18+ · Gambling can be harmful. For support visit GambleAware.org · Independent comparison site · Not an operator
Play Filing

Game Types Guide

Casino game categories
explained plainly.

Understanding what's in a casino library — slots, table games, live dealer, jackpots, instant wins — makes it easier to assess whether a particular operator actually suits what you're looking for.

Video Slots

Game category

The backbone of most UK online casino libraries. Slots vary enormously in volatility, theme, and mechanics — two slots with the same RTP can play completely differently. The studio behind a slot matters: Blueprint Gaming's titles tend to offer complex bonus features tied to branded IP (Megaways mechanics, film and TV licences), while Pragmatic Play slots are prolific and cover a wide range of volatility profiles.

Worth knowing

Megaways variants (originally Big Time Gaming), Cluster Pays games (NetEnt Aloha is the reference point), cascading reels. These are mechanics, not separate categories — they appear within the slot catalogue.

Among the six operators

Sky Vegas carries the widest slot selection among the six operators compared here, with Blueprint originals and NetEnt's back catalogue both prominent. Admiral Casino's Novomatic library is distinctive — their classic-style reel games aren't common elsewhere.

Live Dealer Casino

Game category

Live dealer games are streamed from real studios — often run by Evolution Gaming, Pragmatic Play Live, or Playtech — where a human dealer hosts roulette, blackjack, baccarat, or game-show formats in real time. The difference between providers is meaningful: Evolution's Crazy Time and Lightning Roulette have become reference-point products; Pragmatic Play Live offers a broadly similar range at lower stakes entry points.

Worth knowing

Game shows (Crazy Time, Deal or No Deal) sit within the live casino section and are quite different from traditional table games — they're closer to wheel-of-fortune formats with a multiplier structure.

Among the six operators

Sky Vegas uses Evolution Gaming exclusively for live casino, which gives it a deeper studio range. Play Magical's Pragmatic Play Live offering is narrower but functional. TigerBet's Playtech live rooms are competent if less varied.

Table Games (RNG)

Game category

Roulette, blackjack, baccarat, and poker variants played against a random number generator rather than a live dealer. These are typically faster to play than live equivalents and available at lower minimum stakes. The RNG versions don't replicate the atmosphere of a live table but are useful for practising strategy without the pressure of a real-time game.

Worth knowing

European roulette (single zero) is statistically more favourable than American roulette (double zero). Most UKGC-licensed sites offer both, but the ratio varies — some operators bury the single-zero version.

Among the six operators

Most operators in this comparison carry a standard RNG table game suite. LottoGo's table game selection is lighter than the others, reflecting its lottery-first product focus.

Jackpot Slots

Game category

A subset of the slot category where a portion of each bet contributes to a pooled prize — either a fixed jackpot or a progressive one that grows until it pays out. Networked progressives (like Playtech's Jackpot King series or NetEnt's Mega Fortune) accumulate across all operators running the same game, which can push prizes into the millions. The trade-off is that jackpot slots typically have lower base-game RTP.

Worth knowing

Progressive jackpots are not guaranteed to reach a particular size and can be won at any amount above the seed value. The advertised 'average jackpot' figures that sometimes appear in casino marketing are not a reliable guide to likely payout.

Among the six operators

Sky Vegas and Admiral Casino both carry a solid progressive jackpot range. LottoGo's jackpot games are weighted more towards lottery-style draws than traditional slot jackpots.

Instant Win & Scratch Cards

Game category

Quick-resolution games — typically a virtual scratch card or instant lottery draw — where the outcome is determined immediately on purchase. These are the natural cross-over point between lottery platforms and casino sites. The RTP on instant-win games varies considerably and is sometimes not prominently displayed.

Worth knowing

LottoGo and, to a lesser extent, Sky Vegas carry more instant-win content than the other operators here. For most casino players these are a minor part of the library; for lottery-focused players they can be the main draw.

Among the six operators

LottoGo is the strongest here by design — instant wins and lottery games are its core product. The other five operators treat these as supplementary.

See how the six operators compare across these categories on the full comparison page.

View operator scorecards →

18+ · This page is informational only. Play Filing does not operate casino games. All links to operators carry affiliate tracking — we earn a commission on referrals, which does not affect our editorial positions. Gambling involves risk.