When you’re risking your bank balance on the spin of a wheel, you want to know that you’re only playing against the odds, and that the casino itself won’t be acting to make your stay as unsuccessful as possible. You also want to know that you’ll be able to withdraw any winnings you make, and that the site isn’t likely to disappear overnight, taking your funds with you. There are few guarantees in life, and fewer still in the world of gambling. But if you’re to give yourself the best chance of keeping your money, you’ll probably want to be betting with the biggest. Here are five of the largest names in online gambling.
One of two traditional bookmakers to appear on this list, William Hill has been in existence since the 1930s. One of the best-known and most trusted names on the UK market, it actually operated illegally for the first 27-32 years of its life. In 1998, it became the first significant high street name to put its sportsbook online, although it initially had to settle for the web site willhill.com, as williamhill.com was already being used by a California winery – the company has since been able to acquire williamhill.com as well. The online casino section would be launched in 2000, and poker would be added in 2003. William Hill would go on to augment its empire with significant assets – including over 500 betting shops, and, in 2008, the services of leading platform Playtech.
As you’d expect of a company of William Hill’s size, it’s pushed out a wide range of options, with live blackjack, roulette and baccarat being joined to the usual rich variety of table games and slots. Live Texas Hold’Em is a nice option for skilled card players who want to add a bit of atmosphere to their games. These are well-crafted Playtech renditions, with glossy graphics and fast operation. More games are available if you download the full suite, although you can play many of the titles through quick flash emulations as well. Multiplayer tournaments are being rolled out, with some of these available to play in for as little as 1p.
Like William Hill, Betfred started out running high street betting shops, with the Done brothers opening their first outlet in 1967. The company was relatively slow to join the online betting revolution, though, and only launched an internet site in 2004. The online casino arm would come a year later.
Like William Hill, Betfred uses the Playtech platform, and the site offers many of the same options, with live blackjack, roulette and baccarat being joined by Live Texas Hold’Em. Slots have recently been added, although these work using the Microgaming platform rather than Playtech. Software can be downloaded for the full experience, but you can try out many of the games with instant play. Branding itself ‘The Bonus King’, the site likes to be known for its special offers and strong bonuses. For example, for two days every week, you can get a 100% bonus when you deposit up to £25 (on Saturdays) or £50 (on Tuesdays) in your account. The Player’s Club gives you loyalty bonuses and rewards. Betfred also likes to make the news with large payouts, and its progressive slots have reached some impressive multi-million figures.
Gala was created in the early 90s, quickly establishing itself as a giant in the flourishing Bingo industry before moving into the bricks-and-mortar casinos market a decade later. After Gala had taken over the Coral Eurobet business in 2005, the company was rebranded as Gala Coral. It has since started to move away from land-based gaming, and a deal to sell 19 of its casinos to Rank Group looks set to be finalised in the coming months. The company’s main focus now (through its subsidiary Gala Interactive) seems to be on its online businesses.
The relaunched Galacasino.com site offers a clean and uncluttered interface. Despite this, a good choice of games (now mainly offered through the Playtech platform) give you the option of several hundred different titles, from slots to more traditional casino apps. The games are flash-based, and so don’t require extensive downloads, and free play options let you get into the swing without risking any money. The site runs a smart VIP scheme, with special deals designed to keep both new and hardened gamers loyal. Poker is also offered (through the iPoker network), and this has done very well, supplying good profits and approval ratings for Gala Coral in recent months.
Jackpot City has been in existence since 1998, making it one of the older casino and slots sites still running. Itself part of the vast and very well-established Belle Rock Entertainment empire, it uses the Microgaming platform to offer a decent but not excessive selection of games. A limited number of titles are available to play as flash versions, although you’ll have to download the full suite to tap into the entire 450+ range of games. Live dealer versions are now being rolled out, and some interesting multiplayer versions are available – multiplayer roulette, for instance, lets you look around and see who you’re up against.
The site is eCOGRA approved, and is rated as having a high 94.7% certified payout. Customer service also receives strong reviews.
Rather different from the other names on this list, SuperCasino didn’t start life primarily as a betting shop or online casino. Instead, it has broadcast its games on the television since 2005 – it still airs 24-hours a day on Sky channel 862, and also has a regular slot in Channel 5’s schedule. The web-site acts as an online extension, offering a host of extra options you won’t be able to access with a television feed. However, the fact that many of the games are themselves shown live on television may add to the experience and trustability in some eyes.
Image Source: channel5.com
The television focus also means that the company is built around live dealing. Live roulette is covered in depth – a number of different varieties of the game are offered, and it’s featured very regularly on the television channel – with baccarat and blackjack also given great live support. Other options include slots and video poker. Multiplayer roulette tournaments are put on several times a week, and the use of Playtech games means that the online emulations are slick and visually pleasing. The range of bonuses and prize draws will reward loyalty.