For our latest review, we'll be assessing Jackpot City Casino to see what kind of gaming package it's able to offer players. We'll be looking at things like UX, welcome promotions, game variety, customer support, and cashier options. The loyalty points based scheme will also form part of our evaluation.
What is Jackpot City Casino?
Jackpot City is an online casino featuring slots and classic casino games from Microgaming as well as a live dealer platform by Evolution. Owned by Digimedia Limited Casinos and licensed by the Malta Gaming Authority, the site launched in 1998. So as far as online casinos in Canada go, this particular operator is very well-established.
Jackpot City Casino Website - Design
As we mention again and again, website design can offer major clues as to the reputability of a company, irrespective of its industry. A shoddy-looking platform isn’t going to inspire much confidence in prospective customers. Conversely, a polished platform will provide plenty of positive signals to visitors.
This is especially true when it comes to the online casino industry. It doesn't matter if your game selection is second to none. If you're not able to satisfy player interests by serving a responsive, polished casino website, then you might as well quit.
Happily, for the people behind Jackpotcity, their website looks professional and well structured. Featuring a sleek black and purple colour scheme, our first impressions were very favourable.
On Desktops and Mobile
On desktops, an extravagant promotional header greets new visitors to Jackpot City. A well-drawn hybrid cityscape serves as a glossy backdrop for the welcome bonus. Sadly, the animated ‘exclusive offer’ medallion is no longer visible. But the site looks as good as ever on desktops and laptops which is important - a lot of operators have 'mobile casino' on the brain and focus on smaller devices to the exclusion of all else. This isn't the case with Spin casino though.
Very few changes on mobiles and tablets as far as appearances on concerned- the branding, as well as the welcome bonus header is retained. In fact, the Jackpot City casino platform seems more at home on smaller screens.
Jackpot City Casino UX
For PC/Laptop screens, the main navigation is split into two and installed on either side of the casino logo. To the left is a drop-down game menu which includes links to the casino promotions and banking options. To the right are links to an FAQ section, a blog, language options, and the contact page. Orange casino account login and registration buttons are also located in the top right corner, complete with snazzy CSS mouse-over effects.
On mobiles, both of these menus are tucked away in a pop-out panel, while the casino login/registration buttons are moved to the bottom of the screen.
The actual games lobby is only accessible once registered - extremely annoying for casino reviewers, not all that keen on submitting their personal and financial information. A few operators provide access to their selection of games once the registration cookies have been activated- not so here though, much to our chagrin. Still, there are ways around this...
The lobby is organised into a seven-column layout which collapses on mobile screens. The dark colour-scheme serves as an excellent backdrop for the colourful thumbnails. The selection of games available is organised into the following categories.
- Slots
- Jackpots
- Video Poker
- Online Bingo
- Online Keno (Scratch cards)
- Roulette
- Blackjack
- Poker
Mercifully, a search bar is also included making it easier for players to find their favourite casino games. You'd be surprised at how many online casinos don't actually bother to include this kind of functionality in their games lobbies.
In terms of design and usability then, we didn’t encounter any issues on either desktop or smart devices. The site looks great and features an intuitive navigation system. So how many games do Canadian players have access to?
Jackpot City Casino Games
Jackpot City includes many, many different games. Unfortunately, though, they're provided by just one developer: Microgaming. On the bright side, Microgaming is one of the most acclaimed specialists in the business. It boasts a particularly impressive back-catalogue, especially when it comes to slots.
Slots
In terms of slots games, Jackpot City players have at their disposal an excellent collection of top titles - more than 300 in fact. These include hits such as Thunderstruck II, Game of Thrones, Tomb Raider, Treasure Nile, and Alaskan Fishing. There’s also a decent collection of progressive jackpot games like Fruit Fiesta, Major Millions, Lots of Loot, and of course the millionaire-maker, Mega Moolah.
Jackpot City Casino - Video Poker
It's not all about standard and jackpot slots though. Jackpot City Casino also features an assortment of video poker games. While quite primitive in comparison to standard and progressive reel-spinners, video poker still attracts a huge following online. Jackpot City currently showcases popular titles like Aces and Faces Power Poker, All Aces Poker, and Double Double Bonus.
Jackpot City - Online Casino Games
Accompanying Jackpot City’s superb range of online slot machine games are standard table games like roulette of which there are three versions: French, American, and European.
Blackjack is also extremely well-represented with 40 different variants to choose from. Highlights include Atlantic City Blackjack, Bonus Blackjack, Big Five Blackjack, and Spanish Blackjack.
Assuming you're a noob, these computer-based table games offer a great opportunity to prep and familiarize yourself with the rules before visiting the live dealer section at Jackpot City. If you're unfamiliar with a game, playing against real-life opponents is one of the more off-putting experiences. And gamblers are not always known for their chivalrous behaviour either, especially when it comes to newcomers.
Nonetheless, Canadian players ready to face off against real-life opponents have access to one of the best live casino specialists of all.
Jackpot City Casino - Live Dealer Games
Jackpot City Casino's live dealer suite is powered by the revered developer, Evolution Gaming. This company is considered absolute royalty within the industry and is one of the best providers of live dealer casino games. Its outstanding feature-laden platform operates across all devices and includes numerous in-game elements that enhance play such as live chat and detailed statistics. Currently, live dealer games include blackjack, baccarat, roulette and poker. All are overseen by professional croupiers with tables streamed in high definition. So Jackpot City has most definitely pulled off something of a coup by integrating Evolution’s software into its website.
What's the Best Game to Play on Jackpot City?
If we consider this question in terms of total wins at JackpotCity Casino, then slots such as Thunderstruck II should top the bill. At present, this massively popular game boasts more than 1200 wins by players registered with Jackpot City. As far as returns go, you could also say that Immortal Romance is one of the best games with a player-friendly RTP of 96.80%. This is of course subjective - much will depend on whatever tickles your pickle.
Jackpot City Casino - Bonuses and Promotions
We now move on to an area that's almost as important as casino game selection: bonus deals and promotions. Obviously, online casinos that don't attract new players or retain existing ones aren't going to be around very long. The trick is to offer compelling match bonus incentives and/or free spins packages. It's also kind of helpful to include a worthwhile VIP program (more of that later). So how does Jackpotcity do when it comes to match bonuses and player perks?
Let's begin with the sign-up bonus. Jackpot City’s welcome promotion, which is pretty hard to miss, rewards new registrants with a 100% match bonus of up to $1600. It covers the first four deposits ($400 for each) which on the face of it look pretty tempting. But a close look at the terms and conditions reveals a problem - the wagering.
Jackpot City Casino's 100 match deposit bonus was originally subject to wagering requirements of x50. But this has now been increased to an eye-watering rate of x70.
Still, the bonus is credited to accounts as soon as the first payment (min deposit $10) is made. It's also available for seven days after initial registration. But this is scant consolation as far as we're concerned.
Nonetheless, registered Canadian players have access to additional promotions including a Daily Deal match bonus. According to the site, this is calculated according to playing activity. A bonus wheel incentive is also available which includes prizes such as free spins, cash credits, and VIP points. In order to find out more though, you'll need to sign up with Jackpot City.
Jackpot City Casino - VIP Program
In an effort to reward and keep high-rolling players, Jackpot City Casino operates a tiered point-based loyalty program. Typically, loyalty points are awarded each time you deposit and wager funds on slots and table games. These can then be exchanged for bonus credits, although it’s difficult to ascertain what these bonus credits can be used for. The different tiers include a variety of benefits including bespoke match bonuses, competitions, and access to a ‘dedicated support team’.
We see the term ‘dedicated support team’ used a lot with the many VIP allurements that we cast our weary eyes upon - and it’s rather vexing truth be told. Is customer support for rank and file players not dedicated? Are support team-members blasé about complaints or queries from games with low-to-medium bankrolls?
Or has the term been included to compensate for an underwhelming VIP package that’s devoid of any true perks worth mentioning? It’s hard to say really. Because the 300-word spiel on the ‘loyalty rewards’ page actually reveals very little about precisely what bonuses and perks loyal casino players are entitled to.
Banking Options
Happily, though, Jackpot City Canada makes sure to furnish players with plenty of deposit options in order to help them spend their money as easily as possible. With regards to standard banking methods such as debit cards, players can use VISA and VISA Electron. Credit card options are also available and include Mastercard. In addition to these banking options are the following specialist online transaction services and e-wallets: Interac, iDebit, Trustly, Skrill, and Neteller. You can also transfer funds by bank transfer, although details about the bank transfer option are not available to unregistered players. However, all in all, an above par collection of payment methods.
Customer Support
Querying Jackpot City players have a decent customer service suite which is operated on a 24/7 basis. Live chat and email are provided as well as a comprehensive FAQ section. This covers numerous areas relating to accounts, responsible gaming, bonuses/promotions, play-through requirements, cashier options, and site functionality.
Is Jackpot City Safe?
Any casino that operates for more than 20 years has got to be doing something right. While this doesn't guarantee that an operator is completely above-board, it's a major trust signal. And longevity is one of Jackpot City Casino's main selling points, considering that this casino is one of the most established brands in iGaming.
The website is secured with 256-bit encryption so that any personal and financial information that you transmit will be safe. As we usually mention in our online casino reviews, never sign up with casinos that don't use SSL. You'll be able to tell if SSL has been deployed by looking at the site's address where you should see a padlock. Clicking the padlock will also reveal the kind of encryption in place. It will either be 128-bit or 256 bit - both provide robust security and are more than adequate.
Malta Gaming Authority
Another important indicator of a casino's repute is the type of regulatory authority by which it abides. In this instance, it's the Malta Gaming Authority - a respected body that ensures that iGaming platforms are safe and fair to players. What's more, all of the Microgaming slot machines and table games on the Jackpot City website are regularly tested by eCogra.
What is the Best Online Casino in Canada?
Well, that depends on what you consider to be the most important elements of an online casino. To us, this means a great game collection and deposit bonus deals that constitute true value for money. Good customer service is important too as is a secure website. All casinos that successfully fuse these elements together will be able to offer a compelling casino gaming experience. With this in mind, here are the pros and cons of registering and playing at Jackpot City Casino.
Jackpot City - Pros
- Many Different Games Available
- Progressive Jackpot Slots including Mega Moolah
- Table Games Including Blackjack, Roulette
- All Microgaming Slots Certified by eCogra
- com Licensed by Malta Gaming Authority instead of Kahnawake
- Min Deposit Low for Welcome Bonus
- Live Casino Platform by Evolution
- Licensed to Operate in Canada
- All of the Main Banking Options Available including Bank Transfer
- Loyalty Program
- Mobile Casino Fully Responsive on All Smart Devices
- 100 Match Bonus
Jackpot City - Cons
- Many Different Games Available But Only One Provider
- High Wagering Rules for Bonuses
- Uninspiring VIP Package
- Customer Support Doesn't include Telephone Help
- Loyalty Points Deal Not Great Value For Money
- Not Much Info Provided about Bonuses or VIP Package for Unregistered Players
Jackpot City Review - Conclusion
In conclusion, it's fair to say that Jackpot City Casino has plenty to offer players. Design and UX are absolutely fine across all devices. And the mobile casino version of the site works without any problems. Indeed, we were particularly impressed with the desktop site and the bold Las Vegas styled promo header. Although the standard casino games are powered by just one developer (Microgaming), there are more than 300 to choose from including the crowd-pleaser, Mega Moolah. There are also plenty of classic casino games to be getting on with such as blackjack, roulette, and poker. The addition of Evolution’s live dealer platform is a massive plus point too. But there a few issues.
We really could have done with specific details regarding the loyalty points based VIP package. And the terms and conditions could offer more information too, especially in regards to the match promotions offered to registered players.
Furthermore, we’re still none the wiser about the benefits offered to high-rolling gamers. A few more contact options could have been included in the customer services section as well such as a telephone helpline. With these criticisms aside, we'd suggest that Jackpot City Canada is a fairly decent casino site. Provided you stay away from the bonus, there's every chance that you'll have a positive gaming experience.
