Posted in Guides, Industry October 12, 2017
How to Find the Best Online Casino Bonus – What to Look For and Things to Avoid
“300-percent match up bonus, up to €1,000, with 500 Free spins, cash back offers and free cars and luxury vacations”. If you are a frequent casino player or just love exploring gaming portals, then chances are you have encountered these promotional banners. These are called online casino bonuses, tempting offers that dominate the online casino segment, and carried by all casino players actively seeking the attention of the industry and the gaming public.
Casino bonuses are now considered the lifeblood of casino entertainment, powering not just the regular players, but the operators as well. For casino players and regulars, casino bonuses sweeten the pot, and serve as the motivations to choose a casino platform, and play certain games. And for casino operators, these casino bonuses are considered critical investments that can deliver the goods. Although it may seem like an ‘added expense’ on the part of the operator, offering casino bonuses is considered a wise business decision. These bonuses can help engage more players, getting them to sign up, and can also become a potent tool when it comes to building the casino brand. These are the main reasons why bonuses are heavily advertised, and promoted in different forms. Although you will find these offers in almost all casino websites, it does not mean that you just rush into one offer, and blindly enjoy the perks. As a responsible casino player you should know that not all casino bonuses are worth your time – some of these bonus offerings are simply marketing ploys, aimed at attracting attention. Here are ways on how you can find the best online casino bonus around, what to look for and things to avoid.
Start With a Legitimate and Safe Online Casino Platform
Casino bonuses come in many forms, from match-up bonuses to Free spins and cash back offers, and all these are designed to impress and boost bankrolls. But no matter how attractive these offers are, these will not work out for you if you fail to assess the authenticity of the casino. Don’t easily fall into the these marketing ploys – make sure that you are dealing with an established and legitimate online casino. Go beyond these glossy announcements, and pay attention first to the credibility of the casino, checking out their reviews, reputation, licensing agreements, suppliers and quality of Customer Support. Once these have been confirmed, and the reputation of the casino has been established, then it’s time to explore the casino bonuses.
Match-up Bonuses Work for New Players, Free Spins and Cash Back Bonuses for Regular Players
For new players, the best bonus offers come in the form of match bonuses, usually 100-percent to 500-percent match up bonus, up to a certain amount. And in most cases, these are offered up to three deposits, in varying match percentage. Match-up bonuses are also available in a staggered basis, which can be given out in three tranches. Whatever the arrangement, these match-up bonuses are great introductory bonuses for new players since the bankrolls are boosted. Sometimes, these welcome packages also come with Free spins, and playable on certain games, like Starburst, especially on casinos that offer NetEnt games.
For regular players, a popular bonus offered is a cash back offer. This bonus usually appeals to regular players who play frequently on the casino. The percentage usually varies, from a low 5-percent to as high as 20-percent. Under this bonus arrangement, the casino gives back to the player a portion of what they have lost in playing the games.
Bonus:
Welcome Bonus package worth up to €1,500 + 100 Bonus spins. 18+. New Players only. Min. Deposit:
€20 W.R:
35x Cashable:
Yes Bonus:
Deposit £20 play with £50. NEW CUSTOMERS ONLY. MIN DEPOSIT £20 (EXC PAYPAL). MAX BONUS £30, BONUS AMOUNT NON-WITHDRAWABLE, PLAYABLE ON SELECTED GAMES ONLY. 30X WAGERING FOR £30 BONUS. EXPIRES WITHIN 30 DAYS. MAX WIN £2,000. *T&CS APPLY Min. Deposit:
£20 W.R:
5x Cashable:
Yes Bonus:
121% Welcome Bonus up to £300. Significant terms: 18+. New players only. Min deposit £10. Bonus funds are 121% up to £300 and separate to Cash funds. 35x bonus wagering requirements apply. Only bonus funds count towards wagering requirement. £5 max. bet with bonus. Bonus funds must be used within 30 days, otherwise any unused shall be removed. Terms Apply. BeGambleAware.org. Min. Deposit:
£10 W.R:
35x Cashable:
Yes Bonus:
Welcome package up to £1,000 + 100 Bonus Spins. 18+. New players only. Bonus: 1st deposit 100% up to £300 + 30 bonus spins (Reactoonz™), 2nd deposit 50% up to £500 + 50 bonus spins (Book of Dead™), 3rd deposit 25% up to £200 + 20 bonus spins (Legacy of Egypt™). Spins on specified games only. Bonus money is separate to Cash funds & subject to 35x wagering requirement. £5 bonus max. bet. Bonus must be used within 30 days, spins within 10 days, otherwise any unused will be removed. Only bonus funds contribute towards wagering requirements. Full T&C's apply. Min. Deposit:
£10 W.R:
35x Cashable:
No Bonus:
Welcome Bonus package worth 200% bonus up to €2,500 + 50 Bonus spins Min. Deposit:
€20 W.R:
35x Cashable:
YesTop 5 NetEnt Casinos
Learn How to Filter (And Assess) the Casino Bonuses
Before you claim your desired bonuses, make sure you learn how to filter these, and assess if its a good offer to bite. What you can do is to check its ‘cashability’, and wagering requirements. Bonuses can be cashable (non-sticky) and non-cashable (sticky). A bonus is cashable if the casino will allow you to withdraw the bonus money given, on top of the winnings, at the time of withdrawal after all wagering requirements have been met. Non cashable bonuses on the other hand cannot be enjoyed since these are simply deducted from the amount of winnings.
Another critical factor to consider is the wagering requirements – the fine print that’s often included in many bonuses. Here, you are expected to wager the amount for a set number before it’s available for withdrawal. Wagering requirements come in different forms, from a 10x to 50x wagering requirement. If the casino offers 100 credits with a 10x wagering requirement, it means that you need to place bets amounting to 1,000 credits.
Still confused? Check out our HitCasinoBonus Navigator – explaining terms and acronyms!
Final Words to Remember When it Comes to Casino Bonuses
Keep an eye on the other fine-print, including the country restrictions and validity of bonuses. Certain bonuses are not available to players from certain countries (restricted countries). Also, most Free spins come with a time validity, often for 30 days, and should only be used for certain games, like Starburst. If one wants to enjoy these bonuses, it’s important to read the Terms & Conditions and the fine-print that come with the bonus announcement. It’s never recommended that you sign up for these bonuses blindly – go beyond the glitter and attraction that come with the casino bonus to fully enjoy the offer. Information and understanding of rules are the keys in enjoying the bonuses when it comes to a satisfying casino entertainment.
To learn more about all of the different bonus types, their respective requirement, and how to best make use of them; please read our complete guides about each of them below.
- Your Complete Guide to Welcome Bonuses
- Your Complete Guide to No Deposit Bonuses
- Your Complete Guide to Free Spins Bonuses
- Your Complete Guide to Match Bonuses
- Your Complete Guide to Deposit Bonuses
- Your Complete Guide to Reload Bonuses
- Your Complete Guide to Cashback Refund
- Your Complete Guide to VIP Bonuses