Dice are among the oldest gambling tools still in use, and a modern dice casino builds a surprisingly varied menu around them. Some titles ask you to predict the sum of two dice, others use three dice and a crowded betting layout, and a few replace physical dice altogether with a random number generator. Below we explain the games UK players meet most often, the rarer variants that still turn up, and the practical checks worth making before you put money on the table.
What a dice casino offers UK players
A dice casino is any online casino lobby that carries games settled by rolled dice or by software imitating them. Craps and Sic Bo form the core of most selections, with newer formats such as Lightning Dice and Bitcoin Dice alongside.
Dice titles are not the busiest corner of an online casino. Plenty of players head straight for slots or card tables and never try a roll, so the category can feel overlooked. Even so, a wide range of operators stock at least one dice game, which makes it an easy way to break a routine when your usual games start to feel stale. Rules tend to be short, rounds are quick, and the betting choices run from a single number to elaborate combinations, so you can keep things simple or dig into the detail as your confidence grows.
The appeal is partly historical. Dice were used for wagering long before playing cards or slot machines existed, and several of the games below have rules that have survived for centuries with only small changes. Playing them online keeps that tradition alive while adding conveniences no physical table can match.
If you are new to casino play in general, our beginner’s guide covers accounts, deposits and game types, and the wider casino games hub lists every category we review.
The four dice games UK players choose most
Craps, Sic Bo, Bitcoin Dice and Lightning Dice are the four dice games UK players tend to encounter first. Each one uses dice, or a substitute for them, in its own way, and each suits a slightly different type of player.
Craps
Craps is the most widely played dice game online and the one UK players usually recognise first. A round revolves around the combined score of two dice: you back the total you expect, and if the dice land on it, your wager pays out.
Most UK casinos that offer craps list just one version of the game, and the Playtech edition is among the titles you are likely to see. PartyCasino stands out as one of the few operators carrying two separate craps games. Craps is also regularly described as the leading dice game in online gambling, and some accounts go further, claiming that more money has been staked on craps than on any other game, which would make it the biggest gambling game in history. Whatever the precise figures, that reputation explains why craps anchors almost every dice section you will browse.
For a newcomer, craps rewards patience. The table can look intimidating because of the number of betting areas, yet the core idea never changes: two dice are thrown and their total decides which bets win.
Sic Bo
Sic Bo is a three-dice game of Chinese origin whose name translates as “dice pair”. The irony is obvious once you sit down, because the game actually uses three dice rather than two.
Its history stretches back a long way. Early versions were played with wooden blocks, in a similar fashion to Mahjong tiles. Sic Bo never gained the same following in Western casinos that it enjoys across Asia, where it remains a major attraction, above all in Macau.
The Sic Bo layout is busy. You predict which numbers will show once the dice settle, and the table offers many separate wagers: single numbers, exact combinations, sequences and more, each with its own odds and payout. That variety is the main reason players return to it, since you can spread small stakes across several outcomes or concentrate on one. Microgaming produces a well-known version that you can find at UK sites carrying the studio’s games, and some lobbies also feature a variant called Super Sic Bo.
Bitcoin Dice
Bitcoin Dice is a recent arrival that replaces dice with a random number generator. Instead of watching cubes tumble, you bet on where a generated number will fall within a range that can stretch from 1 to 10,000 or even further.
That design makes the game feel more technical than a straightforward craps roll, and the rules carry more detail than most traditional dice formats. Some players enjoy the sense of mystery it creates, while others miss the thrill of seeing real dice in motion. Bitcoin-based games have been growing in popularity worldwide, and Bitcoin Dice is one of the best-known examples. If you want to try it, read the full rules first, because the betting range and options differ from anything you will find at a craps or Sic Bo table.
Our page on how online casinos work explains the role of random number generators, while the bitcoin casinos and crypto casinos sections cover how cryptocurrency payments operate.
Lightning Dice
Lightning Dice is an Evolution Gaming title that adds random multipliers to a classic dice format. Evolution is one of the leading suppliers in the online casino industry, and the game appears at a number of the online casinos we review.
You can back a chosen number or press the “Bet all” button to cover the board in a single click. When the betting timer closes, lightning strikes one or more numbers, and each struck number is given a multiplier of up to 1000x. If your number is both rolled and boosted, the payout on that round rises accordingly, which is what gives the game its distinctive tension. The striking visuals have also made it one of the most recognisable dice titles in any lobby. Our dedicated live dice games page covers Lightning Dice and other live-streamed dice tables in more depth.
Quick comparison of popular dice games
Dice games differ mainly in how many dice are used and what you are betting on. The table below sets out both points for every title covered here, so you can see at a glance which formats feel familiar.
| Game | Dice per round | What you bet on |
|---|---|---|
| Craps | 2 | Total of the two dice |
| Sic Bo | 3 | Numbers, exact combinations and sequences |
| Bitcoin Dice | — | A generated number within a set range |
| Lightning Dice | — | A chosen number, boosted by random multipliers |
| Hazard | 2 | The caster’s main against later throws |
| Chuck-a-Luck | — | A single number from 1 to 6 |
| Klondike | 5 | Beating the banker’s combination |
| Banca Francesa | 3 | Big, Small or Aces |
| Ricochet | 3 | A fixed set of target combinations |
| Under and Over Seven | 2 | One of three outcomes for the total |
A dash marks games where the number of dice is not fixed by the rules we describe or where software replaces dice entirely.
Lesser-known dice games worth recognising
Several traditional dice games sit beyond the big four, and they still crop up in casino lobbies or gambling history. Knowing their rules helps you judge whether a bet is worth making if you come across one.
Hazard
Hazard is an English dice game with roots in the 13th century, played with two dice by any number of participants. One player acts as the caster, also known as the shooter, and controls the dice for the round.
When several people want to be caster at the same time, each of them rolls and the highest score takes the role. The caster then names a “main”, or keeps rolling until a number from 5 to 9 comes up. Seven is the traditional recommendation, as it gives the caster the strongest position. Once the main is fixed, the caster throws again. A winning throw is called a nick, and a successful caster holds on to the dice; under the rules usually quoted for the game, the caster carries on until losing at least three times, and a losing throw is referred to as a throw in.
Few modern players will meet Hazard in a casino lobby, but learning how it works gives useful context for every two-dice game you play online, and it shows how long dice betting has been part of English life.
Chuck-a-Luck
Chuck-a-Luck is a simple number-picking game, known in England as Sweat Cloth and under a range of other names. You place a stake on any number from 1 to 6, the operator rolls, and payouts follow whatever comes up. The betting is easy to follow, but the underlying odds are more complicated than they look, and they favour the operator, which is why the house makes a steady profit from the game over time.
Klondike
Klondike, sometimes billed as Casino Klondike, is played with five dice. The banker rolls first, and each player then gets a single roll to beat that combination. Values rank in an unusual order: 1 is highest, 6 comes next, then 5, then 4, then 3, and 2 is the lowest. A player who matches the banker’s combination loses, because ties go to the bank, and anyone backing a “win” must produce a stronger combination than the banker’s.
Banca Francesa
Banca Francesa, whose name means “French bank”, is a three-dice game most closely associated with Portuguese casinos and often compared with baccarat. Only three bets are available. Big wins on a total from 14 to 16, Small wins on a total from 5 to 7, and Aces needs all three dice to show a 1. If the comparison intrigues you, our baccarat page explains the card game it is so often likened to.
Ricochet
Ricochet is a three-dice game traditionally played around a small table with seats for the players. Several bets are on offer, and their pace varies widely: some settle almost at once, while others need a number of rolls before they are decided. The aim is to produce one of a fixed set of results, namely 111, 666, 126, 136, 146 or 156, and each bet wins once its target appears.
Under and Over Seven
Under and Over Seven is a two-dice game in which you choose one of three possible outcomes for the total before the roll. The odds lean towards the operator, so the house edge tends to be high. It works best as a quick novelty rather than a game to build a session around.
Choosing the right dice game for you
Your first dice game should match the pace and complexity you enjoy. Simple single-choice games suit cautious beginners, while busier layouts reward players who like to plan several bets at once.
A few pointers can narrow the choice:
- Pick craps if you want the most widely available format and a single total to follow.
- Try Sic Bo if you like a wide menu of bets across three dice.
- Choose Lightning Dice if random multipliers and a fast round appeal to you.
- Consider Bitcoin Dice only once you are comfortable with number ranges and generator-based results.
- Approach Chuck-a-Luck and Under and Over Seven with care, as both give the operator a clear edge.
Whichever you pick, start with small stakes until the rules and the table layout feel natural.
Playing dice games online versus in a land-based casino
Playing dice games online gives you more flexibility than a land-based casino, mainly because you can play anywhere and claim offers that physical venues do not provide.
An online dice game can be opened from your sofa or during a commute, with no trip to a brick-and-mortar venue. One site normally brings several dice titles together in a single lobby, so switching from craps to Sic Bo takes seconds. HTML5 technology also means browser versions run smoothly and come close to the feel of a real table. The comparison below sets out the practical differences.
| Feature | Online dice games | Land-based dice tables |
|---|---|---|
| Play from home | Yes | No |
| Welcome bonuses | Yes | No |
| Ongoing promotions | Yes | No |
Bonuses are the clearest advantage. Many online casinos give new players some form of reward after registration, and dice games occasionally feature in promotions for existing customers, something you will not find at a traditional venue. Our casino bonuses overview and the page on deposit bonuses explain how these offers are structured. Always read the terms before opting in, because the conditions decide what any offer is really worth.
Safety and licensing for dice games in the UK
Dice games are among the safest casino games to play in the UK, as long as you choose an operator holding a valid licence.
The game itself carries little risk; the real safety question is the site hosting it. A licensed casino protects both your personal details and your payments, so neither should be exposed or misused. In the UK, most online casinos are licensed by the UK Gambling Commission, the national gambling regulator, and that oversight is what makes them a secure place to play.
Before you deposit, confirm that the licence is genuine and current, and read the terms and conditions in full so a rule you missed does not cause problems later. Our explainer on casino licensing describes how the system works, and the checklist on how to choose a casino covers other points to compare before signing up.
Three habits before you stake real money
Three habits matter most before you stake real money on dice: learning the rules, understanding betting strategies and fixing a budget. Dice games are entertaining, but an unfamiliar format can be confusing at first.
Learn the rules, side bets and payouts
Rushing into an unfamiliar game is the quickest route to losing money you never meant to spend. Take time to read the rules of your chosen dice game, its side bets and its payout table before playing for real. That way neither the result of a roll nor an overlooked rule will catch you off guard. Our casino glossary defines terms such as house edge and payout if the jargon gets in the way.
Understand betting strategies
Table games often come with betting strategies that add structure and an extra layer of challenge to each session. Learning a couple can make dice play more engaging and help you manage the size of your stakes. Keep expectations realistic, though: no staking pattern removes the operator’s built-in advantage, so treat a strategy as a way to organise your play, not as a way around the house edge.
Set a budget and a time limit
Chasing losses or draining a bankroll is the worst way for any session to end. Decide in advance how much money and time you are prepared to spend on dice games, and stick to that plan. Most online casinos provide tools for limiting your spending and tracking how long you play, and responsible gambling support is available if you would like more help managing either.
Dice games on mobile
Dice games work well on mobile, and several UK online casinos let you play them on a phone or tablet. Because modern titles are built with HTML5, the same game generally runs in a mobile browser, and short rounds with simple controls suit smaller screens. Check that the casino’s mobile site carries the specific dice titles you want before you deposit.
Who makes casino dice games
Microgaming, Playtech and Evolution Gaming are among the leading suppliers of casino dice games. Playtech supplies a craps table, Microgaming has its Sic Bo version, and Evolution is behind Lightning Dice. Many other studios release dice titles too, and you can explore them through our game providers section, which helps you find casinos stocking the studios you already enjoy.
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between craps and Sic Bo?
Craps uses two dice and centres on the total they show, so the main decision is which sum to back. Sic Bo uses three dice and a much busier layout, with separate bets on single numbers, exact combinations and sequences, each carrying its own odds. Craps is the most widely played dice game online, while Sic Bo has its biggest following in Asia, especially Macau.
How does an online dice game decide each result?
An online dice game settles each round with either dice or a random number generator. Craps, Sic Bo and similar titles base the outcome on the totals or combinations shown on two or three dice. Bitcoin Dice drops dice entirely and generates a number within a range that can stretch from 1 to 10,000 or more, so you bet on where that number lands rather than on a visible roll.
Can I play at a dice casino on my phone?
Yes. Several UK online casinos offer their dice games on phones and tablets, so you can play craps or Sic Bo away from a computer. HTML5 technology gives online dice tables an experience close to a land-based casino, and having many dice titles in one lobby makes switching games easy. Choose a site licensed by the UK Gambling Commission before you deposit.
Is Hazard the same game as craps?
No. Hazard is a separate English dice game that dates back to the 13th century. It uses two dice like craps, but play centres on a caster who names a main between 5 and 9, with 7 traditionally recommended, and then throws against it. A winning throw is called a nick, and the caster keeps the dice after a win. Craps instead focuses on betting on the total of two dice.
What does the multiplier in Lightning Dice do?
The multiplier boosts the payout on numbers struck by lightning. In this Evolution Gaming title you back a single number or use the Bet all button, and once the betting timer stops, lightning hits one or more numbers. Each struck number receives a multiplier of up to 1000x, so a winning bet on a boosted number pays considerably more than a standard win.
Which bets are available in Banca Francesa?
Banca Francesa offers three bets: Big, Small and Aces. Big wins when the three dice total between 14 and 16, Small wins on a total between 5 and 7, and Aces needs every die to land on 1. The game, whose name means French bank, is most often found at Portuguese casinos and is frequently compared with baccarat.
Do online casinos give bonuses for dice games?
Yes. Many online casinos offer new players some form of bonus after registration, and dice games occasionally feature in promotions for existing customers, something land-based venues do not provide. Read the terms and conditions before opting in, because they set out how the offer works and which games it covers. Set a spending and time limit first so a bonus never pushes you beyond your budget.