The thrill of playing at online casinos has been keeping millions of gamblers entertained throughout the digital age. Together with the glitz, glamor, and pulsating lights of the various games that are available, most gamblers are attracted to the online casino bonuses and promotions on offer. The majority of gamblers choose to play on specific sites, purely because of the bonus offers that are exclusive to each particular one.
There are various types of online casino bonuses offered by the different casino brands. Although different casinos may use different names for different bonuses, they essentially follow a general common thread that is standard across the industry. The rewards on offer provide many benefits to both new and seasoned gamblers, and it is important to understand how these work to maximize the site’s ability to keep patrons returning.
Wagering Requirements
Whenever an online casino issues you with a bonus, there are wagering requirements attached to it. In essence, this means that you will need to play on that site for a specific amount of time and engage in an overall spend of a particular amount before you are allowed to make any withdrawals from the house.
These wagering requirements are based on the type of casino games that you choose to play. Here’s an idea of what the rewards and their wagering requirements would typically look like:
Types Of Online Casino Bonuses
Welcome/Sign-Up Offer
The Welcome or Sign-Up Bonus is the most attractive drawcard that online casinos use to entice gamblers into playing on their site. It is the biggest reward that the casino will ever offer you and has proven to be the most popular tool that these houses use to compete with each other.
This bonus is offered to gamblers who are new to a particular online casino and is activated upon the gambler’s first deposit. The welcome or sign-up bonus is undoubtedly the largest slice of free money that you will receive at that casino, and so it would be wise to take full advantage of the extended generosity.
These online casino bonuses are usually advertised as a percentage of your first deposit or as a matched amount of your first deposit. Always bear in mind that this reward will be a percentage derivative of your very first deposit at the casino and the house will always place a limit as to how much of the bonus can be claimed.
The welcome or sign-up offer typically has the lowest wagering requirements, and this gives you a great opportunity not only to increase your winnings but to make a withdrawal as well. The reward is normally claimed by using a coupon or voucher code that the house will provide you with.
Expert tip: before signing up and claiming your reward, always check that the welcome/sign-up bonus is not restricted to specific types of games, as this could diminish your overall experience.
No Deposit Bonus
The No Deposit Bonus does not require any deposit to be made and is usually offered when you register at an online casino. It is essentially free credit that the house offers to gamblers that register an account with them. The no deposit bonus can be used on any of the games available at that casino but will be subject to wagering requirements.
This means that you will not be able to make any withdrawals on your winnings with this free credit until you have satisfied the wagering requirements stipulated at the casino’s terms and conditions. The sites typically set higher wagering requirements for these online casino bonuses, and allow a short time-frame for you to use this credit, for example, two hours or twenty-four hours.
Although this bonus is designed for gamblers to get a feel of the games on offer, it is possible to strike it rich with a jackpot and meet the wagering requirements before cashing out.
Free Spins
Free Spins Bonuses are offered to both existing and new gamblers and are meant for specific slots games. It is sometimes offered together with the Welcome or Sign-Up Bonus, but most often is offered as an incentive to certain gamblers.
The free spins bonus is when the house gives you a certain number of free spins to use on a slots game. You will be eligible to withdraw any winnings from the free spins, provided that you meet the terms and conditions set by the site.
Although the various online casinos promote the free spins offer differently, they usually follow a similar pattern. Free spins are normally applicable to specific slots, so you are not able to choose which game to try your luck on. They are typically used as a promotional tool to get gamblers interested when a new slots game is launched and the site wants to create some interest amongst its players.
Despite not requiring a deposit to earn your free spins, the wagering requirements set by the casino are usually high, as it is intended for gamblers to get a feel of the new slots game. It is quite possible to win big using your free spins bonus, but many sites also restrict your cashout amount earned through the free spins. You would be wise to withdraw once you have reached the max cashout limit if you have won big and met the wagering requirements.
Overall, this is a fantastic bonus offering that is extremely popular with online gamblers across the globe.
Free Trial Bonus
The Free Trial Bonus is a real credit bonus without the requirement of a deposit. The casino gives you a specific amount of free money as a reward to use on any game they offer. You do not need to make any deposit to qualify, but using it is subject to certain terms and conditions.
Gamblers can use these types of online casino bonuses on any of the games available and can make a withdrawal if they win and have met the house’s wagering requirements.
The free trial bonus usually has the highest wagering requirements when compared to the wagering requirements of other bonus types. It is, however, an opportunity to strike it rich without actually making a deposit.
In general, the free trial bonus is not very common amongst online gambling sites, as most prefer to promote the very attractive welcome or sign-up offers instead.
Reload/Deposit Bonus
The Reload or Deposit Bonus is one of the most common forms of online casino bonuses on offer by gambling sites. The house offers its players a weekly and/or monthly reload or deposit bonus where the player gets a specific percentage of their deposit as a reward. This is dependent on a minimum deposit being made and the credit is usually capped to a specific amount.
The reload or deposit bonus is ideal for regular gamblers who frequent specific sites and the bonus structure is tiered depending on the gambler’s status at the casino. Online casinos use this type of bonus to keep their players coming back, and players are equally receptive as the majority look forward to returning and making a deposit to activate their reload or deposit bonus.
Cashback Bonus
The Cashback Bonus is a contrasting bonus type when compared to the reload or deposit bonus. With this reward structure, the casino will give back a percentage of the money that you lost while playing. Although there are wagering requirements attached to the cashback bonus, most houses set a relatively low one.
Most online casinos offer the cashback bonus based on your losses within a specific period of time, typically over a week. You must be aware of the terms and conditions set by the house for the reward, as there might be restrictions on claiming it. Some sites specify that only deposits made without activating the reload or deposit offer will be eligible for the cashback.
Deposit Method Bonus
The Deposit Method Bonus is a popular option amongst online casinos that offer cryptocurrencies as a deposit option. Online casinos are at particular risk when facilitating transactions from players who use credit cards. Conversely, they favor cryptocurrency deposits as they are easier, cheaper, and a more secure payment method.
To promote their preference for cryptocurrencies as a deposit option, sites tend to offer added incentives to gamblers if they choose this method. They will usually offer extra online casino bonuses for cryptocurrency deposits and players can activate their deposit method bonus using a bonus or voucher code that the house gives to them.
Many gamblers opt for depositing with cryptocurrency as the deposit method offers them more rewards than they would ordinarily have received through other payment methods. Considering the digital age that we are in, it makes sense for gamblers to use this option. Additionally, withdrawals through cryptocurrency platforms are quicker and more secure than when dealing with traditional currency regulation and restrictions.
Comp Points
Comp points are points that you earn each time you wager at the casino. These comp points are accumulated whenever you are playing a game and are determined by the amount that you wager. The requirements for the comp points bonus is different compared to other online casino bonuses, as there is no obligation to deposit, there is no bonus or voucher code, and there is nothing to request or claim to activate it.
The comp points are automatically accumulated and can be easily identified under your profile. Once you receive a certain number of comp points, you can convert those into casino credits that can be used to play any game of your choice on the site. The amount of comp points that you accumulate directly correlates with your status at the online casino.
While the majority of sites give their players the option of converting their comp points to casino credit, there are a few that offer prizes, tickets, and merchandise that you can purchase with your accumulated comp points.
Refer a Friend Bonus
The Refer a Friend Bonus is exceptionally popular and is used successfully to boost the casino’s online community of players. With such fierce competition amongst said sites, existing players are rewarded by their online casino of choice for referring new players to play there. The offer is usually activated once the new player has signed up and makes their first deposit, although the terms and conditions vary amongst different online casinos.
This reward structure is intended to have a ripple effect as new players would be encouraged to introduce others to the site in the hope of boosting their own useable credits. Ultimately, these online casino bonuses are a cost-effective manner for the house to promote their offering to new players by rewarding their existing client base to keep them coming back for more and to spread the good word.
Loyalty Bonus
Most online casinos offer Loyalty Bonuses to their existing players to forge a long term relationship.
With loyalty bonuses, online casinos have structures that reward gamblers every time they place a bet. These loyalty rewards form part of VIP programs and loyalty clubs where players climb through different levels depending on the amount that they deposit and their behavioral gameplay. Those players higher up the ladder typically enjoy more lucrative rewards for their patronage to that casino.
The Bottom Line
Online casino bonuses are offered as a way to keep new and existing players entertained. Activating free casino credits in whatever form is always an exciting prospect, but bear in mind that you will need to meet wagering requirements on most bonuses that you receive.
If your primary goal for visiting the online casino is purely for entertainment, then activating your bonuses is a fantastic way to prolong your gameplay. Conversely, if you are hoping to swiftly withdraw your winnings, it would be wise to hold back on accepting the rewards until you really need it.
Make sure to always check the house’s terms and conditions for any restrictions regarding the online casino bonuses they issue, as these differ from site to site. Have fun and good luck!
