Old Havana Review
A Panama-based casino in the Grey Zone
By Alex Smith, Last updated Dec 7, 2023
Casinomeister's Verdict
Old Havana Casino is a Panama-based casino, and they may be operating without a valid online gambling license. They’re in the Grey Zone here at Casinomeister, although we’d generally recommend avoiding them as numerous players have reported withdrawal delays.
First Impression
Old Havana Casino, launched in 2012 and licensed in Panama, offers an pretty unique design – reminiscent of a vintage Cuban casino. With a variety of games provided by Real Time Gaming, you can expect a pretty standard RTG experience here.
You’ll find a fairly decent selection of promotions – including a welcome bonus – although, in our opinion, their bonuses aren’t quite up to par with what we see at other casinos. You won’t find a no-deposit bonus, and the VIP program is just a basic comp points scheme.
When it comes to banking, Old Havana Casino offers a range of deposit and withdrawal methods. However, players should be aware of potential delays and verification checks during withdrawal – a reoccurring theme we’ve seen players complaining about online.
Like most RTG casinos – even today, in 2023 – the site’s design is outdated, although it does its best to emulate the Cuban theme, unfortunately, you do need to log in to view the entire game selection, which is something we’re not overly keen on. There isn’t a mobile casino app, although the website is mobile-optimized.
Continue reading our in-depth review to learn more about what Old Havana Casino offers, from their game selection and customer support to their responsible gambling tools – we’ll even show you what real Casinomeister players are saying about the site!
Pros
Many poker games, including Tri-Card Poker and Bonus Poker
Cashback bonus available
Weekly bonuses
Cons
Very weak licensing (if any)
Reports of slow payouts
High wagering requirements on bonuses
Reports of slow/non-existent payouts
BONUSES AND PROMOTIONS
Bonuses and promotions play a crucial role in attracting and retaining players at online casinos, offering incentives and rewards for continued play. In this section of our Old Havana Casino review, we’re going to look at their main welcome bonus, whether they offer any no-deposit bonuses and details of their VIP program.
Welcome Offer
Old Havana Casino offers a welcome bonus to most new players, and it’s delivered in the form of a 200% matched deposit bonus up to $1,000. In order to claim the welcome bonus, players must make a minimum deposit of $25 – which, in fairness, isn’t bad. However, the wagering requirements are somewhat high – 40X if you’re playing slots and 60X if you’re playing multi-hand video poker or standard video poker games.
While using bonus funds, the maximum bet allowed is $20. Unfortunately, there’s also a maximum cashout limit of $10,000 – or 20x the deposit value – whichever is lower. These definitely aren’t the best terms in the world, and we can’t say we’d overly recommend claiming it.
It’s also unclear whether you need a bonus code to claim the deposit bonus. We should also point out that the wagering requirements for the welcome bonus include the bonus PLUS deposit amount – making it even harder to cashout your winnings.
No-Deposit & Free Spins Offers
Unfortunately, Old Havana Casino doesn’t appear to offer any no-deposit bonus at the time of writing. However, this could change at any point – so ensure you check back to this review for updates!
VIP and Loyalty Programs
Old Havana Casino offers a straightforward – yet basic – comp points scheme for loyal players. As players place bets on games, they accumulate these points, which can later be exchanged for cash credits. It’s a straightforward program which doesn’t offer much in the way of creativity; Old Havana Casino could do better here, in our opinion.
Even though Old Havana Casino’s VIP program may not be as generous as those found at other RTG casinos, it does at least have one; we’d just like to see a bit more creativity, as comp points on their own are, we feel, pretty boring.
BANKING AND PAYMENT METHODS
Old Havana Casino offers a pretty decent selection of payment methods. They accept most major credit cards like Visa and MasterCard, alongside EWallets – such as Neteller and Skrill. Crypto deposits are also available at Old Havana Casino – something that we’re seeing at many RTG-powered casinos today.
Additional payment methods are available, including bank transfers, Paysafecard, and, depending on your country – potentially even more.
As a general rule, for most payment methods, the minimum deposit is $25; the maximum varies depending on your chosen method.
We should also point out that some payment methods – a bank transfer, for example – can have a minimum deposit requirement of up to $100!
Old Havana Casino Withdrawal Speed
Old Havana Casino claims to offer quick and hassle-free withdrawals for its players – although we’ve seen plenty of player reports to the contrary. Withdrawal methods include Bitcoin, Neteller, Skrill, and bank transfers. EWallet withdrawals are generally processed within 48 hours – but for some reason, Bitcoin withdrawals at Old Havana Casino can take even longer – up to 72 hours!
This is very unusual; crypto withdrawals are usually the fastest withdrawal method. Bank transfers can take up to 5 business days.
The minimum withdrawal limit is $150, and there’s a weekly limit of $5,000. It is essential to note that players might be subject to identity verification procedures before their first withdrawal.
NOTE: when we were writing this Havana Casino review, we did come across quite a few players complaining about withdrawal speeds; this is something to be aware of, and it’s also a problem that spans many of the online casinos operated by the same online gambling group.
Responsible gaming
Responsible gambling is crucial for ensuring a safe and enjoyable gaming experience. Online casinos must offer tools to help players manage their gambling habits and avoid potential issues.
We were dismayed that Old Havana Casino does not have a dedicated, responsible gambling section – and we could not find ANY information about responsible gambling tools available to players.
All online casinos should offer responsible gambling tools – and we’ll show you some of the most common ones below:
Session time limits: Session time limits allow players to set a maximum duration for their gambling sessions. This tool helps prevent excessive gambling and encourages players to take breaks.
Loss limits: Loss limits enable players to cap the amount they can lose during a specific period. Once a loss limit is set, a player cannot lose more than that until the pre-set time frame has passed.
Deposit limits: Deposit limits allow players to set a maximum amount they can deposit within a specific time frame (daily, weekly, or monthly). This is a fantastic tool that helps players control their spending; it can also prevent against compulsive gambling.
Time-out: Time-outs enable players to take a short break from gambling, usually between 24 hours and 6 weeks. During this time, players are unable to login or play.
Self-exclusion: Self-exclusion is a more severe tool that allows players to block access to their casino account for a specified period or indefinitely. This option is helpful for those who feel they have lost control over their gambling habits. However, self-excluding will also block accounts at any OTHER casinos operated by the same brand – so keep this in mind.
Old Havana Casino needs to do a much better job regarding responsible gambling – and this is one of the many reasons why the online casino is in the Grey Zone here at Casinomeister.
Customer support
At Old Havana Casino, customer support options include live chat and email. While we’d always recommend using live chat, as it’s available 24 hours a day, seven days a week, we’ve heard from some players that it’s frequently “down” or offline.
Furthermore, we’ve heard from other players that the live chat agents have limited knowledge and are often reluctant to discuss licensing information, which is, in fairness, concerning.
Email support is another way of contacting Old Havana Casino, but response times can be lengthy. Like responsible gambling, the customer support facility at Old Havana Casino requires work – and this could be a dividing factor for players on the fence of joining.
KYC
Given that Old Havana Casino is located in Panama, whether they adhere to KYC checks remains to be discovered. The casino will likely ask for KYC documents when players request withdrawals, potentially as a stalling technique. However, it’s important for you to understand that KYC checks are standard procedures for online casinos to verify players’ identities. They’re also used to prevent fraud, money laundering, and underage gambling.
A KYC check is usually pretty straightforward; you need to supply the casino with proof of your ID – using a copy of your passport or driver’s license – and proof of your address. The latter is usually achieved by uploading a copy of a recent utility bill or bank statement. If you use certain payment methods, you may also be required to verify ownership of the account.
Website Experience and Features
Desktop and Mobile Gaming
Old Havana Casino offers an OK desktop and mobile gaming experience, although the website’s design is typical of RTG sites; if you’ve ever played at one before, you’ll know what we mean. Unfortunately, as we noted earlier, you need to create an account and login just to view the full range of games.
While writing this Old Havana Casino review, we found no dedicated mobile casino app. However, the website is optimized for mobile devices, ensuring you can play from your mobile devices.
All games are available in instant play mode. In addition, however, Old Havana Casino offers a downloadable software client for desktop users. We’re always happy to see download-based casinos as they’re becoming much rarer. While their practical use in 2023 can be argued, it’s a nice, nostalgic touch for some players.
Brand games
Providers
Old Havana Casino is powered by RTG, a fairly well-respected name in the online casino industry. They’re usually associated with the US market, and their games are seldom found at European casinos.
Unfortunately, you need to be logged into your casino account to view the full selection of games – but there are plenty of casino games, video poker, and video slots. In the following sections of our Old Havana Casino review, we will look at some of the games you’ll find on the site.
Slots
Old Havana Casino offers an extensive range of slot games to cater to every player’s taste. With various themes and features, the casino ensures there’s something for everyone. Below, we’ll explore three of the most popular slots at Old Havana Casino.
Asgard
Asgard is themed around Norse mythology and showcases ancient gods like Odin, Thor, and Loki. The game is built around a 243-ways-to-win format and offers a ton of bonus features, including free spins, multipliers, and expanding wilds.
Achilles Deluxe
Achilles Deluxe is another ancient-inspired slot, based on the infamous Trojan War. This game includes iconic characters like Achilles, Helen of Troy, and Paris. With five reels and 20 paylines, Achilles Deluxe offers wilds, scatters, and two unique bonus features. These features can provide up to 25 free spins and multipliers of up to 3x, delivering big win potential!
Cash Bandits III
Cash Bandits III, the third instalment of the popular Cash Bandits series, is one of RTG’s most popular slots, so it’s no surprise to see it offered at Old Havana. This 5-reel, 25-payline slot game offers a selection array of bonuses. For example, the Vault bonus lets you win up to 390 free games and a 23x multiplier. The huge number of free spins on offer combined with the high multiplier makes it popular with RTG fans.
That’s just three of the games you’ll find at the casino; they offer pretty much all RTG slots.
Live Casino Games
Unfortunately, Old Havana Casino does not currently offer live dealer games. The lack of live casino games is a definite downside in our eyes as it instantly turns off a large number of players. Live dealer games provide an authentic casino atmosphere by connecting players with real dealers via high-definition video streaming, and it’s pretty rare not to see them offered at online casinos today.
The lack of live dealer games at Old Havana Casino will, we feel, deter players who prefer more of an interactive gaming experience than that offered by virtual games. Offering live casino games would also enhance the overall gaming portfolio at Old Havana Casino- so we see no good reason not to start offering them.
Table Games and Video Poker
Old Havana Casino offers a selection of casino table games, including popular classics like European blackjack, roulette, baccarat, and craps. We also found a few less-common poker-inspired games, including Caribbean Stud Poker and Pai Gow Poker.
There are multiple variations of Roulette – including American and European Roulette – and the casino offers low betting limits, making the games suitable for low-rollers. Maximum table limits aren’t the highest in the industry – with some games capping out at $500.
In addition to the array of table games, Old Havana Casino boasts a decent video poker collection. Video poker fans can choose from popular titles such as Deuces Wild, Multi-Hand Video Poker Deuces Wild, Bonus Deuces Wild, Bonus Bingo Video Poker, Joker Poker, Multi-Hand video poker Bonus Poker, and Multi-hand Joker Poker.
Please note that if you claim a welcome bonus at the online casino, specific video poker titles like Bonus Poker, Bonus Deuces Deluxe, and Tri-Card Poker are excluded from the wagering requirements.
Progressive Jackpots
Progressive jackpot games are a decent addition to Old Havana Casino’s gaming portfolio. These games feature jackpots that grow progressively as a percentage of each bet contributes to the prize pool. At the time of writing, three of the most popular jackpot games at the site include Atec Treasure, Megasaur, and Shopping Spree.
All of the progressives games are found under their own dedicated tab on the Old Havana Casino navigation menu. This means it’s pretty straightforward to access them.
About the Team and History
Old Havana Casino was launched in 2012 and is part of the Mainstreet Vegas Group. RTG powers the casino software, and they’re based in Costa Rica – although their website also makes mentions of Panama, so it’s a bit confusing.
Old Havana Casino only offers an English-language version of its site, so you may need to choose a different online casino to join if you don’t speak English.
Complaints and Track Record
MAXD posted the following warning about all online casinos operated by Mainstream Vegas: “WARNING: Mainstreet group cannot be relied on to pay player winnings. Either their processor is holding them at gunpoint, or they’re simply BSing their way through this, but the upshot is that the casino management is abdicating responsibility for player payments. They refuse to pay out on cases outside the current calendar year because “the processor” said so. They are refusing to pay out in any case where “the processor” has decided they shouldn’t. Players are advised to avoid these casinos until the dog regains control of its tail.”
Subsequently, we’d advise proceeding cautiously if you are considering playing here.
Casino Facts
| Founded | 2002 |
| Casino representative | Casino Rep |
| Is this casino certified at Casinomeister | No |
| Payout time | N/A |
| Reverse time | N/A |
| Weekend payouts | Yes |
| Locks withdrawals | Yes |
Alex is a 26-year-old writer from Brighton, in the UK, and for the past 8 years, he’s worked with a number of companies, creating content for blogs, news articles, and more. While Alex has written on a wide variety of topics, his speciality is online gambling – an industry he’s both passionate about, and experienced in. Having enjoyed gambling for over 7 years, Alex is a huge fan of video slots, and cites NetEnt, Big Time Gaming, Thunderkick, and Quickspin as his favourite providers. The topics he writes on are varied, but he loves nothing more than a good old slot review (he’s written over 1,000 slot reviews in his career), and he also enjoys writing in-depth gambling guides, along with casino reviews. In his spare time, Alex enjoys playing the guitar, and is a self-proclaimed horror film buff.