ways to get answers quickly, and EVERY serious casino site should offer both as a standard. The best ones, however, may also offer phone or VoIP support for free, or perhaps integrate support within their social media channels.

Best Online Casinos Are Safe

Safety and security include many aspects. First, all casinos should have a credible gambling licence from the most credible licensing authorities. These include the Malta Gaming Authority and the UK Gambling Commission. This isn't the only thing, though. The connection should be encrypted (SSL-certificate). Encryption keeps your money and personal info safe. You want to be sure that you interact in a secure, encrypted connection.

Best Online Casinos Have Multiple Payment Options

You should be able to use your preferred payment method(s). Top online casinos have multiple payment options. On a side note, those casinos with PayPal as a deposit/withdrawal option can be considered as extra secure. This is due to the fact, that PayPal is rather picky who it chooses to operate with - at least when it comes to gambling! Usually, they aren’t that keen to operate with white labels and only select the ones that been already been in the industry for a long time. Whatever payment option you choose, it should be easy to use, free and fast. Also, you should be able to claim your bonuses regardless of the payment method you use.

Best Online Casinos Have the Best Bonuses & Promotions

All casinos offer bonuses for new players, but not all of these bonuses are equal. Some may seem good on the face of it but are actually nearly impossible to wager. Any rules that are too strict make wagering difficult. The rewards should not stop after the deposit bonus either. It doesn’t always have to be a cash bonus, as some other promotions would be fun. A chance to win something on the side, like a vacation, an iPhone, or other tech would be appreciated. There are loads of free spins that can be found at casinos. If you are an active player then you should expect to be rewarded more and more. After all, you are playing against the house in a game where the house has an edge.

Best Online Casinos - Conclusion

Casino Professor just gave plenty of criteria on what the best online casinos are made of. After reading this, you should be able to review casino sites on your own and choose the perfect place to play. Casino Professor doesn't pick a casino randomly to put in this exclusive category. They all have all gone through a strict process to be there, and only the best have survived to make this exclusive list. The creme de la creme, if you will. However, the casinos that fall under this best online casinos category are revisited on a regular basis, so they can't rest on their laurels. Changes may well occur, especially when there are promising new online casinos constantly going live. Finally, while it's very unlikely, a scenario where one of the above casinos has turned rogue will immediately result in banishment.

Bitcoin is something that is very new in the casino industry. Created in 2009, this so-called crypto currency has become very popular. Indeed – and has now made its way to online casinos as well. Bitcoin casinos are starting to become more and more popular.

On this page, we are going to be talking about Bitcoin casinos and the benefits of using bitcoins and crypto currency when depositing at online casinos. Furthermore, you can find a list of casinos here that allow you to use bitcoins and satoshis (1 bitcoin is 100 million satoshis).

Bitcoin Casinos - How to play with Bitcoins

In order to be able to play with bitcoins at bitcoin casinos, you have to have your own bitcoins. Buying them can be easily done at LocalBitcoins.com. So, if you do not yet have your own Bitcoin wallet, you can get one free of charge. This is somewhat similar to signing up with any of the modern e-wallets like Neteller, PayPal and Skrill. After you have a Bitcoin wallet, it is time to find yourself a casino that accepts bitcoins. Obviously, here is where our list of Bitcoin casinos will come handy. Just pick a casino that has a casino bonus of your liking and you're off to the races!

Bitcoin casinos - Benefits of playing with Bitcoins

Of course, we should address this important question as well. Why would anyone want to play with Bitcoins instead of your traditional currency? Well, in this day and age, why would anyone want to use snail mail to say hi to their friends, when you have things like email, text messages and even instant messaging available? Bitcoin is still rather new, so it is of course understandable that some people are still a bit sceptical towards this so-called crypto currency. After all, when it was first created, Bitcoin was nothing more than a monetary system that was completely made up. Then again, all of the world's economy revolves around money that is either numbers on the screen or made of paper, and has no intrinsic value whatsoever. Bitcoin is actually not too far from this, when you think about it. Bitcoin solves quite a few issues from a players' perspective. Next, we'll take a look at some of the most important benefits of using Bitcoin.

Bitcoin is fast

One of the best things about bitcoins is that using them is relatively fast compared to traditional methods. No need to wait for days or even weeks for the transfer process. While casinos, especially good ones, are fast in accepting the withdrawal, the transaction itself may take days. Therefore using bitcoin tends to be much faster compared to traditional bank transfers between two countries. Of course, transfer using an eWallet is another fast option to transfer money. However, an increasing number of casinos has chosen not to offer bonuses, if the deposit is made either Neteller or Skrill.

Big bonuses

Some online casinos that are promoting themselves as a bitcoin casino, offer quite hefty welcome bonuses for new players. For example, Bitstarz offers a crazy first deposit bonus up to 1 bitcoin!

Transaction fees

The withdrawal costs with bitcoins tend to be a lot less compared to those of actual cash. However, like bitcoin's value, this is quite volatile and depends on how many transactions are currently made with bitcoin. Most of the time you are paying a smaller percentage for every transaction compared to traditional money, but sometimes the fees spike and you end up paying more. With bitcoins, people have better control over everything that they hold. So, if push comes to shove and the casino you're playing at has to file for bankruptcy (not likely, but could happen), you will still get to keep your bitcoins.

Anonymity

All of us aren't necessarily too eager on having gambling related transactions on our credit card. With bitcoin this can be avoided as there isn't any paper trail left after the transactions to different authorities.

Bitcoin Casinos - Is it safe to play with Bitcoins?

When playing any games based on luck, you are basically placing your trust in the organizing party of the said game of chance. This means that if they actually chose to just fool you, you probably would not even guess it as they can always say that you only had tough luck. The Bitcoin community has come up with a system called “provably fair”. Long story short, they have developed a way that allows you to verify whether the results of these so-called games of luck were actually random or not. Of course, when an online casino has a gaming license from a trustworthy licensor such as the Malta Gaming Authority or the UK Gambling Commission, you can be pretty sure that the random-number generators are tested at regular intervals and should indeed provide a random result every time.

Conclusion

We have now gone through some of the most important aspects of Bitcoin. As you can see, using bitcoins provides you a new way of playing at your online casinos. So, if you're not onboard with Bitcoin just yet, why not go to Local Bitcoin and try it for yourself?

On the hunt for great Canadian casinos? Call off the search! Casino Professor has listed several legal Canada online casino sites that players can enjoy. View the list below to find your best online casino in Canada.

Online Casinos for Canadian Players Are Legal!

For Canadian players, it is completely legal to play on an online casino that isn’t located inside Canadian borders. These online casinos are commonly referred to as offshore operators, which basically just means that the casino operates outside Canada and it’s laws. This doesn’t mean that the casino would be operating illegally. The operator just has the gambling license and base of operations elsewhere than Canada and follow the legislation according to the country, that has granted their gambling license. For example, casinos operating in the UK under the license of UK Gambling Commission, follow the legislation that is defined. Many of these offshore operators are keen on attracting players residing in Canada by offering payment and withdraw options in Canadian dollars, top casino bonuses and Canada- themed promotions. If you live in Canada and you like to play online casino games, view the best casinos for Canadian players according to the Casino Professor.

What is a Canadian Online Casino?

A Canadian online casino is a casino, where a player residing in Canada would feel right at home. This could have to do with payment methods, games selection and bonuses and promotions. Canada doesn’t issue online casino licences, so it is not possible for a casino operator to have a Canadian gambling licence. There are, however, plenty of online casinos that accept for Canadian players.

Online Gambling in Canada Legalities

Online gambling in Canada is a matter for the provinces rather the Federal state. There are a few provinces in Canada that are now offering online gambling in the form of lottery and bingo, yet the provinces don’t issue online casino licences. For example, Quebec has legalized online gambling. Canadian players can only wager at so-called offshore operators, which in this case are online casinos with non-Canadian licences and the legal status of these operators within Canadian law is unclear. There is nothing stated within Canada’s penal code, that makes wagering at an offshore operator a criminal offence, so Canadian players, who like to play online casino games are not breaking the law. In theory, an online casino offering its services to Canadian player can be prosecuted, yet this has never happened and a case like that would carry many legal and even political complexities.

Bonuses and Promotions

A Canadian online casino treats you as a player residing in Canada to special bonuses and Canada-themed promotions. An online casino could offer you extra free spins or a higher percentage reload bonus when signing up or a tasty treat on Canada Day or when the national ice hockey team has a big match.

Games Selection

Different markets have different games preferences and a Canadian online casino offers a game selection that is popular with Canadian players. Whether you like playing classic slots, video slots, table games or live games, a Canadian online casino offers something to your liking.

Payment and Withdrawal Methods

An online casino, that caters for Canadian players naturally offers payment options in Canadian dollars. Whenever the exchange rate is in favour of the Canadian dollar, you have the option to deposit in other currencies like US dollars, Euro or pound sterling to get more game and more chance of winning for your dollar. You can make deposits and withdrawals with popular methods like credit cards MasterCard and Visa and e-wallets Skrill and Neteller.

Online Casino in Canada with PayPal

Although it's taken a while, more and more PayPal casinos in Canada are appearing - much to the Professor's delight! Not only does this offer a much simpler way of depositing and withdrawing, but it also adds another level of security and authenticity to gambling sites. Looking for a few Canada PayPal casinos? The Professor recommends 888casino or Casino Room.

Customer Service

Pretty much all online casinos with a European or Curaçao licence offer customer service in English and a few will have French customer support available. Customer support agents in most cases are available via live chat and/ or email 7 days a week. Many support desks are open 24 hours or compatible with Canadian time, as most casino customer support desks are likely to be based in Europe.

Whether you’re from Edinburgh or London, Land’s End or John o’ Groats, there are several quality UK casino sites for British gamers. It’s estimated that UK online casinos will soon contribute over 50% of the total gambling market [1], but where to begin?

We’ll shortly be explaining everything you need to know about choosing NEW casino sites in the UK. However, before we begin, here are the Professor’s top picks for BEST casino sites UK if you’re ready for action.

Casino Sites UK Legality

Is online casino legal in the UK? Yes! Since the Gambling Commission was formed as part of the UK Gambling Act 2005 [2], the rules and regulations of playing at UK casino sites have become much clearer. Every single UK gambling site MUST acquire a license from the Gambling Commission in order to LEGALLY operate - keeping you safe. The last thing the Professor wants to do is point you in the direction of rogue domains, so every UK casino site you see on this page is certified by the Gambling Commission. If you’re ever unsure about a casino’s legitimacy, their license number should be displayed on every page in the footer, or within the terms and conditions.

Casino Sites UK to Select

However, the very best British casinos go further. The Gambling Commission has earmarked player safety as a top priority, and this has seen radical changes being made for your benefit. Here are a few additional policies and procedures that the most trustworthy casino sites in the UK often take:

• The inclusion of fair terms and conditions - all the way from casino bonuses to reasonable withdrawal times (more on the latter below).
• Deploy genuine slots and games from credible developers, such as those that are eCOGRA certified [3].
• Dedicated responsible gambling tools and pages to keep your UK casino site sessions fun.

Casino Sites UK to Avoid

The Professor regrettably confirms that the boom of new casino sites in the UK has contributed to a rise in scammers and fakers. As with many things online, these pests are always on the prowl - but there are a few telling signs to look out for:

• Casino sites accepting players from the UK but operating without a valid license to be able to offer games in the UK and for UK players.
• UK casino sites with misleading advertising are ones to kick to the curb. A classic case that the Professor sees time and again is incorrect bonuses and terms - they really bring out his old man grumpiness!
• Unreasonably withholding or cancelling winnings. This happens all too often, unfortunately, with thousands of instances every year. The casino sites that rack up several legitimate complaints are quickly found out.
• When the customer support goes AWOL. Another Casino Professor pet peeve is an unanswered live chat message or email. In the worst cases, your connection may mysteriously “drop”, despite your internet connection being solid. It’s the virtual equivalent of being hung-up on, and a very telltale sign.

Qualities of Best Casino Sites UK

Right, so a UK casino site obviously needs to follow the rules whilst not being sneaky to jump the first hurdle. But we’re sure you’ve noticed the huge number of new casino sites launching nearly every day now, right? This increased competition has worked wonders for iGamers, and continues to do so! That’s because the groundbreaking services, characteristics and features of today quickly become the norm of tomorrow - as the best casino sites UK continue to push each other’s creativeness to the limit.

Casino Bonuses & Rewards

The casino bonus is one of the most important things for a platform to get right. The best UK casino sites obviously offer welcome bonuses in GBP, but that’s the absolute bare minimum. British casino players are some of the savviest in the game, so they’ll instantly see through a weak or puny offer. If a UK no deposit bonus is on show, that will most likely go a long way - due to this reward’s appeal - but it certainly shouldn’t be the end game. A first deposit bonus, packaged with free spins, often follows. However, some British casino sites even offer boosts for a player’s first 5 deposits! But that’s only the beginning… With so many options these days, casino players from the UK expect sites to try and KEEP them on board. If not, there’d be no reason not to leave and snap up a rival casino bonus instead. Enter reload bonuses and promotions, VIP programs, casino gamification and other retention schemes. These little beauties have revolutionised the experience for existing players, making it much more worthwhile to stick around rather than constantly chopping and changing. Any platform that’s serious will offer at least one retention quality, but the best UK casino sites go all out with several. You can end up progressing through a story, improving your VIP level whilst nabbing an extra reload all within the same spin!

Fast Transfers

Just like those around the world, casino sites in the UK must have a healthy range of payment methods - and that doesn’t mean just Visa and MasterCard! No, what the Professor likes to see instead is several options - from cards and eWallets to mobile phone payments and anonymous transactions. As an example, a PayPal casino UK is one of the most popular for Brits. It’s not just that many people have an account thanks to prior eBay connections, but also the peace of mind it brings. Making a UK casino deposit via PayPal adds an extra level of security, while also bringing a new aura of authenticity to those select few who offer it. It goes without saying that deposits will be in your account at top British casinos in a flash. No one wants to hang around to spin the reels, but what’s the bare minimum amount? Usually it’s £10 - but alternative £5 deposit UK casino sites do exist, and are very popular with casual players. As for withdrawals, it’s understandable that transfers don’t occur as lightning quick going back out as they do going in. However, anything over 5 business days in total is pushing it. Of course, the exact withdrawal method plays a big part too. With eWallets, any winnings have been known to be in accounts within a few hours. Bank transfers, on the other hand, may take at least a few days. The best UK casino sites will have dedicated pages outlining both deposit and withdrawal times.

Good Game Selection

There’s also been an influx of new and upcoming game developers in iGaming of late. There are plenty of UK Microgaming casinos, NetEnt casinos, Betsoft casinos and the like around. However, it’s always nice to stumble across something new. Rather than simply plump for a handful, the great UK casino sites are employing the services of more - boosting their overall slots and games count into the many hundreds, maybe thousands! Each of the Professor’s casino reviews clearly states what game studios are on offer to help you take your pick. Yet, that’s not the complete casino game picture - far from it! UK live casinos have been making a pretty big push of late with newer technologies and features wowing fans. The aim of the game is to make live casino as real as possible - bridging the much-maligned gap between online and brick-and-mortar. With virtual reality, augmented reality and other advancements constantly being touted, the rise of live casino in the UK is sure to continue.

References

• [1] - UKGC - Review of Online Gambling: March 2018 (PDF)
• [2] - Gambling Act 2005 (PDF)
• [3] - eCOGRA - Certified Software Suppliers

Dutch online casinos are currently extinct as the operators are waiting for the market to be regulated before returning to the market. However, there are still multiple online casinos that accept Dutch players.

Gambling in the Netherlands has been popular among people for many years. However, the Netherlands has always been very strict towards the industry. Because of this, the market is mainly dominated by big national operators. However, there are other casino options available for Dutch players as many casinos accept players from the Netherlands.

Is Gambling Legal in Netherlands?

Currently, the Netherlands is in the process of building new legislation for gaming, and the market will most likely be regulated in 2019. Operators targeting Dutch players that are operating without a valid licence will be fined. Luckily the players are still safe even if they would play on an illegal online casino as there are no plans to attack against the player and there aren’t any cases in the near history either where players would have been prosecuted for playing unlicensed online casino. However, Casino Professor still recommends to not play on any online casino that is operating without a valid licence. Because of the ongoing changes in the Dutch market the operators aren't directly marketing themselves to the players from the Netherlands. Because of this many operators don't support the Dutch language. Some that may have had it before, may have taken it off. However most of the casinos, if not all, still welcome the players from the Netherlands. In the Netherlands, the games/gambling is currently governed by the Games of Chance Act (Wet op de Kansspelen), which provides a regulatory framework for the industry.

All online casinos that appear on Casino Prof operate under solid casino licenses, yet, some players prefer playing at casinos that have an EU gaming license for extra security. EU gambling licenses, the majority of which are issued by the Malta Gaming Authority in the island nation of Malta and the UK Gambling Commission in Great Britain, are slightly harder to come by. These gambling license issues are considered one of the strictest in the world and regularly monitor online casinos, that have been issued a license in the past. This means that online casinos with one of these EU gaming licenses are the most regulated and playing safely, securely and in a protected environment is guaranteed. Other EU regions and countries that issue online gambling licenses are Gibraltar and Alderney, both UK territories, Áland, autonomous territory part of Finland, and Belgium, Denmark and Italy to comply with strict regulations of their respective national markets.

Malta Gaming Authority and UK Gambling Commission Licences

Both the UK Gambling Commission and the Malta Gaming Authority have regulations in place to protect players and remove criminality from online gambling. To prevent that online gaming is linked to any criminal activity, the online casino has to show it is operating in a fair and transparent manner and the following aspects of the applicant need to be verified before a license will be issued:

• Identity and ownership
• Integrity
• Finances
• Competence

Casino- applicant verification process

When it comes to identity and ownership, the gaming authority wants to know who the applicant is, whether they own the online casino and if they don’t, who does and how does the applicant fit into the corporate structure. Besides that, one will look at the integrity of the applicant and other individuals involved with the application process, and verify if they are trustworthy and honest. As part of this, it will be checked, whether the applicant and others linked to the online casino, have a criminal record. Furthermore, the gaming authority will review the level of competence of the applicant and others involved; are the necessary skills and experience in place to successfully and transparently run an online casino? The applicant also needs to submit their financial statements to verify if the necessary funds are available to run an online casino. Both the UK Gambling Commission and the Malta Gaming Authority issue different licenses, like remote gaming, bingo, and remote betting with fixed odds licenses. An online casino needs to get all licenses that apply to its offered services. The UK Gambling Commission issues six different licenses, while the Malta Gaming Authority provides four types of permits.

Player verification process

When the casino- applicant has passed these checks, they need to show that their casino has an identity, age, address and payment verification process in place. Players have to abide by this process when they open an account at the online casino and/ or want to claim any winnings. Within the EU, online gamblers need to be at least 18 years of age and in some countries 21. The identity and address verification is in place to prevent that players open an account in someone else’s name without their consent, committing identity fraud in the process. As a player, you need to verify your payment method(s), as it’s the casino’s obligation to prevent criminal activity like money laundering.

Responsible gaming

If an online casino wants to operate with an EU license, it needs to have a responsible gaming program in place. This program has the aim to help players manage their online gambling activity, which can include deposit, bet and loss limit the player can apply on their account. This means, that there are maximum amounts a player can deposit, wager or lose on a daily or weekly basis. Besides these limits, the player can set an exclusion period to her or his account, during which they won’t be able to deposit or wager any money. Once a license has been issued, the gaming authorities continue to monitor an online casino’s activity to ensure continued compliance. As the application process for and monitoring after getting an EU license is so strict, online casinos with a license issued by either the Malta Gaming Authority or the UK Gambling Commission – or both- are considered the safest, securest and most transparent and reliable in the world. If this is important to you, make sure to browse the EU online casinos category here at Casino Professor to find an online casino with an EU gaming license.

Looking for an online casino in India? Casino Professor has collected a list of casinos that accept Indian players. Currently, there aren’t a lot of Indian casinos, but most likely there will be more available in the near future as many operators have shown interest towards that particular market. The Professor will update the list as soon as new operators have opened their doors to Indian players.

Online Casino in India

Gambling in India is very popular among people but online gambling is still in its early state. However, there are some sites that accept Indian players. Many of these casinos also offer Indian Rupee as the account’s currency - so players can feel right at home!

Legal Casinos in India

Currently, gambling in India is a state matter, meaning that each state is allowed to create and define laws for gambling, all within their respective jurisdiction of course. Sikkim, a state in the northeast, is in the forefront of legalized gambling.

Payments

Players using bank transfer and credit - or debit card may encounter some difficulties as most of the Indian banks aren’t willing to process gambling related payments. Fortunately, there are alternative methods to use. Many players make deposits using either Neteller or Skrill - as both are popular and well-known eWallets - but there's also Astropay which is a particular Indian favourite.

Astropay Casinos in India

One of the reasons why casino players like Astropay is because it doesn't reveal any bank information. Simply top up this virtual pre-paid card using Indian rupee before depositing at your favourite casino in India. The Professor's favourite Astropay casino? That honour has to go to the Indian accepting 888 Casino.

Best Online Casino in India

The Professor is still giving a deeper look into the Indian market, but there is one online casino available that the Professor can recommend. Royal Panda, a well-known operator that accepts players from India and also gives the opportunity to have the account in Indian Rupees. Royal Panda also offers a great game selection, as well as good bonuses and promotions, such as the welcome offer and weekly Bamboo Bonus. Recently Royal Panda was acquired by LeoVegas, another well known and trusted operator in the gaming market - LeoVegas entered agreement to acquire Royal Panda

Some seem to think that mobile casino reviews are irrelevant – with the best mobile casinos being the same as desktop. While there are certainly similarities, a few key differences mean you need to consider your phone casino options just as hard as laptop to guarantee a safe and fun experience. Although the Professor might be knocking on a bit, here’s savvy enough to know the best mobile casinos from the worst. Here are his top choices.

Mobile Casino Reviews: The Differences with Desktop

All the casino site reviews that the Professor has conducted share a dedicated section on mobile. To anyone unfamiliar with playing casino on mobile, this would most likely be about design - e.g. how the site looks when it’s squished down to smaller screens. This does play a part, but it’s only a section of what’s important. That’s because there ARE a handful of features/aspects that are either exclusive to mobile or don’t exist on smartphones or tablets. Of course, to give you a comprehensive guide on what to expect, the Professor explains this in intricate detail. But to give you an idea of what to expect when you open up one of his reviews, here’s what he’s looking for specifically.

Pay at Mobile Casinos Using Phone

The best online casinos will mirror desktop payments to mobile - so your classic Visa/MasterCard, Skrill/Neteller, paysafecard and other ubiquitous methods are found on phones and tablets too. However, a few unique platforms have a trick up their sleeve... The influx of pay by phone casinos in the UK has been extremely popular. Rather than use one of the classic processors named above, gamers can use their existing phone contract or credit to top up their casino accounts instantly. When a casino allows you to pay by phone bill, the Professor will make sure to include this feat.

More & More Mobile Slot Games

When mobile casinos first began to launch, game developers had a real problem on their hands. Around 99% of casino games were developed in Adobe Flash, which was (generally) fine for desktop players but a nightmare for phones and tablets. Why? If you’re interested, we’ll let the late Steve Jobs explain. Despite this issue, slot developers weren’t stupid. They knew the mobile casino revolution would only gather pace. Therefore, many began to develop their new slots using HTML5 technology - which is widely accepted across mobile casinos for Android and Apple devices. This means that every single new game release nowadays is automatically available as both a mobile casino game and a desktop casino game. However, certain developers weren’t done there. In an industry that loves nostalgia and harkbacks, the old, classic, Flash slot machines that gamers know and love were on everyone’s lips. Would they be consigned merely to desktops forever? Or could a port be completed which preserves the original theme and feel but transforms it across to mobile? For the very best in the business, such as NetEnt, it was the latter. Will the day ever come where desktop / mobile casino games are completely mirrored? That’s highly unlikely due to the inevitable cost of converting poorly received games. However, the vast majority of fan-favourites will - and the ratio gap will continue to be closed with every new slot.

Mobile Casino Reviews: The Similarities with Desktop

At the opposite end of the spectrum, there are A LOT of aspects that are shared between desktop and mobile casinos. Pretty much everything outside the “Mobile” section of the Casino Professor’s reviews will apply to both, so we can’t list every last one. But here are a couple of examples...

New Casino Options

Just like any new slot machine, every single new online casino that launches in this day and age MUST be mobile-friendly. If one wasn’t, the Professor wouldn’t even bother giving it a second’s thought. As such, you are constantly being given new mobile casinos for Android and iOS devices to enjoy, with sites going online every week it seems. Of course, this means you need to be just as cautious as ever with regards to rogue or disingenuous operators. However, the phone casino gene pool continues to expand.

The Same Bonuses & Offers

Along with every site comes a mobile casino bonus. It doesn’t matter whether it’s no deposit free spins, cashback, a reload or your classic deposit boost - EVERY offer will be made available for remote devices. And, although it’s rare, there are a few casino sites that run mobile-only offers and promotions for you to take advantage of. The tables have been well and truly turned! Find your match from our entire library of casino bonuses to get going on smartphone and/or tablet.

The popularity of online gambling has never been so high, with new casinos launching every few days. But how do you know if these new online casinos are trustworthy and worthy of your time?

The Casino Professor has vast experience in analysing new slot sites, with only safe and secure platforms on his agenda. Check out the Prof’s casino reviews of new, 2019 online casinos below – with the latest casino bonuses too.

Find Only Trustworthy New Casinos

Because new casinos open every few days, you’d think it’d be a piece of cake to find a few alternatives to just the most popular online casinos. Sure, it’s better to have too many options rather than too little when hunting for new slot sites, but past experience has taught the Professor to always be on guard. The most important thing for new platforms to guarantee is their status as a safe and secure online casino. After all, there wouldn’t be much point in playing with no chance of ever seeing any winnings! Thankfully, the Prof has been doing this for a long time. He knows exactly what to look for to make new casino players feel at ease.

Choosing a New Casino in 2019

The Bare Necessities

Here’s the Professor’s checklist of key areas that need to be properly satisfied:

• License: Casino Professor only ever considers new online casinos that have been granted a genuine gaming license to operate after passing stringent security tests.
• Mobile: While new online casinos don’t NEED to go mobile-first, having a mobile casino site is essential for gaming in this modern era.
• Games: It goes without saying that new slot sites should have a good selection of games on offer, with certified slot testing from GLI or something similar.
• Support: Although busy periods are forgiven, the Professor wants new casinos to have a prompt and efficient help team in position.
• Payments: Not just Visa and MasterCard but a few of Skrill, Neteller, Paysafecard, Trustly, and even PayPal casinos are always looked upon fondly.
• Bonuses: Because who would want to join a brand new casino that doesn’t value its players with a top package!?

The Real Crowd Pleasers

But that’s merely the beginning of the journey. The above characteristics should all be found within the latest online casinos, yet they shouldn’t be the complete picture. There are several other features that can be offered on top of the basics to really propel a new casino above the rest - and maybe on par with the best! Examples of these features are:

• VIP Program/Loyalty Scheme: The classic casino VIP program gives back to those who really make an effort. Extra bonuses, prizes and even event tickets can be offered.
• Gamification Additions: One of the online casino 2017 trends was without doubt gamification which adds another game-like experience on top of the standard entertainment. A good example of gamification is having missions or objectives to complete, with benefits for doing so.
• Game/Slot Tournaments: Making those slots we love even more appealing, yocan compete against fellow iGamers for free spins, deposit bonuses and more.
• Regular Promotions & Offers: A regularly updated Promotions page, where standalone offers can be used. The more creative the better!
• Filter Options & Features: The user experience of new online casinos is critically important, with navigation being top of the list. However, additions such as game filtering, manual flushing and exclusive slots can add another layer of satisfaction.
• Continual Ugrades: No one likes to see a website standing still, and let’s be honest, not one can afford to do so or they’ll soon get left behind! So, if you’re part of a new casino’s backroom team, the Professor urges you to: keep innovating, updating, and upgrading!

Although ticking all these boxes would be difficult, even for some of the biggest heavyweights, they are aspects that new online casinos should be thinking about. Even implementing one or two would demonstrate a commitment to going the extra mile, and that’s a surefire sign of a top new casino. EGR have even set up a special Marketing & Innovation Awards ceremony for the most imaginatve.

New Online Casinos Vs Established Casinos

We've been using the terms "new casinos" and "new online casinos" in reference to platforms that have opened their doors to the iGaming world in the last few months. But in reality, a new casino could be one that you simply haven't registered at. For these older, more established brands, you can browse our collection of best online casinos to see if you've missed any heavyweights. Alternatively, here are a few currently on a hot streak:

• Rizk: Captain Rizk offers no wager bonuses to those who spin his Wheel of Rizk. A really classy platform with a UKGC license.
• Dunder: Dive right into the iGaming fun with little distractions at Dunder. Built for speed and simplicity, with extra-strong security features.

Yet, with so much competition, it's easy to get curious about the latest options - even if you're currently a happy gamer. After a while, you might want to crave other surroundings, or maybe a new online casino has a few features that an existing one doesn't. Let's face it, there's no real harm in trying out something different - and it may even enhance your iGaming experience further.

Best New Online Casinos in 2019

"What are the best new casinos"?

It's a question that the Professor is often asked, but unfortunately it's one of the very few that he can't provide a straight answer to. That's purely because your best new online casinos would probably be different to another player’s top picks - as it all depends on individual tastes. However, what's certainly possible is to consider the general feeling for some of our newest online casinos in 2019. Using feedback from our readers, we can give you a few examples of online casinos this year which have impressed many of your fellow peers. Take a look at their Casino Professor reviews for more detail:

• Highroller Casino: Explore the online casino underworld Metrocity to become a feared name in the town. Set up stings and even loot coins from other idle players to collect coins!
• Metal Casino: Power those amps and get ready for the heaviest gaming with Metal Casino. Backed by some of the genre’s most famous names, Metal Casino is one for the ages - with real memorabilia to win.
• Yeti Casino: There’s no disputing online casino’s own Yeti, with a sizeable £111 first deposit bonus. Play the latest games as they’re released from some of the biggest developers.

If you do give these a try, don’t forget to tell the Professor what you think! Each of his casino reviews has its own dedicated section for readers to leave comments so your voice can be heard.

Latest Casino Bonuses 2019

One of the big attractions of joining multiple online gambling sites is the prospect of a nice, new welcome bonus. There are several packages just waiting to be prized open, including everyone’s favourite no deposit free spins. And the best part? There’s a steady stream of extra casino bonuses and offers coming through with every new online casino that’s added - perfect! This means you’re unlikely to completely run out of options due to the sheer number of new casinos entering the fray - but remember to keep your first thoughts on security when signing up. Of course, there’s no need to concern yourselves while visiting Casino Professor, as all the domains here have undergone a deep check by the veteran gamer for any security lapses. All you need to do is decide what casino bonus you fancy...

Compare New Casino Bonuses

The Prof has been on too many sites where comparing new online casino offers is difficult. So, he made sure they’re the first thing you see on each card. Two options may be available. No Deposit Bonus: To really stand out as a new online casino, offering a new no deposit bonus is a particularly good idea. It could be free spins or bonus money on registration, with these extras being perfect for a quick trial. First Deposit Bonus: Pretty much every new online casino will then have a first deposit bonus. You can activate it by making a first payment, with a match bonus, free spins or a combination of both being common. Thanks to the Professor’s review cards, you can quickly swipe through the options until something catches your eye.

New UK Online Casinos 2019

“I’m British. Are all these new options UK online casinos?”

While the Professor tries his best to accommodate for fans of UK online casinos, not every domain found on Casino Professor is fit for Britain. The reason for this is because, as of 2014, a gambling site that wants to operate in the UK needs to have a license from the country’s Gambling Commission (UKGC). The UKGC run a tight ship to keep you safe, so not every new casino has the time/resources/features to acquire one. However, this says a lot about those that do...

“How can I tell if a new casino is UK licensed?”

Easy! Just flip the review card of each site to reveal gambling licenses. If you see the UKGC listed, you’re good to go.

“Can British players get new UK online casino bonuses too?”

Of course! Your new casino welcome bonus might be different from the rest of the world, but it’s still very likely that one will be offered to you. Casinos never want a reputation of being stingy!

New Zealand has regulated online gambling long time ago and gambling is seen as a fun activity, but also a hobby. Online casino NZ players are allowed to gamble at offline operators, but the operators themselves are prohibited in setting their base of operations in New Zealand. Here is a list of casinos in NZ that accept players and offer the New Zealand dollar as the currency.

Gambling in New Zealand

New Zealand’s government has not always been open-minded towards gambling. Before 1961, gambling wasn’t just frowned upon, it was outright illegal. Since then, land-based casinos saw daylight and started their operations.

NZ Gambling Laws - Gambling Act 2003

The Gambling Act 2003 covers all the legal information related to gambling in New Zealand. While online casinos are prohibited to operate in New Zealand, it isn’t illegal for residents to play online casino. Many offshore operators accept players from NZ and also offer NZ dollar as the currency.

Taxation on Gambling Winnings

Since gambling isn’t considered a regular source of income in NZ, gambling winnings are in most cases exempt from tax. Basically, if you have another source of income and gambling is just a recreational activity for you, there is no need to worry. You won’t have to pay taxes on your winnings.

Best Online Casino NZ

A casino in New Zealand should have the same kind of characteristics as all other top casino sites. However, to really set them apart, there are a few personal touches that platforms can enact to really please Kiwis...

Casinos with NZ Dollar

Let's be honest, everyone wants to play with their native currency. While players are okay with setting up dedicated online casino eWallets and other payments, they want to be able to deposit, withdraw and receive great casino bonuses with what they earn. Kiwi casino players are no different, so you'll want to find an online casino with NZ dollars to really feel at home. The Professor's top online casino with NZ dollars? It's a difficult one, but the Prof reckons that you'll be very happy to play with your native currency at Royal Panda.

No Deposit Bonuses + Free Spins

If you're after a few free spins no deposit as an NZ casino player, there are numerous options to go around. Take Rizk Casino as a good starting point. They give all their eligible players one spin on the Wheel of Rizk. From this, you can get:

• A minimum of 10 no deposit free spins
• Up to $25 in cash
• Something in between
• + all Wheel of Rizk offers come as a no wager bonus!

Top Online Casinos NZ

But the very best online casino in New Zealand depends solely on you. Give a few of the above a try to test some out, lapping up plenty of welcome bonuses along the way. Enjoy!

Although PayPal is the largest eWallet in the world, casinos offering PayPal deposit and withdrawals are somewhat rare species. This is mainly due to the payment provider being very selective rather than casino sites not being interested. However, because of this, those elite few online casinos that use PayPal have a very big advantage over those that don’t. The Professor is a huge advocate of this service, and we’ll explain why in just a second. First, check out his exclusive list of PayPal casinos with accompanying in-depth reviews. NOTE: For GB players, every PayPal casino listed here will work in the UK as each one has acquired the necessary UKGC license.

PayPal Casinos - The Best for iGaming Payments

The transaction vendor has a long history having been around since the early 2000s. It has early connections with a certain Elon Musk, before being sold to eBay for a whopping 1.5 billion US dollars (Biography – Elon Musk). However, that figure is a snip compared to its value of 61.6 million US dollars as of February 2018 - leading PayPal to be branded “the biggest online payment company around” (Compelo - PayPal Net Worth Has Surpassed Parent Company eBay). With such a huge reputation and user base, it’s pretty clear why casino sites would jump at the chance of allowing their players to deposit using PayPal. But why should players themselves be interested? Several reasons, actually.

Easy to Use

The first being how simple yet efficient it is. The service wouldn’t be what it’s worth today without being extremely easy to navigate, allowing people to send and receive money without any hassle. Transactions are usually completed within a matter of seconds due to this simplicity - something which is perfect for casino site payments! Of course, in an age which is dominated by mobile devices, you can manage your PayPal account from your smartphones and tablets as well as desktop. Either login using a web browser, or download the iOS or Android apps if you can afford the space.

Save Your Details

As with any eWallet, the most convenient aspect of using PayPal is that you only need to enter your payment details once. You can link one or a combination of debit card, credit card and/or bank account. Also, you do not need to transfer money directly before making a transaction. If your wallet doesn’t have enough money to cover the cost, your saved payment method(s) will automatically be called upon to initiate the transaction. Once you’ve opened a PayPal account and added this information, you can use it again and again at casino sites.

Top Security & Support

PayPal has a strict policy regarding who it does business with due to being a multinational, stock-listed company. It has a great reputation, with millions and millions of users worldwide, and is resoundly regarded as a safe payment service with watertight security features*. Therefore, it wouldn’t want to muddy any waters by siding with rogue sites. The past relationship between PayPal and online gambling is complicated with few casinos making the cut. However, those that do can be seen as having an extra layer of authenticity. As such, only the most trusted casino sites make the cut. If you ever run into any problems then there is a detailed FAQ section to browse through plus community support, an email service or UK freephone number for urgent assistance. *NOTE: Buyer Protection is not available for online gambling transactions (PayPal Buyer Protection Policy - Eligible Transactions).

Lighting-Fast Withdrawal Time

Speed is one of the biggest benefits of online casinos that accept PayPal when compared to conventional methods such as bank transfer. For deposits, this isn’t too much of an advantage as almost all casino sites process money coming in immediately. It’s mainly the security features that benefit players here. However, when withdrawing any winnings there is a huge improvement. Bank transfers, cards and a few other methods can take several business days to complete. With PayPal, the withdrawal time is often instant* - or certainly within a few hours - for a small fee. *NOTE: Remember that PayPal casino sites still require you to verify your identity before transferring money. Also, how quickly they process your withdrawal requests is up to them.

Available on Desktop & Mobile

It doesn’t matter whether you’re gaming using a desktop/laptop or smartphone/tablet, casinos with the functionality in place will always offer PayPal as a payment option. We don’t know about you, but the Professor always finds paying on mobile a little trickier than desktop. Maybe it’s his age showing, but entering a password on a touch screen takes longer for him than a physical keyboard. That’s where something like PayPal One Touch™ can help, as it keeps you logged in on certain devices. For shared devices - which are much more likely to be laptops or computers - this isn’t recommended. Yet, for smartphones and other items that are only used by you, this kind of nifty feature can save a few more seconds.

Any Disadvantages?

Of course, while this might be the best casino payment vendor in the Professor’s eyes, he’s wise enough to realise that it’s not faultless. For starters, a small fee will be taken every time you receive a monetary transaction (in this case, any casino withdrawals). This starts from 1.9% and can go up to a maximum 3.4% (+ 20p) depending on the transaction (Fees - Selling with PayPal). Deposits via PayPal should always be free. If they’re not, that’s a fault on the casino side of things rather than payment. Also, the choice is limited. Although there are a decent number of options on this page, it’s a far cry from the 100+ casino sites that the Professor has reviewed in total. Of course, this can either be a positive or negative depending on your stance. If you like to hop around then you’ll probably need to mix and match. Yet, if you revel in finding a secure platform and like to stay put, PayPal casino sites are a very good choice.

Your PayPal Account

To get an account, head to paypal.com and sign up for free. You will need to provide some basic information regarding your identity and then verify your email. The whole process shouldn’t take longer than a couple of minutes. After you have created an account, you can add your preferred payment methods mentioned above, as well as removing certain limits. In order to remove these limits, your account needs to be verified (How do I verify my PayPal account?). This process usually takes a few business days.

New PayPal Casino UK - How to Choose

Okay, if you’ve gotten this far then we presume you’re very much into the idea of online casinos that accept PayPal. But how exactly do you select one? As experienced iGamers will know, there’s much more to gambling sites than just easy payment methods. Good VIP programs, lots of games, fast customer support and other positive features that the Professor looks for as a standard still apply. However, there are specific advantages and disadvantages of the PayPal aspect to consider as well.

PayPal for Both Deposits AND Withdrawals

One thing to consider is whether you can only deposit using PayPal and not withdraw. Casino sites are well-known for having fewer withdrawal choices compared with deposit. This trend isn’t always bucked here either, despite this payment provider’s lure. Due to the fees incurred, whether you want to use an alternative vendor to access your winnings is another consideration. If you’re okay with the costs, here are some good options which offer PayPal as both a deposit and withdrawal option:

• LeoVegas
• Betsafe

Approving/Processing Speed

We noted above that instant (or at least fast) PayPal casino withdrawal times relate to requests that have been approved. This means you won’t receive any winnings as soon as you hit the withdraw button, but will instead need to wait until the casino site gives the green light. How quickly PayPal casino sites approve/process transactions is, therefore, a crucial aspect when deciding where to play. You want to get your money quickly, after all! Here are some of the fastest within the Professor’s records, with averages of within 24 hours once you’ve verified your identity:

• Rizk
• Mr Green

PayPal Casino FAQ

Casino Professor hopes this page has given you a well-rounded argument for using PayPal at casino sites. However, as it’s not the most common of areas, the iGaming old-timer has collected the most popular questions about this topic and collated them for you here. Happy gaming!

What is the best PayPal casino in the UK?

As I always say to everyone who asks, it’s impossible to nail down one “best” casino for anything. The truth is that there are some very high-quality casino sites out there, but what works for you may not necessarily work for another. It all depends on tastes, and to be honest every domain that accepts PayPal must be of a high standard - otherwise the vendor wouldn’t get involved with them! However, if you’re completely new to the area, the suggestions I’ve provided above are very popular with readers.

Why is PayPal rarely offered at casino sites?

Once upon a time, it used to be the biggest payment processor for gambling transactions - believe it or not! But after receiving a lot of pressure from the US government, a decision was taken to withdraw from the market in 2003 (CNN - EBay's PayPal accused of violating Patriot Act). The financial giant then returned to gambling activities in 2010 - yet, they’ve since been extremely careful about who they partner up with. Anyone interested “must demonstrate to PayPal's satisfaction that they have the ability to block gambling activities for account holders in the U.S. and any jurisdiction where gambling activities may be illegal” (Help Center - What gambling activities does PayPal prohibit?). So, if a casino site manages to convince the biggest payment service in the world that they’re genuine, that’s a good enough indicator to casino players I think!

Is PayPal eligible for welcome bonuses?

It depends. If you’ve ever been hunting for casino welcome bonuses, you’ll probably have seen the clause written into several terms and conditions that “Skrill or Neteller are not eligible”. Casino sites sometimes decide to include PayPal into this clause as well. Therefore, I cannot stress enough how important it is to read the t&c’s of a bonus before trying to activate it. If you happen to find a bonus above that isn’t eligible, that’s not a reason to discard it completely. Instead, you can use an alternative method (such as credit/debit card) to make the qualifying deposit(s) for the bonus before turning to PayPal for subsequent transactions.

Is there always an option to deposit and withdraw?

Not always. Every single PayPal casino site will allow you to deposit with this method, but not all have the option to withdraw. I’ve listed a few examples who do both above.

I’m from Canada, do these PayPal Casinos work for me?

If you’re in an eligible region, yes! There are quite a few Canadian online casinos with PayPal, so if you’re an eligible resident then you have a decent selection to choose between. One that stands out for me is PokerStars Casino.

I’m from the US, do these PayPal Casinos work for me?

Likewise if you’re from a US state where gambling is legal, there are options for you too. New Jersey gamers, for example, can deposit and withdraw using PayPal at 888casino.

Finding popular online casinos can be tough –  but only if you don’t know where to look.  Despite there being many players, tastes and preferences, certain online casinos always attract a large following. Discover here what makes these gambling sites so popular and get your piece of the action at these well-liked casinos. And of course, find your favourite online casino!

Most Popular Online Casinos - What Makes Them So Special?

Popular online casinos are not that hard to find - if you know where to look. To become a favourite online casino, the platform has to have all their ducks in a row. First of all, these casinos have a proper license and are safe and secure online places to play. Furthermore, hot online casinos all have a website that is very user-friendly. They offer a solid games selection, exciting promotions, an attractive loyalty program. Also, and efficient customer support. And of course, fast withdrawals.

Popular Online Casinos - Their Website

An excellent user experience starts with a website that is pleasing to the eye and easy to navigate. As a player, you want to be able to find what you are looking for straight away. Popular online casinos offer a healthy mix of familiarity. You can easily find your way around, and something new for you as a player to sink your teeth in. This way, your casino game is always exciting. The best online casinos have a clear navigation panel and are able to tempt you with an exciting offer every time you visit.

Most Popular Casino Games - A Stacked Library

Playing online is all about the action and this all depends on a good game selection. The most famous online casinos can offer you a wide variety of quality games from the very best game developers. These games can range from slots to table games, played in flash or with a live dealer. Popular online casinos are quick to add new games to their portfolio whenever a new quality product is released. So, there is always something new for you to discover.

Regular Casino Bonus Offers and Promotions at Popular Online Casinos

What makes players come back for more are exciting regular bonus offers. Everyone loves some extra cash to play with and online casinos know this. Popular casinos regularly treat their players to tasty bonuses. That entails that you get something extra in the form of bonus cash or free spins on your deposit, or just for logging on. This means that you can play your favourite game a bit longer. Or have more chance of hitting that juicy jackpot. Maybe even have the opportunity to try out something new at no extra costs. To flavour your casino game some more, the most famous online casinos regularly organise tournaments, races and other exciting gameplay. You can either test yourself against other players or be challenged to reach your personal best. Popular online platforms make sure there is always plenty of action to be had, every day of the week.

Popular Online Casinos - Loyalty Program

Besides a good website, great games and exciting promotions, popular online casinos appreciate loyalty and reward players, who keep coming back for more. What all casino loyalty programs have in common is that the more you play, the more you get rewarded. This can vary from extra special bonus offers and tournaments to your own personal account manager and the attendance of special events in person. Make every wager count and benefit from extra rewards the more you play.

Popular Online Casinos - Customer Support & Language Options

In case you need to contact customer support, the players’ support desk at popular online casinos is available 7 days a week, 24 hours a day. A fast way to contact a favourite casino’s customer support service is via online chat. There are customer support desks that are available by telephone and/or offer a call-back service. If you prefer calling for customer support, some casinos even provide a local number for you to call. If English is not your first language, you might prefer customer support and the display of the online casino website in your own language for more convenience. Most, if not all, popular online casinos have plenty of language options available. It's for both, the site and customer support, so you can navigate the online casino website and get assistance in your language. Every player has her or his own preferences. With hundreds of casino reviews these days, there is no need to follow the herd. Know, however, that favourite online casinos are popular for a reason and you might get more out of your game at these well-liked casinos.

The trusted online casinos that appear on the Casino Professor website all operate under gambling licenses that guarantee honest and transparent operation. Meaning you as a player can place your wager in a secure environment. However, some online casinos have such a solid reputation, they can be considered the most trusted in the industry. Find out which online casinos are considered as such, and how they might able to offer you a great environment.

There are a few aspects that trusted casinos have in common. These include a longer history, multiple brands, great transparency, excellent customer service and a considerable amount of deposit and withdraw options.

Which is the Best, Safe Online Casino?

Most of the options you see above also make it into the Professor's best online casinos shortlist. While pinpointing exactly which is "your best" depends on you, there are a few familiar factors that ALWAYS appear.

Safe Online Casinos - History

The most trusted online casinos tend to have been around for longer in this very young industry. These safe online casinos have been in operation for several years with some of the most credible gambling licenses. They have been able to firmly establish themselves on the market. And of course, gain great expertise and build a solid reputation. These casinos are keen to maintain their reputation as a trusted brand. This means they make sure you as a player can wager in a secure environment. They are furthermore keen to keep you happy by offering an extensive selection of bonuses. They also offer safe deposit and withdraw methods and excellent customer service.

Trusted Online Casinos - Multiple Brands

Because of their long history, trusted online casinos have been able to use their expertise to create multiple brands. These different brands cater for a wider variety of players - and often rack up plenty of positive casino reviews. Many of these trusted online casinos tend to be managed by bigger companies, who can attract the very best people. This is to ensure all their brands operate as smoothly as possible and keep players happy at all times. Bigger companies with multiple brands have a bigger market share. So, they have more of it to lose if they don’t keep players satisfied and entertained.

Secure Online Casinos Are Transparent

Trusted online casinos are keen for you to know who they are, and what they can offer you. So, on their website, you can easily find where the company behind the trusted online casino is based and who exactly is running the show. This is a sign of transparency. Furthermore, their terms and conditions are clearly stated, so you know exactly where you stand as a player - such as the all-evil wagering requirements.

Safe Online Casinos - Customer Service

Trustworthy online casinos have a reputation to keep up. Most of them offer excellent customer service provided by skillful and professional customer service agents. Fortunately, customer support is often offered in multiple languages and is available 7 days a week and in many cases 24 hours a day.

Secure Online Casinos - Money Transfer Options

As part of this strong focus on customer satisfaction, many good online casinos offer a great range of deposit and withdrawal options. These options include several e-wallets, which are secure, fast and convenient ways to fuel your account or receive any pay out in case you want to cash out any winnings. PayPal casinos, in particular, are ones to look out for. So, if you are keen to play it safe when it comes to your online casino game, sign up at one of the casinos listed in this category.