Golden Lion Casino Review

The Golden Lion is a standard casino with no sportsbook or poker room. It provides nearly 250 gaming options from Rival, Betsoft, and Vivo in its full website version. US players are accepted and can take advantage of welcome and reload bonuses as well as slot tournaments.

The Breakdown

Overall

The casino has some highly sought after gaming options that will appeal to particular clientele. However, the banking detracts from the overall service, the mobile casino needs a significant overhaul, and bonus rollovers should be much less stringent.

Game Variety

We like the unique gaming opportunities provided on the full website, but the mobile casino narrows everything down considerably. There are so much more people playing on smartphones and tablets these days that we have to give full consideration to both versions.

Banking

There are very few financial methods from which to select, but it’s the $125 minimum withdrawal along with the extremely lengthy payout process that prompted us to lower this rating so significantly.

Bonuses

Although the promotional lineup is a decent one and does include plenty of reload options, as well as cash back and tournaments to expand the opportunities, the rollover is way too high. A 40 times wagering requirement that applies to both the bonus and the deposit combined should make most players take a pass.

Customer Support

We’re basing this on our experience, which was extremely positive. Now, service is always subject to interpretation, but we were fortunate to get a prompt, helpful, and extremely polite agent to answer our live chat submission within ten seconds.

Mobile Casino

Yes, there is one, but that’s about the extent of things. There aren’t many games hosted in the play on the go version. Video poker and many of the slot banks are notably missing. We’d be ok with a smaller gaming area if the mobile site were more user-friendly, though.

Overview of GoldenLion.im

Licensed and Regulated, But Ownership is Unclear

We have three entirely different pieces of information regarding the background of this site. We know that it bears the same name as the Mexicali-based brick and mortar casino but the relationship isn’t defined. The majority of information we’ve gathered names Blue Media N.V. as the owner. Blue Media is a small ownership group that also offers the Eclipse and Supernova casinos.

However, when you pull up the Curacao licensing, it’s listed under Skyline Media N.V., that doesn’t have any public profile.

We will say that the licensing is valid and feedback on Golden Lion doesn’t include any major payment issues, aside from slow paying which, is its posted policy and no surprise.

The Doors Are Open to the United States

US players are welcome to join and, in fact, appear to be the targeted demographic based on the financial options available for account transfers. However, players from

• Canada
• Poland
• India
• Belarus
• Israel
• Ukraine

are not allowed to register or use the services provided by this operator.

Limited Banking Plus $125!

The financial services menu is not the best we’ve seen. There aren’t a lot of options and, for a site that targets Americans, it should have Bitcoin included to make sure all players can get their account quickly funded. Not only is it a short list, but it has a high minimum cash out provision of $125. That’s one of the largest we’ve come across.

The Design is Appealing But Not as Functional

We like that the company decided to do something different and the lions that featured as the background add a touch of elegance and pull in something new that other sites wouldn’t feature. It’s an appealing design but, when it comes to the gaming, too much space is taken up by that back drop and not enough devoted to large graphic cards that would be more beneficial.

There are also some navigational issues that can also make you a little crazy when you’re trying to access something. We got booted out several times by clicking on the logo or using our browser’s back button. The mobile site, especially, has navigational issues. It’s not even easy to get from one section of games to the other. There’s a definite learning curve that you’ll want to master quickly to avoid frustration.

Rival, Betsoft, and Vivo

The combination of software companies has been well-received by regular players. We’ve seen consistent comments about people wanting to register just for the Rival games alone. If you’re an experienced casino player, you know that software is important as everyone has their favorite gaming options.

This site started out as Rival only but has integrated Betsoft and Vivo into the mix and expanding its slot catalog considerably but those Rival iSlots are unique and the favorite of many online bettors.

Bonuses & Promotions

Golden Lion is not a bonus-rich casino, but it does offer some welcome bonus alternatives, as well as some monthly, reload opportunities. We do like how slot tournaments are part of the promotional program, and the information on the site says that they’re regularly offered, so that is a bonus for slot players.

Before we get into the different programs, let’s talk rollover. More games can be played to comply with the wagering requirements, but it’s a hefty play through of 40 times on both the deposit and bonus combined on slots, keno, bingo, and scratch cards. There are higher rollovers that apply to card games and roulette, and every program is different.

You’ll want to determine the type of reward you’re claiming as there are no deposits, weekly cash backs, free chips, and match bonuses and every one has a slightly different set of rules.

Getting back to the 40 times wagering requirement, though. We want to clarify this, so you’re acutely aware of what it takes to meet it and, hopefully, be able to cash out some real money.

When we typically see a rollover as high as 40 or 50, it only applies to the bonus reward. So, on most sites, if they have a 40 times rollover and you deposit $100 to get $100, it’s 40 x $100 or $4,000.

On this site, the deposit is included in the equation so, using the same $100 to receive $100 example, the wagering requirement is 40 x $200 or $8,000 in betting. That’s only if you’re playing the allowable slots, keno, bingo, or scratch cards. If you opt to play something different, you may have an even higher play through number, or you may not receive any contribution at all from select games.

We always encourage players to read through bonus requirements thoroughly. They’re the most misinterpreted part of online casino services and cause more frustration with bettors.

Welcome Bonus Option 1: $500 Welcome Bonus

Not just good for the first deposit but the first two, this reward will provide a 100% match for up to $500 each time and comes in at that 40 times deposit plus bonus wagering necessary to be successful.

Welcome Bonus Option 2: $750 Slots Bonus

The percentage is better on this offer at 150%, and the ceiling is raised to $750, but it’s only good toward one deposit and exclusively for slot play, and you still have 40 times play through.

Welcome Bonus Option 3: No Deposit Bonus

For this award, you need to have a unique bonus code, but then you can receive free chips that usually are worth $25. No more than five times the value of winnings can be cashed out, and the rollover is 50 times on slots and card games. If you’re a roulette player, add ten more as you have to wager 60 times the free play amount.

Monthly Bonuses

We mentioned that reload offers were available, and there are two different kinds. One is for slots and one for card games meaning that you have to play those particular games to meet the rollovers that come along with each reward. Players can choose from various codes that are posted in the promotions area and will receive a different percentage based on their planned deposit transfer amount.

Slots Tournaments

We always look for something aside from those deposit match promotions, and slot tournaments fit the bill. They add to the fun and the potential winning of loyal players. If you’ve ever walked into a land based casino during a slot tournament, you can see how driven everyone is to come out on top. They are engrossed in their fast game play and have a great time doing it.

Your Deposit And Withdrawal Options

Banking with Golden Lion is limited compared to so many competing sites that have massive lists of financial options that cater to players from around the globe. It’s obvious that this site is predominantly targeting US players with the few selections available but, if that’s the case, Bitcoin would be a helpful addition.

Deposits

Players making their first deposit do need to go through a phone verification process. We doubled checked with customer service regarding any potential fees and were told that the casino doesn’t charge anything but the financial provider may.

Withdrawals

If you go to the banking page and look at withdrawal information, you’ll see that the casino promotes processing with seven business days. But, if you look in the terms and conditions, you’ll find that the processing comes after a 4-5 business day approval so, if you’re looking for speedy payouts, you won’t find them on this site. It’s probably going to be a two or three-week process before you have cash in hand.

There’s another major downside to the banking set up, and that’s a high minimum requirement of $150 for any withdrawals. When you compare that to other operators who allow for $10 or $20 payouts, there’s a huge difference.

Another thing you may want to note is that any mention of Visa and Mastercard specifically refer to credit cards and not debit, gift, or prepaid.

There is only one payout request allowed per week, so the $2,000 refers to a weekly limit. However, in the terms and conditions, the site explicitly states that the weekly payout amount tops out at $3,000.

The Casino

Game Variety:

Our first inclination was to say that variety could be better but, when we look at all of the unique games that fit into a small casino, it’s impressive. Table games go beyond the norm, slots include three-reel, video, 3D, jackpot, and i-Slot versions, and specialty games include a fun assortment. Now, the picture is entirely different when you visit the mobile casino as so much is missing, but the full site has a well-rounded catalog of titles.

Audio and Video Quality:

We can’t really say that this is the best we’ve seen as far as quality gaming as some of the options seem to be somewhat dated but, for the most part, players should be more than satisfied with the load time, clarity, and technology being offered.

Software:

• Rival
• Vivo
• Betsoft

Mobile casino:

Unfortunately, we are not going to be very complimentary about the mobile casino, as there are only 75 games and they don’t include many of the more popular options that the full site carries. Additionally, navigation is a challenge. It’s frustrating getting from one gaming section to another, and we were sent back to the login screen a few times and had to re-enter with a username and password.

Slots – 208 (66 on mobile)

The slot groupings are different depending on how you’re accessing the site, whether you’re logged in, using mobile or just browsing as a visitor. The following are the categories for registered players as there are more sorting selections available.

Three-Reel – 30 (28 on Mobile)

• Megawins
• Pistols and Roses
• Snow Wonder
• Dollars to Donuts – New
• Midas Touch – New
• Gold Bricks – New
• Ten Times Wins – New
• Red White and Bleu
• Crazy Camel Cash
• Global Cup Soccer

Video Slots – 85 (38 on Mobile)

• Alien Spinvasion – New
• Jumping Jaguar – New
• Catsino
• Lost Secret of Atlantis
• Zombiezee Money
• Wacky Wedding
• Fantasy Fortune
• 5 Reel Circus
• Love and Money
• Cleopatra’s Coins

3D Slots – 70 (Not a Category on Mobile)

These titles may be more familiar to most players as they are found on many more sites than the three-reel and video versions we just referenced.

• Slotfather II
• Frankenslots Monster
• Dr. Jekyll & Mr. Hyde
• Aztec Treasures
• Good Girl, Bad Girl
• It Came From Venus
• Ned and His Friends
• Paco and the Popping Peppers
• The Tipsy Tourist
• Whospunit

Jackpot Progressives – five (Not a Category on Mobile)

• Jackpot Five Times wins
• Money Magic
• Strike Gold
• Major Moolah
• One Million Reels BC

I-Slots – 23 (Not a Category on Mobile)

I-slots are custom games provided by Rival, and they take regular slot play to the next level. This is the section that many slot players will be excited about if they want to try something new and different. One of the most well-known in the series is “As the Reels Turn, ” and these types of games feature a storyline as well as skill games during the bonus rounds. The skill games can be things like lining up or arranging symbols or other types of tasks so, the better the player does, the more he or she wins.

• Sherwood Forest
• Panda Party
• Bowled Over
• Spy Game
• Heavyweight Gold
• Reel Crime: Art Heist
• As the Reels Turn: episodes 1, 2, and 3
• Cosmic Quest: episodes 1 and 2
• Psychedelic Sixties
• Rock On!

Video Poker – seven (not a category on mobile)

• Aces and Faces
• Deuces Wild
• Deuces and Joker
• Double Double Joker
• Jacks or Better
• Joker Poker
• Tens or Better

Specialty Games – 16 (six on mobile)

This section includes scratch cards, bingo, keno, and a few other fun games that don’t fall into any other category. One good thing about this casino is that it includes these specialty games amongst those that contribute to rollover requirements.

• Sudoku Box Game
• Virtual Racebook 3D
• Vegas Jackpot Keno
• Itchin 2 Win
• Bingo European
• Pirate’s Pillage
• Tiki Treasure
• Bingo 30 Ball
• Cavalier Cash
• Cast for Cash

Table Games – 11 (three on mobile)

We started looking through the table games section and, eureka, a live gaming lobby is included. Golden Lion doesn’t include live gaming in its menu, so it was a surprise that there was a suite of these tables available.

• Blackjack and Multi-hand
• Craps
• Pai Gow
• Casino Battle
• Roulette European
• Roulette American
• Red Dog
• Poker 3 Heads Up Hold ‘Em
• Ride ‘Em Poker
• Baccarat

Live Casino Tables

The live casino area is tucked away inside the table games section, so we didn’t even realize that it was there until we searched through table game availability. It’s a basic live dealer area with Baccarat, Roulette, and Blackjack that has indicators of both available and taken seats at any given time.

Customer Support

• Contact Email: [email protected]
• Contact Phone: +1 888 959 44 28
• Live Chat: available 24/7

We will say this for Golden Lion, their customer support agents, at least in our experience are some of the best. They answer a live chat request within seconds and provide the information that you’re looking for which, you think would be a given, but we’ve had terrible experiences with agents on other sites. Sometimes it’s like pulling teeth to obtain the correct information, and it’s not uncommon for live chat agents to leave for extended periods of time.

We were not only given a prompt response but a polite one. It was a pleasant, rather than frustrating, interaction.

Can we say that all customers feel this way? No. There are some of the usual comments posted about customer service, but we take into consideration that, when money is involved, people are more apt to have complaints.

Summary

Let’s sum things up with a few of the positive aspects of goldenlion.im as we just segued from customer service, which we consider to be above average.

The website designers attempted to do something different with this casino, and the lion-themed background and gold accents create a very regal atmosphere. It’s different, and we appreciate the effort.

However, it doesn’t carry over into the casino itself. The games are pushed into a small center section and should be highlighted more with big bold graphics that are easy to see and select. We keep going back and forth on our opinion of the look, as it’s attractive in some ways, but doesn’t contribute to a user-friendly experience.

The other thing that impacted our impression of the service was the complicated navigation. Clicking the logo on any site typically takes you back to the homepage but, on this website, it takes you all the way out, and you have to log in again. It’s not a matter of not being able to get from place to place but, there’s a lot of room for error. Any little mistake in a selection or using the back button on a mobile browser and, bye-bye, you’re out again.

Promotions

Reload bonus codes that are basically available at any time, cover that end of things. There are slot tournaments to compliment the service and provide value added opportunities, and a weekly cash back program is also a benefit.

A 40 times welcome bonus rollover that applies to both the deposit and the bonus combined is just way too high to provide any benefit whatsoever.

Banking

There are very few options and, for US players who have a tough time transferring funds to an online gaming site, Bitcoin would be helpful. If we had to pinpoint the biggest issue, though, it would be with the $125 minimum withdrawal amount.

$125 doesn’t work for a lot of people. Other casinos have $10 or $20 withdrawal minimums for a reason, because customers have different budgets. We would think that the $125 stipulation probably scares some players away right from the start.

Casino

Heading into the casino, PC users have the choice of Instant Play or Download, but Mac users can only access the Instant Play version.

Those who know what Rival and BetSoft offer and some of the iSlot games should be an immediate draw right off the bat.

Potential players aren’t even aware that it’s an option and in sheer numbers, the table game area is small, but it carries a unique assortment, and that offsets the size.

It’s hard to use and doesn’t have a lot of the favored games that players would be looking for, so it’s more frustrating than beneficial.

Verdict

If you’re specifically looking for Rival or Betsoft games, then Golden Lion may be worth a try, but a high minimum withdrawal amount coupled with a 2-3 week window for payments are major deterrents. The bonus programs are plentiful, but the rollover is high at 40 times that applies to the deposit and reward combined. Yes, it accepts US players, but they’ll have to rely on a bank wire alternative if their credit card isn’t approved.

FAQ