Casino Site Expert Review: GoWild Casino

History

GoWild is another relatively latecomer to the online casino market, having been launched in 2008. It is based in Malta and since its launch has become one of the more popular online casinos with a loyal following of players. It is operated by a company called Go Wild Malta Limited.

Casino Website

The website features a sleek black profile which looks good and means all their graphics stand out on clearly on the dark background. The main casino page has the games centrally placed, divided into five categories – Progressives, Table Games, Video Pokers, Slots and Other. When you click on the tab a choice of the top ten games in that category appears. A very useful feature is that if you hover over any game then more detail on that game is revealed in a box to the left, with information on things such as payouts, rules used and special features offered. This is very useful and enables you to decide if the game is to your liking quickly and without having to actually launch the game. All the other things, such as access to your account and the help page, are all featured prominently on the main page.

Software

GoWild uses Microgaming Viper software, with access to their full range of over 500 games. It is offered in both a download or instant-play Flash version. The casino does not offer games from other software providers but with over 500 games to choose from it is unlikely this will be a problem for most players.

Live Casino

There is a live casino section with plenty of information easily available on the dealers from the main live casino page. This information can be sorted by name and age or even lucky number if you think a certain dealer brings you luck! Games featured in the live dealer section include Baccarat, Blackjack and Roulette. One drawback though is that the Live Casino is separate from the main casino page and cannot be accessed from it, which means that you have to leave the main casino and enter the live casino separately. The live casino section could definitely be integrated better into the site as a whole.

Customer Support

GoWild promotes itself based on its great customer service. You can access customer service 24/7 by live chat, phone, email, regular mail, or fax. The live chat feature is available for all queries, which sets it apart from some sites where this is restricted to banking issues. Overall, the customer service offered is excellent and GoWild can be justified in promoting themselves on this!

Payment Methods

Gowild prides itself on offering some of the fastest cash withdrawals in the industry. Terms and conditions apply, with the facility only open to those on the second level of their loyalty program, but if you qualify for their Fast Cash program then you can have access to your money with only a 24 hour pending period. Their normal pending period of 48 hours isn’t that slow either! Deposit methods are extensive with all the normal methods you’d expect, including debit and credit cards, Neteller, Moneybookers, Ukash, Paysafecard and Bank Transfer. Withdrawal methods are more limited but include all the more usual methods such as credit cards (not Mastercard), Neteller, Moneybookers, Bank Transfer and cheque.

Safety and Security

GoWild promise that your personal and banking information is securely stored and transmitted using SSL encryption. This is standard across reputable casino sites, like GoWild, but it would be more reassuring if they offered more information on the software they used to ensure this. Their privacy policy and how they use your information is clearly stated in the security section.

Licence

The casino operates under a licence granted in the jurisdiction of Malta by the Gambling and Gaming Authority of Malta.

Reliability & Fairness

GoWild assures the reliability and fairness of its games by using the Microgaming Random Number Generator. It follows the stringent conditions set down by the Maltese gaming authorities, which adhere to best practice in the UK. It is independently audited and certified each month by eCogra, which is widely recognised as the best international testing agency ensuring fairness in payouts and randomness in the casino industry.

Social Engagement

There are clear links in the Responsible Gaming section to some problem gambling related sites such as Gamblers Anonymous and Gamcare. Otherwise, there is very little information available on non-gaming activities which the company might be involved in. This may not be an issue for some people but it’s always nice to think that at least some part of their profits are reinvested in the community, which is not readily apparent with GoWild casino.

Mobile / Tablets

GoWild has an excellent mobile casino site. You can currently play quite a good range of games including Blackjack, Roulette, Virtual Racing, Poker, Bingo and quite a few slots. These are available for both smart phones and tablets, with Android, Apple and Blackberry and many other brands all supported. Accessing their mobile site is simply a matter of going to their website on your mobile browser or scanning a QR code on their website.

Free Demo Play

When you log onto the casino initially you will have to press the connect button to actually begin playing. At this stage you are offered the choice of playing in practice or real money mode. The practice play section is extensive, with most games featuring in it. If playing in real money mode it is also easy to revert to practice play simply by pressing the disconnect button and connecting again.

Promotions and bonuses

GoWild’s sign-up package currently includes deposit bonuses and free spins. You get 100% back on your first deposit up to 200 casino credits, 50% on your second deposit up to 400 credits, and 70% on your third deposit up to 400 credits. You also get 50 free spins for each of these deposits. Once you have you made your third deposit you are eligible for further promotions, including a $350 free spin once a month and their Wednesday Deluxe free spins. There are wagering requirements attached to all these offers though, currently requiring the bonus to be turned over x29 before you can claim the next bonus, so as always it is worth reading the terms carefully. Other bonuses feature periodically, including deposit bonuses. There is a permanent refer-a-friend bonus which is currently worth 25 credits to both you and your friend.

Loyalty Scheme

Like most casinos there is a loyalty scheme based on comp points. This is however, limited to bets placed on slots, which is a big drawback if your favourite game is roulette! You get one Wild Point for every 10 chip wager on a slot machine, excluding progressives. 2000 Wild Points can be redeemed for 10 casino bonus credit points.

VIP Scheme

The VIP scheme is based on the accumulation of Wild Points. It has five tiers, starting with green and ending with gold and platinum. You can earn more Wild Points at a fast rate as you progress up the VIP levels, and you also will have access to many other features including special bonuses and promotions, birthday presents, a personal account manager and, crucially, access to their Fast Cash program which will enable you to access your winnings far quicker than an ordinary member.

Pros

• Great customer support, which is always reassuring
• Excellent mobile platform
• Easily accessible info on games before you play

Cons

• Live casino is a bit limited and not integrated with main casino site
• Loyalty bonuses not that easy to accumulate
• Only offers Microgaming games

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