Since the advent of the internet, online casinos have brought about many exciting benefits to gambling players. One of the biggest perks of this new gaming world is the bonuses and promotional offers that usually come with it. Today, virtually all online casinos provide a kind of bonus to incentivize their players.
Casino bonuses can be an opportunity to increase your bankroll and potentially win more with lesser risks to your own funds. However, not everybody understands the mechanics behind these offers enough to get full value from them. This is especially so for beginners who are still new to online casino gambling.
Therefore, our guide covers everything a player should know about casino bonuses, from what they are and the conditions attached to how to maximize them.
What are Casino Bonuses? — Exploring the Basics
Online casino bonuses are proven promotional incentives offered by online casinos to attract new players and retain old ones. Essentially, they give gamblers a boost and extra funds to play casino games and potentially win money without risking their funds. These offers come in various shapes and sizes, each giving something different. You can read more here about some of the best online bonuses while playing your favourite games.
Common Bonuses Available at Online Casinos
Whether you are a new user or an already existing player, there are several bonuses available to online gambling enthusiasts today. Let’s explore some of the most common ones.
Welcome Bonus
Virtually all online casinos today offer a welcome bonus to their new players. This bonus is what casinos extend to welcome any new player who opens an account on their platform. It usually comes as a match deposit bonus, where you will receive a matched percentage of your first deposit. For example, a casino may offer a 50%, 100%, or 150% bonus on its player first deposits. A welcome bonus can also be a free spins bonus or a combination of both.
No Deposit Bonus
This is a rare but highly sought-after type of bonus offer that casinos use to attract new players to their platforms. As its name implies, you don't have to make any initial deposit to receive this bonus. You simply sign up to the site, and you will receive free spins or free credits to play games.
Free Spins
The free spins bonus typically comes as part of a casino’s welcome bonus package or a regular promotion. The bonus allows players to play specific slot games for free without risking their funds.
Reload Bonus
The reload bonus is a promotional offer tailored for the existing players at an online casino, usually weekly or monthly. Like the welcome matched deposit bonus, this offer rewards the players for any subsequent deposit they make at the casino. Although they are usually smaller than the welcome bonus, these offers help players always have funds to play games.
More Bonuses
Other than the ones we have mentioned above, other common types of bonuses and promotions in the online casino world include:
- Cashback
- Loyalty Bonus
- VIP bonuses
- Referral bonus
- Tournament prizes, etc.
Bonus Terms and Conditions Explained
Casino bonuses can often seem too good to be true. This is because online casinos typically attach terms and conditions to their offers. These T&Cs dictate how any triggered bonus can be used, which essentially ensures that casinos don’t lose out in the long run. So, before claiming a bonus, it’s essential to understand what these conditions entail.
- Wagering requirements: Also known as playthrough or rollover requirements, the wagering requirement is perhaps the most essential T&C in a bonus. It indicates the number of bets a player must make before withdrawing bonus money or winnings. For example, if you receive a $100 bonus with a 20x wagering requirement, you will have to wager a total of $2,000 (i.e., 20 x $100). Pretty steep, right?
- Wagering Game contribution: You should note that casino games don't all contribute the same amount to fulfill the wagering requirement amount. While slots usually contribute 100% of their bets, other games may contribute less. This means you may have to spend more to fulfill the wagering when you play non-slot games.
- Time Limits: Online casino bonuses typically come with expiration dates. So, once you claim a bonus, you will be racing against time to fulfill the wagering requirement within the specified time frame. Otherwise, the bonus expires, and you lose it and any acquired winnings.
- Game restrictions: You should know that casino bonuses don't usually work on all games at the casino. Most operators limit the usage of their bonuses to a single game or specific selections of games, depending on the offer.
- Maximum win limit: Most casinos also often limit the amount of money players can win and withdraw while using bonuses and promotional offers.
How to Make the Most of Casino Bonuses
Many beginners make the mistake of being attracted only by the glitz when looking for the best offers. However, this often leads to disappointments in the long run. To get the most out of casino bonuses, consider the following tips.
- Ensure the casino you choose is appropriately licensed and regulated
- Always check for fair terms and conditions before claiming a bonus
- Focus on bonuses with low wagering requirements
- Consider whether or not the bonus applies to your preferred game
- Focus on games that contribute 100% to the wagering
- Don’t claim multiple bonuses at once
- Be aware of all the limits in place
Final Remarks
Casino bonuses are undeniably a great way to have some fun online. They provide players with more funds to play games and offer the chance to potentially win real money. However, as discussed in this guide, you need to understand how these offers work to make the most of them. Before you claim any bonus, always check out the attached terms and conditions. This will help you determine its value and avoid any surprises down the line.
This article was written in cooperation with Tushar Kumar