One of the reasons why players prefer online casinos over land-based venues is the availability of calculated bonuses designed to keep players engaged. These bonuses allow players to extend their gameplay or improve their wins with no extra cost to their pockets. Still, without the right information, it might be difficult for players to truly take advantage of the wealth of bonuses out there. This guide is designed to help players understand these bonuses and where to find them.
How to find the right casino bonus
Most players do not actively search for bonuses. They only come across a few through market ads or on the homepage of their favourite casino platform. Experts in this lane know they need to do deep research and read reviews on their bonuses to truly select the ones that work best for them.
The most suitable place to find the best free bets is to check honest review websites that pool these platforms together. There, you can easily review a number of gambling destinations at once. They highlight the key details of each platform so you don’t have to go through that stress. The only thing you need to do is ask yourself three basic questions to see if a particular bonus offer is right for you:
- Is this free or does it require me to spend?
- Is the bonus available in my region?
- Can I cash out wins with this bonus?
The answers to these questions will tell you whether or not a casino bonus will benefit you.
Bonus size and type
Bonuses differ, even within the same category. No deposit bonuses, for instance, do not require any purchase and provide players with free funds, free bets or free spins. Deposit bonuses often add a percentage of the deposit and some free bets. The amount offered is also important, since most casinos offer welcome promotions with capped amounts and discounts off purchases for new players.
Larger bonuses are attractive but typically have more conditions than smaller bonuses. Some bonuses are reserved for players who deposit certain amounts or who have consistently played for a minimum period. Knowing how these bonuses work will help you choose between casinos and their promotions.
Wagering requirements
You must know that casinos use bonuses and promotions as marketing strategies to reward and attract players. This is why all bonuses have wagering requirements, which specify the number of times you must bet the bonus before withdrawing winnings. Wagering requirements vary from one bonus to another and across casinos; the lower the better, since it makes it easier to convert the bonus into real money.
The wagering may also apply to only the bonus or the bonus plus deposit. Where wagering requirements exclude the deposit, you can easily convert the bonus to winnings, and withdraw money. You should also confirm the impact of games on wagering requirements. Games like slots and live games can contribute 100% of wagering requirements.
Validity period
All bonuses are time-limited and are often non-extendable. For instance, most welcome bonuses are valid for up to 14 days from activation. VIP bonuses such as cashbacks may last 72 hours. Some bonuses are season-specific; holiday bonuses such as Easter and Christmas remain valid throughout the period.
Tracking validity periods of casino bonuses helps players to stay within wagering requirements and to maximise bonuses. The best free bets have fair validity periods, typically 72 hours. This allows you to select games and play at a comfortable pace.
Eligible games
Although most bonuses are free, it makes sense to limit free bets and some other bonuses to specific games. Not all games are eligible for bonuses, for various reasons. The bonuses are usually unlocked when you play exclusive games but may also be given as part of a welcome package when you sign up at a casino.
Deposit and cashout conditions
Beyond the wagering requirements, casino bonuses may have a minimum deposit requirement for players to claim them. 100%-200% match on deposit bonuses that require two or three times the minimum deposit are generally more profitable. You also need to evaluate the maximum cashout requirement. Some casinos offer bonuses but set low caps on winnings generated by the bonus. It is best to choose casinos with high or no maximum cashout limits so you can theoretically have no limits on your potential winnings.
Go technical with a casino bonus calculator
An online bonus calculator is a useful tool to help you estimate the true value of a bonus. The calculator considers the type of bonus, the deposit amount, bonus percentage, wagering requirements, game contributions and validity to assess bonuses. With this, you can spot bonuses that you prefer and those you should pass on.
Use the web as a tool
Every organization knows that bonuses and rewards are important, even in a business setting. Evaluating bonuses, however, is tricky if you don’t know what to look for. Consider the type of bonus, wagering conditions, time limits and cashout conditions. Explore online review platforms and reputable bonus pickers that test and recommend casinos to find the best ones.
