Casino Bonuses Online

What Are Casino Bonuses And How Do They Work?

Free and Bonus are two of the most effective words to use when you’re trying to promote your product, so its no surprise to see online casinos making full use of the potential of the Free promotion in order to attract new customers in a hugely competitive industry.

Of all the methods used by online casinos to attract new customers, casino bonuses are the most popular and the most widely used, both to persuade new players to sign up and to encourage regular players to keep coming back for more.

In fact, there are a huge array of different types of bonuses out there, including Free Spins, Welcome Bonuses, No Deposit Bonuses and more. But as with all promotional offers, it is important to fully understand what you are getting into before you sign up. So what exactly are casino bonuses and how can you take advantage of them?

Types Of Casino Bonuses

Casino bonuses can usually be divided into two types: those that require you to make a deposit and those that don’t. In the latter category, there are many kinds of casino bonus including no deposit bonuses and free spins. In the other group are all the bonuses that require you to make a real money deposit before you can claim them. You may also find that some casinos offer both types of bonus in a mix designed to appeal to both new and regular players.

No Deposit Casino Bonuses

Understandably, the no deposit casino bonus is one of the most popular types of bonus out there. All you have to do is fill in your details at a new site and you will be given your bonus, usually in the form of a credit to your new account. Of course, these no deposit bonuses come with terms and conditions, in order to deter people from simply signing up and cashing out.

Still, this type of bonus can be popular with online casino customers, mainly because it enables you to play a few games without having to risk any real cash. You can usually use your no deposit bonus to play on a range of games at a site, and thereby familiarise yourself with the platform.

Free Spins Bonuses

A free spin bonus effectively gives you the freedom to play on a slot game without having to use any real money. Free spin bonuses usually come in bundles of 10, 20, 50 or even more. They can be awarded as a free-standing bonus, as part of a loyalty scheme for using a site regularly, or in a welcome bonus package alongside a deposit match bonus.

These free spin bonuses can look extremely attractive, sometimes offering as many as 100 or 500 free spins, but as ever there are restrictions. For a start, you are usually only allowed to use the free spins with a particular game or range of games. The amount you can win using your free spins is often capped and of course, there is the wagering requirement to contend with (see below). But if you are unfamiliar with a new slot game, free spins can be a good way to try it out risk-free.

Deposit Match Casino Bonuses

While the typical no deposit bonus can be of a relatively small size, casinos reserve their bigger offers for deposit match promotions. A deposit match bonus is usually offered as part of a welcome package, although you will sometimes find them associated with regular reward schemes.

With a deposit match bonus, an online casino will guarantee to match the amount of a first deposit into a new account. The bonus will usually be quoted as a percentage, often as much as 100% and there will be an upper limit on the bonus. Sometimes, the bonus itself is spread over your first few deposits after you sign up with a site, but the basics of the deposit match casino bonus remain the same: the bonus is credited to your account and you can then use it to play a site’s games.

Deposit Bonuses

A variant on the deposit match bonus is the deposit bonus. In this case, the site guarantees to pay a certain amount into your account simply for making a deposit over a minimum amount. Unlike the deposit match bonus, in this case, the bonus will be for a set amount. Deposit bonuses are sometimes offered to regular players, in which case they may be known as reload bonuses.

Other Online Casino Bonuses

The concept of the online casino bonus also includes a range of other bonus types. Some online casinos will provide rewards for regular users including bonuses related to using a particular payment method or as part of an ongoing loyalty scheme. Given the competition in the online casino sector, we can expect new forms of online casino bonus to be developed regularly.

Terms And Conditions

As with any deal or promotion, there are important terms and conditions associated with online casino bonuses and you should always check these out before signing up.

Wagering Requirements

All online casino bonuses have wagering requirements attached but they can come as a surprise to new customers. The wagering requirement stipulates that before you can withdraw the bonus amount and any associated winnings, you have to wager that amount of money a certain number of times. The number will vary, but it is generally in the range of x20 to x40, so those looking for the best welcome bonus deal will prefer offers with the lowest wagering requirement.

Casino Bonuses Time Limits

It is common for online casino bonuses to come with a time limit. This will either be a limit on when you should make the first bet using your bonus amount or a limit by which time you have to complete the wagering requirement. It is important to be aware of these limits, along with any other terms and conditions before you sign up to a bonus deal, in order to avoid unpleasant surprises.

Online casino bonuses are a commonplace of the modern online casino industry, and if you choose wisely and ensure that you are informed about all of the associated terms and conditions, they can be a good way to boost your casino gaming.