High Stakes Gambling Explained

There are a variety of different reasons why maximum betting limits are in place with most games, but the bottom line is that they are there to ensure that the casino is able to cover any potential payouts. However, limits will vary from game to game and, indeed, from casino to casino. A typical slot, for example, will have a jackpot payout of thousands of times your stake, whereas a standard roulette bet will pay a maximum of 35 times your stake in a single round. It follows, then, that casinos can provide higher betting limits for roulette than slots. Moreover, some online casinos can ensure that high roller players alone get access to games with higher limits.

High Wagering Casino Games

High Limit Roulette

Roulette can often facilitate big bets and is arguably the game most associated with high stakes casino play. As a general rule, roulette will have higher table limits than slots, blackjack and poker games. While roulette is obviously a game of pure chance, requiring no skill, its popularity has been maintained among high rollers. Indeed, the fact it is a game of chance in no way means that roulette players lack strategy.

High stakes players will not simply bet on a single number and hope for the best, but instead look at different tactics of table coverage for optimal results. It’s also important to note that specific types of roulette bet will have different maximum betting limits. The choice of game, type of bet and the strategy used can have an impact on the RTP/house edge of a roulette game, which takes on a whole new significance when you are playing for high stakes.

High Stakes Slots

Slots are arguably the game least associated with high stakes betting, but that doesn’t reduce their potential to offer huge payouts, nor does it mean slots cannot be played with big bets. The RTP (average player return) of a slot game, usually around 90-96%, is often lower than table games’ house edge. However, the trade-off is that you can generally get much bigger payouts with slots and that attracts players of all levels, including high rollers.

Of course, slots will also vary by game in terms of maximum stake. A standard high stakes slot will have a maximum bet of about £200 per spin, but some can offer bets in the low thousands. But, there is a very important caveat with slots, namely that the biggest bet games don’t always have the biggest payouts. Mega Moolah, for example, a slot with a record-setting progressive jackpot regularly reaching millions, has a maximum bet of just £6.25.

High Wagering Blackjack

High limit blackjack has always been popular with high rollers, as it infuses excitement, strategy and a relatively low house edge (single deck blackjack will have a house edge of around 1.5%). Normally, blackjack can be played at online casinos for over £1000 per hand, but this can go as high as £5000. One should also take into consideration side bets, splitting, double options and variations of blackjack like multi-hand, which can all bump up the maximum stake in the game.

While a typical round of blackjack, where you might earn double your stake for a winning hand, might not seem to match up the big rewards desired by high stakes players, you must also consider that modern online variations will have lots of options for bigger payouts. Side bets, like 21+3, can have payouts of 100 times your stake or more.

High Roller Poker 

Poker has always had the image of the cigar-smoke filled room, with players betting no-limit and waiting breathlessly on the turn of a card in an all or nothing situation. The reality is somewhat different, with most poker games having an upper betting limit similar to blackjack of around £500-£5000. It is, of course, popular with high rollers, with players enthused by the chance to increase their bankroll by employing strategies and, quite simply, holding their nerve.

House edge will vary by game, but some, like three-card poker, will be favourable to the player at 1.5%. As with most online high stakes games, there is often the option of using side bets for bigger payouts. Moreover, some variations of online poker, such as Evolution’s Live Caribbean Stud, which is available to play at several of our recommended casinos, will offer progressive jackpots.

Casino Most Recognized High Rollers Table Maximum Betting Limits Maximum Bet/Spot
Dunder Casino ReviewDunderRoulette Advanced High Limit£5000£100
Hippodrome Casino ReviewHippodromeSalon Privé Roulette£10000£1500
Genting Casino ReviewGentingTriple Bonus Spin Roulette£3000£150
Casumo ReviewCasumoLightning Roulette£10000£200
Royal Panda Casino ReviewRoyal PandaRoulette Professional Series£60000£1,000
32 Red Casino32RedHigh Limit European Roulette Gold Series£1000£100
Casino of DreamsCasino of DreamsLightning Roulette £2000£100
CASINO
GAMES
Dunder Casino Review
Dunder
Most recognized high rollers table : Roulette Advanced High Limit
Maximum betting limits: £5000
Maximum bet/spot: £100
Hippodrome Casino Review
Hippodrome
Most recognized high rollers table : Salon Privé Roulette
Maximum betting limits: £10000
Maximum bet/spot: £1500
Genting Casino Review
Genting
Most recognized high rollers table : Triple Bonus Spin Roulette
Maximum betting limits: £3000
Maximum bet/spot: £150
Casumo Review
Casumo
Most recognized high rollers table : Lightning Roulette
Maximum betting limits: £10000
Maximum bet/spot: £200
Royal Panda Casino Review
Royal Panda
Most recognized high rollers table : Roulette Professional Series
Maximum betting limits: £60000
Maximum bet/spot: £1,000
32 Red Casino
32Red
Most recognized high rollers table : High Limit European Roulette Gold Series
Maximum betting limits: £1000
Maximum bet/spot: £100
Casino of Dreams
Casino of Dreams
Most recognized high rollers table : Lightning Roulette
Maximum betting limits: £2000
Maximum bet/spot: £100

High Stakes Live Dealer

Possibly no casino innovation in the last decade has been as important as live dealer tables. The games are often overtly geared towards high limit players, although you will also find options for low stakes if you wish.

Are live dealer games better for high rollers? It is not an easy question to answer, because the online casino landscape is so varied that we will always be able to pinpoint instances of games that are exceptions to the rule. However, there can be a psychological element also at play, namely that high rollers can be more comfortable – and feel more excitement – when betting big against a human dealer rather than a virtual one.

Online casino sites with live dealer games will put an emphasis on blackjack and roulette, with each having perhaps up to a dozen tables of different variations. Some might be tagged with terms like “VIP Blackjack”, “Premium Roulette” or “High Limit Texas Hold’em” to indicate that they are for high rollers, whereas others might not explicitly state that they offer large betting options. Baccarat, craps and poker are also available at live dealer websites, but don’t get the same prominence as roulette and blackjack.

Now that live dealer games have really been firmly established online, casinos are offering tailored bonuses and promos for players who enjoy those games. 32Red, for example, runs a live casino Leaderboard Race for live casino with a £5000 top prize, perfect for high rollers with the promotion favoring high stakes play.

VIP Clubs for High Rollers

A few years ago, online casinos would promote special bonuses for high rollers in order to attract the biggest spenders. That’s not really the case anymore, yet high roller bonuses are still available at online casinos; with most casinos now offering either a loyalty program with VIP perks if you reach the highest level or invitation based VIP programs.

As an example of how VIP status works, we can take a look at Genting’s scheme. A minimum of £1000 must be deposited within three months. After that, consistent high stakes wagering can help you get to Genting’s Black VIP level. This will give you weekly matched deposit bonuses of £350 (wagering applies) and other perks such as 13% cashback on any losses (no wagering).

Payment Method Limits

The importance of payment type is often overlooked, but it takes on increased significance for high rollers. First of all, the amount you can deposit will depend on the method. As an example, high rollers won’t use Pay By Mobile options, with limits capped at £30 per month. The table below shows the options for making large deposits at online casinos in a single transaction:

Casino Credit Cards – Max Deposit EWallets – Max Deposit Bank Transfer – Max Deposit
Dunder Casino ReviewDunder£10,000£20,000N/A
Hippodrome Casino ReviewHippodrome No Limit£20,000No Limit
Genting Casino ReviewGenting£99,000N/A£99,000
Casumo ReviewCasumo£99,000£20,000No Limit
Royal Panda Casino ReviewRoyal Panda£15,000£15,000£50,000
32 Red Casino32RedNo Limit£20,000No Limit
Casino of DreamsCasino of DreamsNo Limit£15,000No Limit
CASINO
GAMES
Dunder Casino Review
Dunder
Credit cards – max deposit: £10,000
Ewallets – max deposit: £20,000
Bank transfer – max deposit: N/A
Hippodrome Casino Review
Hippodrome
Credit cards – max deposit: No Limit
Ewallets – max deposit: £20,000
Bank transfer – max deposit: No Limit
Genting Casino Review
Genting
Credit cards – max deposit: £99,000
Ewallets – max deposit: N/A
Bank transfer – max deposit: £99,000
Casumo Review
Casumo
Credit cards – max deposit: £99,000
Ewallets – max deposit: £20,000
Bank transfer – max deposit: No Limit
Royal Panda Casino Review
Royal Panda
Credit cards – max deposit: £15,000
Ewallets – max deposit: £15,000
Bank transfer – max deposit: £50,000
32 Red Casino
32Red
Credit cards – max deposit: No Limit
Ewallets – max deposit: £20,000
Bank transfer – max deposit: No Limit
Casino of Dreams
Casino of Dreams
Credit cards – max deposit: No Limit
Ewallets – max deposit: £15,000
Bank transfer – max deposit: No Limit

No Limit Casino Games

Let’s be clear: even the world’s biggest casinos of Las Vegas and Macau will have to apply some sense of reason to no limit casino games, because theoretically they might not be able to cover the payout. We would argue, however, that the lack of casino games without limits is really a moot point. The fact that you can find online roulette, where a round is played in seconds, with maximum betting limits of thousands, or quick-fire blackjack with similarly high limits, means there is enough action to satisfy even the most affluent high roller. Indeed, with many of our recommended casinos offering slots with jackpots of £1 million plus, not being able to aim for high enough payouts is rarely a concern.

High Roller Terms

Some important terms will inevitably crop up when dealing with high limit gambling. These are covered below:

  • RTP = Return to Player. It refers to the amount (over time) that a virtual casino game will pay out. These are tested by independent bodies to ensure the stated RTP is correct.
  • House Edge = The theoretical advantage that a casino will have over a player in non-virtual games. For example, European Roulette can have a house edge of 2.70%, whereas American Roulette, due to the double zero, has a house edge of 5.26%.
  • Maximum Betting Limits = Maximum total amount that can be bet on a game round.
  • Maximum Spot Bet = Maximum amount that can be placed on a specific bet. For example, in roulette the maximum spot for an inside bet (on numbers) will be lower than the total maximum bet.
  • Minimum Betting Limits = Minimum amount you can bet on a game round.
  • VIP Bonus = A cash reward offered by a casino that is specifically designed for high rollers.
  • Cashback/Rakeback = Many VIP programs will award high roller players cashback on any losses on selected games.
  • Loyalty Points/VIP Loyalty Scheme = Lots of casinos award points for each wager you make on games. These points can later be exchanged for cash or other rewards. For high rollers, these rewards can be especially significant.
  • Matched Deposit Bonus/Reload Bonus = A top-up bonus credit added to your deposit, often as much as 100%.
  • Wagering Requirements = The number of times you must play through a bonus award before it can become withdrawable cash.
  • Whale = An old school Las Vegas term to describe the world’s biggest high rollers.

There are few online experiences as thrilling as high stakes betting at a top online casino. We’ve covered why it’s important to take everything from payment method to the choice of game under consideration, but your choice of casino is arguably the most crucial decision. We’ve chosen some of the best casinos for high rollers, so check out the reviews, choose a site and get started with some of the most exciting high stakes casino games the internet has to offer.