If you're after a casino experience that's a little bit different, then you might want to check out our list of top independent casinos UK – which includes an interesting selection of quirky and unique casino sites that use their own software and offer varied welcome bonuses and some all sorts of great slot games.
You might not be as familiar with many of these casinos as with some of the bigger names – because they haven't quite got the same reputation as the industry giants – but that's not necessarily a bad thing. Sometimes, special things come in smaller packages…
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An independent casino is essentially a gambling site that doesn't work with the network of larger, well-known casino brands – many of which seem to be linked or related in some way. As the name suggests, these are completely independent UK casinos!
Unlike many of the mainstream casinos – which often have very similar game libraries and use all the same software providers, independent casinos often run on their own or less common software platforms. This gives them an interesting and unique edge as they often offer exclusive games and innovative features that you won't find at the larger, more commercial sites.
So, let's take a closer look at how you might spot an independent online casino…
Independent UK online casinos often feature their own bespoke collection of slot games, table games and other cool casino games. What's more, you'll often notice that these titles have been developed either in-house or by smaller, niche software providers, so players can expect a unique gaming experience that they won't find at the more mainstream sites.
Because they are smaller in scale, the best independent online casinos can – and do, provide a more personalised and intimate gaming experience. This often means that you can expect better customer service, tailor-made promotions and deposit bonus offers based on your preferred casino games, and an actual sense of community with other players on the site.
Because they don't have the same massive marketing budgets that the big casino brands have, independent casinos tend to focus more on making sure that they offer excellent gameplay and user experience. As such, you'll often find well-thought-out game designs and various other innovative features that put player enjoyment at the forefront of everything.
Despite being smaller, all reputable independent casinos still have to adhere to strict regulations and licensing requirements – and they should all be licensed by the UK Gambling Commission in order to operate legally within the UK (as are all of those on our list). They make sure that they offer fair play, secure transactions, and responsible gaming tools and practices so you can be assured of a safe and trusted online gaming environment.
You'll often find that independent casinos are also more flexible when it comes to payments and deposits. They tend to offer a wide selection of payment methods and low minimum deposit requirements to get people playing.
In our view, the best independent casinos are able to offer players a refreshing alternative to the more mainstream gaming sites – which means they can stand out from the crowd and are a great option if you're looking for something a little different!
In our view, the best independent casinos are able to offer players a refreshing alternative to the more mainstream gaming sites – which means they can stand out from the crowd and are a great option if you're looking for something a little different!
Given that there are more and more independent casino sites hitting the UK market, picking the right one for you isn't necessarily an easy take. However, getting it right is important, as making the right decision can really improve your online casino experience.
As such, here are some of the factors you should think about when choosing the independent casino site you want to sign up with:
First of all, you need to make sure that the casino is licensed and regulated by a reputable authority such as the UK Gambling Commission (UKGC) – which is essential as this means that it is operating legally and legitimately. As well as this, a valid licence also guarantees that the casino has to adhere to the strictest standards of fairness, security, and responsible gaming. All of the sites on our list of independent UK casinos are fully licensed by the UK Gambling Commission, so you won't need to worry.
Then, of course, you'll need to look for a casino that offers an excellent range of games – and that offers games that actually interest you. Independent UK casino sites often feature some of the more unique games that have been developed in-house or by smaller software providers – which is great, but make sure that you like the selection on offer. Check to see that the site offers your favourite types of games – whether they be online slots, table games, live dealer games, specialty games or something else.
It's also a good idea to look through the casino's various bonus offers. You often find that independent online casinos in the UK tend to offer more creative and the best casino bonuses to attract players away from the more mainstream sites.
Keep an eye out for generous welcome bonuses, no-deposit bonuses, free spins and bonus spins, and, ideally, excellent loyalty rewards and VIP schemes, etc. However, you should always read the terms and conditions to understand wagering requirements and other restrictions. Any good independent online casino site will make sure that the terms are fair and transparent so you don't end up with any nasty surprises when you go to withdraw your winnings.
You should also check that the casino supports your preferred payment methods – for both deposits and withdrawals. The best independent slot sites will have a whole variety of options, including debit cards, e-wallets, bank transfers – and some of the new independent slot sites even offer cryptocurrencies.
You should also take the time to check whether there are transaction fees, what the processing times are, and any limits on transactions.
One of the biggest signs that a casino actually cares about its customers is that it offers a solid customer support service. Reliable and professional
customer support is absolutely vital if players are after a smooth gaming experience.
That's why you should check to see if the standalone casino offers a variety of support channels to get in touch with them – such as live chat, email, phone support and ideally, social media. You might even want to test out the responsiveness and helpfulness of the support team before you actually commit any money.
If you are spending time and money on the site, you should expect a great user experience. So, before you sign up and spend money, take the time to look at how the website has been designed, how easy it is to navigate, and the overall user experience from start to finish.
The site should be easy to use and have a clear layout and an intuitive interface. Mobile compatibility is also important, especially if you are someone who prefers to play on the go, so check if the casino offers a mobile-friendly site, a dedicated mobile app – or both.
It might also be a good idea to take a bit of time to research the casino's reputation by looking up player's online casino reviews and various expert opinions. You'll find that UK independent casino sites don't necessarily have as much visibility as those larger brands, so it's recommended that you check out feedback from various sources.
Look to see if there are comments on the fairness of the games, reliability of payouts – and overall user satisfaction.
Security is absolutely essential in the world of gambling online. With money and personal information being disclosed, it's important that you make sure that the casino uses the most advanced security measures – such as SSL encryption, etc.- to protect your personal and financial information.
Check to see whether the site has a clear and understandable privacy policy and various responsible gaming tools and measures in place.
Some independent casinos also offer you the option to try out the games for free before spending any of their own money on the site. This means that you can get a feel for the games and the whole new UK casino site in general without any financial risk.
As we touched upon earlier, lots of great standalone casinos will attempt to distinguish themselves from larger, mainstream casinos by offering a variety of unique and generous bonuses. However, before deciding whether or not they are worth claiming, you need to know a bit about them.
Understanding these different types of bonuses can help you not only to maximise your playing experience but also potentially increase your chances of winning. So, with that being said, here are some of the main types of bonuses you should look out for at an independent slots casino:
Similar to mainstream casinos, independent casino sites UK will often look to attract your attention by offering a generous welcome bonus. These can come in various forms:
Matched Deposit Bonus: This offer is the most common type of welcome bonus – and isn't too dissimilar to those found at bigger casinos – although they might be larger than standard offers. Basically, the casino will match a percentage of your first deposit up to a certain amount. So, for example, a 100% match up to £500 means that if you deposit £500, you'll get an extra £500 to play your favourite games with.
No-Deposit Bonus: Some casinos will offer you a bonus just for signing up, without needing you to make any deposit at all. It's normally smaller than the standard welcome bonus – and can come in the form of free bonus money (usually between £5 to £20) or no deposit free spins (normally around 10). This is an excellent way for you to try out the casino's games and services with zero risk.
Free Spins: Lots of casinos offer welcome packages rather than a singular welcome bonus, which might include free spins on selected slot games. These bonus spins give you a chance to try out popular slots – and even keep any winnings – as long as you fulfil all the wagering requirements in time.
You may even find that some casinos spread out your welcome offer over your first three or four deposits. Simply make sure you make the minimum deposit required, and you'll get lots of bang for your buck to get started.
Reload bonuses are designed for existing players to encourage them to keep making deposits into their account (or to encourage them to make another deposit if they haven't been active on the site for a while).
They basically work similarly to welcome bonuses but are available on your other deposits. Depending on the site, these bonuses can be offered regularly (weekly or monthly, etc) and can be a great boost to your bankroll. They are generally smaller than welcome bonus offers – but still well worth your time.
Lots of brand new independent casinos offer players cashback bonuses, which provide you with a percentage of your losses back over a set period of time. This type of bonus can be very appealing, as it can reduce the pain of those annoying losing streaks.
So, for example, if a site offers a 10% cashback bonus, it means that you'll get back 10% of your net losses over that week. So, if you make an overall loss of £50, you'll get back £5. Cashback bonuses often have lower wagering requirements – and some come with no wagering requirements at all – making them even more player-friendly than other offers.
Free spins, sometimes referred to as bonus spins, are hugely popular with slots players. As well as often being part of a welcome package, free spins can also be given to players as standalone promotions.
These can be given out for different reasons, such as a new game release, special events or holidays, or as part of a loyalty program. Some casinos even offer regular free spins bonuses – like ‘Free Spins Fridays', where you just need to make your qualifying deposit, and they're all yours.
Free spins basically let you play online slots, like megaway slots, without spending your own money and keep what you win – obviously subject to terms and conditions.
The best independent casinos will also make sure that they reward their most loyal players through loyalty programs or VIP clubs so they aren't tempted to look elsewhere. These can vary from casino to casino, but generally, as you play, you earn points that you can exchange for bonuses, spins, prizes or cash.
If you manage to work your way up to the higher levels, you might even receive even more impressive and exclusive perks such as your own personal account manager, faster and higher withdrawals, and special promotions – even holidays and other tangible rewards.
Independent gambling sites often host slot tournaments and other competitions to add a little bit of excitement to your experience. By taking part in these events, you can earn all sorts of goodies – including bonus credits, free spins, or even cash prizes and other rewards.
These tournaments really can add an extra layer of competition to your gameplay -giving you the chance to go up against other players.
You should also look out for bonuses that are linked to holidays, other major events (like sporting tournaments or fashion festivals, etc), or if there's a big new game release. These special promos often include big bonuses and more unique rewards. So, for example, a Halloween-themed promo could offer you bonus cash, free spins on a spooky-themed slot – and various other treats.
Referral – or refer-a-friend bonuses, as they are sometimes called, basically reward you for introducing new players to the casino. When your friend signs up to the casino using your special referral link and makes a qualifying deposit, both you and your friend will be given a bonus as a reward.
This type of bonus basically is a win-win, as it rewards you and your friend – and it expands the casino's player base.
There's nothing a casino likes more than high-roller players… which is why they tend to make sure they are justly rewarded. This is great news if you're a player who likes to bet big – as high-roller bonuses provide huge rewards if you're prepared to make large deposits.
These bonuses are tailored to high-stakes players, and they generally offer larger match percentages, higher maximum amounts, and sometimes even various other perks like exclusive VIP status or personal account managers.
One of the most important factors you need to consider when deciding whether or not to claim the welcome bonus is the wagering requirement attached to it. This essentially dictates how many times you need to bet the bonus amount (or sometimes the bonus plus the deposit) before you can withdraw your winnings.
Wagering requirements (sometimes called playthrough or rollover requirements) are normally expressed as a multiplier. So, for example, if you receive a £200 bonus with a 30x wagering requirement, you need to wager £6,000 (30 times the bonus amount) before you can withdraw any of the winnings you get from that bonus.
These aren't specific to UK independent online casinos. Most casinos include wagering requirements in the T&CS to make sure that players can't simply withdraw free money.
These requirements are there to encourage you to play the casino's games with your own money – giving the casino a fighting chance as it can't afford to give away free money.
Depending on the casino, there are different types of wagering requirements…
Bonus Only: This is the type of wagering requirement you'll want to see on the offer – as it is only attached to the bonus amount. So, for example, a £200 bonus with a 30x wagering requirement means you'll need to wager £6,000 of your own money.
Bonus + Deposit: You may want to avoid this, as it means the wagering requirement is attached to both the bonus and the deposit amount. So, if you deposit £200 and receive a £200 bonus with a 30x wagering requirement, you need to wager £12,000 ((£200 + £200) x 30). So, it effectively doubles the requirements.
Before attempting to fulfil those wagering requirements, it is worth noting that not all games contribute equally to wagering requirements. Normally, you'll find:
Most slots contribute 100%, so every pound wagered counts fully – although sometimes slots with very high RTPs are excluded.
Table games such as blackjack and roulette normally only contribute only 10-20%.
Some games don't count towards wagering at all.
It's also important that these casino bonus offers come with fair and transparent terms and conditions. Here are some of the main ones you need to understand before claiming…
Maximum Bet: There is normally a maximum bet limit when playing with bonus money which is usually a fixed amount, such as £5 per spin or £0.50 per payline.
Expiry Date: This can range from a few days to a month. You need to meet the wagering requirements within this period, or the bonus and any associated winnings will be lost.
Eligible Games: Some bonuses can only be used on specific types of games, such as slots or live dealer games.
Withdrawal Limits: Some bonuses, particularly no deposit bonuses, come with a maximum withdrawal limit, so no matter how much you win, you can only withdraw a certain amount.
Deposit Methods: Some bonuses can't be claimed if the deposit is made via certain payment options – normally e-wallets like Skrill or Neteller.
Bonus Codes: You may also need to enter a bonus code to claim the bonus – so make sure you enter it properly, or you'll lose the offer.
Independent casino sites are renowned for offering unique gaming experiences and innovative platforms – that being said, here are some of the most popular casino games that you'll find at independent casino sites:
Slots are the most popular games in the casino world – and independent casinos are no different. They usually offer an excellent selection of slot games – from traditional three-reel slots to the most advanced video slots with stories, animations and high-quality graphics:
Classic Slots: Simple three-reel games reminiscent of the traditional slot machines.
Video Slots: Five-reel games featuring captivating themes, storylines, and multiple paylines.
Progressive Slots: Slots with jackpots that increase with every bet placed until someone wins the pot.
Blackjack is a real favourite with casino players, thanks to its blend of skill and luck – and the fact that it has the lowest house edge in the industry. You'll find that most independent casino operators provide all sorts of variants of this casino classic, such as:
Classic Blackjack: The traditional version where you just need to get a hand value as close to 21 as possible.
European Blackjack: Similar to classic blackjack but with a few rule variations – such as the dealer getting only one card initially.
Multi-Hand Blackjack: Lets you play more than one hand at once – increasing the excitement and chances to win.
Roulette is another staple at standalone casinos. Normally, you'll be able to choose from various different roulette versions, including:
American Roulette: Has a wheel with 38 pockets – including both a single zero and a double zero and has double the house edge of European Roulette.
European Roulette: Offers better odds with 37 pockets and a single zero.
French Roulette: Similar to European roulette but with additional betting options and the “La Partage” rule, which returns half of even-money bets if the ball lands on zero – so it has the lowest house edge of all.
There are also usually plenty of different options with different themes and rules to add a bit of variety.
Generally, poker games at standalone casinos UK cater to both casual players and pros. You should look out for poker variants, including:
Texas Hold 'em: Probably the most well-known poker variant where players use their two hole cards and five community cards to try and make the best hand.
Omaha: Similar to Texas Hold 'em, but players receive four hole cards instead and need to use exactly two of them.
Caribbean Stud Poker: A popular variant of the game that you play against the dealer rather than other players.
Baccarat, the game of the elite and the high rollers, is usually available in several versions at independent casinos.
Punto Banco: The most popular version in North America, where the casino is always the banker.
Chemin de Fer: A fun version where players get to take it in turns being the banker.
Mini-Baccarat: A smaller, faster-paced version of the game with lower stakes – and is more accessible to those new to the game.
Craps is the dice game that you see in the movies… hugely popular thanks to its dynamic gameplay and various betting options. Ideally, the best independent casino sites will provide at least one traditional craps table where you simply need to bet on the outcome of the roll of two dice.
To give you the feel of a real brick-and-mortar casino experience, lots of independent online casinos are starting to offer live casino games. These games are streamed in real-time from professional studios so you can interact with real dealers and real players. Some of the most popular live dealer games include:
Live Blackjack
Live Roulette
Live Baccarat
Live Poker
Game show games – such as Crazy Time, Monopoly, Deal or No Deal and more
Lots of independent online casinos often give you access to unique speciality games that you won't necessarily find at the more mainstream casinos, including:
Scratch Cards: similar to scratchcards that you'd buy at a newsagent where you just need to scratch off panels to reveal symbols – and hopefully win.
Keno: A lottery-style game where you need to pick numbers and hope they match up with the numbers drawn.
Bingo: Traditional bingo games as you'd get in a bingo hall – only online!
The great thing about independent online casinos in the UK is that they usually offer plenty of different payment options. Here are some that you'll find at most…
Debit cards are accepted at pretty much all independent online casinos. They are generally an easy and secure way to fund your account and are familiar to most people. Options usually include
Visa
Mastercard
Maestro
Debit cards usually offer instant deposits, although withdrawals might take 1-5 business days to process.
E-wallets are becoming hugely popular mainly because of their speed and convenience. They are very secure and tend to offer much quicker withdrawals
compared to other banking methods. Some of the most popular e-wallet options you'll find include:
Skrill
Neteller
EcoPayz
Deposits are usually instant, and withdrawals are processed within a few hours to a day, depending on the casino.
Bank transfers are great if you prefer a more traditional banking option. While deposits might not take too long, withdrawals often take several days to process.
This method is great if you want to make bigger transactions and aren't in a hurry to get to your wins.
Prepaid cards and vouchers are perfect if you're particular about managing your spending or you don't want to use your bank account for online gambling. The most common options available include:
Neosurf
They offer instant deposits but don't normally allow for withdrawals, so you'll need to choose an alternative.
With mobile gaming being on the rise, mobile payments are becoming increasingly popular. These options let you make your deposits directly from your mobile. Ones to look out for include:
Apple Pay
Google Pay
Boku
Mobile payments are typically instant, but you'll need to check if you can withdraw via this method, as it varies from casino to casino.
There are all sorts of reasons you might want to sign up for an independent casino rather than a mainstream site. These independent sites can give you a quirky and unique gaming experience with all sorts of exclusive and niche games, offering various innovative features you won't find at those bigger names. They tend to offer a more personalised customer service, with more flexible and generous bonus offers, so you get an even better experience and even more
value.
So, look through our list of top independent casino sites, pick the one you like the look of and take the road less travelled!
An independent casino is one that operates using its own software platform, usually offering unique games and experiences that you won't find at a mainstream casino.
Yes, our recommended independent casinos are fully licensed and regulated, so you can be assured of fair play and security.
Yes, independent casinos often provide even more attractive bonuses than mainstream casinos, including welcome offers, free spins, reload bonuses and more.
Standalone casinos usually accept all sorts of payment methods, including debit cards, e-wallets, bank transfers, mobile payments and sometimes even cryptocurrencies.
Yes, most independent casinos all have fully optimised websites or apps, so you can play on the go.
