Universal Casino

Universal Casino Sister Sites

Universal Casino is an appropriate name for this ProgressPlay Limited iGaming site, because it sometimes feels like there really is a whole universe of casinos on this operator’s platform. It’s a truly enormous portfolio, with the Universal Casino sister sites including some of the very most popular casinos in the UK. The entire catalogue of Universal Casino sister sites is listed on our ProgressPlay Limited page, but here on this page, we’ll showcase some of the best of them on a spotlight list.

SOHO Casino

SOHO Casino takes its inspiration from the sights and sounds of Soho in London, and it isn’t especially subtle about it. It even words some of the text on its homepage to suggest that there’s a “real life” SOHO Casino in London, which isn’t the case; as of the time of writing, none of the Universal Casino sister sites have real-life counterparts. While SOHO Casino might not be “real,” it offers one of the more reasonable welcome promotions on the ProgressPlay Limited platform and comes with the operator’s standard complement of more than three thousand casino games. It doesn’t come with a sportsbook, which tends to be the mark of the more “complete” Universal Casino sister sites, but given that Universal Casino doesn’t have a sportsbook either, we suspect that won’t be a problem for the majority of people reading these words. It’s one of the better sites from the newer crop of ProgressPlay casinos.

BetMorph

ProgressPlay Limited is an operator that’s been around for a fair old while now, which partially explains why there’s such disparity between the quality of the Universal Casino sister sites. The older casinos tend to look a little blocky and ugly, whereas the newer ones were designed around the same template that’s on display at BetMorph. The template is a little understated, which means that despite the fact that BetMorph is easy on the eye with its bright colours, you might underestimate how many things to do there are at this iGaming site. Not only does it have just as many slots and other casino games as Universal Casino, but it also incorporates the ProgressPlay sportsbook. The differences between the Universal Casino sister sites are often little more than cosmetic but looks count for a lot in iGaming, and if you’re looking for somewhere else to play on the ProgressPlay platform, you might as well go to one of the prettier sites.

Pots of Gold

There’s nothing original about an Irish theme in the world of online casinos. It’s the most used of all the generic themes, and you’ll find plenty of people who’ll say it’s been overused. There are four or five Universal Casino sister sites that use the Irish theme, but with apologies to the likes of O’Reels, Pots of Gold is easily the best of them. When SOHO Casino was first launched in 2022, it was described as a “sister casino” to Pots of Gold. Other than the fact that both of them are Universal Casinos, we can’t see what they have in common save for the fact that they have identical matched deposit welcome promotions. Pots of Gold sticks closely to its theme, with a green colour scheme and a well-realised 3D render of a literal pot of gold on its homepage. Given how few of the Universal Casino sister sites have bothered with bespoke graphics, these little touches help Pots of Gold to stand out.

Monster Casino

Putting Monster Casino on a list of Universal Casino sister sites probably counts as stating the obvious, but sometimes, the obvious needs to be stated. You won’t find a single casino among the ProgressPlay Limited iGaming sites that’s a bigger deal than Monster Casino; it really is a monster. Given that this monster was born as recently as 2021, the fact that it’s topped and dominated the network so quickly is nothing short of astonishing. We should note that the white-label entity behind Monster Casino has pushed it along with some big-money advertising, but that only gets the Monster Casino name in front of prospective players. You need a quality portfolio to keep players after winning their attention, and Monster Casino has one. It offers every form of betting activity that ProgressPlay allows for, so if you can’t bet on something at Monster Casino, you won’t be able to bet on it at any of the other Universal Casino sister sites either.

Sin Spins

Sin Spins is a little naughtier than the other Universal Casino sister sites, albeit not as naughty as it used to be. Until 2023, the casino was advertised by a promiscuous-looking, barely-dressed woman wearing devil horns and carrying a trident. That particular approach to promoting online casinos (and just about everything else) is considered behind the times these days, so it was no great surprise when the casino’s original model was replaced by a slightly toned-down version. Even with the visual nod to the concept of “sin” turned down, though, Sin Spins is easily the sexiest of the Universal Casino sister sites. Whether or not the sexiness of a casino matters is down to individual tastes, but the hard and fast fact is that Sin Spins has undergone “toning down” of another kind – it also offers far fewer casino games than it used to offer. The majority of Universal Casino sister sites offer thousands of slots and games. Sin Spins now offers a mere five hundred.

Can Universal Casino Be Trusted?

★★★★★

Universal Casino is a 3 Star trusted casino.

1. UKGC License	Universal Casino is under the coverage of UK Gambling Commission licence number 39335, held by ProgressPlay Limited.
2. UKGC Fines	In 2022, after the UKGC conducted a thorough review of ProgressPlay’s operations, shortcomings were found with its adherence to anti-money laundering measures and customer care responsibilities, As a result, ProgressPlay opted to make a settlement payment of £175,718 to prevent further action being taken.
3. Customer Service	Players have the option to seek assistance through either live chat or email channels, but telephone-based support is unavailable.
4. Trustpilot Score	N/A – Universal Casino does not yet have a review page at Trustpilot.
5. Company Location	With its headquarters based in Cyprus, ProgressPlay Limited is a trusted company because it holds a license from the UK Gambling Commission.
6. Visible T&C’s	Universal Casino lists the key terms and conditions of all of its promotions in plain sight.
7. Social Media Presence	The casino posts sporadically on its official Twitter account. It doesn’t have a Facebook account.
8. Number of Sister Sites	More than 150 active Universal Casino sister sites on the ProgressPlay Limited network.
9. Games portfolio	The operator boasts a wide selection of over 3000 casino games, primarily focused on slots, alongside an impressive variety of live and casual games.
10. Gamstop links	Yes, in the footer of the casino’s website, via the organisation’s logo.
Overall SCORE >	★★★★★ – 3/5 Stars

Universal Casino Review 2024

Universal Casino wasn’t technically designed for UK-based players. You can tell that from its Twitter account, where it markets itself as a crypto casino. The UKGC doesn’t allow crypto casinos, so the version of Universal Casino we get in the UK isn’t the same as the version of Universal Casino that our friends on the continent see. Is it worth a visit in its semi-diminished state? Let’s find out.

Universal Casino Welcome Promotions

One of the less pleasing recurring themes among the Universal Casino sister sites is that their welcome promotions rarely turn out to be as good as they sound on the homepage. We regret to report that the same is true of Universal Casino. The homepage claims that there’s a £500 welcome bonus available for all new players, and while that might technically be true, you have to do a lot of spending to claim the whole £500 – and by the time you’ve got there, you might not think it was worth it.

When new players make their first deposit at Universal Casino, the value of the deposit is matched at 25% up to a maximum of £100. That’s followed by another 25% match up to £150 on deposit two, and £25% again up to £250 on deposit three. There’s also a “£20 Free Bonus” upon registration, but further details on that aspect of the promotion aren’t given. The entire matched deposit bonus has to be wagered x50 before it can be withdrawn, which is too high a barrier to be considered reasonable.

Other Promotions

There are more strings to Universal Casino’s promotional bow via a collection of small promotions, most of which are carefully arranged around the casino’s central loyalty scheme, which we’ll get to in a moment. For those who prefer small, regular bonuses, there are “Funday Sundays” with 20% matched deposits and limited amounts of cashback available on Wednesdays and also across the weekend. If you want bigger rewards at this casino, though, you’ll want to pay attention to the promotions that offer “points.”

The awarding of points serves as a way to recognise and reward players for their loyalty to the casino. As players collect more points, their perks and benefits are enhanced. These points can be exchanged for a diverse selection of goods, both related to the casino and outside of it, through Universal Casino’s “Rewards Store.” The process of accumulating points may be gradual and require some perseverance. However, some promotions, such as the “Friday Points Boost,” can expedite the journey and assist players in qualifying for rewards more quickly.

Pros and Cons of Universal Casino

Pros:

Players are never going to be bored at Universal Casino, thanks to the site’s massive collection of slots and games. Players may be able to access the same slots and games at the Universal Casino sister sites, too, but that doesn’t make the overall tally any less impressive. Having access to 24/7 customer care via live chat has to go in the ‘pros’ column, too.

Cons:

The wagering requirements. They’re simply too high to be acceptable. All the value that the welcome promotion might otherwise have offered is wiped out by the wagering requirements attached to it, and those same requirements are imposed against plenty of the casino’s other promotions, too. A second ‘con’ is the question of why the casino would need an entire week to process a PayPal withdrawal.

Top Games at Universal Casino

By this point in the review, we’ve made four or five references to the size and depth of the Universal Casino games portfolio. That being said, you’ll see the same few games appear close to the top of the list at nearly all of the Universal Casino sister sites. They’re some of the most popular slots ever made, and these are the top three of them as of the time of writing.

Starburst: It’s another encounter with the legendary slot sensation known as Starburst. This iconic creation by NetEnt has solidified its status as a timeless classic in the realm of online slots. Since its celestial debut in 2012, Starburst’s cosmic-themed design has become the gold standard that countless games strive to emulate. However, none have managed to capture its magnetic appeal. Offering a low volatility experience, Starburst guarantees steady and (most of the time) rewarding gameplay. With an approximate return-to-player rate of 96%, it stands as a reliable choice for players seeking to test their cosmic fortunes.

Viking Runecraft Apocalypse: Unleash your inner thrill-seeker with the exhilarating “Viking Runecraft Apocalypse.” This riveting sequel to the original Norse mythology slot, crafted by the ingenious minds at Play’n Go, delivers a dynamic gaming extravaganza. To achieve victory on the game grid, you must forge clusters of 5 to 20 matching symbols. Brace yourself for the emergence of Spirit Wilds after a triumphant cluster win, ready to replace other pay symbols. Prepare for divine intervention as the game showcases a myriad of god-themed modifiers, each bestowing unique wilds and awe-inspiring transformations. With the potential to win up to 10,000 times your wager, this game beckons adventurers with promises of monumental rewards.

Gonzo’s Quest Megaways: Embark on a thrilling expedition through “Gonzo’s Quest Megaways,” where the quest for riches reaches unprecedented heights. This extraordinary sequel, a remarkable collaboration between NetEnt and Red Tiger, harnesses the power of the renowned Megaways engine. It comes with a game grid adorned with six reels and 2-7 rows, boasting an astonishing 64 to 117,649 paylines. While the default RTP rests at 95.77%, it’s important to note that this figure may vary from casino to casino. With a medium-high volatility level, this game presents a rollercoaster of excitement, offering a maximum payout of 21,000 times your initial bet. We should also mention the mesmerising Mayan setting, where the reels are set against the backdrop of an ancient temple, and symbols come to life with vibrant stones intricately adorned with Mayan masks.

Withdrawal Processing and Support

Finding a way to access your money at Universal Casino isn’t difficult. Debit cards are supported, and no fewer than four e-wallets (Neteller, Payz, Skrill, PayPal) are all supported, too. The biggest barrier between you and your money isn’t the lack of options – it’s the length of time that the casino takes to process withdrawal requests. Every request is automatically queued for 24 hours, regardless of whether a customer’s account is verified or not.

Even after those 24 hours, there might be a further delay depending on the selected withdrawal method. If you’ve chosen an e-wallet other than PayPal, the wait should be no more than another 24 business hours. If you’ve chosen PayPal or a debit card, on the other hand, you’re looking at a wait of up to five business days. That’s far longer than PayPal withdrawals usually take, and most top casinos process debit card withdrawals faster than that these days, too.

Customer Services & Licensing

ProgressPlay Limited holds UK Gambling Commission licence 39335, which covers Universal Casino and all of the Universal Casino sister sites. However, the licence isn’t clean. A regulatory review conducted in 2022 identified deficiencies in ProgressPlay’s customer support and AML processes, resulting in ProgressPlay opting to pay a settlement in order to avoid a formal sanction. Further details of that incident can be found in the table further up this page.

Round-the-clock customer support can be accessed via live chat at Universal Casino, but if you don’t want to use live chat, you can shoot an email to [email protected] and get help that way instead.

Universal Casino – The Verdict

We suspect that Universal Casino’s international users find the casino more exciting than players in the UK are likely to. Shorn of the crypto features and other additions that have made it a hit abroad, this 2021-launched casino has yet to achieve anything that remotely resembles a breakthrough in the UK marketplace. It’s no better or worse than most of the Universal Casino sister sites, but when there are so many of those sister sites, it’s easy for an average one to get lost in the mix. That’s exactly what’s happened to Universal Casino.