The bonuses a casino site offers are one of the key factors that many players consider before registering an account at an online casino. In this guide, we will walk you through different types of casino bonuses available and explain how they work, including important terms and conditions to consider before claiming one. So if you want to learn about bonuses, just keep reading.
What is a casino bonus?
Simply put, a casino bonus is something extra from a gambling operator. It can come in many different forms, but the idea is to incentivize players. Before the online casino era, gambling bonuses were restricted to complimentary drinks, physical gifts, free parking, etc. But with online casinos, players can claim bonuses that they can use to play online casino games and stand a chance to win money.
Why do online casinos offer bonuses?
There are two main reasons why online casinos offer players bonuses. First, they do so to entice new players to join their platforms. This is why many casino sites advertise lucrative welcome bonuses, to convince players to sign up.
These gambling operators know that once a player is signed up, they may continue depositing and playing with their real money even after exhausting the welcome bonus.
The second reason why casinos offer bonuses is to retain players. The competition in the online gambling industry is stiff, with new casinos coming into the limelight every day.
Existing gambling operators are aware of this fact and want to remain competitive to retain their customers. For this reason, many offer promotions to encourage players to deposit more money and continue playing with them.
However, note that online casinos' generosity varies from one to the other. While some gambling platforms offer huge bonuses, others are quite stingy. This often comes down to the terms and conditions attached, which we'll get back to.
Types of casino bonuses
Online casino bonuses come in different types, shapes, and sizes. First off, you should understand two main categories of a casino bonus:
- Deposit bonuses: You can claim these bonuses at an online casino only by spending real money. Your deposit will trigger the bonus, which is then added to your account.
- No deposit bonuses: These bonuses can be claimed without depositing money into your gambling account. They are offered completely for free and are less common among online casino offers.
With that main distinction in mind, let's take a closer look at some different types of bonuses and how they work.
Welcome bonuses
A casino welcome bonus is an offer exclusive to new players. You can look at it as a way for an online casino to welcome new players to its platform and help them kickstart their gambling adventures. Welcome bonuses can be offered as a no deposit bonus, such as free spins or credit upon registration, or as match bonuses on the first few deposits.
Match bonus
This is probably the most common casino bonus you can claim online. It is a deposit bonus offer where a casino matches a player's deposit amount by a percentage up to a specified amount. For example, a gambling platform can offer players a 100% match bonus. So if a player deposits €100 to claim the bonus, they get an additional €100 as bonus credits. However, there is usually a cap on the bonus credits.
If the cap is €500 (100% up to €500), you can't get more than €500 as bonus credits, regardless of how much you deposit.
Free spins
Online casino free spins are bonuses exclusive to online video slot games. They let players play free rounds on specified slots, and each free spin has a value usually stated in the bonus terms.
If you claim 10 free spins on Starburst, then you can play 10 free rounds on the game without wagering real money. This differs from free play in demo mode, as you can still win real money when playing for free using bonus credits.
Cashback bonuses
Some online casinos offer cashback bonuses to give players a chance to recoup some of their losses. A cashback bonus works by giving players a percentage of the amount they lost as a bonus. But, like match bonuses, there is usually a cap on the bonus amount.
A gambling site can offer a 10% cashback of up to €200 on weekly losses. So, if a player lost €2,000 in the previous week, they can claim the entire €200 cashback bonus.
VIP rewards
When you play at the best gambling sites, you may be able to enjoy VIP rewards. Some top online casinos have a VIP or Loyalty Reward program to incentivize their loyal players.
As members of the VIP program, you may enjoy perks like invitations to VIP events, personalized bonus offers, faster withdrawals, free tournament entries, and so on. In some cases, you can earn points for playing real money games and convert the points to bonus credits.
Bonus terms and conditions
While online casino bonuses can boost your bankroll and allow you to enjoy more playing time, you should note that not all bonuses are good. That's because they might come with terms and conditions that are impossible to meet.
All bonuses will come with specific T&Cs, but they can differ a lot. We recommend you to always read the terms and conditions of a bonus offer before claiming it.
Here are some common bonus terms and conditions to keep in mind:
- Wagering requirements: The amount of times you have to wager the bonus to keep any winnings from it. You might have to wager the bonus amount, deposit amount and/or winning amount.
- Validity period: How long a casino bonus is valid for.
- Max winning: The maximum amount you can win from a bonus offer.
- Max wager: The maximum amount you can bet from a bonus at a time.
- Qualifying deposit: The minimum deposit you must make to claim a bonus.
- Qualifying games: The game(s) you are allowed to play with a bonus.
- Restricted payment methods: The payment methods that do not qualify to claim a bonus.
How to claim a casino bonus
Claiming a casino bonus is pretty easy. The process is usually similar for all types of bonuses and casinos.
- Join an online casino
First, register with an online casino that offers great bonuses and promotions. This involves filling out a registration form and activating your account with the casino. - Select your preferred bonus
Most casino sites have a "Promotions" tab where you can find all their current bonuses. Choose the bonus you want to claim and read the instructions. - Make a deposit
If it is a deposit bonus, you must make the qualifying deposit to claim it. Some casinos may require a promo code for their bonus, which is usually found on the promotions page. If so, you have to add it when making a deposit. - Claim the bonus
Once you fulfill all the requirements of the bonus instructions, the bonus will usually be added to your bonus account balance, and you can use it to wager on games.
Conclusion
In this guide, we've explained some common bonus types that you can come across when gambling online. Casino bonuses can be a great way to boost your bankroll. But remember to check the terms and conditions of any bonus before claiming it, to ensure you understand any requirements you need to meet.
