Casino Bonuses Explained Simply: A Pocket Guide for Novices

I remember the excitement of starting my online wagering journey 7 years ago. It felt like every casino was offering something for free, and I eagerly jumped at every opportunity. However, it didn’t take long for the reality of wagering requirements and other terms to sink in. What seemed free wasn’t really free. So I had to learn the ins-outs of casino bonuses. And yes, that was a bit of a shock. But the knowledge has proven invaluable and that’s exactly why I want to share it today. I know that many readers are new to gambling so maybe just maybe my experience will be of use to some of you.

Welcome Bonuses

Welcome bonuses are the first type of casino bonus you usually get. They give it to new players as a big hello from the casino. In 99% of cases, it includes a match on your first deposit. For example, they often give you a 100% match bonus. What does this mean? This means they add the same amount to your account as you’ve deposited. If you’ve deposited $300, you’ll have $600 in your account, and so on. Sometimes, the welcome offer extends to several first deposits. For example, at Rooli online casino, you keep receiving welcome rewards — 50-100% match deposit bonuses and free spins — with your first FOUR deposits.

Such bonuses often come with conditions (of course!!). The most important conditions are wagering (or rollover) requirements. They require you to wager a certain amount before you request a withdrawal.

Free Spins

Free spins are exactly what you think — free rounds on slot games. Casinos often include them in your welcome package. Plus, they are super popular rewards for existing players. While you don’t have to pay to spin, winnings usually come with wagering requirements. Free spins are a 10/10 way to try out new slots!

Reload Bonuses

Reload bonuses are for existing players and work much like welcome bonuses. They offer a percentage match on deposits made after the initial one. These bonuses are supposed to keep you coming back (and they are often pretty successful in that). Such bonuses are usually less generous than welcome treats. And still, they increase your playing funds which is generally good.

Cashback

These return you what you’ve lost (okay, only part of it). That can be a daily/weekly/monthly offer or alternative promotions like Piggy Banks that you can break whenever you need an extra dollar. If you lose $100 and the cashback rate is 10%, you’d get $10 back.

Rakeback

Rakeback is like cashback (almost) but it is specific to poker. Every casino takes a rake (a fee) for hosting a poker game. So as the name suggests, rakeback returns this fee to you. This is why all poker players love it so much. I’d say it’s really more straightforward and so to say tangible than all other casino bonuses.

No-deposit Bonuses

No-deposit bonuses are a rare treat. They offer a small bonus amount just for signing up. So you are expected to sign up but NOT expected to deposit. And that’s the key difference with it. In fact, you test a casino without any investment. However, the bonus usually comes with high wagering requirements and restrictions on withdrawing winnings.

Loyalty and VIP Perks

For players who stick with a casino long-term, loyalty, and VIP programs are very very attractive. These can include higher bonuses, exclusive promotions, personal account managers, and more. The more you play, the higher you climb in the VIP ranks, and the better the rewards become.

T&Cs Reading Time: What to Check

One smart thing you can do is to make it a habit to understand the terms & conditions of a bonus. Always. Use the checklist below for this.

• Wagering Requirements: How many times will you need to wager before you can request your wins?
• Expiration Dates: How long does the bonus work?
• Eligible Games: Which games can you play with this bonus?
• Minimum and Maximum Wagers: How much can you wager per round?
• Maximum Win and Maximum Withdrawal Amount: How much you can win or withdraw from bonus winnings?
• Withdrawal of Bonus Funds: Can you withdraw the wins at all? Sometimes, casinos won’t let you withdraw, yeah. They may instead add the money to your account and block it from withdrawals, so your only way to use it will be on more games. It’s better to check beforehand…
• Eligibility: Can YOU (as a new player/as a player from a certain country, etc.) claim the bonus?

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So you now know all about it. You understand (hopefully) how bonuses work and how they can increase your chances of success. Some offers are certainly more profitable than others and that’s probably the main thing to keep in mind about it.