The majority of online casino games are considered to be games of chance. Simply put, these are games in which chance, rather than skill, determines the outcome. For digital games of chance, like online slots and roulette, the random outcomes are determined by Random Number Generators or “RNGs.” On this page, we will take a look at the most popular games of chance you will find at today’s best UK online casinos.
Online Slots
By far the most common type of game of chance found at online casinos is the slot – with the best casinos offering thousands of titles. While the first online slots were essentially simply digital versions of classic fruit machines from land-based casinos and arcades, modern slots can be very sophisticated. All online slots use RNGs to generate random results.
Classic Slots
These are slots that keep things simple, usually having no more than 3 reels, a limited number of paylines, and simple symbols. Often, they are simulations of classic fruit machines, with symbols like cherries, grapes, melons, oranges and lemons. Other common symbols include jokers, 7s, stars, bells and bars.
Examples of popular classic slots:
- Mystery Joker (Play’n GO)
- Monkey Madness (Pragmatic Play)
- Emerald Diamond (Red Tiger)
- Hot 777 (Wazdan)
- Mega Joker (NetEnt)
Video Slots
These slots incorporate more complex design features and mechanics than classic slots. They usually have 5 or more reels and more paylines. The symbols and user interface will usually keep to a specific theme, for example, ancient Egypt, space, vampires, fishing, animals, or anything else you can dream of.
Although video slots vary in complexity, they tend to feature special symbols like wilds and scatters, with some even having cascading, expanding, and ‘walking’ symbols. Most video slots will feature free spins and bonus games too.
Examples of popular video slots:
- Book of Dead (Play’n GO)
- Starburst (NetEnt)
- Big Bass Splash (Pragmatic Play)
- Wanted Dead or a Wild (Hacksaw Gaming)
- Disturbed (NoLimit City)
Progressive Jackpot Slots
These slots feature one or more variable jackpots. A percentage of each wager is added to the jackpot until someone wins it, giving the potential for huge wins. Depending on the game, wins can be triggered by landing a winning combination of symbols or another trigger, such as a countdown (as in the case of some “Must Win” slots).
Progressive jackpot slots can be both local, with the jackpot being fed only by players at a single casino, or network-wide, where players at multiple casinos, or even across multiple games, contribute.
Examples of popular progressive slots:
- Mega Moolah series – including Mega Moolah, Atlantean Treasures Mega Moolah, Immortal Romance Mega Moolah, etc. (Microgaming/Games Global)
- WowPot series – including Book of Atem WowPot, Sisters of Oz WowPot, 9 Blazing Diamonds WowPot, etc. (Games Global)
- Sweet Bonanza (Pragmatic Play)
- Divine Fortune (NetEnt)
- Age Of The Gods: King Of Olympus Fire Blaze Xtreme (Playtech)
Fixed Jackpot Slots
Unlike progressive jackpot slots, these games have pre-set jackpots, which tend to be lower. Depending on the specific game, they can be won by landing a winning combination, based on a specified trigger (like a countdown), or even completely randomly during normal gameplay.
Examples of popular fixed jackpot slots:
- 7 Clovers of Fortune (Pragmatic Play)
- 33 Boom Banks Power Combo (Fortune Factory)
- King Kong Cash Even Bigger Bananas 2 (Blueprint Gaming)
- Rising Rewards (Triple Edge Studios)
- Fishin’ Pots of Gold: Gold Blitz (Gameburger Studios)
Megaways Slots
Developed by Australian software provider Big Time Gaming (BTG), Megaways debuted in 2015 with the release of Dragon Born Megaways. The complicated game mechanics of Megaways allows for hundreds or even thousands of different ways to win. Plus, unlike traditional slots, the number of paylines available changes for each spin, adding endless playability.
Today, dozens of casino game developers have licensed Megaways from BTG and incorporated it into their slots.
Examples of popular Megaways slots:
- Bonanza Megaways (Big Time Gaming)
- Release the Kraken Megaways (Pragmatic Play)
- Big Bass Bonanza Megaways (Reel Kingdom)
Wolf Blaze Megaways (Fortune Factory) - The Dog House Megaways (Pragmatic Play)
Crash Games
Although relying on slot-type RNGs to determine outcomes, crash games are very different in terms of gameplay and visuals. Essentially, they involve placing bets on how long an entity will remain doing something before “crashing.” Usually, this entity is an aeroplane, rocket, or some other vehicle, and the “crash” is either a literal crash or the vehicle zooming off the screen. As time passes, multipliers will increase. The trick is holding your nerve before cashing out as late as possible to secure the highest possible multiplier – but wait too long, and it may crash, causing you to lose your bet.
Popular crash games include:
- Aviator (Spribe)
- Big Bass Crash (Reel Kingdom)
- Spaceman (Pragmatic Play)
- Cash or Crash (Funky Games)
- Astronaut (Red Tiger)
Table Games
Most casinos offer a variety of table games, including classics like roulette, and baccarat. At the best UK online casinos, these are available in both video and live dealer versions.
Roulette
For centuries, roulette has been one of the most popular games at land-based casinos around the world. The game centres around a spinning wheel with numbered pockets, with players betting on where a small ball will land when the spinning stops. At online casinos, video roulette games use RNGs, like those used for slots, to simulate the random results delivered by a physical roulette wheel.
- European Roulette – Featuring a wheel with 37 pockets (numbered 0-36), including a single green zero. This gives it a house edge of just 2.7%, which is considerably lower than American roulette. Unsurprisingly, it is the most popular version of the game.
- American Roulette – In this version, the wheel has 38 pockets, including a single zero and a double zero. This increases the house edge to 5.26%, making it less popular globally. However, its higher potential payouts and faster pace mean it’s still favoured by many players.
- French Roulette – Although similar to European Roulette, this version includes special rules like La Partage and En Prison for even money bets. This allows players to recover part of their stakes or carry them over if the ball lands on zero. Because of this, the house edge can be even lower, making it the most player-friendly version of the game.
- Lightning Roulette – A contemporary variation of traditional roulette, in each round, ‘lightning strikes’ will hit selected numbers, applying multipliers of anywhere from 50x to 500x. This creates huge potential wins and has made the game extremely popular with today’s online casino players.
Baccarat
Though baccarat traces its roots to Italy, it became a favourite of the French aristocracy and is still a popular card game at modern casinos, both land-based and online. Predominantly a game of chance, online baccarat uses RNGs or a live dealer, to ensure genuinely random outcomes.
Baccarat is relatively simple to play and has a low house edge – typically around 1.5%. In essence, a player aims to bet on which hand – the player’s or the banker’s – is closest to a total of nine, or bet on a tie. Cards are worth their face values, except tens and face cards which are worth zero, while aces are worth one.
- Punto Banco – Particularly popular in the UK, Australia and North America, Punto Banco or “Player and Banker” is a simple form of the game. Players just bet on either hand to win or tie but do not need to concern themselves with card draws because these are handled entirely by the dealer according to set rules.
- Mini-Baccarat – This is a stripped-down, faster version of Punto Banco. It is played on a smaller table and involves smaller stakes. It’s especially common in US casinos and is ideal for new and casual players.
- Chemin de Fer – Named the French for railway (literally, “iron path”), this version of baccarat is more strategic. Players take turns acting as the banker, dealing cards and deciding to draw or stand. It’s a much slower and traditional form of the game, but the added involvement makes it popular with more experienced players, particularly in European casinos.
Craps
Increasingly popular at online casinos, craps has long been a favourite at land-based establishments. Although it evolved from the English dice game Hazard, it was simplified and gained popularity later in the United States. The game uses two standard six-sided dice, with players betting on the outcome of rolls, and the house edge can be as low as 1%.
Though the game can be simple, complex wagers are also available, making it surprisingly engaging. Again, as a game of chance, online casino craps games employ either an RNG or a live dealer to ensure the dice outcomes are truly random.
- Traditional Craps – The most popular version of the game, traditional craps tables feature quite a complicated layout, giving plenty of simple and complex betting options. Players take turns to roll the dice (when they are known as the “shooter”), with other players betting on the outcome.
During the first roll (“come-out roll”), a 7 or 11 is a win, while 2, 3, or 12 (“craps”) is a loss. If other numbers are rolled, that number becomes the “point”, and the shooter keeps rolling to try and match the point before rolling a 7. Specific bets include Pass Line, Don’t Pass, Come, and Place bets. - Simplified Craps – This version of craps strips away the more complicated betting options. Players simply wager on whether the dice will total 2, 3, 4, 10, 11, or 12 (a win) or 5, 6, 7, 8, or 9 (a loss). Being easier to learn and faster to play has made it popular at online casinos.
Keno
Originating in ancient China, this lottery-type game of chance is simple but offers the possibility of big wins. Unsurprisingly, this combination has made it popular at online casinos. Players select numbers from a defined range, often 1-80, and then numbers are randomly drawn. The more numbers you match, the bigger your payout.
- Classic Keno – Like traditional lotteries, players use paper tickets printed with numbers, and mark their choices – typically up to 20 numbers. When all the bets have been placed, the numbers are drawn either manually or using a machine. Winnings are determined by how many numbers a player matches and their bet amounts.
- Video Keno – Digitised keno games feature game interfaces similar to those of online slots. The outcomes are generated using a Random Number Generator (RNG). These games often boast extra features like customisable bet amounts, bonus multipliers, and autoplay, along with engaging visual themes.
Sic Bo
Sic Bo, which translates as “dice pair”, can trace its roots back to ancient China, making it one of the world’s oldest continuously played games of chance. The game is played with three six-sided dice and offers numerous wagering options and potential payouts. Though the game is easy to learn, the variety of possible strategies means it has plenty of replay value.
- Classic Sic Bo – The traditional version of the game. Players bet on the outcome of the roll of three dice. Bets include; Small/Big, Specific Triples, Total Bets, and Combination Bets. In land-based casinos, and for live online games, the dice are shaken in a sealed container to ensure random results.
- Super Sic Bo (Live Casino) – An enhanced version of the game developed by Evolution Gaming. Though play uses the same three dice and betting options as Classic Sic Bo, it features multipliers for added depth. For example, before each round, the game will randomly select one or more bet types to apply multipliers to – and these can range from 2x to 1,000x, significantly increasing the potential win.
Money Wheel Game Shows
One of the most notable online casino trends of recent years has been the rise of TV-style live game shows. Typically, these take a “Wheel of Fortune” type format, with a live host spinning a large wheel that is divided into segments. These brightly coloured segments have various numerical values/odds, or represent specific bonus games. All of these are games of chance with no skill or strategy involved, making them highly accessible and great for casual players.
- Big Six Wheel (Money Wheel) – A very simple wheel-based casino game, it can be found in both land-based and online casinos. The wheel is spun, and players bet on which section they think the wheel will stop at. Payouts correspond to the odds of the specific section it lands on. Typical segment odds are 1:1, 2:1, 5:1, 10:1, 20:1, and 40:1. Some sections may also have special symbols giving even higher rewards.
- TV-Style Game Shows – Leading live casino game providers like Evolution and Pragmatic Play have built on the basic Money Wheel concept with various new games. They feature extras like multiplier segments and exciting bonus games. All are broadcast from well-equipped studios and feature lavishly designed sets and glamorous hosts.
Popular live wheel-style game shows at online casinos include Crazy Time, Dream Catcher, and Monoploy Live from Evolution, and Mega Wheel, Snakes and Ladders Live, and Sweet Bonanza Candyland from Pragmatic Play. These games also feature things like community chat, introducing an engaging social aspect to them.
Lottery Games
Many UK online casinos offer some form of lotto-style game, with digital scratch cards being particularly popular.
- Scratch Cards – While physical scratchcards are printed with random numbers that are then hidden with an opaque layer to be removed by the player, digital scratchcards use RNGs to ensure randomness of outcomes. Examples of popular online scratchcards include Fishin’ Frenzy Scratchcard from Blueprint Gaming, Gold Rush from Hacksaw Gaming, and Scratch 4 Emeralds by Core Gaming.
- Online Lotteries – By far the most popular lottery game in the UK is the National Lottery, which can be played online and at retail outlets. Although the draws are no longer televised, they are still viewable online via YouTube and still use physical machines filled with balls to ensure random results. Some websites, like Lottoland, enable you to “play” international lotteries online – though, in reality, you are not actually buying a ticket for the original lottery draws, but rather betting on the results.
Bingo
One of the UK’s most popular games of chance, bingo is enjoyed by people from all walks of life at land-based venues and online. There are several basic versions of the game, and you will find countless themed bingo games available at online casinos.
75-Ball Bingo – Especially popular in North America, this version of bingo uses a 5×5 grid card with 24 numbered squares and a single free space in the middle. Numbers are drawn randomly, either via a Random Number Generator (RNG), or a real person in the case of live games. As numbers are called, players mark them on their grid, with the aim being to complete a specified pattern, like a straight line, diamond, or “X.”
90-Ball Bingo – The classic bingo format in the UK and several other countries, the grid in this game features three rows and nine columns – each row having five numbers and four blank spaces. Again, players mark numbers as they are called, but in this version, they can win in three different ways; completing a single row, two rows, or a “full house.” 90-Ball Bingo is slower than 75-Ball Bingo but offers the potential for high payouts.
Online Bingo Variants – Digitisation has revolutionised bingo, enabling many new formats and features to be offered. Popular varieties include; SpeedBingo, Themed Bingo, Jackpot Bingo, and Sliding Bingo Cards (cards that adapt, allowing for multiple patterns within a single game).
Slingo
Combining elements of bingo and slots, Slingo offers a fast-paced and exciting gaming experience. As with slots, players spin a set of reels, and these generate numbers or symbols. Matching symbols are then marked off of a bingo-style grid. The Slingo game mechanics were originally developed by New Jersey-based Slingo Inc. but were acquired by UK-based Gaming Realms in 2015.
Popular Slingo games include:
- Slingo Fowl Play
- Slingo Capital Gains
- Slingo Cleopatra
- Slingoooal Championship!
- Book of Slingo
Raffles and Draws
Online casinos will often offer raffles and prize draws to players. For example, you may get a daily free spin on a prize wheel if you log on for a certain number of consecutive days. In principle, they work the same as traditional real-world raffles and prize draws, except the outcome will be determined by an RNG.
Video Poker
If you’re wondering why we left video poker to last, it’s because it is only partially a game of chance. Unusually among casino games, playing poker of any kind involves a significant degree of skill. However, when it comes to video poker, the outcome of draws is still dependent on a Random Number Generator (RNG).
- Jacks or Better – The most popular variant of video poker at UK online casinos. Based on five-card draw poker, players aim to form the best possible hand. A pair of Jacks or better is the minimum hand required to win, hence the name. Its simple rules and particularly low house edge make it a great choice for new players.
- Deuces Wild – In this variant, all “2” cards act as wilds, substituting for any other card to complete winning hands. This makes forming high-value hands more likely, adding an extra degree of excitement, and making it especially popular with online players.
- Joker Poker – Like Deuces Wild, this variant introduces a wild, but this time it’s the Joker. The 53-card deck and wild increase the chances of building a strong hand, with a pair of Kings or betting typically being needed to win.
Gamble Responsibly
Regardless of the specific game you are playing, you should always gamble responsibly. However, when playing pure games of chance, you should be extra careful not to fall into the trap of thinking you can employ some kind of strategy to help you win – the results are random.
- Never gamble more than you can afford to lose
- Never chase your loses
- Never think of gambling as a way to earn money
- Never gamble under the influence of alcohol or drugs
- Never be afraid to ask for help