Bonuses are the talk of town in the online gambling industry. Why? Because they can get you FREE money without the risk of losing! It’s a win/win proposition for both the casino and the player because it gives players a chance to try out a casino at no cost and it also helps the casinos bring in new players. Casino sites know how to use bonuses to their advantage, and in this guide, we’ll tell you the best ways to put that FREE money to good use.
Each gaming site can claim that it offers the most lucrative bonus of all time. That is rarely the case, but if you find a casino bonus that looks too good to ignore, we’ll help you learn how to pick out the good from the bad and the ugly.
Want to learn more? Check out all of the great articles below to great tips on getting, and using, no deposit bonuses at online casinos. Plus, you’ll get the best strategy tips for playing at online casinos!
How to Claim an Online Casino Bonus
Claiming an online casino bonus is the easiest part. It’s written right there on the flashy banner or in the terms if you start digging. Casinos usually have the terms explosively written on big banners so you can claim the offer with ease. How the process goes depends on the bonus. For example, welcome bonuses are only available on your first deposit or without it in the case of a no deposit bonus.
- Deposit bonuses will need you to make a deposit to get the boost.
- Free spins come either attached to another bonus or on their own. Unlike money bonuses, they have different requirements and should be used in a shorter period.
- No deposit bonuses are what the name says. They can be claimed without a deposit, but you should most likely opt-in to accept the offer or use a bonus code.
- Loyalty rewards are only for the most loyal players. These programs offer exclusive rewards, but can only be claimed by VIPs according to their level.
Even if you’re a beginner, you shouldn’t worry. Casino bonuses are typically easy to claim, and if you have any doubts, a glance at the terms should clear them up immediately.
Bonus Terms and Conditions
What you need to know about casino bonuses is that they’re not free money as advertised. On the contrary, they come with a list of nooks and crannies you need to keep an eye on. Claiming the bonus is the simplest thing. Using it to your advantage and clearing your winnings is the harder part.
Every bonus has a set of rules you must follow called terms and conditions (T&Cs). This is the fine print no one of us wants to read, but like they say, the devil is in the details. In the paragraphs below, we’ll tell you the most important stuff about the T&Cs you need to know.
- Wagering requirements: the wagering is the most important part of the terms. It is represented by a number in the format 10x which shows you the number of times you have to wager the bonus over to claim your winnings. If you, for example, get a $100 bonus with wagering of 20x, you have to wager a total of $2,000 before you can ask for a withdrawal. Requesting your winnings earlier will result in forfeited bonus money.
- Period of completion: you can’t complete the wagering requirements any time you like. In most cases, you’ll only have a month or less than that. When you claim a bonus and you start working through it, you better pay attention to the time you have, or you’ll lose it all.
- Eligible games: not all games will be eligible for the bonus money. Most bonuses can only be wagered on slots, with other games contributing far less.
- Bet and win limits: casino bonuses have bet and win limits that prevent you from spending the full amount at once. For example, you might see the bet capped at $5, with the win limit at $1,000. Win caps are more common for free spins bonuses than deposit bonuses or other casino offers.
These are not the only bonus terms you should keep an eye on. It’s best to explore the terms in depth and see what kind of catches there might be that could prevent you from winning money with your bonus funds.
Tips and Tricks to Get the Most Out of Your Casino Bonus
As mentioned at the beginning of this article, there are plenty of tips and tricks that will help you learn how to get the most out of your bonus funds. Because that’s what we’re all looking for – how to put the bonus money to best use. This doesn’t just mean picking a bonus and playing it to complete the wagering.
If you’re smart about it and follow these tips, you’ll always pick the best offers and put them to good use. Which will, essentially, translate to bonus winnings.
Find the Best Bonus Per Your Needs
Not every bonus will fit your playing style or bankroll. For example, free spins ain’t gonna cut it for players who are big blackjack fans. In that case, it’s better to go with a deposit bonus. High rollers will also be looking for bigger bonus offers, and those are available via specific high roller promos.
If you know your preferences, you should know what kind of bonus suits you well. The good news is that online casinos these days like to shake things up. Instead of sticking to one bonus type, they offer different promotions which should be more than enough to fit the wants and needs of all kinds of players.
Definitely Look into This Gift Horse in the Mouth
While the saying goes ‘Don’t look a gift horse in the mouth’, that doesn’t apply in this case. This is a gift horse you should look into the mouth for any rotten teeth. The reality is that casino bonuses can also have bombastic headlines with no real value behind them.
Here’s an example: what’s the point of a $5,000 bonus if you need to wager it 50 times? That’s a lot of money to be spent to claim winnings, so this bonus is only probable for high rollers. Casinos need to be more honest about the wagering requirements and how valuable their offers truly are. A good bonus will give you reasonable sums of money and low wagering requirements. It won’t have low caps on winning amounts, nor will it have unfair terms that will make getting winnings out mission impossible.
Read the Terms
We can’t stress how important it is to always read the casino bonus terms. This is of key importance if you’d really like to learn the value of a bonus. Nothing is ever free in a casino, and that can be said about bonuses and promotions these days. No matter how good an offer might look, the terms can weigh it down. Players aren’t interested in reading the fine print, but a massive bonus won’t do you a lot of good if the wagering is too high.
Always read the fine print and make sure to give the terms a read before you claim a bonus. There are bonuses with fair terms out there, and it’s up to you to recognize and claim them all. Thanks to our tips, you can do that easily.
Don’t Miss Special Offers
Many players overlook those timed promotions that are truly worth claiming. It’s a case of not seeing the forest for the trees. Among all those bonuses, special promos find it tough to stand out, but those are the bonuses you should really claim. These special deals may be pack of free spins with low or no wagering, a no deposit bonus, or another kind of great promo offer you won’t find in regular bonus territory.
They may or may not require special bonus codes, but even if they do, you can easily redeem them. Claim these offers as you only have a tight window to do so. If you don’t get them, other players will, and they’ll have more fun than you.
Focus on the Eligible Games
If you read the terms and conditions in depth you’ll see that the bonus is not eligible on all games in a casino. They rarely are. In most cases, 100% of bets on slots will count toward the wagering. However, if you’re a blackjack or roulette fan, tough luck. These games typically contribute only about 10% or 20% to the wagering, and if you do your bonus spending on them alone, you will have a hard time claiming your winnings.
That’s why it’s important to read the terms. See which games you should focus on and spend your bonus on them – that’s the best way of converting those funds to real money.
Remember to Have Fun
Overthinking can often ruin your time in a casino, even when playing with a bonus. Remember that the most important thing is to have fun. You’re going to have more fun playing with a bonus instead of spending money from your bankroll, so enjoy the games and don’t overthink.
You should keep in mind that you don’t have full control over the games. Luck plays a big part in gambling, and you shouldn’t be obsessed about your losses or chase them. Just remember to have fun and you might win more than you thought in the first place.
Conclusion
Casino bonuses are easy to use if you read our guide. While you should stick to the rules, our tips and tricks will allow you to put the bonus money to good use. Not every bonus is the same, and if you want to get the most out of it, you should follow our instructions.
Once again – it’s important to just enjoy yourself and have fun. Don’t think of it as a job – just stick to the rules and don’t obsess over losing or winning. That’s the best way to enjoy your bonuses and promotions.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I Cash Out a Casino Bonus Without Actually Playing?
Casino bonuses can never be cashed out until you complete the wagering requirements. Using a casino bonus comes with a set of rules you must follow. Break any of them or miss the terms in the timeframe, and you will forfeit your bonus.
Should I get a casino bonus?
Absolutely, but only if the terms are fair. That’s why you should read the terms and conditions. It doesn’t make sense to roll a $500 bonus 75 times to get capped winnings out, so find and use bonuses you can actually put to good use.
Are casino bonuses free?
No, they aren’t. Casino bonuses are subject to strict terms that you must comply to unless you want to lose the bonus funds. There might be an occasional free cash bonus on offer, but those are as rare as a unicorn.
Which games can I spend an online casino bonus on?
You can check the list of eligible games under the T&Cs. In most cases, you can only wager your bonus fully on slots, with other games excluded.
