Casino Site Expert Review: PartyCasino Casino

History

Party Casino was launched in 2006. It was part of the huge PartyGaming on line gambling brand which, prior to the legal issues surrounding online gambling by players based in the US, also had the world’s largest online poker brand – PartyPoker. In 2011 PartyGaming merged with Bwin Interactive Entertainment AG to form a new company, Bwin.Party Digital Entertainment plc, which is the world’s largest publically traded online gaming brand. It has its headquarters in Gibraltar and is listed on the London Stock Exchange and, with revenues of over £800 million, you can be reassured that you are dealing with a company that takes its responsibilities and duties to its customers very seriously indeed.

Casino Website

The PartyCasino website has an appealing blue background with the main focus being on the centrally-placed and colourfully eye-catching game images. It is clear and easy to use, though maybe there’s a bit too much information as you do have to scroll down to see everything. At the top of the screen you’ll find your account details and above this in small lettering are links to the other company sites in case you’re tempted by some more Poker or Bingo! You also have links to customer support, promotions and your loyalty points – everything you need to access. The centre of the page has the colourful games icons, with a simple menu to the left divided up into New, Top Games, Slots, Progressives, Blackjack/Roulette, Table Games, Video Poker/Games. All-in-all it’s a nice looking and easy-to-navigate site. Maybe it could be more compact, but everything you need is in the top half of the page so it’s no big deal.

Software

PartyCasino is one of the very few on line casinos around that uses its own custom software. For this reason you are guaranteed a different playing experience from other online casinos. The games are slightly more limited than with some of the other specialist software providers but, with all the usual games you’d expect including table games, card games, slots and poker available, you won’t be in short supply! There are over 160 casinos games in total and, allied with the fact that membership of PartyCasino automatically gives you access to their sister sites such as PartyPoker and PartyBingo, you will actually have access to a very wide range of games, none of which you will find elsewhere. There are download and instant play versions of the casino available, with the download version having some extra games.

Live Casino

There is a live dealer section offering Roulette, Blackjack and Baccarat. Only Mac and Linux users can use the instant play version though, with other operating system users having to download the casino software. You have the choice of choosing from Live Dealer or Live Dealer Macau. The only difference, however, is in the interface ‘skin’, with different colour schemes to give an Asian versus a Western feel - all games are in fact broadcast from the same studio in Riga, Latvia. There is quite a wide choice of dealers and tables available 24/7, with some tables restricted to VIPs and high rollers.

Customer Support

Support is comprehensive and available 24/7. The quickest and most convenient way to contact them is via their live-chat facility – you simply type a question and a customer service representative will get back to you as soon as possible, usually very quickly. There are also toll-free numbers available for well over thirty countries, including the UK. Or you can email them if you’re not in a rush or would like a written reply. There is also a good FAQ section which covers most of the simpler queries you may have about the casino and how it works.

Payment Methods

All the major deposit methods are accepted, and PartyCasino is one of the few casinos where you can currently use Paypal. Other methods include debit and credit cards, Skrill/Moneybookers, Neteller, Ukash, Paysafecard, Bank/Wire Transfer and Western Union. They have a useful Quick Deposit option which allows you to fund your account directly during a game: this is available when you have already used that deposit option successfully, and means you don’t have to go to the cashier to top-up. Withdrawal methods include most of the above deposit options, including debit/credit cards, Paypal, Skrill/Moneybookers and Neteller, and you can also receive your money by cheque in the post. Withdrawals by e-wallets are often made on the same day, which is very quick in relation to many other sites, although some methods do attract a fee so it’s worth checking this out with, for example, Visa and MasterCard attracting a £1.50 fee.

Safety and Security

PartyCasino is a member of the European Gaming and Betting Association, which aims to promote fair play and responsibility within the market of licensed EU operators. As a condition of their membership they adhere to a strict code of conduct in relation to consumer choice and protection. Their accreditation by eCogra covers the safety of monetary deposits, and the Gibraltar Gambling Commissioner also ensures that strict standards in relation to consumer privacy and protection are adhered to. The sites uses 128-bit encryption, provided by Thawte Security, to ensure the safety and privacy of your personal information.

Licence

The casino operates under a license issued in the jurisdiction of Gibraltar, and is regulated by the Gibraltar Gambling Commissioner. Gibraltar has some of the highest standards in the world in the regulation of gambling, and features on the UK government’s prestigious White List of overseas gambling authorities which adhere to its stringent regulatory expectations.

Reliability & Fairness

PartyCasino, as part of such a large and reputable international company, takes its reputation very seriously. To ensure that their reputation for high standards is maintained they employ the services of two companies to ensure the fairness and reliability of their games. They have been awarded accreditation by eCogra for fair gaming, the safety of monetary deposits, and honest and responsible behaviour. They also have their games tested monthly by iTech Labs to ensure the fairness and reliability of their payouts and the use of their random number generator.

Social Engagement

As part of the European Gaming and Betting Association PartyCasino is committed to promoting responsible and fair gambling with consumer protection as a high priority. It’s always reassuring when the company you are dealing with is not just in existence to separate you from your money, and PartyCasino does seem to realise that a good experience for their customers is beneficial to them too. Their parent company, Bwin.Party, is very well known for its sports sponsorship activities, sponsoring teams and tournaments throughout Europe in many sports including MotoGP, basketball and football, including sponsoring the world famous football teams AC Milan and Real Madrid. They also provide support to many charities and local community projects, such as the Red Cross, Children’s Cancer Research and Great Ormond Street Hospital.

Mobile / Tablets

PartyCasino does not yet have a mobile casino which means you won’t be able to play on the move but will have to sit back, maybe get yourself a drink, and enjoy playing your favourite games in a slightly more relaxed environment!

Free Demo Play

Most games are available in play money mode. You are automatically awarded play money when you create an account and this can be used to play the games, and will be replenished when necessary. This is an excellent way to practice and familiarise yourself with games before moving on to playing with real money.

Promotions and bonuses

Partycasino offers different welcome bonuses depending on which games you prefer to play. For slots players there is a headline bonus of up to £750, with a 100% deposit bonus up to £750 on each of your first deposit. For roulette players there is a 100% first deposit bonus of £250. The wagering requirements for the slots players are quite good, it being necessary to bet 20x the bonus and deposit within 30 days, and the requirements for the roulette are 30x wagering of the bonus within 30 days of the deposit. There are many others bonuses which change regularly, such as specific bonuses attached to playing certain games or playing at certain times. There are also rewards for referring a friend.

Loyalty Scheme

There is a points-based loyalty scheme like you find at many other casinos, called PartyPoints. These loyalty points are accumulated as you bet, with different betting amounts required depending on the game you play. Once you have enough points you can buy rewards from their store, including cash, gift certificates, tournament entries, and even more bonuses. This is a fairly rare way to operate a loyalty points system and offers you great flexibility in deciding exactly what you want. PartyCasino also promises to reward your loyalty with its Monthly Players’ Bonus. This is a bonus which is tailored to suit the individual customer and is based on their previous play. It could be cash or free spins or many other types of bonus – it all depends on how you’ve played!

VIP Scheme

There is a premium service offered to the most valuable players called Palladium VIP. Achieving this level can entitle you to various benefits such as free cashouts, 24/7 support from a dedicated VIP team, birthday presents, exclusive VIP games, and much more. Before this are four other levels in the VIP scheme – Bronze, Silver, Gold, Palladium. You access these levels based on the PartyPoints you accumulate.

Pros

• Their own software means you’re guaranteed a unique experience
• Security of dealing with the world’s biggest gaming company
• Flexible loyalty points scheme allows you choose the bonuses you want

Cons

• Strict conditions attached to some bonuses
• No mobile casino
• Charges on some withdrawal methods

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