Ever since testing PlanetSportbet Casino over the last few weeks, I've noticed quite a mix of hits and misses. As someone who's reviewed dozens of online casinos, I was particularly interested in how this relatively new platform would stand up against more established names in the industry.
History and Licensing
PlanetSportbet Casino entered the online gambling scene in 2021, operating under the umbrella of ProgressPlay Limited. They've secured a Malta Gaming Authority license (MGA/B2C/231/2012), which is one of the more respected regulatory stamps in the industry. From what I've seen, they're maintaining compliance pretty well, though they're still building their reputation compared to veteran operators.
Registration Process
Signing up at PlanetSportbet was surprisingly straightforward. It took me about 3 minutes to complete the initial registration, which asked for standard information like name, address, and date of birth. I particularly appreciated that they didn't bombard me with promotional emails during the process – something that's become annoyingly common with other casinos.
The verification step was a bit more involved. I had to submit:
- A photo ID (I used my driver's license)
- A recent utility bill
- A bank statement
The verification took about 24 hours to complete, which is pretty standard in my experience.
Payment Methods
Deposits
I've tested several deposit methods at PlanetSportbet, and they offer a decent range of options:
- Visa/Mastercard (instant)
- PayPal (instant)
- Trustly (instant)
- MuchBetter (instant)
- Bank Transfer (2-3 business days)
The minimum deposit is £10, while the maximum varies by method but generally caps at £5,000 per transaction. I primarily used PayPal for my deposits, and the funds were always available instantly. One minor annoyance is the 2.5% transaction fee on deposits – something I wish they'd reconsider.
Withdrawals
Withdrawal options mirror the deposit methods, which is convenient. I've made three withdrawals so far:
- First withdrawal: £50 via PayPal (took 3 days)
- Second withdrawal: £150 via bank transfer (took 5 days)
- Third withdrawal: £75 via PayPal (took 4 days)
The minimum withdrawal is £10, and there's a maximum of £3,000 per week. They have a pending period of 24-48 hours, which is a bit longer than I'd like, but at least they're consistent with their timeframes.
Pros and Cons
Pros:
- Reliable payment processing
- Clean, intuitive interface
- Good variety of game providers
- Responsive customer support (24/7 live chat)
- Solid mobile optimization
Cons:
- 2.5% deposit fee
- Somewhat lengthy withdrawal times
- Limited VIP program
- Restricted country access
- Some game providers aren't available in certain regions
User Experience
The platform runs smoothly on both desktop and mobile devices. I particularly enjoyed the search functionality – finding specific games is quick and efficient. The categorization of games makes navigation intuitive, though I'd appreciate more filtering options.
The mobile experience deserves special mention. While there's no dedicated app, the mobile website works flawlessly. I spent several hours playing on my iPhone, and the experience was just as good as on desktop.
Conclusion
After spending considerable time with PlanetSportbet Casino, I can say it's a solid choice for most players, though not without its flaws. The deposit fees are a notable drawback, but the reliable payment processing and user-friendly interface somewhat make up for it. While it might not be my top recommendation for high-rollers due to the withdrawal limits, it's perfectly suitable for casual players and those new to online gambling.
Is it the best casino out there? No. But it's reliable, secure, and offers enough features to keep most players entertained. If they could eliminate the deposit fees and speed up withdrawals, they'd be much more competitive in the current market.