A native app is software installed on your phone from its official store and built to run on that phone's operating system, such as iOS or Android. Casino apps from the App Store and Google Play are the familiar example: they live on your home screen, take up storage and can use phone features a website can't reach as easily.
Native apps install from the App Store or Google Play and run on the phone's own system.
They can use phone features such as Face ID login, widgets and notifications, where the app supports them.
Store listings don't say how an app is built internally, so treat 'native' as meaning 'installed from the store'.
Every native real-money casino app must be licensed, geo-restricted and free to download.
Installed from
App Store or Google Play
Runs on
iOS, iPadOS or Android
Uses storage
Yes: 25.4 MB to 112.3 MB for our partners on iPhone
Opposite of
Web app (runs in the browser)
Native app: the short definition
"Native" describes where the app runs. Such an app is written for one platform and installed directly on the device, so it talks to the operating system rather than through a web browser. On Android it arrives as an APK via Google Play; on iPhone it comes from the App Store.
In everyday use, people call any store-installed app native. Developers draw a finer line, because some store apps are partly built from web pages inside an app shell. The store listings for casino apps don't say which approach was used, so this page uses the everyday meaning. Browse the casino app glossary for the neighbouring terms.
Native app vs web app vs progressive web app
Three ways to play casino games on a phone
Native app
Web app
Progressive web app
Where it comes from
App Store or Google Play
A website in your browser
A website you add to the home screen
Store review and age rating
Yes
No
No
Uses phone storage
Yes, listed on the store page
Very little
A little, for saved files
Updates
Through the store
Instant, when the site changes
Mostly instant
Privacy label in the store
Yes
No
No
Gambling Commission rules apply
Yes
Yes
Yes
The last row is the one people forget. Licence conditions, age checks and game design rules follow the operator, not the format. Our definitions of a web app and a progressive web app explain the other two columns.
What a native casino app can do that a website can't easily do
Being installed gives an app access to features the store lets it request. What each casino app actually uses is set out in its listing, and the listings differ a lot.
Biometric sign-in. Casumo's iPhone listing says it supports Face ID and Touch ID login. The Coral, Ladbrokes, PlayOJO and 10bet listings don't mention it. See biometric login.
Home screen extras. Casumo's listing also describes a home screen widget, a haptic feedback toggle and quick launch for the last four slots played.
Location. PlayOJO's iPhone listing warns that the app may use your location even when it isn't open, which can reduce battery life.
Notifications. None of the five partner listings mentions notifications, but installed apps can ask to send them. See push notification.
Each of these features is a permission you can review. Our guide to casino app permissions explains what to allow and what to refuse.
The cost of a native app: storage and iOS version
A native app needs space and a recent enough operating system. On iPhone, the App Store listings for our partners show a wide spread.
PlayOJO's app is roughly a quarter of the size of Coral's (25.4 MB against 101.6 MB) and supports iOS versions three releases older. That matters on an older handset; see casino apps on older phones.
How store rules shape a native casino app
Native gambling apps go through extra review. Apple's App Review Guidelines (opens in a new tab) require real-money gaming apps to be licensed where they're used, geo-restricted and free, and they bar in-app purchase for gambling credit. Google's real-money gambling policy (opens in a new tab) adds licence checks per country, under-age blocking and a ban on Google Play billing.
Your casino account normally works on both the app and the website, with the same balance and the same limits. UK game design rules apply in either place: no autoplay, at least 2.5 seconds per slot spin, at least 5 seconds per game cycle for other casino games and a running display of net spend and time. RTP isn't lower in apps by default, but check the game's help screen for the version you're playing. See is the casino app the same as the website.
Native casino apps with a partner welcome offer
All three of these are native store apps, with dedicated casino listings rather than sportsbook wrappers. Offers are 18+, new customers only, and terms apply.
Coral's 101.6 MB app: bet £10+ on slots (deposit methods such as PayPal, Skrill, Neteller, Paysafe, prepaid and certain debit cards excluded) for 100 free spins at 10p on selected slots, to accept within 48 hours and use within 7 days, no wagering on winnings. Runs 1 October 2026 to 1 February 2027.
Ladbrokes' 101.2 MB app: deposit and spend £10+ on slots for 50 free spins a day over 10 days, a maximum of 500, at 10p on selected games, each day's batch claimed by 23:59 and valid for 7 days, no wagering. PayPal, Paysafe, Neteller, Skrill, Moneybookers and prepaid cards excluded.
PlayOJO's 25.4 MB app: first deposit of £10 or more for 80 free spins on Big Bass Bonanza at 10p, no wagering and winnings paid as cash. New UK customers excluding Northern Ireland, designated offer link only, can't be combined.
These spins work on slots only. The house edge means losses are the likely result over time, so set a budget before you play.
Coral and Ladbrokes are both run by LC International Limited (Entain). If you already hold an account with one Entain brand, you may not be able to open another; check the terms first.
Significant terms: 18+. New players only. Offer runs 01/10/2026 to 01/02/2027. Deposit (certain types excluded) and bet £10+ on slot games to get 100 free spins (selected games, £0.10 each, 48 hrs to accept, valid 7 days). No wagering on free spin winnings. Deposits by Neteller, PayPal, Paysafe, Skrill, prepaid cards and certain debit cards do not qualify. Restrictions and T&Cs apply. GamCare.org.uk
Read our Coral app reviewLicence: LC International Limited, Gambling Commission account 54743. Offer checked 5 October 2026.
Time limitClaim daily for 10 days; each batch valid 7 days
Worked valueUp to 500 spins at £0.10 (up to £50 in spins)
Significant terms: 18+. New customers only, from 14/11/25 until further notice. Certain deposit methods excluded. Deposit and spend £10+ on slots for 50 free spins a day during the first 10 days after first deposit and registration (max 500, £0.10 each, selected games, claim before 23:59 each day, valid 7 days). No wagering. Prepaid cards, PayPal, Paysafe, Neteller, Skrill and Moneybookers deposits do not qualify. Restrictions and T&Cs apply. GamCare.org.uk
Read our Ladbrokes app reviewLicence: LC International Limited, Gambling Commission account 54743. Offer checked 5 October 2026.
Significant terms: 18+. New UK customers (excluding Northern Ireland). First deposit only. Minimum deposit £10. 80 free spins on Big Bass Bonanza, £0.10 each. No wagering requirements; winnings paid in cash. Cannot be used with any other offer. Only available to players who arrive through the designated offer link. Full T&Cs apply. GamCare.org.uk
Read our PlayOJO app reviewLicence: Skill On Net Limited, Gambling Commission account 39326. Offer checked 5 October 2026.
18+. Every casino game has a built-in house edge, so over time you should expect to lose what you stake. Set a budget before you play and stop when it’s gone: safer gambling tools and support. Free, confidential help: National Gambling Helpline 0808 8020 133.
Frequently asked questions
What is a native app?
A native app is an app installed from the phone's official store and built to run on its operating system, such as iOS or Android. It sits on your home screen, uses storage and can request phone features like biometric login or notifications. Casino apps downloaded from the App Store or Google Play fall into this group. Compare it with a web app, which runs inside your browser.
Are casino apps native apps?
In the everyday sense, yes: the licensed casino apps on the App Store and Google Play are installed apps that run on your phone. The store listings don't reveal how each one is built internally, and some may display web content inside the app. What you can check is the size, the iOS version needed and whether it's a standalone casino app. Our Coral app review shows how those details compare.
Is a native casino app better than the website?
Not automatically. Store apps can offer conveniences such as biometric sign-in where supported, but it takes up storage and needs a recent operating system. The website uses the same account, the same games library in most cases and the same UK rules. If your phone is short of space or too old, the browser is a fair alternative. See do you need to download an app to play at an online casino.
Do native casino apps have lower RTP?
Not by default. The return to player is set by the game version the operator runs, not by whether you open it in an app or a browser. Some games come in more than one RTP version, so open the game's help or information screen to see the figure that applies. Our guide to finding a game's RTP in an app shows where to look.
How much space does a native casino app take?
It depends on the app. On iPhone, PlayOJO's listing shows 25.4 MB, Casumo's 52.5 MB, Ladbrokes' 101.2 MB, Coral's 101.6 MB and 10bet's combined sports and casino app 112.3 MB. Apps can grow after install as they store data and updates. Our answer on how much storage casino apps take explains how to check and clear space.
Why do native casino apps need a recent iOS version?
Each publisher sets a minimum iOS version, usually so it can rely on newer system features and security. Coral and Ladbrokes require iOS 18.0 or later, 10bet requires iOS 16.0 and PlayOJO and Casumo require iOS 15.0. If your iPhone can't update that far, the app won't install. Our guide on which iOS version casino apps need lists the options.
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