Online Casino Bonuses and Promotions
Online casinos have many advantages over land-based venues, including bonuses and promotions. They are the closest thing to land-based casino deals and comps. However, instead of a free drink or a hotel room you’re getting something much better. Online casino players can enjoy extra funds or free spins which can be converted to real money.
If you want to learn more about casino bonuses, but don’t know where to start, this guide is for you. We’ll break down all the important details of casino bonuses and promotions and help you decide which one’s the right fit for you.
What Are Online Casino Bonuses?
Online casino bonuses and promotions are special offers casino sites have for their players. There are bonuses for new and existing players. The first ones have the goal to attract new players, while the latter aim to keep existing players happy. Everyone gets a bonus at casino sites. It’s hard to imagine a casino site without a bonus, as they’re a major part of the online casino experience.
Even though they’re sometimes advertised as free money, you should never consider them that. There’s no such thing as free money at an online casino. Regardless if you’re getting a deposit/no deposit bonus or free spins, they are tied to certain terms that you must follow in order to claim your winnings. This is mandatory and you shouldn’t try and cheat the terms. The casino will consider it bonus abuse, which will result in forfeited bonus funds and possibly even a ban.
Types of Online Casino Bonus Offers
There are many different types of online casino bonuses and promotions. The most common type of bonus is the welcome offer. This one’s meant to draw in a new crowd. Bonuses and promotions for existing customers include no deposit offers, reloads, cashbacks, deposit bonuses, free spins, and VIP rewards too.
We’ll break down the details below so you can learn more about each type of a bonus offer.
Welcome Bonus
Also known as a sign up bonus or a welcome bonus, this is the bonus that you claim when you register at a casino site. The welcome bonus is usually a first deposit bonus up to 100% with or without free spins. This offer is common at nearly all online casinos. It comes in various forms, but in general, it’s a combination of a first deposit match bonus with free spins.
Larger sign up offers may be split across a few of your initial deposits. For example, you might find a $1,500 bonus spread across 3 or 4 deposits. In this case, you will almost certainly get a 100% match bonus on your first deposit, and various matches on your next deposits. When claiming this bonus offer, you will need to make a minimum deposit (such as $10, $20, or any other amount). Make sure to check the wagering requirements and other terms for this offer so you know what you need to do to withdraw the money you’ve won.
Deposit Bonus
A deposit bonus is a boost you get when you make a deposit at your favorite casino. The most common example of this bonus is the sign up offer. We already mentioned you’re likely to get a 100% first deposit match bonus, which effectively doubles your initial deposit. A deposit bonus can match your deposit less or over 100% – that’s up to the casino to decide.
Since it’s a deposit offer, you will need to check the minimum deposit. This is the amount you must cover before you can claim the deposit boost. For example, if the min. deposit is $10, you must deposit that amount in order to get a bonus. Depending on the deposit match percentage, the casino will match the amount you fund your account with.
Be aware that deposit bonuses have a maximum amount to cover as well. For example, a 100% deposit bonus up to $500 means that you can only get a maximum of $500 in return for a total of $1,000 to play with.
No Deposit Bonus
The no deposit bonus is the complete opposite to the deposit bonus. It doesn’t require a deposit, so it’s much easier to claim. These offers typically require you to opt in. This sort of means ‘registering’ for the offer, so the casino can give it back.
No deposit bonuses may come in the form of bonus money or free spins. If it’s a no deposit cash bonus, it’s typically smaller. Most casino sites will give you $10 or $20 to try the website out. Alternatively, they may offer 10 or 20 free spins (or any other number) on a particular game – usually a new or popular slot. Despite the fact you don’t need to fund your account to claim this bonus, it doesn’t mean it’s free. There are many terms and conditions attached to it. You will still need to deposit money later to wager the winnings from the no deposit bonus in order to keep what you win.
Cashback Bonus
The cashback bonus is more commonly handed out to regular players than newcomers, but it can go both ways. Unlike the deposit or no deposit offer, it gives you a certain percentage of the money you lost in a casino back. Think of it as the casino’s reward for your continued loyalty. In most cases, cashback bonuses are part of the VIP program, and the percentage increases as you climb the VIP ladder.
As a new player, you might earn 3% to 5% cash back to your account on net losses. This happens weekly or monthly – rarely on a daily basis. So, for example, if your net losses from Monday to Sunday are $100 and you claim a 5% cashback, you will get $5 back to your account. It’s not free money, so there are terms to follow unless you want to lose the bonus cash. At higher VIP levels, you may come across no wagering cashback bonuses that are much easier to play through.
Reload Bonus
Reload bonuses are available to existing players too. They aim to keep them happy and playing in the casino. In general, it’s similar to a deposit bonus, but it’s offered on a regular basis. For example, you might have a 25% reload bonus available each Monday or Friday – it all depends on the casino.
Similar to deposit bonuses, reload bonus offers will provide you with a nice boost. Consider it fresh cash for your weekly or monthly exploits. It has T&Cs just like any other type of bonus offer, so make sure to read and agree with them before you click the claim button.
Free Spins
Free spins are every slot fan’s dream. They’re available in many shapes and sizes. Sometimes, you’ll get them as a deposit bonus, other times you’ll find them in the form of a no deposit offer. More often than not, free spins are part of welcome bonuses, and usually come in batches. It’s not uncommon to get 100 or over 200 free spins as part of the welcome offer.
But, just because they have ‘free’ in the name doesn’t mean they’re free at all. There are several rules you must follow in order to claim your free spins. If they come in the form of a deposit bonus, you must cover the minimum deposit in order to get yours. If it’s a no deposit offer, you can claim them much easier. Either way, you must check the list of eligible games you can play with this bonus in order to get the most out of these spins. Remember – their terms are much different than deposit or no deposit bonuses, including minimum/maximum bet and free spin value.
Loyalty Rewards
Loyalty rewards are—as the name suggests—exclusive bonuses and promotions for the most loyal casino players. They come in many shapes and sizes, and are typically much bigger and with fairer terms than regular bonuses. They’re also only available to VIPs, which means you must earn such a status if you want to claim exclusive rewards. VIP bonuses and promotions are often tied to all kinds of loyalty perks. Read the terms and conditions of each casino’s loyalty club to learn what advantages it offers.
Special Offers
From time to time, casino sites may offer special bonuses. These may only be available to loyal players or they might be free for all. More often than not, these special offers must be unlocked with a promo code. Just like any other offer, they come with a set of rules attached to them, so make sure to read them before you claim them.
Casino Bonus Terms and Conditions
As mentioned several times earlier, each casino bonus comes with a set of terms and conditions. These are the rules you must follow in order to obtain a bonus. They are written under the fine print, which is why it’s important to read the T&Cs. While the legal language isn’t exactly exciting to read, it is necessary if you want to get the most out of your bonus.
In the paragraphs below, we’ll cover the most important bonus T&Cs, starting with the wagering requirements.
How do Wagering Requirements Work?
When you read bonus terms and conditions, you’ll notice the wagering requirements first. They are usually displayed on the bonus banner and further detailed in the terms. In the simplest terms, wagering requirements show you how many times you should play a bonus over before you’re allowed to withdraw.
Let’s put things into perspective. If you claim a bonus worth $1,000 and you need to wager it 25 times, it means you need to spend $25,000 before you can withdraw. That’s certainly a lot of money, and requires you to make a deposit after you spend the bonus. Sometimes, it’s not worth it to spend that much money for winnings that amount—for example—less than that. This is why it’s important to find a bonus with low wagering requirements, ideally under 10x. This is not likely to happen, though, as most casinos’ wagering terms are much higher than that.
Eligible Games
Not all casino bonuses are available on all games. In fact, different casino games contribute differently to the wagering. As a general rule of thumb, slots contribute 100% to most wagering requirements. Other games contribute much less. For example, table and card games or live casino games may contribute only 5% or 10%. Progressive jackpots are typically excluded, as most bonuses have a winning cap.
Always check the list of eligible games, as some bonuses such as free spins may only be available on a single game. If you miss the list of eligible games, your bets won’t count toward the wagering. It’s that simple.
Maximum Bet Size
When you’re wagering the bonus, you will need to make a deposit first. Only real money bets count toward the wagering – bonus funds don’t. It’s also important to remember that there’s a maximum bet size you can wager when you’re wagering the bonus. If you bet over that amount, it won’t count toward the wagering.
Always note the bet size or the bonus won’t progress. You’ll miss a lot of time until you realize that your bets don’t count, resulting in lost bonus funds.
Other Important Bonus T&Cs
There are several other important bonus terms and conditions that you should keep in mind. For example, you should know that you only have a limited time to complete the wagering. For deposit bonuses, it’s typically 30 days. But, it can be a week or two, or even less than that. If you miss completing the wagering in that time, you will forfeit the bonus funds.
Pay attention to excluded games, and excluded payment methods too. For some bonuses, you won’t be able to make a deposit with e-wallets such as Neteller or Skrill, so you’ll have to use another payment option.
How to Choose the Best Online Casino Bonus
Choosing the best online casino bonus isn’t as easy as it sounds. You can’t just waltz your way to a casino and get the first bonus you come across. Technically, you can, but it’s not the right thing to do. Bonuses are different in size and have various T&Cs. It’s important to find a bonus that suits your wants and needs, as they’re all different.
Below you’ll find a few bonus tips on how to choose the best online casino bonus. These include the size, terms and conditions, and game eligibility among others.
Bonus Size
The size of the bonus is important, especially when you’re hunting for bonus offers. Of course, it’s not always about the size, but you should consider it when choosing a casino bonus. For example, 5 free spins with many restrictions are not a great offer if you have something else lying around. Always get the biggest bonus you can claim, but not without taking a look at the terms and conditions.
Once again, the bonus size doesn’t matter, but if the terms are fair, it’s better to claim the highest possible bonus offer.
Terms and Conditions
Always take a look at the terms and conditions before you claim one. We already mentioned how crucial they can be, including the wagering requirements. Of course, that’s not the only condition you should look at. You should check on the time you have to complete the wagering too, as well as the list of eligible games.
The minimum and maximum bets are important too. There are a whole lot of terms and conditions for you to consider before you claim a bonus you like. Without taking a look at the terms, you won’t be able to follow the rules, which might result in problems converting the bonus.
Game Eligibility
Not all bonuses are available on all the games a casino site has. Game eligibility is an important part of every bonus T&Cs. In general, you can wager a bonus in full on slots, as 100% of your bets on slots count toward the wagering. But, that’s not always the case. There might be cases where other games contribute more or less to the wagering.
That’s why you need to take a look at the bonus terms and check the eligible games. Also, make sure to spot any game exclusions, as some specific games may not be available at your location.
Where to Get the Best Bonus Offers?
Getting the best offers means scanning the market for them. Not every casino bonus is the same, so you should get a look at the offers available and their terms to find the best one for your preferences. Of course, you’re welcome to browse the market in full for these offers and register at several casino sites to get the top bonus offers.
No one can stop you from bonus ‘shopping’, so you’re free to try several at different casino sites. Just make sur you’re not getting the same bonus several times, as it goes against the rules of any online casino.
How do I Claim Casino Bonuses?
Claiming casino bonuses largely depends on the bonus. You should first see if you should opt-in to a bonus or if it’s awarded automatically. Deposit bonuses should be claimed with a deposit, while no deposit offers don’t need one. Free spins may be available either way – with or without a deposit.
Other casino bonuses such as cashbacks have different conditions. More specifically, this type of bonus covers a portion of your net losses during a predetermined period. Reloads are for loyal players only, or those who have made several deposits in the casino already.
To make sure you’re claiming the bonus the right way, you should take a look at the terms. For example, if you’re getting a deposit bonus or a reload, there will be a minimum deposit to cover. The same goes for deposit free spins. No deposit bonuses might look easier to claim, but they might require a bonus code. If there’s a promo code to enter, you can just copy and paste it when prompted to unlock the offer.
All casino bonuses are claimed similarly, so you shouldn’t have trouble if you read the T&Cs.
Conclusion
Online casino bonuses are a great way to make your gaming experience more fun and rewarding. Some reward you at the beginning of your journey, others reward your continued loyalty. Bonuses and promotions allow you to stay in the game for longer and play more games as a result. They’re also great for checking out new casinos, especially if it’s a no deposit bonus that doesn’t make you spend a lot of money.
With that being said, it’s crucial to follow the rules when you claim a bonus. Make sure you read the terms and see what you need to do before you’re allowed to claim your bonus money.
Casino Bonus FAQs
Are all casino bonuses the same?
No, they aren’t. As a matter of fact, there are great differences among casino bonus offers. Some may be available with a deposit, others are available without one. They’re also not available on the same games, which is why you should read the terms.
What’s a welcome bonus?
A welcome bonus is a sign up offer available to new players. It usually consists of a deposit match bonus that also includes free spins.
Is there a sign up bonus at every casino site?
No, but most casino sites do have a sign up offer. This bonus type aims to reward new players for joining a casino site, so it would be strange to find a casino without it.
What should I do to claim a casino bonus?
It depends on the bonus. If it’s a deposit offer, you will need to cover the minimum deposit. No deposit bonuses don’t need a deposit.
Are casino bonuses free money?
No, they aren’t. There’s no such thing as a free bonus at casino sites. They all come with a host of terms and conditions which you must stick to in order to withdraw your winnings.
Can I win real money with online casino bonuses and promotions?
Yes, you can. That’s the whole point of casino bonuses – to help you win real money. Of course, that comes under a string of strict rules you must follow to claim your winnings.
What are wagering requirements?
Wagering requirements are the most important piece of bonus terms and conditions. They state the number of times you have to play bonus money over before withdrawal.