How Do Online Casino Bonuses Work?

Quick Answer

Here's a quick rundown on online casino bonuses and how they work:

1. Casino bonuses are promotional offers made by casinos to attract players to register on their sites. They are also a way of retaining current players. 
2. There are various casino bonuses, such as welcome/deposit bonuses, no deposit bonuses, loyalty bonuses, free spin bonuses, match bonuses, refer-a-friend bonuses, birthday bonuses, and cash-back bonuses. All of them serve different purposes and are offered at different times. 
3. Most bonuses come with a long list of criteria you must meet before withdrawing the money you won. These criteria include withdrawal limits, time limitations, wagering requirements, game restrictions, account verification, and limiting accounts to one person per household.
4. Before being drawn onto a site because of the bonuses it offers, make sure that the casino you choose has a good reputation and is licensed with a casino authority.

Types of Casino Bonuses

There are a variety of different bonuses offered by casinos. We've covered most of them in this article:

Deposit Bonuses

A deposit bonus is a little extra money reward given to beginners after making their first deposit. They are often supplemented with rewards like spin bonuses. You don't even have to do anything to earn it - but beware, there are conditions attached. Your deposit bonus amount depends on the amount of money you put into the site. Some websites give 50% back, so if you deposit €100, you get €50 as a reward.

Match Deposit Bonus 

A match bonus is a very popular form of reward at casino sites. Also known as a matching bet bonus, in this bonus, the casino matches the player's first deposit with an equal amount of money from their site. For instance, you deposit €300 in your account, and the casino tops it up with €300 from their side, bringing the total to €600. Sounds like a sweet advantage, doesn't it? But not every casino has the same policy. The percentage and type of match are different at various casinos. The odds of a 100% match aren't all that high.

Cashback Bonuses

Casinos offer this option to ensure players are satisfied despite losing. Cashback bonuses are offered by giving users a bonus credit on the site, which allows them to keep playing games without having to top up the funds in their accounts. Sometimes, casinos compensate their players with a cash payment. Let's say you lost €500 at an online casino, and the casino will give you some of the money back through such a service. The amount credited to the bonus depends on how much money you have lost by betting. Casinos offer this bonus to soothe your wounds and retain you as a player. This type of bonus is less beneficial than a no-deposit bonus, which we will cover next. 

No Deposit Bonus 

No deposit bonuses refer to free spins or a small amount of credit that an online casino gives you before you fully commit to the service. The bonuses are free, but they are hard to cash out because the conditions attached are extremely stringent and hard to meet.

Loyalty Bonus 

Loyalty bonuses are a pillar of online casinos. The best VIP programs offer stellar loyalty bonuses. Casinos usually have special contests for long-term players. These are usually the best bonuses but also the hardest ones to win. You need to meet several requirements, like having been part of the casino for the better part of a year, or you may need to place a high amount of bets. Often, the reward is not a set value, like a set amount of money. You may get the opportunity to win special prizes like an all-expenses-paid free trip to any country of your choice, a paid vacation at a luxury hotel, or even a car. The options are endless. 

However, if you aren't a long-term or high-wagering customer, don't despair. You might have a chance to qualify for a loyalty bonus after just playing on the site for a few months. The benefits will probably be different, though, like a lower withdrawal limit or high bonuses in some slot games. Keep in mind that all casinos don't offer the same bonuses. You need to check what types of bonuses a casino offers and read the conditions attached to each of them carefully before signing up to play.

Birthday Bonus

As the name suggests, you get a bonus because it's your birthday. It's like a small gift from the casino.

Refer-A-Friend Bonus

As the name suggests, you get this bonus when you refer friends to the casino site to play games. Make sure your friend shares this information when filling out the registration form.

Free Spin Bonus

This type of bonus is extremely popular because the casino does not give you a set amount or percentage of money. Rather, they allow you to play their slot games with no conditions attached. The catch here is that when you make some money from the free spins, you need to spend some of your own money to be able to withdraw the amount you won. Sometimes, casinos give you a free spin bonus after you make your first deposit. In this case, the requirements to be met are lower than when you get some free spins.