RioBet Casino Review

RioBet is a Russian language Bitcoin-only casino. That may seem like a very niche demographic to target – and it is – but it’s also a lucrative one. Bitcoin adoption is high in Russia, and the country certainly isn’t short of web-savvy gamblers.

In truth you don’t need to be a technical wizard to play at RioBet; familiarity with Bitcoin and the Russian language will suffice. In fact you can even eschew one of those options altogether if desired – there are other deposit methods available, even if Bitcoin users are RioBet’s prime customers.

Bitcoin casinos aren’t always the most user-friendly of sites to use, but RioBet is a different proposition altogether; attractively laid out and mobile-compatible, it’s a pleasure to browse. Sign up and prepare to delve into a world of jackpot games, from slots to video poker.

The RioBet Story

RioBet was established in 2014, with the aim of serving players based in Russia and Eastern Europe. From Kazakhstan to Croatia and from Armenia to Denmark, a vast swathe of Europe is covered by the casino, whose fully responsive site design makes it work as well on tablet and mobile as it does on desktop.

In addition to the lure of the games themselves, players who join RioBet will be able to enjoy the site’s built-in social network tool. This is a common feature on Bitcoin-based community sites – not just casinos – and it adds to the sense of camaraderie as players exchange tips and generally shoot the breeze.

Thanks to the provision of games from major developers such as NetEnt, Microgaming, Betsoft and Evolution, RioBet is stocked to the gunnels with great games that demand a closer look.

The company behind the site, incidentally, is Riotech Services LP, who are registered in the Scottish capital, Edinburgh. Its parent company however is Riotech N.V., who hold a gaming licence issued in Curacao.

For players requiring support, customer service is available by phone, Skype or email. The site isn’t just available in Russian, by the way – English, Spanish and Chinese are also options.

Getting Started at RioBet

After creating a casino account and verifying your email address, you’ll need to deposit funds into your account in order to play. Bitcoin is an ideal means of arranging payment, not least because it’s a discreet option and one that allows for micro-transactions, but there are other alternatives available. Choose from Visa and MasterCard, WebMoney, Qiqi, Neteller Skrill and a couple of Russian methods.

In addition to BTC, accepted currencies are USD, Euro and Rubles. There’s a minimum deposit amount of €10 and a similar minimum for withdrawals. The maximum daily deposit limit is capped at €1,000, unless you’re a VIP, in which case it rises to €3,000. Withdrawals are processed Monday to Friday, 10am-6pm GMT.

It’s Bonus O’clock

Most casinos offer some sort of welcome bonus upon depositing funds into your account for the first time – RioBet certainly does. Its bonus comes in the form of a 100% first deposit match worth up to $500 plus 100 free spins, which are awarded at a rate of 1 for every $5 deposited.

Should you elect to deposit a lower sum, to a maximum of $300, you’ll only receive a 50% deposit match but you will receive more free spins – 120 to be precise. Deposit up to $200 meanwhile and you’ll receive a 40% match.

There are a few other weekly, seasonal and annual bonuses up for grabs at RioBet, not least the one that arrives on your birthday when you’ll be given a mystery gift. On an ongoing basis, all players will receive comp points, which are dispensed at a rate of 1 for every $20 wagered. These can later be exchanged for goods in the shop once you’ve amassed enough points. In terms of value, the exchange rate for points in the shop will vary from $5-12.

The shop isn’t the only means of redeeming comp points however: they can also be used to gain admittance to tournaments, which are regularly hosted at RioBet.

Casino Games

In addition to a live casino, RioBet features, of course, a virtual one stocked to the brim with enticing games. You can play on desktop or on mobile; games are designed using HTML5, making them ideal for playing in-browser and on a variety of devices, from PC to touchscreen. Games are sensibly categorised and a search bar allows you to jump straight to your favourite titles.

Games you find yourself returning to time and time again can be added to My Games for future reference.

Live Casino

There’s a live casino at RioBet and it’s a pretty good one too. The format should require little by way of explanation; essentially it’s an opportunity to experience playing in a land-based casino without actually having to deal with all the hassle of venturing outside and visiting one.

The games are staffed by real dealers, providing added opportunities for interaction and the frisson of excitement that comes from playing in real time against real players. RioBet has half a dozen live casino games to offer, a selection which encompasses all the usual casino staples: roulette, poker, blackjack and immersive roulette.

Table Games

There’s a greater selection of table games to be found in the virtual casino, where RioBet has found room for over two dozen titles including Oasis Poker, Caribbean Poker, Three Card Rummy and Pontoon Pro. High limit versions of Punto Banco and Caribbean Stud also feature plus a couple of games of Red Dog. When it comes to table games, it would be fair to say that RioBet has got it locked down.

Tournaments

The tournaments at RioBet provide an added incentive to frequent the site on a regular basis in a quest to win one of the weekly and monthly prizes that are up for grabs. Entering the tournaments involves exchanging comp points – better known as CP at RioBet – with admission starting at 5 CP for the Slotomania tournament.

The combined pool is 1,000 CP, which can then be redeemed at the CP Shop or used to enter more tourneys. Other tournaments to be hosted at RioBet include Vegas Classic, Master of Slots and Slot Race. The admission fee varies, as does the prize pot to be won. With tournaments taking place most days, there’s always something going on at RioBet.

Final Thoughts on RioBet

RioBet is a great casino if you’re a Russian or Eastern European-based player. Such is the nature of the site – and of most sites of its ilk for that matter – that you don’t need to be conversant in Russian to play. Nor do you need to be fluent in Bitcoin for that matter. While a very viable option, there are more traditional payment methods offered too.

The selection of games to be found on the site is impressive, slots especially, and there’s more than enough here to keep players returning time and time again.