Looking Behind Mahogany Doors – Grand Ivy Casino Review

The Grand Ivy Casino Games Collection

The first thing to find out is whether an operator you’re considering has the games you want to play. The outlandish website designs of some online casinos can make it more complicated than necessary to actually find this out, but the selection of the Grand Ivy casino games gets straight to the point. The 550-plus games library is on the lower side of the standard lately. Yet in some cases, they merely jam more and more options – usually slots – into their portfolio without considering the variety of gameplay types, so number of games isn’t enough to go on alone.

A Games Package with Quality and Quantity

Over 500 of the Grand Ivy casino games are slots, making up a solid three-quarters of the total games library. Interestingly, though this number could sound like it’s a high proportion, the ratio is actually split a bit more evenly between slots and other gameplay types than in some other online casino competitors where slots reign supreme. That being said, there is absolutely no shortage of slot variants here, with an assemblage including your classic fruit spinners like Fruity 7 alongside the high jackpot slots like Arabian Night and movie themes like in the Jurassic Park slot.

The Grand Ivy casino games don’t have as many different varieties outside of slots, but it does manage to cover all the bases by including a good number of blackjack options, a couple of video poker styles and a handful of scratch cards and arcade games. The options are all simple and reminiscent of what you’d find in a land-based casino, adding to the classic casino ambience that the Grand Ivy is trying to emulate. For this style of casino, it would be a little off brand to offer the more ostentatious themes that are cropping up in blackjack and poker these days. Most of the table games including roulette are reserved for the live versions.

Feel Fancy in the Lush Live Casino

Emphasising the glamorous aesthetics of the Grand Ivy is its suite of live casino gaming options. The operator has drawn from two leading live game developers, NetEnt and Evolution. As it relies heavily on its live gaming portfolio to cover most of its table games categories, sharing the load between the two developers is a clever way to widen the variety of games without losing the classic casino charm.

Smartphone and Tablet-Friendly Gaming

The instant play set-up of the Grand Ivy casino games also ensures that users can access them from any type of internet-connected hardware, whether it be desktop, smartphone or tablet. While Grand Ivy online casino doesn’t have its own mobile app, playing on mobile is possible directly in a web browser. I had a go at a few different games, and while I wasn’t as immersed in the opulent atmosphere as on the desktop, I had no problems finding and playing its casino games on my phone. It’s not necessarily one of the best New Zealand mobile casinos, but it’s up there.

Adding Variety with Wide Table Limits

Having more games to offer isn’t the only way to add more variety to an online casino’s games portfolio. Table limits are another variable that can be considered when you’re looking for a game to play, as the perfect game will not only fit your gameplay style, but also your budget. This operator has certainly made sure it covers the low stakes options, offering slots from 1c per line, and blackjack and roulette wagers from as low as from 10c.

In line with its lavish concept, the table limits on offer certainly cater to the high rollers out there. The live roulette, in particular, could be the main appeal for the classy crowd, offering wagers up to $75,000, and blackjack’s $10,000 maximum bet should be enough to please players with the deeper pockets.

Grand Ivy Casino Payout Rates

One significant benefit of online casinos over their land-based siblings is the return to player (RTP) percentages are often a fair bit higher. This is because there are significantly less overhead costs involved in running an online alternative when compared to a land-based casino, and those savings can be passed directly on to the player.

Checking the RTP of a game before you commit to playing is a tip often forgotten by the gaming community. However, the RTP is important to keep in mind when picking what you want to play. The Grand Ivy casino payout rates are pretty good, coming in above the blackjack industry average of 98-99%. The overall average is brought down a little though, to a still very respectable 96.25% due to the high number of lower RTP games like slots.

Though the average slot RTP hovers around the 96% mark, the slot options have the widest spread in terms of percentage points. For example, the Mega Moolah jackpot slot RTP is only 90%, while the Apollo God of Sun jackpot slot is up to 97.17% – that’s a pretty significant difference in payout rates for similar games.

Meanwhile, the average game of roulette offers an RTP of 97.3%, but the Grand Ivy casino payout rates for roulette dip as low as 94.59% for European Roulette and 98% for European Roulette Gold Series. What a difference a bit of Gold can make! Notable here as well is that the two scratch cards that the casino offers have wildly different RTPs, reinforcing the importance of checking what has the best payout before you play. Checking is super easy on this casino, as every single game has a blurb about it, including a clearly outlined RTP, before you click through to play.

Grand Ivy Software Brings Style Back Online

You walk through the doors at a ritzy casino anywhere in the world, and you’re greeted by soft carpets, glamorous dealers and a chandelier or two, making you feel a little fancy. The Grand Ivy casino online has a similar effect, a commendable achievement in an industry where the themes are becoming more and more whimsical.

The website is easy to navigate as the designers have favoured a simple design with games classified into clear, comprehendible categories. The stark black, grey and gold colour whisper at the stately nature you’ll find throughout. Grand Ivy casino is the embodiment of simplicity.

This operator has collated its games selection from an incredible 30 different developers and offers a providers page where you can sort by developer should you have a favourite. Most of the games come from NetEnt and Evolution Gaming though, with some of the smaller guys only contributing a handful of slots each.

Strangely, there is no ability to try any of the games for free when you’re logged into your account, but some of the exact same games have a trial mode if you’re not logged in or playing from a mobile. This is something of an odd decision to offer more options to those who have already gone so far as to make an account than mere visitors.

Thanks to smart decisions from casino games developers, many an online casino is able to offer instant play for its games right from the web browser. The benefits here are two-fold: the operator doesn’t need to develop dedicated mobile apps and users can play on desktop without delay. There is no need for the player to download any specific Grand Ivy casino software, although the use of Flash in some of the games may require you to have an updated Flash Player installed.

An Introduction

With so many competitors in the sector, online casinos have been getting more and more inventive with their website designs, trying to carve out a niche where they can thrive. However, the luxurious atmosphere of a land-based high roller casino is not so often replicated in the online world, which I think is interesting considering that it’s one of the main aspects that draw people into a casino. Grand Ivy online casino has been designed by its parent company, Caddell Limited – operating as White Hat Gaming – specifically to fill that gap.

Creating a Classic Casino Online

Grand Ivy was established in 2015 on the basis that online players seek the same charm as a land-based casino when they’re placing wagers from home. Its theory resulted in the creation of four tiers to its VIP program – Silver, Gold, Platinum and Centurion, which all offer different promotions, bonuses and services that can affect withdrawal limits, invites to tournaments and dedicated account managers. In the fine print I found out that players who are VIP members of competitor online casinos can have their application to its own program fast-tracked, which is interesting.

Treating You Like a VIP

Customer support is limited to only email and live chat, so it’s a good thing that the live chat is available 24/7. I’m always a little disappointed when there isn’t a way to contact a casino directly by the phone, because sometimes problems can be difficult to explain through only text. However, I got very prompt and polite responses from the live chat representative who was able to help with an assortment of simple questions within the minute. The preference for sending written messages has prevailed in recent years, and I suppose that also includes online support.

Ever true to its design concept, Grand Ivy online casino does have additional support for members of its VIP programmes. This varies from tier to tier, but includes priority support via email, dedicated account managers and, yes, contact phone numbers.

Play Safely and Securely

However, having all of the games in the world with the best RTP and a great support system is really worth nothing if the casino in question isn’t safe to play at. Luckily, it’s very easy to find out if a website is safe if you know what to look for. Though it’s not required for NZ casinos, most that we recommend hold a licence from the United Kingdom Gambling Commission (UKGC).

Reputable casinos will state their licence number on their website, and the information is also directly available on the GC website. Grand Ivy is also licenced and regulated by the Malta Gaming Authority and adds another layer of protection for its players by implementing industry standard SSL encryption from GeoTrust to secure all deposits and withdrawals. So, you can rest assured that the Grand Ivy casino software is built to look after you.

Rounding Out the Review with Bonus Points

The last section of my Grand Ivy casino review tallies up a few points in bonus categories to ensure I cover all of the bases. I’ve awarded extra points for the tiered VIP loyalty program, which I think really fits well with its overall branding as an elegant online gaming solution, unlike some other casinos that seem to just have some half-assed system tacked on in order to tick a box. Its instant play website can be used to play on smartphones and tablets, but if you really want to download an app I suggest you check out PlayOJO.

I also gave full points for promotions in this Grand Ivy Casino review. The welcome bonus offers up to $1,500 in deposit matching plus 100 free spins, which I will further describe in a dedicated bonus page. The luxury casino has really kept on message in its promotions, also seasonally offering its account holders the chance to win a Mercedes-Benz SLC 200 sport.

• Awards . 0/3

• Promotions . 3/3

• Special Games . 2/2

• Loyalty Scheme . 1/1

• Extras . 1/1

• Bonus Points . 7

Grand Ivy Casino Review Conclusion

Don’t let the glamorous exterior fool you. Grand Ivy casino has its doors open for players of all budgets, not just those who drive a Mercedes-Benz. Alongside the heavy-hitting casino games for the high rollers, it also has a lot of low stakes games available to play and the tiered VIP program gives everyone the ability to feel like a Very Important Person – not just those with the deepest wallets. While the website functionality is basic, it oozes elegance throughout its whole design, successfully bringing the class and style of the land-based alternatives online.

Overall, I have given Grand Ivy casino online a score of 83/100, which places it among the great casino operators I have reviewed thus far. It lost out a little bit for its limited customer support offering – it already has a contact phone system set up because it offers it to its VIPs, but I think phone support is something that everyone could benefit from, to make it one of the best New Zealand real money casinos.

I like the selection of games that it has to play as well, which as I stated way back at the beginning of this Grand Ivy casino review, is the most crucial factor to choosing a New Zealand online casino. If you’re particularly looking to play video poker, you might be better suited to LeoVegas, which has over 35 different video poker options available. Or, if the classy vibe isn’t for you, check out Casino.com, which has a unique New Zealand theme. Otherwise, I’d happily recommend this casino to anyone who wants a simple, yet stylish online gaming experience.

Grand Ivy Online Casino FAQs

Hopefully my Grand Ivy casino review has answered your most pressing questions about the website, but if you think of anything else you’d like me to explain, don’t hesitate to send me a quick email to [email protected] and I’ll do my best to add to this review.

Who owns Grand Ivy casino?

Grand Ivy Casino is part of the White Hat Gaming group of casinos, which also runs sister sites Playzee and a dozen other casinos. The company is based in London.

How do I withdraw from Grand Ivy Casino?

You can withdraw funds from the Grand Ivy Casino cashier using a selection of payment methods. You must verify your account and identity with the casino before any withdrawals are allowed.

How safe is Grand Ivy?

Grand Ivy is completely safe to use. It holds a gambling licence from the Gambling Commission, so we can guarantee that it has met the highest standards for safety and security from the regulator.

Is there a Grand Ivy no deposit bonus?

No. The current Grand Ivy Casino bonus is a deposit match offer and the casino currently has no other promotions. You can check out a list of the best bonuses if this doesn't suit you.