Ever since testing Casino Estrella over the last few weeks, I've noticed a mix of highs and lows that have kept me on my toes. From the moment I landed on their homepage, I was greeted with a sleek design that promised an exciting gaming experience. But as we all know, looks can be deceiving. So, I decided to dive deep and explore every nook and cranny of this online casino to give you the real scoop.
History and Licensing
You might be surprised to learn that Casino Estrella has been around since 2015. It's not exactly a newcomer, but it's not a veteran either. The casino is operated by Viral Interactive Limited, a company based in Malta. Now, I'll be honest, I hadn't heard of them before, but a quick search showed they're behind a few other online casinos too.
What really caught my attention was their licensing. Casino Estrella holds a license from the Malta Gaming Authority (MGA). If you're not familiar with the online gambling world, let me tell you - an MGA license is like a gold star in terms of credibility. It means they have to follow strict regulations, which gave me a sense of security right off the bat.
Still, I couldn't help but wonder why they weren't more well-known after being in the game for over seven years. It's a bit of a head-scratcher, but I decided to keep an open mind as I dug deeper.
Registration Process
Signing up at Casino Estrella was surprisingly straightforward. It took me about 5 minutes from start to finish, which is pretty quick in my book. They asked for the usual stuff - name, email, date of birth, and address. Nothing out of the ordinary there.
What I found interesting was that they didn't require any immediate verification. On one hand, it meant I could jump right into playing. On the other, it made me a bit wary. Most reputable casinos these days do some form of KYC (Know Your Customer) check right away. I later found out that they do require verification before your first withdrawal, which makes sense, but I would've preferred a heads-up about this during registration.
Payment Methods
Deposits
When it came to funding my account, I was pleasantly surprised by the variety of options. They accept credit cards (Visa and Mastercard), e-wallets like Skrill and Neteller, and even some cryptocurrencies. The minimum deposit is €10, which is pretty standard, and the maximum varies depending on the method you choose.
I decided to go with Skrill for my first deposit. The process was smooth, and the funds showed up in my account almost instantly. No complaints there!
Withdrawals
Now, this is where things got a bit tricky. Casino Estrella offers fewer options for withdrawals than deposits, which is not uncommon but still a bit disappointing. You can withdraw via bank transfer, Skrill, Neteller, and a few other e-wallets.
The minimum withdrawal is €20, and the maximum is €5,000 per transaction. Not bad, but here's the kicker - they have a weekly withdrawal limit of €10,000 and a monthly limit of €30,000. For high rollers, this could be a deal-breaker.
I decided to test the waters with a €100 withdrawal to my Skrill account. This is where that verification I mentioned earlier came into play. I had to submit some documents, which took about 24 hours to be approved. After that, the withdrawal was processed in 3 business days. It's not the fastest I've seen, but it's within the acceptable range.
Pros and Cons
After spending considerable time on Casino Estrella, I've compiled a list of what I believe are its main strengths and weaknesses.
Pros:
- Wide variety of games from top providers
- User-friendly interface on both desktop and mobile
- Decent welcome bonus with fair wagering requirements
- Multiple deposit options, including cryptocurrencies
- MGA license ensuring a level of trustworthiness
Cons:
- Limited withdrawal options compared to deposit methods
- Slower than average withdrawal processing times
- Lack of immediate verification during registration
- Weekly and monthly withdrawal limits might be too low for some players
- Customer support could be more responsive (more on this later)
User Experience
The overall user experience at Casino Estrella is a mixed bag. The website is well-designed and easy to navigate, which I really appreciated. Finding games is a breeze, thanks to their intuitive categorization system. They offer a good mix of slots, table games, and live dealer options from reputable providers like NetEnt and Microgaming.
However, I did encounter a few hiccups along the way. The site occasionally lagged, especially when loading the live casino section. It wasn't a deal-breaker, but it did interrupt the flow of my gaming sessions at times.
One aspect that left me wanting more was their customer support. While they offer 24/7 live chat, the response times were inconsistent. Sometimes I got help within minutes, other times I was left waiting for over an hour. When I did get through, the support agents were friendly and knowledgeable, but the wait times were frustrating.
Conclusion
After weeks of testing, I can say that Casino Estrella is a decent option for online gambling, but it's not without its flaws. The game selection is solid, and the MGA license provides a sense of security. However, the withdrawal process could be smoother, and the customer support needs improvement.
Would I recommend it? If you're a casual player looking for a new place to try your luck, sure. The games are fun, and the bonuses are fair. But if you're a high roller or someone who values lightning-fast withdrawals and top-notch customer service, you might want to look elsewhere.
In the end, Casino Estrella feels like a diamond in the rough. It has potential, but it needs some polishing to really shine in the crowded online casino market. As for me, I'll keep my account open for the occasional spin, but it hasn't quite won me over as my go-to gambling destination.
