888, one of the biggest names in online gambling

When it comes to longevity in the casino world, one brand instantly comes to mind – 888.com. This online casino has been around almost since the beginning days of online gambling. Starting their operations back in 1997, 888 casino has won numerous awards, received rave reviews, and is one of the biggest brands in Europe.

Being around for 2 decades does have its advantages. They know their customers, and have had plenty of time to get things right. The casino is considered to be one of the best online and services 15 languages in dozens of countries.

Their main area of service is in Western Europe which does dictate the currency options a bit. Currently, only Euros, Pounds and U.S. Dollars are accepted currencies at the casino. A bit of a disappointment considering it services so many countries.

They operate under the umbrella of the Gibraltar Gaming Commission and hold licenses in multiple countries including the U.K., Italy and even the United States.

The casino has seen many changes over the years. Going from a bleak green that wasn’t very inviting. To a more modern stance that has kept them up with the times. The design is unique and easy to use with all games accessible for instant, and mobile play.

Knowing their customer base wants variety, 888 uses multiple software providers to bring over 300 games to their library. Some of the software you can look forward to include.

• Cryptologic
• NetEnt
• Random Logic
• IGT

The game library is not as extensive as I would have hoped, but they do bring the best from each software provider, and the graphics are stunning. Plus, they have an intuitive live casino with some of the friendliest dealers.

I have to admit that 888 is not new to me. I’m a relatively old bird in the gambling world and have actually played here since their opening in 1997. But, it has been a while since I re visited the casino, and this review was a nice flashback to a simpler time.

I’m pleased to be able to share my experience, and bring you along with me as I re live the golden age of online gambling. And even claim a nice no deposit bonus.

Games and software

I was a bit disappointed with the smaller selection of games. Having played at online casinos that offer 600 or more has spoiled me I suppose. That isn’t to say the games at 888 aren’t good. In fact, they are some of the best. Although small in selection, the games you have to choose from are amazing.

The slots section is where the majority of the games will be found. Names like Gonzos Quest, Superman, and Jackhammer make up the over 200 slots in their que.

Table games include numerous versions of Blackjack and Roulette. As well as casino poker games like Pai Gow and Caribbean Stud among others. The live casino offers additional ways to play all your favorite tables games featuring live dealers.

Mobile gaming is also available at 888. It’s one of the better mobile applications that works across all devices.

• iPad
• iPhones
• Androids

Arcade games, Keno and Video Poker are also available for play at 888. There won’t be a ton of selection in this area, but the option is there.

Promotions and bonuses

To try out 888, you can claim the free $88 no deposit bonus just for signing up and creating an account. Players from Canada, the U.K., Sweden and Germany are eligible for this promotion.

To claim this bonus, check your email after you sign up. You will have 14 days to use the entire bonus amount. You can only win $15, but it will be yours to keep. So in theory you get $15 for free. But having free money to try out the games is always a plus.

All players will have 2 sets of deposit bonuses to choose from when signing up at 888. One will be for casual players, the other for high rollers. Most will want to choose the standard 100% match deposit bonus worth up to $200 to get the most value. That is unless you plan on depositing more money.

The standard bonus is a simple deposit bonus. Deposit at least $20 to get the bonus. You will need to claim the bonus however. Just look for an email from 888 after you sign up and click the claim button inside the email.

To clear the bonus, you will need to wager 30x the bonus amount. It’s a pretty straightforward scheme that doesn’t hid any stupid rules like other sites. All games will count towards wagering requirements, but not all will count the same.

Slots, scratch cards, Keno and Dice games count as 100% towards the bonus making it easy for these type of players to clear the bonus. Roulette, and poker table games will only count as 20%. All Blackjack, Video Poker, and most live dealer games will count as 10%. And finally, Craps will count as 5%.

The Premium Players bonus is a bit more detailed. It’s an accumulation of 5 deposit bonuses over your first week of play.

• 1^st deposit 100% up to $100
• 2^nd through 5^th deposit get a 30% match up to $350 on each

The total amount you can get using this promotion is $1,500. To claim this bonus instead of the standard promotion, you must enter promo codes when depositing. Each of the deposits will require a bonus code.

• Welcome1
• Welcome2
• Welcome3
• Welcome4
• Welcome5

Rollover requirements will also be a bit unique. The first deposit bonus follows the standard promotions wagering requirements where in you must wager the bonus 30x. The remaining deposit bonuses must be wagered just 3 times over. But, you must clear it within 7 days. While the rollover requirements on the final 4 bonuses are absurdly low, you must do it rather quickly.

You may only choose one bonus. If you claim the standard bonus, you are not eligible for the Premium Player bonus. And vice versa.

888 has more ongoing promotions than most online casinos I have played at. The list is long, and full of value. Right now, they have a deposit bonus open for new, and old players. Using deposit bonus code – SPIN3000 gets you a free spin on the Slot of Fortune where you can get between a 20 to 60% deposit bonus on the deposit you just made. The bonus can be worth up to $3,000.

Daily Deals, Cash Back, VIP programs and more all await you at 888. The VIP program grants you access to more games, loyalty rewards and special give awasy. Be sure to check the promotions tab for the latest deals.

Customer Support

Support is somewhat lacking at 888. There are plenty of phone support options offered in multiple languages. There’s also email, and an extensive FAQ. However, the lack of live chat has me perplexed.

The time and effort put into the phone support and the FAQ is impressive, and response times are great. But the absence of a live chat is dis-heartening.

Security and Payments

There’s no question that 888 is one of the most trusted, and safest casinos in business. I never question their security and integrity. They use all the latest encryption methods and follow strict laws set forth by their governing bodies.

Holding licenses in multiple countries means they are being looked at closely from all angles. Regular 3^rd party audits are performed and made available to the public.

The cashier is filled with numerous banking options. Players can use all popular methods of deposit and withdrawals. They have an above average selection of banking options that suit the needs of all their players.

• Visa
• MasterCard
• Skrill
• Neteller
• Wire Transfers
• Bank Transfers
• Many More

For easy deposits, you can use the quick deposit option while playing any game. If you have a registered deposit method on file, you can easily click the quick deposit button without leaving your game and refill your balance in under a minute.

Setting limits inside the cashier is also an option, and encouraged. Responsible gambling is at the top of the list when it comes to maintaining a happy customer base. 888 is a member of Gamble Aware, and even have their own entity called 888+ dedicated to responsible gambling.

 

Withdrawals are made easy, but do take their time to get to you. This is the one complaint I hear the most from players. They state a processing time of 24 hours which is fairly standard. It’s the 24-48 hour cash out time for eWallets, and 5-day wait times for most other methods that make players antsy.

While 5 days is nothing major, it is on the lower end of the spectrum when it comes to efficiency. But, you have to ask yourself, would you rather wait an extra day or so knowing your money is safe? Ore chance it at a shady casino just to get it a day sooner?

Pros and Cons

Nothing makes you feel safer than knowing a company has been in business for a long time. In gambling years, 888 is ancient and has stood the test of time, earning my trust, as well as the trust of millions of players from around the world.

Being one of the first in the business they have had the chance to be pioneers in their industry. They were one of the first casinos to step in to the mobile side of gambling and have developed one of the better playing mobile applications.

Yes, there is much to love about 888, but there’s also a little to hate.

One of my main gripes are the big business feel that I get from 888. This is a large company that is traded on the London Stock Exchange. Big businesses run differently and it seems to have over flowed into their ambience that was once fun and creative.

The big business atmosphere shows with their slower than average cash out times. You would think a casino being around for so long would have this part down pat. But, to the contrary, they have some of the slower cash out times I have experienced.

Not terribly slow. You still get your winnings within 5 days at the latest. But, when other sites are doing instant withdrawals to eWallets, I would expect a brand like 888 to want to do the same.

Conclusion

Few online casinos can compete with the branding power of 888. They are worldwide brand donning the jerseys and stadiums of some of the biggest sports teams in Europe. Their presence is now being felt in the United States as well. They are one of the few selected providers for casino games and poker in regulated states.

Overall, the casino was a great play. I did expect a bit more from such a long standing online casino. They must know what they are doing though since they have won awards for best online casino from the most prestigious gaming outlets.

If I had to give them a score, it would be an 8 out of 10. The only downfalls are the lack of a live chat feature, and slower than average cash out times. Other than this, I am impressed with how they have managed to grow with the times and still remain one of the biggest names in gambling.