Casino Planet South Africa Has Closed
The Genesis casino group, its lost licence and where South African players can go next
Status: Closed. Casino Planet is no longer an active online casino, so South African players should not deposit there. We keep this page as a record of the casino. It also explains what happened to the Genesis group behind it.
Casino Planet opened in 2020 as one of the Genesis brands. It had a neon, space-themed design and a large game lobby. It also welcomed South African players with rand accounts. Today the story is different. Below, you can read what the casino offered, what the regulators did and where to play instead.
Casino Planet at a Glance
| Topboss Group status | Closed (not recommended) |
| Launched | 2020 |
| Brand family | Genesis group, the twelfth brand under the Genesis banner |
| Former licences | UK Gambling Commission and Malta Gaming Authority |
| Former welcome package | Four deposit bonuses worth R22,500 plus 200 free spins |
| Former game library | Over 1,300 slots, table games and live dealer games |
| Former minimum deposit | R150 |
| Former withdrawal limit | R35,000 per week, with a 2% withdrawal fee |
| Former currencies | More than 25, including South African rand (ZAR) |
What Happened to Casino Planet?
Casino Planet belonged to the Genesis family of casinos. Genesis Global Limited ran the group. The group trouble began years before the closure.
In July 2020, the UK Gambling Commission suspended the group’s British operating licence. The regulator pointed to compliance concerns. The suspension ended on 14 October 2020, three months after it began. In January 2022, the Commission announced a fine of £3.8 million. It also added a warning and an extra licence condition that required further auditing.
The regulator said the group had failed on social responsibility and on money laundering checks. For example, it did not step in quickly enough when some customers lost very large sums. It also asked for source-of-funds information too late in some cases.
Then came the Malta Gaming Authority. On 11 January 2024, the MGA cancelled the authorisation of Genesis Global Limited. The notice says the regulator is working with an appointed liquidator to return player funds. As a result, the Genesis brands stopped operating, and Casino Planet closed with them.
Is Casino Planet Still Open for South African Players?
No. Casino Planet has closed, and you cannot play there any more. Topboss Group has marked the casino as closed, so we no longer promote it.
Be careful if you find a site that uses the Casino Planet name. A copycat can look the same and still be unrelated to the original casino. As a result, check the operator name, the licence number and the regulator’s register before you register or deposit anywhere.
The same advice applies to emails and social media messages. Some players receive offers that claim to come from a closed casino. Delete them, and never share your card details or ID documents with an unknown sender.
The Other Genesis Brands
Casino Planet was not the only casino to close. Its sister brands went the same way. We have written about them on separate pages.
- Genesis Casino South Africa, the group’s flagship brand, has closed.
- Casino Joy South Africa has closed too.
- Casoola South Africa closed in its original form.
If you played at any of these sites, the steps further down this page apply to you as well.
What Casino Planet Offered
The casino worked well for many players while it was open. Its design stood out. The site used neon colours and a planetary theme, and the menus were easy to follow.
New South African players could claim four welcome bonuses worth R22,500 in total. They also received 200 free spins. After that, regular promotions kept the rewards coming.
The library held more than 1,300 slots and casino games from well-known studios. Players could use the site on a desktop or on a phone. The mobile version offered over 500 games on Android and iOS, and no app download was needed.
Promotions and VIP Programme
Casino Planet ran several offers beside the welcome package. Here is what we recorded in our earlier review.
- Live casino bonus: a 100% bonus for players who tried the live casino.
- Free spins bonus: 10 free spins plus a 25% bonus of up to R1,500.
- Monthly Hangout: a 25% match bonus of up to R1,500 every month.
- Tournaments: regular events where players competed for a place at the top.
The VIP programme worked by invitation only. Members received a personal account manager, a monthly prize draw and individual withdrawal plans. They could also win holiday packages.
Games at Casino Planet
The lobby covered most of the usual categories. Players could browse new games, hot games, video slots and classic slots. There were jackpots, including must-fall jackpots, as well as roulette, blackjack, baccarat, poker, video poker and live dealer tables.
Slots
Slots made up most of the lobby. Popular titles included Rich Wilde and the Book of the Dead and Gonzo’s Quest Megaways. Jokers Luck, Divine Fortune and Gold Digger Hold and Win were also popular. Newer releases included Jolly Roger, Bombuster, Macau High Roller, Artemis vs Medusa and the Star Clusters Megaclusters slot.
Table and Live Games
Table fans found 3 Hand Casino Hold ’em and Blackjack Multi-Hand VIP. European Roulette, Casino Stud Poker and Baccarat Punto Banco were there too. The live section was smaller. Even so, it covered the favourites with Casino Blitz Blackjack, Rapid Roulette Live and VIP Roulette.
The casino used software from several big names. They included Microgaming, NetEnt, Play’n GO, Quickspin and Yggdrasil.
Banking and Currencies
Casino Planet accepted a wide range of payment methods. They included PaySafeCard, bank transfer, Neteller, Skrill, Trustly, PayPal, MuchBetter and MiFinity. The list also covered several European and Canadian options.
The minimum deposit was R150. The weekly withdrawal limit was R35,000, and the casino charged a 2% withdrawal fee. E-wallet payouts were quick. Card payments took one to three days, and bank transfers took three to five days.
The casino supported more than 25 currencies. South African rand was one of them, so local players did not pay for currency conversion.
Licence History in Brief
The casino held two main licences during its time online. The first came from the UK Gambling Commission. The second came from the Malta Gaming Authority. Both regulators set rules on fair play, player funds and responsible gambling.
Our pages explain how these regulators work. Read more about the UK Gambling Commission and the Malta Gaming Authority. Both pages show what a licence means for players.
The Casino Planet story shows why licence checks matter. A licence helps, but it does not remove every risk. Regulators can fine, suspend or cancel a licence when a company breaks the rules.
What to Do If You Played at Casino Planet
Some players still wonder about old balances or old bonuses. A few simple steps can help.
- Gather your records: find old emails, screenshots, deposit receipts and withdrawal requests.
- Check your payment provider: your bank or e-wallet history can confirm deposit dates and amounts.
- Read the MGA notice: the regulator says it is working with a liquidator to return player funds, so look for official updates there.
- Watch for scams: be wary of anyone who offers to recover your money for an upfront fee.
- Move on safely: choose a new casino only after you check its licence and terms.
Keep every message short and factual if you contact anyone about a claim. Calm, clear notes get better results than angry ones.
How to Spot a Risky Casino Early
Closures often come after warning signs. Learning those signs can protect your money. Use this short checklist before you deposit at any site.
- Licence details: look for a licence number in the footer, then check it on the regulator’s own register.
- Company name: a trustworthy casino names the company that runs it.
- Regulator news: search for fines, suspensions or warnings linked to the operator.
- Payout rules: read the withdrawal limits and fees before you claim a bonus.
- Test cash-out: start small and withdraw early to see how the process works.
Reputable review sites also help. Our guide to why unregulated casinos need reputable reviews explains what to look for. You can also read our tips to improve your gambling skills for sensible habits at the tables and slots.
Pros and Cons
| What it offered | Why we do not recommend it |
|---|---|
| Over 1,300 slots and casino games | The casino has closed |
| Rand accounts for South African players | The MGA cancelled the licence of the company behind the Genesis brands |
| Four welcome bonuses worth R22,500 | The UK regulator fined the group £3.8 million in 2022 |
| A wide choice of payment methods | A 2% fee applied to withdrawals |
| Mobile play with no app needed | Player funds are now handled through a liquidation process |
Where to Play Instead
Did you like the Casino Planet lobby? Then try a casino that is open today. Each of these has a full review on our site. Yebo Casino and Thunderbolt Casino both welcome South African players. You can also read our Carousel Casino review.
Prefer a local, licensed option? Licensed South African operators offer sports betting and horse racing. Our Betfred South Africa review covers one of them. For more choices, see our list of the best online casinos in South Africa.
You can also browse recent additions on our page for new gambling sites in South Africa. For a wider look at closed and risky sites, read our page on blacklisted, suspended and closed casinos.
Final Verdict
Casino Planet was a colourful casino with a big game library and a generous welcome package. Today it has closed. The company behind the Genesis brands lost its Malta licence in January 2024. The regulator is now working to return player funds.
For that reason, we list Casino Planet as closed and do not recommend it. If you want to play, pick one of the reviewed alternatives above. Always check the licence and the terms first.
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