If you’ve ever looked at signing up at one of the many online casinos there are out there, you’ll notice that they practically all want to reward you with a nice big bonus for doing so. And, in most instances, online casino bonuses can be a great way to give you an even better gaming experience and more chances of winning without having to risk too much of your own money.
However, if you want to make the most of these offers, you need to understand how they work – and how you can maximise their value. So, here’s our guide to making the most out of those big online casino bonuses.
Understand the Different Types of Bonuses
First, you need to understand that online casinos offer different types of bonuses – each with its own benefits and conditions. Some of the most common casino bonus site offers include:
- Welcome Bonuses: This is offered to a new player when they sign up and make their first deposit. They usually come in the form of a match deposit – e.g., 100% up to £200, or free spins – or a mix of both.
- No Deposit Bonuses: This type of bonus lets you try out specific games without having to make a deposit. It will usually come with pretty high wagering requirements but they are a risk-free way to play.
- Reload Bonuses: This is a bonus for existing players who deposit more money into their account. They work a bit like welcome bonuses but are generally smaller in value.
- Free Spins: These bonuses basically give you a certain number of free spins on a specific slot game (or games). Your winnings will be subject to wagering requirements.
- Cashback Bonuses: Some casinos also offer a percentage of your net losses back as cashback, which is great if you’re having a run of bad luck.
Read and Understand the Terms and Conditions
Before you claim any bonus, make sure you read the terms and conditions carefully. Some of the things to look out for include:
- Wagering Requirements: This is how many times you’ll need to wager the bonus amount before you can withdraw any of your winnings. The lower, the better.
- Game Restrictions: Some bonuses are limited to certain games – so check which games contribute to wagering requirements.
- Maximum Bet Limits: Some bonuses will restrict how much you can bet per spin or per round while using your bonus.
- Expiry Dates: Bonuses and free spins usually come with an expiry date, so use them and fulfil the wagering requirements before they expire.
- Withdrawal Limits: Some bonuses also limit the amount of winnings you can actually withdraw.
Choose Bonuses with Favourable T&Cs
Not all casino bonuses are created equal – so, look for those with:
- Low wagering requirements (preferably 35x or lower)
- A bonus that lets you fulfil the wagering requirements by playing your preferred games.
- Reasonable maximum cash-out limits (preferably none!)
- A long validity period so you can use it and fulfil your wagering requirements on time.
Play Games That Contribute More to Wagering Requirements
Different games contribute differently towards clearing those wagering requirements:
- Slots usually contribute 100%.
- Table games like blackjack and roulette usually contribute less, between 10%-20%.
- Some live dealer games don’t contribute at all.
So, if you want to clear wagering your requirements quickly, focus on slots that contribute 100%.
Avoid Common Mistakes
Finally, to maximise your bonuses, try to avoid making the most common bonus mistakes:
- Ignoring the Wagering Requirements: Always check them before you claim a bonus.
- Breaking Maximum Bet Rules: If you bet more than the maximum allowed, the casino could void your bonus and winnings.
- Withdrawing Before Meeting Requirements: Trying to withdraw your wins before you meet the wagering requirements could see you forfeiting your bonus and winnings.
- Claiming More than One Bonus at Once: Some casinos only let you have one active bonus at a time.
So, there you have it! If you make sure you pick the right bonus, know what to look out for and read the terms and conditions carefully, they really can boost your whole experience! With that, have fun and play responsibly!
