Are online casino bonuses as good as they seem?

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Written By Alina

Online casino bonuses are one of the biggest factors casino players consider before choosing where to put their money. For many players, a good online casino offers the best way to get quicker and bigger profits. But are these online casino bonuses as good as they seem? This article explains the different types, and the terms and conditions associated with online casino bonuses. 

Types of online casino bonuses

Online casinos use bonuses as a tool to convince new players to join their platform. They usually aim to offer unbeatable bonuses to secure new members and maintain existing players. These bonuses are available in various packages, including:

Welcome bonuses

Welcome bonuses are by far the most popular online casino bonus. While not all online casinos run welcome offer promotions, a large majority of them design fixed and sometimes variable welcome packages for new users. Welcome bonuses are activated when a player makes a deposit that is valid. Valid deposits are those that meet the minimum deposit requirements to qualify for a bonus at an online casino. 

The bonus works by matching a percentage of the deposit amount up to a certain amount. For example, if a player is trying to claim some Norwegian casino bonuses that include a welcome offer of 100% match up to $500, it means the player gets a bonus amount that is the same as what they deposited. However, the maximum amount the casino will match would be $500. To browse some of the best online casino bonus on the market you can visit norskecasinobonuser.com  this is a great resource to have for beginners and experienced players a like!  Some online casinos offer outstanding welcome bonuses of up to 5 Bitcoin and thousands of dollars, which makes them seem like an exciting catch for newbies. Even though it’s good to remain positive about the prospects of online casino bonuses, there’s always a caveat to note!

No deposit bonuses

No deposit bonuses are not common due to their nature. Players receiving a no deposit bonus are not required to make a deposit before claiming and using the bonus. The casino may provide a small amount of bonus cash that players use to bet. The most common no deposit bonuses are in the form of free spins, which are only suitable for slot games.

Online casinos use free spins to give new players the chance to try out their platform without risking their own money. But while players can use their no deposit bonus to win some cash, most bettors usually end up having to deposit before withdrawing their winnings. You’ll find more on this in the terms and conditions section.

It is also worth adding that it’s safer to use only bonuses offered by sites operating under regulatory authorities like the UK Gambling Commission and the Malta Gaming Authority, and others of similar standing. 

Free spins

Online casinos offer free spins in a number of ways: they can be included as part of a welcome package, used to stir action from inactive players as part of a reload bonus, or offered as a standalone promotion. Casino bonuses with a high number of spins are usually a great catch for slot players, making them a top marketing tool.

Reload bonuses

Reload bonuses are designed specifically for existing players and are usually geared toward ensuring that players remain on the platform. They are similar to welcome bonuses and offer deposit rewards. Existing users can activate reload bonuses if their deposit meets the minimum deposit requirement for claiming the bonus. Players who prefer online casinos with robust loyalty programs will often opt for those with comprehensive reload bonuses.

Understanding online casino bonus terms and conditions

Getting a 150% match bonus up to $2,500 may sound exciting, but knowing the terms and conditions surrounding the bonus is key to determining if the bonus is as good as it seems. There are three major factors to consider: the wagering requirements, time limits and withdrawal limits.

Wagering requirements

Every online casino sets a wagering requirement for each bonus. The wagering requirements define how much money a player must wager in total before they can withdraw any winnings from their bonus. Wagering requirements can be as low as 1x, which is more popular in sweepstake casinos, and as high as 75x. Knowing how wagering requirements affect how easy it is to cash out from a bonus is important before choosing a casino based on its bonus offers.

For example, a 20x wagering requirement on a $100 deposit means a player must wager 20 times their $100 deposit, which equals $2,000, before they can withdraw any winnings from their bonus. This means the player must place bets worth $2,000 in total before becoming eligible to withdraw any winnings. A higher wagering requirement means the player must wager more, and this can be challenging, especially when trying to keep any cash already won. Sometimes the wagering requirements apply both to the bonus and the deposit, which makes cashing out even more challenging.

Another caveat is how different casino games contribute to the wagering requirement. In most casinos, any wagered amount on slot games contributes 100% to the wagering requirement, but the same does not apply to table games like baccarat. Most online casinos set table games to only contribute 10% and sometimes zero toward a wagering requirement. Players with a stronger preference for table games may find that it’s nearly impossible to clear a wagering requirement without resorting to playing slot games.

Time limits

Online casinos usually have a validity period for bonuses. This is usually between seven and 21 days; however, free spins are usually valid for 24 to 72 hours. Due to the time limit on a bonus, players may struggle to meet the wagering requirement in time before the bonus expires and becomes void.

Withdrawal limits

Even after a player meets the wagering requirements for a bonus, they must meet the withdrawal limits before they can cash out their winnings. This can be challenging for players who want to bet on a budget, as this often means they have to keep placing wagers, and in some cases deposit more funds to meet the withdrawal limits. So, while a casino bonus may appear appealing, the withdrawal limits may be off-putting.

What makes casino bonuses worth claiming

Online casino bonuses are great when the terms and conditions are favorable for players. The best bonuses have low wagering requirements, usually between 1x and 15x. The time limit on meeting the wagering requirements shouldn’t be too short, in order to allow sufficient time to claim the winnings from the bonus. Finally, the withdrawal limits shouldn’t be too high, allowing players to cash out their bonuses without risking more funds.

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