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UK Android casino apps are specialised mobile applications created by casino operators exclusively for Android-powered devices. They allow you to access a casino’s online platform directly from your smartphone.
These gambling apps give you all the benefits of the casino’s browser platform (ex: bonuses, game selection, payment methods), as well as mobile-exclusive perks (but more on that later).
By “Android UK casino app”, I refer to apps from operators with licenses to provide their games to users from the United Kingdom.
Note
Owners of iOS devices have dedicated mobile gambling apps, namely iPhone casino apps.
In a 2023 report by the Gambling Commission, it was revealed that about 44% of the adult population in the United Kingdom participates in gambling. Out of these, over 50% prefer to gamble directly from their smartphone.
Moreover, according to a 2023 study conducted by StatCounter, approximately 70.9% of smartphone users own an Android device, while only 28.39% possess an iOS device.
When you think of a casino app, you are likely imagining an app where you gamble with real funds. However, when we speak of United Kingdom Android casino apps, we can discuss two different types of apps: for real funds and for fun.
Real-funds apps allow you to deposit and withdraw real funds. They are free to download, with in-app purchases.
On the opposite side of the spectrum are "social casino apps," also known as for-fun apps. In such an app, you play with fictive funds. The gambling activity in itself is mostly the same, with the difference that your bank funds stay the same.
Social casinos are a great pick if you want to simply relax while playing your favourite games. Moreover, they play a significant role in promoting responsible gambling. Basically, you can play while keeping your funds intact.
Remember
Free-play Android apps generate revenue through various marketing add-ons and advertisements, eliminating the need to directly charge their customers.
Freak Tip
Consider trying out social casino apps before delving into real-funds ones. This approach enables you to determine if gambling suits your preferences and whether specific games are worth spending real funds on in the future.
Starting with the 2005 Gambling Act’s approval, gambling in the UK has been under the regulation of the UKGC (United Kingdom Gambling Commission). This means that, to operate legally, every casino operator must possess a UKGC licence.
The licence serves as proof of the operator's platform fairness and safety standards. You can learn more about UK-licenced mobile online casinos from our dedicated page.
Did you know
The UKGC licence is among the most reputable ones a developer can get, alongside MGA (Malta Gaming Authority), Curaçao eGaming, and Spelinspektionen (Swedish Gambling Authority).
Tip
You can manually verify whether a casino developer has a valid UK gambling licence from the UKGC website. You can make a search using the casino’s account number or name.
If you ever run into a problem with an online casino, you can seek legal help from the local authority (UKGC in this case).
Having a UKGC licence is not enough for an app to be added to the official Android Store, Google Play. For that, it must pass a series of strict regulations, on top of having a valid licence.
That being said, here are the main requirements a developer must adhere to for his app to be made available to download from the UK Google Play Store:
In the United Kingdom, starting to play on gambling apps for Android is a piece of cake. In a nutshell, you choose a casino, install its mobile app, register and verify an account, and then start playing however you like.
If you prefer a detailed overview, Freak has got you covered in the following sections.
Step 1 - Select a casino you wish to play at
Firstly, you need to decide on an UK Android casino to play at. Numerous apps with valid licences are available for selection.
It's advisable to dive into the world of UK Android casino apps with proper consideration and research, to avoid making a blunder. Here are some factors you should consider when making a choice:
Please feel at liberty to browse our website to learn more about the choices accessible to British Players. You can filter the casinos in our lists by bonus type, game selection, and launch date.
Freak Tip
Don’t take every casino rating and review you find at face value. If the shoe fits, feel free to wear it, regardless of what others think of it.
Tip
You don’t need to put all your eggs in one basket. You can download as many apps as you want and enjoy playing them simultaneously.
Step 2 - Download & install its dedicated mobile app
After setting your eyes on an app you like, what is next is downloading it from the Play Store. You can download and install the app just like you would do with any other non-gambling Android app.
Just look up the app in the Store, click the download button and wait for the app to automatically install itself.
Remember
Some casinos do not have their apps available for download on the Play Store. You can only download them straight from the casinos’ website.
Freak Tip
If it looks like a duck, swims like a duck, and quacks like a duck, then it probably is a duck. If Play Store did not approve some apps, it’s probably a good idea to steer clear from them altogether.
Step 3 - Register an account & log in
Once you install the app, the next step is to log in, which requires a registered account. If you are new to that casino’s platform, you need to create a new player account.
If you already possess an account on the casino's browser version, you need to utilise the same account credentials to log in to the app.
Step 4 - Complete the KYC verification process for your account
Next in line is the UK KYC verification for your player account. Basically, you need to confirm your identity (that you are who you said you are in the registration process & are over 18), the validity of your chosen payment method, and other similar information.
Remember
With step no. 4 completed, your account is all set to go. It is not obligatory to complete the following steps; claiming bonuses and making deposits is purely optional, and you are not required to do so.
Step 5 - Claim a new-player bonus
As a new player on a casino’s platform, you can snatch dedicated new-player bonuses. They come in two forms, with or without a deposit—more on that on our dedicated no-deposit UK casinos page.
Step 6 - Make a deposit
Whether you claimed a deposit bonus or not, you are free to make a deposit regardless. You can choose your desired payment method from the casino’s list of available options.
Freak Tip
You should start with a small deposit when new to a casino app. You can always make a bigger deposit later on or successive small deposits.
Step 7 - Play games
This step is self-explanatory; this is where you can play whatever games you like from that app.
You can only use new-player bonuses on specific eligible games. You need to check the bonus’s T&C to know for sure where you can use it.
Step 8 - Fulfill the wagering requirements for your new player bonus
To withdraw funds gained via playing with the new-player bonuses, you gotta wager the bonus. The term “wagering” refers to the amount of funds you need to bet to withdraw.
At your own risk, you can also install apps that are unavailable on the Play Store. While I do not recommend doing this, I will detail the process for you, should you ever need to go through it:
Warning
Downloading apps from sources other than the Play Store significantly increases the risk of encountering a rogue website. That’s why it is crucial to always stick with trustworthy casino operators.
The growing popularity of mobile gambling is a testament to the fact that it’s worth trying out. However, it’s not a one size fits all issue, as what works for others might not work for you.
In light of that, I will present you with some advantages and disadvantages commonly associated with this activity.
Remember
Before we start, you should keep in mind that it’s not obligatory to install a mobile app to access a casino's games on your phone. You can also play them using the optimised browser version designed for mobile devices.
1. Enjoy your favourite games on the go
With a dedicated mobile app for your favourite casino, you can play from wherever you are. You don’t need to wait to get home to a desktop system to play, nor do you need to stay in a queue at a land-based casino.
2. Get instant access to your games
You can forget about browsing for your favourite casino and logging in every single time you want to access it. The app provides seamless access to the casino, remembering your login credentials and offering you fun just a tap away.
3. Benefit from enhanced security measures
Mobile apps take security to a new level, especially when it comes to something as sensitive as gambling.
As previously mentioned, UK Android casino apps allowed on the Play Store must pass various security requirements before being approved on the platform.
On top of that, mobile apps are less prone to being hijacked or hacked than desktop devices. As for viruses, you can rest assured that the Play Store apps are virus free.
Warning
Be wary of downloading apps from sources other than the Play Store or a casino’s official website. They could contain malware and put your mobile device at risk.
4. Play on a mobile-optimised interface
You're likely familiar with the joy of acquiring a next-generation video card, enabling you to smoothly run the newly-released game that you were eager to play but lacked the proper PC specifications for. This upgrade makes the game run at its full potential, and you’re not missing out on any features. Now, how about applying this concept to iGambling?
Using a mobile app, you can access all the features a casino platform offers without any limitations stemming from its desktop-oriented design.
The resolution is optimised for your phone, the app consumes less mobile data, the interface is intuitive for touchscreens, and the sounds are designed to suit phone speakers, among other mobile-specific features.
1. The app takes up storage space
You need to install an app on your device before you can use it. Depending on how many apps you want to install and your Android’s storage capacity, things can get a tad crowded.
Freak Tip
I do not recommend an “if it fits, I sits” approach regarding this topic. If you only have a little storage space left and want to install an app that occupies most of it, your smartphone will suffer. It will have nowhere to install any additional updates that take up space, not to mention that it will probably run like a snail.
2. Mobile apps require manual updates
Gambling apps are stored on your device, which means that the developers cannot update them without your permission. You need to manually approve updates as soon as they roll out.
Tip
You can configure automatic app updates via Settings on your smartphone.
3. The app is visible in your phone’s applications list
Because the app needs to be installed, it will automatically appear in your phone's list of installed applications.
While it is a good thing in the sense that you have quick access to the casino platform, it can be a privacy issue for some people.
We all know how much emphasis the UK government puts on gambling responsibly. That is why multiple tools are available for you to set up gambling limits. You are free to choose the one that suits you best.
Before moving further, I'd like to point out that the most crucial tool for ensuring your safety while gambling is your own brain. Despite sounding cliche, it is true. If you recognise that playing for fun should take precedence over playing for funds and that casino games cannot be a substitute for a stable income from a job, you become unstoppable.
Trivia
Gambling is considered a YMYL (your money or your life) topic. A YMYL topic refers to something that has the potential to significantly influence your financial stability and overall well-being.
Tip
Combining multiple self-restriction measures can be highly effective, as an additional layer of inaccessibility may help slow down any temptation and prevent hasty actions.
Important
Gambling addiction is a recognised mental disorder. You shouldn’t feel ashamed to ask for help when you feel like you need it. The trained professionals you can talk to are non-judgemental and have met many other people struggling with this issue before.
With the abundance of UK Android casino apps, gambling has become easier and more accessible for smartphone users than ever before. UK Android casinos can enhance your gaming experience and enable you to take it with you wherever you go.
