Don’t waste time digging for gold...play at Lucky Nugget instead!

Lucky Nugget draws it theme from the gold rush, a time when people right across North America raced to pan for gold and in the process, their fortune. Established in 1998 by the team behind the Palace Group of casinos, Lucky Nugget has had more than enough time to grow into its theme, and today it’s merely a background factor in what has become one of the most respected online casinos around.

Very few casinos can stand the test of time without doing something right. I first came across this casino in 2001 or 2002, and even then it was one of the industry leaders. Today, it stands as one of the grandfathers of online gambling, which is great for players like me who worry about trustworthiness, legitimacy and reputation. The site is regulated by the Maltese Gambling Authority, and subscribes to the eCogra seal of approval, as a further mark of recognition of its integrity.

There are a number of countries that aren’t supported, like the United States, Spain, Cuba and France. Check to see whether your country is supported first to avoid disappointment. There are other good casinos out there for these players however. European players can check out Betway, while friends in North America are recommended to take a look at Bovada.

But for those who live in supported countries, it would be hard to find somewhere as trustworthy and transparent as Lucky Nugget. Of course, there’s much more to this casino than a few boring trust marks – it’s actually home to over 500 games, with an average payout ratio of a whopping 95.61%, according to independent auditors.

You’ll find so much to keep you engaged. When I first setup my account well over a decade ago, I couldn’t have foreseen I’d still be playing there so regularly. But the proof of the pudding is in the eating, and I’m still drawn to Lucky Nugget today for its jackpots, loyalty programme and above all the impressive selection of Microgaming games.

User Experience

One of the most important factors for me in reviewing a casino is its user experience. If you’re anything like me, you want to know that yes, a casino is safe, but also that it offers good support, good deposit and withdrawal procedures, good prizes, and a good all-round package that is fun to play. Lucky Nuggets scores very highly on each of these benchmarks.

The customer support team is available 24/7, with instant web chat, email support and phone support available. I prefer the instant chat because it gets problems solved so much quicker, and I’ve always found the support team to be friendly and understanding. They know their system too, so if you do have any questions, a quick message to them will set you straight.

When it comes to payments, Lucky Nugget supports a range of currencies, such as USD, EUR, CAD, AUD, BRL and CHF. The minimum deposit is a lowly $5, or up to 20 units of the local currency depending on how you’re paying. I also learned you can get around this minimum by depositing with Paysafecard. If you buy a Paysafecard voucher and top up your account that way, there is no minimum deposit level at all.

On the withdrawal side, I always use Neteller or Skrill, because Lucky Nugget is a fast payer through e-wallets. In fact, the longest I have heard of for withdrawing through either of these methods is 48 hours – a fast turnaround time for the casino industry. One thing that’s less than ideal is the withdrawal limit, set at $4,000. This is a bit of pain when you win bigger amounts, but for most players it’s probably nothing to get too concerned about. It just means it will take you longer to withdraw any bigger jackpots, if you’re lucky enough to win them.

Games

There are over 500 games at Lucky Nugget. This is a casino that is big on table games and slots, which make up the bulk of the total number. Every game is available in a free play mode so you can try it out for yourself, without the need to play for real money until you’re ready. Obviously you don’t win real prizes when you’re playing for free, unless it’s with free spins. But it is still a good way to get a feel for the different games available.

Lucky Nugget is powered by Microgaming, which means you are guaranteed high quality games. Even before I played at Lucky Nugget I knew what to expect, because I was familiar with Microgaming games. Some of the best titles like Hot as Hades and Avalon II are there, along with a much bigger complement of your Microgaming favourites. And because you can choose to play in-browser, through the downloadable software, or on your mobile with the same smooth experience, it’s flexible enough to meet the needs of every player.

Big Winners

We’ve got this far without mentioning winners, but of course, that’s what playing at Lucky Nugget is all about. There are winners every day at this casino, and you see regular jackpot amounts and prizes running into the tens of thousands. Of course there are also much bigger winners who scoop progressive jackpots from some of the slots or tables games, but these are fewer in number.

Some of the impressive recent wins I’ve seen include Jim L., a player who won a staggering $1,683,526.64 after hitting the Major Millions progressive jackpot at Lucky Nugget. Imagine winning that kind of money – Jim L. did, and he joins the elite club of online casino millionaires in the process. It’s all possible with a range of the games available at Lucky Nugget. Even if you don’t hit one of these progressives, you can still walk away with sizeable wins if lady luck is on your side.

Bonuses

There are two main bonuses on offer for new players – the Players’ Bonus and the High Rollers Bonus. For most players, the Players’ Bonus will be the most important. This is billed as a 150% match bonus for deposits of up to $200. For High Rollers, the deposit match is 100% up to $1000 on your first deposits. Both of these bonuses are paid as free credit, which you can use to play through a number of games on the site. Even the progressive games count towards this, helping you meet your wagering requirements from even some of the highest paying games available at Lucky Nugget.

One point of note is the 50x wagering requirement. This is a little high for me, and I usually prefer it when a casino has a tighter wagering requirement, so it’s easier for me to get my hands on the money. But that doesn’t mean it’s not still possible. In fact, all you have to do is playthrough 50 times your bonus to be able to withdraw it – so for $100, you’re talking 50 x $100 = $5000. By no means impossible, but still not the most generous I have ever seen.

Supported Devices

For the online version of Lucky Nugget, you have the choice between downloading their software, or playing in your browser. I’ve tried both. For me, the download version just edges it because you feel like you have more control over the games, and it feels more secure to me. The in-browser Flash version is just as good however, so it’s more of a personal preference thing, and I know a number of other players who simply can’t be bothered downloading and installing software, no matter how good it is.

One of the benefits for mobile players is that Lucky Nugget doesn’t offer any apps. Instead, it has made its casino games available in-browser on smartphone and tablet devices. So you just play the same as you would online, visiting the website and logging into your account to get started. And because it’s all powered by Microgaming, you can expect a mobile gaming experience that is just about the best in the world. Lucky Nugget is therefore compatible with any iOS, Android or pretty much any other device.

Our Verdict

I have played at so many different online casinos over the years, but only a few keep me coming back time after time. Lucky Nugget is one of them. I love the selection of games, the ease of the software, and the strong user experience, thanks to the good customer support and the attractive banking and payment policies. Every time I come back there are more new games to check out, and I think I could probably play here forever without getting bored.

Above all, it’s a highly reputable place to play online, with a long-track record. That definitely counts for something in this business. Whether you’re playing online or on your mobile or tablet device, the quality of the games and the graphics are consistently impressive, not to mention the jackpots available for the lucky ones.

Check out Lucky Nugget today, sign up for an account and take it for a spin with your deposit bonuses. You won’t know what you’re missing till you’ve tried it for yourself.