Casumo Casino is a bit of an odd duck in the online casino world, to use a strange expression. The site was launched in 2012. According to their "About Us" page, a parallel universe told the founders that they were in the need of help so the founders created a thrilling world from the ground up and that world was Casumo.

The site is owned by Casumo Services Limited of Malta. The company is licensed and regulated by the Malta Gaming Authority (MGA) for players all over the world and by the UKGC for players in Great Britain.

As nearly a decade has gone by since the site launched, the player base has grown by leaps and bounds. Now the odd name is known far and wide, and not simply for the little alien sumo wrestler avatars.

Let's find out why...

The site captures players attention and holds it with a marketing and experience concept called "gamification". What that means, in a nutshell, is that everything you do there, and every narrative encounter you have with the site, is part of a themed experience.

• Microgaming

In a broader sense, it means that elements of playing a game - such as scoring points, leveling up, and competing with others are brought into the narrative - even when you aren't playing a game.

• NetEnt

Many online casinos have attempted to execute the concept and a few have even pulled it off. Casumo is one of the pioneers and masters of the experience when it comes to online real money gambling.

• Quickspin

Some of the ways they have accomplished so much lies in the creative teams behind the operation. When you see a new feature or a new experience offered, it is a campaign designed to capture and hold your interest in the site. Interactive real-time tournaments are one example of this.

• Evolution

But that's just one of the reasons for the site's popularity and success. Intelligent marketing also comes into play. Players in diverse areas, speaking completely different languages, can see a variety of online ads in digital marketing media and possibly never see the same one twice.

• All41 Studios

One example is their partnership with Smartly.io which saw them create 700 customized videos on a rotation cycle and deploy them over six separate campaigns in different countries. By working smarter rather than harder, the site was able to produce 4,200 unique ads to get and maintain player attention using smart tools and in-house talent.

You might ask yourself...

What does that mean to a player like me?

It means that team resources can be spent on what matters most to players - the experience. And aside from the gamification aspect - which some players immerse themselves in and other players ignore - that means a great selection of games, attractive bonuses, awesome customer service, easy banking options, and consistently fast payouts.

• Bally Wulff

Just a quick rundown again, to see if you agree these might the most important things to look for in a licensed online casino with certified fair games...

• Great games
• Attractive bonuses
• Awesome customer service
• Easy banking options
• Consistently fast payouts

If you agree, we'll invite you to explore the nuts and bolts of Casumo to help you decide if this might be the right place for you.

• Blueprint Gaming

We'll look at the software, games, bonuses and promotions, banking, customer service, any pitfalls we uncover and give you our final opinion for your consideration.

Are you ready to explore the universe..?

Software and Games

Players have two basic options to access the Casumo Universe. The Game Browser (all devices) or the Android app, available from a link on site (Minimum supported version Android Lollipop 5.0).

• Crazy Tooth Studio

All games play in any modern browser, but the APK download is safe and secure if you prefer to play casino games on your mobile device with an app.

The software platform handles all of the progress through your adventure once the act of creation is completed. As soon as you register an account your very own avatar will be born and you will begin to gain experience and level up until you eventually reach 'Black Belt, Master of the Universe' status.

• Fortune Factory

The adventure is thus:

Create your avatar - It will be born with a rope around its waist, ready to earn colored belts as you make progress

• FUGA Gaming

Play games and gain experience - A progress bar will show how far you've come and how far you have to go before you reach the next level

• Gamomat

Get rewards as you level up - Look in your account for new inventory whenever you level up. These valuables can be anything from extra spins and deposit matches to casino cash or other items.

• Greentube

Get better belts as you progress - You will soon move from a rope to colored belts that show your experience to the community: white, yellow, red, blue, purple, and ultimately, black belts are awarded.

• IGT

Collect trophies - Even small achievements like winning three times in a row or bringing down a big win will allow you to collect trophies. They are nice bragging rights.

Rule the universe!

Game Browser/App

This is the lobby and your activity here will be just like at any other online gaming venue.

• Just For The Win

Choose a category from the header menu such as top lists, slot machines, table games, jackpots, live, all games, or type and search.

• Merkur

Alternately you can scroll down through categories with four featured games each:

• Popular
• New Games
• Exclusives (Only at Casumo)
• Must Drop Jackpots
• Loves
• Live
• Jackpots

All of the games except progressive jackpots and live dealer streams can be played in practice mode, so don't let the choice of over 1,000 slots cause a layover in your adventure!

• NoLimitCity

Some sites with an unworldly amount of game choices can be intimidating, mainly because the user interface, user experience, and simple navigation are poorly conceived or executed. That is not the case here - everything is tidy and neat yet easy to reach.

• NOVOMATIC

The Top Lists feature the four best or most popular games in the category, so it's no surprise to see this list contain Book of Dead, Starburst, Bonanza Megaways, and Jammin' Jars x5.

• NYX Interactive

The New Games section has a high turnover rate with Microgaming partners like those on the Quickfire platform accounting for a good part of all-new game releases in the slots sphere.

• Old Skool

Exclusives (Only at Casumo) highlights games you won't find anywhere else - at least for the present time. Many games are created especially for players here, but some may be released for a period time here and then rolled out to the grater gambling community.

• Oryx

If you are the type of player that enjoys anticipating a massive win and don't mind giving up some RTP to catch a jackpot, this is the section for you. We found the category headlined by the Only at Casumo jackpot slot, Wild Elements along with Wild Cat Multi lines, these were followed by Devil's Number and Mega Dragon.

• Play'n GO

We invite you to explore the other top lists for yourself as they certainly must change from time to time - but it was no surprise to us to see Mega Moolah as the title of the top slot in the jackpot section. It's very popular because it has probably made more millionaires than any other online slot.

Other Categories

The site offers a phenomenal selection of video slots ranging from old favorites to the newest releases. NO matter what themes appeal to you or which volatility or math models you like to play, you'll find everything from Love Island to Tombstone, DOA, Gunslinger, and Narcos video slots.

Live Casino

Many of the games in this suite have been customized for Casumo players, others are exclusive to the venue. You'll also find new standbys like Dream Catcher from Evolution and Lightning Dice with a chance to win up to 1000x your stake.

Bonuses and Promotions

Look for a generous welcome bonus followed by weekly incentives (for those in jurisdictions that allow more than one bonus).

• PUSH

The terms are fair, if a bit stiff on playthrough, but in line with most similar offers.

• Red Tiger

One difference you'll notice in the terms is that bonus funds and real money are both applied to bets in the ratio they exist in your account. For instance, if your account holds €100 real money and €50 bonus money a €3 bet will be split proportionately - €2 of real money will apply and €1 of bonus funds will apply. Winnings are split at the same ratios.

• SG Interactive

Some of the real bonus juice here occurs when you level up your avatar to a new level. Look for extra spins and more the next time you log in along with other surprises.

• Slingshot

The loyalty program has been fine-tuned to appeal to the gaming population with "valuables" awarded when you level up. Bonus spins, deposit bonuses and bonus money all come with wagering requirements.

Banking and Customer Service

Look for most of the common payment methods along with a few specialized solutions. VISA, MasterCard, NETELLER, and Skrill are available as are bank transfers and instant funding such as paysafecards. Withdrawals should occur to the same method used to deposit when possible.

• Stakelogic

Payouts are instant after approval except for outside delays in processing for VISA and bank transfers.

• STHLM

Customer service is available 24/7 via email.

Pitfalls

• No phone support
• Visa payouts and bank wires take a few days
• Small live stream suite for some jurisdictions

The Final Word

Casumo Casino remains a maverick and successful pioneer in the realm of gamification. While some players could not care less, and register an account simply for the great game selection, fast payouts, and top-shelf customer service, others do enjoy the model and have a lot of fun building their avatar power.

• Stormcraft

The bonus scheme is a little different but wagering requirements and progress are available at all times, so it isn't as confusing as it could be.

• Thunderkick

All in all, this is a great gaming site with a little bit of everything to please anybody.

• WMS