Real Money Casino Apps: Gambling on Mobile & Tablet

Written By Simon Rose Published on 17.03.2021 Last Updated on 05.08.2024

On this page, you will find information on all of the topics you see above. We will discuss the various different criteria that we use to compare casino sites which also helps us find good casino apps. This includes the games it holds, the welcome bonus available and the security features used. Read on to find out more.

Best Real Money Casino Apps for 2024

When we carried out our tests of the legal casino apps on the UK market, we compiled a list of what we thought were the best real casino apps, based on strict reviewing criteria. Each of the apps below performed extremely well in our tests and we can happily recommend every single one of these real money casino apps to you.

If you are looking to play mobile games without downloading an app have a look at our best mobile casinos.

As well as checking the welcome bonus and the selection of games on each real money casino app, our team of reviewers ensured that each company has a full and valid licence to operate, that there are top-end security features making sure that you and your money are safe, and checking into the player protection policy of each brand. This is standard practice and all part of our casino review criteria.

If you are looking for something specific from your casino app, rather than a simple all-rounder, then have a look at this table to see our recommendations of the top casino apps for each category. Again, these are based on extensive testing and the expert judgement of our experienced team members.

Our Criteria for Rating Real Money Casino Apps

As with any review or ranking that we complete, there is a set of judging criteria that we used in order to decide which were the best casino apps for download in 2024. Below, you can see an overview of the aspects that we focused on in our tests.

We will go into detail over the next few sections so that you can learn how to recognize the good from the bad when it comes to casino app downloads.

There are, of course, a number of other things that you can look into when testing the quality of gambling apps, but the factors listed above are the most important things to focus on. Any good app should tick all of these boxes as a minimum.

Popular UK Real Money Casino Games on Mobile Apps

The reason that people download and play on real money casino apps is to access fun, engaging and exciting products. So, any operator worth its salt needs to make sure that its gambling app is stuffed full of hundreds of top fan favorites.

Unfortunately, you will almost always find fewer games on casino mobile apps than on desktop sites. This is because not all games are made with mobiles and tablets in mind. This is especially the case with older games. If a product has not been coded for smaller screens, they have to be left out of the casino app library.

The Top 10 Real Money Games on Mobile Apps

• Starburst

• Mega Moolah

• Gonzo’s Quest

• Cleopatra

• Terminator 2

• Mega Fortune

• Jack Hammer 2

• Jackpot Giant

• Immortal Romance

• Thunderstruck 2

You can see in the table above, that many of the most popular slots games in the world can be found in the game libraries on the best gambling apps. This includes some of the biggest progressive jackpots, meaning that you could feasibly win millions while playing on your phone at the bus stop.

In addition to slot games, you will also find classic table games, redesigned for small screens. There is a bit of something for everyone with the top gambling apps. There is a lot of overlap here with the top video poker sites for example. Though you may have to stick with desktop sites if you want to find the best keno selections.

Return to Player Rates and Payouts

As much as the design and gameplay of any gambling product is hugely important, it is also good to know about the mechanics going on at the best payout casino sites. Especially important is the return to player rate of a game, which tells you the percentage of takings that are expected to return to the players over time. While it is not a guarantee of your taking, it is a great indicator of fairness.

These rates are confirmed and tested by outside organizations. Third party auditors like eCOGRA are responsible for ensuring the calibration of the random number generation software used in online casino games. Without a valid certificate from these auditors along with proof of other safety measures in place, operators cannot get licences for regulated markets.

As you may have guessed, not all online casino games are included in one gambling app per operator. Some brands choose to release dedicated apps for different things. The most common for this being online, player vs player poker and the many mobile bingo apps that you can download from the top bingo brands.

Play Mobile Games for Free

Many players like to try out casino games before they wager their own hard-earned cash. This may seem to go against the point of gambling, but in fact, it is a really good idea. You can learn the rules of the game without any risk and get used to all the features of the gameplay. To try out games for free on the best online gambling apps, you may need to become a member first.

Bonuses for Mobile Casino Apps

One of the most attractive parts of playing at internet casinos is the prospect of accepting a generous mobile welcome bonus when you sign up as a new player. This is as true for casino apps as it is for desktop sites, with the vast majority of bonuses being available on all device types.

The thing is, though, there are very few bonuses created specifically for mobile apps. This is not really a bad thing, it just means that the options are pretty much the same across the market as they are for desktop and laptop users.

You should be aware that you may need to use promo codes when making your first deposit in order to qualify for a welcome bonus. This is not the case at every single brand, but bonus codes are frequently used to make sure that a user gets the correct promotion applied to their account.

As you can see in the table above, the wagering conditions or playthrough requirements for bonuses can vary significantly from one offer to the next. This is one of the most crucial things for you to check before you accept any deal, even if it is one of the best casino bonus offers, as it can make a huge difference to the outcome of your gambling sessions.

No Deposit Bonuses

It is no real surprise that no deposit bonuses are among the most popular with players. Who doesn’t love the prospect of placing actual bets without having to risk your own money, after all?

There are some excellent offers on the market, our pick of which for casino app players you can see below. These most commonly include bonus spins that you get in return for joining, or instead they may feature freeplay bonus funds.

Of course, there is always a catch to any offer. With almost all no deposit bonuses, whether for mobile apps or not, you will have to meet wagering requirements on the bonus amount offered or on the winnings that you make from free spins. You can find out more about no deposit promos in our full guide.

New Casino Apps

As well as the established brands on the market that regularly feature on all sorts of lists of the best operators, you should never rule out the new casino apps out there, just because they have not been around for as long.

There are lots of exciting new online casinos, ready for you to try them out. With a fresh approach to the industry, you can often find generous and innovative bonus offer as well as a great range of current and popular games.

Lastly, these new casino apps come from operators born at a time when players are already wanting to play on mobile and tablet devices. So, the problem of finding greatly reduced libraries is not one to worry about with the newest operators and their respective gambling apps.

Making Deposits and Withdrawals on Casino Apps

We hear from lots of players who are concerned that they would not be able to use their preferred payment method if they were to play on a mobile casino app. Thankfully, with all of the top operators, you can use internationally renowned and trusted payment options, no matter how you access the casino.

We always recommend that you pay with a payment method that you know and trust. This is just one of the ways that you can help to keep yourself, your personal data and your money safe while playing online.

In terms of which service to use, we prefer the use of eWallets, as they allow you to make deposits and withdrawals without sharing your bank details. Paying with Neteller and other similar options is quick and easy.

In addition to eWallets, you can see in the table above, that there is a whole host of great options for to consider when you go to make a deposit or make a withdrawal from your player account on a gambling app.

Safe and Secure Casino Apps

Safety and security are always among the most important aspects of any gambling product. This is certainly true of real money casino apps in the UK. There are lots of things you can do to protect your personal info and money, though. The first of which is making sure that you only play with licenced and legal casinos.

Getting a licence from the UK Gambling Commission is not easy. Any operator wishing to do so will have to prove that they can be trusted to run a reputable casino. This may involve proving financial liquidity, background checks on the individuals involved, setting up anti-money-laundering technology and practices and bringing in a third-party auditor to test for fairness.

These auditors are an essential part of the process, providing independent and scientific confirmation of fair game mechanics and calibration. Without certificates from organizations like eCOGRA, no casino will be able to become licenced in a regulated country. And it certainly should not gain your trust or custom without one.

If you are uncertain of the legitimacy of any operator site, you should confirm with a trusted gambling regulator that it is up to scratch. You can always search to see if a company holds a valid gaming licence on the regulator’s website. For example, go to https://www.gamblingcommission.gov.uk/home.aspx to search for all operators with valid UK licences.

The Differences Between Casino Apps and Desktop Sites?

While the vast majority of your experience at an online casino is not affected by which sort of device you use to log in and play, there are, of course, some differences. Obviously, the screen size has some impact on the size of everything. To help make things easier, the buttons and controls are made bigger so that clumsy fingers don’t have any problems.

The Differences Between Mobile and PC Gaming

There are usually fewer games available on casino apps than on the desktop sites. This is because not all games are created with mobile gaming in mind and so are not compatible with mobile devices. However, when you contrast this with the increased convenience and flexibility given to you by mobile gaming, the offering is still pretty great.

Casinos Apps Vs Instant Play in Browser

If you decide that you want to play at a mobile casino, there is still a big choice to be made. Do you want to play directly through your mobile browser, or do you want to play on a dedicated downloadable casino app. It is really all about personal preference, with some players preferring to have an application specifically for your play.

Having an app means that you can stay logged in and access more easily than if you have to access every time through a browser. It also makes it harder to accidentally close the window, quitting the game that you are playing.

Other players find that saving hard drive space by not downloading an app is preferable, as this will help to keep your device running quickly and smoothly. Not all casino brands create their own real money casino apps, so if you have a chosen operator, you may have to just go with whichever option they have created. Many sites optimize their sites instead of creating an app.

Rundown of the Pros and Cons

If you have the choice to play on casino game apps that you can download or whether you play directly in browser, there are lots of pros that you can enjoy. But, as with everything, there are some downsides that you should be aware of as well. We have created a quick run down of the pros and cons of each below to help you choose which option is best for you.

Real Money Casino Apps

• Stay logged in to your account
• All your favorite games in one place
• Easy to use interfaces
• Take up space on your device
• Fewer games than desktop

Mobile Casino Sites

• No need to download an app
• No memory needed for an app
• Same layout as on the desktop
• Have to log in each time
• Fewer games than desktop

Five Tips for Casino App Users

If you are new to playing online, then you may find the whole world of mobile casino apps a little confusing. Even if you are a veteran of gambling apps, there are a few things that are worth bearing in mind when logging and playing. To help you out, our experienced team has put together a few short tips that are worth remembering.

1. Only Download Apps from Sites That You Trust

It is really important that you know that you can trust an operator before you download its casino app, make a deposit and start wagering with your cash. There is nothing worse than to fall foul of a scam or end up giving out your money and personal info to an unreputable company.

If you follow our advice on how to stay safe while playing, then you should be in the clear. The main thing to check is that the operator holds all necessary gaming licences for your country.

2. Keep Your Password Safe

We know that coming up with new passwords for each new account that you have is annoying. And we know that trying to remember which password you used for which site is super tricky and really just a pain. But it is also one of the best ways to keep yourself safe.

If you use the same password for every online account that you have for anything, or if you give out your password to anyone, you are putting yourself at risk. Don’t give criminals and hackers any help, keep your passwords strong and keep them safe and private at all times.

3. Make Sure Your Connection is Secure

Although playing on a real money casino app allows you to play anywhere, you should still make sure to practice good internet safety at all times. Only play on secure connections. This means that if you are out and about, only access the online casino app through your secure mobile data. If you log in through public and unsecured WIFI connections, then you are putting yourself at risk. It is not exactly like anyone sitting next to you in the café can just waltz in and access all of your details and your cash, but it is nowhere near a secure enough connection to be sharing private and sensitive info or accessing real money casino apps over.

4. Be Careful of How Much Data You Use

On the flip side of this, when you play on any of the best casino apps, you will use a lot of data to run the games. This is because of the high quality graphics, animations and the complex mechanics that go into a real money gambling product. As such, you could rack up a huge bill if you are not aware of how much internet data you are using.

We recommend that, when you are at home, use your WIFI to play. Obviously, we are not suggesting that you should not play out and about. You absolutely should, and you should use mobile data to do so. But you need to make sure that you know how much data you are using and be careful that you do not go over your allowance if you do not happen to have unlimited data in your mobile phone contract.

5. Look After Your Battery Life

Similarly, casino mobile apps tend to use quite a lot of battery while running. This is for the same reasons, plus the fact that you are keeping the screen on, lit up and processing lots of moving images for extended periods of time. As such, you will use more battery than when watching a movie or video.

You may find that you need to charge your battery more often than normal when you are playing casino app games. In order to preserve the life of your battery and not to shorten its lifespan over time, we recommend that you charge the battery before it gets very low. Running your phone on low battery a lot of the time could mean that its overall life will be reduced.

Mobile Casino Apps Conclusion – Convenience and Quality

As you have probably seen throughout this guide to the best casino apps, our team at Online-Casinos.com is genuinely stoked by the sheer quality and quantity of mobile gambling applications on the market at the moment.

When carrying out reviews of all legal and licenced operators, we found that there is plenty of choice when it comes to free casino apps, meaning that there really is something out there for everyone. With large libraries, lots of payment methods accepted by most apps and around the clock customer care pretty much standard, there is a lot to be happy about.

The main downside that some players point out when it comes to downloadable casino apps is the fact that they can take up a lot of space on your device. This can, in turn, slow your phone down quite a lot. For many, this is not a problem, and most modern phones can easily cope with the memory requirement.

If you do not have a huge amount of spare memory on your mobile, or you just like to keep it as clear and neat as possible, then you may prefer to look at the differences between downloadable apps and browser mobile sites to see if you would like to play directly through your browser from a mobile device.

The thing is, this is really about personal preference. Whether you go for a downloadable casino app or a fully optimized site, you will find that there are lots of top quality mobile gaming options these days.

Frequently Asked Questions

We have done our best to make sure that we gave you answers to all of the questions you may have had about the best gambling apps on the market. But we know that there might still be some things on your mind. So, we have collected some of the most common queries from readers and addressed them below. If you still have something on your mind, then please get in touch with us by email at [email protected] and we will get back to you as soon as possible.

What Casino Apps Pay Real Money?

All of the recommendations that we have given in our list of the best casino apps pay out in real money. These are not free casinos apps, but instead are applications that allow you to access some of the best gambling games on the market.

How Do I Use Online Casino Apps?

Online casino apps are very easy to use. You can download them directly from the operator site or from the Google Play Store or Apple App Store respectively. Once installed, all you need to do is create an account, make a deposit and start playing. Everything is straightforward. Here are some tips to help you out.

How Do You Load Money Onto Casino Apps?

Making a payment to your player account is simple, no matter what device type you are using. To load money onto casino apps, you just need to log in, go to the cashier and choose your preferred payment method. Read our section on mobile payments to see which services are usually accepted.

What Are The Best Casino Gambling Apps?

While we think that there are lots of great options on the market, we did come up with a list of the best casino gambling apps after testing all of the contenders thoroughly using strict criteria. See our list of recommendations here.

How Do I Block Casino Apps For My Kids?

Blocking casino apps for kids on your phone is super important if you let your children play about on your mobile. There are two ways to do this; with gambling blockers or child locks. You can download software on to your phone directly in order to keep your little ones safe. Read more about safety and security in our section on the topic.