Casino Bonuses

Online Casino Bonuses Explained – How They Work and What Is the Best Offer

There are plenty of great aspects that have come with the evolution of the online gambling world. The benefits that come with online casinos are so big that one article would never be enough. For that reason, here, we will focus on one of the most attractive things about online gambling sites – casino bonuses and ongoing promotions.

As you may have imagined, casinos offer these promotions to attract new and retain the already-existing players onboard. But, how exactly do they work? What types of bonuses you can expect? What else do you need to pay close attention to? Keep reading to find answers to these questions and much more.

Different Types of Online Casino Bonuses

Let’s start with the basics here. Online casinos these days like to get creative when offering bonuses and promotions, so you can expect all sorts of offers to come your way. However, we can generalize them all into a few separate categories. Let’s take a look at the most common offers you can expect at every reliable online casino.

Welcome Bonuses

Newly registered players at reliable online gambling sites get a welcome bonus as a thank-you note for registering. These offers are only valid after you complete the registration process and make your first deposit.

What type of offer you get depends on the online casino in question, but usually, sites like to offer a deposit match bonus coupled with a certain number of free spins for a specific game.

As an example, you can get a 100% match offer of up to $100 for your first deposit and 100 free spins on the Starburst slot game.

Reload Bonuses

Online casinos offer reload bonuses to players who have already used the welcome bonus. This is an offer that is very similar to the deposit match package, but you get it later on in your gambling journey.

Usually, reload bonuses are of a smaller amount and they don’t have as restrictive wagering requirements as the welcome offers.

No-Deposit Bonuses

As the name itself suggests, no-deposit bonuses are special offers that don’t require you to make any deposit when claiming them. We can group no-deposit bonuses at online casinos into three main categories:

• Free spins – a very common promotion in the online gambling world which is valid only for certain games;
• Free cash prizes – you can get a certain prize as a reward that you can use to wager on your favourite games;
• Cashback – loyal players who wager more in a certain period can retrieve some of their losses. The cashback percentage depends mainly on the casino in question;

Keep in mind that almost always free spins and free cash prizes are attached to big wagering requirements you need to complete before you withdraw. On the other hand, it is not uncommon to see cashback incentives not having any wagering requirements.

Referral Bonuses

Up next, we have referral bonuses that seem to take a big swing in the online gambling world. These offers work very simply – the casino will create a special referral link that you can send to your friends.

If your friend/s register through that link, you can get a special offer. Keep in mind that the friend will need to make a deposit before you are eligible for the bonus.

VIP Programs

Lastly, we have VIP Programs that are highly appreciated in the online gambling community. Usually, straight after making your first deposit at any reliable online casino, you will be enrolled in a multi-layered VIP or Loyalty Program.

Now, all that you need to do is play real money games and you can climb the VIP Ladder. Of course, the higher you are on the VIP Ladder, the better the perks that will come your way. Some of the most common rewards for being a loyal member at casinos include:

• Better cashback percentages
• Personal VIP Manager
• Faster payouts
• Special birthday bonuses

Why Casino Bonuses Terms and Conditions Are Important

Before you decide to claim any promotion at any online casino, you need to know that there are always terms and conditions attached. They specify the rules you need to follow when using the bonus.

It is essential that you don’t just skip this part, as there is valuable information here regarding the bonus:

• What are the wagering requirements – how many times you need to play through the amount before you are able to withdraw your winnings;
• Game eligibility and contribution – certain games like slots usually contribute 100% towards the wagering requirements, while some table and live casino games contribute no more than 50%;
• Time limit – you always have a pre-determined period in which you need to complete the wagering requirements before the bonus expires;
• Payment method restrictions – sometimes, payment methods such as Neteller and Skrill are not eligible for certain bonuses;
• Minimum deposit – if you claim reload or deposit match bonuses, there will always be a minimum deposit needed to trigger the offer;
• Maximum winnings – for the casino to protect itself against big wins, you can expect to be a cap on the maximum winnings you can make.

What are Fair Wagering Requirements?

Wagering requirements are very important with each bonus. As mentioned above, they determine the number of times you need to play through the amount before you withdraw your winnings.

Different sites will impose different wagering requirements, but the average in the industry stands between 30x-40x. Anything below 30x is considered great for players, but you should avoid bonuses with higher-than-average wagering requirements.

Verdict – What are the best casino bonuses?

Well, at the end of the day, it all comes down to your preferences and the type of player you are. There is no universal answer on which is the best casino bonus you can expect, but thankfully, reliable sites will always have something to offer to all types of players.

At the end of the day, just make sure to choose a reliable and licensed online casino and gamble responsibly, no matter which bonus you claim. That way, claiming online casino bonuses will always be a fun activity that may even secure you some nice profits.