Virgin Games Review:

Following an initial launch in 2004, Virgin Games Casino reformed in 2013 under the Gamesys banner. Since that time, this operator has used its global brand name in conjunction with the tech expertise of Gamesys to create a platform where players of all persuasions can thrive. Although some might feel there’s a lack of games to choose from, the wealth of bonuses you can claim goes some way to making up for it. They recently added bingo to their offerings, with the current bonus offer: Play £10 get £50 of Free Bingo.

As you’d expect from a brand as big as Virgin, this site has all ticks in all the right regulatory boxes. From SSL-encrypted software to licenses from the UK Gambling Commission and Gibraltar Gambling Commissioner, Virgin Games is about as secure as they come. In fact, when you combine these provisions with software from companies such as Gamesys, NetEnt and WMS (Williams Interactive), every game is certified fair by the likes of eCOGRA and iTech Labs.

Unfortunately, the site doesn’t disclose any information about its Return to Player (RTP) rates. While that doesn’t mean there’s something amiss, it would be nice to know the expected payout percentages for certain game categories. Transparency is key to trust, after all. Another issue with the site seems to be its terms and conditions.

The recurring theme among disgruntled players was the uncertainty about playthrough requirements and bonus percentages. Now, it’s important to note that Virgin Games operated well within the law and this could just be a few players that are unhappy about the service. However, it’s worth remembering that you will have to meet all the wagering requirements to ensure you don’t lose your bonus. If you can remember this, you won’t have any issues with safety, security or reliability when it comes to Virgin Games Casino.  

Deposits and withdrawals at Virgin Games Casino are all pretty standard. As long as you meet the £10 minimum (for deposits and withdrawals), you’ll get your money in a secure, timely fashion.

Despite a few concerns about players regarding wagering conditions, the welcome bonus at Virgin Games Casino is very good. In fact, the 200% multiplier is one of the largest we’ve seen for a while. Okay, so the maximum amount you can deposit is £100, but that does mean you’ll get an extra £200 in bonus cash when you join.

What’s attractive about this welcome offer is that you only have to wager 4x the bonus amount before you’re released from the playthrough requirements. Naturally, as with all online casino bonuses, any withdrawal requests made during the wagering period will result in you losing the bonus. However, because you only have to wager four times the bonus, you shouldn’t be under this yoke for too long.

While we’d love to say the Virgin Games Casino welcome bonus is perfect, few things in life are ever the way you’d want them to be, and this offer is no different. While there’s no doubt the multiplier and playthrough requirements are up there with the best in the business, you have to have a penchant for bingo if you want to get the most out of it.

Most online casinos will apply a 100% contribution weighting to slots, but Virgin has reserved this honour for its bingo games. For slots, 10% of each bet you make will count towards your wagering requirements, while casino games count for 5% and roulette 2.5%. You’ll also find a list of excluded games when you visit the site’s terms and conditions.

Discovering that slots contribute only 10% is disappointing to say the least. It brings Virgin’s bonus into line with the industry average, at around 40x on slots. The good news is that by that maths a 5% contribution on casino games becomes the equivalent of a 50% contribution on a 40x wagering requirement, which is much better than you’ll find elsewhere, and makes Virgin a good choice for fans of those games.

If it wasn’t for the below-average contribution weightings, Virgin Games Casino would have the best welcome bonus full stop. Although the current offer is still good, you will have to focus you attention on bingo or slots if you really want to unlock your funds within the 30-day time limit.

To be eligible for the bonus you’ll need to wager at least £10 in cash on any game(s).

Virgin Games is an instant-play casino, which means you won’t have to worry about weighty downloads or losing out on content by not having the software installed on your computer. Since re-launching under the Gamesys network in 2013, Virgin has made this developer’s software one of the top dogs across the site. When you add to this a collection of partnerships with the likes of NetEnt, WMS, Bally Barcrest and IGT, you get a collection of games with a good balance of industry classics and modern marvels.

Now, the one thing we will say is that the process of actually getting to the site’s casino games is a little convoluted. Although it takes just a few clicks, it is a few clicks more than you’ll have to make at other sites. The reason for the slightly increased search process is because when you sign up to the Casino, you’re joining Virgin Games as a whole. This means you’ll have access to poker, bingo and casino games.

Therefore, because you’re essentially inside a games network, you’ll need to click Games, then Casino to find a selection of 24 virtual table games. For slots you’ll need to choose Games then Slots to find 73 spinners, and so on for Live Casino games. As you can see, as well as being a drawn-out process, the selection of games isn’t the most extensive. However, the main bases have been covered, and you’ll find industry classics such as Gonzo’s Quest slot, 3D Roulette, Craps, Classic Keno and Ultimate Video Poker when you join.

Beyond these options, the thing that’s most impressive about Virgin’s games menu is its Exclusives tab. Here you’ll find six different games, including Streets of Gold Roulette and Wild Seat Poker, all of which are unique to Virgin Casino. As well as offering a wealth of entertainment, these games all have jackpots topping £10,000.

In reality, the games menu at Virgin Casino does lack a little in the size department, and the first time you start looking for options it can be a bit laborious. However, when you factor in some exclusive games and a generous selection of jackpots, there should be just enough to keep novices and pros alike happy.

Overall, the user interface is straightforward and stable, but like the game selection, it lacks the “wow factor”. Virgin has done well by players by including a short text description next to each game, but it results in text-heavy pages with very small images. The colour and excitement that characterises most casino sites is missing here.

Coming in at just 24.5MB, and compatible with the latest iOS and Android operating systems, the Virgin Casino mobile app is a great way for you to enjoy a full roster of games on the go. Everything from swipeable menus and shake-to-bet provisions have been added to the app so you can play with the greatest of ease. However, what really impressed us about Virgin’s mobile casino offering was an app built specially for newbies.

Away from the main casino app, you’ll find the free-play Virgin Casino experience app. When you load up this app for the first time, you’ll be given an interactive tutorial. After this, a series of prompts take you through the software so you can learn how to earn bonuses and free chips.

In simple terms, the free-play app is like a game in its own right. When you first join, you’ll start on Level 1 with 750 credits and access to O’Lucky’s Gold slot. From here, you can wager your credits and earn bonuses and move up the levels in order to unlock new games. The overall aim is to build up a sense of how to play Virgin’s top games in a fun and free way before you cross over to the real money app.

The Virgin Games promo lobby is filled with an ever-changing roster of bonuses and giveaways. Staple offerings like Daily Free Games allow you to play select games each day without spending a penny by simply making a deposit of £10 or more. Another impressive offer is the 10% cashback on your losses over a two-hour period each week. You choose the time you want the bonus to kick in and Virgin will give you 10% back up to £20.

Beyond these bonuses, Virgin Casino has the V*Points loyalty scheme. Operating on a play-for-points basis, you can earn a single point for every £1 you spend on casino games.  After you hit the 20 point minimum, you’ll be able to exchange them at a rate of 20 points for £0.20. Or, if you’re a keen traveller, 1 point per air mile with Virgin Atlantic.

Overall, the list of bonuses at Virgin Games Casino is pretty good. Free games will appeal to newbies, while cashback and a VIP system where you can turn bets into flights is something that should impress regular grinders.