- Betway
- Huge Game Selection
- Safe and Fair
- Interesting Live Casino
- Great Mobile App
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The Complete Review and Rating of Betway Casino
Betway was launched in 2006, and provides sports betting, poker, bingo and casino. In this review, I will thoroughly test the casino and report on my findings. My observations will be objective and fair, to give you a clear understanding of what you can expect if you decide to join. You’ll find no sugar coating of the facts here, just honest and accurate information. I will start with a close inspection of the game selection, which is one of the most important aspects. This report will also include an overview of other areas such as customer support options and payout percentages.
- Game Selection:over 400 Casino Games
- Jackpots:26
- RTP:96.36%
- Gambling Licence:UK Gambling Commission
I have assessed the operator against 10 criteria, to give a thorough overview of what they have to offer. When it comes to live dealer games, bonuses and mobile apps, there is a lot of info that is important to include. Therefore I have also created separate reviews, dedicated to these topics.
All Details about the Game Selection8
The amount of games is undoubtedly a major part in assessing a casino’s game selection. Yet there is much more to think about than the total number. Also important is the distribution – does the operator provide plenty of choice and interesting variants of your favourite? Also, the betting limits play a part – are all types of players catered for, the high rollers and the low stakes players alike? Also, the availability of live and mobile games is should come into consideration.
Which Games are Available and how Many are there?
There are a huge number to choose from, with over 400 in the collection. What’s more, if you download the casino software, you get access to over 100 more. As with most online casinos, the majority of the collection consists of slots. These are separated into video slots and classic 3 reel versions for easy navigation. On the downloaded software, there are further categories such as slots that include free spins and bonus features, as well as grouping according to the number of paylines. In both the instant play and the download versions, jackpots have their own category also. In browser mode, you’ll find 17 jackpots, with 15 of these slots. For the other version, there are a total of 26 jackpots, with slots accounting for 19 of these. The big win slots include the likes of Mega Moolah, The Dark Knight and Major Millions. The slots collection includes some well known names, like Terminator 2, Jurassic Park and Game of Thrones. Yet there are also original titles, such as Avalon, Thunderstruck and Immortal Romance, which are some of the most popular and successful brands created by Microgaming. The slot collection also includes a selection of multiplayer games, such as Playboy and Wheel of Wealth, as well as a choice of tournaments.
The Most Popular Games at Betway Casino | ||||
---|---|---|---|---|
Slots (421) | Roulette (9) | Blackjack (44) | Table Games (17) | Video Poker (59) |
Avalon II | European Roulette Gold | Atlantic City Gold | Hold’em High Gold Series | Jacks or Better |
Thunderstruck II | Premier Roulette Diamond Edition | Multi Vegas Downtown | 3 Card Poker | Deuces Wild |
Jurassic Park | American Roulette | Multi-hand Blackjack Classic | High Speed Poker | Double Joker |
Tomb Raider | French Roulette | Double Exposure | Craps | Aces and Faces Power Poker |
Game of Thrones | Multi-wheel Roulette Gold | Vegas Strip Blackjack Gold | Baccarat | All American |
Mega Moolah | Multiplayer Roulette | Super Fun 21 | Sic Bo | Louisiana Double |
In addition to the huge assortment of slots, there are over 130 other games in the collection. There are 9 variants of the ever popular roulette. In addition to classic variants of American, European and French Roulette, you will also find the innovative Multi-wheel Roulette, as well as Roulette Royale, with it’s big progressive jackpot. Blackjack fans are well catered for with over 30 variants to choose from, including interesting versions such as Vegas Strip, Super Fun 21 and Spanish Blackjack. There is a wide variety of other popular table games, like Baccarat, the dice games Sic Bo and Craps, plus many table poker variants, including Poker Ride and Progressive Cyberstud Poker, both featuring a progressive jackpot. With 25 games on the instant play casino and over twice that number on the downloadable software, Video Poker players are spoilt for choice. Finally, the collection includes over 50 instant win games, including arcade games like Germinator and scratch cards such as Scrabble. A final point worth mentioning is that the majority can be played for fun in practice mode. This is a great way to try them out and see which you like best before spending any real money.
Live Games Exclusively Featuring Playboy Dealers
The live collection includes Roulette, Blackjack, Baccarat and Casino Hold’em. A highlight of the collection is the addition of playboy dealers. These are exclusive to Microgaming and add an extra level of excitement and appeal to the live tables. You can find out more about the games, tables limits and the dealers in the dedicated Betway Live Casino review.
A Good Selection of Games Available for Mobile Phones and Tablets
Nowadays, any decent online casino will offer a selection of their games to mobile users, and Betway is no exception. The mobile app includes slots and popular table games as well as live dealer tables. You can find out full details about the game collection, along with compatibility and instructions on how to download the app in the dedicated mobile review.
An Overview of Table Limits
If you want to see the minimum and maximum betting limits for any slots, you will need to open the game, and manually adjust the coin value and number of paylines to view the range. Unfortunately there is no quick glance view of the limits from the lobby, like you will find at 888 Casino. There are a variety of betting limits. For the majority, the minimum bet per spin is just 1p, but there are some that stretch up to a minimum of 30p per spin. As for the maximum limits, these vary from just £20 up to £500 per spin. This range provides plenty of choice to players on smaller budgets as well as the high rollers.
The majority of Roulette variants have a minimum betting limit of £1. Yet there are also low stakes of just 50p in some variants. There is a wide range of maximum limits, with the lowest max bet £400 in some games, and maximum of £2000 in others. Similarly with blackjack, most tables have a minimum bet of £1, but there are a couple of variants with a £2 minimum. As for the maximum bet, this varies between £200 and £1000, depending on the particular game.
An Overview of Payout Rates7
Return to Player, or RTP is often overlooked, or misunderstood by players. Yet it is important to consider when assessing an operator. Online casinos have two possible ways of presenting their payout rates. The first is to list the theoretical payout rates for individual games in the rules. This means you can compare different variants to see how likely they are to return winnings to players. The other option is publishing an actual payout report from a trusted and independent testing agent, showing the actual percentage of cash paid out overall for all games, and for certain categories.
Unlike the other casinos we tested, Betway do not include the theoretical RTP of their games in the rules. Instead, they only publish the payout report generated by eCOGRA on their website. This enables players to see at a glance the actual percentage of money returned to players over a variety of games for the most recent month. The RTP is tested every month, so players can be sure that accurate and current info is being displayed. A point was deducted from Betway in this category, as it would provide more clarity if they included a breakdown of theoretical RTP’s.
The actual RTP for slots is 97.13%. Generally, slots payout rates vary from the high eighties/low nineties, and can stretch up to the high nineties. Therefore the actual payout of 97.13% is very favourable for players.
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- Classic Slots*
- Video Slots*
- Roulette*
- Blackjack*
- Table Games*
- Video Poker*
- Scratch Cards**
- Arcade Games**
- ..
- .....
- RTP(%)
* No information is listed for the theoretical RTP of individual games. **The payout report also does not list results for arcade games and scratch cards.
The other categories included in the payout report are poker and table games. The actual RTP for poker is 96.02%. As for table games, the payout rate came in at 97.3%. It is tricky to comment on how favourable this is to players, as theoretical RTP’s for blackjack variants can reach as high as 99% in many casinos. Yet on the other hand, there are some table games that come in much lower. As an overall average, the rate seems reasonable. Again, in this case, it would be much more helpful to see theoretical RTP’s for each game, or at least, further categories to be listed in the actual payout report, such as roulette and blackjack, rather than everything being grouped under the same category.
Unfortunately, there is no information listed for scratch cards and arcade games. Although these games are subject to the same testing and monitoring as the others, the payout rates of each is not included in the published payout report.
More about the Website and how to Download the Casino Software6
When you go to the Betway website, the first thing you will notice is that you do not see the casino games at first glance. Instead, there is a large oversized graphic of the welcome offer. It is only once you have signed in that you access the actual casino. Once there, you can see the games are separated into different categories, such as Blackjack, Roulette and Video Slots, making it easy to navigate between the different types on offer. If there is a specific game you wish to play, you can use the search function to get to it quickly. You have the option to mark any of them as favourites, and then you will see them listed across the bottom of the page, again making it really quick and easy to access them. When you hover over any game, you will see the option to play for real money, or in practice mode, where available. It takes just a few seconds to load the games and start playing. There is a link to the live chat help option in the top right side of the page, plus easy access to your account, with options such as banking included.
Software Provider | Microgaming |
Website | https://www.microgaming.co.uk/ |
Game Developer | Microgaming |
Languages | English, Czech, German, Spanish, French, Dutch, Portuguese, Finnish, Swedish, Greek, Russian, Latvian, Italian, Danish, Norwegian, Polish |
Download Size | 786KB |
Hardware Requirements | 1GB Memory, 10 GB or more Hard Drive space, 128MB memory SVGA, 800×600, 16-bit colour graphics card, Sound Blaster compatible sound card |
Software Requirements | Internet Explorer 6+, Firefox 3.0.1+, Flash Player 10+Windows XP (32-bit), Windows Vista/Windows 7 (32-bit and 64-bit) |
Instant Play Requirements | Flash Player 10+, Internet Explorer 6+ |
In addition to the instant play version, there is also casino software which can be downloaded for free within just a few minutes. What is peculiar about the Betway Casino download however, is that you will not find a link to it on the casino page. Instead, the link to download the software is listed at the very bottom of the sports betting page. Once downloaded, you’ll notice that the layout and overall look of the 2 versions differs considerably. In my opinion, the downloaded software looks somewhat dated, yet you still get the same top quality within the games themselves. You will still find games listed within categories, making it very easy to navigate, and there is the option to mark any titles as favourites for easy future access. As already mentioned, there’s a wider choice of games on the downloaded software, with around 100 more to choose from than the instant play version. There are various options listed across the bottom of the page, such as promotions, my account and customer support. Like the flash version, the majority can be played for fun in practice mode. When you log in to the downloaded software, you can select practice play or real money mode, which differs slightly from the browser based version.
The software and all games are provided by Microgaming, who are one of the oldest iGaming suppliers, having been founded in 1994. They are one of the leading providers of software to companies within the online gambling industry. The company have won numerous prestigious awards, including the EGR award for RNG Casino Supplier of the Year in 2010 and 2012, along with the title of Innovation in RNG Casino Software in 2013. More recently, they scooped the prize for Digital Product of the Year at the 2014 Global Gaming Awards, for their Terminator 2 video slot. Microgaming casinos boast exclusive Playboy branded games, including Playboy Bunny dealers in their live casino. They also offer an enormous amount of games, with operators able to select their portfolio from over 800 titles.
Interesting Details about the Casino
Betway are a world class provider of online sports betting, casino, bingo and poker and have over 2 millions customers who use their services world wide. Their software and games are provided by one of the most long standing and reputable providers within the industry, Microgaming. As well as providing great entertainment, they treat safety, security and customer service with the greatest importance.
More about the Company Behind the Casino
The Betway Group was established in 2006, with the aim of offering top quality entertainment to players across a variety of online gambling sites. The company provides sports betting, poker and bingo in addition to casino. They are also the name behind other popular sites such as Spin Casino, Bingo on the Box and Dream Bingo. The company’s corporate head office is based in Malta, and they also have numerous offices throughout the world. The company has various sponsorship deals linked with high profile sporting events and people. For instance, in February 2014, they signed a 2 and a half year deal worth £20m to be the official sponsor of West Ham United Football Club. They are also the current sponsor of the Premier League Darts in the UK. They have also had sponsorship links with various horse racing events, such as the the Queen Mother Champion Chase at the Cheltenham Festival. The high profile boxing match between Carl Froch and George Groves at Wembley stadium in March 2014 was also sponsored by the company.
More Information about Betway Casino | |||
---|---|---|---|
Company | Support | Security | Player Protection |
Name Betway Limited | Live Chat 24/7 | Encryption 128-bit SSL | Deposit Limits Available |
Head Office 9 Empire Stadium Street, Gzira, GZR 1300, Malta | Phone 0808 238 9841 (24/7) | Encryption Certificate Rapid SSL | Activity Limitations Possible |
Parent Company Betway Group | Email [email protected] | Licence 39372 | Self Exclusion Available |
CEO Richard Akitt | Contact Form Not available | RTP Analysis eCOGRA | Protection of Minors Guaranteed |
Customers 2 million+ | Other Password reset form | Anti Money Laundering ID-Check prior to first withdrawal | Problem Gambling Organisations GambleAware, GamCare, Gamblers Anonymous |
Helpful and Knowledgable Customer Support10
You should never underestimate the importance of good quality customer service. Betway have embraced this, and offer multiple channels for customers to contact them for help. There is a free phone contact number, where knowledgable agents are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. There is also an email address. Although no response time is listed for queries raised through email, I sent several messages during my research, and I generally got replies within 6 hours of raising the request. Another helpful feature is the password reset page. This enables you to quickly retrieve your username and/or password without needing to make direct connection with the customer support team. In my opinion, live chat is always the best option for customer support. Like the phone support, live chat is available round the clock, and the agents are friendly, helpful and knowledgable.
Licensing, Security and Responsible Gambling10
One of the companies objectives is to provide entertainment in a safe, protected and fair environment. There are various ways this is achieved. For starters, the company holds a valid licence issued by the UK Gambling Commission, enabling them to legally provide services to players in the UK. They have to adhere to strict standards to maintain the licence, and are subject to stringent regulation. As the company also provides services to players in other countries, they also possess various licences, such as one issued by the Malta Gaming Authority, enabling them to operate within other territories. The company is accredited by eCOGRA, the international, independent testing agency. The RNG is tested by eCOGRA to ensure the integrity and fairness of games. As already mentioned, they also analyse RTP and produce monthly payout reports, confirming the amounts returned to players across various game categories.
Of course, as a reputable operator, technical security is treated as a high priority. Any personal data, such as your banking details are encrypted using secure sockets layer (SSL) protocol, to ensure your information is totally protected, and cannot be intercepted by third parties. The 128-bit SSL is certified by Rapid SSL, a well established and trusted provider of online security. The operator’s website is also regularly tested and checked for potential security risks, and uses top virus protection software to keep their customers safe.
On the responsible gambling page, there is a self assessment test, where you can answer a series of questions, designed to identify any potential problem gambling habits. In addition, there are numerous organisations and charities listed, along with their contact details, who can provide professional help to anyone experiencing problem gambling. These include the likes of GambleAware, GamCare and Gamblers Anonymous. The company provides many tools to help players stay in control of their gambling. One such measure is the option to set deposit limits. Players can opt to set a daily, weekly or monthly limit, meaning they cannot spend any more than they have specified within the given period. There is also the option to take a break, where you can activate a cooling off period of a day, week, or a set number of months, and be unable to access your player account during this time. Finally, there is also the possibility to set a more permanent term of self exclusion of between 6 months and 5 years.
Unfortunately Few Bonus Points can be Awarded2
There are some casinos, like 888 who were rightly awarded many bonus points. Unfortunately, Betway does not perform as well as the competition. Although Microgaming have won numerous industry awards for their software, Betway has not received any specific awards for their casino. When it comes to promotions, there is very little on offer. Occasionally, there will be special promos available, but generally speaking, there are no special offers to mention.
- Awards.0/3
- Promotions.0/3
- Special Games.1/2
- Loyalty Program.1/1
- Additional Offers .0/1
- Bonus Points.2
I awarded a bonus points for special games, thanks to the wide choice of branded slots, such as Jurassic Park, Tomb Raider and the award winning Terminator 2 slot. Although, these can also be found at any other Microgaming casino, such as 32Red. There is a rewarding loyalty and VIP scheme, which bagged another bonus point for the operator. You can find out all the details about the Betway Plus loyalty program in the dedicated bonus review. So out of a possible 10 bonus points, Betway scored just 2.
Conclusion – A Good Casino with an Extensive Game Selection
One of the big highlights of Betway casino is the extensive game collection. There are an enormous amount of exciting and lucrative slots, but in addition, there are also plenty of other types of games, providing plenty of choice for all types of players. What’s more, a great number of them are also available for mobile. Both the instant play and downloadable software versions of the casino are well presented, user friendly and easy to navigate. As you will see in the dedicated bonus page, there is a very generous welcome bonus of up to £1000 available for new players, what’s more we have also arranged a special deal to provide the added extra of free spins. When you also take into consideration the top quality customer support and the proven safety and security, Betway is a good choice for players.
- Significant Strengths
- Extensive game collection
- Top selection of mobile games
- Significant Weaknesses
- Theoretical RTP not listed
- Minor Strengths
- Rewarding loyalty scheme
- High quality customer service
- Good choice of jackpots
- Minor Weaknesses
- Few promotions
- Few live dealer games
Yet we should not overlook the shortcomings. The live games include the Microgaming exclusive Playboy dealers. But aside from this highlight, there is rather a limited choice of tables. Also, regardless of the rewarding welcome offers, there are few regular promotions available to existing players. The casino could learn a few lessons from the likes of 888 Casino, who provide a wide variety of regular promotions to reward their players. The lack of individual RTP’s for the games in my opinion is a draw back. The operator would benefit from providing more clarity and transparency when it comes to this area. Yet, as the actual payout reports from eCOGRA prove, the payout rates across all games are favourable for players.
Questions and Answers
If you have any questions about anything covered in this review, or indeed any other queries you would like to raise, please feel free to email us at . Here are the answers to some of the most commonly asked questions from our readers.
Can I earn loyalty points at the casino?
The operator rewards loyalty with “Plus Points”. These are earned for wagering real money on casino games. Once enough points are collected, they can be redeemed for bonus money to play more.