The Live Casino Experience Tested
A few years back, our job conducting casino reviews was much more difficult, mainly because there were more live dealer providers. Online casino operators were competing who will have the most diverse live dealer offer. Nowadays, it’s all about Evolution Gaming. Nevertheless, this doesn’t mean that we’re skipping this section. In our casino reviews, we talk about the:
- bet limits
- number of live dealer tables
- live casino bonuses
Although the “thumbnails” look the same, these are the parameters the operator can adjust.
However, the best live dealer casinos in the UK come with their exclusive tables. This is something that we think is extremely important and we point it out accordingly in the casino reviews. Having exclusive live dealer tables means the operator can organise and offer live casino game tournaments and live casino bonuses.
Playing Casino Games on Mobile
The United Kingdom casino market is privileged when it comes to mobile play. UK casino players are in an advantage over players from other regions because the casino apps are available in Google Play. The same applies to iOS users, and they can get these apps from the Apple App Store. We also do mobile casino reviews, but no separately. These sections are integrated within the casino reviews.
We prioritise the mobile user-experience. The diversity of mobile casino games is important, but nowadays it’s becoming irrelevant because all games have their mobile versions. Since these are UK mobile casino reviews, we also check for native apps. The casino apps which you can download from Google Play and the Apple App store are called native apps. In general, most mobile casino players first use the web app, and if they like what they see, then they proceed to downloading the app. This is something we recommend as well.
A thing worth pointing out is that mobile casino sites in the UK have advanced so much that the native app is considered obsolete. Web apps are optimised to perfection performing to the same level as native apps.
Online Casino Payment Terms Reviewed
Experienced casino players know that depositing at UK online casinos is not a problem, but withdrawals can become one. Online casino operators proudly boast the deposit limits, the terms and the options you have at your disposal. However, you won’t find the withdrawal terms featured on any page, except the FAQs, and the general terms and conditions. Some UK online casinos have dedicated pages on their withdrawal policy.
Some bits are fixed, but others, while important, can be changed at the operator’s discretion. This is where our online casino reviews come into place. In most cases, there’s an issue with low withdrawal limits, or we know of complications that arise with the KYC down the road.
In addition, we recommend a payment method as well. There are some hidden terms, mainly fees which amount to a lot in the long run. One of the differences between our UK casino reviews and ones that are non-UK is the focus on PayPal. UK casinos that accept PayPal are a safe pick for a number of reasons. The one we like to point out is PayPal’s Customer Protection.
We have to point out the recent growth of Apple Pay at UK online casinos. Although available to Apple product users, it adds another convenient option to UK casino’s arsenal of payment methods.
Customer Support Approach
We use our casino reviews as an opportunity to take the customer support system for a test spin. The online casino customer support needs to be available, ideally 24 hours a day. As transparent as they are, issues do arise and often they need to be resolved instantly. This is exactly why we cover the working hours of a casino’s customer service department. And if we want to provide the best UK casino reviews, we need to reflect on the customer support open hours in the UK.
We also take a look at the various channels. Our casino reviews usually tick all of the boxes in this area. An online casino should be reachable across all major channels, including email, live chat and over the phone. FAQs are often overlooked but they too can be of help to your gaming experience.
In our experience, a few UK casinos don’t make their contact information accessible to all players. We provide all of the contact information including the phone number and e-mail address. If it's a review of a UK casino, the details provided apply to UK customers.
Live Chat Overview
As a general rule, live chat tends to be the go-to customer support channel. If available, we always do a live chat test as part of our casino review. We look to see how helpful the agents are as well as the response time. No one wants to wait for hours to get some form of feedback.
Of course, we take into account the type of casino. In our new casino reviews for instance, where they are still building a player base, round the clock support is not always necessary. Casinos that target a wider audience, on the other hand, must make themselves available 24 hours a day. Each casino review is specific to the actual situation of the casino site.
Security Cannot Be Compromised
The one and only pre-condition for any online casino to be showcased as a UK online casino is to bear the seal of the UK Gambling Commission. Without it, the casino’s operations are illegal in the UK and should not be considered. Over the past 20 years, the UKGC has made steps in the right direction, becoming a role model for other regulators.
In the security section of our UK casino reviews, you can always find a reference to the casino’s licence number, and whether it’s valid. This way, you’re only a click away from checking the recent track record and if there have been any sanctions or penalties against the operator.
Besides the track record and if the operator still holds the UKGC licence, we also talk about:
- Third-party software audits
- Responsible gambling tools and mechanisms
- Discrepancies in the general terms and conditions (terms of use)
- Any awards the operator might have won
- Special tools that improve player’s safety
- KYC policy terms
Carrying out UK casino reviews is much easier compared to reviewing their international counterparts. In some instances, the UK casino version is different from the international one to a point, it acts like a different online casino. However, to you as an online casino player from the UK, this is completely irrelevant.
Responsible Gambling
Fortunately, responsible gambling mechanisms and player support are mandatory in the UK. This makes our job reviewing online casinos much easier. Nevertheless, we still go through all the tools and policies, both in the UK casino reviews, and the ones that apply to other regions.
Having fun playing casino games can easily turn into irresponsible gambling. The UKGC made this a law, so players can have some sort of safety net. Needless to say, it’s our duty to advise moderate gaming. If you’re even in the slightest dilemma, it’s worth taking a step back and evaluating your gaming habits. All online casinos that hold a UK licence can be held accountable if they fail to conduct a KYC procedure, by accident or on purpose. We do not go in great detail in reviews of UK online casinos, only because we know that the UKGC is there to take action if necessary.
Casino Reviews Beyond the UK
Our main focus at Casinocountdown are our UK casino reviews. But you may have already noticed that we also list gaming sites from other regions. This isn't just a case of different licences, players from other areas of the world have individual tastes too.
Casino games are one area where you can expect to see these differences. Casino sites in Australia, for instance, are subject to certain restrictions. We see alternative software providers in this particular region, the likes of IGTech and Betsoft Gaming. Another example are our Thailand casino reviews where you'll come across names like SA Gaming and Asia Gaming. These Asian live casino providers are also big in other markets including casino sites in Malaysia.
We also mentioned region-specific payment methods earlier on. Interac, iDebit and INSTADEBIT, for instance, are popular with casino players from Canada. Then there’s Australia and the popular voucher style option, Neosurf. We are also starting to see a surge in casinos that accept bitcoin. They allow players to remain anonymous and are particularly popular in Asian markets.
FAQs
What is the most trusted online casino?
Any of our UK casino reviews must
abide by the fundamental security measures before getting the green light from us. You can rest assured that all of the ones listed on the page are safe. We do, however, suggest checking back to
our list of the best casino reviews for the top-rated options.
How do you know if an online casino is legit?
There are certain elements that you must look for to ensure that an online casino is legit. A
UKGC casino licence is always the first place to start. Of course, there are many other aspects but we point this out in
our security section on this page.
Why should I trust your casino reviews?
Our team of experts have
reviewed over 300 online casinos. We promise to base our ratings on the facts. If you have your doubts, you can always refer back to the operator. We also provide more details about
how we go about our casino reviews on this page.
Do online casinos actually pay out?
Licensed online casinos follow strict ruleset and laws, and they have to pay out all winnings to their respective customers. Failing to pay out player’s winnings results in investigation conducted by the UK Gambling Commission. Besides heavy fines, the Gambling Commission can revoke the operator’s licence immediately.
