Successful marketing tool casinos are using to catch the eyes of new players as well as to retain existing players is offering various types of bonuses and promotions. Casino bonuses in particular, are ‘free money’ given by casino operators to both new and regular players. They can use the bonus money to play online or , table games, video poker, blackjack, etc. They come in various forms and sizes.
But how ‘free’ they actually are? This article takes a closer look at the types of casino bonuses and how they actually work. It also breaks down their terms and conditions.
Types of Casino Bonuses and How They Work
In order to explain how they work, let’s first consider the most common types of casino bonuses. There are no deposit bonuses, free play, free spins bonuses, welcome bonuses, deposit bonuses, refer-a-friend bonuses, high roller bonuses, VIP bonuses and loyalty bonuses. With the exception of no deposit bonuses, all other types require players to make a casino deposit. Afterwards, casinos usually match the deposit to a certain percentage or amount. Bonuses can be used on slots or other games of luck as well as on games of skill such as blackjack. If you like playing blackjack and want to claim free bonus money on this game, we suggest that you read these fun facts about blackjack.
A very common casino bonus is a 100% welcome match bonus up to $100. This means that players must make a qualifying initial deposit to claim the bonus. Once claimed, players must play it according to its terms and conditions. That’s why it is always advisable to read the fine print of casino bonuses.
Terms and Conditions
These are in fact rules and restrictions of casino bonuses and reveal how ‘free’ a bonus is. By comparing them to similar bonus types you can tell how generous a bonus is and whether or not it is worth claiming. The bonus terms and conditions often include information such as the minimum deposit required to claim a bonus, its playthrough or wagering requirements, eligible games that can be played with the bonus, the bonus duration and so on. They are generally easy to meet, but the tricky part is usually the bonus wagering restrictions which are going to be explained below.
Wagering Requirements
Playthrough requirements refer to the number of times a bonus and/or a deposit must be played on eligible games before you request a cashout. No deposit casino bonuses usually have higher wagering (around 50 times) than deposit bonuses (they often have 30x wagering both deposit and bonus amount). Moreover, not only you must play through the bonus and/or deposit, you must also use the free bonus money on eligible or partially eligible games. If you wager or non eligible games, your bonus and associated winnings will be void.
In most cases, eligible casino games that count 100% towards meeting the wagering requirements are slots and scratch cards, but this depends on the type of bonus. Partially eligible games or games that count a certain smaller percentage toward the wagering are video pokers and particular table or card games. Progressives are often ineligible, but there are casinos that give fee bonus money to play them. To get the best of your money and have an enjoyable experience with casino bonuses, always make sure you understand their terms and conditions, particularly their wagering restrictions.
