2023's Ultimate Guide to Understanding Online Casino Bonuses
Casino bonuses are very common in the industry, so whenever you sign up for a new account with a gambling company, be sure to check what kinds of bonuses are available. It’s common for different companies to offer these rewards to encourage people to try out their casino, and with so much competition in the market, there are some good bonuses to be had.
There are lots of different types of bonuses, according to some betting experts, the most interesting are no deposit casino bonuses that don't require a deposit, while some do. We will talk you through many of the different casino bonuses in this guide and help you to understand what the differences between the various bonuses mean.
Always read the terms and conditions
We’re starting with the advice you might expect to find at the end of this article. While we can provide you with a guide to what the casino bonuses mean and what sort of things you can expect from the market, you need to make sure you check the terms and conditions when signing up.
Every casino bonus is a little different, and they may have some restrictions you hadn’t considered. You may also need to use a code or meet other requirements, so be sure to read the terms thoroughly before you sign up.
No deposit bonuses or deposit bonuses
A lot of casinos require you to make a deposit when you first sign up for your account in order to be eligible for the bonus. For instance, many casinos offer matched deposits or “Bet X, Get Y” bonuses where you need to make a deposit and place a bet before you qualify for the bonus.
There are no deposit bonuses too, and some casinos may give you a certain balance to play with or other promotions when you sign up for an account with them, meaning you don’t even necessarily have to add any money to your account to start checking out the casino.
It is often easy to make a deposit, with methods such as Apple Pay being an option at many casinos.
Free spins
One of the most common bonuses you will find at online casinos is the promise of free spins. This means that when you sign up for an account you may get a certain number of free spins to use on a casino game.
As well as being a reward for customers, this may also be a way for a casino to get their customers to try out a specific type of casino game. There are some games that are exclusive that the casino may want you to try.
With free spins, a lot of the potential winnings will be subject to other restrictions, such as wagering requirements. You may need to play with that money a certain number of times before it can be withdrawn. This is to encourage people not to just play their free spins and withdraw any winnings immediately.
Free bets
Free bets are common among companies that provide sportsbook betting, such as accumulators and other sports bets. In addition to providing you with a bonus, they may also provide you with free bets, such as a £5 bet on a certain football match. This is just an example of course, as there are many different ways in which bonuses can be provided by bookmakers and online casinos. A lot of companies offer both services.
What are minimum wagering requirements?
Many of the bonuses that are offered by casinos have minimum wagering requirements. Basically, this means that you must wager any funds a certain number of times before you can withdraw your wins. For instance, if you receive a £10 bonus and it has a 15x wagering requirement, you must spin the reels enough times to make £150 worth of bets in order to make a withdrawal.
Minimum wagering requirements confuse some people as you may not be able to withdraw money that appears to be in your balance. It is a way to keep you on the site for a while before you are able to withdraw the money.
Maximum wins
This is definitely something to check out before you sign up for any casino bonuses. Some will have maximum amounts you can win from the free bet. For example, it might be limited to £100.
So, the idea of hitting the jackpot with free bets or your bonus balance might not actually be possible. Always check the terms before you sign up for an account and take advantage of a bonus. Even if it is limited, you might still decide that it is a good offer.
Minimum deposits
Sometimes to access bonus funds, you will need to make a deposit of a certain size to your account. Some bookmakers might ask you to deposit £10 to be eligible for the promotion, while others might want you to deposit more money into the account. If you don’t make the minimum deposit, you won’t get the promotion at all.
Be aware of time limits
You might put some money in an account, wait for your bonus and then forget to use your free spins. Some bonuses are limited time offers, which means that they need to be claimed and used in a certain amount of time or they will expire. It is frustrating if you don’t get to take advantage of your bonus, so check if you need to claim it within a certain time period.
Summary
As we’ve already said, it is crucial that you check out all the terms and conditions before you sign up for an account. Don’t forget that you may be emailed bonuses and promotions from time to time as a loyalty offer rather than a signup offer. It is important that you know what kind of bonus you are getting and how to claim and use it, plus whether there are any restrictions. This will help you to choose which online casino to use.