Expert review by Matthew West
Ladbrokes Casino, established back in 2000, was one of the first online gaming venues of its kind. Over the years the company has gone from strength to strength, incorporating an ever-widening array of games into its site. Nowadays, players are spoilt for choice with so many options available to them. The site itself is bright, fun and supremely easy to navigate – even if there are a lot of menus to go through! However, this does mean that players can access a huge set of different options with ease.
Ladbrokes is licensed by the hugely reliable UK Gambling Commission. This means that players can rest assured that all the operations are safe and secure. The site has to follow strict regulations, and if it fails to do so can be severely penalised. For added levels of security, the site has SSL encryption protocols in place to prevent third parties from accessing private player data. The site is also regularly audited by GLI to ensure fair gaming rules are being adhered to and ensuring there is no bias towards either player or casino.
When it comes to bonuses, Ladbrokes has this amply covered. Similar to most other online casinos, Ladbrokes is there to get players interested in what they have to offer. In every section of the site, there are bonuses specific to the gambling method being played. For the casino site, there are welcome bonuses, a VIP programme and additional ongoing promotions that change regularly. All of this just helps to keep the atmosphere exciting and offers players a multitude of chances to get ahead of the game.
The specific welcome bonus for the casino is one with a slight difference. Instead of matching a specific deposit amount, any player that makes the first bet of £10 on one of the qualifying games will receive a hefty £50 bonus directly into their account. This bonus money does have a 40x wagering requirement attached, which must be fulfilled within a 30-day period. It’s also only valid on certain games, so players need to check out the options carefully before jumping straight in and playing.
The Promotions page is chock full of bonus options. These include a risk and reward blackjack offer where players can spin and win as much as £250 in one go. There are specific Host Offers, too, and these can change regularly, although they tend to offer exclusive live casino events between specific times of the evening. It doesn’t stop there, though. There are daily jackpot offers, points for cash and much more. If players truly want to keep up to date, signing up to the promotions email is the best way forward.
There is a VIP programme in place rather than a loyalty programme. To join this programme, players must accumulate specific numbers of points accrued through making deposits each month. Players are checked to ensure they meet the monthly criteria and can move up through four levels. Each level offers various added perks, including exclusive customer support, exclusive promotional offers, prize draws, event tickets and much more. To hit the top echelon – the platinum level – players will have to be invited. What offers are up there, well, your guess is as good as ours!
There are more than 400 games at players’ disposal on Ladbrokes. The vast majority of these are slot games, predominantly from Playtech and Microgaming. A number of other providers contribute to this extensive collection ensuring that players have access to a huge variety of top-rated and worldwide favourites including Starburst, Book of Ra, Rainbow Riches and Gonzo’s Quest. There are also big jackpot games, complete with a ticking up jackpot counter, where players stand to win a huge amount of money on just a single spin.
The rest of the casino is also well-stocked. There are virtual table games a-plenty with blackjack and roulette having the widest number of games available, although there are a few baccarat games tucked in there as well. As you’re on a predominantly sports betting site, players can even try their hand at virtual sports games, which adds an entirely new dimension. Video poker players have plenty to choose from, as do soft casino players with a range of scratch cards and keno all readily at hand.
The live casino is stocked by Ladbrokes’ own software, which makes this a pleasant and unique experience. The dealers are all highly professional and take the experience to the next level. Players have access to roulette, blackjack, baccarat, live Hi-Lo and Texas Hold’em. Each of the live games offers a whole range of betting options so that players of all budgets can enjoy the fun and the ambience of a land-based casino. All games are streamed live and in full HD, which really amplifies the exciting atmosphere.
Ladbrokes has a number of different apps available depending on which part of the casino the player is trying to access. With that in mind, it’s important that players grab the right app! Ladbrokes’ apps cover the sportsbook and live casino as well as the regular casino. All follow the same themes and style of the main desktop site, which makes navigation and transitioning between platforms super easy. In addition to that, the apps are available and optimised for both Android and iOS devices.
When it comes to payment options, Ladbrokes literally offers them all. Players can use a vast number of payment methods for both deposits and withdrawals, although the casino does prefer the same method to be used for both transactions. Payment options include cards, a number of eWallets and prepaid card options. The deposit time is instant no matter the method used, but withdrawals will vary. Processing time from the casino is standard, but after that is up, eWallets tend to be the fastest option for those that need a quicker payout.
Customer service here is second to none. Players can get in touch with a staff member via the live chat, telephone and email via the online form or even send a personal message via Twitter. With the customer service available 24/7 it seems a waste not to make use of it. And players will probably have to, for although there is a FAQ section, it is somewhat lacking and doesn’t cover all the pertinent points one might expect from a casino of this size and calibre.
At the end of the day, Ladbrokes offers a great overall experience for players looking to bet on popular sports events. A popular household name will certainly give Ladbrokes a leg up with new and experienced players.
Making it off the high street is no small feat and SuperLenny applauds Ladbrokes for all their online efforts.
4/5
4/5
4.5/5