Bonus round: do bonuses still work in gaming in 2023?

Bonus rounds, content, and in-game cash drops have long been a draw for certain casinos and game studios…but do they still work?

Both game development companies and online casinos have long used bonuses as a way to draw players to their sites and their games. These bonuses might come in the form of cash drops, extra spins, sign-up offers, level-up drops, or even in-game currency drops.

Whatever form a bonus may take, you’ll find precious few gamers or gamblers out there who will say “no thank you” to getting something for nothing. But the question is, do bonuses still act as a real draw for gamers and gamblers in 2023?

If you already enjoy an activity such as playing your favourite MMO or having a few games of online slots UK, then you’re likely to come back to it without any pushing.

However, if a new casino or video game comes out and you already have a full roster of favorites at your fingertips, are you going to be tempted to give it a try without knowing that there might be something free or extra in it for you?

That is the question that both video and casino game developers have been asking themselves this year. Are bonuses still enough of a draw to bother with offering them to potential players to get them to sign up or choose to pay for their game rather than someone else's?

Casino bonuses

There are a lot of things that you get from a bricks and mortar casino that you don't get when you play online. That said, no bricks and mortar casino has ever offered you “free money” for simply walking through the door, have they?

The “signup” bonus is one of the most common and, take it from us, the most well-loved and appreciated bonuses in the online casino industry. This bonus is a way for online casinos to thank players for choosing their casino over the many others out there and also to keep players coming back.

A player thinks: “If they look after me this well when I’ve just joined, what else might they have in store for me down the line?” And there usually is something exciting waiting down the line.

The “no deposit” bonus is another common one offered to online players. All players need to do is activate their account with a given casino, and if the casino offers this bonus, it will be loaded into their account or wallet. The deposit is usually limited to around $150 and will probably have some restrictions on it, which will vary from casino to casino.

You may receive another bonus when you make a deposit and then when you make deposits over a certain amount after your initial deposit. If you’re an online slots fan, you might get a “free spins” bonus on certain games, which gives you more chances to win without spending more money.

There are reward multipliers, top-up bonuses, and loyalty bonuses. If you refer a friend, you might get a bonus out of that as well! There are also “high roller” rewards on offer for players who deposit and play with particularly large amounts of money.

Video game bonuses

Video game bonuses sometimes work a little differently. There are so many different game models that it's hard to round up all the kinds of game bonuses, but there are several that stand out above the rest.

The pre-order bonus is a classic way for studios to get gamers to pay up before the game is released to the rest of the world. You might get a discount on the full price if you order early or get access to in-game content that other players may not have.

Bonus content is often items such as skins, armour, or weapons that will give you an edge over players who don't have these things in the game world.

Depending on the game model and the company in question, there may also be XP (experience) bonuses that you get access to when you level up or complete a certain number of tasks. These, too, could be a number of things, including in-game credits or otherwise unavailable items.

Players at certain levels or who have completed certain tasks might also get access to time sensitive events or raids in which they can gather resources to help them survive and thrive in the game.

Currency drops are also becoming an increasingly valid form of bonus, and these might happen during special events or just at any time and any place in the game; all you have to do is keep your eyes open and be as fast as you can.

Conclusion

Online casino bonuses definitely keep gamblers happy and coming back for more.

After all, why would anyone ever say no to a freebie? While video game bonuses are much appreciated and coveted by gamers, they aren't likely to shift a gamer away from a game they already love in favour of a new title.

Basically, they’re nice, but they’re not a motivation to choose one video game over another since games are all so different and a matter of personal preference.

Look for bonuses wherever you can and appreciate them when they come your way.