Casino bonuses: A complete guide
From deposit bonuses to free spins and wagering requirements, online casino bonuses can be confusing even for the most seasoned player. Here at No Wagering, we have compiled expert advice and guidance for this online casino bonus guide.
Casino bonuses are offered to both new and existing players. Casinos like to reward loyal players and give new players exclusive benefits and provide incentives for joining.
Understanding different bonuses is important as they can vary so much. The offer you choose needs to suit your bankroll and gaming preferences. In addition, you can identify which promotions offer value, and those which aren’t worthwhile. Not all offers represent a good deal.
Whether you want guidance on terms and conditions, or to learn more about the difference between offers, this guide gives you all you need to know about casino bonuses:
- Understanding casino bonuses
- Types of casino bonuses
- Welcome bonuses
- Deposit bonuses
- Cashback
- Free spins
- No deposit bonuses
- Promo offers
- Other factors incl payment, limitations
- Maximising casino bonuses
- Tricky terms and wording
- FAQs
Understanding casino bonuses
Overall, casino bonuses have several benefits. For instance, new players can get high-value welcome offers for joining an online casino and making a deposit. Existing players can also get re-deposit offers (aka reload bonuses) and other rewards as an incentive to continue playing with that casino.
Some bonuses are more common than others. The most common form of bonus is free spins. Most online casinos provide free spins on selected slot games. Here, players get a set number of spins on a choice of games usually in return for making a deposit.
As free spins are typically awarded on a particular game or selection of games, it might be a good idea to choose a game that you like the look of and choose your bonus accordingly. Otherwise you could end up claiming a free spins bonus only to find the spins are on a game you have no interest in playing!
A less common option is the no-deposit bonus, where you usually get free spins on a certain game without having to make a deposit at all. These are used to attract new players as well as to get existing players back to their site. But they usually come with stringent terms and conditions due to their generous nature.
No wagering, low wagering
All online casinos have bonus terms and conditions, including deposit limits and wagering requirements. Players must understand the conditions of their bonus, as the casino may include game restrictions or bet limits.
Head to our No Wagering T&Cs guide to understand the most common terms to be aware of before using a bonus.
Bonuses without wagering requirements are, arguably, the best casino bonuses, but of course we would say that! A no wagering bonus means there are no wagering requirements to meet before being able to withdraw any winnings won from it.
Even bonuses with low wagering requirements offer good value for money, as they're fair and the wagering requirements are low enough to fulfil, usually in the region of 10-20x.
Some bonuses have much higher wagering requirements, like 50x or more. This would mean you'd have to wager your bonus money – or winnings – 50 times over before being able to withdraw it. Not very fair is it!?
Select a casino bonus to match your preferences, bankroll and favourite games if you can. Try a welcome bonus that requires a low initial deposit, make the most of your free spins and see where it takes you.
Types of casino bonuses
Online casino bonuses come in many shapes and forms with a range of bonuses available for existing and new players. Here's a summary of each type:
Welcome bonuses
Most online casinos have welcome bonuses – an incentive for new players to signup and play at the casino. However, welcome bonuses can vary. Some welcome bonuses are a monetary bonus based on the value of your deposit e.g. 100%, 200%, or more. While others will come in the form of free spins. Sometimes, welcome bonuses include the best of both worlds and offer both a monetary bonus with some extra free spins on the side.
Deposit bonuses
Deposit bonuses are where a casino rewards you for making a deposit with them. It could be your first deposit, or a subsequent deposit, but ultimately they're designed to give you more gameplay for your money.
Deposit bonuses could include matched deposit bonuses or free spins. Matched deposit bonuses are when you'll receive a percentage of your deposit as a monetary bonus e.g. 100%. For example, if you deposit £100 to receive a 100% bonus, you'd receive £100 bonus on top (£100 x 100% = £100).
Matched deposits are a good way to boost your bankroll for a little outlay. They do come with terms and conditions though, most commonly wagering requirements. They also have a minimum deposit requirement, usually £10 or £20. Make sure you understand the terms of a deposit bonus, and know that it's not entirely 'free'.
Recommended deposit bonuses:
Cashback
A cashback bonus is where you get a refund on your losses over a certain period. This could be daily, weekly or monthly.
For example, if a casino offered you 10% daily cashback on losses, and your net loss was £90, you'd receive £9 back in the form of a cashback bonus. Some casinos offer 5% cashback, others 10%, 20% or more, although the higher cashback amounts tend to be associated with one-off welcome bonuses rather than a regular ongoing perk.
Cashback bonuses are less common than traditional deposit bonuses or free spins. In addition, they are usually only worthwhile if you are a high-stakes bettor. Low-stakes players are unlikely to get large refunds.
Free spins
Free spins are the most common type of bonus, regularly offered to new and existing players. Free spins are usually offered as part of a deposit bonus, but can also be awarded as a no-deposit bonus (see below).
Free spins are a great way to try your luck on a slot game. However, for obvious reasons, they're not very popular among players who prefer table and card games. They tend to be restricted to certain slots too, which might not appeal to everyone.
The number of free spins you receive can vary from anything as low as 10 free spins right up to 300 free spins, and can also depend on how much you deposit.
Of course, like all bonuses, free spins come with terms and conditions. Unless you opt for a no wagering free spins bonus, any winnings from the free spins will be subject to wagering requirements. Depending on how high the wagering requirements are, it could mean there's very little left of your winnings once you've fulfilled them.
Recommended free spins bonuses:
No deposit bonuses
There are some bonuses where you don't need to make a deposit in order to receive it. No deposit bonuses are typically offered to new players as an incentive to sign up to a casino. They're awarded on successful registration and account verification, often requiring additional verification also.
No deposit bonuses usually come in the form of free spins but can also come in the form of a monetary bonus. They almost always have some pretty stringent T&Cs associated with them due to their generous nature.
For example, wagering requirements on no-deposit offers are typically very high – 50x and above. There might also be a maximum limit on the amount you can win, too.
A no deposit bonus may seem like a good offer initially, but their stringent restrictions often make them worth little more than demo credit. On the other hand, occasionally we do come across some no-deposit offers without wagering requirements making them much more appealing.
Promotional offers
Promotional offers are for a limited time and usually run alongside a big event or new game release. As a result, most promotional offers only last for a few weeks or months at a time.
Casinos usually promote new casino games from leading providers, like Pragmatic Play, Microgaming and NetEnt. As a result, they often offer free spins or a deposit bonus to spark interest in a new game.
Other common promotions include tournaments, competitions and prize draws. For example, players can get rewards by climbing a leader board or earning prize draw tickets in return for playing certain games or wagering a certain amount.
These types of promotions can be popular with existing players. Prizes often include free spins, bonuses, cash, holidays, and even cars!
Other factors to consider
Before claiming any bonus, you should always familiarise yourself with the terms and conditions of that bonus. However, some T&Cs are too complicated to understand or not very obvious!
Payment methods
One thing to look out for is eligible payment methods. Certain deposit bonuses are only available if players make their deposit with a particular payment method. For instance, e-wallets, like Skrill or PayPal, or cryptocurrency might be excluded from a bonus. Debit cards are almost always eligible. Therefore, if you have strict payment method preferences, check they're accepted before attempting to claim a bonus.
Sticky bonuses
Casino bonuses will also have specific withdrawal limitations known as "sticky bonuses". Sticky bonuses mean that the value of the bonus will be deducted from any winnings derived from it. So, if you received a £100 bonus, won £500, then you would only be able to to withdraw £400.
Time limitations and maximum bet
Time limitations often apply to casino bonuses too. For example, some bonuses might require that the wagering requirements are completed within 30 days, otherwise the bonus will be forfeited. Similarly, free spins often have to be used within a certain timeframe, usually 30 days, but sometimes 7 days.
Look out for maximum bet limits too. Typically, when using a bonus, bets are capped to around £4. Exceeding this limit could invalidate your bonus and any winnings derived from it.
Take your time
Lastly, to get the most from your bonus, don't bet it all away at once by placing large bets. Playing slots with smaller amounts for a longer period of time can result in you landing more bonus rounds and special features that can be lucrative. Additionally, playing slots with a high RTP can potentially lead to more going back into your balance and your bonus lasting longer.
Maximising casino bonuses
As mentioned above, choosing to play slots with a high RTP can make your bonus last longer. Furthermore, as slots typically contribute 100% towards fulfilling wagering requirements, you won't be in for any nasty surprises.
Blackjack, Baccarat and Roulette have the lowest house edge of all casino games. But, these games usually only contribute 10% or less towards wagering requirements, so it's best to avoid them.
Some games might be excluded completely.
Managing your bankroll effectively also goes a long way. If you're offered a £30 first deposit bonus, wagering the whole amount on one bet is a poor long-term strategy. Instead, it's advisable to place lots of smaller bets in the hope of triggering a big win that you might otherwise miss out on. You can also experience a wider variety of games.
Also, VIP and loyalty programs can prove to be quite valuable. Here players can get exclusive access to new and higher value promotions and rewards. For instance, players can participate in weekly leader boards to win additional prizes. Birthday bonuses and promotional offers can also be up for grabs.
Tricky terms and wording you might come across
Navigating casino bonus terms can seem overwhelming. However, understanding a few key terms can help you make informed decisions.
Newcomers and experienced players will find quick explanations of the most common casino bonus terms below.
- Welcome Bonus – Given to new players when joining a casino site or making their first deposit. This can include a matched deposit bonus, free spins, or a combination of both.
- No Deposit Bonus – A bonus which doesn't require a deposit, usually issued on registration or as part of a loyalty programme.
- Match Bonus – Where the casino matches the player's deposit by a certain percentage, i.e. 50%, 100%, 200% up to £50.
- Free Spins – A specific number of spins on a slot game or variety of games. Could come in the form of a deposit bonus, or a no-deposit bonus.
- Reload Bonus – Further bonuses for existing players when they make second, third, or fourth deposits.
- Cashback Bonus – A bonus where a casino refunds some of the player's losses over a certain period.
- Loyalty Bonus (VIP Bonus) – Rewards are given to players as part of a loyalty program, like cash, promotional offers, bonus codes, etc.
- Non-Sticky / Non-Withdrawable Bonus – A bonus that cannot be withdrawn and is used for wagering purposes only. The value of the bonus will be deducted from your winnings.
- Sticky / Withdrawable Bonus – A bonus that, once wagering requirements are met, can be withdrawn along with any winnings.
- Wagering Requirements – The total amount a player must wager before they can withdraw winnings derived from a bonus (e.g. 10x, 20x, 30x, etc). Usually applied to the bonus amount, but sometimes applied to the total of the bonus plus deposit amount.
- Bonus Code – A code that players must enter to claim a specific bonus.
- Maximum Cashout – The maximum amount of money a player can withdraw from winnings earned through a bonus.
- Gaming Restrictions – Limitations on which games can be played using the bonus funds. Some bonuses are restricted to certain games or categories, like slots or table games.
- Game Contributions – The amount certain games contribute towards the fulfilling of wagering requirements. For example, if a game only contributes 10%, then if you wager £100 on that game, only £10 will count towards your wagering requirements.
Conclusion
Overall, you will find a great variety of bonuses at online casino sites. Some bonuses may come with T&Cs so strict they're just about worthless, but the more familiar you become with them, the easier you'll find it to spot good value bonuses.
Even still, once you've found a good bonus, it's important to understand what is and isn't allowed with it. If you're lucky enough to win something from it, you want to ensure you avoid your winnings being confiscated.
Take time to review any offer before claiming it. By understanding the terms and looking at the wagering requirements you can see if an offer suits you. Remember, not all bonuses are the same and some can have very specific requirements.
Also, think about your bankroll and whether the offer will help to increase your enjoyment. Some players prefer not to claim bonuses as they can only complicate matters.
Our advice is to always claim a no wagering bonus, as they have the fairest and straight-forward T&Cs.
FAQs
What is a casino bonus?
A casino bonus is an incentive from an online casino, usually for signing up or making a deposit. Examples of the common bonuses include free spins, matched deposit bonuses and cashback.
Can you make money from casino bonuses?
Players can make money from online casino bonuses provided they're lucky enough to land a winner and they adhere to the rules. All gambling has an element of risk or reward. Consider using strategies for longer game time and long-term enjoyment.
Are casino bonuses worth taking?
Some bonuses can be worthwhile for new and existing players, especially no wagering offers or those with low wagering requirements. However, many bonuses sound better than they actually are. Weigh up the pros and cons of each offer and pay attention to the T&Cs and wagering requirements.
Which casino has the best bonus?
Bonus offers vary significantly in terms of type, value and terms and conditions. The best bonus will depend on your preferences, but typically those without wagering requirements offer the best chance of winning.