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PKR Casino Verdict
Old fans of the PKR brand may prefer the older version of this site and new players will notice a few clunky areas where the conversion to Microgaming has caused issues. However, PKR Casino has a lot going for it and has fewer issues than some other casinos which cover multiple betting types. The slots selection is good and the promotions are very attractive. Once the kinks are ironed out, this will be a leading online casino.
Percentage score
Design & Usability
PKR has a very recognisable brand and of course you see it as soon as you arrive. The PKR logo is present on all areas of the site, with a red ‘casino’ tag to tell you that you’re in the right place for slots. There is a lot of bright artwork here, with background images taken from the slots. It’s certainly bold and may even be a bit confusing for the eye in places.
The site uses a neat, clean black top bar for navigation and accounts, which is nice and easy to follow. Unlike some sites which offer more than just casino, this one does not cross over too much or use a hundred cross-links; you just pick the appropriate site section. Promotions, support and more are available at a glance, plus you have language controls and social media links. A very well-made site.
Software & Gameplay
Games are neatly divided into casino, live casino, poker, Vegas (which just seems to be a mixture) and virtual betting. On the casino section, you can find games through categories or search. It’s quick and easy to use. The games load fast but have no special overlay. They load into a pop-up window without any particular background, or site links, quick support or similar. Fast and easy, but bland.
PKR also offers a downloaded version of the site. This uses the standard Microgaming desktop software and unlocks access to some more classic slots. There is some smooth animation here and it does look nice, but it’s hardly an improvement over the main site. Handy if you play regularly and like to keep things neat.
Safety & Security
PKR Casino is licensed and regulated by the Alderney Gambling Control Commission and the UK Gambling Commission. The site has clear information on fairness and has won many awards for reliable and innovative poker operation.
PKR has security for each page and encryption protecting your transactions. There is also a lot of responsible gaming information, along with tools to limit your spending if need be.
Payments & Withdrawals
When you deposit here, you get a choice of depositing for poker or slots. Then, you get a standard payment method screen which is used on many Microgaming sites. PKR accepts debit and credit cards from Visa and MasterCard, PayPal, Neteller, Skrill, Boku, PaySafeCard and Trustly. This is a great selection and covers all angles.
PKR charges no deposit fees and very few withdrawal fees, which is nice to see. The site aims for the standard 3-5 working days to process payments. You should have very few issues banking here.
Customer Support
The top support link takes you to a very clear and concise help page, with icons for contacts and a big list of FAQs which also use icons to help you get around. The FAQs are very helpful and exhaustive, which is good because contact methods are a bit thin on the ground.
At the time of writing, this site only offers Twitter and email for contact methods. Email is fine, but Twitter is not really useful for serious issues. There is no phone option and while the site used to have live chat, it appears to be unavailable at the moment, perhaps because of the site’s migration to Microgaming software. This should come back, but right now it’s a big downside.
Bonuses & Promotions
PKR has a handsome welcome bonus which is a little unusual. Your first deposit can have a 100% match up to £100, which itself is very standard. However, deposit £25 or more and you also get 25 free spins on Bar Bar Black Sheep for a whole year! This is a fun idea and gives you a reason to keep returning, as well as amounting to 1,300 free games! Note that you need to deposit each month to keep getting these and the bonus cash has a 40-times wagering requirement.
The site has a mixture of interesting promotions, which use nice artwork and seem to be pretty original. There are slot tournaments like the St Patrick’s Leaderboard with a £25,000 prize, special welcome bonuses for poker players, poker happy hours and more. Admittedly, most promotions are aimed at poker players.
Device Compatibility
Though the site doesn’t say much about it, PKR has an iOS app which will let iPhone and iPad users play quickly and easily. Look for PKR Casino, as the main PKR app is for poker. There is also an Android app which you can get when you visit the site on your mobile browser- the main site doesn’t tell you about this.
Other platforms can still connect to the site via browser and indeed, the apps offer more or less the same experience. The mobile site is a little cluttered, but it runs well and the games all function well in landscape mode.
Variety & Originality
PKR relaunched in 2016 with a Microgaming platform, joining the Microgaming Poker Network. This means that the slots on site are exclusively provided by Microgaming and developers which work with them, such as Rabcat (Dragon’s Myth). Though this limits the selection, you get a huge number of Microgaming hits like Thunderstruck II and Game of Thrones. There are more titles on the downloaded software (mostly lesser-known classic slots) and several jackpot games, too.
Table games here include seven roulette varieties, over 25 blackjacks and live dealer games, but no craps or baccarat. Having said that, there is a full 3D poker suite and virtual betting to try out.
Loyalty & Rewards
PKR Casino has distinct VIP clubs for poker and casino. Casino players can climb through six tiers, starting on Red by default, then rising up to Ruby Elite at the top. You rise by spending, which earns VIP points. The amounts needed are made very clear on site, but you do need to maintain your level month by month.
The first few tiers are not that impressive, offering just free credits on your birthday. The top tiers have the true VIP rewards, like enhanced bonuses and personalised benefits, but these are pretty vague. You can also convert points to cash.