The ultimate guide to claiming online casino bonuses
Who doesn’t love online casino bonuses?! Whether you’re a new player or a casino regular, bonuses are one of the best features of gambling online. Free money to boost your bankroll, courtesy of your online casino.
But while online casino bonuses are hugely rewarding, they also come with certain terms and guidelines as well. And you’ll need to be aware of what these are in order to claim them successfully.
Want to get the most out of your online casino bonus? Then read on! We’ll take you through the different types of bonuses available, how to claim them successfully, and what to look out for before you click ‘Accept’. Ready, set, claim!
What are online casino bonuses?
Let’s start at the beginning. If you’re new to online casino gambling, you’re probably new to online casino bonuses too, so let’s give you a quick rundown.
Essentially, casino bonuses are incentives offered to players to encourage them to sign up with a particular casino, and to keep them playing regularly. From free spins to no deposit bonuses and more, online casino bonuses come in all shapes and sizes – and understanding exactly how they work is key to claiming them successfully. So let’s take a closer look.
Common types of online casino bonuses
1. Welcome bonus
This is the big one – literally. Welcome bonuses are hugely generous, and made so by design, as they’re a casino’s biggest incentive to new users to sign up and play. Typical welcome bonuses include:
A certain number of free spins on a specific game or games
A free casino chip for registering
A match bonus (where the casino will match your first deposit up to a certain percentage)
Best for: First-time players looking to boost their bankrolls quickly and easily.
What you need to know: Welcome bonuses are your chance to hit the ground running as a new online casino player, so it’s in your best interests to get the biggest bang for your buck. Compare the offers across a few different casinos, do some research into which ones offer the most value, and only claim your welcome bonus once you’re sure it’s the best deal for you.
2. Match bonus
It’s a casino classic and one that you’ll find on offer at most reputable online casinos – either for new players, regular players, or both. Unlike free spins or no deposit bonuses, match bonuses do require you to use your own money to make a deposit first – however the boost to your bankroll from the casino’s side can often make the initial investment more than worth it.
Here’s how match bonuses work:
Let’s say you’re claiming a 100% match bonus up to $500
You deposit the max of $500 into your account
The casino will then match that amount 100% with the same value in bonus cash, giving you another $500 in your account
You’ll then have a total of $1,000 in your bankroll – $500 from you, and $500 from the casino!
Some casinos will even take the match deposit one step further by giving you a tiered bonus over multiple deposits, such as:
A 100% match bonus on your first deposit
A 50% match bonus on your second deposit
A 25% match bonus on your third deposit
So the more deposits you make, the more bonus cash you’ll be able to claim!
Best for: Online casino players who plan on making a series of deposits and playing regularly.
What you need to know: While match bonuses are a fantastic way to boost your bankroll, remember that you still need to be managing your finances effectively at the same time. If you’re not able to deposit the max amount in order to receive the max bonus back from the casino, then don’t strain your finances unnecessarily. Rather calculate how much you can afford to spend on your bonus, and stick to that amount. Real winners are the ones who prioritise bankroll management above all.
3. No deposit bonus
What if you’re looking for free cash from the casino? No deposit needed on your part, just money in your account as a thank you for registering. Does that kind of bonus even exist?
Yes it does, and it’s called a no deposit bonus! This type of bonus is equivalent to the casino giving you a free chip of X amount to play with, and no deposit needed on your part. It’s free cash in your account, just for signing up. Score!
Best for: New players who want to try out a particular casino with no risk attached.
What you need to know: No deposit bonuses are typically smaller than other types of welcome bonuses, e.g. $10, $15 or $25 free. What’s more, they also come with strict conditions attached, either on the wagering requirements, the qualifying games you need to play, or both. While no deposit bonuses are always hugely exciting to claim, don’t forget to read the terms and conditions first – it’ll be in your best interests to know all the ins and outs of the bonus before you sign up for it.
4. Free spins bonus
It’s right there in the name so this type of bonus shouldn’t come as a surprise. A free spins bonus is exactly what it sounds like – a number of complimentary spins given away by an online casino to be used on a specific slot or slots. These can be given away as welcome bonuses to new players, or as promotions for regular players.
Even better, some online casinos offer their players ‘free spins for life’, giving them a fixed number of free spins every day for a certain amount of time after registering. Sign us up!
Best for: Online slots lovers looking to join a new casino or try out new games.
What you need to know: Free spins bonuses always come with game requirements attached, so make sure you check which game or games you need to play in order to successfully claim your bonus. Also make sure you follow the wagering requirements precisely before you try to request a cashout. Reading the fine print is key!
5. Cashback bonus
No one likes losing money at the casino – but what if there was a way to mitigate those losses and lessen the impact on your bankroll?
That’s what the cashback bonus is all about – an incentive that refunds a certain percentage of your losses (usually between 5% and 20%) as bonus money. Cashback bonuses are usually offered either daily or weekly to regular players, or are tied to specific games or events.
For example, a casino’s cashback bonus offering could look like:
10% cashback on slot losses every Monday
15% cashback on table game losses every Wednesday
20% cashback on your total losses for the weekend
Best for: Regular players who enjoy online gambling but prefer a more cautious approach to their casino experience.
What you need to know: While cashback bonuses do act as a safety net if you’re ever having a bad day, it’s important to remember that they can’t cancel out an entire losing streak. If you’re claiming a cashback bonus and find that you’re not having the best day at the casino, don’t carry on playing in the hopes of getting more of your losses back as bonus cash. Instead, manage your bankroll the same as you would on any other day – avoid chasing your losses and walk away while your funds are still in a decent state.
6. Loyalty & VIP bonuses
While you might think that new players have all the fun with huge welcome bonuses, it’s once you become a regular player that the excitement really kicks off!
That’s because the more you play, the more perks you’ll qualify for through your casino’s loyalty programme – an incentive that rewards your gaming with perks like points, cashback, exclusive bonuses, and even real-world gifts.
What’s more, if you deposit and play enough to qualify as a VIP, you’ll benefit from huge advantages like:
A personal account manager
Tailored bonus offers
Faster withdrawals
Higher limits
Invitation-only events and tournaments
Best for: High rollers or frequent players who can afford to play at the casino regularly.
What you need to know: Most online casino loyalty programmes feature a tiered structure. With bigger and better perks available the higher you go. While loyalty programmes can be hugely rewarding for regular players. Always remember to keep your budget in mind every time you log on. Although the various perks and bonuses at higher levels can be tempting. Never play with more than you can afford to spend in order to move up the ranks. Instead, keep your budget in mind, play smart. And reap the rewards of responsible gambling instead.
How to claim your online casino bonus
Now that you know more about the various types of online casino bonus available. It’s time to go about claiming one! While the procedure can differ depending on the casino and the bonus you’re claiming. A typical process usually follows these steps:
Register your new online casino account, or log into your casino if you already have one
Check the casino’s promotions page to view any available bonuses
Once you find a bonus you’re interested in, read the terms and conditions first
Enter a bonus code if needed. Or make a qualifying deposit if required
Claim or activate your bonus wherever necessary. Usually either via the cashier, or in a specified place on the promotions page
It’s worth noting that some casino bonuses will be automatically credited to you, while others will require you to manually opt in, so make sure you know exactly what’s needed from you before making any kind of deposit. If you have any questions or if there’s anything you’re not sure of. Make sure to contact the casino’s support team for clarification first.
Bonus terms and conditions to look out for
Don’t get caught out! Always make sure you read the terms and conditions before you claim any kind of online casino bonus, as it’s here where you’ll find all the fine print you need to follow. Make sure to look out for important guidelines such as:
1. Wagering requirements
These are vital to understanding whether a bonus is reasonable or not. As they’ll tell you how many times you need to play through your bonus amount before being able to request a cashout.
For example, a $500 bonus with a 30x wagering requirement means that you must wager $15,000 in total before being able to cash out.
You may also be required to wager both your bonus and your deposit amount as well, so read carefully to make sure you’re aware of all the requirements. And how they work. High bonus wagering requirements, such as 50x, can make cashing out difficult. So bear this in mind before you stake your claim.
Know the restrictions of the game you are playing
2. Game restrictions
Not all games are created equal when it comes to contributing towards wagering requirements. Most online casinos will require you to play certain games in order to fulfil the requirements. With slots often contributing 100%. But table games sometimes counting for only 10% or less.
Before you sign up for a bonus, first check which games your bonus wagering requirements will allow you to play. And which games contribute either a lower percentage, or nothing at all. Knowledge is power!
3. Maximum bet limits
Think you can place bigger bets to try and work through your wagering requirements quicker? Not always. Some online casinos will often limit how much you’re allowed to bet per spin or per game while playing through your bonus funds. Make sure you’re aware of any kind of maximum bet limit that may apply to your bonus. As exceeding this may void it.
Don’t forget about time!
4. Time limits
It’s important to remember that bonus offers have expiration dates, usually anywhere from between 7 to 30 days. So you can’t claim a bonus and then meet the wagering requirements at your leisure . You’ve only got a certain amount of time to fulfil all the bonus terms and conditions before it expires.
Check to see how long you have to claim your bonus, and make sure you meet all the requirements in plenty of time. If you don’t use it, you’ll lose it!
5. Maximum cashouts
As fun as it sounds, online casinos won’t allow you to simply claim a bonus and then withdraw it. They have to make their money back somehow! That’s why some bonuses, particularly no deposit bonuses, often set a cap on much you’re able to withdraw from your bonus winnings. For example, even if you win $1,000 using your bonus. You might only be allowed to cash out a maximum amount of $500.
So don’t go into your bonus claiming era thinking about all the thousands you’ll be able to withdraw. You’ll only end up being disappointed. Check the terms and conditions first to manage your expectations. And make sure you’re always aware of exactly how much your bonus will reward you with.
Pro tips to getting the most from your casino bonus
Here’s a quickfire breakdown of everything you need to know to get the most bonus bang for your buck:
Always read the terms and conditions first. It’s boring, but it’s worth it. Trust.
Choose low-wagering or no-wager bonuses when possible. These are the most player-friendly offers available, and they’ll give you the best opportunity for keeping your winnings.
Stick to games that contribute 100% to the wagering requirements. Even if you’re a table games fiend, if slots are what you need to play to meet your bonus requirements quickly. Then that’s what you’ll need to play. Don’t waste your time and money on games that won’t count.
Always keep track
Track your progress. Want to know how far you’ve come with your wagering requirements? It’s easy to lose track, but some casinos have resources to help you out. If your online casino offers any kind of bonus tracker, use it!
Don’t claim too many bonuses at once. We know it’s tempting, but claiming every bonus you see is a rookie mistake. Some bonuses can overlap or complicate withdrawals. And some can impact your bankroll if you try to claim too many at the same time. Rather claim one and meet the wagering requirements successfully first before jumping to the next.
It’s time for you to claim your online casino bonus!
From welcome bonuses to match bonuses, free spins, cashback and more. The world of online casino offers is a rich and rewarding one. Whether you’re starting out as a new player and claiming your very first bonus. Or raking in the loyalty rewards as a regular, casino promotions are a thrilling addition to your gambling journey.
So make sure you always get the most out of every bonus offer that comes your way. Be smart, keep a clear head, and always have fun. That’s the real bonus to gambling online!