What to Expect When Signing Up for an Online Casino in the UK

Online gambling sites are a blessing for casino lovers in the UK. There are land-based facilities, but in my opinion, it doesn’t come close to an online operator any more. However, before signing up, there are some things to consider, to ensure a pleasant experience.

What To Consider Before Signing Up

Before registering, I recommend checking if you actually can. What I mean by that is verifying the operator is licenced in the UK. To this end, I recommend checking out UK CasinoMeister, a site that references and reviews the best Skrill, crypto and Paysafe casino sites legally available in the UK. It helps me to verify that the brands are: 

• Licensed
• Safe
• Has a variety of bonuses and offers
• A wide range of games and market options

1. Checking UKGC Licensing

The licence ensures that an operator is regulated by a gaming commission. In the UK, the United Kingdom Gambling Commission (UKGC) is the governmental body regulating online activities and allows them to accept UK visitors. All the sites the commission has licenced are listed in the UKGC’s public register. So, when checking for licence information at the bottom of the page, I also ensure it redirects to the UKGC site, and I double-check with this register.

This step, I heard, feels cumbersome to a lot of people. However, it’s mandatory to protect your money in case of an issue with the operator, but also to ensure you’re playing legally and avoid a hefty £5,000 fine swiftly accompanied by up to 51 weeks in prison.

2. Ensuring the Site is Safe and Secure

The government surveyed businesses and stated that 32% of businesses suffered security breaches in 2023, a scary number, in my opinion. So, even if the site operates with a licence, I like to check if there are encryption measures to protect my navigation.

I usually get a blocked page when connecting to an unsecured site, thanks to my VPN, but any antivirus can do that, too. Once on the site, I click the little icon to the left of the address (it used to be a lock). By clicking it, I can then see if the connection is secure or not.

3. Is The Offering Appealing?

Once I’ve ensured it’s a good place to play securely, I will go around the site to check the quality of the service offered by the site. I’ll look at the game catalogue, the bonuses on display, the payment methods I can use to deposit and withdraw and test customer support. If what I see is appealing, signing up is the natural next step.

What is The Sign-Up Process is Like at a UK Online Operator

After signing up at so many sites, I quickly realised the process is almost always the same. It may vary depending on what the site, but at the end, every account will have the same information registered to follow regulations.

I often see the site asking for my email address and for me to create a password. Sometimes, it starts with a phone number instead of an email. Then, I have to enter my personal details. This includes the user’s full name, date of birth and home address. It can be presented in any order, but it’s a relatively straightforward process, taking only a couple of minutes at the longest.

Following registration, the site can ask for account confirmation. When I can choose, I usually confirm with my email address, but it’s also possible to confirm by receiving an SMS. To comply with UKGC regulations, the operator will ask for KYC documents. These documents are meant to prove the user’s identity and age. This is something particularly important in UK sites since players under 25 years old have a £2 wagering limit, and those above can only wager £5 per spin as of September 2024.

The KYC documents asked by the operator include proof of identity and proof of residence. The former can be a UK driving licence, passport, or ID card. The latter can be a bank statement or a bill, for instance. When given the chance, I recommend submitting these documents as early as possible

The Last Step is Having Fun and Reaping The Rewards

Once registered at a UKGC-regulated site by respecting all the rules, it’s all about having fun. There are thousands of games from the best providers, and I’ve never seen a land-based facility beat that if you exclude luxury resorts. Most UK gambling sites also feature very generous bonuses to reward the first deposit and play more. 

The most loyal players can enjoy unique and tailored perks depending on the site chosen. I love that it’s all offered with security guarantees, whether it’s for fruit machines or betting on the Belfast Giants.

If I ever have an issue with a site, I know I can contact customer support to get it solved. The UKGC licence is hard to obtain, and operators won’t do anything going against it if it means losing it. If there’s a mistake on their side, they’ll try to fix it to avoid a complaint.

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