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888casino Review – How This Online Casino Performed

As one of the biggest names in the gambling industry, this operator is no doubt familiar to our readers. Our 888casino reviews put this site to the test to see if its games, mobile casino, and customer service meet our expectations. We’ll also investigate and explain everything you need to know about the welcome bonus that is up for grabs.

Welcome Bonus Up to £200
Casino Games Over 300 games
Games Library: Only a few blackjack games
Overall 4.5 out of 5.0
First-time depositors • Min deposit £10 • Claim within 48 hours • Expires in 90 days • 30X wagering • Valid on selected slots • UK and Ireland only • Full T&Cs apply
Main Criteria of the Review:
Derek Shields
Author:Derek ShieldsSignature
UKGC
Gibraltar Gambling Commissioner
Bonus Terms & Conditions Checked
  • A smaller image of an 888casino live dealer handing out cards for a game of baccarat
  • A small image of the 888 slot game Guns n' Roses
  • The 888casino website screenshot with details on a number of slot games.

The 888casino Games Library Overview

The game selection here is not as massive as at William Hill, but it is well-rounded. The nearly 250 slots includes jackpot slots, as well as modern video slots alongside classic reels. The card and table game selection boasts staples like roulette and blackjack, as well as more than a dozen video poker games, plus some Keno and baccarat. Though the selection of video blackjack games is relatively slim, the live section really stands out.

Overview of Games Selection
350+ Casino Gameswith great payout rates
The Game Categories
Slot Games 195
Table Games 36
Live Dealer Games 89
Games for iOS & Android 60
Progressive Jackpots 35
The testing auditor eCOGRA has confirmed in a certificate that the payout rate is over 96%.

Slots

As with the majority of the online casino operators, the bulk of 888casino’s game library is made up of slot games. These are a favourite among millions of UK gamblers both online and in bricks-and-mortar casinos thanks to their simplicity and flashy exterior, rather than any substantial strategy or gameplay features. What’s important with slot games is to have a wide variety of both classic, video and jackpot slot games with a great payout rate – more on that below.

When talking about slot game variety, the most obvious variance is on the incredible types of themes available. Slot games aren’t just your typical Fruit Machines any more – though those are still popular. Now, there are music, tv and movie-themed games based on everything from Michael Jackson to Evangelion. There are a large number of casino software developers that design different types of slot games, some inventing their own unique characters or including fun added features like bonus games, gamble or multipliers.

Popular Slots at 888casino
  • The Twin Spin slot game on 888casino
  • The Starburst slot game on 888casino
  • The Wild Saloon slot game on 888casino
  • The Bonanza slot game on 888casino
  • The French Reelvolution slot game on 888casino
  • The Harmonium slot game on 888casino
  • The Nightmare on Elm Street slot game on 888casino
  • The Sakura Fortune slot game on 888casino

Huge Prize Pools from Progressive Jackpots

£750.000,00

Another incredibly popular style of slot game is the progressive jackpot. 888casino stands out for its large number of jackpot slots, which at 35 different games is one of the larger collections we’ve seen out there. Of those 35 games, 32 are exclusive to the 888casino, so if you’ve got your heart set on chasing the huge payouts from Millionaire Genie or Rise of the Pharaohs, 888casino is your only option. There’s something of a circular logic to the jackpot games: the more people that play the game chasing the huge prize pool, the bigger it grows, which in turn attracts more people to the slot. Pretty clever, but keep in mind that the return to player (RTP) percentage of progressive jackpot slots is usually much lower than most standard slot games to make up for the size of the winnings, which can go into the millions.

Popular Card and Table Games

Aside from slot games, casinos of all kinds are well known for their card and table games, so any online casino worth its salt will be sure to have a selection of poker, blackjack and roulette games at the bare minimum. With only 33 titles, the 888casino table games portfolio is a little on the small size for a casino of this calibre. There are only six types of blackjack available, and only two versions of Baccarat. Roulette stands a little better with 10 options, but the star in the table games offering are the video poker options. Still a seemingly low number of 13, this is actually a lot more than much of the competition. Many of the video poker games are exclusive to 888casino, including a Clash of the Titans-themed Tens or Better variant, of all things.

Popular Table & Card Games at 888casino
Roulette (10) Blackjack Variants (6) Other Games (17)
European Roulette Multihand Blackjack Baccarat
American Roulette American Blackjack Keno
Deal or No Deal Roulette Super Stakes Blackjack Casino Hold’em
Super Stakes Roulette Single Deck Blackjack Jacks or Better
French Roulette Pontoon Aces and Faces

The 888casino Live Games

Live casino games are something of a compromise between a land-based casino, where you can find other real humans playing, and dealing table and card games. They let you stay in the comfort and privacy of your own home, while also putting a real human dealer in the mix, and digitally connecting other players through the internet to ‘sit’ at the same table and play simultaneously. The live 888casino games come from leading live gaming software developer, Evolution Gaming, which has been crowned the Live Casino Supplier of the Year for the ninth time in a row at the 2018 EGR B2B Awards. Another interesting point about the 888casino live games is that they count towards the welcome bonus wagering terms and conditions, which is pretty rare.

Playing at 888casino from Anywhere

After online casinos moved our gaming habits back inside the house from the days of actually going to a casino, mobile casinos now take our gaming habits literally everywhere we go. The 888casino mobile app allows you to access around 60 of its games, which is significantly less than the full availability on the desktop version. Luckily, all of the live games are available, as are the popular slot games Starburst and Gonzo’s Quest. Instead, it’s the non-live table games that have been predominantly pared away. This isn’t necessarily a bad thing, as there’s no need to clog up your phone with a huge download full of games you won’t play, but it could certainly provide some disappointment should your favourite title not be available.

The 888casino App
  • 60+ mobile casino games
  • For iOS and Android devices
  • Fits all sizes from smartphone to tablet
An image of a smartphone showing the 888casino mobile app in use 888casino Qr Code

The app is available for both iOS and Android devices, and you can also access the 888casino website through a browser on your smartphone or tablet. Either way, the offering is optimised for the smaller touchscreen functionality, with a user-friendly design that feels natural in your hands. So, whether you want to spin the reels while you’re on the tube or while you’re lying back on the couch, the 888 mobile casino app will be a pleasant experience.

Unique and Special Games

Outside of the realms of slots, table and card games, there are a few other decidedly less popular types that are starting to pop up more and more at online casinos. Far from the traditional casino games, we’re talking things like scratch cards, lottery or arcade games. 888casino has none of these cluttering up its library, sticking only to the most popular games. That being said, it does have over 60 exclusive slot titles and a handful of exclusive table games, so it certainly holds its own when it comes to unique options.

Payout Rates and Table Limits

After discussing how the different themes and gameplay features offer variety, we begin to start looking at some of the more specific nuances of the games within each category. There are deeper variables, like table limits and RTPs that sound a lot less interesting to talk about than bonus games, but they actually have a much bigger impact on the way you play, and how often you win. Understanding your own budget is the first step to identifying if a casino’s table limits suit you, as only you can decide if 888casino’s minimum bet of £1 on blackjack is low enough for you, or conversely, if £10,000 is high enough. There are casinos that offer much higher maximum bets, but 888’s table limit range is wide enough to meet the needs of the majority of online gamblers in the UK.

Limits & RTP at 888casino
Assessment RTP & Limits Casino Games (without Live Games) Limits Min/Max RTPs
The great spread in table limits provides betting options for all budgets, apart from the really, really high rollers. Slots 1p – £500 93.30% – 97.15%
Roulette 50p – £2,000 94.70% – 97.30%
Blackjack £1 – £10,000 99.40% – 99.60%
Other Table Games £1 – £1,000 97.30% – 99.70%
Video Poker 5p – £150 96.40% – 99.30%
Scratch Cards 0%
Arcade Games 0%

The RTP rates for every online casino game should be tested by an independent authority such as eCOGRA to certify that they are fair for the player. The 888casino games have produced good RTP results, which you can see in the table above. The average RTP of a slot game online is usually between 92% and 96%, so being a percentage higher on both ends of that scale is a good sign. There’s generally not a lot of wiggle room with roulette games, which are a standard at 97.30%, so if you’re choosing to play roulette at 888casino, make sure you check that you’re not playing at one with a lower RTP.

888casino Bonus Offers at a Glance

The types of bonuses and promotions that an online casino offers is one of the most competitive ways that they can try to capture your attention. The deals vary wildly from casino to casino, so it’s always good to see if you can get a little extra something when signing up to a new operator. 888 has a number of different welcome bonuses on offer at the moment, which we’ll describe below.

Lots of Welcome Bonus Offers to Choose From

There are several perks to joining 888casino – namely thanks to the site’s plethora of bonus offers and promotions. First off, prospective members might be convinced by the 200% deposit match bonus, which will give you up to £200 extra to play with. You’ll be able to claim this 888casino welcome bonus when you sign up for an account, and in our experience the extra cash will be deposited into your account within around 10 minutes. You won’t need any bonus codes for this offer, but there are a number of other types of terms and conditions when claiming wins on the bonus cash.

In looking after the high rollers, there are also an 888casino live casino bonuses to look after those bigger spenders. When playing live blackjack at the operator between 1 AM and 1 PM, you can win up to £1200. However, if roulette is your primary choice, make sure to place best there as well – you can win £8 if the ball falls on that same number. Apart from that, there are also other promotions on the 1st and 21st of every month but there is one offer that steals the spotlight. On top of these offers, you are entitled to a no-deposit bonus of 88 free spins. The free spins you’ll get upon registration can be used on select slot games.

Daily Deals and Loyalty Programs

Once you’ve settled in, you’ll be happy to know that there are other thrilling promotions available for returning players. Keep an eye out for monthly specials or seasonal promotions to get the most out of your play time, and use the Daily Deals to win FreePlay or cashback prizes! Other VIP, live, or game-related specials are also available, and they change with great frequency, so make sure to browse through the sites ‘Promotions’ section to find the best offer for you.

These Daily Deals do make 888casino stand out a lot from the competition, as many other operators only have one welcome bonus on offer. Having other special events and daily deals is something to reward a player’s loyalty, because there’s really nothing stopping you from changing casinos once the welcome deal has been claimed. There is also an actual loyalty system where you automatically earn ‘Comp Points’ with every Pound you spend, which can then be converted into cash.

A screenshot of the 888casino promotions page showing the welcome bonus options and some hot promotions

There are a lot of bonus options at 888casino for you to choose between, which are constantly changing.

The Bonus Fine Print

Of course, no company ever stayed in business by just handing out money to anyone who asked for it. There are specific terms and conditions for each deal, which vary slightly on their wagering and playthrough requirements, game contributions and length of validity. For example, with the Welcome Bonus offer you’ll need to deposit at least £20 to qualify and wager the bonus amount 30 times.

Different games are subject to varying wagering percentages, with slots being the most favourable at 100%. So, a single spin of a slot reel will reduce your wagering requirement of 30 by one. However, a game of roulette will only count 20% towards your wagering requirement, so it will take five games to reduce that 30x requirement by one. This is a standard type of condition across pretty much every online casino operator, however the wagering contributions do vary wildly between operators. 888casino bonus requirements are one of only few that we have seen that will acknowledge bets on live games – even though only 10% per game, not including low risk bets like the red/black option in roulette games.

You have 90 days to meet these requirements, or all of the bonus money and any winnings will be forfeit. If you make a mistake and try to withdraw the bonus and any winning before you’ve actually met all of these requirements, the bonus cash and any winnings will, again, be forfeit. Everything in this table is specifically referring to the standard welcome bonus, and the terms and conditions may vary for different types of bonus. For example, the second to fifth deposits in the Premium Player Package need only be wagered three times, not 30.

How to Deposit and Withdraw Funds to Your Account

To be able to gamble on 888casino and win real cash, you’ll first need to add some of your own hard-earned money to your 888casino player account. This is a very easy process at 888 as getting its hands on your money is essentially its whole business model. Thus, it has a lot of different payment methods that you can choose from, all with different pros and cons. The excellent thing about 888 is that there areno fees charged by the operator to add or withdraw funds to your account, though it’s always important to check whether your method of choice charges its own fees. Although most of the deposits will be instantly transferred into your player wallet, the times can vary between methods. So, if you’re looking to make use of the Premium Player Package, you’ll have to ensure you use an instant transfer method.

Payment Options at 888casino
Payment Method Type Min. Deposit Max. Deposit Duration Transfer Time Fees*
Visa Card £20 £3,000 Instant 8 days
MasterCard Card £20 £3,000 Instant 8 days
Maestro Card £20 £3,000 Instant 8 days
Diners Club Card £20 £3,000 Instant 10 days
Entropay Prepaid card £20 £9,000 Instant 5-6 days
PayPal eWallet £20 £1,500 Instant 4-5 days
Skrill eWallet £20 £10,000 Instant 4-5 days
Neteller eWallet £20 £10,000 Instant 4-5 days
Paysafecard Prepaid card £20 £1,000 Instant
Fast Bank Transfer Bank transfer £20 £500 1-3 business days
Bank Transfer Bank transfer £20 £3,000 Up to 10 business days 7-10 days
Wire Transfer Bank transfer £20 £3,000 Up to 5 business days 7-10 days
iCheck Method £20 £9,000 Instant/No. Day/s

As you can see in the table above, the withdrawal times are much longer than the deposit times. While this is one of the drawbacks of an online casino, it does make sense from the casino’s point of view and is unfortunately standard across the board. Just make sure you begin the process with enough time on your hands if you need the money back in your own bank. You can make your first deposit as soon as you have created your account, however make sure you keep in mind that you will need to verify your identity before the first withdrawal is possible. You’ll need a couple of things to do so, including a photo ID and proof that you’re living in Britain. This is all to meet age verification and anti-money laundering requirements as part of the UK UK Licencing rules, so it’s nothing personal – everyone gets checked.

The Software and Website User Experience

Although almost all online casinos rely on independent software developers to create the casino games, 888 has its own software company under the corporation’s umbrella to power its website. The company, Dragonfish, is responsible for creating a solid chunk of the games on 888, such as the Millionaire Genie and A Nightmare on Elm Street jackpot slot games. This is why the casino has so many exclusive games under its belt, and truly makes it stand out from the rest of the competition. Of course, no online casino can be completely stocked from a single developer. Much like rival sites Mr Green and Casumo, 888 live casino is powered by Evolution Gaming, and you’ll also find a number of popular titles from leading developer, NetEnt. The games are all easy to find thanks to the website’s crisp and clear layout, with excellent filtering options to help you narrow your search and find the game you’re really looking for.

A screenshot of the 888casino website showing a selection of slot games.

The simple layout of the 888 website makes it easy to find your favourite games.

Customer Support

Our experiences with the customer service at 888 have been, across the board, pleasant, prompt, and professional. Most of your questions will already be able to be answered thanks to the comprehensive FAQ section. Should you need to ask anything more specific then you can either email, free phone, or use the live chat to contact a customer service representative. All three methods are available 24/7 and will be able to help you out in a short amount of time. For fastest responses, we’d suggest making a call or using the live chat, as our trial email first received a form reply that contact would be made soon, however there was instant communication through the chat.

Security and Scam Protection

In every business, there are dodgy dealers looking to take advantage of naïve citizens. The good news is that you’re not one of those, as we can give you all of the information you need to know to make an informed decision. In the UK, we’re pretty lucky to have a dedicated regulatory body, the UK Gambling Commission (UKGC), that enforces security and fairness rules across licenced casinos like 888casino.

The 888casino Website
A screenshot of the 888casino website showing the Gambling Commission, GambleAware, GamStop, and HM Government of Gibraltar logos.
Licence & Security Information
Regulatory Authority United Kingdom Gambling Commission
Licence Number 39028
RTP & RNG Audit eCOGRA
Player Protection GamStop GambleAware
Owner of Website Cassava Enterprises Ltd
Network Security 128-bit SSL encryption

Licencing & Technical Auditing

There are a lot of boxes an online casino must check off in order to earn a licence from the UKGC, and these requirements are constantly being reviewed and tightened by the regulatory body. This includes the underage gambling and anti-money laundering rules – and that’s just the start. The random number-generated (RNG) games must have their RTP certified by an independent agency – in 888’s case, that’s from eCOGRA – which guarantees the fairness of the game. On top of that, the casino must have its website’s network security and encryption guaranteed, as well as having partnerships with responsible gambling associations, such as GambleAware and GamStop. There are countless other hoops to jump through, but 888 has cleared them all and holds a licence from not just the UKGC, but also the Gibraltar Remote Gambling Division. These licence numbers for 888 are easily available on the UKGC website and in this licence from Gibraltar.

More Information About 888casino

With over two decades in the online casino scene, 888casino has spent a long time building its reputation for being a high quality, safe and reputable online casino that you can trust. It’s not all talk either, the company has also won a plethora of industry awards including Casino Operator of the Year 2013 from the EGR B2B awards, Digital Operator of the Year from the Global Gaming Awards in 2014 and The Casino Operator of the Year 2015 from newswire, Gaming Intelligence.

The 888 Holdings group was listed on the London Stock Exchange in 2005, as the umbrella company that also includes the retro-themed 777 online casino, and 888games, the operator’s instant-only casino games site. 2005 was a big year for the holdings company, which was also when it became a founding member of the game fairness regulator, eCOGRA. The organisation is also a strong supporter of the International Medical Corps UK, which provides worldwide disaster relief.

888Casino
Company Name 888casino
Owner of the Website Cassava Enterprises Ltd.
Founded 1997
Registration Number UKGC 39028
Address 601-701 Europort, Gibraltar
Stock Market Listing London Stock Exchange
Telephone N/A

Online Casino Basics for Beginners

If you’ve come this far in our 888casino review and are starting to think that the offering is sounding pretty good, then you’ll be looking for the first steps in how to get this whole scenario started. In the following section, we’ll take you through the surprisingly easy process of getting yourself up and going on the 888casino, from making an account, to making your first deposit.

Making a Player Account

Signing up for an account at any online casino is incredibly simple, as all operators understand that this is a major stumbling block between citizens becoming customers. The 888casino registration process only takes about a minute to complete three steps. The first step is the introduction and sharing some basic information like your name – plus some further details like your email, date of birth and gender, for some reason. The second step is to invent a username, which is where you can be really creative. It can be whatever you want, as long as it’s unique among all users on the site. Write a secure password and put together a security question and that’s step two complete. The third and final step is your home address and contact number. Make sure you use your real details here as you will need to show proof later when you want to make a withdrawal. Then your account is complete and you’re ready to make a deposit.

How to Make Your First Deposit

When you’ve made the choice to add some funds to your 888casino player account, the first thing to do is click the shiny Cashier button on the top right-hand corner of the website. You’ll need to be logged in to your account. There, a number of options as outlined in the payment table above will be offered to you in your selected currency. Select your preferred deposit method from the options at the top, and then follow the two-step process outlined in the window below. On your first deposit, if you are looking to activate the Premium Player Package you will need to select the small giftbox icon and enter the bonus code Welcome1. If you forget to do so, you will miss out on that opportunity.

FAQ

Can I play blackjack at 888casino?

Definitely. There is a selection of video-only options, as well as live blackjack games as powered through leading developer, Evolution Gaming.

Is there a no-deposit bonus at the casino?

Yes, there are actually a number of 888casino bonuses to choose from. Check out the dedicated section on bonuses further up the page for more details.

Are there any fees for making withdrawals from the casino?

No matter which payment method you use, all deposits and withdrawals from the site are free of charge.

Conclusion: A Well-Rounded Gambling Spot

As one of the most recognisable names on the online gambling market, 888casino has kept the attention of countless of players worldwide not only with a diverse selection of games, but also with fantastic live and mobile solutions. The bonuses for new players as well as existing members are diverse and favourable, and a big plus is the chance to get a glimpse of the casino before you deposit any money of your own – you can play for free money while getting to know the 888casino gaming environment. Together with good customer service, user-friendliness and, of course, up-to-date licencing and regulatory measures, you can be sure you’re playing at a good online gaming destination.

Conclusion & Rating
4.5 out of 5.0
Strengths & Weaknesses of 888casino
  • Lots of bonus options
  • Lots of payment methods
  • Award-winning website
  • Small games library
  • Not many poker games
888casino lives up to the strong reputation it has built over 20 years.
AuthorDerek Shields

There is not a lot to fault about the 888casino offering, when you look at what it has to provide as a whole. There are lots of different bonus options with terms and conditions that are standard to the industry, and a safe and solid reputation. The only thing we’d like to see is a bigger games library – at only 300 or so games, the portfolio is much smaller than the likes of William Hill Casino, which has a lot more table games. Also, Mr Green shines for its huge games library so it that’s a deal-breaker for you, you’ll have to head to the green man.

Recommended Alternative to 888casino
  • Large games library
  • Lots of software developers