Coral Casino Review:

Within the world of online gambling there are very few stalwarts, and most upstart brands fall by the wayside within the first 24 months. Most UK punters though will be well aware of the Coral brand because of its long history as a leading high street betting chain.

Now part of the behemoth that is the Ladbrokes Coral Group, Coral is a British brand with some serious strength behind it. But while there’s no doubt it should be near the top of any list of great online betting sites, we’ve seen too many big names throw together me-too casino sites to take the quality of Coral Casino for granted. But with unusually player-friendly bonus terms, a collection of top software developers, and 15 years in operation, there are reasons to be optimistic.

Coral Casino is an industry name that has both history and name recognition on its side – two things that count for a lot with most players.

You don’t have to take Coral’s good intentions for granted, though, thanks to licensing from the Gibraltar Gaming Commission and the UK Gambling Commission. That means that the site – at minimum – meets the operating standards of both governing bodies, and is legally set to take UK players. It also means that processes are in place to deal with player disputes and financial mismanagement.

It also carries approval from several third party agencies. Ensuring total site security is certification from Symantec Norton Security, while Coral Casino also works with IBAS (the Independent Betting Arbitration Service) to ensure that all player disputes are handled swiftly and amicably. Games are given the all-clear with in-house and third-party auditing.

However, while Coral publishes RTP figures for the games it carries (these can be found in the information section of each game), it seems to rely on auditing conducted on behalf of the software providers rather than commissioning its own tests (see 888casino for an example of how this should be done). It’s all above board, but it always inspires confidence to see a company go the extra mile to reassure players.

A quick trawl of the usual forums shows that Coral is generally considered by players to be a highly trustworthy site that deals with withdrawal requests efficiently. However, player dispute resolution issues have been reported following its merger with Gala and Ladbrokes.

There are no quibbles about Coral Casino’s banking options. All of the major payment methods, including popular e-wallets, are available, and withdrawals are reported to be handled quickly and efficiently.

Coral Casino has been around the block enough over the years that it should certainly know a thing or two about welcome bonuses and sign-up incentives.

When you first register at Coral Casino your first deposit of £10 will be boosted by £50, a second deposit will nab you a £10 slots bonus, and a third deposit garners a £5 roulette bonus. Yes, a triple-header welcome bonus is a nice touch, but there is nothing here that will appeal to high rollers, which is a little disappointing.

It should be noted that the bonus has a 28-day time cap, so while the wagering requirement is low, if you choose to grab this deal you best be prepared to move quickly. However, given the relatively low cash value of the bonus, that shouldn’t be a problem for most. Even the game contribution percentages are above average. Both online roulette and blackjack contribute 20% (barring a few named exceptions), while slots contribute 100%, as usual.

When it comes to putting together an attractive game selection, no online casino can afford to take half-measures. With the likes of LeoVegas, Rizk, and Guts hosting game catalogues that are simply huge in number, it’s great to see that Coral Casino has worked hard to keep up with the pace.

Backed by the likes of Playtech, IGT and Bally Barcrest, slots are the obvious calling card of Coral, and the site delivers many of the biggest and best titles around. Yes, there are other sites that may outdo Coral Casino when it comes to the number of games offered, but with the likes of Playtech’s Batman progressive jackpots, Monopoly, Gladiator, and The X Factor in the mix, an entertaining time on the reels is guaranteed.

Table games should be the bread-and-butter of casino gaming, but with the popularity of slots it’s not surprising that many online casinos treat them as an afterthought. In that context, it’s good to see that Coral Casino delivers them in abundance. There are plenty of options if you want to test your skills at the table. There are around 50 different classic casino games on offer, including the likes of Pinball Roulette, European Blackjack, Baccarat, Red Dog, 3-Card Poker, and even the seldom seen Trente et Quarante.

Taking things to the next level, Coral Casino also provides members with a complete array of live casino games. If you’ve played at a Playtech live casino before, you’ll know to expect competent dealers and a user-friendly interface. There aren’t any surprises in the game selection, but there are several Coral-exclusive tables, including high-stakes blackjack (if you fancy low stakes casino games, check out our low stake casino guide).

There is a slightly larger catalogue available via the download client (although we really don’t see the value of these anymore, but there’s enough here on instant play that you could probably skip it.

Sadly, it’s isn’t all sunshine and rainbows when it comes to playing at Coral Casino. Getting around the game selection is cumbersome, as the site is pretty clunky in places.

Overall, we do think that the casino could have done a better job of showcasing the games that it has to offer. Although it’s functional enough, the site as a whole feels a bit drab and outdated – more high street betting shop than glitzy online casino.

Those who enjoy gambling on the move are catered for by the dedicated mobile casino app, which is available for free download on iOS and Android. You can grab the iPhone/iPad app from the App Store, while Android owners have to submit their phone number in order to receive a link to download the app.

While you’ve probably crossed paths with a few mobile casino apps over the years, you would have come across nothing quite like Coral Casino’s portable platform.

Dedicated Coral branded tables, quick and easy registration, real-life casino dealers, lightning fast performance, and exclusive mobile bonuses, Coral Casino has a mobile platform that really ups the ante.

Much like with the welcome bonus, there isn’t much oomph when it comes to promotions, unless you avail yourself of the sportsbook’s regular betting specials.

On the casino side, the smattering of offers just isn’t enough to compete with what other brands are bringing to the table. When you look at what Sky Casino are offering, for example, where hundreds of thousands of pounds are on the line regularly in free cash and free spins, Coral Casino can’t even get close.

A comp point/loyalty system is the most exciting thing that this brand has to offer. That said, conversion rates compare well to the competition, 100 points can be swapped in for £1.00, with two points earned for every £10 wagered on slots, and one point on all other games.