Best Online Casinos in 2019: Top-11 Hubs That Made Strides in the Last Year

Among many apt notions elaborating on fundamental elements to create paramount interactions, one particularly stands out:

“People will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel.”

Attributed to many thought leaders in the last fifty years — authors, motivational speakers, church officials, politicians, civil right activists — the sentence emphasizes a commanding set of behavioral and emotional valence that can create either memorable or notorious experiences.

This sempiternal and straightforward truth is today widespread in business, personal life, relationships, education, health care, filial piety, practically in every walk of life…

…and particularly in online gambling!

The sheer volume of players and casinos relations that shape outcome and define ensuing experience — ultimately governed by national legislators and in no small part driven by trustworthy affiliates — is humongous.

Regulations, jurisdictions, Terms and Conditions, user interfaces and platforms’ availability, originality of games and portfolio of reputable providers, certifications of RNGs and the overall fairness, players’ protection and responsible gambling practices, payment methods and withdrawals’ efficiency, patrons’ relationships management and casinos responsiveness — the list is almost infinite.

Each one of these areas defines subsequent emotions. Moreover, what makes online gambling so peculiar, other than remoteness of opposing sides, is the money involved.

Contrary to common belief, the exact amount won or lost is not that relevant.

The lasting memory, the judgment, if you will, lies in HOW, not in how much — although the more is at stake, the more thorough the evaluation is, and the more eruptive feelings can be.

Once the mud settles, and the water is clear — that is, once people recuperate losses or spend the money they’ve won — the only thing that remains is how casinos made players feel.

And…

…for the money — earned hard or inherited, it doesn’t matter — players rightfully expect nothing but the best in return, just as in any other industry.

So, as we continue to observe 2019 in rearview mirrors — we’ve already covered the biggest online slots wins of the past year, and we have a few more articles in store for you — it’s time to take a look at the BEST online casinos of the year!

The following Top-11 list represents a selection made by multidisciplinary staff at the LCB Network. The criteria we’ve used include:

• Positive responses from our community, which is to say that we’ve created this list together with you
• Overall business practices and fairness
• Available promotions and other incentives
• Players’ relationships (Reps’ response time and patrons’ satisfaction during exchanges)
• General rankings in the LCB registry

You’ll see some newcomers as well as old-timers, you’ll see different jurisdictions and various portfolios, but all of the online casinos on this list made us feel good in the last year and made you want to return for more.

While we hope their future practices will only solidify the 2019 rankings, it’s worth mentioning that this list addresses only the most prominent ones in the last year.

You’ll find better-ranked online casinos in our directory of 1,866 interactive hubs (as of January 23) — that lists all available gambling operators, and some of them have been there for quite some time — which also explains the difference between overall and annual rankings.

With that in mind, let’s begin!

#11 Vegas Crest

Run by Vista Gaming, veteran of the iGaming industry, Vegas Crest Casino, established in 2014, comes with the Curacao license issued by Cyberluck (1668/JAZ) master licensee.

In terms of endorsements, this interactive hub wears Wizard of Odds and LCB Seal of Approval, as well as Technical Systems Testing (TST) and Provably Fair Casino certificates.

Not surprisingly, considering the variety of games coming from reputable providers — online slots, video poker, the most popular table games — as well as mobile-enabled user interface, loyalty program, and Bitcoin-friendly payment methods.

To top it all off…

…Vegas Crest offers, nowadays quite rare, no deposit bonuses while the casino’s generosity extends to rather enticing deposit-match benefits. 

Since no site is without fault, in this case, some players may find it’s the lack of live dealer games that makes a difference between great and superior for this venue.  

One way or the other, Vegas Crest was deemed good enough to not only kick-off this annual list, but to end 2019 at 366th overall position in the LCB registry, with an average score of 3.8/5 based on 476 votes.

#10 Red Dog

An upstart casino, launched in February 2019, Red Dog quickly garnered attention as one of Curacao licensed hubs that accepts players from the United States.

As far as the majority of essential aspects of safe gambling go — responsibility, safety, non-stop support, overall diversity of offerings, hefty welcome bonus, cash-out times, and Bitcoin use — this casino works just fine.

It offers various table and live dealer games, allows a free play/demo game mode, seems to strive for fairness, and has rather straightforward T&Cs, although it lacks a more substantial portfolio of online slots. Thus far, only Real Time Gaming software is present.

In terms of potential improvements…

…it would be nice to see implementation of a loyalty program and higher withdrawal limits, as well as a more straightforward verification approach and more languages added to their support channels.

Red Dog concluded 2019 at 358th overall position in our registry, while the LCB community gave it a score of 3.8/5 based on 73 votes.

#9 FatBoss

Operating from the Curacao jurisdiction, with the license issued by Cyberluck (1668/JAZ) master licensee, this interactive hub — run by Mobile Technology Marketing Ltd. — features solid UI design available both on desktop and mobile devices.

FatBoss Casino offers multiple products from reputable providers, including slots, poker, blackjack, roulette, baccarat, bingo, keno, as well as live dealer games.

The multi-leveled loyalty program provides additional perks to most devoted patrons and frequent depositors.

Language support includes French, English, German, and Russian, while offerings seem to be rather attractive.

The casino appears to be committed to responsible gambling practices by employing deposit limits, while game developers ensure RNG fairness.

In terms of enhancement, direct phone support would be helpful

As of December 2019, FatBoss rates at 321st overall position in the LCB registry, and our community gave it a score of 3.8/5 based on 34 votes.

#8 PlayFrank

Operated and managed by EveryMatrix Gaming Ltd. since 2018 and governed by the Malta Gaming Authority, this is the casino that’s generally liked by players for a few reasons.

The enticing library of games offers slots, table games, and live dealer games on both desktop and mobile devices. There are several progressive jackpots available; the same goes for baccarat, blackjack, roulette, and poker.

PlayFrank Casino tends to add new personalized challenges and rewards regularly and uses a track system to determine players’ levels and corresponding prizes in the multi-layered loyalty program.

Reasonably quick cash-out times, in addition to various payments methods, juice up the whole experience.

On the other hand…

…players from some countries might not be able to utilize welcome bonuses — they must deposit cash to play — while a few of our members noted that the response time of casino’s support could have been more prompt.

Carrying certification banners of TST, iTech Labs, and Provably Fair Casino, PlayFrank resides at 141st overall position in the LCB registry, and our community rated it with 4.2/5 score based on 190 votes.

#7 King Billy

Another casino operating from Curacao — licensed by Antillephone (8048/JAZ) master licensee — King Billy Casino is well-known among experienced punters.

Launched in 2017, it features myriad offerings in three principal categories: online slots, video poker, and table games. The latter include blackjack, baccarat, roulette, and a couple of most common versions of online poker (Texas Hold’em, Casino Hold’em, Caribbean and such).

A wide selection of games with RNGs approved by several software specialists — including certificates from iTech Labs and Provably Fair Casino — works well in conjunction with multi-tier loyalty program and favorable cash-out times. Substantial welcome package, offering a significant boost to new players, comes in handy, having in mind the diversity of online slots, as well as live games.

However:

The casino’s somewhat restrictive bonus policy and perhaps slightly ambiguous definition of bonus abuse leave plenty of room for potential improvements.

King Billy finished at 130th overall position in our registry last year, and the LCB community gave it a score of 4.2/5 after 92 votes.

#6 iNetBet Euro

The first casino on our list that dates back to the last century — iNetBet Euro launched in 1999 — strives to invoke the sensation of brick-and-mortar gambling houses in the interactive realm.

Operating from the Curacao jurisdiction and offering a compilation of Real Time Gaming products, this online hub has a plethora of games in the catalog: slots, online poker, blackjack, baccarat, roulette, craps, and several specialty games (bingo, keno, scratch cards).

The casino allows free play mode for more than a few games. In contrast, patrons who play for money can enjoy a loyalty program, versatile promotional offerings, slot tournaments and Bitcoin payments in conjunction with seemingly quite efficient cash-out times.

According to the website, iNetBet uses independent services of TST to audit and certify RNGs.

In terms of improvements…

…this online hub could benefit from extending its offerings equally to desktop and handheld devices — only a handful of releases are available on mobile phones; it seems that upgrades in this segment of the casino’s catalog are in process. The same goes for software compatibility: Apple users will have to wait for compatible versions planned for the future. Additionally, language support (only English and French) and banking transactions could be somewhat enhanced.

iNetBet Euro ranks at 42nd overall position in the LCB registry, and our community rated it with a 4.3/5 score based on 404 votes.

#5 Jackpot Capital

Cutting down to the chase with the brand name and operating under the Curacao license, Jackpot Capital features a little bit of everything.

Hosting RTGs and Visionary iGaming products, the lobby includes online and progressive slots, video poker, and table games (although a sharp eye will notice that it’s not the most massive of offerings to come by).

Content is available in free practice mode to registered members that visit this online hub both from desktop or mobile devices. Players that do so are welcomed with complimentary introductory packages, while the casino boasts several daily, weekly, monthly, and holiday-based bonuses. Five-tier VIP program, multi-channel customer support, use of cryptos, and a well-conceived blog complement the picture.

Then again…

…it would be nice to see a bit more of latest releases, the inclusion of other languages (English only thus far), slightly lower turnover requirements for specific type of bonuses, and somewhat lesser cash-out fees, in addition to a tad more proficient withdrawals for certain types of payment methods.

Admittingly, it is difficult to satisfy all customers. Still, for what it’s worth, Jackpot Capital have AGD and Provably Fair certificates under its belt to assure that, at least for now, no significant mishaps may spoil the overall experience.

This casino ended 2019 at the 39th overall position among all others in our list, while the LCB community rated it with a 4.3/5 score based on 668 votes.

#4 Intertops Red Casino

Another pioneer in iGaming — Intertops launched back in 1996 — started as a sports-betting company, slowly expanding into poker and two full-blown online casinos, both of which happen to be present on this list.

The first one, Intertops Red Casino, operates since 1998 under the umbrella of Saint Kitts and Nevis jurisdiction and packs a solid punch.

A wide variety of games include themed RTG’s online slots, craps, twenty-one, baccarat, European roulette — worthy of a try considering the 2.7% house edge, in comparison to 5.26% of its American counterpart — and a myriad of video poker variants.

Handheld devices availability and exclusive promotions for mobile players, the opportunity to test games in practice mode, multi-tier loyalty program, and the use of cryptocurrencies only extends the list of bells and whistles. Not surprisingly, this online hub holds Affiliate Guard Dog and Provably Fair Casino certificates.

On the other side of the spectrum…

…several imperfections in regards to transactions and English-only language support leave space for further improvements, which is always a good thing — to have something to strive for.

At the end of 2019, Intertops Red Casino ranks at 37th overall position in our database; the LCB community rated it with 4.3/5 after 608 votes.

#3 Intertops Casino Classic

With the second Intertops interactive hub — also operating under Saint Kitts and Nevis license — we begin an overview of podium finishers on our annual list.

Similar to its sibling, Intertops Casino Classic tenders more than enough games to enjoy in — online slots, several variants of blackjack, the most popular table games — coming from Wager Gaming, another long-lasting and reputable software provider.

The casino’s hospitality includes a hefty sign-up bonus, rather generous promotional offerings, and a proper measure of extra spins incentives. Conceived as a complementary segment of Red Casino, this online hub has its main focus on tournaments and more traditional slot events.

Availability on mobile devices, the use of cryptocurrencies plus the most popular banking methods, as well as good players’ support seems to compensate for minor improvements that would be nice to see in the future. The latter would include no existing software download for Apple users, a bit lower cash-out limits, and a lack of loyalty program.

Certified by AGD and Provably Fair Casino, Intertops Casino Classic sits at 22nd overall position in the LCB register, rated by our community with 4.4/5 based on 662 votes.

#2 Mr Green

Almost everything about this casino operating within Malta jurisdiction seems to serve a progressive approach to players in conjunction with the color of money — the strategy and policy that were worthy of several industry recognitions in the last couple of years.

Mr Green Casino features massive games lobby with every conceivable game available — created by close to 35 reputable software providers — plus an interactive sportsbook and live games.

Full offerings are equally available to players at desktop and mobile platforms, garnered with gamification, multi-layered and innovative loyalty program — including an invitation-only VIP club, the pinnacle with personalized casino service — in addition to the robust introductory package, use of cryptos, neat cash-out limits, and multi-language support.

Mr Green went one step beyond when it comes to responsibility in gaming. Its Green Gaming predictive tool — aiming to curb bad habits and wrong playing styles by providing insights about gaming behavior — as well as Deposit and Loss Limit programs garnered several awards for socially responsible operations.

The overall Mr Green practice was, naturally, also worthy of AGD and Provably Fair Casino certificates.

However…

…a couple of minor improvements might come in handy, e.g., bonus play does not apply to all games, several banking methods involve a transaction fee, and the casino lobby access requires an account.

The silver medalist on this list resides at the 13th overall position in our register, rated by the LCB community with 4.4/5 based on 925 votes.

#1 Bitstarz

One of the most popular destinations among global punters and the overall winner on our list comes from Curacao jurisdiction, with a license issued by Antillephone (8048/JAZ) master licensee.

As expected, Bitstarz checks all boxes on categories of games available. They range from online slots, table games, live casino releases, up to jackpots, and tournaments; close to 23 reputable gaming providers are in charge of the content.

The portfolio is accessible on mobile devices, whether for real action or in demo mode. Newcomers can enjoy generous welcome perks, including extra spins and bonuses on the first four deposits. The casino supports most prominent currencies, including cryptos, as well as 15 payment methods.

Certified by iTech Labs and Provably Fair Casino, Bitstarz still has space for improvement, particularly when it comes to lack of loyalty program, country eligibility concerning extra spins, no phone support, and slow bank transfer processing time.

2019 gold medalist finished the year at 8th overall position in the LCB register, and the LCB community rated it with 4.4/5 based on 1,016 votes.

Measuring Sticks and Shining Stones

Of course, experience is a very personal thing, particularly in gambling. What one perceives as great might be mediocre to another, while yours ‘’so-so’’ will be a disappointment for someone else.

Also, it can be a somewhat fluid category: people change, we change, casinos change, and experiences change. Finally, gambling impressions are more often than not measured by bankrolls: The more we win, and the less we lose, the more we’re satisfied.

Thus…

…in pursuit of impartiality, we took quantifiable feedback from the LCB community and our resident experts to create a reasonable annual top-list.

Undoubtedly, the overall amount of winnings matters, but it’s somewhat subjective grouping susceptible to players’ skills, gambling knowledge, cognitive attributes, and above all — plain luck.

The objective side of the equation — relative as everything is — is on casinos’ end, in a manner they conduct their operations and what they offer to markets.

Upon annual ratings of their practices, a couple of conclusions emerge.

There’s no ideal casino. Just is the case in any business, and with every human being, there’s always something to improve on, and again, it’s a great thing. That’s why the sum of all experiences is so personal: it’s up to each one of us to find an adequately balanced interactive hub that will offer the most bang for our bucks. It won’t be perfect. Instead, it will just be the most appropriate one.

And another, nothing beats reading Terms and Conditions with utter focus. Admittingly, this one is somewhat boring — we keep repeating it like a broken record — thus to spare you of all the usual emphasizing recommendations, let’s just say this: What big letters give, small ones take away. This criterion works perfectly for any contract we plan to sign on, so let’s use it as well in the one we plan to make with any online casino.

After all, the sum of casinos’ experiences is uniquely prone to remain forever ingrained in players’ memory, be it for the way online hubs made you feel or for the amount of money you’ve won or lost.

As we continue to look forward to memories in 2020 that will, hopefully, be discernible by positive emotions and growing bankrolls, we also hope that this list might serve you as a reminder of the most relevant criteria to evaluate your choices — other than your preferences.

Afterward, the only thing left for you to do is to approach your chances in a prudent, responsible, and intelligent manner, as always, and hope for good luck.