The online casino business is massive and ever-expanding, worth over $70 billion worldwide. A cursory Google search will show you just how many operators are out there, all vying for business in an increasingly crowded global marketplace.
The search should also reveal just how many bonuses are out there, designed to entice new players, get them playing quickly, and keep them engaged.
There are numerous bonuses, from deposit matches and ‘free’ cash through to free spins on slots, and cash back or reloads on table games and sometimes in live casinos.
For newcomers, this array can be a bit daunting, as well as the fact that all bonuses come with their own terms and conditions. Let’s dive a little deeper into the world of casino bonuses.
What is a Casino Bonus?
In short, casino bonuses are marketing tools designed to get new players up and running and enjoying online casino games quickly and hassle-free, or to reward repeat players for their continued business.
They often come in the form of deposit matches, where a player receives a percentage of their initial or ongoing deposits (usually in the range of 100%-500%), free spins for slots players, or VIP reward perks for longer-term players.
They can also include cash back bonuses to soften losses, and sometimes, in rare high-profile promotions or VIP competitions, items such as cars or even apartments for seriously lucky players.
Types of Casino Bonuses
As mentioned, bonuses come in all shapes and sizes. It’s important to look out for terms and conditions (more on these below), such as wagering requirements, validity time, and withdrawal caps, before using any online casino bonus. Let’s break down the most common ones and some strings that may be attached to them.
Welcome Bonuses
When a player signs up to an online casino, they can typically expect a healthy bonus, usually in the form of a deposit match, and possibly with some free spins or other perks attached.
In practical terms, this means they start with a larger balance than their original deposit alone, allowing them to explore slot games and table options before committing additional funds.
In some cases, welcome offers are structured across multiple deposits rather than a single one. Established online operators such as SkyCity, for example, use a multi-stage welcome bonus that applies to a player’s first few deposits, gradually unlocking bonus funds as they continue playing rather than front-loading the entire offer at once.
Free Spins
Slots are among the most popular options in online casinos across the world, so it shouldn’t come as a surprise to find that many bonuses are aimed squarely at players hoping to spin and win.
Free spins are often awarded either in-game or as ongoing promotions, designed to keep players at the slot for longer.
Although free spins don’t alter a slot’s fixed RTP, they allow players to make more spins and potentially encounter winning combinations without risking additional funds.
No-Deposit bonuses
Rarer, but still in use, no deposit bonuses do exactly what they say on the tin – customers don’t have to make any deposit to access them.
They may come in the form of free spins or free cash to play with, but often have much higher wagering requirements and playthrough mechanics than other bonuses out there.
Cashback Bonus
Gambling is, and should be treated as a form of entertainment. Losses are, therefore, inevitable, but to soften the blow and return some of the money, some casinos offer cash back bonuses, and in some cases reload bonuses, which reward ongoing play.
They return a percentage (usually in the range of 5% – 15%) of a player’s spend, allowing them to continue playing and make losses easier to bear.
VIP Perks
Customer loyalty is at a premium in online casinos, and many offer multi-tiered promotions designed for repeat customers, who can expect perks, higher deposit bonuses, additional free spins, and other enticing options.
Usually, VIP programs are tiered, so the more you spend, the higher your standing with the casino and the more you can expect to receive.
A Word on Wagering Requirements
This is the tricky part. All bonuses should clearly state their terms and conditions when it comes to the bonuses that they offer.
There are a few things to look for, primarily wagering requirements. These are terms that state that a player must spend a certain multiple of their bonus before they can withdraw any real money from the casino.
For example, a bonus with a 35x wagering requirement means that the bonus amount must be wagered 35 times before withdrawals are allowed.
In some cases, this requirement may apply to both the bonus and the original deposit combined. You’ll find wagering requirements vary wildly across casino bonuses, from around 10x to 60x.
Other T and C’s
There are more terms and conditions to be aware of, such as withdrawal caps, expiration times (usually between a week and a month), which, alongside wagering requirements, can make it tricky to win real money, unless a player is committed to a particular game. It’s important to read the terms and conditions before you use any casino bonus.
At the end of the day, casino bonuses are usually generous. But as with all ‘free’ offers, there is the small print, so make sure you are across it before you begin your journey into the exciting world of online casino gaming.
