Casino Site Expert Review: Winner Casino

History

Winner Casino is a relatively late-comer to the online casino industry. It was launched in 2009 by Redfinger Trading Limited, with the casino operating from Antigua and Barbuda where it is licenced. It is part of the bigger Winner brand, which also features poker and bingo sites, but this is its flagship casino site. Since its launch in 2009 it has become an established and respected casino operator with a wide customer base.

Casino Website

The website is sleek and relatively easy-to-use with a predominantly black background. It looks good but not everything is visible without a certain amount of scrolling down. Everything you need is available from the homepage, from your account information to the cashier and the links to all the games and the live casino. One noticeable absence though is the ability to customise things, such as adding your favourite games, so at times it might seem like the homepage is a bit cluttered. Games generally open in a new window however so you can navigate easily between the homepage and the games you are playing.

Software

The site is powered by Playtech. It is available in download and instant form. All the usual playtech games are available, over 300 in total. These include all the usual favourites like Blackjack and Roulette and Slots and many many more. It only has Playtech games available though, with no games from other software providers.

Live Casino

The live casino section is excellent with quite a variety of games available including roulette, baccarat, blackjack and Texas Hold ‘Em. There is a link on the homepage to short bios of all the dealers which makes the experience that much more personal and fun. One neat feature is the ability to play a mini-game in the corner of the live dealer window, which means you can have a quick spin on your favourite slot while waiting for the action to unfold.

Customer Support

The customer service options are comprehensive. They include email and regular post, as well as 24/7 phone and 24/7 chat facilities. This information can be accessed by clicking on the green help button which is on the right-hand side of most pages.

Payment Methods

There are a very large number of payment and withdrawal methods available, catering for the needs of almost any customer. All the major methods are accepted. For depositing this includes all the major methods such as debit and credit cards, Moneybookers, Neteller, Ukash, Paysafecard and bank/wire transfer. It offers 10-15% bonuses for nearly all deposit methods, excluding debit and credit cards. It does not accept Paypal. Withdrawal methods are more limited but still include many of the main ones, including debit and credit cards, Neteller and bank transfer. The pending period for payments, when you are able to change your mind and decide to bet with the money again, is quite long at four days, meaning that most withdrawals can take about a week.

Safety and Security

In their Privacy Policy Winner Casino clearly states the personal information they will retain. They state that this is encrypted and protected using the strongest security available. No particular software is mentioned as being used, but the site has been issued with a GoDaddy Web Server Certificate ensuring that it is encrypted to a minimum level.

Licence

Winner casino operates under a gaming licence issued in the jurisdiction of Antigua and Barbuda.

Reliability & Fairness

Winner casino employs the services of Technical Systems Testing (TST) to independently ensure the fairness and accuracy of the casino games. This testing is carried out on a monthly basis. It is licenced by the Antigua and Barbuda Financial Services Regulatory Commission, which insists on strict adherence to their rules on financial and gambling fairness.

Social Engagement

Winner casino states that it is focused on responsible gaming and seeks to put the customer first. However, it does not mention exactly how it goes about this other than recommending a number of sites such as Gamblers Anonymous. There is also no mention of any wider social initiatives that the company engages in. It seems that with Winner you get what you see – a site focused on gambling! It does it well but you need to bring your own social conscience.

Mobile / Tablets

A mobile casino is offered using the same account as for the main download version. It features all the games offered at other Playtech casinos including roulette, blackjack and slots, with 16 games in total to choose from. It is easy to access the mobile version, simply by texting them, scanning a QR code, or going to their casino on line site.

Free Demo Play

Some games when you select them offer the choice of practice or real money play. This is usually seen as a button at the bottom of the newly-opened game window. Not all games offer a practice play option though so make sure you know if you’re playing with real money!

Promotions and bonuses

New players currently get £30 no deposit bonus plus a welcome bonus of up to £1000, depending on how much they deposit. This varies quite a lot, with a 25% bonus available for a deposit of £20, or a 200% bonus available for deposits between £25 and £300. The mid-roller bonus is £500 for higher deposits, with the high-roller bonus being £1000 for deposits up to £2000. These bonuses are all paid on a multiplier of about 15-22, depending on how much you deposited. This means you need to bet 15-22 times the bonus before you can withdraw it. Not all games count the same amount towards this wagering requirement so it is worth checking to see how much your favourite games contribute. You also currently receive bonuses in your first month for the next four deposits, a 50% bonus on deposits between £30 and £300. On top of this you are given a bonus of 10-15% for many of the payment methods. This includes most payment methods, excluding debit and credit cards. There is also a refer-a-friend bonus of £50 for ever friend who signs up and makes a deposit.

Loyalty Scheme

Winner casino, like many other casinos, operates a loyalty scheme based on ‘comp points’. For every £1 you bet you receive one comp point. These can be converted in real cash for betting, and also contribute towards your VIP level, allowing you access to many features and promotions through the ‘Winner’s Club’.

VIP Scheme

There is a ‘Winner’s Club’ which the most loyal customers become members of. This is a 7-tier club, with more promotions and features available as you progress upwards. Entry to the Winner’s Club is based on your accumulation of comp points. Benefits include increased bonuses, quicker withdrawals, personal account managers, special reserved tournaments and a higher comp point conversion ratio.

Pros

• It offers Playtech games and that’s what you get - exactly what you expect!
• Excellent customer support
• Great Live Casino section with lots of games and info on dealers

Cons

• Free/demo play could be available for more games
• Quite a long pending period for withdrawals
• Would be nice if the homepage was customisable with shortcuts to favourite games

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