Review of 888 Casino

888 Casino (formerly known as Casino-On-Net) is operated by Cassava Enterprises Ltd. and is headquartered in Gibraltar. The online casino was launched in 1997, and is one of the longest running online casinos in the world today. The business has grown to incorporate poker, sports betting, bingo and assorted games, and even a 3D styled casino in recent years. We assume the domain name was picked due to the association held with good luck by the number 8 in many cultures, particularly in Asia.

Games and software

Players can choose between playing for fun or for real money, and between a software download for PC users, or playing via their web browser using a flash interface. The flash interface proves handy for Mac users, and unlike the vast majority of online casinos, 888 Casino specifically advertises it's Mac-friendliness. However to experience all the games 888 has to offer, you will need to install the downloadable PC-only software, as not all the games are available in a flash version, and play in the "888 Games" section of the website which features frankly better games from third party developers. The website’s interface is crisp, simple, and attractive.

The games at 888 are developed in house through a company known as Random Logic, and through external suppliers such as Net Entertainment and WMS Gaming which are only available under the "888 Games" part of the website. It is fair to say that the in house games are showing their age these days, and they are nowhere near as polished as the 3rd party offerings. However 888 has decided to hand pick a limited selection of games from WMS and Net Ent, so if those are the only games you are interested in, you will find a far bigger selection at most other casinos that have those games. A big variety of card and table games are present. They offer blackjack, poker, and roulette to name a few. One unique feature among their card games is that you can play in private, public or group tables, and you can reserve a table to play with your friends. A chat feature is also available so you can talk with other players.

Slots lovers are certainly not overlooked, and 888 features several with large progressive jackpots. The largest of the jackpots is usually the Millionaire Genie Slot jackpot, which often sits in seven figure territory. There are also progressive video poker, Caribbean Stud poker, and other slot jackpots on offer (see list on this page).

Security, fairness and accountability

888 Casino's payout rates and random number generator software are regularly audited by an independent third party and the results are published on their website for all to see. The casino is also accredited by eCOGRA, an organisation that ensures that casinos operate in a fair and honest manner before awarding their seal of approval. This level of transparency is just what you want to see when deciding whether to place your cash into an online gaming establishment, and you can feel reassured that you will enjoy fair and random games when playing there.

However we must warn players that 888 is very strict when it comes to enforcing its terms and conditions, particularly in relation to wins made off bonuses. There have been several complaints in the past of players being denied winnings due to violation of ill-defined "spirit of the bonus" and "bonus abuse" clauses. In addition, the casino refuses to engage with third party mediation services such as ours, other than the official channels such as the Gibraltar Regulatory Authority or eCOGRA.

Banking and Support

As you would expect from a top tier online gambling site, there are many and varied ways to transact with this casino. They accept the usual credit card payment methods along with various e-wallets, wire transfers, and gift cards among others. See the full list elsewhere on this page. Withdrawals are simply not processed quick enough for my liking though, especially for such an experienced and presumably well-funded casino. My most recent withdrawals here took four days to be sent through to my Neteller account, despite the fact that I have had an account there for years.

Customer service can be contacted through email, live chat, and a toll free number. What is convenient is that some countries have their own toll free number to contact, saving you on having to pay long distance call rates. The support personnel are competent but as stated above, unlikely to assist you in the event of a bonus related dispute.