Everything You Need to Know About Casino Bonuses

Casinos have mastered the art of attracting and retaining loyal players. Although factors like casino reputation and game quality can attract seasoned players, beginners often look at the casino bonuses. After all, there’s no point in signing up for nothing in a world filled with options.

But don’t just claim everything that comes your way. That’s because some casinos include unrealistic bonus terms, making it impossible to withdraw the bonus cash. Also, some bonuses are simply better than others.

So, this 3-minute read discusses the best online casino bonuses and how to make the most out of them.

What are Casino Bonuses?

Casino bonuses are basically promotions or rewards for new and loyal players. New players only need to create a casino account to claim the bonus. However, you may need to deposit a specific amount to qualify for the bonus. Also, the casino can include a bonus code for triggering the reward. As for loyal players, it just takes a couple of deposits and real-money spins to get the promotions. You’ll learn more about these in the next section.

Common Online Casino Bonus Types

Deposit Bonus

The deposit bonus is the most common online casino welcome reward. After creating an account, the casino will offer to match your bonus up to a certain amount. You just need to make an initial deposit and claim the reward.

For example, the casino may offer you a 100% up to $100 welcome package. In that case, a $100 deposit attracts a $100 reward. Just say the casino will double your initial deposit up to the specified amount. Remember, the bonus is non-withdrawable.

No Deposit Bonus

No deposit bonus is the “Holy Grail” of all casino bonuses for most players. As its name suggests, new players don’t need to make an initial deposit to claim this reward. Simply complete the sign-up process and claim the bonus. 

But due to their free nature, most online casinos don’t offer deposit bonuses. And if you find one, the reward is usually anything between $10 to $50. Compare that to the hundreds or thousands of dollars you get with deposit bonuses.

Cashback

Online casinos know that players lose a lot of money hence the need to introduce cashback bonuses. It’s a loyalty program awarded to players depending on the number of lost bets. Cashback promotions run on a weekly or monthly basis. 

Here’s an example; a casino can offer players weekly cashback of 50% up to $50. So, if you lost $50 that week, the casino will refund $25 in free bets. That’s better than nothing!

VIP Tiers 

Non-UK players know a thing or two about VIP promotions. It’s a loyalty program that uses a tier system, commonly Gold, Silver, and Bronze. This loyalty program is usually for the most active players who bet with huge sums. Players collect points every time they bet using real money to climb up the VIP ladder.

But what are the benefits of gaining VIP status? VIP players get preferential treatments such as instant withdrawals, higher betting limits, tournament invitations, and special bonuses. Some casinos even offer VIP players their personal account managers. 

Slot and Poker Tournaments

Casinos host multiple slots and poker tournaments. You can join other professional gamblers in these competitions and win mouthwatering prizes. The beauty of these events is that they are so easy to join and play. Even better, the casino has no hand in these competitions. It’s all about your skill and a bit of luck. 

But it’s always check how many people participate in the tournament and the prize pool. For instance, if 50 players pay $20, the total prize pool will be $1,000. So, if the amount is divided among the first ten players, the amount can be minimal. But hey, the bragging rights are yours if you win something. 

Tips to Find the Best Online Casino Bonus

The thing is that almost all betting sites offer welcome bonuses and loyalty rewards. This can make your straight-down choice somewhat confusing. So, how do you find the best online casino bonuses? Below is the checklist:

Bonus size

This is the first thing most players look at when choosing a casino bonus, so don’t underrate the bonus size. No casino player worth their salt would want to choose a smaller bonus package over a bigger one. But be careful because bigger bonuses equally attract bigger wagering requirements, as you’ll see in the next point. 

Wagering Requirements

The wagering or playthrough requirement is how many times players must wager the bonus money to withdraw. And yes, this cuts across all bonuses. Suppose a casino offers a $200 welcome bonus with a 30x wagering requirement. It means players must bet the $200 bonus thirty times ($200 x 30) before withdrawing the bonus and any winnings. So, avoid higher wagering requirements.

Maximum Bet Limit

Casinos can create lame excuses to void your bonus progress and winnings. These sites often cancel your bonus progress if you exceed the maximum bet limit. Most online casinos allow players to use $1 to $5 per round on the bonus amount. This is another reason to be wary of those unrealistically big bonus packages.

Other Bonus Terms

The bonus fine print also includes other conditions that players must fulfill. Often, the casino will specify the duration for which the bonus will be active. This can be 5 to 30 days. Also, check the bonus terms to know the eligible games, which are often slots. Plus, the bonus sheet might specify the minimum deposit and qualifying deposit methods. 

Grab the Bonus!

Bonuses are the best thing that can happen to any online casino player. Use them to test out the casino games and win something on a lucky day. But don’t just fall for any bonus. Make sure the bonus terms are player-friendly by thoroughly reading the fine print. In addition, do your research to ascertain that you’re claiming the right bonus at the right online casino.