Casino Joy Review

Review of Casino Joy

If you're an old timer on the online casino scene like me, the name Casino Joy may sound familiar. That is because despite the new look it has been around in various guises since 2009. Over that period it has changed hands a couple of times, and the latest owner attempting to bring the joy is Genesis Global Limited, operator of other well known casinos including Casino Cruise, Spinit Casino, and Sloty.

Software and game selection

Casino Joy uses an internet-based web platform to provide their games and services to you. The upside with this is that you don't have to download junk software to your computer; you simply access the site using your browser. The site's design is very good, with the colourful and uplifting theme living up to the casino's name. I had no issues registering, depositing, or navigating the site on either my smartphone or desktop. While it can be a little laborious to naviagte through the 1000+ games on offer, a text search function makes it a breeze to find a particular title quickly.

Slot machines are where you'll find the large majority of the action at this casino. Video slots from the likes of Microgaming, Net Ent, Play'n Go, Yggdrasil, and Quickspin are all featured prominently. You'll also see sub-developers for these big groups, including the excellent Rabcat. On the whole there are a bunch of really nice games that include the latest releases, and the inclusion of several progressive jackpots is a nice touch. Most of the games were also playable on my smartphone, so if you like playing mobile slots on the go, you're in luck.

A good variety of table games is also available, with standard games like Blackjack, Roulette, Baccarat, Craps, and table poker all on offer. These all played well, but the real draw for me is the live dealer section. Powered by Evolution Gaming, players have the chance to play high definition versions of popular table games that are filmed from Evolution's dedicated studios. If you're a fan of playing table games while you're visiting your local live casino, I highly recommend you check these out.

Banking and customer support

The banking is relatively solid, with players given the ability to deposit and withdraw funds using credit cards, e-wallets, local bank transfers, and other methods. Payout times vary depending on the method, with the fastest way to receive your money being an e-wallet withdrawal via the likes of Neteller or Skrill.

There are a couple of caveats that I would be remiss to not mention though. Firstly, all withdrawals are held for up to 48 hours in a pending state before they are approved to be paid. As usual there is no real reason for this other than the casino giving you the opportunity to change your mind and reverse your withdrawal to play some more. Secondly there is a withdrawal limit of $5,500 per week or $22,000 per month which thankfully does exclude winnings from networked progressive jackpot games. The casino claims that your limits can be raised higher if you qualify for their VIP status.

Customer support is reachable using live chat and email, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. The team responds quickly, and I was able to quickly get basic answers to bonus questions from the rep I spoke with. This is the same service you get at Genesis' other sites, and the experience I had was positive.

Security, Fairness, and Responsible Gaming

As I would expect from all reputable sites these days, Casino Joy protects information in transit using SSL encryption. While it is a basic expected safety feature nowadays, we still feel it is important to let you know when a site is (or isn't) encrypted.

The casino's operator Genesis Global holds gaming licenses in Malta, Sweden, and the United Kingdom, which are some of the most stringent in holding operators responsible for their actions. For punters, this means that there are official dispute resolution procedures and arbitrators available should you have a dispute with the casino. As part of its UKGC licensing requirements the casino discloses that there is no legal protection of player funds that are deposited at the casino. While granted this is the norm rather than the exception, personally I feel more comfortable depositing my money at a site that has the UKGC medium level protection or higher, so at the least I won't lose my deposits if the casino becomes insolvent.

Aside from in-game disclosure of theoretical RTP numbers from some of the game suppliers, the casino does not publish a consolidated list of RTP numbers or monthly payout percentage reports. Upon inspection of the game settings on a couple of Play'n Go slots that I know are operator configurable, I was disappointed to find that Casino Joy has chosen the lower of the possible RTP settings. A good rule of thumb for Play'n Go in particular is that if you check the help file or paytable and find that the game is not paying 96% or higher, it is probably being run in a reduced RTP mode.

There is a responsible gaming page on the casino's site, with information on identifying and fighting addiction available. You'll also find controls that allow you to set different limits such as deposit limits, play limits, loss limits, and more inside your account settings. Self-exclusion is also available if you need to cut ties permanently.

Conclusion

Casino Joy is a good spot to play at, though not without aspects that it could improve upon. Much like the other Genesis Global casinos, this is an attractive, well-designed joint that features a large game library and a professional operation. However the 48 hours payout pending period, lack of legal protection for player funds, and certain games being run in reduced RTP modes certainly takes away a little of the potential joy.