If you’re a beginner in online gambling, an online casino deposit bonus program seems dead simple. You’re supposed to sign up, collect your first-time bonus and start playing.
In essence, it is that simple. However, most players aren’t aware that casinos impose specific terms on these programs. Long story short: you can’t collect the winnings right away when you get them with bonus money. The website’s terms bind you to play for more if you want to withdraw funds to your account.
That’s why we emphasize the need to read the terms before using here a first deposit bonus or any other type of promotion. The casino has to benefit from its policies as well. It’s not giving away free money just like that.
We’ll explain the reality behind online casino bonuses. You’ll know what you’re dealing with before you accept or decline an offer.
Why Is There an Online Casino Bonus?
Most websites offer similar games by reputable providers: Microgaming, NetEnt, Play N Go, IGT, Novomatic, Playtech, and many others. The players already know what a high-quality offer is. They read reviews, so they know what they are looking for before signing up with a real-money profile.
Since the offer is so competitive, online gambling sites have to get noticed with other factors:
- They include live dealer games
- Some casinos let you play for free before signing up
- They invest in better, faster, and safer websites
The best way for a casino to attract new players is by offering bonus codes. When the team wants to keep the gamblers coming, they offer loyalty programs as well. This is the area where different companies can really compete.
Is it fair for a gambling site to offer promotions with terms attached? Yes; it’s fair as long as the policies are transparent and clear. Before signing up for an offer, each player has a chance to understand what it means. After all, you are getting free credits and spins as promised. The casino has a goal to attract you as a new member, but to make you pay more as well. If you win money with the bonus credits, you’ll have to gamble more before you can withdraw your funds. A research study showed that coupons make customers happier. Gambling sites take advantage of that fact.
Variations of a Gambling Casino Online Bonus
1. Welcome Promo
The first deposit bonus casino offer is the most common one you’ll see. It means that you’re getting a reward of free credits, which you can use as real cash from your balance. You get the money as soon as you make the first deposit. Many casinos will add free spins to the offer.
This is the big question: what’s the catch? Most sites will match your payment by 100%. If you deposit $10, you’ll play with $20. If you deposit $100, you’ll play with $200. The policies set a maximum limit to this type of bonus.
The advantage of the best first deposit bonus is that you start gambling with a good bankroll even if you place the minimum deposit.
2. No Deposit Promo
Sometimes you only need to sign up, and casinos will give you free spins or credits to try the games. This is a great way to try a new gambling site without spending any money. The disadvantage is that these bonuses come with even higher playthrough requirements than first deposit offers.
3. Coupon Bonuses
Sometimes casinos offer coupons through affiliates. It’s a great way for them to attract the flow of new players. The BitStarz free coupon offers are quite versatile. You can get a match on your fourth deposit, Monday and Wednesday bonuses, or 260 free spins plus a $100 bounty with the right code.
4. Loyalty (High Roller) Offers
Big players get more favorable bonuses. They regularly make large deposits, so casinos do everything in their power to keep them playing. These bonuses are offered in lower percentages (such as 50% of the deposit amount). However, they come with lower playthrough requirements as well.
5. Themed Promotions
If a new game is introduced, the casino will promote it with a game-specific bonus. New slots are often promoted with free spins for all players. Many websites also have weekly and monthly offers, which attract gamblers to go back with a new deposit.
The Trick with a Casino Reward Bonus
Let’s talk about the elephant in the room.
Obviously, players benefit from having more money in their balance. But most of them aren’t aware of the fact that they can’t withdraw the money they win with a bonus before they fulfill some important requirements.
These are the things you need to check before agreeing to a bonus:
- Wagering (playthrough) requirements
You’ll find these in the specific terms related to the bonus offer. All reputable casinos are transparent about them. Wagering requirements mean that you have to play through the bonus amount for 20, 30, 50, or more times (depending on the term). If the condition is to play 20 times through the bonus amount and you get $20 as a bonus, it means that you have to play with $400 before you can withdraw any funds. If you win more than $400 thanks to this bonus, it won’t be a problem. But if you win $100, you might spend it without any additional wins. You won’t be able to get that payment.
- The minimum payment for a casino deposit bonus
Many websites promote themselves as minimum deposit casinos, requiring only $1 or $5 from their players. But to benefit from a bonus offer, you’ll have to meet a condition: deposit at least $10 or $20. As always, it’s important to read the terms.
A Real Money Casino Bonus Shouldn’t Be Your Priority
According to Statista, 60% of online shoppers count on discounts when choosing between competitors. Gamblers do the same. But should they take the bonus offers or are the stakes too high?
It’s not an easy question to answer.
We don’t recommend agreeing to promotions when you make large deposits. Yes; you’ll get $200 free if you deposit $200. But if the playthrough requirement is 20 times, you’ll have to play with $4K before withdrawing winnings.
With a smaller deposit, you get to try more games and meet a lower threshold for first withdrawals.
Bonuses shouldn’t be a priority when looking for new online casinos. We recommend players to pay more attention to the site’s reputation regarding security, timely payments, and versatility of offer.
