Online casino Europe
Top online casinos in Europe
Best European online casino games
Europe has a wide variety of gambling preferences. Each European market has its own particularities for online casino games. At NLCasinos, we thoroughly test each online casino’s games. All the European casinos we recommend offer a wide range of exciting games. The main reason why players join European online casinos is because of the games from well-known developers such as Betsoft, Quickspin, Yggdrasil, Play N’ Go, iSoftBet, Blueprint Gaming, Evolution Gaming (Live Casino), Net Entertainment, Microgaming, Mr Slotty and Pragmatic Play. Most EU casinos offer games that work seamlessly on mobile devices such as iOS, iPad, Android and tablets, often without the need for apps. Players can try out free slots in their browser before playing for real money.
Live casino
Live casino games offer an authentic gaming experience and are streamed from casino studios across Europe. These live dealer games are available on all devices and offer continuous streaming and live chat interaction in real time. These games are streamed live from live casino studios across Europe, including Riga, Brussels, Bulgaria, Slovakia, Georgia, Spain, Italy, Malta, Finland, Armenia, Dublin, Moldova, Estonia and the UK.
Card games
Card games such as blackjack and baccarat are popular. The varieties include Super Fun 21, Punto Banco, Pontoon, Las Vegas Blackjack, Atlantic City Blackjack, Perfect Pairs Blackjack, Spanish 21, American Blackjack, European Blackjack and Blackjack Switch. These games offer a unique gaming experience for regular players and high rollers alike.
Roulette: Europeans love quality table games in casinos. Popular options include European Roulette, French Roulette, Immersive Roulette, American Roulette and 3D Roulette. Live roulette with real dealers is particularly popular as it is streamed to players in real time.
Poker: European players love poker. The main variants are Texas Hold’em, Omaha Hi-Lo, Caribbean Stud Poker, Let ’em Ride, Razz, Badugi, Three Card Poker and several video poker games such as Joker Poker and Jacks or Better.
Instant win games
Like scratch cards, these games are easy to play and do not require complicated strategies. Players just need to open the boxes to form winning combinations.
Slots
Video slots make up more than 70% of all online casino games at European providers. They come in different themes, such as Egyptian, African savannah, mythological, alien, superhero, romance and action. Classic slots and slots with jackpots (e.g. Daily Drops and Progressive Jackpots) are also popular. The relatively new MegaWays slots do not have fixed paylines but offer many ways to win.
Payment methods for online casinos in Europe
The European online gaming market is very diverse. Despite markets falling under the broad umbrella of the European Union, each country has its own selection of deposit and withdrawal methods. Each region offers unique payment options.
Such payment methods are popular in most countries: Visa, Visa Electron, MasterCard, Trustly, Maestro, direct bank transfer, EcoPayz, EziPay, eWire, NETELLER, Neosurf, PaySafeCard, Skrill, PugglePay, Nordea en Zimpler.
Each payment method has its own minimum and maximum amounts. Some methods offer instant availability of funds, while others need several days to process transactions. All banking methods at online casinos guaranteed secure. Europe is also a hub for crypto payments such as Bitcoin, Ethereum, Litecoin, Ripple and Dogecoin. Although crypto payments require an advanced understanding of crypto exchanges and security protocols, a growing number of players prefer this option.
European casino promotions
100%/200%/300% bonus
The casino will match your deposit up to a certain percentage or amount. Remember that you must meet the wagering requirements to receive any winnings from this bonus.
No deposit bonuses
These do not require a prior deposit. You must meet the wagering requirements to withdraw winnings from this bonus.
Free Spins
Usually offered to new players who register at an online casino. A free spins bonus gives players a certain number of free spins on a specific slot or group of slots. Free spins are non-transferable and often have an expiry date. Wagering requirements apply.
Deposit bonuses
Offered for extra deposits you make at an online casino. They are usually available on the second, third, fourth or fifth deposit, with different levels of generosity.
European casinos
When discussing the European gambling market, we look at the different jurisdictions within the EU. Any online casino we review must be fully licensed and regulated to offer real-money gambling games to players of legal age. Here are some of the main European gambling regulators:
Dutch Gaming Authority (KSA)
Since October 2021, the Dutch government has been issuing licences to online casinos, ensuring the safety and fairness of the offer. So far, around 20 casinos have received this licence.
Malta Gaming Authority (MGA)
Malta is a major iGaming hub in Europe. The MGA issues licences that give access to the European market and is known for its strict compliance rules. There are four types of licences: for games of chance determined by RNG, sports betting, poker and fantasy sports.
Curaçao
Curaçao offers a cost-effective and easy licensing procedure. The system uses master licences and sublicences, with new operators applying for sublicences from one of the four master licence holders. A single licence covers the entire iGaming sector, unlike some other jurisdictions where multiple licences are required.
Other regulators include:
- Finland – Veikkaus, Fintoto and RAY
- Spain – Spanish National Gaming Commission
- Norway – Norsk Tipping
- Switzerland – Swiss Federal Casino Commission
- Belgium – Belgian Gaming Authority
- France – Francaise des Jeux and ARJEL
- Italy – AAMS
- Sweden – Svenska Spel
- Germany – Schleswig-Holstein
- Denmark – Danish Gaming Authority (DGA)
- United Kingdom – UKGC (United Kingdom Gambling Commission)
These regulatory bodies ensure that European online casinos operate safely and fairly, offering players confidence in their gambling experience.
FAQ
- Which regulator controls the European gambling market?
The European gambling market is controlled by regional commissions and regulatory authorities of each country. However, compliance with the overall regulatory framework is guaranteed by the European Commission and the Court of Justice of the European Union (CJEU) under EU law.
- Are online casinos legal across Europe?
In most European Union countries, gambling, including online casinos, is permitted in certain forms. However, the legality of online casinos varies from country to country, as each region is responsible for its own licences and regulations.
- What is the legal age for online gambling in Europe?
The legal age for online gambling in Europe is generally 18 and above. In Germany, Belgium and Ireland, the minimum age is 21, while in Greece it is 23. It is important to follow your home country's gambling rules and regulations when playing in online casinos.
- Is it possible to play live casino games for free in Europe?
Generally, no. Online casino games are often available in demo mode, but live casino games with real dealers are usually only available for real money. These games are run by professional dealers, which incurs costs for their time and the maintenance of studios and technology.
- What can European casino players do if online casinos refuse to make payouts?
We strongly recommend playing only at reputable online casinos that have been reviewed by us. If a casino we have reviewed refuses to pay out, you can contact the casino via live chat, email or phone to resolve the problem as quickly as possible. These casinos do not risk their licence by refusing payouts.
- Is there any way to beat European online casinos?
Like land-based casinos, online casinos are meant to make a profit. Some games have higher RTPs (return to player percentages) than others. Choose games with high RTPs and manage your budget carefully. Pay attention to the variance of the games and look for bonuses with favourable wagering conditions.