Online gambling platforms offer several bonuses for players that enhance their overall experience. Nearly every casino will feature some form of bonus or other promotional programs to attract new users or retain existing ones. The online gambling market is locked in heavy competition. Every online casino needs to stand out from the rest and attract more customers. This is where bonuses come into play. Players always gravitate towards platforms offering the best bonuses.
Gambling bonuses are available in different forms and variations. Each bonus has its perks it can offer to the player. Players may sometimes utilize a bonus to secure more winnings at little to no risk.
If you are considering claiming gambling bonuses but are unsure where to start, this guide is for you. On this page, we will show you the different bonuses you can find at online casinos and what they have to offer. It is best to go over what each gambling bonus is about so that you can decide whether it is worth claiming or not.
What is a Gambling Bonus?
As mentioned, gambling bonuses are promotional offers from operators to attract more customers. However, it goes deeper than that, as bonuses are essentially designed to encourage non-players to register with platforms. Online casinos offer bonuses in hopes that new customers will join up for their services, which might benefit them long term.
Gambling bonuses are entertaining and virtually appealing. They are essential to players as they provide them with a recreational opportunity to gamble and win a decent sum.
Bonuses can help players win more money or try out new games without big financial risks. Bonuses are also offered as loyalty programs where players can receive rewards as they climb certain levels. Most bonuses provide opportunities for players to win money and become loyal members of the platform.
Sports Betting Bonuses
Sportsbook bonuses are exclusive to betting sites and cannot be transferred to casino games even if an operator acts as a sportsbook and a casino. Sports betting markets are highly competitive, meaning every online betting casino will offer the most attractive promotion they can in an attempt to win gamblers over. These offers usually involve free betting opportunities, free money for betting, and so on.
Below are the main promotions exclusive to sports betting sites only:
Free Bets
The most common promotional giveaway that a sportsbook offers is a free bet. A free bet is usually given to bettors as a token for a set amount of money where the sportsbook pays the stake of the wager. Free bets are given to new users as an attraction and existing bettors as freebies. Long-time bettors can see frequent free bet credits from particular sportsbooks.
Free bets usually come in small increments, such as $10 to $25. This will be dependent on how much money you deposit. For example, a sportsbook might clearly state that you need to deposit $20 to receive a $20 free bet. It is important to note that you will not receive your stake back if your free bet is a success. You will only profit from the bet. For instance, if you wager a $10 free bet with +100 odds, your payout will be the winnings from $10, not $20.
Refer-a-Friend
Some sportsbooks reward their customers for spreading the word. Refer-a-friend promotions give you a free bonus for inviting a friend to sign up with the sportsbook. In this instance, you and your invited friend will receive a bonus, free credits, or bets.
The refer-a-friend bonus only works if the player meets a few requirements first. The standard eligibility for using a referral bonus involves two main aspects:
- Your sportsbook account balance should be positive.
- You must have a history of betting with the sportsbook in question.
The criteria vary between operators as some might require that you hold an account with the operator for a specific period. Additionally, you might need to wager a certain amount before you become eligible for a refer-a-friend bonus.
Enhanced Odds
Enhanced odds or price boosters are popular betting bonuses where the odds of a bet are increased. Claiming this offer will result in you receiving a higher payout if your bet is successful. Enhanced odds come as free bets, which players can use to place bets. These bonuses are mostly given to new customers at a platform, meaning they have a limited time usage.
Long-term bettors may not receive enhanced boosts but can take advantage of daily boosters. A tip while using this type of offer. For small odds, the difference will not be that appealing. However, if you decide to bet on an outsider the bet could start to look very appealing.
Casino Bonuses
Online casinos come in various types. Every online casino advertises exciting promotions to attract and retain as many players as possible. Obtaining attractive bonuses at reasonable terms and conditions is the key aspect every casino player should look for before they consider registering with a platform. That is why online casinos need to ensure their offers are attractive to new customers, transparent, and can encourage them to become regular players.
Casino bonuses can help in double payouts or boost your chances of winning. It also allows players to test their luck and win valuable rewards at low risk. Some casino bonuses allow players to try out new games or explore what the operator offers regarding its services, games, the overall interface, and more. It is an excellent way to examine whether it is worth signing up with an online casino or not.
Below are the most common casino bonuses you will come across at various operators:
Match Deposit Bonus
These offers are monetary rewards given to players when they make a deposit at a casino website. The online casino matches players’ deposits to a certain percentage, usually 100%, but it can be even higher than this.
For instance, an online casino might offer a 100% match up to $200. This means you will receive $200 extra if you deposit $200, i.e., you will have $400 in your bankroll. It is important to note that your bonus money will be subject to wagering requirements. Meaning that you will have to bet a certain amount of money before you can make a withdrawal.
Match deposit bonuses also come in parts, e.g., from a player’s first deposit to their third or fourth (depending on the casino).
Cashback Bonus
A cashback bonus is a monetary compensation bonus whereby the casino returns a portion of your lost money. Whether a bet or a table game, players are bound to lose money as that is part of the game. A cashback bonus returns part of the lost money to the player. The amount of cash returned depends on the casino’s terms and conditions. Usually, a casino will return 10-20% cashback of the money deposited.
Reload Bonuses
A reload bonus is an offer to players who have already deposited at a casino. It is a reward for loyal players from the casino to continue playing on their platform.
Reload bonuses provide an extra surprise for the player. These include free spins or a deposit match bonus. Some casinos give out free credits as well. If you are lucky enough to receive these types of bonuses, you will probably receive one in your email randomly one day.
Free Spins
What free spins offer is pretty self-explanatory. Most casinos give away free spins on slot games, allowing players to win real money without betting their own. Free spins appeal to many gamblers since there is no risk of losing money. Also, free spins can be used to test new slot games without any trouble, making them quite flexible.
The number of spins granted depends on the online casino. It is typically a low amount between 5-20 free spins on a specific slot game. In-game free spins do not count as the bonus given. Meaning players can double their chances of winning by using the bonus spins to trigger in-game featured spins.
No Deposit Bonuses
No deposit bonuses are not common but can be very fun. As the name suggests, it is a promotion given to the player who has not made a deposit yet. No deposit bonuses are often combined with others. You may claim free spins, free credits, or even free bets. You can use every free bonus at your discretion to win a sum of money without any financial risk.
Although free bonuses for no deposits remove any risk of loss, being able to withdraw your winnings is likely to be difficult. For instance, you can claim free credits and free spins without any deposits, but you must meet the wagering requirements.
No deposit bonuses often have higher wagering requirements than their counterparts. Additionally, players can only withdraw a limited amount of cash from such a promotion. Some casinos have terms and conditions restricting the player from withdrawing more money than the winning cap mentioned.
Welcome Bonus
This bonus is granted to players when they first sign up with a casino. A welcome bonus can boost your stake or allow you to play a few predetermined games. The bonus also increases your bankroll and offers freebies to give you more chances to win.
Welcome bonuses are perhaps the biggest promotions a casino can offer, which should be no surprise. Players can spot this promotion when they first visit a site and claim it upon registration and deposits. A standard welcome bonus can be a deposit match-up or some free spins for online slot games (or a selected few). Some welcome bonuses do not require deposits, which gives the players an easy opportunity to win real money before they spend any of their money.
Welcome bonuses are excellent for testing out a casino or new games. However, you should be wary of unrealistically appealing welcome offers as they come with strict terms and conditions. Pay attention to the conditions before you claim an offer, as it might contain impossible wagering requirements.
VIP Clubs
Online casinos feature VIP Clubs or Loyalty Programs long-term players can join. Players can access a wider range of attractive bonuses, games, and so on. Most VIP Clubs have a level system where players can rise through the ranks and get better rewards based on their level. These rewards include free spins, free credit, free cash, and low-wager incentives. VIP programs also unlock faster payment methods as well. The higher your VIP level, the faster you can withdraw winnings and at an increased limit. Regular promotions, bonus rewards on all stakes, and free giveaways are all part of VIP clubs at the best gambling sites.
Loyalty Points
Players can earn loyalty points after joining a casino’s loyalty program. Players can earn these points by playing casino games and later use them to acquire bonuses, such as free spins/credits. The more players wager, the more points they can earn for bonuses.
Loyalty points essentially provide players with all the benefits of VIP programs, such as access to multiple jackpots. Accumulating points allows players to progress higher in VIP programs, leading to bigger and more fruitful rewards.
Are Gambling Bonuses Worth it?
Gambling bonuses are undoubtedly worth claiming due to the edge they provide gamblers. Why wouldn’t you want to take advantage of bonuses if they are on offer? They offer players a means of exploring new casinos and the games they offer without risking a large percentage of their bankroll.
There is a great number of online casinos on the market, and each of them offers several types of bonuses. Once you find a casino to your liking, you will have the luxury of many gambling bonuses to choose from. It should go without saying that the best offers give gamblers the most value for the least amount of money.
Important Things to Remember
It is important to remember that bigger bonuses do not necessarily mean they are the best. Some bonuses may sound excellent but will feature terms and conditions or pitfalls that may not be in your favor.
Below are some of the aspects of gambling bonuses you should pay close attention to:
- Wagering Requirements
The wagering requirements of a bonus represent the number of times you have to play through the bonus. You can only withdraw your bonus winnings once the requirements are met. The requirement limits vary among casinos, but they usually range between 1x, 10x, and 75x depending on the bonus and the online casino you choose.
- Bet Limits
The bet limits are the amount of cash you can wager for an event or game. Bet limits ensure you do not spend more than you can afford on a game. For instance, if you bet $150 on a sports event while the bookmaker has limited it to a maximum of $100, you will receive an error in wagering. You can only wager between the maximum and minimum limits.
- Maximum Winnings
The maximum amount of money you can win from a game is often capped. You cannot withdraw more winnings than the maximum set limit. Some casinos will void the additional winnings if a player exceeds their set limit. For example, if the maximum winnings from a no deposit bonus are $50 and you have secured $60 from a lucky win, the casino will remove the extra winnings from your account.
- Bonus Expiry
Every bonus has an expiration date. Some bonuses can expire in a week, while others remain valid for up to a month. It is essential to play through a bonus before it expires, as The casino will automatically void all your accumulated winnings should the validity time pass. Therefore, you should plan on using a bonus before it expires.
FAQ
What gambling bonus is best for new players?
A no deposit bonus is ideal for new players. Although rare, no deposit is a sure way to win real money, test casinos, and try games without financial risks.
Do free spins have wagering requirements?
Yes, free spins have wagering requirements even if they require no deposits. Free spins are only free in terms of bets. You will need to fulfill the set wagering requirements to withdraw your winnings.
Are there any bonuses without wagering requirements?
It is rare to find an online casino that does not feature wagering requirements. Though once found, you can claim a bonus and play without the burden of wagering requirements.
What are free credits?
Free credits are awarded to players for playing table games, such as blackjack, roulette, and others. They may be given without any deposits as well.
Can I claim gambling bonuses on mobile phones?
Yes, it is possible to claim bonuses on mobile devices. You can claim bonus offers via mobile if your operator features a mobile app or site compatible with smart devices.