Ever since testing Casino Extra over the last few weeks, I've noticed it's a bit of a mixed bag. At first glance, the site's sleek design and impressive game selection caught my eye. But as I dug deeper, I realized there's more to this online casino than meets the eye. Let me take you through my journey with Casino Extra, sharing the good, the bad, and everything in between.
History and Licensing
You might not know this, but Casino Extra actually started back in 2011. It's been around for over a decade, which is pretty impressive in the fast-paced world of online gambling. The casino is operated by MTM Corp, a company based in Curaçao. Now, I'll be honest – I hadn't heard of MTM Corp before, but a bit of digging showed they've got a decent reputation in the industry.
As for licensing, Casino Extra holds a license from the Curaçao eGaming Authority. Is it the most prestigious license out there? Not really. But it does provide a basic level of oversight and regulation. Personally, I'd feel more comfortable with a UK or Malta license, but the Curaçao one isn't a deal-breaker.
What did impress me, though, was Casino Extra's transparency. They clearly display their license information and have a solid privacy policy. It's not often you see that level of openness from an online casino.
Registration Process
Signing up with Casino Extra was surprisingly quick and painless. The whole process took me about 5 minutes – not bad at all. They asked for the usual stuff: name, address, date of birth, and email. Nothing out of the ordinary there.
One thing that stood out was the lack of immediate identity verification. While this meant I could start playing right away, it did make me a bit wary. Most reputable casinos these days do some form of KYC (Know Your Customer) check upfront.
That said, when I hit the withdrawal stage (more on that later), they did ask for documents to verify my identity. So, while the initial sign-up was smooth, be prepared for a more thorough check later on.
Payment Methods
Deposits
Casino Extra offers a decent range of deposit options. You've got your standard credit/debit cards (Visa and Mastercard), e-wallets like Skrill and Neteller, and even some cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin and Ethereum. It's a pretty solid selection, if you ask me.
Minimum deposits start at $10 for most methods, which is pretty standard. The maximum varies depending on the method, but it's generally high enough that most players won't have an issue.
Processing times? Lightning fast. My credit card deposit showed up in my account instantly. Same story with Skrill. It's always nice when you don't have to wait around to start playing.
Withdrawals
Now, here's where things get a bit tricky. Withdrawal options are more limited than deposits. You can use bank transfer, Skrill, Neteller, and a few others, but no credit card withdrawals.
Processing times are... well, let's just say they're not the fastest I've seen. The casino says it can take up to 5 business days to process withdrawals, and in my experience, they used every bit of that time. I waited 4 days for my Skrill withdrawal to be processed, which felt like an eternity.
There's also a minimum withdrawal limit of $100, which is higher than I'd like. Maximum limits are decent, though, at $5,000 per week.
One positive note: when I did finally receive my withdrawal, the amount was exactly what I expected. No surprise fees or deductions.
Pros and Cons
After spending considerable time on Casino Extra, here's my honest take on its strengths and weaknesses:
Pros:
- Huge game selection (over 2,000 titles!)
- Sleek, user-friendly website
- Quick registration process
- Multiple deposit options including cryptocurrencies
- Responsive customer support (available 24/7)
Cons:
- Slow withdrawal processing times
- Limited withdrawal methods compared to deposits
- High minimum withdrawal amount ($100)
- Curaçao license (not as strict as UK or Malta)
- Lack of immediate identity verification during sign-up
User Experience
Overall, my experience with Casino Extra has been... decent. The website is well-designed and easy to navigate. I never had trouble finding the games I wanted to play, and the search function actually works well (you'd be surprised how many casinos get this wrong).
The game selection is truly impressive. With over 2,000 titles from top providers like NetEnt, Microgaming, and Play'n GO, I never got bored. From classic slots to live dealer games, they've got it all.
Customer support deserves a mention too. I had a few questions about withdrawals and used their live chat feature. The response was quick (less than a minute wait), and the agent was knowledgeable and friendly.
However, the slow withdrawal process did put a damper on things. In this day and age, waiting 4-5 days for a withdrawal feels outdated. And that $100 minimum withdrawal? It might be a dealbreaker for casual players who don't want to commit that much.
Conclusion
So, would I recommend Casino Extra? Well, it depends on what you're looking for. If you're after a massive game selection and don't mind waiting a bit for your winnings, then yeah, give it a shot. The user experience is solid, and there's plenty to keep you entertained.
But if fast payouts are a priority for you, or if you prefer lower minimum withdrawals, you might want to look elsewhere. Casino Extra isn't bad by any means, but it's not quite in the top tier of online casinos either.
In the end, I'd say Casino Extra is like a decent all-you-can-eat buffet. There's plenty on offer, and most of it is pretty good. But don't expect five-star restaurant quality in every aspect. It's a solid choice for many players, but there's definitely room for improvement.