Platinum Play Casino
Review

Too good to be true? Always skeptical, I decided to check out the offer. Here’s how things went.

Rather than downloading the software, I opted to play in Flash mode so clicked on Instant Play. It took a few seconds to load. Then I had to choose between Real Money and Practice Play. To qualify for the 1500 Free Bets, I had to open a real money account. I did. After entering my personal information, I had a decision to make: deposit now or deposit later. I clicked later.

The next screen offered four promotions. I clicked all four, but info about the Free Bets only showed up after I clicked 'back'. Now it said "Welcome to 1500 Free Bets” along with an icon saying "Start Free Bets". Before clicking, I read and accepted the Terms and Conditions.

Next a screen popped up with box headings: TOOLBOX, TIPS, and GAME OPTIONS. I started with Slots from the latter, picking Big Kahuna from the first four choices. Betting Max cost me $4.50 per spin. The first three bets produced zilch but by the fourth, my credits were back to the 1500 I started with. After spinning for a few more minutes, those credits had built to 1623! It was time to move on.

During 15 adrenaline-flowing minutes on Double Double Bonus video poker, I survived up and down swings and left the game when the credit meter read 1644. It was getting late in the evening, I logged off.

Coming back to Platinum Play casino the next day, the screen with four promotions displayed again. Another click and I was back to where I could decide what game to continue with. There are eight slot games, three one-armed-bandit types and five video slots, one with five lines, three with nine lines and one with 15 lines.

The video poker selection consists of Deuces & Joker, Power Poker, Double Double Bonus, Double Joker and Tens or Better. All are single hand only. I know optimal playing strategies for Double Double Bonus and Tens or Better, so I stayed away from the other two games.

Table Game offerings are American Roulette, European Roulette, Atlantic City Blackjack, Craps, Three-Card Poker, Cyber Stud, Double Exposure and Super Fun 21, a form of Blackjack. Playing Super Fun 21, you can only bet 1 or 2 credits per hand. Double Exposure is another Blackjack variation, on this one Blackjack only pays even money and dealer wins all ties, except Blackjack. That must be why they call it "Double Exposure"!

In the TOOL box, under 'Check Wagering' I found I had wagered 458 credits; not even one-third of the allotted 1500. I was still 120 credits to the good but I only had 15 minutes playing time left. There was no way I could play through the entire 1500 credits, which meant I lost my chance to convert my winnings. Just for the heck of it, I went back to Double Double Bonus, one of my favorite video poker games, was dealt three Aces and drew the fourth Ace for an 800 coin win. Too bad it didn't mean anything!

That got me thinking I would have been better off not going for the 1500 free bet deal. At no time during my playing sessions did my 1500 balance go below 1400. Had I simply made a deposit of $200 without accepting the bonus, I would have been free to cash out my winnings at any time with no time constraints, no bet size limitations and no restrictions of which games I can play.

Of course there is no guarantee that I would have had the same results, but hey, it's gambling!

So, should you bother to get the 1500 free credits? YES, if you want to experience the casino as a "pretend" real money player. You get to try various games, find out which ones you like and whether or not it's worth investing your own money next time. In my case, I did well playing Big Kahuna slots and Double Double Bonus video poker.

I also discovered that playing at Platinum Play casino means streamlined online gaming in the privacy of home. But you can silence the casino noises if you find them distracting. No one brings me free drinks but, on the other hand, I don't have to inhale cigarette smoke or worry about someone stealing my wallet.

Platinum Play casino boasts over 500 games, more than any other online venue I know of. The casino is powered by Microgaming software, assuring flawless, fair and uninterrupted enjoyment.

Wagering at Platinum Play is as secure, safe and spyware free as you could hope for. Their digital encryption technology is identical to that used by most established banks. Deposit and payment methods are also reported to be safe and reliable.

Platinum Play casino is fully licensed by the Lotteries and Gaming Commission of Malta and has regular internal and third-party audits. Fraud is battled by highly advanced software called Risk-Sentinal.

I haven’t had to interact with customer support, but I've been told it is superb. There’s round-the-clock service in English and daily support in multiple languages. The player care center can be contacted by phone, email or chat.

In conclusion, Platinum Play casino is a solid, well-established online gaming facility, worthy of your consideration.