Zodiac Casino Review

Game time

The gaming library belonging to Zodiac Casino is impressive – there aren’t as many games as there are stars in the firmament, but there’s plenty to keep fervent users entertained. As well as the aforementioned video, three-reel and five-line slots, Zodiac offer arcade-style British games, table games like Poker Pursuit and Atlantic Blackjack, as well as multiple variants of video poker. If you’re feeling lucky, you’ve come to the right place.

Powered across the board by one of the industry’s most lauded developers – I’m speaking, of course, of Microgaming – the games are uniformly slick and fun. Whether you’re using the web-based platform, or the downloadable software client for PC, tablet or smartphone, you’re unlikely to be disappointed by the first-class graphics or sound effects. Load up a wild five-reel slot like Crazy 80s (remember glitter gloss, hairbands and chunky charm bracelets?) or Centre Court, or play blockbuster titles like Hitman, Break da Bank Again and Game of Thrones.

Table game junkies can also get their fix – single-hand and Power Poker games give you a taste of the bright casino spotlight. The number of varieties could certainly be improved upon, though staples like blackjack and roulette are readily available.

Comp points and promotions

Sign up to the Zodiac Casino and you will be entered into a $55,000 sweepstakes right off the bat. The portal also do a Refer-a-Friend promotion, which operates on a three-tiered referral system.

Not exactly global

Let’s be frank – you can’t call yourself a global gambling business if you exclude Americans from taking part. Those in the USA are restricted from participation in this planetary gaming hub, as are residents of France, Belgium, Israel, Australia, Hong Kong and Turkey. You can angrily shake your fist at the sky from which Zodiac takes its inspiration, or you can lobby the casino to open the floodgates. Alternatively, take your business elsewhere; there’s no shortage of online portals only too happy to take your action.

This lack of inclusively definitely hurts the Zodiac brand. Again, we can only hope they expand into new territories in the coming years.

Zodiac banking

Zodiac holds gambling licenses from both the United Kingdom Gambling Commission (widely considered to be among the most respected regulators in the industry) and the Malta Gaming Authority. The latter organisation has a stellar reputation for resolving player complaints, so this is worth bearing in mind if you want to join up – particularly given the criticisms outlined in the previous section.

On a more positive note, the site offers a glut of deposit methods, including Neteller, EcoPayz, Skrill and PayPal. Sadly, Bitcoin is not accepted at present. Withdrawal methods are extensive and currencies come in the form of Canadian and US dollars, British pounds sterling and euros.

Solid customer service

If you like picking up the phone and speaking to a real person – yes, a living, breathing entity – you’ll be glad to know that reliable Zodiac agents are just a toll-free call away. Wherever you are in the world, whatever game you’re playing, you can quickly get in touch if something’s troubling you. Alternatively, make use of the simple Live Chat function, which many players have reported to be useful in solving problems. The Zodiac support team can be reached any time of the day or night, 24/7, 365 days a year. Pretty cool.

The verdict

It’s a case of swings and roundabouts when it comes to the Zodiac Casino. Its licensing credentials are impeccable, registered as it is with two of the industry’s major authorities. Its Microgaming software is smooth-running and its themed website is a pleasure to navigate. Still, improvements can and should be made.

The bonus and comp point system needs a radical overhaul. It just doesn’t work: users find it complex, even maddening. Casino Rewards, the company which owns Zodiac, has been known to doggedly pursue anti-bonus abuse policies, leaving users feeling pressurised and misled. The site’s payout speed, while decent, could certainly be accelerated. And some players have taken umbrage with being asked to provide notarised ID. Each of these criticisms needs to be addressed before Zodiac can think about taking their enterprise to the next level.