In our comprehensive review of Challenge Casino, we present an in-depth analysis of this online gaming platform. From our first-hand experience, an attractive welcome bonus, a wide array of games, an array of slot machines to the customer support service, we've got it all covered.
General Information
Challenge Casino, a member of the Casino Rewards group, was officially launched in 1999. It operates under a gaming licence issued by the Kahnawake Gaming Commission, and is a subsidiary of the Casino Rewards company. This places it within one of the most expansive online networks in the industry, featuring 28 other gaming platforms. Notable brands under this network include Zodiac Casino, Yukon Gold Casino, Casino Classic, and Quatro Casino.
Famed for its dedication to providing fair and secure gaming, Challenge Casino undergoes independent audits from eCOGRA to ensure a just and safe gaming environment. It also holds regulatory licences in Denmark and Malta.
Challenge Casino, leveraging its Canadian license from Kahnawake, has built a solid reputation for delivering a high-quality gaming experience. The casino, which is powered by Microgaming, remains one of the few that still offer a software client for download.
Areas where Challenge Casino could improve include its bonus and promotional offerings. While the initial deposit bonus is reasonably substantial, the wagering requirements are somewhat high. Nevertheless, the second and third deposit bonuses could attract certain players.
Regarding customer support, the site does an acceptable job. It's worth noting, however, that customer support services are managed by the Casino Rewards Group, not Challenge Casino directly.
In this comprehensive review of Challenge Casino, we will begin by exploring their welcome bonus and promotions. Furthermore, we will delve into information about payment options, game variety, and overall site features.
Challenge Casino Website Features
While Challenge Casino's website may not be the trendsetter in web design, it nonetheless serves its purpose by being operational and user-friendly. The site is most notable for its software powered by Microgaming Viper, downloadable to either your computer or laptop. This harks back to older gaming traditions but feels slightly out of place in 2023.
Historically, this download-enabled platform presented advanced performance and novel features, crafting a customised gaming journey for users. Through this downloadable version, games could be saved on your computer, combating extended loading times. Nonetheless, with the transition of the majority of Microgaming’s games to HTML5, this downloadable software's relevance has diminished. Yet, some players still favour it for its charm of nostalgia. By the way, Casino Rewards group also run online casino named Nostalgia Casino!
On the other hand, Challenge Casino could use an upgrade in its mobile platform. It's not clear whether or not their site is mobile-optimized, which makes playing casino games and video slots from a mobile device less appealing. We'd hesitate to recommend this option for modern gamers who enjoy the flexibility of mobile gaming.
Challenge Casino Welcome Bonus
Bonuses and promotions play a vital role for many players, be it welcoming new players or providing loyal patrons with regular deposit bonuses. This Challenge Casino review will dive into the different bonuses the platform extends to its users.
Challenge Casino entices new players with three different welcome bonuses. However, caution is advised as these bonuses come with hefty terms and conditions, including extremely high wagering necessities, as is common among Casino Rewards Group platforms.
The initial sign-up bonus by Challenge Casino offers 25% of your first deposit with a cap at $800, complemented with added free spins. Your second deposit brings you a 50% bonus with a limit of up to $150. By the time you make your third deposit, Challenge Casino steps up its game by providing a 100% matched deposit bonus but only up to $50. The required wagering for all these bonuses is 30x, which is acceptable. In total, there's a $1,000 welcome bonus and extra free spins up for grabs!
For these bonuses, the game contribution ratio applies. The majority of the slots contribute 100% towards the betting requisites, whereas casino table games such as blackjack, video poker, and roulette only offer a 2% contribution. These bonuses are thus unsuitable if your game of choice is table games.
Moreover, Challenge Casino currently does not present any no-deposit bonuses. This is a point of concern for players seeking these bonuses. However, it should be understood that no-deposit bonuses are usually small with rigorous terms and conditions, making it challenging to secure any significant winnings.
Challenge Casino Rewards Program
As a member of Challenge Casino, you're instantly part of the Casino Rewards VIP scheme, renowned as one of the top-tier loyalty programs in the digital betting realm. The program presents an array of perks, such as a VIP lucky jackpot drawn every eight hours.
Comprising of six Status Levels, the Casino Rewards Loyalty Program allows you to accrue Comp Points for every real money wager you place. A great feature is that your VIP status applies across all associated online casinos. Your point accumulation determines your mobility up or down the VIP levels monthly, each presenting a unique array of bonuses and advantages.
For those at the upper echelons, they can relish random bonuses, superior support, birthday presents, exclusive game access, personal VIP managers, and extra entries into the Time Of Your Life Sweepstakes and VIP Lucky Jackpot.
The VIP Lucky Jackpot incorporates five jackpots, each representing a VIP Level. Depending on your level, you may have multiple entries into the draw. With each level offering five draws, and three of these draws happening daily, active players potentially have up to 15 opportunities to hit the jackpot every day.
Challenge Casino Games Online
Challenge Casino operates under the acclaimed Microgaming‘s Viper software. This software bagged the prestigious Best Casino Software Award from Online Gaming Magazine in 2005. With its widely popular games, particularly video slots, Microgaming certainly deserves a mention.
Microgaming keeps the games collection at Challenge Casino fresh by adding new, exciting options regularly. This ensures players never run out of varied gaming possibilities.
Slot Machines
From a plethora of Microgaming slots, Challenge Casino provides an immersive thematic variety coupled with distinct gameplay elements. The offerings range from classic Microgaming favorites to innovative games from their affiliate studios.
Slots with five reels like Thunderstruck, Avalon, Immortal Romance, and Ariana, bring gripping themes to the table. Besides, sports enthusiasts can enjoy slots like Cricket Star, Basketball Star, and Rugby Star. Wildlife aficionados can indulge in the alluring Untamed series slots like Bengal Tiger, Giant Panda, Crowned Eagle, and Wolf Pack. Moreover, traditional 3-reel classics such as Couch Potato, Zany Zebra, and Cosmic Cat find a place in the collection.
Live Dealer Games
Regrettably, Challenge Casino doesn't currently offer live games. This is a somewhat surprising omission for a Microgaming-backed casino. While some casinos have partnered with third-party live casino vendors like Evolution, others have not since Microgaming retired their live game product. Players love live dealer games, and a casino that doesn't provide them is not quite in tune with current trends.
Table Games and Video Poker
Challenge Casino boasts an extensive array of thrilling table games and video poker games from Microgaming's stable. These games guarantee players a high-quality, immersive gaming experience.
The casino presents a diverse assortment of table games like Baccarat, Red Dog, European Roulette, French Roulette, Multi-Wheel Roulette, Premier Roulette, American Roulette, and 3 Card Poker. In addition, Craps, Pai Gow Poker, Keno, Sic Bo, Crown and Anchor, and Cyberstud Poker add to the variety.
Furthermore, players get to experience alternate versions of these games like Double Exposure, Poker Pursuit, and Spanish Blackjack. There’s also an exciting line-up of unique games like Spingo, Three Wheeler, Bubble Bonanza, Cashapillar, Electro Bingo, and Enchanted Woods.
Video poker forms a highlight at any Microgaming casino, and Challenge Casino is no exception. Players have an extensive selection, including classical versions like All American, Split Way Royale, Bonus Deluxe, Bonus Poker, and Tens or Better.
These games come with different pay tables and returns, accommodating an array of playing styles. For example, the Split Way Royale game offers an impressive return rate of 99.80%, proving an attractive choice for seasoned players.
Including Deuces Wild, Jacks or Better, Joker Poker, and Double Joker Poker, among other titles, the video poker segment is quite rich. Some titles even offer multi-hand variations, allowing players to play up to 100 hands simultaneously.
Progressive Jackpots
Microgaming-powered casinos usually excel at progressive jackpot games, and Challenge Casino follows suit. If you opt for a first deposit promotion, keep in mind you won't be able to play jackpot slot machines.
Some of the most popular jackpot slots available at Challenge Casino are:
Major Millions
Launched in 2000, Major Millions quickly rose in popularity. This 5-reel, 15-pay line progressive video slot game offers a simple gameplay and big win potential. With symbols including cartoon styled armaments and Major Millions himself, this game has a military theme.
Playing Major Millions requires a maximum bet of $3 and boasts a payout percentage of 89.37%. The major appeal of the game is its enormous progressive jackpot that grows with more players. However, to be eligible for the jackpot, players have to bet on all lines.
Mega Moolah
Known as the “Millionaire Maker,” Mega Moolah has been creating millionaires since its introduction in 2006. Its massive progressive jackpot contributes significantly to its popularity.
Featuring 5×3 layouts with 25 paylines, this medium-to-high volatility game offers a minimum bet of 25 cents per line and a maximum bet of $6.25. An animal theme with bright, cartoon-like lion, giraffe, and elephant symbols enhances the appeal.
King Cashalot
King Cashalot draws players to its medieval-themed progressive slot game. The five reels and nine paylines of the game are adorned with symbols of golden-armoured prince, King Cashalot himself, a damsel, and a golden dragon.
The King Cashalot symbol acts as a wild card, replacing all symbols except the scatter and golden dragon. The game may not offer free spins, but it does have a Treasure Bonus feature and a progressive jackpot. The jackpot can be won by matching five King symbols on the ninth payline while playing the max bet. The theoretical return-to-player (RTP) for King Cashalot is 91%, and its medium volatility offers an alternative playing experience compared to the highly volatile progressive jackpot games.
Challenge Casino Payment Methods
The Casino Rewards Group, which manages Challenge Casino, is known for offering a broad range of payment alternatives. For players across different regions, the options may vary, but the selection remains extensive overall.
Standard payment routes such as credit and debit card transactions, e-wallets, and prepaid cards are, of course, available. However, Challenge Casino offers far more than such standard modes of payment.
A comprehensive list of deposit methods at Challenge Casino includes options like Sofortuberwaisung, UseMyFunds, Skrill, POLi, GiroPay, Nordea, Envoy, Visa Electron, Neosurf, iDebit, iDEAL, Neteller, Maestro, Trustly, ClickandBuy, PaysafeCard, Entropay, PayPal, Payz, MasterCard, Multibanco, Visa, EPS, InstaDebit, Euteller, Kalibra Card, Ukash, Abaqoos, QIWI, eChecks, uNet, Direct Bank Transfer, and PugglePay.
Challenge Casino stipulates a minimum deposit of $20, and players can deposit up to $10,000 in a single day. Although the minimum deposit is slightly higher than that of some online casinos, it shouldn't be a hurdle for most users. The maximum deposit limit seems low but remember, there is no restriction on the number of daily deposits one can make.
Notably, Challenge Casino doesn't charge extra fees on deposits. It's a good practice to verify with your financial institution about any charges they could impose. The deposit process at Challenge Casino is almost immediate, ensuring swift credit to your gaming account.
When it comes to withdrawing your winnings, you have fewer options than you have for depositing, but still a good variety to choose from. Each option comes with varying timeframes for delivering your money, so be sure to consider this when deciding how to deposit, as you'll also use this method to withdraw.
E-wallets like Skrill and PayPal can facilitate withdrawals within 24 hours. It's a relatively speedy process within the Casino Rewards Group sites. For VISA or Mastercard users, withdrawals typically require 2 to 5 days. Bank transfers might take a bit longer – between 1 to 7 working days. Cheques may take up to 2 weeks to arrive.
There is a limit on the withdrawal sum set as $/£/€50,000 per week if a player's winnings exceed five times their total purchases across all Casino Rewards partner casinos. Progressive wins payouts are the only exception to this rule. Note that the casino does not hold withdrawals, and payouts during the weekend are unavailable.
Responsible Gambling Instruments
At Challenge Casino, responsible gambling is the driving ethos. They offer an array of tools to foster a safe gambling environment and curb addictive tendencies. You can easily access their responsible gambling page from the bottom of the website, which delivers a wealth of information about gambling issues. It comes complete with a useful self-assessment questionnaire and invaluable links to charitable organisations and support groups.
Besides, Challenge Casino provides numerous instruments of responsible gaming to help keep your gambling in check. These allow setting cool-off periods from 24 hours to 6 weeks, giving players a chance to reflect and re-evaluate their betting behaviours. This is coined as a ‘time-out' period.
In more serious instances, self-exclusion is an option from 6 months up to 5 years. Players can also establish their deposit limits to avoid any peril of spending excessively.
While Challenge Casino may not offer the widest range of responsible gaming tools in the industry, they certainly cover the fundamentals of tackling gambling issues effectively. The platform is committed to keeping gambling a recreational endeavor – never an addiction.
Challenge Casino Customer Support
Customer Care Services
Challenge Casino's customer care facilities are handled by the Casino Rewards group itself. A dedicated customer support team is available round-the-clock, every day of the week, ready to answer inquiries, resolve issues, and provide technical assistance.
Players can effortlessly reach out to the customer support team through numerous international phone lines or by sending an email to [email protected]. With special contact numbers for Canada, UK, and Denmark, CR casinos go the extra mile to simplify communication. Here are the telephone lines to use:
- Global Line: 1 866 312 7466
- Canada Line: +8088 4574
- UK Line: 0800 917 1545
- Denmark Line: +18-88942-7466
Moreover, Challenge Casino provides live chat support, which tends to be the favored method for contacting online casinos as it links you directly with skilled representatives. This feature ensures you won't have to idle waiting for responses to your queries or issues.
Review Summary
For worldwide gamers seeking a secure and dependable gaming platform, Challenge Casino is undeniably the way to go. Accessible on both desktop and mobile platforms, this casino offers an expansive range of Microgaming options, not to mention a plethora of magnificent promotional offerings and bonuses for both new and habitual players, comprising free spins with no deposits, free cash bonuses, reload promotions, and cashback bonuses. Additionally, they provide a substantial welcome bonus distributed over your initial three deposits.
- 1st Deposit – Enjoy a 25% matching bonus (maximum of $800) complimented with free spins
- 2nd Deposit – Get a 50% matching bonus (maximum of $150)
- 3rd Deposit – Receive a 100% matching bonus (maximum of $50)
Owing to its extraordinary security provisions, 24/7 customer support, and a myriad of options for banking transactions, Challenge Casino brilliantly stands out as one among the most credible online casinos out there. So, don't delay, sign up today and elevate your online gaming experience to unparalleled levels.
Challenge Casino Review
- Bonuses & Promotions - 8.9/108.9/10
- Games & Software - 8.4/108.4/10
- Deposits & Cashouts - 8/108/10
- Support & Licences - 8.7/108.7/10
- Design & Layout - 7.9/107.9/10
Summary
Challenge Casino presents an impressive and contemporary online gaming platform. The ‘challenge' craved by players is seamlessly provided through their extensive collection of games, powered by Microgaming. It's a legitimate platform operating under Kahnawake jurisdiction. However, due to existing legal complications, it doesn't extend its gaming services to players in the US.
Pros
- Progressive Jackpot Slots
- VIP and Loyalty Rewards
- Live Dealer Games
- 24/7 Support
- Freeplay
Cons
- No Crypto Banking
- No Sports Betting
- Restricted in the USA