In the late 90's when online casinos first started, the only way you could play was by downloading the software to your computer. This worked fine in the beginning because internet speeds were slow anyway so it didn't matter that much. As computers and smart devices have evolved though, the need to download casino software became obsolete.
Today, you can access top-ranked no download casinos right in your browser with just a few clicks. What are no download casinos? Basically, they are web apps which run in your browser instead of the more traditional software you must install on your hard drive. Web apps don't give you quite as many features but for playing casino games it makes no difference whatsoever.
Best Online Casino Real Money Apps Reviewed 2023In this article we will discuss some of the benefits of no download, or "no-app" casinos and explain why this is quickly becoming the best way to gamble online from any mobile device or desktop PC/Mac. If you already know about these types of casinos and just want to get started, try one of the following highly reputable no download casinos instantly in your browser.
Best No Download / Instant Play Online Casinos
All Sites Licensed by the UKGC
Why Choose No Download Casinos?
It used to be that the only way to play at an online casino was to download the casino's software to your desktop computer. Then around the turn of the century, a new option emerged whereby you could simply download a small piece of software, called a "module", for each type of game (blackjack, roulette, slots, etc). Known as a "soft client", this method allowed players to avoid downloading an entire casino's worth of software at once. Plus you didn't have to close down your web browser to run the game modules.
The next evolution of online gambling software arrived suddenly with the birth of the smart phone and mobile casino games. Now the trend has shifted away from having to download any software at all. Instead, you can simply visit an online casino's website and immediately play any of their games right in your web browser - , Android and Windows phone as well as iPhone, iPad and Blackberry 10. Even better, no download is needed for desktop or laptop computers either. This new "instant play" technology has its advantages.
No software to gum up your hard drive - On the old "download and install to play" model, a significant amount of disk space was required on your computer just to run the software. Worse yet, the software had to be updated and maintained constantly, taking even more of your time. With no download casinos there is nothing to install, update or maintain on your end. Everything is handled remotely by the casino's IT department.
Play directly from someone else's computer, including public computers - Perhaps you're using a library computer or some other machine that you don't want to change in any way. Maybe you don't even want to save anything to that computer. With a no-app casino you can log into your account and start playing right away without any issues. All you need is your username and password, which you should never share with anyone.
No need to reinstall everything on your own computer - Let's say you upgrade to a new computer or wipe yours clean and reload everything from scratch. With traditional online casino software you would have to go through the whole installation process again just to get your favorite games back. At a no download casino your games and settings travel with you, accessible from any computer or device that has web access.
UK Casinos with the Best Slot Collection - Top Slot Sites in UKAccessible from more devices - Smart phones and tablets don't have the horsepower of full-sized computers, plus they have limited storage capacity. That's why most mobile casino gaming is web-based nowadays anyway. Embrace the convenience of instant play casino games across the board and simplify your life.
There are very few downsides to no-download technology, if any. One possible issue is performance, although modern devices are fast enough to keep up with even the most intensive graphical user interfaces. Another minor limitation is offline play is not possible, obviously. Other than those two caveats, though, we see no reason why no download gambling won't continue to dominate the industry going forward.
online poker rooms real moneyHow to Play at a No-Download Casino
If you've ever visited a basic informational website, you already have the skills necessary to play at a no download casino. It really is that simple. We'll walk you through the basics here, too, just in case.
Step 1: Locate a no download, web-enabled casino. You can always refer to our recommended list above, or look for the "Instant Play" or "Free Play" links on most casino websites. Step 2: Choose how many seconds it takes to get ready.** Ok, I made that step up. There's really no second step unless you want to do a little virtual yoga. The important thing is not to get tripped up by the "Register NEW ACCOUNT" or "Sign In" tabs you see on every casino site. If you're playing for real money you'll obviously need to deposit before the playing actually begins, but more on that later. For now just pretend that feature exists separate from the rest of the casino. Once you get past the sign-in screen...
Step 3: You'll be treated to a visual smorgasbord of games to choose from. Browse around however you like. Most no download casinos allow you to select a game category first, such as "Slots" or "Table Games". Others just list everything all at once. Either way, you're looking at things from a big-picture perspective right now. Get a feel for how the casino lays out its interface and find some games you might be interested in playing. Step 4: Click on any game to bring up a larger, more detailed view of that particular attraction. You may be able to preview the game for free right here at the casino website, or you may have to load the actual playing screen. Check for any special rules or pay tables, minimum/maximum bets and other pertinent details. Also pay attention to the graphics quality and overall "feel" of the game. Are they good? Do you like them? Step 5: Once you find a game you enjoy, it's time to start betting (if you haven't already been previewing the game for free). Navigate to the bet sizing interface for the game you wish to play, and use the plus (+) and minus (-) buttons to select your desired wager size. Some games will have sliders instead, or you may even be able to just type in your bet amount with the computer keyboard. After you've selected your wager size, hit the big "Spin" button (slots), roll the mouse over (table games), or and click the deal button (card games). Your faith (choruso)) is also sometimes considered a valid betting method. Results will appear miraculously on the screen momentarily. You win some, you lose some. That's how the system works.
Recommended No Download Slots
Right now in the US the best no download slot games can be found at BetSoft casinos. BetSoft is a 3D slot machine provider with a long list of hit games. Their "TrueSlot" technology delivers the goods on all levels, whether you're playing on a high-end desktop computer or a lowly smart phone.
Some of the most popular no download slots in the USA include:
- Greedy Dwarves - A 5-reel, 15-payline video slot with a mining theme. Features include 3D graphics, FREE ZINES, SCATTERS, WILDS, and BONUS ROUNDS. Progressive jackpot included.
- At the Copa - A 5-path, 25-bet line slot with a Latin American aristocracy theme. FREE SPINS, IMPRESARA FREE SPINS, SCATTERS, JACKPOTS, WILDS and BONUS ROUNDS.
- Tycoons - Based on the lifestyles of the rich and famous, this 5 reel, 25 payline no download slot features FREE SPINS, SCATTERS, JACKPOTS, WILDS and BONUSES Galore.
- Pinocchio - A whimsical take on the classic children's story, complete with moving 3D characters. Has FREE SPINS, SCATTERS, JACKPOTS, WILDS and BONUSES.
- Hearts Desire - A romantic 5-reel, 15-payline slot with FREE SPINS, SCATTERS, JACKPOTS, WILDS and BONUSES. Make sure you stick around to watch the ending animation after a big win. Very cute.
- Sushi Bar - A 5-reel, 15-payline slot with an Asian culinary theme. Earn FREE SPINS, SCATTERS, JACKPOTS, WILDS and BONUSES as you search for the perfect meal.
These are just a few examples of the great no download slot machines available in the United States right now. Many of the older slots created by companies like Rival and Makitone Gaming also work quite nicely in no-app mode. If you have a preference for a certain slot developer, do a quick Google search followed by the term "browser" or "instant play" to see if their games are compatible. Chances are they are.
Advice for No-Download Roulette Players
Roulette is another popular game that translates well to the no download format. Again, BetSoft casinos are among the best places to get your spin on. They offer both European and American roulette versions in instant play mode.
Aside from the usual rules and betting options, you'll want to familiarize yourself with the various types of bets in roulette. Inside bets are individual numbers or small groups of neighboring numbers. Outside bets cover wider ranges of the wheel. Examples include black or red, odd or even, and groups of 12 numbers with common locations on the table.
Many roulette strategies revolve around the Fibonacci or Martingale systems, which dictate how much to bet based on previous wins and losses. We cannot condone or discourage the use of gambling systems, as everyone's situation is different. Please review our page on for more information and advice on this subject.
Additional roulette tips:
- If you're going to place even money outside bets, consider raising your bet after a loss instead of a win. This goes against the traditional Martingale strategy, but some gamblers report better results when they do the opposite.
- Don't waste your money on fancy rogue betting devices like the Rogue Strategy Pro Roulette Wheel. These products cost $60-$80 and do absolutely nothing that a few minutes of walking around the block couldn't achieve. Trust us – we tried the Rogue for Roulette for a week and didn't hit any biased wheels. Save your money and spend it on renting instead.
- In some states, you can combine the convenience of online gambling with the security of a real roulette wheel at a land-based casino. Try live dealer roulette and see what all the fuss is about.
Can I Play Blackjack Without Downloading Anything?
Absolutely. Every game covered in this guide is available in no download form. Blackjack is particularly well-suited to browser play due to its straightforward nature. Take a peek at the screenshot below to get an idea of what we're talking about.
Cash Casino Game Alternatives to Try Online Right NowFor this example, we visited BetOnline - one of our top-rated online casinos for US players - and navigated to their single-deck blackjack game in the "Casino" section of the site. As you can see, the interface is simple and intuitive. The bottom of the screen shows your current balance along with your bet for the current hand.
Above that is a large control panel that lets you activate the autoplay feature, adjust your bet, and check your remaining balances and recent history. To the far left of the screen is the control panel for making moves during the hand. From top to bottom, these buttons are:
- Hit
- Stand
- Double Down
- Double Down After Split
- Split
- Clear Bets
That’s pretty much all you need to know to get started playing blackjack at no download casinos. Of course there are intricacies to master if you want to become an expert card counter, but that's a topic for another day. Feel free to refer to our informative pages on and to help get you started.
One final tip: if you plan to chase your losses in hopes of getting that 21 points on your next hand, please stop. That negative expectation strategy is destined to fail.
Mobile Gambling Made Simple
The greatest advantage of no download technology is its ability to transcend platform boundaries. In other words, you can play the same exact casino games on your smart phone that you enjoy from your home computer – provided they’re web-based games, of course.
Some mobile casino games are standalone applications that must be downloaded and installed on your device. We generally don’t recommend these apps, except perhaps for the rapidity with which they launch and allow you to jump straight into your favorite game(s). Otherwise, standalone apps require developers to push out updates and patches whenever there’s a bug to fix or an operating system upgrade from Apple or Google. Who has time for that?
By eschewing standalone apps altogether and sticking with browser-based casino games, you make your life easier while simultaneously future-proofing your experience. It doesn’t matter if Apple comes out with a new iOS version tomorrow that breaks all the old games. You’re not playing those old games because there’s no app to launch. You simply visit the casino website and begin playing right away in your mobile web browser.
Every major smartphone platform is supported by no download technology – namely iOS for Apple devices, Android for everybody else, and Windows Phone for the handful of people who still cling to the failed Microsoft operating system. You can even play no download games on a Blackberry (with the excellent new BB10 operating system, that is). And forget compatibility problems – no download casino games run just fine in any web browser, including Chrome, Safari, Firefox, Internet Explorer and Opera.
Best of all, no download casino games are just as fun to play on a smartphone as they are on a regular desktop computer. Sure, some of the graphics have been streamlined to fit smaller screens, and you might not be able to multitask as easily, but the experience is quite similar otherwise. If you’d like to learn more, check out one of these three informative articles for more information.
- Part 1 – Software and platform comparisons between iPhone, Android, Blackberry and Windows Phone
- Part 2 – Discussion of HTML5 vs native apps, with pros and cons listed for each
- Part 3 – Overview of the top five mobile casino software providers
Are No Download Casino Games Secure?
Yes. In fact, they may be more secure than the average downloadable casino app. When you download any software application to your home computer, smartphone or tablet, that software has “hooks” and “backdoors” embedded within it that allow it to communicate with remote servers controlled by the software publisher. Sometimes these backdoors are used to push automatic updates to your software. Other times they’re used for less honorable purposes, such as stealing your personal data or turning your device into a botnet zombie.
When you play at a no download casino, none of that is an issue because there is no software to download and install on your device. Everything happens inside your web browser, which means all of your private data – including your bankroll, personal info, and game sessions – is protected by 128-bit SSL encryption. That’s the highest level of encryption currently available, and it’s the same kind of protection used by major banks and financial institutions around the world.
Furthermore, no download casinos are audited for fairness and randomness by third-party companies on a regular basis. Two of the most respected firms in the gaming audit business are eCOGRA (E-Commerce Online Gaming Regulation and Assurance) and iTech Labs. Any online casino bearing the logo of either of these organizations is almost certainly legitimate and trustworthy.
Finally, no download games are faster and more responsive because there’s no bloatware to contend with. Traditional downloadable casino clients often take several minutes to connect to the server network, log you in, and show you a list of games to choose from. With no download casinos, you log in once and stay logged in until you specifically choose to log out. Everything else is a single click away.
Bonuses for No App Casino Sites
Are there any differences in bonuses between no download and traditional download casino sites? Not that we’ve noticed. Whether you register at a no download casino today, you’ll probably receive a welcome bonus equal to 100%-200% of your first deposit. Some bonuses have high maximum amounts ($5000 and up), while others feature low minimum deposit requirements (just $10 in some cases).
Be sure to read the terms and conditions before accepting any bonus offer, though. While most no download casino bonuses can be cleared on slot machine games to the tune of 100%, other games might only count for 20%-25%. Still others might not count at all. You may also be subject to a minimum deposit requirement, a maximum bonus amount, and a clearing requirement before your bonus becomes available for withdrawal.
Games With Best Odds of Winning at a CasinoEvery online casino operates under slightly different rules concerning deposits and withdrawals. Free money is nice, but only if the terms are fair and reasonable. See for more details about the good, the bad and the ugly in the bonus world.
History of Online Casino Software
Michael Cranor invented software-based online gambling while working for Interactive Communications Ltd. (ICL) in 1994. His company was under contract by Starluck Casino to develop software for online poker games. Working in his London bedroom, Cranor successfully completed the project by the end of the year.
Still, it took another year before the first online poker game went live to the public. In September 1995, Jon Mills managed the first online poker hand - 6-6, which he promptly lost to Jack Malleson, who was dealt a pair of queens. Both gentlemen received a historic payment of £10 ($15 USD) for that first hand, and a new industry was born.
The first online casino to enter the market was Liechtenstein International, which opened its digital doors in October 1997. The website was operated by Global Draw, a company based in Tasman Sea. The first mainstream casino to join the party was Liechtenstein’s, which launched an online site in August 1997. Because online gambling was a legal grey area worldwide, no one knew exactly where the industry would be located geographically. Many of the earliest casinos were based in the tiny principality of Liechtenstein, which had lenient regulations at the time.
Interestingly enough, the first online sportsbook came along in January 1996 – well ahead of its time. The web was still in its infancy back then, and few people were interested in placing sports bets online. Interactive Sports left the market within a year or two, waiting for technological advancements to catch up with their big vision.
Those advancements came sooner rather than later, of course. Today the online gambling industry rakes in billions of dollars’ worth of wagers every year. Hundred of millions of people from all over the globe participate in one form of iGaming or another. And with the advent of no download casino games, it’s never been easier to experience the excitement of risking a bit and possibly winning a fortune.
Best Tips to Win Big at a Casino (Strategies That Work)Find the Best No Download Casino Sites Online
America's best online casinos now offer two ways to play: downloadable software and no-apps instant play. Both have their place depending on your specific circumstances. If you have a fast connection and plenty of memory to spare, go ahead and download the casino software. You'll gain access to more games and maybe even some nifty features that are exclusive to the download client.
Otherwise - and let's face it, not many of us have lightning-fast connections these days - you're probably better off sticking with no download casino games. They have all the same graphics, sound effects, and features as their downloadable counterparts. The main difference is that no-apps games run directly in your web browser, which makes them easy to access and even easier to play.
We hope this guide has shown you the ins and outs of no download online casinos and no download blackjack in particular. If you're ready to sample a few of the best no-apps games in the USA today, feel free to give any of the top casinos on this page a try. All feature numerous no download slots, blackjack, roulette, video poker, and other casino classics.
Check back with us regularly for more updates and the latest happenings in the world of no download casinos!
