Casino.com Review

Hits

• Australian players are welcome.
• Uses state-of-the-art software from the internationally acclaimed provider, Playtech
• Also playable in flash version and on mobile devices
• Over 300 high payout games
• Live dealer games
• Fast and secure banking with AUD and high transaction limits accepted
• Generous Welcome Bonus (for pokies)
• Play for free option to test the waters
• Useful money management tips
• Loyalty rewards, VIP program, and special promotions for everyone
• 24/7 Customer Support

Misses

• Website information could be clearer
• Welcome bonus is rather focused on pokies
• Mobile platform optimised for iOS and Android devices
• Mobile players could have better bonus options
• Promotional information needs updating on website

Software and Range of Games

9.1 / 10

Software by Playtech

Casino.com is powered by Playtech, a name you might already be familiar with as a leading provider of high quality software to online casinos all over the world. Playtech's considerable technical knowhow combined with its many years of experience in the online gambling industry are reflected in the consistent high quality of its products that are at the same time innovative and cutting edge. This is a company that seems to have a very good understanding of what today's players want in an online casino and is able to deliver it by giving equal attention to game variety and game quality. The consistently reliable user-friendly software only makes the smooth gameplay, vivid graphics, and special customisable and enhanced features more enjoyable.

Three Convenient Ways to Play

Most of the better online casinos now offer their players a choice of three convenient ways to access their games: downloading the software, an instant play flash version, and a mobile casino. Casino.com is no exception.

• Downloading

  Downloading the software onto your computer is not a lengthy, complicated process at all. In a few minutes you are done and can enjoy full access to any of the casino's more than 300 games.

• Instant Play Version

  No downloading is necessary to have full access to all of the games, and you don't need to be tied to your computer either. The instant play Fash casino is compatible with any Windows or Mac browser.

• Using your mobile device

  People whose busy schedule keeps them constantly moving around from one place to another and rarely at home will find that using their mobile device is the most practical way to play. You can be miles away from the nearest brick and mortar casino and miles away even from a computer, and it won't matter. Just pull out your smartphone or tablet, log onto www.casino.com, and start playing your favourite games! The Casino.com mobile apps have been optimised for play on either Apple iOS devices (iPhones and iPads) or Android devices and allow access to about 30 games. These include some of the casino's most popular pokies games like Gold Rally, Rocky, Iron Man 2, Incredible Hulk, and Fantastic Four, as well as blackjack, roulette, and scratch cards. Ideally, the mobile platform should include more games and also be compatible with other types of mobile devices, but at least this is a start.

  Players who have already established a computer account can use the same account to log on with their mobile device. Or, alternatively new players can use their mobile device to set up and fund their account. Either way, it is easy to switch back and forth between mobile play and computer play as often as you like depending on which mode of play best suits your needs.

  Unfortunately, and for reasons we don't understand, the Welcome Bonus offered to players who use their mobile device to set up their account is less desirable than the bonus that computer players receive with their first deposit. Not only is it smaller (with a cap of $200 instead of $400), but is intended for play purposes only and is non-withdrawable. Accordingly, even if you plan to do most of your playing on your mobile device rather than on the computer, we recommend that you use your computer to register, make your first deposit, and claim your Welcome Bonus.

Games

Obviously, as anyone who likes to play frequently already knows, an online casino with such a limited game selection that you quickly run out of options is not a good choice. But then there is the other extreme, casinos that are so massive, with so many hundreds of games that the options seem overwhelming. If you are the type of player who likes variety, but also wants to be able to find the particular games that best suit your style of play quickly, a casino with 600 games might not be your best bet either. If you would rather spend less time searching and wondering what to play and more time actually playing, Casino.com is the perfect medium-size casino.

At Casino.com Australia, you also have the flexibility, with most games (but not the live dealer games and some of the progressive jackpot games) to use either play money or real money. If you feel like testing the waters first by playing for free in practice mode before committing to real money, you can certainly do so.

Pokies

Hopefully, you are wild about pokies because Casino.com is home to all the pokie machines you could ask for in one place and then some. For your convenience, they are organised in the lobby by category. The Classic Pokies are the simplest games with one payline only. They are a good choice for anyone new to online gambling or who prefers an uncomplicated, traditional game. Players looking for a bigger rush will find it in the action-packed video pokies. These games are subdivided according to how many paylines they have: 5-10, 15-20, or 25+. There are also Multi-Spin games, which like the name suggests, are actually multiple games played simultaneously without the need to switch machines.

Some of the most popular games at Casino.com are the Marvel Jackpot video pokies featuring well-known movie and comic strip characters. If you're super lucky playing one of these thrilling superhero games, you might win one four fantastic jackpots: Power, Extra Power, Super Power, or Ultimate Power. Casino.com also has a huge collection of other progressive jackpot games, including Beach Life, Queen of the Pyramids, Gold Rally, and many more. The top prizes on some progressive pokies have been known to make some players instant millionaires.

Other Games

If you are like most players, most of your game time will be spent on pokies because, unlike video poker and table games, they consistently count 100% in satisfying bonus-related wagering requirements and also towards earning loyalty points. But there will probably be times when you would like to give other games a whirl, too. Casino.com is ready when you are with all of the commonly played casino games: video poker, roulette, blackjack, baccarat, craps, casino table poker, Pai Gow, arcade games, scratch cards, and more. We commend the casino for acknowledging the role of luck, not only in pokies, but in these games, too, and including some helpful money management tips for making your bankroll last longer.

Blackjack and Roulette

Some of these games, especially blackjack and roulette, come in many varieties, some of which might be completely new to you. Unlike most land-based casinos, where only a couple of versions of blackjack are offered at most, Casino.com gives you a choice of at least seven ways of playing this popular game. Each variation, such as Classic Blackjack, Blackjack Surrender, Blackjack Switch, and 21 Duel Blackjack, for example, has certain rules specific to that form of the game. Some of the rule differences make the game more favourable to the player, while others favour the house. In order to maximise your chance of winning, it is important to familiarise yourself beforehand with the rules and basic strategy for whatever form of the game you are playing. Then, giving yourself a chance to get the hang of the game by playing a few rounds in practise mode before switching to real money is another excellent idea.

Similarly, if roulette is one of your favourite casino games, but you are used to playing it one way only because that is all your local casino offers, a pleasant surprise awaits you. Casino.com offers no less than nine ways to play roulette. Of course, American roulette is one option, but even the website advises against it due to the double zero on the wheel. American, European, and French roulette can all be played, if you wish, in an enhanced Premium version. These roulette games and another called Premium Roulette Pro are preferred by many players because extra attention is given to the graphics, sound effects, and animations to give them a more realistic feel.

Another great option is 3D Roulette. The close-up 3D view of the wheel and music playing in the background recreate the ambience of a real casino. The game is also perfectly suited for all types of players. The minimum bet is only $1 and the maximum $750. Yet another roulette option is Mini Roulette, which is played with only 13 numbers (0-12 instead of 0-36).

Live Dealer Games

Casino.com Australia also offers live dealer games. Take your virtual seat at a blackjack, roulette, baccarat, Casino Hold'em, or Sic Bo live dealer table and experience the wonders of 21st century online computer technology like never before. Online live dealer games combine the comfort and convenience of playing at home on your computer with the thrill of live casino action. Through the use of webcam technology, you can watch your dealer in action in real time and enjoy an interactive experience once only possible by traveling to a real brick and mortar casino.

Exclusive Bonus: 100% up to AU $216

Get Your Bonus ››

Security and Fair Play

Casino.com takes its responsibility to provide fair games in a safe playing environment very seriously. Since site security and the fair treatment of players are of utmost importance, it is reassuring to see that Casino.com has appropriate safeguards in place.

Casino.com is owned and operated by the well established ONISAC, Ltd Company. The gambling site is licensed by the Government of Gibraltar, and regulated by the Gibraltar Gaming Commission. Casino.com also holds a separate license from the British Gambling Commission. Both of these jurisdictions hold casinos to very high standards.

In addition, the independent firm, Technical Systems Testing, has certified all of the games for fairness and has reported the random number generators (RNGs) used by Casino.com to be fair and random. However, one important piece of information that is missing from the website is recent documentation of average game payouts.

Casino.com gives players the option to practice with play money before committing to real money. However, whenever real money is used, all necessary measures are taken, through the use of advanced encryption technology, to ensure that every player's financial transactions are fully protected.

Promotions and Customer Support

Collect up to AU$3,200 (computer players only) with a very Welcoming Bonus

One of the special benefits that you will find at the top online casinos is the Welcome Bonus. Casino.com is no exception, and its potentially generous one for computer players is a very good one in most respects, provided that you read and understand the terms laid out in the casinos' Terms and Conditions. It's also important to manage your money wisely and only bet what you can afford. Lumping together the bonus given out with one's first deposit and the weekly deposit match bonuses offered for the next seven weeks all as a Welcome Bonus is not technically correct since the weekly bonuses are in effect non-cashable reload bonuses. But, obviously, a Welcome Bonus described as "up to AU$3,200 is much more attention getting than one described as "up to AU$400." Anyway, here is how the Welcome Bonus works.

First Deposit Bonus: Receive Up to AU $400 on a 100% Match Bonus

• Playthrough requirements: 40x the bonus before you can make a withdrawal
• Game Eligibility: Pokies, parlour games, and scratch cards count 100%. Other games count as 25%, or are ineligible.
• Time you have to clear the bonus: 30 days
• Minimum deposit to collect the offer: AU $20

Receive 7 Consecutive Weekly Reload Bonuses: Worth a maximum of $AU400 per deposit.

Players have a choice of two different deposits:

Code RED: 100% match deposit bonus which requires a 40x playthrough

OR

Code BLACK: 50% match deposit bonus that requires a 20x playthrough

Additional Rules:

• Player must deposit every consecutive Wednesday.
• The account balance, before making the deposit, must be AU $10 or less.
• The 40x or 20x playthrough needs to be completed prior to withdrawing any winnings. The bonus however, cannot be withdrawn.
• Pokies, parlour games, and scratch cards count as 100% of the playthrough. All other games count as 25% or less. Some games are ineligible for the bonus.
• A minimum deposit of AU $20 is required.
• Timeframe to clear the bonus: 30 days from the initial deposit.

Enhanced First Deposit Bonus: Match deposit of 150%. Collect up to AU$300 on a deposit of AU$200 or more

• Playthrough Requirement: 20x the bonus + deposit before you're able to make a withdrawal.
• Pokies, parlour games, and scratch cards are eligible for 100% of the playthrough. Other games such as poker are eligible for 25% or less.
• Time to clear bonus: 30 days

Note: This bonus is offered as an alternative to the regular first deposit bonus. It is not clear whether players who claim this bonus are also eligible for the weekly reload bonuses described above.

Mobile Welcome Bonus: Up to AU$200

First Deposit: 200% match bonus of up to AU$200 on a deposit of AU$100 or more

• Playthrough requirement: 40x the bonus, plus a deposit before players are able to withdrawal.
• The bonus itself cannot be withdrawn, only the winnings.
• Pokies, parlour games, and scratch cards count 100%. No other games count at all.
• Time to clear bonus: 30 days

Things to Consider: Casino.com has not clearly stated whether or not mobile players are eligible to receive the 7 Consecutive Weekly Reload Bonuses as discussed above. For more information, it's advisable to contact the customer support.

The wagering requirements for any of the first deposit bonuses are very fair and reasonable. However, a cashable bonus is obviously much better than a sticky one, so for this reason, even if you intend to play primarily on your mobile device, you should still take the computer player bonus rather than the mobile bonus. The varying stipulations as to whether games other than pokies, arcade games, and scratch care are allowed is really immaterial because their contribution is so minimal. All of these bonuses should be treated as being basically for pokies only. But assuming you love these games anyway, with the tremendous variety you have to choose from, no problem.

Where you do need to be careful is with the reload bonuses. The weekly Wednesday reload bonuses, if you take all seven for the $400 maximum each time, will indeed add another $2,800 in bonus money, bringing the grand total of your bonus to $3,200. But unlike the first deposit bonus, the reload bonuses are non-withdrawable. Try to avoid excessive use of them to chase losses. Also, only take the maximum bonus if you can comfortably afford the associated deposits and wagers. Otherwise, you should deposit less and be content with a smaller bonus. The minimum deposit is only $20.

Player Loyalty and Rewards Program

The Casino.com Welcome Bonus should give you plenty of ammunition and incentive to keep you in action at least for the first month or two. More incentive comes with the generous loyalty rewards that will continue to come your way if you become a steady customer. All of your play counts, but pokies are the games which earn loyalty points the fastest. In addition to being able to convert your points to cash once you have accumulated enough of them, the number of points earned determines where each person stands in the casino's five-tiered loyalty program. The five tiers include Bronze, Silver, Gold, VIP, and VIP-Elite. Similar to other operators, the higher the tier, the better the loyalty points to cash conversion rate become. Plus you will get access to bigger bonuses.

The highest level of rewards is reserved for players who attain the VIP and VIP elite status tier, but it will take a lot of play to get there. In order to qualify for VIP status, players need a minimum of 20,000 points and their deposits must exceed $3,000. VIP Elite membership is by invitation only. These are some of the many extra benefits VIP and VIP Elite players receive:

• Personal VIP manager for your Casino.com account
• Exclusive offers and very lucrative reload bonuses
• Loyalty level welcome gift
• Special birthday and anniversary promotions
• Invites to VIP only events
• Enticing loyalty point to cash conversion rates
• Priority banking with larger maximum deposit limits
• Faster withdrawals
• Lifetime VIP member status

Additional Promotions from Casino.com

Non-VIPS needn't feel left out because at Casino.com, players will always have access to exciting ongoing promotions that are open to everyone. Here are a few with no apparent expiration date that might interest you.

• Make Your Match

  All players with no more than $10 in their account can claim a 100% reload bonus up to $500 (up to $1,000 for VIPs) on the first deposit of any month by using the bonus code FIRST1. The Make Your Match bonuses work exactly the same way as the 100% weekly reload bonuses associated with the Welcome Bonus. There is a 40x bonus playthrough for withdrawal of any winnings, and only pokies, arcade games, and scratch cards count 100%. The bonus itself is not withdrawable.

• Exclusive Weekly Bonuses

  These bonuses are based on play. Check your emails to see if you are eligible.

• Refer a Friend

  You can refer up to 20 friends, and for each friend who signs up and plays through the Welcome Bonus 40x, you receive a $50 bonus yourself. The $50 bonus only needs to be wagered 15x.

  Also, from time to time, various monthly and seasonal promotions are offered. Check the website regularly so you don't miss out on leaderboard races, cash giveaways, drawings for trips, and other exciting offers. Just make sure the promotion hasn't already expired because a few of those might not have been taken down yet. There are also special promotions for mobile device players.

Customer Support

Customer Support is available 24/7 in a wide choice of languages to address any questions and concerns you might have. Live chat, phone, and email service are all offered.