Why do online casinos offer bonuses?
There are many kinds of bonuses on offer that casinos create especially for players. Everybody loves feeling like they’re getting a good deal and getting something for free, and so casinos offer all kinds of bonuses to try to attract players old and new. With so many casinos offering so many different bonuses, it can be hard to keep track of what’s available and whether the offers are really as good as they might first appear.
No-one can resist a special offer and feeling like they’re getting a good deal, whether that’s shopping for food, clothes, or at an online casino. So that’s why online casinos are always looking for new promotions that can entice players to their site.
With so many casinos to choose from, and with new casinos launching all the time, these sites compete against each other to try to stand out. They look for new ways to attract new players and offering bonus packages and free spins is one sure way to get their attention! After all, no one can resist free money or free spins with the chance of winning big!
Casinos don’t just stop at first deposit bonuses either. Lots of casinos create welcome bonus packages which are spread over the first three deposits, or sometimes even more! This helps players to reap the benefits of joining the casino for longer and can result in some very tasty bonuses.
What makes a good casino welcome bonus?
A good welcome bonus allows players to try out a new casino and its games without needing to part with a large sum of money, offering a way to practice and try a site’s offerings before committing more of their own cash. To claim a welcome bonus you just need to register with a casino, pass the casino’s eligibility checks, and make your first deposit.
Casino sign up bonuses come in many different forms. If you’re lucky, you may find a casino that has a no deposit welcome bonus that will give you free spins or a sum of bonus money just for signing up. They don’t need you to make a deposit and allow you to play slot and casino games for free, although there are usually some restrictions.
However, these kinds of no deposit casino offers are not very common. Most casinos offer welcome bonuses that require you to register and make a minimum deposit first.
Many casino deposit bonuses will be free spins or a match bonus that allow you to get more from your deposit, or even both! For example, you could get a 100% bonus which will double your deposit, plus 100 free spins.
A casino offer looks too good to be true, what’s the catch?
When looking at welcome bonuses, or any kind of casino bonus, always look at the terms to see what the conditions are as there are likely to be quite a few. Don’t just look at the headline figure as casinos will use this to make the offer look as attractive as possible!
For example, welcome bonuses often have a minimum deposit requirement and the bonus will typically have a time limit which it needs to be used by (often 7 days), so the bonus will only be valid for this period.
Bonuses will also come with wagering requirements. So, before being able to withdraw any winnings that a player makes from their bonus, they will have to wager their bonus amount a certain number of times. For example, players may have to wager 30x their original bonus before being able to withdraw.
Casinos which offer a big welcome bonus may have higher wagering requirements, while others may impose smaller requirements. Some casinos may also put maximum win limits to restrict the amount that you can win from wagering your bonus.
With free spin offers, casinos may restrict what games they are available on. They will often be restricted to a handful of some of the more popular games, so this may not necessarily be a bad thing as you can try out some games and get a feel for the casino as a whole.
With any free spins offer, it is also worth checking what the stakes are on each spin, as this will affect how much you could potentially win from using them.
So, as you can see, even with the best casino bonuses, you need to look at the terms to see what the bonus really means for you, otherwise you could get caught out later on.
Why should I stay at a casino after I’ve claimed the welcome bonus?
Although they are a major part of online casinos, welcome bonuses aren’t the only bonuses on offer.
Many casinos will run seasonal promotions which will only be available for a limited time.
There will also be some regular casinos bonuses like free spins, cashbacks, reload bonuses, daily deals, live casino bonuses, payment deposit bonuses, and specific game bonuses.
Cashback bonuses will give you back a percentage of the money you have lost while playing at the casino, typically around 10%, while payment deposit bonuses will reward you for depositing with a particular payment method (as specified by the casino).
Meanwhile, reload bonuses will often be lower than welcome bonuses, but they will still offer players a chance to boost their deposits. For example, a Happy Hour reload bonus may give players a 25% bonus on their deposits.
Finally, there are of course VIP bonuses for those players who keep coming back to the casino and are part of the loyalty programme.
Loyalty bonuses are extra perks awarded to VIP players, and may include things like birthday gifts, highroller cashbacks, and more. You can also earn loyalty points which you may be able to redeem for bonus money or for other special gifts.
FAQs
How do I get an online casino bonus?
To claim a casino bonus online you first need to register and be verified with a casino! Sometimes a casino will give you a bonus just for signing up, but more often you will need to make a minimum deposit before you can receive any bonus money or free spins. Welcome bonuses and any other offers will have their own terms and requirements which will tell you how to claim a bonus and how long you have to spend it.
What are matched deposit bonuses?
A matched deposit bonus is a common form of bonus offered by casinos, especially as part of a welcome promotion. All it means is that the casino will match the sum that you deposit. So, for example, if you deposit £100 and the casino offers a 100% match deposit bonus, you will get an extra £100 to play with.
What kind of casino offers can I get?
There are many types of bonuses on offer from casinos for both new and existing players. For example, you could get matched deposit bonuses, cashbacks, free spins, special gifts, and entry into prize draws, as well as the perks you get by joining a casino’s VIP loyalty programme.
Are there any limits to casino bonuses?
Yes, online casino bonuses will typically come with strict terms and certain requirements. For example, you may need to deposit a minimum amount and the offer may only be valid for a certain period of time. Also, some bonuses and free spins can only be used on certain games and there will often be wagering requirements which will affect when and how much you can withdraw any winnings.
What are wagering requirements?
Typically a welcome offer that gives new players bonus money or free spins for making a deposit will mention ‘wagering requirements’ in the terms and conditions. This term means that before you can withdraw any winnings from your bonus funds you must continue to wager them to meet the stated requirements.
For example, if you win £10 from your free spins and the offer has 40x wagering requirements, you must continue to wager those winnings until they are 40 times the original amount. If you successfully turn that £10 into £400, you’ll be able to withdraw that money.
Some casinos will have a maximum conversion rate for bonus funds though, so you may only be able to withdraw a portion of your winnings once you meet the wagering requirements.
