Highway Online Casino is an online gaming site that runs on the Realtime Gaming platform. Players in most parts of the world are welcome. Special accommodations are provided in payment methods and bonus campaigns for players in the USA, Canada, and New Zealand.

The site bears the official license seal of Gaming Curacao, as all of their licensees are required to display.

Look for a cool road trip theme along with a neon cyber city feel. The visuals are narrative are well constructed and the theme is carried through every element from account creation to bonuses, depositing, and beyond.

Ownership and management are unclear. This is probably due to the markets served. While it's currently completely legal for people in all of their serviced jurisdictions to play, each country has its own payment processing and licensing regime as it applies to operators.

Canadians can play offshore but the lotteries (as Crown Corporations) only license onshore servers. In most US states, it's a matter of payment processing more so than whether or not casinos can operate offshore or serve more than one state.

Only time will tell the ultimate level of customer satisfaction at Highway. However, we will take a deep dive into the terms and conditions as we render our review and we'll highlight anything that sticks out as unclear or unfair. Finally, we'll compile a list of potential pitfalls and provide our final word on the operation.

In a nutshell, the site carries RTG games - from slots to roulette. The platform is stable and multichannel so you can play on any device with a browser connected to the internet.

There are currently seven payment options including Bitcoin, Visa, and Mastercard.

There are over 30 bonuses to choose from including a juicy welcome offer with bonus spins and a daily cashback offer.

Live chat is available if you need help getting started or any time you have a question. Under "Contacts" you'll also find an email address and two phone numbers.

Let's take a look at the...

Software and Games

The site is easy to get around on. On a first visit, you could go straight to the online FAQ section which is found by clicking on Site Map near the footer.

The questions and answers are well-written and comprehensive. Experienced players can zoom directly into what they wish to know, and novice players can delve deep into anything from free games to instructions on how to deposit with Bitcoin.

There's no option to download the desktop client, but that shouldn't be much of a concern to new players or those who mostly play new games. RTG rolls out new slots at a good clip and the instant play browser lobby holds most of the games in their catalog. Others may be converted over time.

Unfortunately, this close to the phase-out of Flash games, the menu still contains titles that can't be played in a browser. So far, this has been the case with all RTG gaming sites. There are even a few titles that haven't been relegated to mobile-only, download-only, or instant-play-only.

In short, you may find a menu on a desktop or in a mobile browser with some links triggering a pop-up that explains on which channel if any, that game is available.

Some titles seem to have been abandoned completely, but they were never very popular games anyway or simply too huge to convert to fast-loading HTML5.

Pirates Isle covers both criteria while Orc v Elf requires a file download of 178Mb which is simply huge. It is easily 10 times larger than most slots. As you can imagine, file size relates directly to download time.

The games

The game selection here is broken down into several distinct categories. These include:

• Slots
• Table Games
• Video Poker
• Specialty Games
• And... Popular

Please note that the actual gameplay lobby, which appears after logging in is arranged differently. Players have several more choices for game filtering, sorting, etc. The categories above are found on the site map and will open mini-lobbies to select a game for practice play.

The maths, mechanics, and everything else about demo games are exactly the same as games played for real money. All of the games here, including the progressives we tested work in practice mode.

Note: It's always a good sign when the software provider, RTG, has the required confidence in a newer operation to include them in the network progressive jackpot pool. That's why we see Jackpot Cleopatra's Gold and other big-money titles among the line-up here.

The in-game lobby here offers the standard RTG menu template on the left for the desktop. Navigation is obvious and intuitive on mobile. One newer addition is "Last Played" games.

After choosing one of the more expansive options in the games menu to the left, more sorting options will appear above the game icons.

Of particular interest and running throughout the selections is the set of icons to the upper right. Choosing between them will display came thumbnails sorted by default (which is often newest to oldest - or by list view).

Choosing this non-default option allows you to sort by name, the number of lines, # hands for VP) and by the jackpot amount. Clicking a column header again will sort from ascending to descending or vice versa.

As the site matures, and the individual game-specific local random jackpots increase, this is a good way to increase your chances of winning a bigger jackpot. Of course, they are awarded at random after any paid-for spin, but all else being equal, why not play the games with the biggest possible payout?

Hint: Selecting a game from the list will bring up more detailed information such as volatility level (low to very high) and more such as the game's scatter symbols, wild signs, and feature mechanics.

A low volatility game with a very high random jackpot is your best bet to bring down the big bucks - low variance means you'll turn your bankroll over more times with many smaller wins, and each spin could be likened to buying a lottery ticket to the random jackpot!

Filtering games

Whichever view you prefer, the top-line filtering remains the same. You can choose the type of slot or other game you want to be displayed, effectively eliminating others from your view.

Options for filtering slots include:

• 5 Reel
• 3 Reel
• 6 Reel
• Bonus Round
• Progressives
• Floating Symbols
• 4 Reel

Obviously, choosing 5 Reel or Bonus Round will deliver most of the games in the inventory whereas selecting 4 Reel or 6 Reel will display far fewer games.

If you are unfamiliar with RTG 3 Reel slots you might be in for a pleasant surprise if you click that option. Some of the games use advanced bonus mechanics including multi-level bonus games and some have their own random jackpot.

Unfortunately, one of the best 3 Reel slots on the market, Jumping Beans, still appears on the menu but is no longer available on instant play, mobile, or desktop. The fact the icon remains gives hope that the game will be updated for HTML5.

As of review time, Santastic! has been banished to the mobile-only platform as has Double Ya Luck and Three Stooges II. The only classic-style three-reeler on deck is Sevens and Stripes and that is only available via download. That leaves online desktop players with:

777 - buy a reel or two to lock for the next spin

Magic Mushroom - 27 ways to win (matches any position leftmost to right) with a Magic Mushroom center reel wild respin feature

Scuba Diving - Much the same as Magic Mushroom, but themed for a camera-packing scuba diver. When the shark fills the center reel, the other two spin again for some potentially big wins

The 4 Reel section has been added recently to accommodate Wild Fire 7s. This is a five-line 3-reel game with a single position 4th reel.

Symbols on this reel can multi[ply a win by up to 5x, award free games with a 5x multiplier, or award a jackpot if that is the symbol in view on the 4th reel when spinning stops.

The max stake is $1 per line and the max win is 17,850 times the bet per line. This is much lower than the max win on other RTG games. Max win is usually 50,000 times bet per line.

Video Poker

With the HTML5 transition, the game studios have updated their video poker package. Up until a few months ago, RTG lagged far behind even the smallest providers in game graphics and the overall user experience.

Until recently, the VP interface was stuck in the 1990s - yet - the paytables are some of the very best out there with true full pay 9/5 jacks or better and if you are lucky enough to find it, an 8/5 Aces & Eights game with RTP of 99.78%. The game here is 7/5 (4,3,2,1) with 98.63% RTP. Still not bad at all. You'll still find more than two dozen VP games with a return of over 99%.

The new HTML5 game interface is easy to use (you don't have to re-log the game to change coin size now) and the graphics are sweet.

Specialty games

This is the section where you'll find casino classics like roulette, craps, and keno. The only well-animated scratch card game, Treasure Tree is also here but disabled across the platform for the time being.

Banana Jones is a trail game, something like chutes and ladders, and Fish Catch is an Asian favorite. It might feel like you are controlling the outcome, but the results are set in a stone of randomness and mystery. It's all down to luck if you are shooting.

Also, be cautioned not to raise your stake in the game until you understand how points are converted back to cash. You can win. It is fun. But it's a different animal altogether than slots or most other online casino games.

Table games

This section includes 21 games, Caribbean Poker, Pai Gow, baccarat, and three-card rummy.

There are 8 blackjack variants including Pontoon, Perfect Pairs, Suit'Em Up, and Face up. The single baccarat offering is only available on the download client as of launch time.

Caribbean Draw, Hold'em, and Stud all share the network progressive jackpot which is won with a $1 side bet and a perfect hand.

Progressive games

The vast majority of RealTime Gaming video slots are in what they call the "Real Series". Each one has its own local, game-specific random jackpot. Some operators bundle or pool them, but that is easy to determine by toggling the list view, sorting by jackpot size, and comparing games with the same jackpot amount listed.

All operators pool the Jackie Chan jackpots and seed them across the franchise at $5,000 to start. Eagle Shadow Fist, Fantasy Mission Force, and Fire Dragon comprise the collection but more could be released in the future.

True network progressives include:

Spirit of the Inca - 5 Jackpots all must be paid before their boiling point

Jackpot Cleopatra's Gold - An Egyptian favorite reimagined for big money

Megasaur - Loosely modeled after T-Rex with expanding wilds in the free game bonus and different jackpots based on your bet amount

Aztec's Millions - ANother legacy RTG classic with high volatility and a jackpot over a million dollars

Jackpot Piñatas Deluxe - Released in time for Cinco de Mayo 2021, the jackpot was approaching $2,000,000 as of review time.

Bonuses and Promotions

Most of the bonuses offered here are ridiculously juicy. The way they can do that and stay in business is by restricting the amount that can be cashed out when playing with a bonus.

There are more than two dozen bonuses available at any given time, including the high roller bonuses.

The welcome bonuses are fat and usually include bonus spins.

Be sure to click the info button when bonus shopping... some have higher turnover requirements and a max cashout (x35) and some are more reasonable (25x wagering, no max cash out). Take advantage of those while they are offered, most offers, later on, will have max cash restrictions.

Often, the more you deposit, the bigger the match percentage and the more bonus spins you will receive. The devil is in the details, so shop carefully.

"Free" spins chase

Players who have deposited on the current or previous day can claim bonus spins on the game of the day if their balance has fallen below $1.

Bonus Shop

This is the place to drop into for a tune-up after a few laps around the track. Trade in your comp points for bonus bucks. Most of these "free chips" have a relatively high wagering requirement (44x) and a fairly low max cashout (x5).

Cashback Program

Daily depositors can claim up to 40% of their losses (weekly and monthly 10% of deposits). However, it's not a true cashback program just like their comp points aren't really comp points. The funds are released as bonus bucks when converted through the Bonus Shop with wagering requirements and a max cashout provision.

Max bet for deposit bonuses is $10 on slots and $25 per hand on tables. NDBs allow $5 per spin.

Weekly and monthly insurance bonuses are available to players who deposit $1000 and $4000 or more weekly or monthly respectively. The monthly cashback (insurance) bonus has no max cashout provision.

VIP High Roller programs

Player class is determined automatically by the system. Rated players earn comp points at more than 2x the rate new players earn.

Unbeknownst to many players, RTG operators have the ability to remove the customary $1 per line bet limit on slots. Highly-rated players have no slot limits or table limits here. Fourth-tier players have unlimited slots and $200 per hand table limits.

Banking and Customer Service

All transactions are carried out over 256 secure socket layer encrypted lines so your data and financial details are safe.

Cards that can be used to deposit include AmEx, Discover, Visa, and Mastercard. Neosurf vouchers are accepted for deposits as low as $10. PayID and BPay may help you deposit directly from your bank account. The preferred method is Bitcoin.

Of course, deposit methods may vary by country, and players from more countries than NZ, US, and CA are accepted.

While BTC deposits have no limit, withdrawals are still pegged at $2,000 per week (depending on player class) as are card pays and bank wires. The minimum cashout is $100 to cards or a BTC wallet. Bank wires require a minimum of $300 to be transferred.

Card and bank payments should take 3-5 business days and Bitcoin withdrawals are paid in 48 hours not counting weekends.

Customer care

Moments after registering an account, expect a phone call or an email requesting a phone conference to verify your account. Getting that chore out of the way early is always wise anyway. They might also offer you a free chip for taking the phone call.

Go to the banking forms page if you think you can beat them to the punch and verify your identity, deposit method, or even BTC or bank wire information before they call. You'll be directed there anyway and they might not accept any further deposits after your first if you aren't verified.

They will insist on knowing everything about you but will not release any information about themselves. A compendium of similarities between five other existing sites and this one begs me to say I know the operator, but discretion can be the better form of valor sometimes.

That said, it's entirely possible that players can expect slow payments, low cashout limits, and slow response from customer support.

Pitfalls

• Non-transparent new operation (license not linked, management not listed)
• Website coded to prevent the search of terms and conditions (CTRL+F player class, payout, withdrawal, etc.)
• Likely associated with other slow-pay operations (unconfirmed)
• Intrusive verification process (immediate phone call)
• Conflicting or confusing terms and conditions - Real Cash from Comp Points comes with no wagering requirements or maximum payout limits and is not bound by any maximum bet limitations. However, if you trade your comp points for 'cash' in the Bonus Shop, wagering is 44x and max cash out is 5x.

The Final Word

Highway Online Casino brings the thrill of a high-speed road trip to players on several continents. The game selection is bog-standard RTG, but Realtime Gaming releases new games at a decent clip.

The opening bonuses look attractive, especially the high percentage offers with reasonably low wagering requirements and no max cashouts.

The use of the term "player class" smacks of operators who don't seem to understand that all that white stuff (page) behind all of the black stuff (words) doesn't matter. If you don't specify a minimum, don't bother with a maximum. When I read "my class" is entitled to a maximum of $2000 per week in cashouts, but no minimum is mentioned, I will expect $2,000 a week when I win - not $300, and not $350.

Crafty wording around processing times in different places needs to be run through the reality filter as well, so go with the longest which states 3-5 (business) days to process and then add another 48 hours for BTC and 3-5 more for card transfers and bank wires.

In conclusion, you'll have access to all the great RTG games along with some juicy bonuses. Players in under-represented areas like the US and Oceania (NZ) may be accustomed to waiting a week or longer to get paid. If on balance, you don't mind waiting to get paid when you win and you like big bonuses, this may be a good match for you.