Review
The growth of online gaming in New Zealand has attracted some of the biggest operators in the business and they come with dedicated services for players from this important market. Casino.com is definitely one of the big names and the URL shows this very well. Powered by Playtech, this casino online offers professional customer support, secure banking and nice promotions to go along with the full collection of games.
The site was launched in 2008 but the software and the gaming collection that comes with it have been updated frequently over the years to make sure that players get the best features. As a result, the website lobby is nicely organized and it is also very easy to switch over to a mobile device and still get the same high quality.
Casino.com is licensed in different jurisdictions but the one that applies to New Zealand is from Gibraltar. The Licensing Authority here regulates the operator and makes sure that it meets industry standards for security, game fairness and customer protection.
Registering and Downloading Casino Software
The registration process is fairly standard. There are big buttons for joining the online casino on the promotional banner and clicking one will prompt a different window with the form. Personal information regarding name, date of birth, phone number and address is needed on the first step. Then, the second page is for account details where users can select their username, password and currency.
Although the website features the games directly and players can just log in and bet real money securely here, the Casino.com review found the downloadable app to be a bit better for frequent bettors. The download is free and the app is very small so it will be completed very fast. Once installed, the casino icon will appear on the desktop of your Windows PC.
Casino.com NZ Gaming Options
The casino online definitely doesn’t disappoint when it comes to gaming options for New Zealanders. It has over 350 games available on the website and a few extra more for those who opt to download and install the casino software. Although most options are for slots, Casino.com actually has better variety than most other websites in the industry thanks to the many table games and casual options.
Slots
It is well known that online pokies are the most popular and Playtech really shows us why with its incredible games that look amazing and have very rewarding features. There are more than 230 slots games to check out at Casino.com. Some of the most popular ones are White King, Great Blue, Age of the Gods, Gladiator Jackpot and Iron Man 3.
Blackjack
Fans of 21 will find 10 different virtual blackjack games to try their latest strategies on. HD graphics and smooth animations make sure that the tables look very realistic and it is very easy to win nice sums here given the lower house edge of the game. Perfect Blackjack and Blackjack Progressive are recommended and there is also a Blackjack Multiplayer version.
Roulette
The variety of roulette games is actually impressive. You can find the classics and premium versions of both French and American roulette. 3D Roulette brings something new to the spinning wheel but the favourite seems to be Marvel Roulette since it combines the famous superheroes with the excitement of the game.
Video Poker
15 video poker machines await players. They can have different functions and up to 50 lines played at the same time. Check out Deuces Wild and Joker Poker for a fun experience.
Live Dealer Games
It wouldn't be a great Playtech online casino without some live games. The site shows 11 options that cover blackjack, roulette, baccarat and casino hold'em in different formats with the help of the professional croupiers shown via live video stream.
Casino.com Mobile Options
The various casino games are fun on computers but they can be even more entertaining when playing them on mobile devices. Casino.com Mobile comes with more than 130 optimized games which have pretty much the same themes as their desktop counterparts. The advantage here is that players can simply place their bets from smartphones and tablets and win real cash at any time they wish and from any place.
A good way of accessing the mobile casino is by entering Casino.com in the web browser. Since the platform is based in HTML5, the site will change to fit the device and the screen size, showing a dedicated lobby with the available games. Existing customers can use their credentials to log in and continue their gaming adventures.
While the instant play mobile casino works on Apple iPhone, iPad, BlackBerry, Samsung Galaxy, Windows Phone and other devices in the same category, there is also an option to download an exclusive app for iOS. It can be found on the Apple App Store and is free to install.
Bonuses and Promotions
Welcome Bonus
The welcome bonus offered by Casino.com will get newcomers in the mood for playing the awesome slots. On the first deposit, the casino will match the amount dollar for dollar up to NZ$400. No bonus code is needed and it is enough to just make a payment of at least NZ$10 to qualify. Once the amount is transferred to the account, the bonus funds will have to be wagered 40 times before they can be turned into real money.
If the welcome bonus is too small, there are seven reload bonuses waiting for registered customers that can make the total package worth a total of NZ$3,200. Users are given two options here and they can use the code RED to get a 100% bonus on a reload deposit up to NZ$400 with 40x wagering or the code BLACK for a 50% bonus up to NZ$400 with 20x wagering. The deposit has to be made on a Wednesday to be eligible and the bonus can be claimed seven times.
Also, when it comes to betting for the wagering requirements, it is good to know that not all games are included. Table games usually don’t contribute much and it is best to stick to slots games.
Loyalty rewards
Additional benefits and bonuses can be obtained by reaching a high level in the Casino.com loyalty program. Each tier requires a set amount of loyalty points earned by betting on the games and a minimum deposit total. The points can be exchanged for cash as well and the rate gets better as the tier gets higher. Other benefits for being a VIP include special bonuses, gifts, bigger withdrawal limits, faster banking transactions and more.
Customer Support & Licensing
Customer support can be obtained at any hour, day or night, by calling the provided phone number or by sending an email. The latter can be done from the online web form to make the process easier. The friendly agents will respond within 24 hours but you can expect a reply in just a few hours in most cases. A quicker option is by using the phone line but this can sometimes be busy. A drawback to the support service at Casino.com is that live chat is not a provided contact method.
When it comes to licensing, the operator has everything in order. It is a big name and operates in big markets so it gets a lot of attention from regulators and independent auditors. While it is nice to see that it has a license from the UK Gambling Commission, the one that should interest players from New Zealand is the license from the Gibraltar Gambling Commissioner.
The gaming options take care of the fun aspect while Casino.com uses strict security and privacy measures to make sure that its customers are protected at all times. This doesn’t just mean that the site is always locked and that connections are secure but also that banking transactions and personal details are encrypted.
Banking Options
Users will be able to choose from various popular payment methods by going to the cashier in the account. Skrill, EcoPayz and NETELLER are convenient and these web wallets have really become big in recent years. Of course, cards from MasterCard and Visa remain favourites among players from all over the world and it is always good to see them accepted at an online casino. New Zealand Dollars is one of the dozen currencies accepted that can be selected when registering.
While deposits are instant, withdrawals can take a few days to complete and it usually comes down to the chosen banking option used to cash out. The pending period for a withdrawal request can go up to 72 hours, after which web wallet transactions are done within 24 hours and cards can take three more days. Faster withdrawals can be done by getting a better VIP level and the perks that come with it.
Final Thoughts
In conclusion for the Casino.com review, players will be hard pressed to find a better online casino powered by Playtech. The software comes with many perks but the main ones are the impressive pokies that dive into the colourful themes to reach an unmatched level of detail. The quality also applies to the mobile casino where every customer can connect on the site from a smartphone or get the iOS app for easier access.
It is nice to see that the casino is not stingy with its welcome bonus and can give newcomers up to NZ$400 for free on the first deposit, plus a lot more on the following reload payments. And deposits are easy to make since there are multiple popular banking methods to choose from. All things considered, there are really no drawbacks to becoming a member of the casino online.
Hits
- Legitimate and licensed operator
- Hot pokies provided by Playtech
- Various promotions and loyalty rewards
Misses
- Live chat support not available
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