The First Impression of the Games at Rise Casino

Rise Casino is one of those sites that dazzle you with the appearances and get you thinking that there is more underneath the surface. Unfortunately, what you see is what you get, and while there is a decent number of slots, the live casino tables and casino games (with the exception of baccarat and Texas Holdem) are not included, which is likely to disappoint a lot of players. video poker and a few bingo variants can also be found scattered across the casino.

The Colourful Chaos of Games at Rise Casino

I still struggle to understand the reason behind the poor and superficial gaming categorisation at the desktop version of Rise Casino, while, at the same time, the casino’s layout is quite different when viewed on a mobile device. Be as it may, browsing through the titles on my PC has been a painstaking process. Aside from filtering the games according to the date and bookmarking your favourite releases, there is no convenient way of narrowing down your search. Using the search bar only makes sense if you know exactly what you are looking for, however, this option proved to be unreliable. Not only was it unresponsive (entering the keyword would list all the relevant titles, but I was not able to actually select and launch the game from the search bar), it turned out to be fickle as well. For example, using the search tab listed only one baccarat variant, but I was able to see one more while exploring the offer. Since the games cannot be sorted according to the popularity, your only other alternative is to wander aimlessly through the offer until you find something that grabs your attention; White Rabbit by Big Time Gaming, Vikings by NetEnt, and Leprechaun Hills by Quickspin are among some of the more popular titles that I’ve come across.

All things considered, players who are not overly concerned about versatility and spend most of their time playing slots or scratch cards will probably have no objections to the gaming catalogue. However, those who prefer all-encompassing platforms with the neatly categorised offer will probably not hang about… Once again, I would like to emphasise that the table below is a representation of the casino’s gaming offer as seen on desktop. When launched on mobile, additional categories and games will be displayed.

Look Elsewhere for Live Tables

Disappointingly, live dealer games are omitted from Rise Casino and although the operator partners with some of the best live software suppliers in the industry, (such as NetEnt), no live tables can be found in the Rise Casino gaming catalogue at the moment. I would like to underline that I am slightly confused by the entire concept of the site, and while the quality of games is undisputed, the general direction of the casino and the target demographics are elusive. Let us just hope that Rise Casino is a work in progress. In the meantime, check out my list of the best live casino game sites.

Mobile Version of This Site

The Rise Casino operator does not offer a downloadable mobile app which would facilitate access to the casino and enable you to launch your favourite games with no more than a few taps. This may not be what you were hoping to hear, especially if you are a mobile device “addict”, but you will be pleased to learn that the site is mobile-friendly anyway – a common solution for many of my favourite online casinos these days, with the help of HTML5. Loading the casino from your smartphone or tablet will adapt the site layout to the screen size of your device and, believe it or not, this is where the magic happens. For some reason, launching the casino from your phone will grant access to additional categories – Instant Win, Scratch Cards, Table Games (currently just roulette), and Mega Jackpot – which I was quite surprised to discover.

Betting Limits at Rise Casino

Obviously, the lack of live tables is a strong indication that Rise Casino is not what you would call a high-roller casino. The roulette games (both American and European version) have standard table limits (KES50 – KES25,000), while baccarat has three different betting levels ( KES20 – KES1,000, KES50 – KES15,000, KES1,000 – KES25,000) that allow the players to select the limit range themselves.

The betting range of video poker games is close to the one in video slots. Deuces Wild allow the players to bet between KES20- KES125 per hand, enabling you to manually adjust the coin value and the betting level. Similar minimum and maximum bets are applied to the majority of slot variants available in Rise online casino, and the players can start their wagering at KES20 or press the bets to KES10,000 (Irish Luck or Fluffy Too by Eyecon). Leprechaun Carol by Pragmatic Play doubles the maximum bet, setting the limit at KES15,000, while NetEnt’s Universal Monsters: The Phantom’s Curse caps the maximum stake at KES5,000. With more than 300 slots, it should not be that difficult to find a game that’s within your budget, but you will be forced to launch the games one at the time to see what the limits are since there is no info sheet.

The Average RTP Rate of Rise Casino Games

According to the RTP list of mobile and PC games, the average Rise Casino payout rate is 94.76% (calculated by yours truly), which is acceptable though not impressive since there are casinos with a significantly higher return percentage. If the RTP percentage has not been one of the factors in your decision-making process when choosing the optimal casino game, it’s about time you start considering the payout rate and direct your selection accordingly. The return to the player rate is defined as the percentage of the bet that a game can produce, which means that a game with 95% RTP returns KES15 on KES50 bet (on average). In most cases, slots can return 96%-97% of the player’s bet, while casino games and video poker variants can generate up to 99%. Implementing a strategy to your gameplay can additionally decrease the house edge and increase the RTP, especially in blackjack.

I should also point out that some of the games on the Rise Casino RTP lists are actually not a part of the casino offer (I was definitely not able to locate them), therefore, it remains a mystery how the list was actually obtained. One possible explanation would be that the operator is planning on expanding the offer and including new gaming categories in the near future. For the lack of a more reliable alternative, I was compelled to use these two lists as a source of information for the table above. However, certain reservations are in order. Barcrest’s Dr. Jekyll Goes Wild is one of the slots with the highest RTP value (98.20%), followed by the Cash Stax (98.14%), NetEnt’s Bloodsuckers (98%), and Pragmatic Play’s Caishen’s Gold (97.08%). All other slot releases are somewhere in between 95% and 96%, which is considered pretty normal.

Rise Casino Software, Categories and Site Layout

The layout of Rise Casino will depend on the device used to load the site. The main advantage of accessing the casino account on your mobile is a more elaborate categorisation and the players will find it easier to browse the site and find appropriate games from phones or tablets. Instant Wins, Most Played, Mega Jackpot, Scratch Card, and Table Games divisions are not offered in the desktop casino version, which makes it more difficult to find your way around the site. Visually, Rise Casino software presents a modern-looking venue, with bright colours and sliding banners that feature the casino’s promotional programme – daily free spins and Rise Rewards. While it cannot be denied that the site is easy to navigate, it does feel a bit strange that desktop users are deprived of additional categories and the only reason I was able to come up with was that the operator would like to promote the mobile version.

I am not a big fan of online casinos that do not enable their members to use the provider as a search tool. Sadly, Rise Casino is one such site, which, for me personally, makes the browsing process extremely uncomfortable. The mobile casino version compensates for this shortcoming by offering additional gaming sections, but some important search filters are still missing. I must emphasise that the actual selection of games is very good and while you will not be able to find every single release from a particular provider’s catalogue, you will be able to locate the most popular and latest releases, such as Wishwood by IGT, or Luxor by Pariplay. Free play mode is unfortunately not an option, which is yet another significant drawback.

Until the operator deals with these flops, Rise Casino will come across as amateurish and underdeveloped, especially to players who are more demanding. After all, in this day and age, we are not forced to make compromises, and finding a more suitable alternative is pretty much a matter of minutes.

888 Group – The Operator Behind the Brand

Rise Casino is operated by Cassava Enterprises Ltd, 888 group subsidiary. As one of the most respected brands, 888 Holdings Public Ltd has been among leading gaming providers since it was first launched in 1997. The company’s range of services includes online poker, bingo, sports betting, and 888’s Dragonfish platform, a sophisticated end-to-end software solution for 888 partners.

888 Group’s Proudest Moments

As one of the most renowned gaming brands, 888 has won a plethora of industry awards, which cemented the company’s reputation of a high-quality entertainment provider and industry leader. Being Casino Operator of the Year 5 years in a row (2005 – 2009, as well as in 2013) is quite an accomplishment and a logical conclusion to the company’s decades-long pursuit of creating a secure, fair and fun gambling environment. This is only a portion of 888’s achievements; the business continues to evolve and break into international markets – at the moment, 888casino is licensed in Europe (Spain, Italy, Denmark, and Romania), and the USA (Nevada and New Jersey), becoming the first online operator that signed a sponsorship deal with the New York Jets.

What Kind of Customer Service to Expect

The Help icon (pinned to the right side of the casino page) will mislead you into thinking that Rise Casino offers live chat client service. The disappointment comes when you click on it and learn that there is no 24/7 support. Direct interaction between the casino representatives and the members is possible by calling 0800 018 3307 (toll-free) between 10 AM and 2 AM, throughout the week. Players can also send an email using the online form in the Help section. The response should be expected within 4 hours, although it can take longer for the casino to acknowledge your inquiry and send a reply (up to 72 hours). Before submitting your message, be sure to select the appropriate category from the drop-down menu (deposit, login issues, bonuses, games, tech problems, or withdrawals), or visit the Frequently Asked Questions page.

Responsible Gambling

A number of safety-related questions have already been answered and put to rest by the mere fact that the casino belongs to 888 group and carries UKGC stamp of approval. The details of the operator and the regulatory bodies can be found at the bottom of the page, just below the Responsible Gambling and Fair Play sections. Players who like to keep their gambling activities under strict discipline will be particularly interested in the operator’s safety net designed to prevent compulsive gambling and protect the minors. Apart from providing the links to the blocking software manufactures, the operator urges anyone who is aware of underage gambling at 888 to report the activity by emailing [email protected]. Those who would like to exercise self-control will be able to set up a game-time reminder and adjust the auto-play limits, restricting the number of rounds that can be played within a session.

Extra Points for Reputability and Bonus Scheme

Any online casino operator that’s a part of 888 group will get some extra credit by default, mainly thanks to a number of industry awards and UKGC licence, which are the strongest indicators of rock-solid reputation and fairness-oriented business model. Apart from being the Casino Operator of the Year, 888 also had the honour of being the Best Digital Operator in 2014, and Gaming Intelligence Casino of the Year in 2015.

• AWARDS . 3/3

• PROMOTIONS . 1/3

• SPECIAL GAMES . 1/2

• LOYALTY SCHEME . 1/1

• EXTRAS . 0/1

• BONUS POINTS . 6

The promotional programme, on the other hand, is not as impressive as one might expect from a giant of 888’s stature. The new members will be able to claim 25 free spins upon submitting their first deposit, while the return members can climb up the casino’s loyalty ladder and advance their status with every casino visit. This is pretty decent, but still mediocre, especially the welcome bonus package. Surely, the operator can do better than 25 free spins?

Does It Rise to the Occasion?

With the risk of sounding too strict and demanding, I must admit that Rise Casino does not live up to its name. There’s just too much to improve before this online casino becomes competitive, but this does not mean that you should disregard it altogether. The number of games, mobile-friendly layout, respectable software providers, and the 12-level loyalty scheme are some of the main Rise Casino advantages, and before you dismiss it, a trial period may be in order – at least for those who consider themselves low-maintenance and easy-going players, with limited gaming needs.

On the other hand, the casino will most certainly fail to attract players with a more versatile taste, and even the ones who are converted into members are likely to start searching for a more elaborate venue as their appetites grow and skills develop. I am not sure if the operator has any long-term plans for Rise Casino but if this is all we get, then I don’t see much point of this and similar gaming sites. Again, I am not saying that the casino is worthless or misleading, but it definitely does not bring anything new to the table. That being the case, is there really a point of launching a new online gambling venue?

FAQs

I’ve done my best to reflect on all the relevant casino features in this Rise Casino review, as well as include everything that could be of interest to an average casino dweller. If there’s something that I’ve forgotten about, be sure to email me and let me know! The email is [email protected].

What is the withdrawal limit at Rise Casino?

There is no withdrawal limit, "unless you win one of on-site jackpots", which sounds a bit alarming. The pending time is 2 days and the settlement can take 4 – 7 business days for debit cards, up to 10 days for wire transfers, and 4 – 5 days for eWallet withdrawals.