# Virgin Games vs Jackpotjoy

> They're sister sites: Gamesys Operations Limited runs both under one licence, with the same bingo, payments, withdrawal times, safer gambling tools and 24/7 live chat. Jackpotjoy is the better pick for most players because it adds a sportsbook; Virgin Games' app has the bigger following, with more than 44,000 ratings on iOS. Both share Gamesys's £6,071,292 fine of November 2023.

- URL: https://safebet.ai/uk/online-casinos/virgin-games-vs-jackpotjoy/
- Markdown version: https://safebet.ai/uk/online-casinos/virgin-games-vs-jackpotjoy/index.html.md
- Last updated: 2026-10-22 (re-checked when an operator changes its terms or a regulator or court acts)
- Author: SafeBet.ai Research Team (SafeBet.ai)
- Virgin Games: #6 of 7 in [Best online casinos in the UK](https://safebet.ai/uk/online-casinos/), 7.9/10 — review: https://safebet.ai/uk/online-casinos/virgin-games-review/
- Jackpotjoy: #5 of 7 in [Best online casinos in the UK](https://safebet.ai/uk/online-casinos/), 8.0/10 — review: https://safebet.ai/uk/online-casinos/jackpotjoy-review/
- Notice: Advertising. SafeBet.ai may be paid by the operators shown when you register through our links. We only link to operators licensed by the Gambling Commission. 18+ only. Free, confidential help: the National Gambling Helpline on 0808 8020 133, or block yourself from every licensed site with GAMSTOP.
- Editorial policy and advertiser disclosure: https://safebet.ai/editorial-policy/

## Who should choose which

| Need | Better choice | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Sports betting | Jackpotjoy | Jackpotjoy runs a sportsbook with live streams on selected events; Virgin Games' help centre has no sports betting section. |
| App | Either | Both iOS apps are rated about 4.7: Virgin Games 4.67 from 44,469 ratings, Jackpotjoy 4.69 from 33,473. On Google Play both are rated 4.5, Virgin Games from about 26,600 reviews and Jackpotjoy from about 17,100. |
| Bingo | Either | Both run the same 90-, 80- and 75-ball bingo and Session Bingo, 15-game bundles played four times a day. |
| Payments and payouts | Either | Both take £10 deposits by debit card, Apple Pay and Google Pay, process withdrawals within 4 to 24 hours and pay Visa Direct cards within 4 hours after that. Neither takes PayPal: Virgin Games is removing it in October 2026, and Jackpotjoy doesn't list it. |
| Safety and support | Either | Same operator, same £6,071,292 fine of November 2023, the same limits and session tools, and the same 24/7 live chat; self-excluding from one closes your accounts at both. |

## Scores (SafeBet.ai ratings, 0–10)

| Criterion (weight) | Virgin Games | Jackpotjoy |
|---|---|---|
| Licensing & safety (25%) | 6.5 | 6.5 |
| Game library (20%) | 7.0 | 7.5 |
| Payments & payouts (20%) | 8.5 | 8.5 |
| App & experience (15%) | 9.5 | 9.5 |
| Responsible gambling (10%) | 9.0 | 9.0 |
| Customer support (10%) | 8.5 | 8.5 |
| **Overall** | **7.9** | **8.0** |

## Key facts

| | Virgin Games | Jackpotjoy |
|---|---|---|
| Gambling Commission licence | Gamesys Operations Limited, account 38905 | Gamesys Operations Limited, account 38905 |
| Games | Slots, Slingo & bingo (count not published) | Bingo, slots, Slingo & sports (count not published) |
| Live casino | Yes | Yes, incl. game shows |
| Payments | Debit cards, Apple Pay, Google Pay (PayPal leaving Oct 2026) | Debit cards, Apple Pay, Google Pay, instant bank transfer |
| Payout speed | Processed in 4–24 h, then Visa Direct within 4 h | Processed in 4–24 h, then Visa Direct within 4 h |
| Min. deposit | £10 | £10 |
| Apps | iOS 4.7 · Android 4.5 | iOS 4.7 · Android 4.5 |

## Pros and cons

### Virgin Games

- Pro: The most-rated casino app in our ranking: 4.67 from more than 44,000 ratings on iOS
- Pro: Withdrawals processed within 4 to 24 hours, then within 4 hours to Visa Direct cards
- Pro: Live chat 24/7, normally answered within 60 seconds
- Pro: Slots, Slingo, live casino and bingo in one place
- Pro: Session limits, reminders and a log-out prompt after 6 hours of play
- Con: Its operator was fined £6,071,292 in November 2023 for anti-money-laundering and customer-interaction failures
- Con: PayPal is being removed in October 2026, and there's no phone line
- Con: It dropped its in-house poker and all Light & Wonder games in January 2026, and doesn't publish a game count

### Jackpotjoy

- Pro: 90-, 80- and 75-ball bingo, plus Session Bingo four times a day
- Pro: Live chat 24/7, normally answered within 60 seconds
- Pro: Withdrawals processed within 4 to 24 hours, then within 4 hours to Visa Direct cards
- Pro: iOS app rated 4.69 from more than 33,000 ratings
- Pro: Session limits, hourly reminders and a log-out prompt after 6 hours of play
- Con: Its operator was fined £6,071,292 in November 2023 for anti-money-laundering and customer-interaction failures
- Con: No PayPal, and no phone line
- Con: Its bingo chat rooms closed in April 2026, and it doesn't publish how many games it has

## The key differences

Jackpotjoy and Virgin Games are fifth and sixth in [our UK casino ranking](https://safebet.ai/uk/online-casinos/), and the same company runs both. Most of what matters, from payments to safer gambling tools, is identical; the real differences are Jackpotjoy's sportsbook and the size of each app's following.

| | Virgin Games | Jackpotjoy |
|---|---|---|
| Operator | Gamesys Operations Limited (account 38905) | Gamesys Operations Limited (account 38905) |
| Status on the register | White Label site on Gamesys's licence | Active |
| Bingo | 90-, 80- and 75-ball, Session Bingo | 90-, 80- and 75-ball, Session Bingo |
| Sports betting | None found | Yes, with live streams on selected events |
| Min. deposit | £10 | £10 |
| Withdrawals | Processed in 4–24 hours; Visa Direct within 4 hours after that | The same |
| PayPal | Being removed in October 2026 | Not listed |
| iOS app | 4.67 (44,469 ratings) | 4.69 (33,473 ratings) |
| Support | 24/7 live chat, no phone | 24/7 live chat, no phone |
| Regulatory record | £6,071,292 fine (November 2023) | The same company and fine |

## Which should you choose?

- **Most players:** [Jackpotjoy](https://safebet.ai/uk/online-casinos/jackpotjoy-review/), for the same casino and bingo plus a sportsbook.
- **Players who don't bet on sport:** either; [Virgin Games](https://safebet.ai/uk/online-casinos/virgin-games-review/) has the app with the bigger following.
- **Players who want an operator with a clean record:** neither; see [BetMGM](https://safebet.ai/uk/online-casinos/betmgm-review/) or [Sky Vegas](https://safebet.ai/uk/online-casinos/sky-vegas-review/).

## Frequently asked questions

### Are Virgin Games and Jackpotjoy the same company?

Yes. Gamesys Operations Limited runs both under Gambling Commission licence 038905-R-319430-023 (account 38905). Their payment rules, safer gambling tools and support are the same.

### Which ranks higher?

Jackpotjoy ranks fifth in our UK casino ranking (8.0) and Virgin Games sixth (7.9). The difference is Jackpotjoy's sportsbook and slightly broader game mix.

### If I self-exclude from Virgin Games, can I still play at Jackpotjoy?

No. Self-exclusion at either site, for 6 months to 5 years, closes your accounts at every Gamesys site, including the other one.

## Sources

1. [Download the register of gambling businesses](https://www.gamblingcommission.gov.uk/public-register/businesses/download) — Gambling Commission, files of 2026-10-22
2. [Regulatory action: Gamesys Operations Limited](https://www.gamblingcommission.gov.uk/public-register/regulatory-action/detail/210) — Gambling Commission, decision of 2023-11-22; accessed 2026-10-22
3. [All you need to know about Bingo... (Jackpotjoy)](https://help.jackpotjoy.com/hc/en-gb/articles/14063761301138-All-you-need-to-know-about-Bingo) — Jackpotjoy, updated 2026-01-13
4. [All you need to know about Bingo... (Virgin Games)](https://help.virgingames.com/hc/en-gb/articles/14316405718930-All-you-need-to-know-about-Bingo) — Virgin Games, updated 2026-06-30
5. [Can I watch a Live Stream of an event?](https://help.jackpotjoy.com/hc/en-gb/articles/19090251747346-Can-I-watch-a-Live-Stream-of-an-event) — Jackpotjoy, updated 2026-03-02
6. [PayPal Is Being Removed as a Payment Method](https://help.virgingames.com/hc/en-gb/articles/39539301407762-PayPal-Is-Being-Removed-as-a-Payment-Method) — Virgin Games, updated 2026-10-05
7. [Virgin Games: Real Money Slots (App Store listing)](https://apps.apple.com/gb/app/id934763197) — Apple App Store (UK), accessed 2026-10-22
8. [Jackpotjoy - Real Money Casino (App Store listing)](https://apps.apple.com/gb/app/id642433600) — Apple App Store (UK), accessed 2026-10-22