Posted in Guides December 6, 2020
What Makes A Welcome Bonus Valuable?
Imagine walking into a store for the first time and receiving a voucher for free shopping. How about getting a complimentary item when you make a purchase? We all dream of these scenarios, but they rarely present themselves. Unless, of course, you register with an online casino.
Online casinos use welcome bonuses to attract new players through their virtual doors. These bonuses allow players to increase their winning potential without spending any more money.
Types Of Welcome Bonuses
Welcome packages include any number of these common bonus types:
- Bonus Match – Expressed in percentage form, a bonus match gives you a percentage of your initial deposit, up to 100%.
- No deposit bonus – You receive a bonus on registration without making a deposit.
- Free Spins – Complimentary spins on specified slot machines
- Risk-free bet – If a first bet loses, you receive the full wager amount in the form of a free bet.
Do these free offers entice you? They probably do, but don’t judge a book by its cover. A welcome bonus isn’t necessarily as valuable as it seems. You should consider various aspects of a bonus to ensure that what you’re getting is worth it.
Bonus Terms And Conditions
There are terms and conditions attached to each welcome offer or bonus. It’s best if you read these before committing yourself and your bankroll to an online casino. Pay attention to the following:
Low Wagering Requirements
Wagering, or playthrough, requirements refer to how many times you must bet the bonus to cash out your winnings. For example, you deposit $20 and receive a match bonus of $20. You now have $40 to play with, but the casino imposes a wagering requirement of 10 times. You need to play through a total of $400 before you can withdraw any winnings.
Large welcome bonuses are very appealing but don’t use size as the only factor to measure value. Bigger isn’t always better. Even if smaller offers are less attractive, they may be more valuable if they have lower wagering requirements. Ask yourself how realistic it is for you to meet the playthrough requirements.
Time Limits
Online casinos allow a specified amount of time for players to meet the requirements. This time limit could be anything from 14 to 90 days. Ensure that you’re happy with the expiry date and that it provides a realistic scenario for your playing habits.
Game Restrictions For Free Spins
Free spins are a fantastic way to try slots for the first time. However, they’re rarely valid on more than a handful of games. Don’t expect to play a wide variety with your freebies.
Each online casino has conditions for free spins. It may restrict you to one or two slots, or you may be lucky and have access to all the slots from a certain provider. Even if these restrictions aren’t the deciding factor for you, keep in mind that boredom may set in quickly if you have lots of free spins and only a few games to play.,.
Better Game Contributions
Not all games contribute equally to a bonus’s wagering requirements. Slot machines have a higher house edge, and the amount that you wager contributes 100% to the playthrough requirements.
Table games like poker and blackjack have a lower house edge and contribute a much smaller percentage of your wagered amount towards the playthrough. If you prefer these games of skill, you’ll take longer to meet the bonus requirements.
Conclusion
Welcome bonuses are valuable commodities for an online casino and can be beneficial for new players. Don’t be blinded by the monetary value of a bonus. If you consider a bonus in light of the factors we’ve highlighted, you’re in a healthy position to make an informed choice.
