Casino Bonus: What Is It?
One of the main features of an online casino is to offer players cash bonuses so that they can start their gaming with an extra boost into their credit. The great variety of bonuses present, and the terminology associated with them, can confuse a player who approaches this kind of entertainment for the first time, causing a series of doubts and misunderstandings that can compromise the gaming experience. So, let’s get immediately to it!
The so-called “casino bonuses” are promotions that allow players to place their bets with an amount of money higher than the amount deposited. The online casino makes available an additional sum of money on the player’s account, however, placing some constraints and conditions that may vary depending on the chosen gaming operator.
How Do Casino Bonuses Work?
The bonuses offered by online casinos represent a kind of reward that the user receives when registering a gaming account on most platforms, making the first deposit, or reaching a certain number of bets on the same platform. Generally speaking, the most common type of bonus issued by online casinos consists of credit (or a certain number of free spins), which can be spent on the platform to which you are registered.
The credit will be loaded into your gaming account only after certain conditions have been fulfilled, which vary according to the gaming operator chosen. The amount credited to the account (or the free spins) can be used on the games present in the online casino or on those related to a specific offer.
Normally, a casino bonus cannot be withdrawn immediately, even if the operator allows the user to cash out any winnings obtained. This is one of the main conditions governing the release of the bonus.
For the user, having free money to use certainly represents an advantage, not only because they can play for free, but also because through this mode they can understand the functioning of the platform and the various games on it. This is the case, for example, of online slot machines.
Welcome Bonus Types
The types of casino bonuses are all different from each other. To avoid confusion, and to understand which of these bonuses are present in online casinos, we specifically describe below the different types and characteristics of casino bonuses. Let’s start with the most common type of casino bonus, which is divided into two main categories: “no deposit” and “deposit”.
No Deposit Bonus
The no deposit casino bonuses offered by online casinos allow new users to play on the platform without the need to deposit money. The bonus consists of a sum credited to your account once the registration and validation phase of the game account has been completed, or in Free Spins.
Generally, no deposit casino bonuses are launched with offers such as “50 free spins upon registration.” The no deposit casino bonuses, while not offering very high amounts to new users, still represent an interesting promotion because they allow you to start playing for free, become familiar with the products offered by the platform and acquire the necessary experience in slots, roulette, poker, blackjack, baccarat, and other modes.
Deposit Bonus
To get this type of bonus, unlike the previous one, you’ll need to make a deposit. The amount of the bonus depends on the amount that the user has deposited. As a rule, it is possible to receive 50% or 100% of the deposit, and in some cases, 200% or 300%, or even more. The maximum deposit bonus amount is normally stated. Deposit bonuses are generally promoted as follows: “100% bonus up to €100”.
We remind you that it is good to inquire about the other conditions of the bonus, such as the wagering requirements and the maximum withdrawal limits. Those we have previously described are the two main types of bonuses offered by online casinos, but there are many others designed both for already registered users and for those who register for the first time on a given platform.
No Wagering Bonus
The no wagering bonus doesn’t need to be played through. Usually, once you receive it, you’ll just have to play it once and will be able to withdraw it. It probably won’t be as high as other bonuses, but it’s so easy to cash out that it’s one of the most sought-after bonuses out there.
Welcome Bonus
The casino welcome bonus is generally issued to new users who log into a specific online casino for the first time. To take advantage of this promotion, you need to register on the casino website and make a deposit. Welcome bonuses are usually promoted with offers such as “100% bonus on first deposit, up to €200 maximum”.
Free Spins Bonus
In this case, the offer consists of a certain number of free spins that the user can use on slot machines selected by the gaming platform with a pre-established credit. The winnings, immediately available in your account, consist of a credit in the form of a bonus, which requires compliance with the wagering requirements, as in the case of no deposit bonuses. Only after having satisfied these conditions, the casino will credit your real money account, which will then be possible for the withdrawal phase.
Cashback Bonus
The cashback bonus consists of an amount of money that the casino offers to new customers in the form of bonus money. Normally, this special bonus provides for a specific amount or percentage of the player’s net loss in the casino. Specifically, it consists of a refund recognized on losses: the casino returns a part of the money lost by the user, for example after a game session or a period of 7 days.
Loyalty Bonus
This type of bonus is issued to users who enter a casino’s loyalty program. Generally, it is associated with a system according to which the player must accumulate points by betting; the points can later be converted into cash bonuses. The conversion rate depends on the player’s status in the loyalty program.
High Roller Casino Bonus
The high roller bonus is released to those players who make medium to high deposits. The high roller is usually the highest bonus offered to players by online casinos, and its main feature is to reward the customer with an above-average amount.
Live Casino Bonus
The Live Casino Bonus is released to users who choose to play in the live section hosted by the casino. It allows you to sit at the tables with higher minimum bets and to play longer at your favourite tables.
Mobile Casino Bonus
It is released to users who play on mobile. Mobile bonuses are often not transferable to desktops.
How to Issue and Redeem Casino Bonuses
The most common term in the bonus release method is “rollover.” The term refers to the number of times a bonus must be played before it can be withdrawn by the user.
Here is an example. A casino offers a 100% deposit bonus, so by depositing €20, you get a €20 bonus. According to the wagering requirements, before receiving the bonus, you must play 3 times the deposit amount + the bonus. To unlock and withdraw the amount, you must then play the deposited amount (€20) + the amount in the form of a bonus (€20) 3 times.
Not all activities offered by online casinos have the same volume of play capable of meeting the bonus conditions. For example, online slot machines contribute 100%, while video poker or other games have a lower contribution percentage. If a game does not contribute 100% to the bet, but only 50%, you will have to play twice to meet the wagering requirements and convert the bonus. Only once the wagering requirements of each bonus are met, winnings will be released. In this case, the user will choose the amount they wish to withdraw. To do so, you must use the same method used to deposit money at the casino.
Types of Bonus Accreditation
There are two main ways of crediting the welcome bonus.
Immediate Type
In this case, the bonus is added to the player’s deposit and forms part of the total account balance. Usually, the player has to respect the aforementioned rollover to withdraw the winnings obtained through the use of the bonus.
Progressive Type
In this case, the credit is not immediate but is “pending” until the wagering requirements for collection are reached. Once these requirements are met, the casino bonus is added to the player’s account balance, and any winnings obtained through its use will be immediately withdrawable.
How to Choose the Right Bonus
In order to choose the best casino bonus, you need to understand how to move in terms of the volume of bets to be generated and the games in which to bet. When choosing the casino bonus that best suits your needs or playing style, you must also consider the budget you have available, the games and slots you prefer, and your betting style.
Therefore, it is necessary to establish the elements considered most important and subsequently identify them in the various bonuses offered by the casino at which you decide to play. When choosing a welcome bonus, just considering how much free money a gaming operator offers is not a viable option. Value is important, but you also need to find out what you need to do to receive the online casino bonus, how to play it before you can cash it out, and read the terms and conditions of the offer carefully.
It is a good idea to opt for a no deposit casino bonus that allows you to play without risk, does not require a deposit, and does not require a certain wagering volume to get it. The only thing to do to receive it is to register on the site platform, send a copy of the identity document, and wait for the validation of your gaming account.
Those who play only occasionally should opt for a no deposit bonus offered by regulated, safe online casinos. Those who play regularly should opt for an online casino that rewards loyalty with bonuses released over time in their account.
We specify that the only bonuses to consider are those offered by online casinos with an appropriate license. We also remind you that all online casinos operating on the European market should work for the promotion of Responsible Gaming.
FAQs
Do all casinos offer bonuses?
No, not all casinos offer bonuses. You can find out if one does by consulting our Casinos page, or on the website of the casino itself.
What happens if I refuse a bonus?
In almost all cases, yes. Refusing a bonus will mean that you won’t have any constraints: you can play what you deposit, and you can withdraw what you win at any time. If it is a bonus that involves direct user action, such as entering bonus codes or following links received by email, simply take no action at the time of deposit. On the contrary, for automatic credit bonuses, it is often necessary to contact the assistance of the chosen online casino and request the cancellation of the bonus.
What are playthroughs and betting volumes?
As mentioned earlier, bonuses are often subject to constraints. These constraints usually concern the inability to withdraw the winnings obtained with the bonus until a certain volume of bets in the games has been reached, regardless of the outcome of these. Let’s take a few examples to clarify things: Let’s say you take advantage of a first deposit bonus of 100% up to €100 by depositing the sum of €100. At this point, €200 will be available in your gaming account. Of all the credit available on the game account, the bonus will be the first to be played.
The playthrough values for the bonuses offered by the casinos on this site are communicated in the bonus section and the reviews of the individual online casinos, but they are generally available in the terms and conditions of the casinos directly on the gaming site.
What is a no deposit bonus?
A no deposit bonus casino allows you to get a bonus without you having to deposit first so that you can try out the platform before you invest any money. This is a free casino welcome no deposit bonus.