How do online casino bonuses work
New casino sites to play real money
First of all, let’s take a look at some of the online gambling world’s most popular bonus offers. This is undoubtedly the most confusing part of casino bonuses, as all offers come with fine print, and it is essential to familiarise yourself with all the details to avoid disappointment. Here are just a few issues to keep in mind when considering a casino bonus:
How do casino bonuses work?
The recent boom in online gambling has witnessed scores of virtual casinos popping up all over the internet, providing punters endless options for spinning the wheel or placing a bet. With so much choice currently available, online gambling sites need to step up to the plate with all guns blazing, setting their brand apart from competitors, and ensuring plenty of traffic flows their way. One of the best means of achieving such success is by offering welcome packages and bonuses, that are too irresistible to refuse.
But what exactly are casino bonuses and how do they work? Whether you are new to the whole online gambling world or a seasoned punter, the following article will answer all your questions, arming you with all the information you need, to get the most out of your gambling experience.
Bonus basics
Any online casino adept with experience and knowledge will broadcast their bonus on their homepage, which should instantly draw the visitor’s attention. The welcome bonus takes the form of an introductory package for new customers, which grants certain rewards for registering with their site, and making a deposit. This initial offer comes in various varieties, from percentage matches to free spins, and always comes with strict rules and requirements. While it may look like the casino is giving away free money, with which you can embark on your gambling adventure, the reality is much more complicated.
Types of bonus
First of all, let’s take a look at some of the online gambling world’s most popular bonus offers.
- Match bonus: most modern casinos offer new clients a match bonus, which matches your initial deposit with a certain percentage up to a maximum amount. For example, if a site promises a 200% match on your first deposit, and you sign up with £50, you will have £100 bonus money to play with. Many casinos also spread match bonuses across numerous deposits
- No deposit bonus: as this name suggests, this offer awards new players bonus money or free spins, just for signing up, without having to hand over a penny. This makes perfect sense for inexperienced punters looking to get a feel of how online gambling works, without having to make an investment
- Free money bonus: casinos offering free money present customers with a particular amount, irrespective of their first deposit. For example, a bonus of £50, on initial deposits of at least £20
- Ongoing bonuses and special promotions: aside from the introductory package, casinos also offer clients regular promotions to keep them coming back for more. The scope and variety of such rewards differ remarkably, from luxury holidays to cash jackpots, so it’s a good idea to check a casino’s promotions page before signing up
Rules and requirements
This is undoubtedly the most confusing part of casino bonuses, as all offers come with fine print, and it is essential to familiarise yourself with all the details to avoid disappointment. Here are just a few issues to keep in mind when considering a casino bonus:
- Expiry dates: most offers fall under a time requirement, after which the bonus expires and any bonus money will be lost
- Selected games: generally speaking, casinos only allow bonus money to be used on a select number of games, and introductory packages are almost always dedicated to slots. Fans of table or live dealer games should do some research to find bonuses out there that can cater to their needs
- Wagering requirements: the play-through or wagering requirement is perhaps the most important aspect of the bonus, that players need to understand before making a commitment. The premise is relatively simple, you have to bet your deposit, bonus, or combined deposit and bonus, many times before your bonus becomes cashable. Online casinos usually set their wagering requirements between 20 and 50 times the stake, so it is absolutely critical that you are aware of the conditions beforehand, to ensure an enjoyable and stress-free gambling experience.
Casino sign up bonuses
If you are new to the concept of internet casinos, you probably are baffled by the bonus offers plastered all over each casino's homepage. Live casinos do not offer anything like this - how can an online casino possibly afford to give out thousands of dollars in free cash?
Well, the answer is that the money really is not free, and we're going to explain how everything works on this page. Read on for the full explanation.
Want to redeem a casino bonus right now? Check out our top list of bonuses:
| rank | online casino | bonus | get started | |
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How casino bonuses work
The majority of online casinos offer a bonus for first time depositors. This bonus is designed to entice players to deposit for the first time, in the hope that they will continue playing and generating business for the casino. First time bonuses are usually a percentage match, with a cap on the total size of the bonus.
For example, the first deposit bonus at win palace casino is a 300% match up to $3000. For every dollar you deposit (up to $1000), you will receive another dollar in bonus money. Almost every bonus is set up with a percentage and a maximum, but they work in different ways.
Types of casino bonuses
There are a few different ways that the casinos actually award the bonuses to players:
Play only bonus
The most common type of bonus is the play only bonus. In this case, your bonus money is kept in a separate account and can only be used to wager - you can never withdraw any bonus money. Every time you make a bet, the money comes out of your bonus balance.
If you win, the original bet returns to your bonus balance, and the winnings go to your real balance. These winnings are yours to withdraw once you have satisfied the requirements, but you can never withdraw money from your bonus balance.
The requirements are always the same - you have to wager a certain amount of money before withdrawing. Typical clearing requirements force you to wager between 15-50x the sum of your deposit and bonus amounts before withdrawing. If you choose to withdraw before that, you will forfeit the bonus as well as winnings resulting from wagering the bonus.
Bovada casino offers an excellent play only bonus. The bonus is an unlimited 10% match, and the requirements are that you have to wager 15x your deposit and bonus.
Withdrawable bonus
The second (and much rarer) type of bonus is the withdrawable bonus. In this case, as soon as you deposit, the bonus money shows up in your account. So, if you deposited $500 and the casino offered a 100% up to $500 bonus, you would instantly have $1,000 in your account. The catch is that you have to "clear" the bonus before you can withdraw the bonus money. You can always withdraw your deposit - just the bonus has to clear.
Most casinos require you to wager twenty to fifty times the deposit and bonus total before you can withdraw the bonus money. So, if you deposited $500 and received $500 in bonus money, you would have to make between $20,000 and $50,000 in wagers before withdrawing the bonus money.
That sounds like a lot, and it usually is. Even though winning and losing wagers count, it still takes a lot of play to add up to that much money.
Free play bonus
Another common type of bonus is the free play bonus. This bonus is where casinos give you free money in your account immediately at sign up, even if you don't make a deposit. The trick here is that you have to wager the money fifty or more times before you can withdraw, and some casinos won't let you withdraw at all unless you deposit later.
These bonuses are usually between $5 and $25, and casinos can afford to offer them because 99% of players lose the money while trying to reach the wagering requirement.
Reload bonus
Reload bonuses are a type of play only bonus. They are exactly the same, except that you can redeem these bonuses on any deposit, not just your first deposit at the casino. Once you make an initial deposit you will receive monthly if not weekly reload bonus offers, as the casino wants you to continue depositing and playing.
Other factors
A few other things to keep in mind regarding casino bonuses:
- Most bonuses have a time requirement. If you do not clear them within two to four months, they will expire and you will lose the bonus money. Make sure to check out the time requirements before getting started.
- Some casinos only allow certain games to qualify for the clearing requirements. For example, most casinos do not allow video poker play to count towards the clearing requirements, because video poker has such a low house edge.
- Most casinos offer VIP programs to further reward their loyal players.
How do online casino bonuses work?
Free casino bonuses have become an essential marketing tool for online casinos, crucial in attracting new customers and for the retention of the existing ones. In the past, there used to be many bonuses with tricky conditions that made it impossible for players to withdraw any winnings.
However, with an increased competition and the pressure from licensing authorities, the situation has dramatically improved, and it is now possible to find a good number of attractive bonuses with fair conditions and wagering requirements. Such bonuses really do work in favor of the player.
Read our bonus guide and we’ll show you how to make it in the world of bonuses.
If you are already familiar with the bells and whistles of casino bonuses, make sure to check out our list of the best casino bonuses, which includes a powerful filter. You can list just one type of bonuses, or bonuses based on their wagering requirement, maximum cashout, accepted countries etc.
How do casino bonuses work?
A bonus represents a form of a reward you get for opening an account in a casino, deposting money or real money betting. The most common form of a bonus is a credit which you can play with and which, after fulfilling certain conditions, will be credited to your account.
Other common forms of bonuses are the so-called free spins, or a return of portions of the money lost (cashback). Bonuses prolong your game and give you a second chance if you lose. You play further, even though you have already lost your original deposit, and although bonus requirements are often quite restrictive, you still have a chance to turn your bonus into withdrawable winnings.
Basic types of bonuses
- Deposit bonus - you get a bonus credit according to the amount you have deposited. Most commonly you get 50%, or 100% of your deposit, and sometimes even 200% or 300% or more. The maximum bonus amount is usually limited. Deposit bonuses are promoted by offering deals like "150% bonus up to €150". However, watch out for other bonus conditions, especially wagering requirements and maximum withdrawal limits, which are both very important.
- No deposit bonus - it is popular especially among so called freebies, players who want to win money without taking any risk. It is most often given for registration, with no need to deposit any money. Usually, it amounts to around 5€ to 20€, and meeting the conditions of this type of bonus is usually quite difficult. No deposit bonuses are the most sought-after type of online casino bonuses. That’s why we dedicate a lot of effort to create a big selection of no deposit bonus codes for 2020 for our visitors to choose from.
- Free spins - you don’t get free money, but you get free spins on selected popular slots with prepaid credit. Any winnings aren’t immediately credited to your account. They form a bonus credit, which requires you to meet the additional conditions (like with no deposit bonuses). Only after fulfilling these conditions will the casino credit your account with real money, which you can then withdraw.
- Cashback - the casino returns a portion of the money you have lost.
- Loyalty program - every casino tries to keep the top players, and softens them up with something special. Benefits offered in loyalty programs are hard to pigeonhole. Most often they include e-shops with promotional items that can be bought with loyalty points, exclusive games, or competitions between players for jackpots or holidays abroad. Further popular benefits include lower wagering conditions for bonuses, higher game limits and even higher withdrawal limits.
General bonus conditions
Casino bonus allocation and withdrawal is only available after meeting certain conditions. Be sure to carefully read the detailed version of the conditions on the casino’s website. If you don’t understand anything, do not hesitate to contact the casino customer support.
For each of the casinos and bonuses casinoguru reviewed, we’ve listed the most important bonus conditions, including wagering requirements, maximum withdrawal limits and allowed games.
Basic bonus conditions include:
- Only one account opened and only one bonus per person, household, IP address, email address, credit card or bank account. If it is being really strict, don’t even try to open multiple accounts. They will not only take your bonus, but might also void your fair winnings from normal deposits. Some casinos (especially rogue casinos) may even suspend your casino account and keep the deposit if you’re in breach of these rules.
- Upon registration always use your real personal information, or you will not receive your winnings. The casino will verify your identity before any withdrawal takes place, and you will often have to send scans of two personal documents (ID card, driving licence and/or passport).
- You can’t withdraw bonuses immediately. You always need to rollover bonus amounts multiple times in the casino (known as wagering requirements). Bonus rollovers mean that the sum of your bets in any game must exceed a certain multiple of its original value. With a bonus of 100€ and wagering requirements of 30, you need to bet 3000€ in total. If you play slots and you spin for 10€, you have to spin 300-times (regardless of wins and losses). Players lose most bonuses before fulfilling their wagering requirements.
- There are usually some casino games restricted when playing with a bonus. Especially in the case of games with higher payouts, like most table games, you’ll find restrictions or higher wagering requirements (sometimes 10x or 20x higher than the primary wagering conditions).
- Casinos often restrict bonuses to certain countries only. Casinoguru reviews include information about country restrictions. You can also find this information in the bonus conditions.
- Some bonuses, especially no deposit bonuses, but sometimes also deposit bonuses, feature maximum withdrawal limits. If, for example, a no deposit bonus comes with a 100€ maximum withdrawal limit and a player wins 300€, he can only withdraw 100€ and the remaining amount will be voided.
- To acquire some bonuses, you have to fill in a promotion code while depositing, or while registering a new account (in the case of no deposit bonuses and free spins). At some online casinos, you have to contact their support with the bonus code in order to claim the bonus.
What to be aware of with bonuses
You should only play in casinos with a good reputation. You can try to find the information about the reputation of a casino by searching for "name of casino complaints" using a search engine, or looking up the casino on the industry website askgamblers.Com. If you find multiple justified complaints, do not open an account with this casino, no matter how attractive the bonuses are that it offers.
Casinoguru has already conducted this research for you, so the fastest way to uncover the reputation of a casino based on publically available player complaints is to check our online casino reviews.
The majority of casinos put these types of formulations into their terms and conditions: "the casino reserves the right to change, cancel, remove or refuse any bonus in accordance with its own decision." for regulatory licensing, casino bonuses are only given as a gesture of goodwill by the casino. That is why these terms and conditions are permitted. Especially after winning a larger amount, casinos can try to accuse you of bonus abuse and void your winnings.
If a casino willfully decides not to pay out your winnings from bonuses, you remain virtually powerless. You can only try go public with it, and hope the casino changes its mind to protect its reputation. Make sure you read our casino reviews carefully in order to avoid casinos which often use these terms against their players.
At casinoguru, we appreciate casinos which don’t have these types of clauses in their conditions, and are always prepared to play by clear rules. Check out our casino reviews. If we find a casino uses strict bonus terms against their players, you will find these complaints in our review.
Bonus hunting
Bonus hunting is the intentional abuse of bonuses, in order to make a long term profit. The golden era of bonus hunting was 10 years ago, when it was enough to know how to play blackjack, and players could get to a decent amount of winnings from bonuses alone.
Naturally, casinos try to prevent such abuse, and so today, bonus hunting is harder and more risky than before. Contemporary bonus hunting is mainly about the high variance of game strategy. In other words, it could lead you to either lose everything, or win at least 20-times the bonus amount. It requires a good starting capital, a clever choice of games and game strategy, as well as a thorough knowledge of the terms and conditions. The main risk is that on average, you only convert 1 bonus out of 25, and then if casino refuses to payout that bonus, you don't win anything. Some other casinos wouldn’t even give you back your deposit. If you are interested, check out our dedicated article about bonus hunting.
How do online casino bonuses work?
Everybody that plays free and real money casino games searches for bonus codes. The questions ‘how do online casino bonuses work’ and “what is a casino bonus code” often come to mind. In this article, we are going to give readers the answers to those questions. Additionally, we will give you some examples of current no deposit bonus codes. Make sure that you sign up for our free newsletter to ensure you get the most recent no deposit casino bonus codes delivered to your inbox twice a week.
First of all, online casinos offer a casino bonus to their players to entice them to make a deposit and/or play more games. Furthermore, this is very usual in the gambling industry. However, you should make sure you understand the terms and conditions, including the no deposit casino bonus code of each reward.
How do online casino bonuses work?
Sometimes real money gambling sites offer free chips, spins coins or credits. Usually, they come in the form of a welcome/match bonus, weekly/daily/monthly rewards, a cashback bonus, refer a friend bonuses, along with a few others. We hope this answers your question for “how do online casino bonuses work”.
What is A casino bonus code?
Now, we will tell you “what is a casino bonus code” is and give you some examples. A bonus code or coupon is a series of numbers or letters such as playslots4realmoney or PS4RM. Ultimately, you can put these numbers and letters in a field when making a deposit. Additionally, you can contact customer support to redeem specific bonus codes. For example, slotocash, uptown pokies, fair go, and uptown aces are offering great rewards this week. More specifically, slotocash is giving new and existing customers a fresh copy of their free paper newsletter. Furthermore, their official press release was called “sloto’cash magazine 5th anniversary spring edition is bursting with feature articles, bonus offers and game reviews”. With that free magazine, you can receive a large number of bonus codes for the upcoming months. Make sure you sign up for slotocash and all other online casinos through playslots4realmoney.Com. In return, you will receive your free copy of the magazine as well as coupon codes for the upcoming months. Below, is a video that explains the magazine.
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How do online casino bonuses work
How do online casino bonuses work
If you don't know your way around an online casino yet, this brief but informative guide can tell you what you need to learn about the latest bonuses. After all, if you are going to sign up, you may as well take advantage of match bonuses and free chips.
A look at bonus basics
Nearly every casino distinguishes between the player's real money and free money. In some cases, the funds provided by the casino as the match bonus are subtracted from the withdrawal total. If a player has been really lucky, this scenario won't matter much. On the other hand, a small win could actually mean that the player does not get anything at all. As you can see, match bonuses are great incentives to get a new or existing member to play, but they don't always pan out in the end. If you do not have a lot of disposable cash to use, match bonuses offer an excellent opportunity to get in on the fun, even if you may not find yourself in the winner's list at the end of the day.
One fact that is extremely important to remember is that online casinos love to switch up their bonuses frequently. The basic idea behind this strategy is to keep their online casino in the spotlight. With new bonuses appearing regularly, the latest reviews are going to mention them along with the casino's name. This is great news for players, because they gain access to a large collection of casino promotions and perks, making it easier to enjoy online gambling with less money coming out of their own pockets.
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Things to know about match bonuses
If your head is spinning with all of this information, just take a look at our cheat sheet to see the most important facts about match bonuses for online casinos:
larger casinos have better bonus offers. Every bonus has requirements attached to it for wagering and/or withdrawals.Free spins are often included in welcome bonuses.Many online casinos have no deposit bonuses to entice new players to join. Loyal players receive better offers. Match deposits are often available on multiple transactions, including first, second, third, fourth, and fifth deposits.
Explanation of bonus codes
Quite often, bonus codes are short. They usually include a word or letters with some numbers. Typically, bonus codes are readily available on the casino's website. Special promotions are often emailed to player's who have been chosen to receive them. Since most online casinos offer multiple bonuses, players can pick and choose which promotion they intend to enjoy.
Before taking advantage of a particular bonus, a player should review the terms to determine how favorable they are. Some players may consistently place large or frequent wagers, so a wagering requirement of 30x may not seem harsh. If the playthrough terms are too strict for your liking, you can always check out a different bonus to enjoy. Since every wager you make counts toward the wagering balance you need to achieve, even small amounts add up, sending you toward your goal.
How does online casino bonuses work?
Online gaming as a fun activity in which people spend their time playing games they love alongside wagering to make an extra pound. One can play casino games and wager from the comfort of their home through online casinos. Compared to the traditional mortar and brick casinos, online casinos have better payback percentages, variety bonuses, and many more advantages.
Despite the fact that online gaming offers huge casino bonuses, the offers create misunderstanding to most new players. As a rule, one can only enjoy and benefit from online gaming if only he/she understands different regulations used in the industry. In this article, we look at deposit bonuses and no-deposit bonuses, the most common type of promotions offered by online casinos.
No-deposit bonus
A no-deposit bonus is a popular casino bonus, mostly offered to players when they join an online casino, even before depositing money into their casino account. An online casino may also award their dedicated players with this type of promotion. A player can use the promotion to play different games and win big prizes.
Types of no-deposit bonuses include;
- No-deposit bonus codes
A bonus code consists of letters or numbers. When players enter their unique bonus code on the casino’s site, they receive a promotional offer. In most cases, the promotional codes are time sensitive and will expire after a specified period, after which an individual will not utilize the bonus code. - Free spins
free spins are another type of promotion that is used to play a specified slot game. Usually, free spins are given to new players but some casinos may offer them to their loyal players. For instance, players who receive five free spins are allowed to turn five times in a specified slot game. Winnings got from the free spins are sent to the player’s casino account. - Bonus cash
A cash bonus is a sum of money offered to players by online casinos. Players can receive a cash bonus by signing up for an account, or in the event of gaming. Depending on the casino, the bonus money can be used to wager, or one can withdraw it without the necessity of wagering conditions. - Timed promotions
some casinos promote their players through timed promotions in which players can wager and win prices. Depending on a casino, the player may be expected to pay back some money in case they make a profit.
Deposit bonus
A deposit bonus is a type of promotion given to players when they deposit cash into their player account. In most cases, it is given as a percentage of the initial amount deposited. Online casinos use the deposit bonus to attract new players or existing players to make a deposit into their casino account.
Deposit bonuses differ depending on a casino, percentage, and wagering requirements. The common type of deposit promotion is the welcome bonus given to new players who join an online casino. Other casinos may promote their loyal players with deposit promotions like reload bonuses and other bonuses attached to a cash deposit.
How a deposit promotion works
A deposit promotion works in an easy way. For example, if an online casino offers a 100% cash bonus, players who deposit £100 will receive an additional £100 as a bonus. Therefore, the player will have £200 to play with. Some casinos have a maximum limit that a player can receive as a bonus.
The advantage of the deposit promotion is that a player earns more money, hence have increased chances of winning. However, the promotion can turn fruitless in case a casino attaches a high wagering condition to a bonus.
Claiming a casino bonus
Most online casinos have requirements that a player needs to fulfill before they are allowed to apply for a bonus or cash out their won amount. Common terms and conditions that apply to casino promotions include;
If a deposit or no-deposit promotions were given in the form of a bonus code, the player would need to provide the code when claiming a bonus. Depending on a casino, the bonus code is sent to a player’s email or through other means. However, a player will not need to provide the bonus code if it was not sent. Besides bonus code, other casinos may also require players to deposit a certain amount to make a claim.
Wager requirements
Different online casinos have wagering requirements that players need to satisfy before they cash out their bonus winnings or a deposit relating to the gift. These are the rules known as wagering requirements.
It is important for a player to read through the wagering conditions before accepting an offer. Some casinos have steep wagering requirements that can make it difficult to cash out winnings.
For instance, a casino’s wagering requirement may require a player to wager their deposit plus bonus, ten times before they are allowed to withdraw winnings. In this case, if a player makes a deposit of £100 and receives a bonus of £100, the player will have to wager with the £200(deposit + bonus) more than ten times before he/she withdraws any winnings. This means that the player will have to spend £4000 to make bets. Some other wagering conditions will only apply to the bonus amount.
Play through
Besides the wagering requirements, some casinos may also limit a bonus to certain games. These conditions are known as the play through. As such, players will only win if they use their bonus to wager on the specified games. In most cases, play through conditions applies to free spins, but the conditions can also apply to other promotions.
Online casinos serve their clients with various bonuses. Players who understand the rewards can take advantage to increase their winnings. Nevertheless, the bonuses come with strict wagering conditions that can limit a player’s likelihood of winning. It is, therefore, crucial for every player to understand the various bonuses on offer, and the terms and conditions to make a sound gaming decision.
How do online casino bonuses work?
Free casino bonuses have become an essential marketing tool for online casinos, crucial in attracting new customers and for the retention of the existing ones. In the past, there used to be many bonuses with tricky conditions that made it impossible for players to withdraw any winnings.
However, with an increased competition and the pressure from licensing authorities, the situation has dramatically improved, and it is now possible to find a good number of attractive bonuses with fair conditions and wagering requirements. Such bonuses really do work in favor of the player.
Read our bonus guide and we’ll show you how to make it in the world of bonuses.
If you are already familiar with the bells and whistles of casino bonuses, make sure to check out our list of the best casino bonuses, which includes a powerful filter. You can list just one type of bonuses, or bonuses based on their wagering requirement, maximum cashout, accepted countries etc.
How do casino bonuses work?
A bonus represents a form of a reward you get for opening an account in a casino, deposting money or real money betting. The most common form of a bonus is a credit which you can play with and which, after fulfilling certain conditions, will be credited to your account.
Other common forms of bonuses are the so-called free spins, or a return of portions of the money lost (cashback). Bonuses prolong your game and give you a second chance if you lose. You play further, even though you have already lost your original deposit, and although bonus requirements are often quite restrictive, you still have a chance to turn your bonus into withdrawable winnings.
Basic types of bonuses
- Deposit bonus - you get a bonus credit according to the amount you have deposited. Most commonly you get 50%, or 100% of your deposit, and sometimes even 200% or 300% or more. The maximum bonus amount is usually limited. Deposit bonuses are promoted by offering deals like "150% bonus up to €150". However, watch out for other bonus conditions, especially wagering requirements and maximum withdrawal limits, which are both very important.
- No deposit bonus - it is popular especially among so called freebies, players who want to win money without taking any risk. It is most often given for registration, with no need to deposit any money. Usually, it amounts to around 5€ to 20€, and meeting the conditions of this type of bonus is usually quite difficult. No deposit bonuses are the most sought-after type of online casino bonuses. That’s why we dedicate a lot of effort to create a big selection of no deposit bonus codes for 2020 for our visitors to choose from.
- Free spins - you don’t get free money, but you get free spins on selected popular slots with prepaid credit. Any winnings aren’t immediately credited to your account. They form a bonus credit, which requires you to meet the additional conditions (like with no deposit bonuses). Only after fulfilling these conditions will the casino credit your account with real money, which you can then withdraw.
- Cashback - the casino returns a portion of the money you have lost.
- Loyalty program - every casino tries to keep the top players, and softens them up with something special. Benefits offered in loyalty programs are hard to pigeonhole. Most often they include e-shops with promotional items that can be bought with loyalty points, exclusive games, or competitions between players for jackpots or holidays abroad. Further popular benefits include lower wagering conditions for bonuses, higher game limits and even higher withdrawal limits.
General bonus conditions
Casino bonus allocation and withdrawal is only available after meeting certain conditions. Be sure to carefully read the detailed version of the conditions on the casino’s website. If you don’t understand anything, do not hesitate to contact the casino customer support.
For each of the casinos and bonuses casinoguru reviewed, we’ve listed the most important bonus conditions, including wagering requirements, maximum withdrawal limits and allowed games.
Basic bonus conditions include:
- Only one account opened and only one bonus per person, household, IP address, email address, credit card or bank account. If it is being really strict, don’t even try to open multiple accounts. They will not only take your bonus, but might also void your fair winnings from normal deposits. Some casinos (especially rogue casinos) may even suspend your casino account and keep the deposit if you’re in breach of these rules.
- Upon registration always use your real personal information, or you will not receive your winnings. The casino will verify your identity before any withdrawal takes place, and you will often have to send scans of two personal documents (ID card, driving licence and/or passport).
- You can’t withdraw bonuses immediately. You always need to rollover bonus amounts multiple times in the casino (known as wagering requirements). Bonus rollovers mean that the sum of your bets in any game must exceed a certain multiple of its original value. With a bonus of 100€ and wagering requirements of 30, you need to bet 3000€ in total. If you play slots and you spin for 10€, you have to spin 300-times (regardless of wins and losses). Players lose most bonuses before fulfilling their wagering requirements.
- There are usually some casino games restricted when playing with a bonus. Especially in the case of games with higher payouts, like most table games, you’ll find restrictions or higher wagering requirements (sometimes 10x or 20x higher than the primary wagering conditions).
- Casinos often restrict bonuses to certain countries only. Casinoguru reviews include information about country restrictions. You can also find this information in the bonus conditions.
- Some bonuses, especially no deposit bonuses, but sometimes also deposit bonuses, feature maximum withdrawal limits. If, for example, a no deposit bonus comes with a 100€ maximum withdrawal limit and a player wins 300€, he can only withdraw 100€ and the remaining amount will be voided.
- To acquire some bonuses, you have to fill in a promotion code while depositing, or while registering a new account (in the case of no deposit bonuses and free spins). At some online casinos, you have to contact their support with the bonus code in order to claim the bonus.
What to be aware of with bonuses
You should only play in casinos with a good reputation. You can try to find the information about the reputation of a casino by searching for "name of casino complaints" using a search engine, or looking up the casino on the industry website askgamblers.Com. If you find multiple justified complaints, do not open an account with this casino, no matter how attractive the bonuses are that it offers.
Casinoguru has already conducted this research for you, so the fastest way to uncover the reputation of a casino based on publically available player complaints is to check our online casino reviews.
The majority of casinos put these types of formulations into their terms and conditions: "the casino reserves the right to change, cancel, remove or refuse any bonus in accordance with its own decision." for regulatory licensing, casino bonuses are only given as a gesture of goodwill by the casino. That is why these terms and conditions are permitted. Especially after winning a larger amount, casinos can try to accuse you of bonus abuse and void your winnings.
If a casino willfully decides not to pay out your winnings from bonuses, you remain virtually powerless. You can only try go public with it, and hope the casino changes its mind to protect its reputation. Make sure you read our casino reviews carefully in order to avoid casinos which often use these terms against their players.
At casinoguru, we appreciate casinos which don’t have these types of clauses in their conditions, and are always prepared to play by clear rules. Check out our casino reviews. If we find a casino uses strict bonus terms against their players, you will find these complaints in our review.
Bonus hunting
Bonus hunting is the intentional abuse of bonuses, in order to make a long term profit. The golden era of bonus hunting was 10 years ago, when it was enough to know how to play blackjack, and players could get to a decent amount of winnings from bonuses alone.
Naturally, casinos try to prevent such abuse, and so today, bonus hunting is harder and more risky than before. Contemporary bonus hunting is mainly about the high variance of game strategy. In other words, it could lead you to either lose everything, or win at least 20-times the bonus amount. It requires a good starting capital, a clever choice of games and game strategy, as well as a thorough knowledge of the terms and conditions. The main risk is that on average, you only convert 1 bonus out of 25, and then if casino refuses to payout that bonus, you don't win anything. Some other casinos wouldn’t even give you back your deposit. If you are interested, check out our dedicated article about bonus hunting.
How do casino bonuses work?
A casino bonus is an offer that online casinos give to players to lure them into registering and depositing money for the first time, or play more games at the casino.
Bonuses vary greatly, and some are a lot more rewarding than others. Common examples include free spins, which you can use on online slots, and bonus money that you can use on most casino games. To claim bonuses, you need first to deposit money into your account. However, casinos don’t give free money out of their good heart. There are always requirements and limits that you should check before claiming a welcome offer.
If you want to know exactly what you should look for before claiming a bonus, keep reading this article. Here, we give you a general look into how casino bonuses work, limitations and requirements you should pay attention to, and the types of bonuses you can claim.
Wagering requirements
Wagering requirements are the number of times you have to play through your deposit and bonus before you can withdraw your winnings.
For example, let’s say you are given £30 casino bonus with a 10x wagering requirement. It means that you will need to spend ten times your bonus amount (£300) on casino games before you can withdraw your bonus funds and winnings.
What can be considered as a reasonable wagering requirement? In the example above, 10x would be an extremely favourable wagering requirement. However, what we have identified as the industry standard is between 30x-40x wagering. If you are required to wager 40x, that is not going to be very convenient, so try to find casinos that offer low wagering requirements.
Types of bonus
Casinos can deliver bonus money in a few different ways:
Bonus money , or bonus cash, is free credit you can use to play casino games. Even though you don’t pay for the bonus money, you can still win real money when using it.
Welcome bonus , also known as sign up bonus. This is usually offered to new players by almost every casino. You can even find and compare the best online casino welcome offers on our casino guide.
No deposit bonus , don’t require players to deposit any money to retrieve the bonus funds.
Free spins are usually available for online slots. These can be offered on specific slots or on any slot games available on the casino page.
Cashback bonuses refund a percentage of player’s losses in real cash.
Claiming casino bonus
To claim a casino bonus, you’ll need to look out for a variety of things, but firstly you will need to set up an account. The bonus offer will have some requirements that you’ll have to meet. Once you’ve met these requirements, you’ll qualify for the bonus, which will be credited onto your account.
The steps you need to take depend on the casino you’re at and the bonus you’re claiming. For instance, welcome bonuses require you to set up a new account and make a minimum deposit of at least £10.
Terms and conditions
Before claiming any casino offer, you must look through the full T&cs. Bonuses nearly always come with some limitations or restrictions. For example, most casinos require you to play through your bonus money a minimum number of times, also known as the wagering requirement, before you can cash out.
Remember to look out for the aspects outlined in this article, and if you want to play at any casino, make sure you check reviews and licences to make sure the casino is safe and reputable, before depositing any of your money.
Online casino bonuses - the TRUE cost
£100 casino games bonus
18+. New customers only. Deposit min £10. Applies to first deposit to casino only. Max bonus £100. 15x wagering (game weighting applies) on deposit and bonus to make the bonus balance withdrawable. Time limits apply.
£100 casino games bonus
18+. New customers only. Deposit min £10. Applies to first deposit to casino only. Max bonus £100. 15x wagering (game weighting applies) on deposit and bonus to make the bonus balance withdrawable. Time limits apply.
- Great casino bonus
- £100 deposit match
- Only 15x wagering needed
- Standard and live dealer games
- New customers only
- Time limits and T&cs apply
- 18+ only
Get $3,000 in bonuses
US players welcome!
$3,000 casino bonuses
US players welcome!
- $3,000 new player bonuses
- $1,000 100% deposit match
- Bonus on THREE deposits
- Low wagering requirement
- Bovada accepts US players
How do casinos make money from bonuses?
How much does 'free' money cost?
Whatever type of casino bonus is on offer - 1 hour free play, 100% match, 200% match, sign-up bonus - it eventually comes to a point where you have to release a sum of money from the bonus account into your real money account. And this is where it starts to cost.
In order to 'unlock' the bonus amount, you'll have to wager i.E. Risk some of your own - often many times more than the bonus is worth. It's all stated quite clearly in the bonus terms and conditions, but it's not always as easy to understand as you might like.
It's important to remember that you don't have to take out a bonus in order to play at any online casino. But if you do, make sure you know exactly what's required of you - before you start to play!
How to calculate the cost of a bonus
There are three important elements in understanding how much a bonus will cost you:
- The wagering requirement
- The game contributing percentage
- The game's house edge
1. Wagering requirement
A bonus's wagering requirement is the number of times the deposit plus bonus amount must be wagered before the bonus is released. It varies by bonus and by casino, but on average it's between 20 and 40 times.
Our casino bonuses page has a list of bonuses ranked by wagering requirement - click here to see it.
2. Game contributing percentage
The contributing percentage is the amount that each individual game counts towards the overall wagering requirement. Think of it like a multiplier: if the wagering on a game only counts as 50%, in effect you have to wager twice as much.
For slots players, the contributing percentage is normally 100%, so the wagering requirement stays at the basic level.
The difficulty starts with games like baccarat, blackjack and roulette. For those games, each casino has its own opinion, but generally the contributing percentage will be 50% or less.
Take blackjack, for example, where at microgaming casinos the percentage is just 8%. What this effectively means is that the wagering requirement is actually 375x (100 / 8 x 30).
The contributing percentage varies by game, casino and bonus, so can get quite complex.
Our casino bonuses page lists bonuses by game (eg best blackjack bonus) so you can see exactly what the wagering is for a particular game on any of our casino bonuses - click here to see the lists.
3. House edge
In simple terms, the house edge is the percentage of total bets taken that the casino expects to keep in the long term. So in a game with a house edge of 2%, the casino will expect to make an overall profit of 2%.
All games have a house edge, ranging from less than 1% in some blackjack variations to over 50% in some of the worst keno bets.
Each game's house edge will affect the amount of game time you'll need before you can expect to show a profit.
The exceptions to this are the four games at betfair's zero lounge which, as the name suggests, have NO house edge, though no bonus is available for play on the zero lounge games - for obvious reasons!
The casino bonus trap
The casino bonus trap is this:
The wagering requirement, contributing percentages and house edge combine to ensure that your betting is at a level where the expected loss is greater than the bonus amount.
Gambling without a bonus, your expected loss (ie the amount you should be prepared to lose) can be calculated as:
Expected loss = amount wagered x house edge
(eg if you bet 2000 on a game with a 1.5% house edge, you should expect to lose 30)
Gambling to release a bonus, the amount you have to wager is dictated by the wagering requirement and the game percentage, so:
Amount wagered = (deposit + bonus) x wagering requirement x (100 / game %)
Expected loss = ((deposit + bonus) x wagering requirement x (100 / game %)) x house edge
Example blackjack bonus
Let's say you've taken up a 100% match bonus of 50 (with 30 x wagering) to play blackjack (house edge is 0.5% or 0.005) which in this case contributes 10%.
Your expected loss is therefore:
((50+50) x 30 x (100 / 10)) x 0.005
Which gives you a figure of 150.
In other words, the amount you have to gamble in order to release the 50 bonus should, on average, incur a loss of 150!
This is the true cost of an online casino bonus and a clear indication of why you should think carefully before taking up an online casino's bonus offer.
Do you recommend any bonuses?
Table and card game bonuses
Dreams are offering a very unusual bonus, where there are NO wagering requirements and ALL games are eligible.
Even slots players, who are used to minimal rollover, will find the zero wagering unusual. But for table games fans, this is unheard of! You now have a blackjack, baccarat, roulette or even sic bo bonus that doesn't expect you to roll it over 100 or more times.
At first sight, this can seem too good to be true. But it's not - it's dreams casino's way of 'going out on a limb' and seeing how many players can be successful. The coupon code to use is DREAMS2000.
The bonus itself isn't cashable, but any winnings you make can be withdrawn, with no maximum. All in all, this is an excellent bonus and we highly recommend it, especially to table games fans.
If you're a slots player, then any of our casino bonuses will work for you - they all have 100% game contribution and offer large percentage matches and maximum amounts (see carousel below for latest deals).
Short term bonus or long term rewards?
For casinos, bonus promotions are a way to attract new players to the casino. They're not really designed for experienced gamblers.
Serious, long-term players will find that the excellent and comprehensive loyalty schemes offered by casinos will reward their level of gameplay. For more details, read our casino rewards guide.
The best casinos for slots
Check out the casinos below for the best slots games currently available.
Online casino no deposit bonus how does it work
How does the no deposit bonus work for online casinos
Online casino no deposit bonus how does it work is a question we get a lot recently. Thanks to this type of bonus, players are actually not required to risk any of their money to play in a casino. Besides that, they can also win significant funds, which makes online casino no deposit bonus a very lucrative promotion nowadays. Of course, you should not expect astronomic free funds, but rather something more appropriate for a welcome package like this one.
The main goal of the casino is to get you to try the casino, play some games, see the layout and decide whether it is worth putting real money into the account or not. The best time to check out for packages like this one is when industry-leading casinos are celebrating anniversaries or reaching an important milestone. Free funds are also awarded to existing players on their birthday.
Withdrawing money from promotions like this one is not that easy. There are always some terms and conditions included, and these are always listed transparently on the official casino website. If there is some point which sounds unclear, it would be best to contact live chat representative and get clarification. We would suggest our readers stay away from any promotions offered by shady companies – it is always a good idea to use trusted brands, listed on this page.
Wagering requirements usually require from players to rollover bonus funds x number of times before being able to make a withdrawal. Keep in mind there is a time limit on a big majority of bonuses, which means it is going to be available only for a certain period of time. If you fail to use the funds in a given period, they are going to be marked as expired. Some of the operators also love to limit the maximum withdrawals for no deposit promotions. The last thing we would like to mention here is the promo code. When claiming offers like this one, keep an eye if there is a bonus code required during the registration process.
How to make money from online casino bonuses?
A big majority of players who play online casino regularly are usually losing to the house. The reason behind this is simple – casinos have the edge. However, is it possible to turn the percentages and make money from the online casino using bonuses? This can be the case more often than you might think. 99% of online operators have some sort of sign up bonus, including weekly, monthly, daily promotions. You can potentially exploit them and make money in the long run, but it is going to require a lot of research, patience, and dedication.
The key here is to claim as many first deposit bonuses as possible obviously. This will grant access to more bonus funds and a bigger chance to actually get away with a withdrawal. We recommend opening an account with all casinos listed in this page, as they are all trusted while holding impeccable reputation. Many are also offering occasional free spins! Another thing worth mentioning is not to worry if you already opened sportsbook account with some of the operators above. Casino bonuses are usually completely different from betting, so there is a high chance you are still eligible to claim it. Investing a lot of money in an attempt to beat the casino is probably not a good idea if you are not a super-experienced player. Our recommendation is to start with small accounts and slowly build bankroll over time.
How to make money from online casino bonuses?
Winning at online slots is never easy. Finding the perfect formula or strategy would be equal to having a personal gold mine, so not everyone can achieve it. We are going to suggest a couple of practical tips on how to increase chances of winning, but also have fun with online slots. Testing out a game in demo mode or using free spins is some of the first steps to get familiar with the game. Picking the right slot can be one of the keys to success. Of course, you will want to select those with the highest payouts in the industry. Even though this suggestion might look obvious to some of the readers, it is also one of the most recorded mistakes made by online casino rookies.
Always seek for a machine that cashes out more than the rest. Return to player (RTP) percentage is the main thing to look at here. All this info has to be listed publicly with legit online casinos, so all you need is a couple of minutes of research to find out the best RTP. This doesn’t mean you are guaranteed to make money though. Online slots are based on random number generators, which means the skill is not going to separate experts from beginners. The RTP percentage is usually somewhere between 91 and 98.
Determining the volatility
Another factor of huge importance is to be aware of volatility when picking an online slot game. Some of the more experienced players are also using the term variance for this one. It represents a risk level for a particular game. If a slot of your choice has low volatility, it is means players are winning real money more frequently. However, the truth is they are usually smaller than the rest though. High volatility video slots usually have a smaller win percentage, but they are just massive. We don’t always recommend going for low volatility one. Patient casino players should definitely go for higher volatility. It is unknown how many spins or time it is going to take to hit the big jackpot, but if it happens, you are free to book a vacation to hawaii or something. Online casino no deposit bonus how does it work article was created to help our readers get best promotions.
So, let's see, what we have: here we try to outline in the simplest possible way how casino bonuses really work and what you need to know before making your first deposit. At how do online casino bonuses work
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