Online Casino Games in 2023

They say that you can't judge a book by its cover, but you can definitely gauge a casino by its games lobby. And we aren't talking about size here. Think quality rather than quantity. Of course, a top-notch casino, won't just look to collaborate with the best software providers. The range actual is just important. From video slots and scratchcards to classic casino games like blackjack, baccarat and roulette. With so many types out there, it's a wonder we didn't come up with this casino games page before.

The Key to Navigating at Ease is Game Filters

A casino lobby is only as good as the filters it has in place. No one likes to scroll through neverending lists after all. In our experience with writing casino reviews, and we have written plenty over the years, this is something we always look out for. The good news is that most online casinos account for this. The bad news is that in more cases than not, filters are extremely basic.

Games are usually split into categories according to type, more specifically slots and all others. If you're lucky, the online casino will also have sections for jackpot slots as well as roulette, blackjack and baccarat. Others such as video poker, craps, keno and bingo are usually put into a general section. This is a good start, especially when it comes to smaller portfolios.

On the other side of the spectrum, you find online casinos featuring state-of-the-art filters. As well as type, players are also able to narrow down their selection in terms of provider, popularity and novelty. Some even go that extra mile and make it possible to filter games according to certain stats like volatility, return to player, number of reels, bet size etc. Live dealer tables are usually sectioned on an entirely different page, with even more filters. Navigation doesn't get much easier than this!

Types of Casino Games

In case you're still wondering, there are many different types of games available to play at online casinos. It's why filters have become such a necessity after all. The virtual world has lead to the creation of new, never before seen, strains. This is actually one of the biggest perks casino sites have over brick and mortar establishments. 

With so much to choose from, it can all get a little overwhelming. Most casino sites won't tailor to every single type though. In fact, we'll take you through some of the more popular games you can expect to find online. For starters here's a more complete casino games list.

• Slots
• Jackpot Slots
• Scratch Cards
• Video Poker
• Craps
• Keno
• Bingo
• Baccarat
• Roulette
• Blackjack
• Baccarat
• Live Dealer Games

Online Slots - The Core of Every Lobby

At the heart of almost every lobby, lies a decent casino slots array. There's a reason that casinos online are sometimes referred to as slots sites after all! In most cases, slots actually make up the largest portion of virtual casinos. What's more, over the years, we have seen massive changes in this category too.

Gone are the days of classic fruit machine style games and the likes of Novomatic. They're still around and just as popular but we have seen the rise of newer strains including 234 ways slots. Let's not forget about those progressive slots; big jackpots have also grown and now rack up in the millions.

They come in all shapes and sizes and some casinos actually split them up into different categories. What really makes slots appealing though are the actual bonuses. It's a known fact that in most cases, slots contribute fully to wagering requirements. Scratch cards often do too but with so many free spins bonuses up for grabs, slots still come out on top. More on this later though. 

Table Games - Classics Will Always be Classics

Online casinos were first set up as a hassle-free alternative to land-based establishments. Card games and other classics are to be expected. It's actually surprising that there isn't more of a focus on this category. Perhaps it's the fact that there are fewer bonuses available combined with game weighting rules that tend to discriminate against these type of games.

For what it's worth, most online casinos will look to cater for at least the more common table classics. Online roulette and blackjack tend to be the most widely featured. Some casinos further extend this to include other card games like blackjack. Those that put more focus on the classics will actually look to offer several variations for each. VIP blackjack and roulette casino games are always a winner, especially amongst high rollers. Then there are the low stakes options that also feature at many lobbies.

In many cases, you'll also find other options included in this section. Video Poker is one example, few casinos section it off specifically. Other games include keno, craps and bingo. If an online casino has them, then the table games section is probably the place that you'll find them.

Live Casino Games - The Vegas Experience at Arms Length

As good as any RNG title gets, it's still no match for the real thing. At least that's what some players thought until live dealer casino games came along. Software companies have looked to bridge the gap between online casinos and their brick and mortar alternative. The result has been the likes of live online blackjack and roulette taking the stage. Play in real-time, with actual dealers and integrate with other casino players along the way. It's everything you could expect from a land-based casino experience, except that won't don't need to leave your home.

Live casinos have been a more recent addition to gambling sites. In fact, you won't find them everywhere. The good news is that more online casinos are looking to include live games. There's just something about playing at tables, streamed directly from fast-paced casinos or studio look-alikes that keeps players coming back for more. Professionally trained croupiers, HD streaming, multi-angled cameras; continual improvements have helped to skyrocket live casinos to the next level.

Similar to the virtual version, the only downside to live casinos is the lack of bonuses. Forget about specific promotions, most casinos exclude games fully. Those that don't still make it hard to complete wagering requirements due to the game weighting rules in place. We'll get into this in more detail later though. 

New Casino Games

Just like casinos themselves, new games are constantly being released. Players can sometimes be a bit wary of novelty. Unless its a sequel of an already reputable title. Having a top-notch software provider to back its name also helps. As for the new games that are less known though, they could just be the breath of fresh air you've been looking for. Remember that even your favourite classic was once a contender hoping to make a name for itself.

That element of the unknown is exactly why new titles are sometimes worth taking a chance on. That and the bonuses that software providers tend to offer in conjunction with their latest releases. Free spins on new slots, for instance, will make you want to play for real money. Then again there's always free slots and demos on practically all titles for those looking to get a feel first.

What are the Best Online Casino Games?

With all this talk about the different types out there its only natural for you to be wondering which are the best casino games to play. The truth is that this is entirely subjective. Some players prefer action-packed online slot games while others prefer to stay true to their roots by opting for table games. Then there are those who want a more realistic gaming experience. Here's where live casinos come in. 

Casino bonuses can also play an important role in your decision. As mentioned previously, live casino and table games tend to contribute less to wagering requirements. In some cases, they are completely omitted from promotions. One of the reasons behind this could just help you get a little closer to choosing the best casino games to win money. Slots tend to have a much higher house edge than table games. They're fun and colourful and often jam-packed with bonuses but with less favourable odds. 

Top Casino Games with Best Odds

The values in the table above are a good place to start but they will only give you a rough idea of things. Video slots, for instance, vary massively. As a general rule, the average house advantage is usually somewhere between 2% and 4%. Jackpot slots are of course significantly lower. 

Even table games vary a lot. Take online roulette, for instance, there's a big difference between European Roulette and the American version. The same goes for European Blackjack. Video Poker is another one which varies massively according to the actual title.

It's important to note that RNG audits are carried out by esteemed organisations which have become the go-to auditors. The likes of eCOGRA and iTechLabs are at the forefront, reassuring players the games they are playing are safe and fair.

The Roots of Casino Game Providers

Behind every successful casino game is a fully-fledged software provider. Similarly to casino operators, software companies must also become licensed, at least if they want to be deemed legit. This is why not all providers are available worldwide. With the UKGC license being the highest seal of approval, the ones that power UK casinos tend to be the most reputable. UK player or not, we're about to take a look at some of the best names in casino software the industry currently has to offer.

Top 3 Software Providers for RNG Games

NetEnt

Online slots, table games and even live casinos; Net Entertainment can be considered a jack of all trades. They have been around for enough time to expand their product line massively. Of course, slots still come out on top. Think Starburst, Gonzo's Quest or Dead or Alive; NetEnt is the name behind these classics. They're also the name behind multi-million progressive jackpot Mega Fortune.

With so many years to their name, you'd have thought the company would get a little complacent by now. They're actually still looking to grow even further. New games are constantly being released. We can only imagine an even brighter future ahead for these guys.

Microgaming

You can't speak of Net Entertainment and not Microgaming. The two can be considered rivals in the industry, particularly where slots are concerned. The latter is actually the name behind record-breaking jackpot Mega Moolah. It's also the progressive that gave Mega Fortune a run for its money. In case you're wondering slots are a bit part of Microgaming but they also have some quality table games to their name. One cannot go without mentioning the prestigious Gold Series games that touch on all of the classics.

Perhaps the biggest difference between NetEnt and Microgaming is their approach to the world of live casinos. They both offer these games but Microgaming is still up and coming. Their Playboy live dealer tables are not so easy to come by. We use the phrase 'up and coming' as the company has shown various signs of their interest in expansion. We wouldn't be surprised if they already had something up their sleeve.

Play'n GO

Another slots heavy software company, perhaps Play'n GO's biggest claim to fame has been their 'Book of the Dead' slot. It sounds strangely familiar to Novomatic's Book of Ra and it was definitely released at the right time. Not even Play'n GO themselves could have predicted how successful the slot machine would become though.

They have other titles to their name of course as well as some progressives. They have also looked to reach out to classic casino games fans with quite a wide variety too. Similar to the previous provider, they have stuck solely to RNG software, at least for the time being.

Evolution Gaming - The King of Live Dealer Casino Games

Slots may be big but live casinos are also up and coming. Some software companies have looked to focus their efforts entirely on this niche. Needless to say, Evolution Gaming can be considered the cream of the crop. In many ways, they offer a similar product to NetEnt, at least in terms of quality and functionality. The difference being that Evolution has stayed loyal to live casinos and thus is able to offer a wider range.

From classics like Roulette and Blackjack to Poker and even dice games like Sic Bo, this provider has it all. They even offer some versatile options like Monopoly Live. They have also recently acquired their competitor Ezugi. Combine that with their ever-expanding product line, something tells us there's a lot more yet to come for Evolution Gaming.

The Rise of Instant Play Casino Games

The times they are changing', Bob Dylan wasn't lying when he sang his heart out. In the last few decades, we have seen massive developments in technology. It was only a matter of time before online casinos and their games caught on. Gone are the days of javascript and long casino games download rates. Enter the realm of the HTML5 interface and with that instant play.

Simply sign-up to a casino and all of your favourite titles are available to play. Of course, you'll need to make a deposit if you want to place real money bets. Just be sure to opt-in for any first deposit bonuses along the way! But don't forget to read the full terms.

Mobile Casino Games

As mentioned previously, things have changed significantly over time. One of the biggest expansions has been the move into mobile gambling. With more players opting for on the go play, casinos had to take the necessary steps to ensure their sites were mobile-friendly. The only issue back then was that not all games were available on mobile.

Nowadays, literally every online casino has been optimised for mobile devices. The good news is that software providers have also looked to make their games mobile-friendly. There will always be some that are unavailable but mobile casino libraries are much bigger.

Instant play is often the go-to, just as long as you have the latest web-browser installed. IOS and Android casino games can also be played via native apps. Some online casinos give players that option. Either way, mobile games are definitely the way forward.

Bonuses & Casino Games Online

We've already mentioned promotions a couple of times throughout this article. Bonus hunter or not, the truth is that if they're there for the taking, chances are you snap them up. If you are about to take advantage of one, then we suggest that you always read the fine print. Most casinos usually have game restrictions in place.

In fact, slots are usually the ones to come out on top. We aren't just talking about free spins here. Most deposit bonuses deem that slot machines contribute fully to wagering requirements. Jackpot slots are often exempt, for obvious reasons, live casino games too. Table games are similar in that respect but even when they do contribute, its usually a very low percentage.

We aren't saying that classic casino game bonuses are non-existent but they are definitely hard to come by. Then again there are always those wager-free bonuses. Just be sure to check back to the full terms.

Casino Games No Deposit Bonus

If you thought that coming across a table games specific bonus was hard, try finding one that doesn't require a deposit. Never say never though right? For what it's worth though, no deposit bonuses are becoming harder to come by. With the UKGC recent decision to further tighten policies, this is even more so at UK online casinos. UK player or not, the few no deposit promotions that are out there are usually limited to slots games.

If you're lucky to come across a bonus of this kind, consider it your lucky day. It is, however, worth pointing out that in most cases you'll have to meet minimum deposit requirements anyway before claiming your winnings. Bonuses are great and all but they shouldn't be the sole reason for playing online casino games. It's easy to get caught up!

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