Free Online Slots Uk: Why You Must Now Become a Casino Member to Play

The world of online casinos is constantly changing. Some changes are good, some not so good. The industry rolls on regardless, with safety and responsibility at the forefront of many of the changes we’ve seen of late. That is certainly true of the changes to playing free online slots in the UK.

Can you still play these demo slots at UK casinos?

Rest assured you can. However, you won’t be able to do so if you are based in the UK unless you are a confirmed member of the casino you want to play at.

Until recently, you could go online and try out a demo slot game with no need to sign up or log into a casino. Providing you found a casino that allowed non-members to play, you were good to go.

That’s not now the case. The UK Gambling Commission (UKGC) has implemented a rule that means you can’t even view a game, much less play it, until you’re logged into a casino account. You’ll also need to confirm your identity with that casino before being allowed to play there – even if demos are all you want access to.

This should mean sending a copy of your passport or driving license (a valid photo ID, in other words) that confirms who you are and that you are of legal age to play. Once this step has been completed, you’re free to play.

However, we’ve encountered other sites that use a mobile verification system to confirm age. This isn’t likely to be the case with actual casinos, but it does occasionally appear on sites that offer the free version of a game to try.

Why has this change taken place?

The UKGC wants to protect young children from being tempted by these games. There are plenty of slot games based on adult and more mature topics, sure. However, there are also lots of games with cartoon-style characters and storylines that could prove attractive to younger players. The UKGC wants to make sure only adults can access these games, even if just for entertainment and not with real wagers. One could lead to the other, so they want to be certain children cannot access them.

Can you still join a UK casino and play online slots there?

Yes, this hasn’t changed. If you intend to play for real, you’ll need to verify who you are before making your first withdrawal anyway. As such, you may not feel this is going to affect that many UK players. Only those who want to play the demo and never progress further are going to experience any inconvenience. We’ll keep you posted on any further developments in this area.