Many online casino players often feel confused and overwhelmed by the number of casino sites on the web, sites that are too similar in design, too predictable and unoriginal. That is not the case with YakoCasino, a relative newcomer on the UK market, which easily catches the eye with its fun, user-friendly design and light-hearted perspective on gambling.
YakoCasino was established in 2015 with a main focus on Scandinavia but in the summer of 2017, it was acquired by L&L Europe, a leading European gaming operator with more than a dozen online casinos in its portfolio. With their new, instant-play platform, the casino started working with multiple currencies and languages, and it became available in a large part of the continent and beyond. Most importantly, it was granted a license by the UK Gambling Commission, which allowed it to enter the dynamic British market. Just a few months after that, YakoCasino had quickly earned a reputation for being one of the safest, reliable and rewarding Internet casinos for UK-based customers.
One of its best features, however, is its welcome bonus, which grants newly registered players free spins even before they make a deposit. Once they do, they receive additional free spins, as well as a 100% match bonus on their first deposit. Last, but not least, the gaming library is impressive, offering slots, table games, and live casino games from NetEnt, Microgaming, Amatic Industries, and more.
Software Providers
YakoCasino, which means “your casino” in Swahili according to its owner, offers its patrons user-friendly interface and a personalized gaming experience that can be partially attributed to the great abundance of games in its library. While the casino operates on the L&L Europe platform, the games are provided by several software development companies, namely international market leaders such as Microgaming, NetEnt, Evolution Gaming and Amatic Industries.
NetEnt, for example, is one of the largest and most innovative casino software providers in Europe, while its games are known for the high quality of their graphics, the beautiful designs and the one-of-a-kind storylines. The award-winning Swedish company is famous for one more thing, its progressive jackpot games such as Hall of Gods and Mega Fortune. In addition, it has classic and video slots, a large variety of table games, video poker titles, and, of course, a rich collection of high-quality live table games.
The other big name, beautifully represented at YakoCasino’s gaming library, is the Isle of Man based software development company Microgaming. As the most experienced gaming provider on the market (yes, it was founded back in 1994), Microgaming has one of the largest collections of online slots, many of which can be played at YakoCasino. The website hosts some of its most popular classic slots, as well as many of its video slots released in the past few years. There are also some Microgaming video poker variations and hit titles such as Mega Moolah, which comes with a huge progressive jackpot.
The Live Casino section at the website is exclusively provided by Evolution Gaming, the largest software developer that specializes in designing, creating and supply of live dealer games. Headquartered in the small Baltic country of Latvia, Evolution Gaming offers an impressive variety of roulette, blackjack, baccarat and poker games, all available in multiple languages and streamed in real time from Evolution’s professional studios in Malta and Riga.
YakoCasino also hosts several games from yet another leading name in the world of casino and gaming software, the Austrian-based Amatic Industries. It offers some of the company’s hottest titles such as Blue Dolphin and Allways Fruits, which is among the most sought-after games at YakoCasino.
Gaming Library
As a modern, instant-play website, YakoCasino opens immediately on all platforms and browsers, so no software download is needed, whether on Windows or Mac systems. The games load directly in the web browser of your choosing and many of them can be played even without logging in. All live dealer games and progressive jackpots, on the other hand, are available only after registration and log-in.
Just like most of the large casinos on the web, YakoCasino offers a great selection of games, divided into several categories, namely Slots, Video Slots, Table Games, Video Poker, Live Casino and Jackpot Games. In fact, there are more than 1,200 titles, searchable also by how new and hot they are.
Slots
There are hundreds of colourful online slots that can be played at YakoCasino and they come with diverse themes, styles, and graphics. Along with traditionally-looking three-reelers such as Break da Bank and Fantastic 7s, there are plenty of newer, modern classic slot games such as 108 Heroes Multiplier Fortunes, Wild Stars, Cosmic Cat and the newly added Fire and Ice.
And while most games in the Slots category do not feature bonuses and special symbols, all these could be found in the Video Slots group. It includes games with stunning visuals, plenty of special features, mini-games within them, etc. These video slots are of various genres such as fantasy and fairy tales, animals, action, science fiction, and more. Some of the most popular titles here are Avalon and Avalon II, Gonzo’s Quest, Game of Thrones, Asian Beauty, Starburst, Jungle Spirit, and Immortal Romance.
Table Games
Another gaming category that is absolutely necessary for every top-notch online casino is table and card games. With its rich selection of modern, virtual takes on all-time classics like blackjack and poker, YakoCasino does not disappoint. Players can choose from several French-type roulette games, including low and high-stakes variations, but there are also American and European versions. In fact, the casino offers high-stakes and low-stakes versions for most games, so that they are available to all types of players. Chips come in all denominations, ranging from 0.10 to 500 and even 1,000 credits (in your chosen currency) for the high-roller games.
The Table Games category also features a large number of blackjack titles, including Blackjack Classic, Blackjack Singledeck, Professional Series, and Double Exposure. When it comes to classics, we cannot miss the versions of poker available here – Texas Hold’em, Caribbean Stud, and Oasis Poker. YakoCasino members can also enjoy several variations of baccarat, Red Dog and Pontoon.
Video Poker
Video poker is strange, yet a very interesting alternative to classic poker that emerged roughly three decades ago. It is based on the rules of poker, but it also looks like a type of slot machine where cards are dealt by the computer. Its virtual form is even more exciting, as it features improved graphics, faster gameplay and a better overall experience.
The selection of video poker titles at YakoCasino should be able to satisfy most poker fans whether they are experts or complete novices in this game. They can choose classic and rather simple video poker variations such as Jacks or Better, Tens or Better, Aces and Eights, and Deuces Wild, or opt for more exciting games like Double Double Bonus Poker and Bonus Poker Deluxe. In addition, the online casino offers several multi-hand video poker games, including Deuces Wild and Joker Wild Multi Hand, or Microgaming’s Poker games. In these multi-hand versions, players can bet on up to 100 hands simultaneously.
Live Dealer Games
Certain online players prefer to stay as close to the land-based gaming as possible and the collection of live dealer games is designed specifically for them. The Live Casino section of YakoCasino provides all gambling enthusiasts with a really immersive, authentic casino experience by hosting games by Evolution Gaming. As explained briefly above, these card and table games are broadcast in real-time from Evolution Gaming’s studios in Malta and Latvia.
Due to the high-definition quality and the professional croupiers, YakoCasino members are given the opportunity to experience the real casino action without stepping into a land-based casino. This section, however, is available only for those who register an account and log in with their username and password. So, there is no practice mode where you can play with casino credits. Those who do sign up, on the other hand, can choose from a wide range of roulette, poker, blackjack and baccarat games. Table limits should also suit everyone from casual, low-stakes players to real high-rollers. In addition, there are several VIP tables, where both the stakes and the potential winnings are high.
Progressive Jackpot Games
The other category in YakoCasino’s gaming library is called Jackpot but these are not regular jackpot games, as all slots, for instance, come with a jackpot. In these online slots, the top prize is a fixed amount, whereas the games in the Jackpot section feature the so-called progressive jackpots. Similarly to jackpot in lotteries, the jackpot here start from a fixed amount and increases with every bet placed in the game. As a result, it quickly rises to six and seven-figure amounts of money.
Great examples of slots with progressive jackpots are the popular Mega Moolah and Mega Moolah Isis, Arabian Nights, Hall of Gods, and Mega Fortune. British players can also play progressive video slots such as Divine Fortune and Super Lucky Frog, as well as the classic slot with progressive jackpot Mega Joker. Fans of card games can try their skills at progressive Caribbean Stud Poker.
Promotions and Bonuses
One of the best highlights of YakoCasino is certainly its list of bonuses and promotional offers, which reward even newly registered players who have not made a deposit. The bonus system of the casino is rather straightforward, but players should keep in mind that every promotion has its own rules and restrictions. First of all, in order to play with a bonus, players need to activate it from the Bonuses page under My Account section.
Along with the initial bonus upon registration, the platform also has recurring offers such as the Bonus Bonanza, where players are notified by email of a match bonus on their first deposit of the day, or the Free Spins Galore, which launches randomly and rewards free spins. In addition, loyal players receive on Monday 10% cashback on the net money losses they incurred during the previous week.
Welcome Bonus for New Players
Newly registered members of YakoCasino receive a no-deposit bonus upon correctly entering their name and personal details. Once their real-money account is active, they are given 22 free spins on one of four NetEnt slots – Starburst, Finn and the Swirly Spin, Aloha, or Joker Pro. This bonus needs to be wagered within 48 hours, or otherwise, it is automatically forfeit.
When members activate the bonus and spend the 22 free spins, their winnings would be considered bonus money and subject to a wagering requirement of 40 times. For instance, if you win £10 from the free spins, you will need to wager £400 (£10×40). Still, you can request a withdrawal before making a deposit into your account – it can be anything from £40 to a maximum of £100.
But this is just one part of the Welcome Bonus – when new players deposit at least £10, they receive a 100% match bonus. This bonus is valid only for the first deposit into the casino and its maximum amount is £222. Once again, it comes with a 40x wagering requirement, which needs to be completed within 30 days of activation.
Bonus Terms and Conditions
Before activating any promotion at their YakoCasino accounts, casino patrons should take a look at the General Bonus Terms available on the website. First of all, bonuses are given only to players based in the following countries – New Zealand, UK, South Africa, Ireland, Germany, Austria, Switzerland, Canada, Sweden, Denmark, Norway and Finland and India. Unless they are no-deposit bonuses, all bonuses require a minimum deposit of £10 in order to be activated. Also, the casino stores users’ deposited funds and their bonus funds in different “wallets”. Bonus funds cannot be used in the Live Casino section, nor can they be withdrawn.
Before players can request a withdrawal from their gaming account, they need to meet the wagering requirement, which, unless otherwise specified, is 40 times the amount of the bonus. All bonuses, except for any free spins, are valid for 30 days and they should be played through in several types of games, namely Slots, Video Slots and Other Games. Table Games and Video Poker do not count towards completing the wagering requirements, so even if you play these games, the bets you made would be taken into account. Wagering on live dealer games is, of course, also not possible.
Another important condition when claiming the Welcome Bonus is that the 100% match bonus is not available when making a deposit using Skrill or Neteller. Last, but not least, the amount of the bet when completing the wagering or playthrough should not exceed £5.
Banking Options
To provide its customers with safe, reliable and fast payment options, YakoCasino has a convenient banking system, which is quite simplified, while the different services available in the Cashier are all verified. The main operational currency is the Euro (EUR), but as this is an internationally marketed online casino, it also processes payments in British pound sterling (GBP) and United States dollars (USD). Other currencies available are CAD, NOK, SEK, CHF, NZD, AUD, INR, and ZAR, but exchange rates may apply. In addition, the casino may charge you small service fees, depending on the currency you have chosen, your country of residence, the amount and frequency of your withdrawals.
In most cases, players would be required to verify their identity by providing copies of government-issued ID, copies of their credit card and other personal information. The minimum deposit into YakoCasino is £10 or £30 via bank transfer, while the maximum limit depends on the preferred deposit option. Customers can opt for credit and debit cards, online wallets, prepaid vouchers, and more. UK-based players have a great choice of payment services for their deposits, including Visa, MasterCard, Trustly, Neteller, Skrill, Klarna, Bitcoin, E-Pro, Entercash, Interac Online, Paysafecard and Zimpler.
While deposits into YakoCasino are usually transferred immediately (except for deposits through bank transfer, which may take a few hours, depending on your bank and country of residence), the withdrawals tend to be slower. Of course, withdrawals processed via credit cards or digital wallets are faster and your winnings may be in your account within an hour or two. Cashing out via bank transfer takes up to 5 business days to complete, but in most other cases, this should take up to 24 hours. The minimum amount to withdraw from YakoCasino is £20, while the maximum cap depends on the particular banking service.
Cashouts to a Visa credit or debit card cannot exceed £5,000 per transfer, while withdrawals to Skrill and Neteller wallets are limited to £25,000. Bank transfers do not have maximum limits. Customers should know, however, that not all options in the Cashier at YakoCasino can be used for withdrawing winnings. For instance, prepaid cards and vouchers are not available, nor are cards by MasterCard, as the company does not allow gambling-related payments to be processed through its cards.
It is also important to note that players who win pooled jackpots of over £50,000 may have to wait up to 30 days for their win to be verified and confirmed by the casino operator. Once the win is verified, the player can choose to receive the full amount of the jackpot in one lump sum. L&L Europe, however, may choose to process this payment in Euro.
Mobile Support
One of the essential features of any online casino these days is its mobile compatibility, which means whether and how well it operates on mobile platforms. Unlike most casino sites today, which are, indeed, mobile compatible, YakoCasino was actually designed with mobile use in mind. This is easy to notice when opening it even on a Windows or Mac computer – the desktop design is extremely similar to the design of a regular mobile site. It has a functional navigation menu, quick links to different sections of the site, large game icons and more.
With such high-quality mobile optimization, YakoCasino offers a smooth and intuitive mobile experience that brings all casino games to your iPhone or Android device. A large part of the original games can be opened directly in the browser of your mobile device and there is no need to download any additional software. In fact, the casino does not have a native app, so it loads in the web browser of your phone or tablet. There are hundreds of mobile compatible games from all categories, including Classic and Video Slots, Table Games, Video Poker, Live Casino and Progressive Jackpots.
In addition, there are several titles that are specifically created for mobile platforms, namely NetEnt’s Touch series. Among the special games for touch screens are Starburst Touch, Finn and the Swirly Spin Touch, Asgardian Stones Touch, and Hotline Touch. The football-themed Football: Champions Cup, however, is one of the most popular mobile offers from NetEnt. It is a 5-reel, 3-row, 20-line video slot featuring Overlay Wild substitutions, Free Spins, and a Bonus Game.
Licensing and Restricted Countries
YakoCasino has gained popularity among online casino fans mostly for its fantastic gaming library, fast and reliable payouts, and its fun, modern design. But it is also focused on customers’ safety, as the online threats today are too many to count. The website has an SSL certificate, which guarantees encrypted and highly secured communication over the Internet, which is essential when it comes to entering any personal or banking information.
But online security is just one aspect of being trustworthy, safe and fair. YakoCasino, or its owner and operator L&L Europe Ltd., is fully licensed and regulated by the Malta Gaming Authority, which is one of the most respected gambling regulators in the world. The Malta-registered gaming company has also acquired a licence from the UK Gambling Commission (UKGC), a government agency that regulates all gaming operations within the United Kingdom. With UKGC’s remote casino license, L&L Europe is authorized to provide services to customers who reside in the United Kingdom.
Of course, not everyone could become a member of YakoCasino. Players who register an account with the casino should be at least 18 or over the legal age for gambling under the law or jurisdiction of the place where they are situated. Also, due to legal restrictions, players from certain countries and jurisdictions are not allowed to sign up, make a deposit or even open YakoCasino. The list of restricted counties includes Australia, the Netherlands, France, USA, Estonia, Australia, Italy, Portugal, Spain, Romania, Russia, Turkey, Afghanistan, Albania, Algeria, Angola, Belgium, Bulgaria, Cambodia, the Czech Republic, Ecuador, Guyana, Hong Kong, Hungary, Indonesia, Iran, Iraq, Israel, Kuwait, Lao, Latvia, Mexico, Myanmar, Namibia, Nicaragua, North Korea, Pakistan, Panama, Papua New Guinea, the Philippines, Poland, Singapore, South Korea, Sudan, Syria, Taiwan, Uganda, Yemen, and Zimbabwe.
Customer Support
Meeting even the highest industry standards, YakoCasino offers an exceptional customer support via different communication channels. The support teams work on the local level and in several languages in order to assist customers in the fastest and most effective way possible. Both the support and casino interface are available in English, German, Swedish, Norwegian, and Finnish.
Before contacting the support for help, players should first review the Terms and Conditions of the site, as well as the Bonus Terms page, where they can find detailed information about all bonuses and promotions. Of course, one of the most useful sections is the FAQ (Frequently Asked Questions) page, where you can find information regarding the registration process and your user account, the gameplay, mobile and technical issues, deposits and withdrawals, etc.
Those who want to get in touch with the casino, give feedback or ask for professional assistance, can send a message using the email form available on the site. They can also contact the customer support by phone (00356 2034 1651) or use the Live Chat functionality. Both the call centre and the Live Chat are available around the clock and every day of the week.