State of uk online gaming

[shadow123]

Been scanning through the accredited casinos and the meister ratings list looking for decent UK licenced casinos and was totally gobsmacked at how few are available,so many casinos have given up on the UK market and non of the big bookie names appear on the meister list which ends at a rating level of 6.6.
The UKGC have really decimated the UK market over the last few years and players have little choice left other
than the shitty rtp , crap service and SOW obsessed casinos like Mecca, Sky Ladrokes and Gala.
The only decent casino I know of now is Lottomart, just hope they can afford to continue to operate in UK.
Despite what the UKCG think players are going to have go offshore with all the risks involved to play if they want
to find decent rtps,real bonuses and good playtime for their deposits and be able to play without the dreaded
axe of SOW hanging over them.
Really sorry state of affairs.

Casinomeister review of Lottomart Casino

 

[ritae]

The only noticeable decline for me is the drop in RTP. Some games have become unplayable now at 92%, Microgaming for example.

Would never consider any crypto casino, too many risks, and I wouldn't have the foggiest on how to purchase them in the first place to transfer!

 

[shadow123]

I would have no idea how to deposit with crypto either, probably a good thing

 

[winner2021]

I'm not on the first two sites you mention but I'm on the other two-had no idea they are going big on the SOW so thanks for the heads up. I only play those two occasionally so not ran into any problems with them yet.

Yeh the sites are getting worse and worse. They recently took most of mine down to 80p or £1 a line on slots-but you can still stake 20 lines, no thanks. Ruined my fun but I guess that's the idea! Have moved onto slingo now instead.

 

[justdoit]

I play on Pokerstars Skybet Virgingames bet365 Unibet not ask me for SOW yet, they all paid me very fast without any problem, RTP not bad from 94% to 96% , I play also on Lottomart not bad RTP is ok fast pay out

 

[shadow123]

Self excluded from red32 years ago before they joined up with Unibet, tried to sign up with them they wouldnt even discuss
it until 2024.Am a player at 365, despite the good rtps,cannot win there, happens with some casinos,.
Had accounts at Virgin and Sky years ago, cant remember why I stopped playing.

 

[deleted20230517]

I would have no idea how to deposit with crypto either, probably a good thing

Don't. You'll pay a shit ton of fee's for converting one to another. And sometimes payments with crypto can take up to a half hour to even proces.

 

[Cicadasinthetrees78]

Don't. You'll pay a shit ton of fee's for converting one to another. And sometimes payments with crypto can take up to a half hour to even proces.

No offence, but are you in recovery? All of your posts have this weird D.A.R.E vibe. Neither of those things are true by the way.

 

[justdoit]

Self excluded from red32 years ago before they joined up with Unibet, tried to sign up with them they wouldnt even discuss
it until 2024.Am a player at 365, despite the good rtps,cannot win there, happens with some casinos,.
Had accounts at Virgin and Sky years ago, cant remember why I stopped playing.

Virgingame has lot of games on max RTP, not many games but they keep adding, Sky 94% RTP they adding games also, I prefer Pokerstars coz they have lot of games, they also have lots of free spins and cash offer more u spend more u get
problem with unibet they do credit check better credit more limit

 

[slot_zombie]

Don't. You'll pay a shit ton of fee's for converting one to another.

I'm getting a total rebate of 25% of monthly losses back in cash from an offshore place, when I have an unlucky.month. So a quid or two in crypto fees doesn't even register.

 

[satchnz]

I'm getting a total rebate of 25% of monthly losses back in cash from an offshore place, when I have an unlucky.month. So a quid or two in crypto fees doesn't even register.

Yeah it always amazes me how people are happy to spaff away hundreds on slots, yet they definitely don’t want to pay a buck or two in fees…

 

[The Dude]

Yeah it always amazes me how people are happy to spaff away hundreds on slots, yet they definitely don’t want to pay a buck or two in fees…

I think it's about the principle of the thing - paying someone a fee for them to just push a button.

Oops - that's what slot players do

 

[justdoit]

Yeah it always amazes me how people are happy to spaff away hundreds on slots, yet they definitely don’t want to pay a buck or two in fees…

is not buck or two is more like 50buck

 

[satchnz]

is not buck or two is more like 50buck

You are buying your crypto from the wrong place my friend.

 

[justdoit]

You are buying your crypto from the wrong place my friend.

5% to 7% they charger in UK $1000 5% 50 buck cant find cheaper in UK, maybe you buying on local supermarket and paying cheaper

 

[Valhalla]

What I've done recently is reduce my bet size down to smallest possible. Not because I want to but I'm trying to fly below the SOW radar as long as possible - I've only been asked once, last week, when trying to reopen my Casumo account. I declined to provide SOW and told them to keep my account closed.
Should any other casinos ask, they will see me for the last time as well. It's sad, but what can be done? The online (casino) gaming industry is close to collapsing in the UK and then we won't have to concern ourselves with it because we won't have casinos to play at anyway.

 

[shadow123]

Crazy having to worry about your stake level,I was happily playing in Bingo halls and arcades at £2 many years ago, now
my comfortable maximum online is £1,my usual stake is either 50p or 60p partly to get some playtime but mainly to keep
under the SOW radar.What strange times we live in, still cant get my head round why gambling is considered so bad now.

 

[deleted20230517]

What is the problem with a KYC procedure? They are entitled or forced by law todo so.

I mean submit your files; and you should be good to go. They have a vault for that reason and they cant use it for anything other then verification. I mean the fines are huge if a casino allows unregistered players to play at their establishment.

 

[deleted20230517]

No offence, but are you in recovery? All of your posts have this weird D.A.R.E vibe. Neither of those things are true by the way.

Ive attemped crypto in the past... I even mined owning up to 24 eth. But left or right your always confronted with these ridiculous fee's.

 

[shadow123]

No problem with KYC providing its just the essential documents being requested.
SOW is a much bigger problem with very confidential and intrusive information being demanded often involving
third party data and no garrantee that it will remain secure.Also it is often demanded when a player makes a large withdrawal
request and the casino cant find any excuse in their terms not to pay out.

 

[Valhalla]

Also it is often demanded when a player makes a large withdrawal
request and the casino cant find any excuse in their terms not to pay out.

And this is really awful as well. Some regular player with a small weekly budget for entertainment hits a life changing win at a "reputable" casino, only to hit the SOW roadblock.
"Show us your highly private financial details; we need to know how you can afford to deposit £40 a week here..."

I have yet to - and never will - send casinos my bank statements, pay slips, tax forms etc. But I'm assuming we can't redact any information either? I think I'd be ok if I could send them a bank statement with all but my monthly salary censored, so they can see I am actually earning a regular (legal) income. But my guess is they will want to know every penny I spend, and where I spend it. This is beyond acceptable imo.

 

[satchnz]

What is the problem with a KYC procedure? They are entitled or forced by law todo so.

I mean submit your files; and you should be good to go. They have a vault for that reason and they cant use it for anything other then verification. I mean the fines are huge if a casino allows unregistered players to play at their establishment.

KYC - yes. Personal financial documents for SOW - no.

You seem to often push the narrative in favour of the casinos. Can I ask if you are in any way affiliated with one of the regulatory bodies involved in the gambling industry?

 

[bamberfishcake]

is not buck or two is more like 50buck

Coinify charge 2.5% handling fee. I think Binance is cheaper, and there are a few other ways to swap fiat for crypto a little cheaper also, I believe.

 

[antpulpfiction]

It's a shame that the UKGC has made it so difficult for players to find good service and fair RTPs. It's tough out there! But hey, at least you've found Lottomart - that's something, right? Hopefully they'll be able to stick around for a while and provide players with the experience they deserve. It's frustrating to think that players might have to go offshore to find what they're looking for, but you gotta do what you gotta do, I guess.

 

[justdoit]

Coinify charge 2.5% handling fee. I think Binance is cheaper, and there are a few other ways to swap fiat for crypto a little cheaper also, I believe.

yes Handle fee plus transfer fee u end up with 5% is just the tricks they use to think is cheaper, like Skrill says they charger 2% but transfer fee is like 3%

 

[deleted20230517]

KYC - yes. Personal financial documents for SOW - no.

You seem to often push the narrative in favour of the casinos. Can I ask if you are in any way affiliated with one of the regulatory bodies involved in the gambling industry?

Don't get me wrong. . I have my own business for 15 years and i have clients who have a similar age of doing business. We're constantly on updates in regards of how things are managed. For example the "SOW" is something we all are confronted with sooner or later. I had it myself, a bank who held a payment for more then 2 weeks after a client of me did me a payment. Long story short: the client appeared to have a payment from someone who's on a grey or black list. Because of that her future transactions where flagged and so was the transaction to me. The client had to basicly shove identity documents to my bank in order to release the payment. After i spoke to the bank i explained like this is insane, i do business for 15 years with zero issues, and suddenly an issue is raised over nothing.

Another client of me lists his business in Uber eats (delivery), makes in 2021 over 220k and is presented with "SOW" or stupid questions like "You recieved 220k in 2021 from uber eats, what is that for?" as part of a procedure from the bank. The casino's i play at all have this verify first then play tactic, which is excellent in my opinion. Never a document request about what my source of income is. In the UK those things are quite more difficult then other countries i see.

So if you have a business contract of you working somewhere or you have a active registration as a business owner, whats the problem submitting this? Thats my point. If you can perfectly declare it it shoud'nt cause issues.

Casino's have laws to oblidge.. If you run a credit card service onsite you have to assure the money that flows in is from legal sources (and not money laundry)

 

[justdoit]

Bet365 after doing 5000 spin in one week ? on £0.09 and £0.18 on DOA2

 

[Valhalla]

@justdoit well that's just stupid. We could all place countless thousands of "bets" on a slot in any one sitting. There's absolutely no logic to this garbage.

 

[Reelsoffun]

Some casinos give you achievement for 5000 spins lol.

If they gonna start that crap we’re all in trouble, as Valhalla says most of us are guilty of doing thousands of spins in one sitting it don’t mean we are out of control, but of course only since the UKGC saw fit into not letting us bonus buy! muppets. I used to be able to buy few bonuses with a modest deposit and have some fun, half hour jobs a good one, win or lose, now we have to sit and grind our way to a bonus and then they say we playing too many spins, playing for too long, you really couldn't make this shit up or funnier if you tried.

 

[Mr_Slot5]

Some casinos give you achievement for 5000 spins lol.

If they gonna start that crap we’re all in trouble, as Valhalla says most of us are guilty of doing thousands of spins in one sitting it don’t mean we are out of control, but of course only since the UKGC saw fit into not letting us bonus buy! muppets. I used to be able to buy few bonuses with a modest deposit and have some fun, half hour jobs a good one, win or lose, now we have to sit and grind our way to a bonus and then they say we playing too many spins, playing for too long, you really couldn't make this shit up or funnier if you tried.

*Betting a bit higher to get a bigger win...resulting in shorter sessions- UKGC seemingly frowns upon

*Betting smaller to get more play time...results in more spins being put through the slot- UKGC seemingly frowns upon

*Buying a bonus to circumvent having to spend time and hundreds of spins to trigger the bonus- UKGC has banned

*UKGC implements a 2.5 second time span between spins and gets rid of quick spins but UKGC also seems to assume the longer your session, the more chance you have gambling issues...despite them having themselves contributed to this with said 2.5 seconds between spins and lack of quick spin option.

I mean, the list is endless but you can see from the few points above that this whole thing is absurd. You could literally write a dissertation on the contradictions and inherent issues within the UKGC guidance.

 

[justdoit]

next, they will ask us how many spins you did to complete sow

 

[lord flashheart]

What I've done recently is reduce my bet size down to smallest possible. Not because I want to but I'm trying to fly below the SOW radar as long as possible - I've only been asked once, last week, when trying to reopen my Casumo account. I declined to provide SOW and told them to keep my account closed.
Should any other casinos ask, they will see me for the last time as well. It's sad, but what can be done? The online (casino) gaming industry is close to collapsing in the UK and then we won't have to concern ourselves with it because we won't have casinos to play at anyway.

Catch 22 my friend - casinos will be trying to cover their backsides one way or another in anticipation for the next round of UKGC regulations. Rather than look at the amount you're depositing, they'll just see that you're placing more bets (albeit at lower stakes) and bombard you with the responsible gaming lark. It won't be someone looking at your account either to make a reasonable judgement, willl be automated.... so you'll probably end up with an SOW for placing 10 times the amount of bets / spins regardless of deposits.... A bit like when youtubes algorithm removed a load of history channels for talking about that Austrian painter with the funny moustache

 

[justdoit]

Catch 22 my friend - casinos will be trying to cover their backsides one way or another in anticipation for the next round of UKGC regulations. Rather than look at the amount you're depositing, they'll just see that you're placing more bets (albeit at lower stakes) and bombard you with the responsible gaming lark. It won't be someone looking at your account either to make a reasonable judgement, willl be automated.... so you'll probably end up with an SOW for placing 10 times the amount of bets / spins regardless of deposits.... A bit like when youtubes algorithm removed a load of history channels for talking about that Austrian painter with the funny moustache

3 UK casinos never ask me anything Virgin Gaming SkyBet and Pokerstars I do any bets 10p up to £10 when the balance is right,

 

[Reelsoffun]

*UKGC implements a 2.5 second time span between spins and gets rid of quick spins but UKGC also seems to assume the longer your session, the more chance you have gambling issues...despite them having themselves contributed to this with said 2.5 seconds between spins and lack of quick spin option.

Well three months after the ukgc introduced the 2.5 sec spin limit one of the casinos actually emailed me saying they had noticed an increase in time playing of over 120% I just replied with what do you expect now I have to wait min 2.5 secs between spins. And if I want to go get coffee I have to pause playing rather than set autoplay for 50 spins. Pretty logical don’t you think?

For once I actually got a sensible if not sympathetic reply, “very good points, carry on, nothing to worry about here, I will put a note on your file explaining the increase”

 

[Valhalla]

Well three months after the ukgc introduced the 2.5 sec spin limit one of the casinos actually emailed me saying they had noticed an increase in time playing of over 120% I just replied with what do you expect now I have to wait min 2.5 secs between spins. And if I want to go get coffee I have to pause playing rather than set autoplay for 50 spins. Pretty logical don’t you think?

For once I actually got a sensible if not sympathetic reply, “very good points, carry on, nothing to worry about here, I will put a note on your file explaining the increase”

God it is just absurd really isn't it?
Is there any other form of entertainment or media or consumerism where we are all watched so closely?

"No one could have dreamed that we were being scrutinised as someone with a microscope studies creatures that swarm and multiply in a drop of water..."

I can go to my local off license right now and buy £100 of booze. Then go the next day and do the same, and the next day and so on. All that would happen would be me developing a friendly relationship with the staff (even if they talk about me when I leave the shop). Same goes for my Sky TV subscription; I can add literally every single add-on I want, and buy movies and series every single day without ever raising an eyebrow. I could go on to Steam every day and buy a new game, running up tens of thousands of pounds in games that I never play and Steam wouldn't give a shiny shite.
But deposit £200 a week at an online casino? Play for 20% longer time than usual!?? GOD NO! Perish the thought.
You may have a problem sir, please send us all your private financial details so we strangers can go through them and know intimate details about your life, so we can decide whether or not you are mentally sane enough to be able to spend your own money at our casino; a casino we provide with the sole purpose of people spending money at.

 

[Mr_Slot5]

Well three months after the ukgc introduced the 2.5 sec spin limit one of the casinos actually emailed me saying they had noticed an increase in time playing of over 120% I just replied with what do you expect now I have to wait min 2.5 secs between spins. And if I want to go get coffee I have to pause playing rather than set autoplay for 50 spins. Pretty logical don’t you think?

For once I actually got a sensible if not sympathetic reply, “very good points, carry on, nothing to worry about here, I will put a note on your file explaining the increase”

That just highlights how ridiculous the whole thing is.

 

[satchnz]

God it is just absurd really isn't it?
Is there any other form of entertainment or media or consumerism where we are all watched so closely?

"No one could have dreamed that we were being scrutinised as someone with a microscope studies creatures that swarm and multiply in a drop of water..."

I can go to my local off license right now and buy £100 of booze. Then go the next day and do the same, and the next day and so on. All that would happen would be me developing a friendly relationship with the staff (even if they talk about me when I leave the shop). Same goes for my Sky TV subscription; I can add literally every single add-on I want, and buy movies and series every single day without ever raising an eyebrow. I could go on to Steam every day and buy a new game, running up tens of thousands of pounds in games that I never play and Steam wouldn't give a shiny shite.
But deposit £200 a week at an online casino? Play for 20% longer time than usual!?? GOD NO! Perish the thought.
You may have a problem sir, please send us all your private financial details so we strangers can go through them and know intimate details about your life, so we can decide whether or not you are mentally sane enough to be able to spend your own money at our casino; a casino we provide with the sole purpose of people spending money at.

I got asked to provide SOW when I recently purchased a new TV at Currys…

Ok, not true. But had they asked, I would have told them where to sick their TV. As I will to the first casino that asks me for SOW.

 

[justdoit]

God it is just absurd really isn't it?
Is there any other form of entertainment or media or consumerism where we are all watched so closely?

"No one could have dreamed that we were being scrutinised as someone with a microscope studies creatures that swarm and multiply in a drop of water..."

I can go to my local off license right now and buy £100 of booze. Then go the next day and do the same, and the next day and so on. All that would happen would be me developing a friendly relationship with the staff (even if they talk about me when I leave the shop). Same goes for my Sky TV subscription; I can add literally every single add-on I want, and buy movies and series every single day without ever raising an eyebrow. I could go on to Steam every day and buy a new game, running up tens of thousands of pounds in games that I never play and Steam wouldn't give a shiny shite.
But deposit £200 a week at an online casino? Play for 20% longer time than usual!?? GOD NO! Perish the thought.
You may have a problem sir, please send us all your private financial details so we strangers can go through them and know intimate details about your life, so we can decide whether or not you are mentally sane enough to be able to spend your own money at our casino; a casino we provide with the sole purpose of people spending money at.

you can go to lotto UK webpage make £500-£1000 deposit and spend all in scratch cards buy lotto ticket no one will ask you anything, my son can spend £1000-£2000 on fifa games buying stupid stickers and all time new fifa come none of them are valid to new game

 

[Valhalla]

you can go to lotto UK webpage make £500-£1000 deposit and spend all in scratch cards buy lotto ticket no one will ask you anything, my son can spend £1000-£2000 on fifa games buying stupid stickers and all time new fifa come none of them are valid to new game

Yup! But spend 10% of that money somewhere there's just a small chance you could get more back than you put in? Oh no, we can't be having that unless your life is laid bare before us.

 

[slot_zombie]

Seems like only yesterday we could play carefree without restrictions, and all the bells and whistles. Leo Vegas dropped 100% - 200% reload bonuses on a weekly basis, and then you were set for the evening.

 

[mcgameboy]

The regulations are total and utter BS.

The cynic in me thinks these regulations were devised for two reasons....

1. To embark on a massive privacy grab
2. To steer gamblers not away from gambling, but towards other gambling products....ie ones owned by the National Lottery, who it would seem don't do a good job of adhering to RG regulations, yet somehow escape fines by the UKGC? Funny that.

I have no interest in the Lotto, I barely even play the Euro Millions. And as for scratchcards? Don't get me started.

 

[Valhalla]

1. To embark on a massive privacy grab

I've been thinking this myself tbh. Given the multitude of other ways we can all spend money without any questions being asked, and regardless of how unhealthy our choices may be, why oh why has casino gaming been the one that has so many regulations and information requests?

 

[Phoenix43]

Been scanning through the accredited casinos and the meister ratings list looking for decent UK licenced casinos and was totally gobsmacked at how few are available,so many casinos have given up on the UK market and non of the big bookie names appear on the meister list which ends at a rating level of 6.6.
The UKGC have really decimated the UK market over the last few years and players have little choice left other
than the shitty rtp , crap service and SOW obsessed casinos like Mecca, Sky Ladrokes and Gala.
The only decent casino I know of now is Lottomart, just hope they can afford to continue to operate in UK.
Despite what the UKCG think players are going to have go offshore with all the risks involved to play if they want
to find decent rtps,real bonuses and good playtime for their deposits and be able to play without the dreaded
axe of SOW hanging over them.
Really sorry state of affairs.

 

[Phoenix43]

I'm really interested in what you say as I'm based in the U.K. also. From my somewhat limited experience, I'd say Virgin Games have been one of the better ones, along with Ladbrokes. There are others that I have had good wins with, but then there has been issues which have spoilt the experience, namely 888casino. I've personally found sites such as coral bingo, the pools, mr q and buzz bingo to be decent too. Fast payouts and good customer service.
However, have you ever found that you'll have one big win after signing up, and then nothing afterwards, or at least very little?
I won over £1k with 888 from a £20 deposit, and hardly ever won since, and their customer support is shocking too.

 

[justdoit]

I'm really interested in what you say as I'm based in the U.K. also. From my somewhat limited experience, I'd say Virgin Games have been one of the better ones, along with Ladbrokes. There are others that I have had good wins with, but then there has been issues which have spoilt the experience, namely 888casino. I've personally found sites such as coral bingo, the pools, mr q and buzz bingo to be decent too. Fast payouts and good customer service.
However, have you ever found that you'll have one big win after signing up, and then nothing afterwards, or at least very little?
I won over £1k with 888 from a £20 deposit, and hardly ever won since, and their customer support is shocking too.

when 888 started online I open account early 2001/02 they had some ? slots, after 8 years playing with 888 I won first time £3800 they paid me and closed my account

 

[Bump_Dude]

Definitely recommend checking out the information we have on online casinos in the UK.