There are few modern business success stories that can compare to the meteoric rise of the online casino. Internationally, online casinos are expanding and turning record profits year on year. The perfect conditions, it seems, have aligned for the industry to flourish. Progressive law making in many countries has allowed more space for gaming providers to operate
Online casino games are also perfectly suited to the app and smartphone explosion of recent years. The simple mechanics of the software make for ideal apps that are quick to learn for newcomers to the pastime and have striking similarities with popular traditional casual video games. Due to the unprecedented growth of the sector, the industry has become a highly competitive place. And in turn, online providers are quick to try a variety of methods to attract new custom to their platforms.
We’ve put together a beginners guide to help you navigate the world of casino bonuses and promotions:
No deposit bonuses
The simplest promotion a casino might offer is on first sight is no strings attached money! But there is always at least some small print so make sure you understand fully the stipulations.
A no deposit bonus is credited to your online wallet without having to add any of your own cash. The conditions are usually that the credit cannot be withdrawn without wagering requirements being met and often that they must be spent on a certain table game or slot.
Wagering requirements
The total amount of money required to be wagered before a withdrawal can be approved. A wagering requirement is usually displayed in the form of a multiplier.
This is to say a no deposit bonus may be $50 and the wagering requirement might be 10x that. Therefore, a player must wager a total of $500 in order to cash out.
If you’re unlucky enough to hit a losing streak while using your initial $50 gift, you will have to add your own funds to your bankroll to continue playing—probably the biggest point of contention for newcomers to understand.
To further complicate matters, wagering requirements might be satisfied by varying percentages depending on which section of the online casino you are playing in.
For example:
- 100% of slots wagers could contribute to your wagering requirement.
- 50% of money spent on blackjack.
- 30% on roulette.
In the above example, you’d need to run through twice as many blackjack hands as online slots spins and more still roulette rounds to satisfy your wagering requirements. It may also be that table games only contribute towards the total.
A fair wagering requirement would be less than 40x. We wouldn’t be interested if the number is any higher than that but keep a look out for lower figures like 20x.
Deposit matching
Similar to no deposit bonuses, providers will double your initial deposit with a deposit match up to a certain upper limit. Like no deposit bonuses there will be some sort of requirement, wagering or otherwise, that will have to be met to cash out but because it’s not ‘money for nothing’, these conditions are usually not as difficult to meet.
Free spins
A common sign-up bonus you’re likely to see is some number of free spins. These are associated with the website’s selection of virtual slot machines. It could be that these free spins are no deposit bonuses or you may have to make a specified payment to qualify. Make sure you’re familiar with the fruit machine chosen so your free spins don’t go to waste.
Usually free spins are offered to new players but also keep an eye out for promotional codes open to existing players. Free spins are also likely subject to similar wagering requirements, so once again, make sure you read the small print.
VIP Rewards
As a beginner, the VIP and high roller areas of online casinos might not be the first place you’ll think of visiting but VIP rewards can be hugely scaled up versions of their standard counterparts.
If you’ve got finances available, take a look at what is required to become a VIP member and what rewards are on the table should you choose to upgrade.
Loyalty incentives
It’s not just the newcomers that get rewarded at the online casino. If you click with the experience of a certain provider, there may be loyalty bonuses for consistent players.
Make sure you do your research into the legitimacy of your chosen casinos. Sometimes if a promotion seems too good to be true, it often is. That said, bonuses are there to be put to use, to maximise your casino experience. They help you extend your bankroll and enjoy more spins and a wider variety of games.
Most online casinos will offer free-to-play versions of their games. We thoroughly recommend making use of these to ensure you’re familiar with the games before placing your own money or making use of any sign-up bonuses. Promotions are a great way to test-drive the full casino experience at a variety of destinations. Always keep an eye out for the new season’s perks and advantages but most of all, have fun!
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