Launched back in 2013, Juicy Stakes is a mobile-friendly online casino and poker room offering aficionados a wide range of video slots and table games from developers including Nucleus Gaming, World Match and Betsoft Gaming. Despite its name, the English-language site’s landing page is a rather dull affair offering just a brief synopsis of what promotions are on offer alongside an abridged description of the sign-up process.

The Curacao-licensed domain is operated by Juicy Stakes Games Limited and is principally aimed at punters in the United States although those from a wide range of other jurisdictions including Australia and the United Kingdom are also allowed to access its amusements. Immediately after entering, aficionados over the age of 18 will find that they are presented with the choice of progressing toward the site’s online casino or poker sub-sections, with each of these being further split to make it even easier for customers to locate the precise entertainment they desire.

Casino Games

Utilizing random number generator technologies also found in Microsoft’s CryptoAPI, the domain has a broad selection of three and five-reel video slots that have been cherry-picked from the collections of multiple software brands moreover encompassing emerging newcomers Nucleus Gaming, Jackpot Software, Magic Dreams, Octavian Gaming and many more. Some of these games additionally offer five-figure progressive jackpots with registered users even able to try them out via a full-screen demo mode before deciding whether to embark on real money play.

Popular slot games include:

• Stay Frosty
• Take the Bank
• Book of Helios
• Thai Blossoms
• Pussycat's Valley

For those who enjoy playing table games over the Internet, the operator also has a medley of blackjack, roulette, baccarat, rummy and video poker titles from developers World Match, Betsoft Gaming and Takisto. However, desktop players will need to hold a real-money balance to enjoy these advances as the play-money option is only made available through the downloadable version of the domain’s poker software.

Popular table games include:

• Double Jackpot Multi-Hand
• Draw Five Poker
• American Roulette
• Pai Gow Poker
• 21 Burn Blackjack

Poker Games

For poker aficionados, Juicy Stakes certainly does not disappoint although such punters are advised to download the site’s free software for a better all-around experience. Upon entry and players can enjoy a host of Texas hold‘em, Omaha and high-low games in no-limit, limit and pot-limit formats. The free-play option has also been rolled out here for those who want to practice their skills before heading on to the real-money tables.

To complement those with limited storage capacity or utilizing a Mac device and the domain moreover offers an instant-play format requiring Microsoft Silverlight while simultaneously running a host of around-the-clock tournaments in partnership with the Horizon Poker Network. However, despite these many advantages, the site does not feature an in-game chat feature or games in any language other than English. It is also rumored to be quite prone to freezing at crucial times during gameplay.

Customer Service

For any players who may need to resolve a problem or ask a question, the site offers an e-mail address alongside telephone and around-the-clock live chat facilities. These amenities should be great for those who have any queries regarding their account, frequent player points, payment methods, bonus poker codes and banking options with the domain declaring that any information collected ‘is safeguarded with the appropriate software and hardware tools in addition to various unspecified techniques, methods and procedures.

Deposits and Withdrawals

When it comes to depositing money, the domain offers a variety of methods including American Express and Visa as well as the e-wallet services run by Neteller and Skrill. Punters may also fund their accounts in United States dollars via the use of cash transfers although this bank-led method may take a bit longer to be successfully processed.

To withdraw any winnings, again in United States dollars, the site’s terms and conditions declare that customers may be required to present a valid form of identification while any outgoings are additionally subject to a 48-hour waiting period. Although there is no charge for e-wallet transactions, anyone looking to receive a bank-endorsed check is required to hand over a ‘processing fee’ of $50.

The domain furthermore has a maximum single withdrawal amount of $1,000 alongside a minimum cash-out requirement of $25 although anyone who racks up at least $40 in monthly rake fees could well receive a complimentary check. It is also worth noting that players opening an account with the online casino have to consent to allow the site’s software to take a digital fingerprint of their computer for security reasons with those based in the United States limited to only one weekly or Sunday withdrawal.

Loyalty Promotions

Juicy Stakes offers a plethora of player loyalty schemes including a first-time welcome bonus alongside a monthly depositor freeroll for those that have made a qualifying real-money deposit and racked up a minimum of ten frequent player points (FPPs). These are joined by a wide array of promotions encompassing sit-and-go bounty and star-themed tournaments as well as deepstack, super stack and daily freeroll competitions alongside FPPs races.

The domain also offers a non-deposit bonus for anyone who has converted their FPPs into its very own Gold Chips currency. Aficionados can directly purchase Gold Chips or convert their FPPs into this in-house coinage before using the advance so as to gain entry into exclusive online poker tournaments.

Perhaps most intriguing is the domain’s rake-back promotion where players can apply to have a portion of the 36% rake fee they have paid to enjoy access to tournament sit-and-go games refunded. Players based in both Australia and the United States are eligible for this offer, which comes with no minimums and is widely tipped to regularly hand back some 26% of tournament fees.

Pitfalls

• Smaller player pool when compared with other brands
• Outdated site design
• Limited choice of payment methods
• No cryptocurrency facility
• Unattractive deposit and withdrawal conditions

Final Word

Juicy Stakes is a long-time member of the world’s iGaming community via the Horizon Poker Network with its low-key online poker card room mainly catering to the needs and tastes of players based in the United States. Although the mobile-friendly domain offers only a modest collection of online casino games, its more than ample around-the-clock poker entertainment stretches to sit-and-go, multi-table tournaments and modestly-priced cash games.

Nevertheless, the site often receives negative comments owing to its overall design, potentially restrictive deposit and withdrawal requirements and often confusing promotion and bonus terms. The brand has moreover been criticized in the past for the slow nature of its payment processes and poor customer support, although these damaging denunciations seem to have been recently resolved for the better.