In-depth River Belle casino review and ratings

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83/100 Expert Rating by Elena I.
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New Zealand’s River Belle casino is an excellent choice for players who enjoy a vintage look and feel with an endless stream of blackjack and pokie tournaments.

While River Belle has plenty of upper-deck rewards and activities, it does fall short in other regards. Our experts sail through the pros and cons to empower you to decide whether it’s worth hopping aboard.

Pros and cons

  • Fast payouts
  • Good mobile usability
  • Low minimum deposit
  • Bonus 70x playthrough
  • No live casino games
  • No unique features

General ratings

83 / 100 Expert Rating by Elena I
75Bonus rating
84Games rating
89Software rating
84Payments rating
86Safety rating
81Mobile rating
80Support rating
82Usability rating
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General info

Launch date 2018
Company behind Super Group

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Editor's note

This review is based on the operator’s current offer in New Zealand. Data and analysis below are accurate at the time of publishing, but may be subject to change as the operator’s offer expands.

Bonuses: River Belle online casino rewards 

There is a consistent River Belle casino no deposit bonus of free spins but the really fun part is, sometimes, the casino has temporary no deposit bonuses where you can win up to $500. In addition, there is a deposit bonus scheme worth up to $800. 

For the first deposit of up to $200, River Belle casino gives a 100% matching bonus. For the second and third deposits they will match 100% up to $300 a time. That’s potentially a whopping $800 deposit bonus. You will be required to wager those bonuses 70 times before you can make withdrawals so make sure you study the Terms & Conditions.

The no deposit bonus is unlocked with a River Belle casino bonus code. After creating your account, choose ‘No’ when you are asked if you want to deposit. A promotion will load, and you get to spin for free on the Big Kahuna video slot to win your bonus. Then make a minimal deposit and transfer any winnings to your real account. 

Players earn loyalty points for every dollar they spend. Different games earn different points (you’ll soon work out the best ones for you) and 200 points can be redeemed for a casino credit. 

Bonus facts

CategoryDetails
Welcome bonus100% up to NZ$800
Wagering requirement70x
Bonus codeNo
Deposit bonusYes
Free spinsYes
Other bonusesYes
VIP offersYes

Any River Belle review needs to highlight the loyalty programme. You’ll earn a loyalty point if you spend $10 on video poker, craps or baccarat. The same $10 will earn you 2 points for roulette or pai gow poker and 3 points for sic bo or keno. That means 200 points could cost you as little as $667 or as much as $2000! 

Bonus rating

75/100 Good diversity of bonuses, but high playthrough
  • Large deposit bonuses
  • Rewarding loyalty programme
  • Decent welcome bonus
  • High wagering requirements

While there is no official ‘no deposit’ bonus, I have found that River Belle casino free spins are consistently awarded to players on sign-up. The deposit bonus is also one of the more generous I’ve seen in the industry, with up to $800 on offer. However, I advise you to keep in mind the relatively high 70x play-through requirement detailed in the casino promotion terms. In that regard, Rizk casino’s 20x playthrough on the welcome bonus is far more appealing.

Fundamentally, I find River Belle to be a sound, real-money online casino. They are licenced by the reputable MGA and have been in the business since 1997. I also find their state-of-the-art software impressive. I like the fact that games are from premier developers and that the casino has the eCOGRA safe and fair accreditation. 

At the time of writing, there was no deposit free spins bonus, but the operator is known to occasionally offer some of the best no deposit bonuses and free spins offers in its league.

Games: cruise through 500+ titles at River Belle casino NZ 

The slick digital interpretations of some of the finest casino games are available from River Belle. These include baccarat, blackjack, craps, poker, video poker, roulette, scratch cards, and keno. Look for multiplayer and single-player options. 

There are over 30 live dealer games to play. These include roulette, Casino Blackjack, Casino Hold ’em, Football Studio, Ultimate Texas Hold ‘Em, Crazy Time, Deal or No Deal and Monopoly. 

This operator is a haven for pokies lovers. Get immersed in fast-paced video pokies, progressive jackpot pokies, as well as the classic three and five-reel pokies. Titles include Tomb Raider: Secret of the Sword, Burning Desire and Mega Moolah. 

If you love a bit of competition, you can challenge other players in one of River Belle’s fun tournaments. Each of you starts with a fixed number of credits to spend in a given time period. After every round, the lowest-scoring player is eliminated, and the next round is played until there is only one winner. It’s social as well as fun. 

Game facts

CategoryDetails
Expert’s pickAfrican Quest Hyperspins
Slots 650+
Popular slotBreak Da Bank
Jackpots 54
Top jackpotBurning Desire
Table games 50+
Popular table gameThree Card Poker
Live games 90+
Most streamedLightning Roulette
Average RTP94.21%
Demo-play availabilityYes

No review would be complete without some additional mention of the ever popular Mega Moolah pokies game which features at the casino. This game has been incredibly lucky for eight Kiwis who have won almost $50 million between them since 2013. With numbers like that it’s no wonder New Zealanders love the game. 

Game types available

  • Slots
    Slots
  • Jackpots
  • Blackjack
    Blackjack
  • Roulette
    Roulette
  • Baccarat
    Baccarat
  • Video poker
    Video poker
  • Live blackjack
    Live blackjack
  • Live roulette
    Live roulette
  • Live baccarat
    Live baccarat
  • Craps
    Craps
  • Keno
    Keno
  • Sic bo
    Sic bo
  • Scratch cards
    Scratch cards

Games rating

84/100 Average range of titles
  • Hundreds of pokies
  • Good for blackjack and roulette
  • Limited variety
  • Small live casino

With 400+ games on offer, I imagine everyone will find a lot of games they like to play as there really is something to suit everyone. I like the free gaming which allows you to familiarise yourself with games before betting real money. Unfrotunately, 400 is just too few when compares to competitors like Casumo casino and Wildz.

River Belle casino features the Microgaming Gold Series. This collection includes many variations of quality casino games like blackjack, roulette, craps, baccarat and sic bo. Additionally, there are video poker titles, scratch cards, keno and bingo. 

As most Kiwis love pokies, I think they’re going to appreciate that the River Belle online casino has a boatload! They feature the standard 3-reel and 5-reel games plus singular and progressive win games to play. In normal pokie video slots, you will be able to win up to the game max limit. Play a progressive pokie game and watch the winning prize grow exponentially. 

A progressive jackpot takes part of every player’s bet and adds to the jackpot. After each jackpot win, it resets, but you can imagine how lucrative it can become if there is no winner for a while. 

Live table games are a relatively new concept in online casinos. They deliver the best of both worlds, combining the thrill of the brick-and-mortar casino with all the perks of online gambling. River Belle’s live offering stands out partly due to the partnership with Evolution Gaming, which is, arguably, the biggest name in the live online casino industry today. 

Live games mean playing with real (human) dealers who deal with real cards or spin real wheels at the roulette table while you place your bets from the comfort of your desk or armchair. It’s all streamed in high-quality HD video for a really immersive experience.

Software 

Owned by Bayton Ltd, River Belle casino is further endorsed by eCOGRA. This is the leading independent and internationally approved testing agency, specialising in the testing, inspection and certification of online gambling software and systems. 

The River Belle NZ online casino partners with two world-beating software partners. NetEnt is one of the industry’s greatest providers of no download casino programmes. NetEnt’s trophy cabinet is filled with awards from around the globe. 

Microgaming has repeatedly won accolades for ‘Best of Online Gaming’ by specialist magazines and is widely recognised as the industry leader in its field. It is constantly adding new titles (like the dazzling 40 payline 5×5 fantasy slot Dungeons and Diamonds) to its already abundant catalogue. 

Software isn’t just about games. Never underestimate the impact identity theft can have on your life. The state-of-the-art security will protect your personal and financial information for complete peace of mind. 

Software facts

CategoryDetails
Most popular slot softwareNetEnt
Number of software providers3
Live providers1
Most popular live softwareEvolution
Bespoke softwareNo
Download required?Yes

Be sure to try River Belle’s slots tournaments to spice up your experience spinning the reels in a new and exciting way! Do note that the River Belle Flash/instant play option has slightly fewer games (it’s mostly slots titles that are absent) than the downloadable client. Still, most players will find more than enough to entertain them on the in-browser version. 

The range of games is more limited than the main site, but new games are being added all the time. 

Available software

Software rating

89/100 Top software providers, but too few
  • Excellent production quality
  • Top Microgaming and NetEnt games
  • Two providers providers
  • One live game provider

Software-wise, I believe that the River Belle NZ online casino has made all the right decisions. Working with not one but two absolutely world-beating casino software specialists, they have set themselves up to be top of the class. 

I do find it disappointing that the mobile app doesn’t offer as many gaming options as the main site, but the small-screen graphics are flawless. Adding to the mobile library will surely be a focus area for the future as more and more gamers insist on being able to gamble on the go. 

I found the live dealer games brilliant, with great HD streaming technology for a really authentic ‘live online’ experience. I hope to see more live game options added to the portfolio over time for even more enjoyment of this unique gambling environment since the portfolio is pretty much non-existent compared to the likes of Woo. 

I found the social tournaments at River Belle casino quite a special feature of its catalogue. Bringing players together to play against one another adds another dimension to the community around the online casino. It will be interesting to watch to see if other online casinos follow suit. 

River Belle NZ may not offer the largest collection of games, but it is an extensive library. Moreover, it’s built on a robust platform, so you can be sure your gambling is safe and secure. 

Payments: numerous options to deposit and withdraw 

An important feature of the online casino is how easy it is for the punter to deposit money. River Belle offers a comprehensive range of deposit and withdrawal options, including traditional direct banking methods, e-wallets and deposit vouchers. 

Deposit options include direct deposit bank transfer and fast bank (or ‘wire’) transfer. Online bankers are used to speed transfers, and with wire transfers, the money can be in your casino account almost instantly. Withdrawals may take a few days to reach your account. 

As well as bank transfers, River Belle accepts a variety of credit and debit cards, including Visa Debit, Visa Electron, MasterCard and Maestro, This is, by far, one of the most convenient payout methods used by the clients of the gambling platform. A credit or debit card payout will usually take 1-3 days. 

Additionally, River Belle casino accepts digital wallets such as Skrill or Neteller to facilitate fast, global transactions at negligible cost. Also, it offers maximum security since it is regulated by the Malta Gaming Authority and financial transactions are encrypted using SSL technology. 

Payment facts

CategoryDetails
No. of payments8
Top paymentVisa
Minimum depositNZ$5
Maximum depositN/A
Minimum withdrawalNZ$50
Maximum withdrawalN/A
Average deposit timeInstant
Average withdrawal time48 – 72 hours
Deposit feesNo fees
Withdrawal feesNo fees

Clients can also choose to use POLi pay, ecoPayz, or Neosurf for deposits and withdrawals. Finally, some buy prepaid Paysafe vouchers online and use those to fund their account. 

The range of payment options is always being widened, so it’s worth checking back from time to time to see if you can use your favourite method. However, there are so many options you will never find it to be a problem to replenish your account. 

Deposit methods

Withdrawal methods

Payments rating

84/100 Wide range of secure, low-fee options
  • Good withdrawal speeds
  • One of the only casinos that accept eCheck
  • Low fees 
  • Maximum withdrawal of NZ$4,000 a week

This venue offers a complete range of payment options. I would be happier to see much faster withdrawals, but, for now, the solution to that lies with the banking system. You can be assured River Belle is as slick as the next casino. 

At River Belle casino you are assured of as swift as possible, cost-effective and accurate movement of your money. With no unnecessary risks or unexplained delays, you can relax and enjoy the online gaming experience safe in the knowledge that your money is well looked after. 

The RTP (Return To Player) percentage is another good gauge that everything is above board. This is monitored by the licensing authorities. I am satisfied that there is a rigorous analysis undertaken by eCOGRA before they agree to award an accreditation. 

The organisation tests and certifies information management systems against ISO/IEC 27001:2013. Additionally, they are experienced systems auditors. Furthermore, they arbitrate between customers and casinos in the event of a complaint about payments or withdrawals. 

This casino is worth your time and money. Any site that has been in business for as long as they have (since 1997) must be doing things right. After all, if it were conning its customers, it would have sunk by now!

Safety

Hackers are smart, and River Belle has all the defences in place to repel unwanted borders. Having been in operation since 1997, the casino has undoubtedly confronted attempts at piracy. Safety online is about more than protecting money; it’s also about keeping data confidential. 

The Malta Gaming Authority (MGA) licences River Belle Casino. They demand high standards of performance and integrity from their licencees. Furthermore, they regularly review activities. Any complaints directed to the MGA are thoroughly investigated, and strong sanctions may be imposed for any lack of adherence to protocols. 

All RNG (random number generator) operations and payouts are thoroughly supervised by eCOGRA regulations. This authority guarantees fair gameplay, adequate payouts, decent player service, and decent casino conduct. Thus, you can be assured of the integrity of the casino’s activities. 

Safety facts

CategoryDetails
Auditing sealseCOGRA
Responsible gaming sealsBeGambleAware
SSL encryption128-bit
Two-factor authenticationAvailable
Ever blacklisted?No
LicencesMGA
Company behindSuper Group
Deposit, wager, time, and loss limitsAvailable
Self-exclusionAvailable
Cooling-off periodAvailable

As already discussed, River Belle operates to trusted standards of safety under eCOGRA certification. It also utilizes the most up-to-date SSL encryption technology to protect customers, their data, and transactions. Like other reputable casinos, all games are tested for fairness too. 

Licensed by

  • mga logo
    MGA

Trusted by

  • begambleaware logo
    BeGambleAware

Safety rating

86/100 Takes safety seriously
  • Actively promote responsible gambling
  • eCOGRA-certified operator
  • Datacash protection for card payments
  • Security info difficult to find

The landing page of the website makes it clear that River Belle Casino is owned by Bayton Ltd. Looking into this further, the responsibility for the security and privacy section of the policy is attributed to Cityviews Group. This may, at first, be confusing. 

Cityviews Group owns a number of companies in various industries, in addition to River Belle casino. These include several other reputable online casinos such as Spin Palace, Ruby Fortune, Jackpot City and Lucky Nugget. 

You should be aware that, in common with other online casinos, when you register with River Belle, information is collected from third parties, such as credit history and other financial information. This is gathered in order to verify your identity and prevent fraudulent or illegal activity. 

Non-personal information such as technical information (e.g., aggregated usage time, time stamps, browser and operating system, etc.) may also be collected and appended to your personal information. However, you have nothing to fear from this as the data is secured in line with all protocols, but you should be aware.

Mobile: on-the-go gaming 

Mobile casinos are growing ever more popular. Powered by Microgaming, mobile play at River Belle is available on tablets or smartphones. All you need to do is visit the mobile web page, and away you go. 

However, if you have iOS or an Android smartphone or tablet, you may want to download the River Belle mobile casino app. Not only can you play from here, you can also top up your account and withdraw your winnings. 

Like the main casino site, mobile games use RNG (random number generation) to ensure provably fair gaming. Games on the mobile site include all classic card and table games, slots or pokies (3 reel, 5 reel, video, mega spin and progressive), scratch cards and keno lottery. 

You can also utilise the demo environment to play casino games before you risk real money on them. It isn’t just novice gamblers that find this a benefit. Many experienced gamblers try out new betting strategies in demo mode. 

The mobile app does not feature the full range of games available on the desktop, but there is a lot available, including French, American and European roulette. Video poker lovers will appreciate the 40 different variants, and hundreds of pokies. 

Play on devices

  • android logo
    Android
  • ios logo
    iOS
  • windows logo
    Windows
  • macos logo
    MacOS
  • linux logo
    Linux

Mobile rating

81/100 Acceptable, but not the best
  • Good performance on mobile devices
  • Great mobile graphics
  • Various themed slots available
  • Limited game selection
  • Occasional, but minor, glitches

I find that River Belle casino has done a cracking job of bringing all your favourite games to the mobile environment. Pokies include ever-popular titles such as Tomb Raider, Immortal Romance, Avalon, Thunderstruck, and Pharaoh’s Fortune. 

I’m impressed with the selection of video poker on the mobile app, too, with games like Jacks or better, 10’s or better, Classic 5 card stud, Ace and Face, Deuces Wild and Super Fun 21 to name but a few. 

The lottery game keno features in the casino with the player choosing 20 numbers from 60 and winning on each match. Scratch cards are in there, too, for instant win fun. 

So, while the choice of games may not be as extensive as the range of online casino games offered in the standard casino, mobile offers something for everyone. This operator has been careful to prioritise the most popular games, so it’s probable that your favourite is already there. If not, check out the Wildz online casino – with over 4,000 games to choose from, there’s definitely something you’ll find enjoyable.

If your preferred online casino games aren’t yet available on the mobile casino then keep checking back because new options are being added all the time. You could even drop a line to the customer service team to lobby for your favourites to be included.

Customer support 

River Belle casino know that customers are the most important thing in their business and the support they offer reflects that ethos. As we’ve already discussed, they’ve been around a long time, so they’ve had time to refine their services. 

River Belle offers an extensive library of Frequently Asked Questions. Therefore, it is most likely you will be able to resolve most concerns or answer queries without needing to escalate your question to a customer service support team member. 

For enquiries that don’t need an immediate response River Belle casino NZ support team can be emailed. Responses are usually within 24 hours but sometimes quicker. It depends on the complexity of your question and the volume of email traffic. 

For circumstances which need an immediate answer, then the live chat is a boon. It is available 24/7. The only downside to the live chat is you have to enter your credentials, including your River Belle casino username, into an online form to initiate the chat.

Support facts

CategoryDetails
Customer support availability24/7
Live chatYes
Email[email protected]
Contact numberN/A
On-page supportFAQs

There is a toll free number available for problems where you prefer to speak to a real person. The queue time to get an answer can vary. Clients speak highly of the customer support service overall. 

Support rating

80/100 Effective, professional, and friendly support
  • 24/7 live support
  • Comprehensive self-service FAQs
  • Toll-free telephone support 
  • Live support with form filling
  • Login live support

Generally, my research shows that customers are positive about the customer service and support they receive. I found indications that the team is knowledgeable, well-informed, polite and committed to delivering great service. For most customers, the response times are adequate or better. 

The one minor irritation is the need to complete an introductory form to initiate live chat. The form is branded Chat Beacon and has no River Belle branding, which could be rather off-putting for the novice gambler. Time is of the essence when it comes to support, so I’d much rather trust sites where I can get the help I need as fast as possible. To me, competitors like LeoVegas, bet365, and Mr Green are clear winners here.

ChatBeacon is owned by SmartMax Software Inc., a technology company that builds software designed to enhance interaction with customers. The need to complete a form is frustratingly time-consuming, and it feels as though your query has been passed to a third party. 

It also means that until you are a verified customer, you cannot access live chat support. That means newcomers who have questions about the online casino sign-up or verification procedures are unable to seek help or reassurance. It’s a shame that this flaw has brought the score down because, in all other aspects, the service is undeniably good.

Usability: old looks with new-age features 

The River Belle casino, with a design based on a Mississippi paddle steamer, features sepia photographs and old-style font for the text. It is readable, and the navigation is relatively straightforward. The sign-up and login buttons are prominently displayed. 

River Belle casino mobile screenshot

Usability facts

CategoryDetails
Mobile appYes
Mobile games availability1/5 of all games
Ease of navigationSmooth
Game filtersYes
Search functionYes
Loading speed0.2 sec
UX and UI ratingExcellent
Other productsPoker | bingo

Games are presented by category. That makes it very easy to find the genre or the game you want. River Belle casino interface is responsive and clean. The games run really smoothly with clear graphics. 

Usability rating

82/100 Easy to navigate but unappealing design
  • Straightforward navigation
  • Working search function
  • Build you own favourites library
  • Lots of text on pages
  • Poor user interface

One of the features of River Belle casino that I find most useful is how you can create your own library of favourite casino games. The games are presented in categories, which helps navigate, and the search capability will take you straight to the game by name. 

All the games that I tested at River Belle Casino ran smoothly on the try-out. There were no glitches or freezes, the graphics were generally top-notch. Additionally, the games load fast and you can be playing in just a few seconds. 

On the downside, some of the website pages seem to have tons of text, but still, not as much as I’ve seen at Spin and JackpotCity. While that may be good for this operator, it can be rather off-putting for the customer. Personally, I like uncluttered design and innovative user experiences; here, Playzee and VoodooDreams casino certainly stand out more.

Furthermore, the sitemap is pretty pointless. From the NZ site, if you click on the sitemap, you will be taken to the list of the global casinos. Choose the New Zealand option, and you are right back on the landing page where you started.

Expert verdict

This is a sound operator with a great range of games to please the most discerning customer. The generous deposit bonus with a potential $800 bonus is attractive, but be aware of the relatively high 70x play-through requirement. 

You can be comfortable that River Belle is a competent and legitimate casino with an MGA licence and eCOGRA accreditation. No casino which has been in business for as long as they have would have survived unless it offered fair games and treated customers well. 

The choice of Microgaming and NetEnt as primary partners for games is a good one because they are both world-class operators. From the easy deposit process to the plethora of innovative entertainment, mobile options and fast payouts, this casino is worth your attention.

FAQs

How long do withdrawals take at River Belle casino?

Withdrawal speed depends on your payment method of choice. River Belle casino offers a wide range to choose from. However, e-wallets and other electronic methods generally pay out faster (instant to 48 hours) than credit and debit cards or bank transfers (up to seven business days).

What kind of games can I play at River Belle NZ?

The casino offers a few hundred pokies and a small selection of online tables. There are very few live casino games, unfortunately, but the Microgaming-powered pokies portfolio has something for every taste and preference.

Does River Belle have a loyalty programme?

Yes, this casino offers a multi-tier loyalty programme through which players can earn exclusive and tailored rewards. If you prefer pokies, for example, the casino’s loyalty team will hand-pick top rewards and bonuses that you can enjoy on your favourite games.

Loyalty points are earned by placing cash wagers and redeeming these points earns Bonus Credit. Bonus Credits will be instantly credited to your bonus balance, ready for use as you see fit.

Is River Belle a safe casino?

Yes, this operator prides itself on following strict security protocols and employing the latest tech. Rest assured that your data will be protected, and your games will remain safe and fair to play.

Who owns River Belle in New Zealand?

The casino is owned and operated by Bayton Ltd., a company registered in Gzira, Malta. Bayton is part of Palace Group, which also owns Ruby Fortune, Spin Palace, Cabaret Club, and Mummys Gold casino.

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