Top Independent Casinos UK

Sister sites aren't necessarily a wrong choice, and they are certainly not a subpar choice. However, it's proven that after a while, your gaming experience will become all too familiar and "samey" if you always opt for related casinos. With independent online casinos, you won't experience this because independent casinos are entirely unique: you won't be able to replicate the casino experience anywhere else.

Best Standalone & Independent Casinos UK

The Difference Between Independent Casinos & Sister Casinos

There are not as many independent casinos as there are related sister casinos. The reason is that related sister casinos are easier to establish and are much less costly than starting an independent casino site. For example, many related casinos, such as those using the same casino platform, are white-label casinos. This means they will share many, if not all, of the same fundamental features except for their logo, brand name and website design. Underneath it all, they are exactly the same.

For casino operators wanting to launch a cost-effective, out-of-the-box casino (also known as a turnkey solution), they will start their brand on a network that provides everything to them for a fee. This means everything will be taken care of, from the website design, customer service centre, payment solutions and even dictate the games that will be available. The brand owners need only worry about marketing and ensuring they get customers through the door; everything else will be covered "in-house" by the casino platform. It's a great system that works very well for casino entrepreneurs who want to start a casino but don't want to create everything from scratch.

You may already know of some leading platform turnkey providers: Aspire Global, L&L Europe, Jumpman Gaming, Grace Media, Progress Play and SkillOnNet - we're confident that you would have at least played at one of 2 of their casinos already, such as Mr Play, Pub Casino, Playojo, Spin Rio and Vegas Land to name but a few. Generally, as a rule of thumb, online casino companies only getting started in the gambling industry will launch their first brands on white-label casino platforms. Building your first casino site from the ground up is rare due to the cost and expertise required -although not unheard of.
 

What Is An Independent "Stand Alone" Casino?

Independent casinos are the exact opposite of sister casinos. Also known as standalone casinos, independent casinos are those that run everything themselves from the ground up. This means everything from the execution of the website to gaining their own gambling license (which is a mammoth task in itself!) to running their own in-house customer service and payment solutions. The list goes on, and we're sure you get the point.

The quality of an independent casino will be high because only the most serious, financially stable gaming companies opt to start standalone casinos. Hence, there are fewer independent casino sites to choose from. However, the result of all the extra costs and hard work pays off. Independent casinos will offer an experience no one else does.

Independent casinos essentially have more control over their content - they can choose to add game providers they see fit, offer bonuses they want, and provide top-class customer service - they have control over every situation. Of course, the owners of independent casinos do, after some success, see the benefit of the hard work of starting a standalone casino - they see larger profits.

Whilst the whole process of running a standalone UK casino is risky - if they do the job well and the casino is a success, they'll get a much larger share of the pie than they would have if they opted for a cheaper white-label solution. 

💡 Whilst sister casinos are easier and cheaper to set up, the downside is profit margins. When you factor in bonus costs, hefty fees to the platform provider, payment solution costs, and everything else for the privilege of a platform doing everything for you, the profit margin is far lower for sister brands than what independent casinos see.

Benefits & Disadvantages of Independent Casinos

As highlighted, one of the significant benefits of playing at independent casino sites is their ability to provide a unique gaming experience. Below, we look at the main benefits and disadvantages of joining a standalone UK casino. As you can see, the benefits far outweigh the disadvantages!

Benefits of Independent Casinos

• Demo Play Options: Although demo/fun play is a widely available feature, not all sister casinos offer this option to UK players. Independent casinos tend to be able to provide this option as they know many punters enjoy playing demo slots.
• Unique Branding & Website Design: There are no restrictions placed on independent casino operators because, essentially, they are designing and funding the whole concept themselves. This means plenty of scope and poetic license. Most independent casinos will offer a one-of-a-kind website and mobile design, not a cookie-cutter style you see with many related casinos. Independent casinos can play around with gamification and other unique ideas, making them novel, too.
• Unique Bonuses & Marketing Campaigns: Just because it's a casino with no sister casinos doesn't mean it is a small operation that doesn't think outside the box - on the contrary, for that matter. Most casinos with no sister sites will often go that extra mile or three to really excel in being the best standalone casino for all the right reasons - including eye-catching TV commercials, spectacular on-site promotions, VIP programs and much more.
• No Account Limits: Independent casinos can be more flexible with payments and don't necessarily place limits on your wagers and deposits/withdrawals. Note, though, that if you are playing at an independent casino licensed by the UK Gambling Commission, the casino must legally place limits in line with their licensing obligations and anti-money laundering policies
• Fast Withdrawals/Cashouts: One way independent online casinos can stand out is to offer fast cashouts. Many people search for the fastest-paying online casinos because they dislike waiting for their winnings. Because independent casinos have more control over their banking solutions because, again, they do everything in-house, and they can choose how fast they pay you. Standalone casinos often ensure you are paid as soon as possible because it's one way to stand out and separate the experience from the rest.

Disadvantages of Independent Casinos

• Not linked to GamStop: A standalone casino may not be part of the effective Gamstop program. An excellent standalone casino will, however, provide you with enough in-account tools and safety measures to keep you in control of your gambling.
• Limited Banking Methods: Independent platforms might not have many payment methods available. This usually has a lot to do with cost. It costs a lot to implement payment solutions, so independent casinos may choose their top choices, whereas sister casinos already have them built in and ready for everyone to use.

Game Providers at Independent Casinos

Independent online casinos offer a comprehensive variety of casino game suppliers. These game suppliers provide games that are tailored to the needs of the independent online casino. On average, casinos with no sister sites work with a smaller number of software providers, but they usually focus on quality over quantity. They may have fewer games, but all the games they do have in their portfolio are the best you can play.

Depending on the casino, you could find games from popular gaming providers like Pragmatic Play, Play 'N Go. Nolimit City, Microgaming, NetEnt, Relax Gaming, Thunderkick, Elk Studios, and many more (see below for our recommendations on the best casino software providers. The games from these providers often feature unique graphics, amusing gameplay, and a wide range of themes - sometimes branded themes based on movies, rock bands or TV shows. Players can also expect access to some of the most popular titles in the industry, as well as exciting new releases every week.

Choosing The Best Independent Casinos 2023

Whilst there's far less choice if you're seeking to play at independent casino sites, there still are a fair few to choose from. Finding the perfect one to suit your requirements needn't be hard work - that's what the team at iGamblingSites.com are here for! Above, we've listed the best independent casinos of October 2023. Every casino has been checked to ensure they really are standalone and offer that distinctive casino experience that you won't find at any other online casino.

It's a lengthy process when we review casinos; it takes a team member a few days to test everything out and get together a report. Those casinos that make it on our approved list will get their own review in our casino reviews section and will be recommended to our readers. Like the independent casinos above, they have also been put through the wringer - and have passed the test.

We wanted to take this opportunity to pass on some tips on finding the best independent casinos so you'll never have trouble finding an appropriate site that is safe and trustworthy:

Casino Licensing

Always check a casino's licensing to ensure it's legal and legitimate. Most standalone casinos will apply for their own licenses and display their license information in the footer of their website. We strongly urge you not to play at unlicensed casinos, as you have far less protection if anything goes sour.

Games & Slots

Most new independent casinos aim to offer as many game choices as mainstream casinos; however, for obvious reasons, it is much harder for independent casinos to provide as much choice. If you enjoy playing specific games, ensure the casino with no sister sites has it. Also, we recommend checking that the independent casino always adds fresh new games on a weekly basis.

Casino Bonuses & Free Spins 

If you plan to use a casino bonus, check it out before you play. Not all casino bonuses are as good as they look. Always check the wagering requirements and avoid anything over x 50. Also, it's a good idea to check the maximum cash-out amount too. If you win, your winnings may be capped because you used the bonus, so ensure no small caps are in place. Also, we recommend checking the terms in case there are restricted games. The best casino bonuses are fair, such as those we've listed at the best independent casinos above.

Customer Support

Customer support should be 24/7 and comprehensive; just because a casino is independent doesn't mean it can cut corners. Have a look and make sure the casino you have in mind offers 24/7 live chat, email support and, for a bonus point - telephone support. You'd be surprised to find that some leading casinos do not provide 24/7 support, and waiting a few hours to answer your questions can be frustrating.

Takeaway

Overall, picking a new independent casino to play at should not be too much hard work, but doing a little bit of research before you decide could really impact your experience from a good experience - to the best experience. To save you the time and trouble of knowing where best and safest to play, we recommend trying the best new independent casinos the team have picked out for you and listed above.

New Independent UK Online Casinos October 2023

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