My partner Craig is a Sky Sports addict and there’s only so much French Ligue 1 I can watch without grabbing my laptop and looking for a distraction. Playing casino games online is just one of the things I’ll do to relax when Craig is monopolising the tv. We love going down to our local casino on date nights, but sadly, since moving away from our family, finding a babysitter is easier said than done. Playing online means I get all the thrill of a live casino without having to dress for the occasion or fork out on bar bills or taxis.

For the last week, I’ve been checking out Casino Euro. Specialising in live & traditional casino action, poker and slots, it’s got everything I need to get my adrenaline pumping. Whether I’m logging on for a quick 10 minutes to reward myself for surviving the children’s bedtime routine, or giving myself a little treat on a Friday night, Casino Euro has all my favourite games, plus a whole heap of new ones to try.

So just why should you pick Casino Euro?

First up, it’s well worth pointing out the generous new member offer. Make your first deposit and they’ll double it with bonus money (up to £200) - effectively doubling your playing time. Welcome offers are high up on my list when choosing a new site as you often need a good few hours game play to really get to know a site.

Once you’ve got yourself an account they’ll then email through various deposit promos, offers and competitions to take advantage of; not enough to inundate you, but certainly enough to remind you to drop in and have a quick play. Speaking of competitions, Casino Euro currently have 4 luxury spa weekends to be won when you opt-in and deposit a total amount of £30 or more.

Accounts are dead easy to set up - all you’ll need is an email address, home address, DOB (of course, users must be 18 to join) and a phone number. You won’t be badgered for your bank details beforehand, so you can sign up and take a look around before you make a deposit. For your peace of mind, you can also set deposit limits and set your email preferences upon registering.

The Live Casino Experience with Casino Euro

Once you’re in, a whole host of goodies await you. There’s a live casino lounge, brimming with all your casino favourites, including blackjack, baccarat, roulette and poker (standard, plus French and speed variations too). I usually pop in here throughout the day and the croupiers are fun and friendly and welcome you to the room by name when you “sit down” - nice touch. They’ll also give you advice if you ask for it (there’s a private messaging facility between you and the dealer), and there’s a nice mix of high and low energy dealers that will switch tables every 30 mins or so to keep things fresh. As you might expect from Casino Euro, there are also foreign language tables if you’re not playing in the UK.

If you haven’t played live casino before and are wondering what you might expect, you play live action games with a real dealer - don’t worry though, they can’t see you so you don’t need a face full of slap to sit down and play! Trust me you’ll still find yourself answering their questions aloud and smiling at them when you win though - it does feel very authentic.

You’ll also find all your usual slot-faves such as Starburst, Rainbow Riches and Book of Dead, nestled in among some fresh slot content. I like how most of the games have low stake options if you’re killing off your balance before depositing again. The range of jackpot slots are also incredibly tempting, again with both low, medium and high stakes options. If you are unsure how to play, hit the information icon for an explanation of how to win.

Graphics-wise, the lobbies are pop-up-free and easy to navigate. You will need flash to run the games, but this means no buffering and HD options should your laptop have the capability. No laptop? No worries. There’s an app for iPhone and android, with all the functionality of the laptop/PC version. This works perfectly for me as I’ll often play outside during the day but my broadband signal doesn’t quite stretch to the back of my garden.

There’s also some neat functionality built into the site; clever but obvious, yet often missed on other casino sites. I like how you can constantly check on the progress of your bonuses and any wagering requirements, even during live play. This is so helpful, especially when you’ve embedded yourself at a table and don’t want to give up your seat. There is also live chat available should you need a hand registering, depositing or withdrawing. Having used sites before without live chat, I can honestly say I wouldn’t bother again - it’s nice to check on the progress of your withdrawal when you’re waiting on a big win!

I’d definitely recommend checking Casino Euro out if you fancy a change from your usual online casino, or if you’re over 18 and would like to try your luck for the first time. Whether you’re checking in with a latte or glass of wine, Casino Euro is a reputable and friendly site that with which to kick off your day or evening. Just be sure you do not spend what you cannot afford, and understand that gambling should never be considered as a way to make money.

* Gamble responsibly. Gambling is not a way of earning money. If you are concerned about your gambling or affected by someone else’s gambling, please contact GambleAware or GamCare for help.