What Are the Most Popular Casino Games in the UK?

The UK has a long and eventful relationship with gambling. As home to the first registered lottery in the world, it has often acted as a trailblazer with regard to games of chance and the modern day is no exception. Nowadays, British punters can access the best casino sites from all over the world, trying their hand at games like ルーレット (or roulette, for those who don't speak Japanese) from exotic providers.

But which are the most popular casino games in the UK today? With so many options to choose from, it can be a little daunting to know where to begin. Here's a quick rundown of the top online gambling activities in Britain right now to serve as a jumping off point for your next casino adventure.

Lottery

The National Lottery was first introduced in 1994, though the history of lotteries in Britain stretches back much farther than that. Today, the game is known as the Lotto and has spawned several spin-offs, including Lotto Extra, the Postcode Lottery and EuroMillions. The massive jackpots available can surpass hundreds of millions of pounds, which goes some way to explain why almost a third (29.6%) of the population played some form of the lottery in 2019. That makes it the most popular gambling game in Britain today.

Slots

Slots are simple to understand, easy to play and entertaining to look at, which is why they're among the most popular casino pastimes among British gambling aficionados. The advent of video slots has only enhanced their popularity, with a variety of games now available which capitalise upon pop culture tropes, sports or other themes to create a more immersive gaming experience. As such, slots are played up and down the country not just for the chance to win some money, but for the sheer pleasure of the game itself.

Roulette

Roulette has its roots in an Italian game called Biribi, though its name comes from the French word for "little wheel". Whatever its origins, it's certainly found a spiritual home among British punters and in online casinos all over the globe, including the Japanese site mentioned above. Even though (or perhaps because) the game dispenses with skill altogether and instead leaves everything up to Lady Luck, it's a huge favourite among British gambling fans and is an ever-present in any brick-and-mortar or online establishment you might enter.

Poker

When it comes to playing cards for money, there are plenty of options to choose from: blackjack, baccarat and rummy are just three of the games favoured by British card players. However, for many people, nothing comes close to poker. Unlike roulette, poker is the ultimate blend of skill and luck, since players must attempt to second-guess their opponent's thought processes, all the while masking and fabricating their own. The competitive nature of poker also lends itself well to the British sense of sportsmanship, which is why it's one of the top casino games in the country.

Us Brits like nothing more than to place a wager or two at a casino – and lotteries, slots, roulette and poker are our preferred means of doing so. Which is your favourite?