Best Online Casinos in Scotland – Alba
Online betting in Scotland is 100% legal, which is great news if you’re a Scottish resident. From a betting point of view, you’re treated as a UK resident.
There is no discrimination between England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales. This means that you’re free to roam some of the very best in online casinos in Scotland.
Did you know that there are reports that Scotland is the UK’s betting capital? This, in large, could be purely down to the entire UK market being open to Scottish residents. Especially in terms of casino bonuses and an array of top online casinos that are available in Scotland, for Scottish residents.
In this article, we’ll unveil what Casino Deal feels are the best sites for you to access from Scotland. Whether the casino has a registered licence, any relevant welcome bonuses and further information you’ll need before you register with the top online casinos in Scotland.
Top 9 Scottish Casino Sites
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| # | Casino | Bonus | Payment methods | Link | T&Cs | |||||||||||||||||||||
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1
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IMG |
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Rating |
£40 Bonus Deposit £10 Get £40 |
Link | Claim Unibet Casino Review | Bonus | Payment methods |
Payment methods
(5 in total):
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Minimum Deposit | Withdrawal Time | Licences | Toggle | Close – Open + | ||||||||||
| # |
2
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IMG |
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Rating |
£300 Bonus 100% Matched Deposit up to £300 |
Link | Claim The Sun Vegas Casino Review | Bonus | Payment methods |
Payment methods
(3 in total):
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Minimum Deposit | Withdrawal Time | Licences | Toggle | Close – Open + | ||||||||||
| # |
3
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IMG |
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Rating |
£500 Free Spins Up to 500 Free Spins |
Link | Claim NetBet Casino Review | Bonus | Payment methods |
Payment methods
(4 in total):
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Minimum Deposit | Withdrawal Time | Licences | Toggle | Close – Open + | ||||||||||
| # |
4
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IMG |
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Rating |
£200 Bonus Up to £200 Plus 100 spins |
Link | Claim Mr Play Casino Review | Bonus |
Bonus details:
35x bonus & 50x free spins winnings
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Payment methods |
Payment methods
(2 in total):
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Minimum Deposit | Withdrawal Time | Licences | Toggle | Close – Open + | T&Cs |
35x bonus & 50x free spins winnings
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5
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IMG |
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Rating |
£50 Free Spins 50 Free Spins |
Link | Claim bet365 Casino Review | Bonus | Payment methods |
Payment methods
(5 in total):
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Minimum Deposit | Withdrawal Time | Licences | Toggle | Close – Open + | ||||||||||
| # |
6
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IMG |
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Rating |
£50 Free Spins No Deposit Bonus – 50 Free Spins |
Link | Claim Betfair Casino Review | Bonus | Payment methods |
Payment methods
(5 in total):
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Minimum Deposit | Withdrawal Time | Licences | Toggle | Close – Open + | ||||||||||
| # |
7
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IMG |
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Rating |
£50 Bonus 100% up to £50 + £6 Live Casino Bonus |
Link | Claim 21.co.uk Casino Review | Bonus |
Bonus details:
New players only. 7 days to opt in and deposit £10+ with a further 7 days to wager 40x on Live casino. Wagering contributions vary. Max cash reward: £50. £6 bonus has 3 day expiry to use on selected Evolution games. 10x winnings from £6 bonus. 18+
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Payment methods |
Payment methods
(2 in total):
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Minimum Deposit | Withdrawal Time | Licences | Toggle | Close – Open + | T&Cs |
New players only. 7 days to opt in and deposit £10+ with a further 7 days to wager 40x on Live casino. Wagering contributions vary. Max cash reward: £50. £6 bonus has 3 day expiry to use on selected Evolution games. 10x winnings from £6 bonus. 18+
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8
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IMG |
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Rating |
£100 Bonus Deposit Bonus up to £100 & 50 Free Spins |
Link | Claim LeoVegas Casino Review | Bonus |
Bonus details:
Full T&Cs apply. New reg only. Opt in & deposit £10, £25 or £50 within 7 days & further 7 days to wager cash stakes 35x to unlock reward (£50 on 2 deposits). 3 day exp. Wagering/game contributions vary. 25 wager-free spins x10p to added to Big Bass Splash with each qualifying deposit, 3 day expiry. 18+ BeGambleAware.org.
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Payment methods |
Payment methods
(4 in total):
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Minimum Deposit | Withdrawal Time | Licences | Toggle | Close – Open + | T&Cs |
Full T&Cs apply. New reg only. Opt in & deposit £10, £25 or £50 within 7 days & further 7 days to wager cash stakes 35x to unlock reward (£50 on 2 deposits). 3 day exp. Wagering/game contributions vary. 25 wager-free spins x10p to added to Big Bass Splash with each qualifying deposit, 3 day expiry. 18+ BeGambleAware.org.
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Choosing the Top Scottish Casino Sites
We’re only interested in the top casino websites that offer bonuses and facilities that are worth your time and effort. With this in mind, here are a few of the guidelines that we look for in an online casino:
- A valid UK Gambling Commission (UKGC) licence
- Worthwhile bonuses and VIP rewards
- A wide variety of games and slots
- Live gaming experiences
- Excellent customer service
What are the Best Online Casino Sites in Scotland?
Before registering with an online casino, here are a few things that should be ticked off by you, which would determine whether a website fits the category of being one of the best online casino sites.
Trust
You have to be comfortable with the casino you’re intending on betting with. What are the online reviews like? Does the casino feature across multiple casino review sites? What do online forums say? Is there a live chat function?
And most importantly – we’ve said it before and we’ll say it again – do they hold a licence with the UKGC?
Software provider
What software provider does the casino use? The best online casino sites will only use the most trustworthy and reliable gaming software providers. We’ll go into these in more detail shortly, but look out for decent return to player (RTP) rates and whether the games are mobile-friendly.
Varied payment options
A common theme among the best Scottish casinos is that they’ll all have more than one option for deposits and withdrawals.
Before making a withdrawal through one method, you’ll likely have to deposit first. Ensure that the casino doesn’t just give you the option of using your bank’s debit card. To avoid additional fees and exchange rate variations, ensure that whichever method you use, they accept GBP as a currency.
Promotions and bonuses
Every single casino worth your money will offer a casino welcome or first deposit bonus. Look out for wording such as, ‘Sign up and claim a no deposit bonus,’ or, ‘register today, deposit £50 and receive a 100% bonus.’
As we’ve previously mentioned, the worthwhile casinos will also have VIP and ongoing bonuses available to you. Only go with these casinos.
The VIP Online Casino Industry in Scotland
Scotland has a sizeable amount of VIP high rollers; likely due to it being a stunning country with a strong economy being so closely linked to England and the UK.
While Scotland’s tax laws don’t favour it over any of the other ‘home’ countries, establishing yourself as a VIP in Scotland is definitely worthwhile. We’ve whittled down the best VIP Scotland online casinos below:
3 Best Scotland Casino Sites for VIP High Rollers
| Bonus | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Casino | Bonus | Payment methods | Link | T&Cs |
Tips for Scotland VIP Highroller Casino Players
Betting within Scotland’s borders is a safe endeavour, ensuring you maintain your own online safety. While the betting and data protection laws go to some lengths to ensure your gaming experience is safe, there are some steps you can take to make sure you are protected.
Tips for Choosing the Best Online Casino in Scotland
UKGC Licence
Always ensure the casino you are registering and playing with holds a valid UK Gambling Commission (UKGC) licence.
You’ll find this in the small print at the bottom of the website. If there’s nothing there, you can always contact them and request them to quote the licence number, if you feel the need to. Also, look out for licences held in Malta and Gibraltar for extra security.
Alternate payment methods
Further on in this article, you’ll find our selection of casinos that accept PayPal as an alternative payment method. Keep an eye out for Neteller and Skrill too.
Sometimes, these are safer options than using your bank card details directly with the site.
Only use recommended online casinos
The Scottish casinos will be available throughout the rest of the UK, and so you’ll likely have already heard of the major players that we feature on this page, which we consider to be regulated and safe.
As an added layer of security, why not ask your friends and family who they’re registered with. Are any of your contacts VIPs already?
Welcome bonuses and VIP bonuses
The best and highly respected casinos will have a VIP member section and will also offer valuable welcome and other bonus offers. Make sure you familiarise yourself with these offers before committing your funds.
Some VIP memberships, such as the Grosvenor casino black card, have a section where you can see the VIP benefits. As well as sections where you can even apply to become a VIP member. This isn’t always the case with other casinos, so keep an eye out.
The top online casinos in Scotland will ensure that their welcome bonus and no deposit bonus are enticing and valuable to their customers.
The casinos that we’ve featured in our review all possess licences with the UK Gambling Commission and boast offers with an acceptable amount of wagering on slots and tables that are popular and of high quality.
VIP High Roller Status
Aside from knowing that you’ve reached the elite tier of online casino players, there are a number of other benefits to being considered a high roller. Some of these are:
- First offer of upcoming features and benefits, for example, if one of the software providers is releasing a new game or slot.
- Lower wagering requirements for deposit and no deposit bonuses
- Dedicated customer support manager. No more waiting on live chat for what seems like an eternity!
- Exclusive VIP prizes and tickets to red carpet events
- Reduced restrictions on withdrawal amounts and faster withdrawals
Scotland VIP Online Casino Status
Online casinos will value all of their members, but they will place more of an emphasis on their VIPs. There are no uniform criteria that cover all casinos, but they do seem to follow a similar pattern for their requirements.
For instance, VIP status won’t come overnight; it takes time and consistency with your gaming in order for your account to be flagged and catch management’s attention.
If you log in once a month, stake the same amount and play the same slot for 10 mins before logging off, you’re not going to get noticed. Vary the slots and games you play on. Even if video poker is your all-time favourite, venture toward craps, baccarat, poker, blackjack and other popular table games too.
Even dabble into the sportsbook (you’ll also find worthwhile bonuses there).
The longer you’re a member with a casino, the greater the chance you’ll be considered for its VIP membership. Just like anything in life, the good things take dedication and consistency; and the rewards are usually worth it.
Who wouldn’t turn down free cars, travel packages, tickets to VIP events, no deposit bonuses, free holidays and more? Never overlook the chance of being considered a VIP for an online casino.
The Rules and Regulations of Scottish Online Betting Sites
The great thing about betting in Scotland is that you aren’t restricted to the sites you can register and gamble with.
You’ll need to make sure that the bonuses and incentives available for the offers apply specifically to Scottish addresses, but other than that, the Scottish regulation is pretty liberal when it comes to online betting and gaming.
We’re aware that most Scottish residents are not too keen on being linked with Great Britain, the United Kingdom or even the UK Parliament. But the fact that betting, especially online betting, is encouraged (due to the lack of restrictions) and has structured licensing protocols in place.
It is nothing but good for you due to the market being closely monitored and regulated by the UKGC. Consequently, all the wide range of slots, games and casinos being open to you.
Since UK betting businesses are taxed on their profits, the online casino industry is booming. Generating profitable yields, with the online industry generating around a third of the entire British gambling yield in 2017.
As a natural result, this kind of high level of activity demands close scrutiny and regulation from the powers that be. So what legislation covers the gaming sector in Scotland? Let’s investigate further.
Legislation of Scotland’s Gaming Sector
The Gambling Act 2005 covers the gaming sector in Scotland, as it does for the rest of the UK. It has a remit to cover the following:
- Target and eliminate illegal and socially irresponsible betting activities.
- Create and regulate the necessary betting controls.
- Protect children and the vulnerable from betting.
This applies to casinos that are online as well as land-based and also covers bookmakers and all forms of betting (lotteries, for example). The Act, in terms of specificity to Scotland, has provided Scottish Ministers with the ability to create regulations surrounding the fees for licences and permits in Scotland.
As covered by the current legislation in Scotland, it is illegal to carry out betting as an establishment without obtaining a licence from the UK Gambling Commission (UKGC).
The fees for such a licence differs depending on the nature of the games, slots and tables being offered by the online casino. However, the Scottish policy is that the fees are centrally created by Scottish Ministers, which is not the case in England and Wales.
Such legislation is clearly in place to control, centralise and police the gaming sector, preventing crime and establishing a safety net for the public.
Rest assured that you, as a gambler, are protected by law from the adverse effects of betting. Just make sure that the website you are looking to register with holds the necessary licence from the UKGC.
PayPal at Scottish Casinos
Where possible, use a PayPal online casino. Why PayPal? It’s an incredibly secure method of depositing and withdrawing from a casino, as well as providing your personal banking information.
Since PayPal dedicates itself as a money-processing intermediary, this means your banking information isn’t held by the casino. Instead, all they have access to is your PayPal information – one less step that the online fraudsters can hack.
You are also covered by PayPal’s world-class buyer protection, so any dispute is taken up by them, and you aren’t necessarily just at the mercy of the casino and the delays in banks processing payments and withdrawals.
For VIPs and other gamblers who need swift deposits and fast access to any winnings, PayPal sticks its head above everyone else by allowing for instant withdrawals.
Whereas withdrawing to your bank account can take anything up to a week; in some cases, it can be even more. Even then you might have to provide further identification – frustrating, to say the least.
Here’s our rundown of the top online casino sites in Scotland that accept PayPal:
| Bonus | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Casino | Bonus | Payment methods | Link | T&Cs |
Top Online Casino Software Providers in Scotland
As we’ve just touched on, the top casinos will work with the very best when it comes to software, but it’s important that you know who these providers are and why they’re consider to be the best.
The software market for iGaming isn’t hugely competitive, which does mean that there are a few that have really grabbed the online casino market in Scotland, and some of the best Scotland poker sites feature the below providers.
Here are the online casino software providers at the top of their game:
- NetEnt. They’re forward-thinking and hold licences in the best betting markets on the planet. You might have heard of some of their popular slots, such as Blood Suckers 2, Gonzo’s Quest and Starburst.
- Microgaming is one of the very first online casino providers in Scotland to hit the market, and they’re still going strong. Since their inception, they’ve been recognised across many of the more popular casinos, providing fun and rewarding slots, with bonus, jackpot and free spin features.
- Playtech is fortunate enough to score a deal with one of the greatest jockeys of all time, AP McCoy, for their new slot ‘AP McCoy: Sporting Legends.’ They’re well established in the online gaming world, being a FTSE 250 company and being passionate about the success of the industry.
Popular Slots & Table Games in Scotland
Playing online slots at your leisure, from your PC, mobile or tablet brings a whole level of enjoyment to online betting.
Some of the Top Casino Slots in Scotland are:
| Top Casino Slot | RTP (%) |
| Mega Joker | 99% |
| Jackpot 6000 | 98.9% |
| 1429 Uncharted Seas | 98.6% |
| Blood Suckers | 98% |
| Starmania | 97.87% |
Some of the most profitable Scottish VIPs prefer to play on live tables rather than physically going into casinos. The croupiers and opponents are real and they don’t have to leave the comfort of their own home.
Popular Live Casino Table Games in Scotland
- Roulette
- Craps
- Baccarat
- Poker
- Blackjack
Above all else, remember to enjoy your online betting. Gamble Responsibly. And have fun!
