An In-Depth Guide To Real Money Casino Bonuses
Looking for the most rewarding online casino bonuses?
You’ve just found the most comprehensive guide that will walk you through up-to-date casino bonuses on the market today, the most common bonus types, their requirements, how to claim them and much more to ensure you get the most cash with the lowest wagering requirements
Before getting started, make sure to remember 3 key things when making a choice:
- Read the requirements carefully, it’s all laid out there, you simply need to read it to avoid mistakes.
- Choose the best-value bonus based on the type of player you are, you might have more perks than you’ve realized.
- Pick the type of games that interest you and filter bonuses based on the types of games they support.
Maximize Your Online Casino Experience
A casino bonus plays a key role for both the casino and the customers. It serves as an enticing factor for the casino, attracting new players and encouraging them to spend their money within the establishment. Simultaneously, casino bonuses provide players with an excellent opportunity to kickstart their gaming journey at their chosen online casino.
In this comprehensive guide, we will delve deeper into the world of online casino bonuses, exploring different types of bonuses and their benefits. Whether you’re searching for the perfect welcome bonus, free spins, or deposit bonuses, we’ve got you covered.
Understanding The Importance Of Casino Bonuses
Casino bonuses hold significant importance for casinos as they act as powerful magnets, attracting new customers and increasing player traffic. As a general rule, the larger the bonus, the higher the influx of players. To gain a clear understanding, let’s explore the various types of bonuses offered by online casinos, including welcome bonuses, no deposit bonuses, reload bonuses, and office bonuses.
Free versus Active Play Bonuses
With its dizzying array of options, the universe of online casino bonuses can often seem like navigating through a labyrinth. Yet, when demystified, two predominant categories emerge: Free Bonuses and Active Play Bonuses. Each is meticulously crafted to cater to distinct player behaviors, weaving an enriched gaming narrative.
As inherently suggested by the name, Free Play Bonuses are the casino’s exclusive bonus gifts that don’t demand any deposit. They function as an enticing beacon, luring potential gamblers to try their hand at slot machines, blackjack, or other money casino games without causing a dent in their bankroll.
However, the expanse of free bonuses is different. It’s a diverse spectrum, each variant catering to varied player proclivities. A subsequent table in this piece will illuminate the major variations within this category. Conversely, Active Play Bonuses are a casino’s nod to its ardent patrons, who fervently engage and often augment their bankroll with deposits.
These bonuses are the rhythm to the casino’s heartbeat, ensuring the pulse of player engagement remains vibrant. They embody retention, making players feel cherished and enticing them into the captivating world of video poker, casino promo offers, slot machine adventures, and beyond. These twin pillars of bonuses, each with their subtleties and sub-categories, craft a riveting narrative in the gambling sites. The forthcoming sections and illustrative tables are poised to offer a deep dive into their nuances.
Welcome Bonuses: Best for New Players
Casino bonuses are promotional offers that enable players to earn free spins or free money during games. They come hand-in-hand with online casinos these days.
But, what’s the point of casino bonuses?
They actually serve two purposes:
- To attract new players
- To reward loyal players
Players can get rewarded for possibly every action, from opening an account at an online casino to making a deposit to playing games and referring friends.
Sometimes these bonuses may be a little confusing for non-players as there are quite a few of them available.
Good thing you have this guide to guide you!
Let’s see what types of bonuses the world of online casinos has in store for you.
The welcome bonus is undoubtedly the most popular type of bonus, typically offered to new players upon joining a casino. These bonuses are designed to reward players when they make their first deposit into their betting accounts. Welcome bonuses often come in two forms: match bonuses and percentage bonuses, depending on the specific casino.
A match bonus essentially means that the casino will match your deposit, offering a bonus amount equal to the deposited funds, up to a predetermined limit. For example, if the match bonus is up to €100, you will receive a €100 bonus if you deposit €100. On the other hand, a percentage bonus involves the casino providing a bonus based on a percentage of your initial deposit.
For instance, if you come across a casino offering a 300% bonus up to €150, it means that you will receive a bonus of €150 if you deposit €50. Here, the casino is multiplying your deposit by 300%, but capping the bonus amount at €150. These types of bonuses can be highly lucrative, often multiplying your initial deposit and providing an excellent head start to your gaming experience.
New players first come across a welcome bonus, or a sign-up bonus when they venture into the exciting world of online casinos. This bonus allows players to play the games available for free, or with an incentive like a points boost or no-deposit scheme. They are designed to encourage reluctant players and entice new customers.
You can get what is essentially free money🤑
Take advantage of these bonuses whenever you can, as they are a great way to get more bang for your buck.
Remember, not all bonuses are created equal and some are much more player-friendly than others. The biggest is not always the best (isn’t that the case most of the time!), and sometimes a small bonus can actually be a much better value.
Some bonuses come with specific requirements to be met. These requirements are usually reasonably player-friendly, but in some places, they are so much in the favor of the house that there’s actually not much value on offer. So always read the fine print before you start claiming.
Free Spin Bonuses: Best for Slots Players
The next bonus type on our list is free spin bonuses that allow you to earn online.
Free spin bonuses allow the players to make a free bet of any kind by spinning a virtual slot machine, where they don’t have to pay to spin.
What that means is, the casino gives you free spins bonus, which you are allowed to use on a specific slot machine without paying and anything you win goes into your bankroll.
Pretty cool!
The free spins are played on the maximum amount of paylines and on the smallest coin size. A payline is a line of symbols on a slot machine (horizontal, vertical or diagonal) that can win a jackpot.
Again, make sure to check the casino’s terms and conditions carefully. In the case of no deposit bonuses, free spins bonuses are great for testing out new slot games on the market, but if the wagering (the amount of money that a player must wager before being allowed to make a cash withdrawal) is high, the chances of walking out with a decent win will be small.
No-Deposit Bonuses: Best for Playing for Free
No-deposit bonuses are well-liked with non-players (why wouldn’t they be?) and provide a small bundle of funds with no deposit required.
Seems too good to be?
Well, it absolutely is.
These bonuses allow people to get a feel for the various casino games on offer and give them the chance to test out some of the games that they find the most appealing.
No-deposit bonuses can take the form of both fixed cash sum and free spins on slot games. They are rare, but some casinos offer them without even needing a deposit!
Loyalty Bonuses: Best for Loyal Players
Loyalty bonuses, similar to loyalty programs, are designed to encourage loyal customers to keep playing. These types of bonuses may pop up once players hit certain milestones at the online casino.
Loyalty bonuses can take the form of a free spin, a point, or cash. Sometimes the casino will host a competition where the winner gets the chance to go on a paid vacation to a luxury hotel or experience a special holiday away.
Sounds relaxing, doesn’t it?
Caesars Casino offers the best loyalty bonuses where frequent players earn rewards for play, get cash back on losses, and redeem points for cash.
Reload Bonuses: Best for Returning Players
Reload bonuses are very similar to casino welcome bonuses, only for returning players.
A casino reload bonus gives players who have already made a deposit in the past a little extra attention.
Although the reload bonus is not huge, you still get value for your deposit and a little extra with the free spins, which makes all the difference, doesn’t it?
Reload bonuses give you the chance to get your money back as they are at a lower percentage, the casino wagering requirements generally tend to be lower too. But if you don’t want to play through the wagering requirements feel free to opt out.
Cashable Bonuses: Best for Cashing out Quickly
Cashable Bonuses are, as the name suggests, bonuses that can be cashed out once you’ve met the casino’s conditions.
For example, if a casino gives you a $100 cashable bonus, as soon as you’ve met the requirements, you can cash this $100 out.
Seems pretty straightforward! They aren’t.
Cashable bonuses come nicely packaged with wagering requirements: conditions placed on the bonus that dictate when you are able to make a withdrawal.
And since wagering requirements differ between casinos and between bonuses you have to read them carefully before accepting a bonus to make sure that its conditions are acceptable to you.
Non-Cashable (Sticky) Bonus: Best for Playing the Long Game
Non-cashable bonuses are a type of casino bonus that can never be cashed out, but they can be used to play and win real money. The casino gives you bonus money to play with, but you’re only able to cash out your winnings. And if you lose, you will only lose the bonus itself.
Seems fair!
This makes sticky bonuses a great way to test out a new casino or game without risking any of your own resources.
But sometimes sticky bonuses come with wagering requirements (surprise, surprise!). This means that you will need to wager a certain amount of money before you can cash out your winnings.
Refer-A-Friend: Best for Unlimited Bonuses
Have friends and family that like to play too?
Boost your bankroll by referring your friends!
These bonuses are designed to reward existing customers for every new player that they refer to them.
When a new player registers with the online casino via your link, the casino will give you a reward for your referral.
To be awarded a refer-a-friend bonus, you need to recommend the online casino to people that you know. Usually, the online casino will have a special page setup where you can send emails to people that you know.
High Roller Bonuses: Best for the Players Making Regular Large Deposits
A high roller bonus is an online casino bonus given away exclusively to players who make a huge first deposit bonus. It usually takes the form of a cash gift or a match bonus on the deposit amount.
Online casinos treat all their players equally but high rollers are a different ball game.
Online casinos love to pamper their high rollers because they deposit and wager huge amounts of cash earning the casino most of their profits.
High rollers are privy to several rewards, bonuses, and benefits as they are the lifeblood of an online casino since they can afford to deposit incredibly large sums of money and wager huge amounts without batting an eye.
Considering Taking Advantage Of Casino Bonuses? Here’s Why You Should
Casino bonuses offer loads of benefits. Here are your top reasons to get one:
- Casino bonuses may boost your bankroll as they offer more chances to play real money games, and more chances to win.
- Bonuses enable you to save your money in a variety of ways. Cashback bonuses let you reclaim some of your losses. No deposit bonuses let you play real money games without ever reaching for your credit card. Free spins can win you real money without spending a single dime.
- Bonuses often open doors for you to try out new games that you might not otherwise go for. If you get a bonus for a specific type of game, like free spins on a new slot, chances are you’ll give it a go.
- Bonuses are just a lot of fun, and we all play at online casinos for fun.
Beware Of The Negative Side Of Casino Bonuses
With all the benefits casino bonuses come with, they also have some disadvantages:
- Sometimes the casino obligates you to use the bonus money in your account first before any regular money, and you won’t be able to withdraw any winnings until you complete (or fail to complete) the outstanding wagering requirements on your bonus. This is especially time-consuming with high-value bonuses, and ones with high turnover requirements.
- Bonuses may feel like too much hassle for some players. There are players that prefer just to deposit some of their own money, play some games, and then withdraw it again if they win. Casino bonuses complicate this seemingly smooth process.
- In the case of many casinos, the terms and conditions are complicated, and it’s your responsibility to read and understand the T’s & C’s (too bad not everyone is a lawyer).
How To Claim/Redeem Casino Bonuses
It’s safe to say we’ve established that casino bonuses are great, especially for new players.
But how do you claim the best casino bonuses?
This quick and easy step-by-step guide will help you find not only the most generous casino bonuses but will also walk you through some best practices to make sure you never get a bad deal ever again.
Step 1: Find a Trustworthy Online Casino
Before starting the chase for the biggest welcome bonus you need to find highly-ranked online casinos to consider joining.
Follow our simple checklist to make sure you are choosing the most reputable online casinos:
- 📜 Has a Valid license
- 📝 Lays out the Terms & Conditions clearly
- 🎧 Provides helpful support
- 💰 Has a rich promotions page
- 💵 Pays out winnings timely
Step 2: Find the Best Casino Bonuses
Finding recommendable casinos is one feat, finding the best casino bonuses is another.
There are numerous ways you can find bonus offers and some are not as obvious as you might think.
To make sure you consider all your options, we’ve gathered a list of resources that are worth checking out before settling on a bonus.
- Visit Casino Websites
- Do an Online Search
- Check Out Casino Forums
- Use Review Websites
- Sign up for Email Newsletters
- Reach Out to Customer Support
Make sure to remember that 2 bonuses are better than 1! So always look for alternatives and never settle for the first shiny bonus you come across, there might be something way better a few simple clicks away.
Don’t forget to check our online casino bonus curated list (last updated in May 2024) of all the casinos we have reviewed.
Step 3: Sign Up, Obviously
After settling on a bonus, or even better a welcome bonus bundle, you should sign up at the casino and become a registered member as casinos do not just hand out gifts to any old internet surfer. Registration is usually free and pretty straightforward.
Step 4: Receive Your Welcome Bonus
Numerous ‘No Deposit Casinos’ offer new players a small number of bonus funds to get you started for free! Players do not normally have to deposit into their account to receive these funds, and this bonus cash will appear as either ‘Free Cash’ or ‘Bonus Funds.’ It can be used to play selected games in the casino in the Real Cash Mode.
This is an ideal way for new players to try the games in real cash mode without using their actual cash.
However, you will be able to withdraw this cash after wagering a certain amount in the casino: otherwise known as ‘Wagering Requirements’ or ‘Playthrough Requirements’ and is written in the Terms and Conditions of every online casino (read it carefully!).
Step 5: Make Your First Deposit
After giving a few games a try with your welcome bonus, it’s usually required for new players to make a deposit to be able to receive and withdraw winnings. Most casinos’ minimum deposit ranges between $5 and $20 but this is just a ballpark number so always check the amount before depositing.
Note to self: ‘Deposit Bonuses,’ or ‘Reload Bonuses’ can be redeemed by simply making a deposit into your accounts. Say there is a 100% matching deposit bonus (or something similar), this means the casino will match your deposit up to a certain amount.
You just doubled up on your first deposit!
Step 6: Know the Difference Between Bonus Offers, Bonus Codes and Promotions
Most online casinos offer various bonuses at a given time. This, in turn, makes it harder for the casino to know what bonus you want or are eligible for when registering.
To make sure you claim the best bonus available, you should know how casino bonuses, bonus codes and promotional offers differ.
| Casino Bonuses | Bonus Codes | Casino Promotions |
|---|---|---|
| Casino bonus offers are extra spins or credits on the house to play with. They may be granted to both new and existing players to attract attention and stay competitive. They can truly enhance your gambling experience by increasing the value of a deposit or giving you the opportunity to explore the casino without risk. | A bonus code is a string of letters or numbers that you need to enter to qualify for a specific online casino bonus offer. So when making a deposit or registering for an account make sure to use the correct bonus codes to be eligible for the special offer. You can usually find bonus codes in various media, including promotional emails, ads on industry websites, etc. | Promotions are enticing ‘offers’ put together by the casinos with the intention of ensuring current customers are happy and keep coming back. Although they can be used for gaining new players, promotions are usually geared towards existing players and can take the form of match prizes, giveaways, free spins, etc. |
Exposing Online Casino Bonus Terms And Conditions
It’s no surprise that players need to agree with certain terms and conditions to get a bonus.
But what are those terms everyone so willingly agrees to?
Although some of these T&Cs differ from bonus to bonus, there are some very common rules to be aware of if you don’t want unexpected surprises when trying to cash out your winnings.
| Wagering requirements | Contribution Rate | Identity verification |
|---|---|---|
| After getting a bonus, you can not withdraw the money. Players first need to play with it to ‘unlock’ the bonus money and make it available for withdrawal. Wagering requirements (WR) specify how much money you need to wager to be able to make a withdrawal. | The game contribution rate is the % which betting bonus funds on it contributes towards clearing the wagering requirement. Online slots are generally very high on the contribution rate scale. Table games are usually much lower, and it all depends on the game. | Casinos require you to verify your identity before you are allowed to withdraw any winnings/funds so using real and accurate personal information when creating an account is important. The information is usually verified by providing copies of ID and other documents. |
| Bet Size Caps | Maximum win | Cash Out Limits |
| The bet size is usually limited when playing with bonus money, with the most common max bet size being $5 or a similar value in other currencies. | In the case of bonus money, your winnings will usually be limited to a specific amount. If you happen to win more, only the amount equal to the limit will be paid out to you. The exceeding winnings will be voided. | A max cashout limit is the maximum amount you cash out from a bonus, even if you do follow the wagering requirements. It’s rare, but could easily stop you from withdrawing winnings from a free bet. |
| One bonus per person | Restricted countries | Restricted games |
| Casinos usually have strict ‘one account per person’ and ‘one bonus per person’ policies to stop attempts to take advantage of an advantageous bonus more than once. Moreover, it’s impossible to register a new account using the personal information of your family members either. | Not all casino bonuses are available to international players. Some of them may be available to players from selected countries, while others may be open to all players except for users from so-called restricted countries. | With some online casinos, bonus money may be applicable to a select few games meaning players can’t choose any casino game to play with as some games may be off-limits. |
How To Calculate The Value Of A Casino Bonus
Before accepting every casino bonus you are eligible for, let’s find out how to calculate the value of a bonus.
The formula here is pretty simple.
(Deposit+bonus) x WR = playthrough.
playthrough x house edge= loss
Loss – (deposit+bonus) = +-
if the result is a positive integer, you’re making a profit. If it’s negative, it’s an overall loss.
Example: 100% up to $200 Bonus with 25x WR
You deposit $200 and get a $200 free deposit match. The deposit+bonus is $400 with 25x WR. You find an eligible game to play with a 97.5% RTP* (2.5% house edge).
200 x 35 = 10,000 play-through
$10,000 x 0.025 = $250 in losses
$200 – $250 = -$50 loss
“Return to Player” – represents the amount of money a player can expect to win from their bets in casino slots or other games
Unfortunately, this is a losing online casino bonus! You can expect to lose $50 after wagering requirements are met.
As the example shows, calculating the profitability of a given bonus is not so simple. It’s no doubt a combination of factors that you need to consider, carefully. A lower WR won’t save you if the house edge is too high. Similarly, a high RTP isn’t beneficial if they require exorbitant WR.
Key Takeaways
Make the most of online casino bonuses by following this short checklist:
- Find licensed and trustworthy online casinos
- Browse the internet for the best online casino bonus offers
- Always look for alternatives, even if you think you found the biggest offer
- Check the wagering requirements and what games count towards it
- Calculate the value by using our handy calculator
- Read the Terms and Conditions every single time
- Claim the best new player bonus and have fun!
