Virgin Games Review

Since its inauguration in 2004, Virgin Games has proven itself to be one of the UK’s finest online casinos. Its name might be something of a dead giveaway, but in case you weren’t aware, the portal was once part of Richard Branson’s totemic conglomerate. Though it has retained the famous appellation, the casino was bought by social gaming enterprise Gamesys – itself no small fry in what is a congested market – in early 2013.

Since acquiring the Virgin Games portfolio, Gamesys has steadily migrated the site to its own unique software. The cutting-edge company is known for producing in-house games for a panoply of online casinos as well as social networking sites. Indeed, it is most famous for introducing real money gaming on Facebook in the guise of Bingo Friendzy.

Unlike many of its competitors, Virgin Games caters exclusively to UK players. Which is terrific if you reside in these fair isles, but a bit of a bummer if you don’t. Licensed and regulated in the UK by the Gambling Commission, as well as being licensed by the government of Gibraltar and the Gibraltar Gambling Commissioner, the casino offers an abundance of bingo and poker games. It’s also home to 50 video slots from some of the industry’s slickest developers. If you’re a fan of WMS Gaming and IGT slots, you’ll be in your element.

Virtual game on

As you might expect from an online casino owned by a reputable outfit like Gamesys, VG boasts a stellar array of fun games. The bulk of the options are centred around casino, poker, slots and bingo iterations. That latter fact is no surprise given Gamesys’ ownership of the huge Jackpotjoy Bingo brand.

Whatever your choice of game, you’ll find some appreciable action on this portal.

Virgin Casino boasts no fewer than 50 video slots. While not as many as some of its contemporaries, on the whole it’s hardly a trifling selection. Punters can try their hand at titles created by a dozen esteemed software providers, among them NetEnt, Blueprint Gaming, Barcrest, WMS Gaming and IGT. Gamesys also manufacture their own unique video slots. A few of the more in-demand options include Secrets of the Phoenix, Cleopatra II, King of Slots, Da Vinci Diamonds, Siberian Storm and Zeus III. What’s more, the casino is constantly updating its catalogue with the latest games to hit the market.

What like’s the mood music on the street? Since the recent takeover, the verdict seems to be positive, with players extolling features like optimised mobile gaming, the casino’s exemplary customer service and a website that is both easy on the eye and simple to use.

Promotions and bonuses

If you happen to be an online gaming virgin, fear not. Your first day of school was daunting too, but you got the lay of the land eventually, right? Newbies are actually in a prime position to take advantage of sign-up bonuses. Open an account with Virgin Games and you can expect to receive a 200% bonus up to £200. This sweet little inducement only applies to your first deposit, mind, and the maximum sum you can lay down to qualify is £100. The bare minimum, meanwhile, is £10.

While the bonus sounds appealing, one should remember that all that glitters is not gold. The wagering requirements are somewhat stringent, with players having to play through their bonuses twice before being able to withdraw the spoils. Only bingo counts towards betting requirements, while the likes of video poker, baccarat and blackjack don’t. Awesome if you love bingo, maddening if you prefer casino games. You have been warned.

In its defence, Virgin Games offer a number of special deals and users can earn 10% cash-back each and every Thursday. Refer a pal and you can trouser £20.

Top-notch customer service

Customer service is one of this casino’s strong suits. You can get in touch with agents via email, Live Chat or a UK freephone telephone number. Ping an email and you might expect to hear a reply in 2-3 hours, though the Live Chat service is far and away the best option if your query is time-critical.

If you wish to speak to someone direct – but your mobile’s out of credit or charge – simply ask a Chat agent to call you at a time of your choosing. The staff are friendly and helpful and are known to offer customers reload bonuses.

Unlike some casinos, Virgin Games offer a manual flushing service. If you want to avoid the temptation of plunging your hard-earned winnings back into the game, instruct an agent to flush your account. This means you’ll be unable to cancel your withdrawal request, regardless of how intense the impulse gets.

Deposit and withdrawal methods

The essential and regular functions of online casinos – depositing and withdrawing – are relatively straightforward at Virgin Games, although they’re not immune to criticism, as we’ll go on to explain.

While players can deposit funds via a variety of methods – debit cards, credit cards, PayPal, bank wire, cheque, Neteller – Virgin Games do not offer as exhaustive a list of options as some larger casinos, like Ladbrokes and Grosvenor. That won’t be a problem for most, though: what self-respecting online gamer doesn’t have a PayPal account these days?

One feather in the cap of Virgin Games is their decision to charge no fee for either depositing or cashing out. Cash-outs are processed during the weekend, while withdrawals are processed within a 24-hour timeframe. Sound easy? For the most part it is, although players also have to verify their date of birth within three days of their initial deposit. Having to upload identification documents might kill your buzz a little, but it’s gotta be done. Once the formalities are out of the way, you’re off and away.

Below is a guide to the casino’s limits and times:

Live Casino

Compete with dealers in real time by entering the live casino. There is not a ton of choice, but a few well-known, fast-paced games are free to sample, including hold ‘em, baccarat, blackjack and roulette. All the classics, in other words.

Mobile Casino

In common with most reputable online portals, Virgin Games allows players to sample the action on their smartphones and tablets. You can expect the same crisp graphics and easily navigable interface when using a handheld device as you’re accustomed to on the computer.

All fun and games

If you call the UK or Ireland home, chances are you’ll like Virgin Games. Owned by a trusted, creditable operator like Gamesys, and fully licensed in two territories, it is a place where you can enjoy high-quality games and rely upon competent, round-the-clock customer service.

On the downside, Virgin Games could – ironic given the name – do with expanding their repository of games. Players love choice, always have, and fulfilling this requirement will only strengthen the casino’s reputation.