Best Browser for Online Gambling

What's the Best Browser for Gambling? 5 Options Tested & Reviewed

12 min

Looking to have the best online gambling experience available on the internet without lag or interruptions? We assessed five leading browsers and analyzed their compatibility with online casinos to provide you with the best options for all of your preferences, ranging from slots to live casino games. Read on to discover the overall best browser for online gambling in the UK.

Our Top 5 Best Casino Browsers

Rank Browser Best feature Our Rating Download link
1 Mozilla Firefox Works in sync with your smartphone 5/5 Install now
2 Opera GX Advanced performance tweaks 4.5/5 Install now
3 Brave Browser Faster and more secure Chrome alternative 4.5/5 Install now
4 Vivaldi Built-in translator, calendar and email client 4/5 Install now
5 Google Chrome All Google services in one place 4/5 Install now

Disclaimer

We’re not affiliated with any software companies mentioned in this article. Our rundown of casino browsers has a purely informative intent.

Expert Analysis: Ratings of the Best Browsers for Online Gambling

Mozilla Firefox – 5/5 rating

Mozilla Firefox

High points Tolerable flaws
Many extensions and themes HTML5 compatibility issues with a limited no. of devices
Embedded malware and pop-up blocker Reported CPU and RAM overload
Intuitive design
Ease of use and configuration

Be aware

Some Firefox users complain of high system resource usage, which leads to crashes and lag. Still, the issue may be related to your system specs or program configuration.

Our experience while using Firefox for gambling was the opposite. So, if you encounter this problem, consider the following:

  • Is your operating system up to date?
  • Do you have the latest drivers installed?
  • Is the browser up to date?
  • Does any other program interfere with the functionality of Firefox?

Tip

High CPU usage can be fixed by activating the strictest level of tracker blocking and disabling Firefox extensions running in the background.

Opera GX – 4.5/5 rating

Opera GX

High points Tolerable flaws
Excellent security features, including ad-blocker Not so great if you want top online privacy
Control resource usage for multitasking Not available on Linux distributions
Built-in VPN service
Social media sidebar

Is Opera GX safe?

You might be sceptical of Opera GX because the company has Chinese investors. Political sentiments shouldn’t cloud your judgment in this case. Opera is a trusted company that’s listed on the NASDAQ stock exchange.

Brave browser – 4.5/5 rating

Brave Browser

High points Tolerable flaws
Efficient ad blocker and enhanced privacy A limited array of add-ons
In-browser torrent download feature Streaming compatibility issues on some casino sites
Built-in crypto wallet
Get rewarded in crypto for browsing Brave

What’s in the Brave reward system?

Brave Browser developers have doubled down on privacy by creating a privacy-conscious platform for Global Private Ads. When you watch these ads, you’re rewarded with Basic Attention Tokens (BAT) that you may exchange for gift cards or store in your wallet.

Vivaldi – 4/5 rating

Vivaldi

High points Tolerable flaws
Best for infinite user interface customisation You might find it challenging to get used to all the features
Productivity tools make it great for office work It might eat a lot of RAM, depending on your settings
Created by the original developers of Opera Not all casinos function properly
Low disk space requirements

Memory overload on older PCs

When your casino games start to lag, it might signal RAM overload. Go to Settings and activate the CPU and RAM limiter for a workaround.

Google Chrome – 4/5 rating

Google Chrome

High points Tolerable flaws
Extensive add-on library Poor for privacy-minded UK players
The address bar is also a Google search box It consumes a lot of your system resources
Built-in translator Multitasking can be affected
Minimalistic design

Why is Google Chrome bad for privacy?

Chrome is likely the most widely used browser around. However, it’s not the best if you want private browsing. Read its Privacy Policy in full. You’ll see that Google’s scripts track almost everything you do online for targeted ads.

It’s virtually impossible to remain anonymous on Chrome. Opt for Brave Browser or Mozilla Firefox if you care about your privacy.

What’s the Best Casino Browser Overall?

What’s the Best Gaming Browser Overa
Source: firefox.com

If you’re looking for a great gaming browser, look no further than Mozilla. It has all the best features and tools to make your gaming experience the best.

Why Is Mozzila #1? The 7 Reasons that Convinced Our Experts

  • Based on our experience testing each browser, Mozilla proved the quickest, most versatile, and, therefore, the most appropriate for gambling.
  • Casino games load up faster than on any other Chromium alternative
  • You can quickly transfer your tabs to another device; your slots will keep spinning when you open your smartphone
  • A password manager can be useful if you’re playing on multiple casino accounts
  • Mozilla reinvented the bookmarks bar and named it the ‘Pocket’; you can access your pocket from anywhere and save your favourite gambling guides from any device
  • Picture-in-picture streaming allows you to watch YouTube videos in the same window in which you try to beat a Blackjack dealer
  • Mozilla Firefox updates frequently, sometimes every other day, which is a plus in terms of security

Tips

Ensure you’re on the latest version to avoid potential security breaches.

Important

Firefox users have complained about the browser updating at every launch. Still, the bug seems to have vanished since the last update.

Why Are Our Chosen Browsers Best for Online Casinos?

What Sets Our Top Gaming Browsers Apart

We focused wholly on performance metrics quantifying speed, security, compatibility and other attributes integral to seamless and protected gameplay, measuring browsers against these factors.

Fast loading speeds

Slow load speeds negatively impact the gaming experience. They can break a player’s focus, disrupt strategic thinking, and interfere with quick decision-making. Fast speeds are crucial, especially for games like online slots or tables that require split-second reflexes or calculations. So, we made load velocity a top priority when rating gaming browsers. The faster, the better.

How we tested browsers’ speed

Our testing methodology consisted of two main steps. We installed the 5 browsers on an Asus VivoBook laptop and navigated between top UK online casinos, trying various games.

After taking each browser for a ride involving running 1-2 slot games, we can present the results of our study.

Important

  • All the casino browsers we selected are compatible with HTML5, and most of today’s casino games work on this kind of infrastructure.
  • However, despite a few uninterrupted rounds in Book of Dead, Google Chrome and Vivaldi lagged a bit when faced with a graphically intensive 7×7 grid slot.
  • To be exact, the game in question is Pragmatic Play’s John Hunter and the Quest for Bermuda Riches.

Tips

Turning off the battery saver is essential, as is selecting the high-performance setting if you want to play unhindered by lag.

  • Mozilla Firefox and Opera handled the same slot a lot better
  • Memory efficiency tends to become a problem with Chromium-based browsers; on the contrary, Mozilla doesn’t clog up your RAM

What is Chromium?

Chromium is the open-source version of the Chrome browser. It’s the perfect skeleton for many other browsers, including Opera, Vivaldi, and Brave Browser. Still, just like its older brother from Google, it eats a lot of RAM if you open too many casino windows or tabs.

Unique features

Unique features

  • Features like the CPU/RAM limiter and the tabs killer in Opera GX can help players with lower-end computers enjoy decent gaming sessions
  • The best browsers for gambling can be personalised to the most minute details; you can change the graphic theme but also work under the hood to add new components and tweak the existing settings
  • Not all UK players will want to modify their browser and access hidden settings, though
  • Still, they’re likely to be attracted by integrated media players or crypto wallets
  • Therefore, these unique features must be easy to use and access

Choose Vivaldi if you want…

One of the most customisable browsers around, based on the Chromium source code. You also have the option to ‘hibernate’ your tabs to free up memory for better performance.

Enhanced privacy and security

Enhanced privacy and security

  • Online gamblers’ financial and personal information is safe as long as they avoid scam casinos, but even experienced players should take some precautions
  • The primary troublemakers are the all-pervasive ads, trackers, cookies and fingerprinting; if you care about your privacy online, choose a browser that enables you to block these or at least set levels you’re comfortable with

What is fingerprinting?

Fingerprinting is a process in which bits of your personal information are tracked. However, fingerprinting is a more intrusive data-tracking method.

A third party (advertiser) creates a profile for you based on traces you left online, like screen size, extensions you’ve installed, and other seemingly trivial details. Then, you will receive targeted advertisements based on your `digital fingerprint`.

Expert Comparison: Casino Browsers vs Desktop Apps

Compare Browsers Casino Desktop Apps
Casino games Full list Might miss some titles/types
Navigation Depends on web design Optimised for better navigation
Privacy 5/5 4/5
Password manager Yes No
VPN Built-in with some browsers Unaccepted

Can casino desktop apps survive on the market?

Desktop apps for online casinos haven’t really reached their potential and were quickly replaced by a focus on mobile customer experience.

Although relatively rare nowadays, when you stumble upon a casino desktop app, the experience is usually subpar compared to simply signing in from the browser.

It’s not like apps were all awful, but anything worthwhile was most times overridden by missing games, recurring bugs and strange installation procedures.

For example, Netbet’s last Windows app was a shortcut to a slightly modified version of its site.

Remember

Always update your best browser for online slots, tables and other gambling options to guarantee seamless functionality.

Discover the Best Browser for Slots: Brave Browser

Best Browser for Slots Players Brave Browser
Source: brave.com

We compared slots gaming on Brave and Chrome and have a winner!

Our test sessions focused on trying as many slot machines on each browser.

What we played

Slots Provider RTP Special features
John Hunter and the Quest for Bermuda Riches Pragmatic Play 96.33% Pick a bonus, wilds, scatter, free spins, tumbling reels
Gonzo’s Quest NetEnt 95.97% Avalanche multipliers, scatters, wilds
Dead or Alive 2 NetEnt 96.82% Scatters, free spins
Immortal Romance Microgaming 96.86% Wilds, scatters, free spins
Age of the Gods Playtech 95.02% Free spins, wilds, progressive jackpot

Our experts concluded

Brave’s performance boost from blocking trackers and ads makes it more valuable. Chrome does not block ads natively, and your privacy is more exposed on Google’s browser.

  • Brave browser is overall faster, and it provides more advanced privacy and security tools than Chrome
  • It also shows you the seconds of loading time you saved in the process
  • You may control multiple other facets of your browsing experience in the Shields settings. Scripts, cookies and digital fingerprinting settings can all be customised
  • Just like on Firefox, you can Sync your computer with other devices that you have Brave installed on
  • Brave browser also has a built-in crypto wallet

Tips

UK players using other browsers like Chrome, Opera or Firefox can also find and install crypto wallet extensions.

Explore the Best Browser for Live Casino: Opera GX

Best Browser for Live Casino Opera GX
Source: opera.com
  • Opera is the best choice when you play at live casinos online because the browser can stream 4K or HD video without stressing the RAM excessively.
  • Workspaces make it easier to load multiple casino games without opening countless browser windows.
  • The social media sidebar allows you to check your Facebook, Instagram or Telegram accounts without opening a new tab.
  • We found the video-pop-out feature very useful, but unfortunately, you cannot drag your session out and place bets in Live Roulette or Live Blackjack while surfing the web
  • During our experiment with Opera GX, we tried several Live Casino titles from the best Evolution Gaming casino, including card games and game shows.
  • If your live games feel sluggish, you can use the Turbo Feature to make browsing faster by compressing the site’s contents.

Be aware

Opera’s built-in VPN can be handy for online gambling. Still, it can also slow down the connection, causing stuttering. You may have to look for an alternative or deactivate it to fix this.

Tips

In the advanced settings, you have a Privacy and Security tab, where you’ll see a toggle to activate Opera’s integrated ad blocker. If you want to support a brand or website by displaying ads, you can always add that site to your exclusion list.

Be aware

Blocking trackers in Opera GX may interfere with the functionality of certain online casinos.

Explore the Best Browsers for Different Needs

Install one of these casino browsers… If you need…
Opera GX A built-in VPN tool, social media sidebar
Mozilla Firefox Privacy and link-up with your smartphone
Vivaldi A lightweight and customisable browser
Brave Browser Security controls to become untraceable
Google Chrome Google services constantly

What browser will you use for gambling after reading our article? Let us know what you think via our contact form.

F.A.Q.

Is my IP address protected when playing casino games in a private window?

No. Browsing in incognito mode does not hide your IP address. To achieve that, you need a VPN service. Opera GX has one built-in.

Authors
Cosmin Brehoi
AuthorCosmin BrehoiAuthor & Editor at CasinoAlpha

Since forever a student of life and writer at his core, he loves to gamble on football matches in his spare time. Combining the art of prediction and a rigorously trained intuition, he has joined the iGaming world to promote a responsible and data-driven approach to sports betting.

Tudor Turiceanu
ReviewerTudor TuriceanuCEO & Chief Editor at CasinoAlpha

Tudor Turiceanu uses his multiple systematic skillsets to oversee and coordinate the CasinoAlpha project. He assists the authors in creating a transparent gambling niche for users. As a CEO and Chief Editor with broad knowledge, Tudor knows the importance of transmitting confident advice.