Casino bonuses
One of the key elements that draw players to online casinos, whether they are new platforms or well-established ones, is the wide range of bonuses and promotions. These offers are usually designed to enhance your gaming experience and provide additional value. However, not all bonuses are created equal, and some may be more advantageous than others, depending on their terms and conditions.
In this guide to online casino bonuses, we’ll take a closer look at the different types of promotions available, how they operate, and what factors you should consider before claiming them.
Best casino bonuses in 2024
Best by category
When choosing a bonus, the most important step you should take is to carefully examine the terms and conditions associated with each promotion. While many bonuses may seem attractive at first glance, the real value often lies in the fine print.
In the table below you’ll find a comprehensive overview of the top bonus offers available across various categories.
| Category | Casino |
|---|---|
| Welcome bonus | 1win Casino |
| Free spins | Izzi Casino |
| Reload bonuses | Lucky Dreams Casino |
| Wagering requirements | King Billy Casino |
| Overall for bonus players | PlayZilla Casino |
We’ve done extensive research to identify the best possible bonus offers, to ensure that the bonuses we recommend are not only generous but also fair and transparent, so you can easily pick the one that best suits your gaming style.
Types of casino bonuses
Almost every casino you come across, provides some form of welcome bonus, making this type of offer nearly universal. However, the welcome bonus is just one of many different types of promotions available. In addition, you can also take advantage of deposit bonuses, no deposit bonuses, free spins, and reload bonuses.
- Welcome Bonuses – The most prominent bonus offered by nearly all online casinos. These are typically offered to new players upon signing up and making your first deposit. Welcome bonuses usually consist of a percentage match on the deposit, for example, a 100% match up to a certain limit. Some casinos also offer free spins on specific slots as part of the welcome package.
- No Deposit Bonuses – Quite popular, especially among new players, allowing you to try out the casino without risking your money. This bonus is usually small and might come in the form of free spins or a small amount of bonus cash.
- Reload Bonuses – Similar to the welcome bonuses, with the exception that they are offered to existing players when you deposit additional funds into your account. These bonuses are designed to keep you engaged and returning to the platform.
- Free Spins – Often included as part of a promotion, they are typically tied to specific slots. You can use these spins to win real money, although winnings are usually subject to wagering requirements.
How do we rate casino bonuses?
With so many bonuses available, it can be challenging to identify the best offers. That’s where we come in, providing you with the best bonuses and promotions available. We take a thorough approach in reviewing every aspect of each bonus, ensuring no detail is overlooked. Our goal is to help you find the most valuable promotions by analyzing all key factors. Below is an outline of the criteria we consider most essential in our evaluations.
- Wagering requirements: The wagering requirements are one of the most important factors that determine the value of a casino bonus. High wagering requirements can make it difficult to actually benefit from a bonus, which is why we only recommend bonuses with lower wagering requirements. Typically, we look for bonuses with wagering requirements between 30x and 50x, which we find to be reasonable.
- Maximum bet limit: Another important condition is the maximum bet limit allowed while playing with bonus funds. For the best bonuses, the maximum bet limit should be at least $/€7.50. Bonuses that allow lower maximum bets are considered less favorable because they limit your potential winnings.
- Expiration period: You should have ample time to meet the wagering requirements. Ideally, bonuses should give you at least 30 days to complete the wagering requirements, as anything shorter than this is often too restrictive and can make it difficult to fully enjoy the bonus.
- Maximum cashout limit and deposit-to-bonus ratio: In addition to the factors above, we also examine the maximum cashout limit, which should be as high as possible. We also check if the casino has set any rules about the ratio between the deposit and the bonus amount.
- Overall comparison with other bonuses: The final part of our process involves comparing the bonus with similar offers at other casinos. This allows us to provide a clear perspective on how one promotion stacks up against another, helping you make the best choice based on your preferences.
Pros and cons of casino bonuses
Online casino bonuses come with more advantages than drawbacks, especially when you consider the benefits beyond just saving money while exploring casino sites. A well-structured bonus significantly boosts your chances of winning by allowing you to play for longer. With extra funds in your account, it’s almost like getting free playtime, but with the possibility of winning real money. However, the downside of these bonuses lies in the terms and conditions. For instance, wagering requirements can sometimes be so steep that they reduce the overall value of the bonus. A good example is having to wager a $/€1,000 bonus 60 times just to potentially win $/€200, which can feel like a lot of effort for minimal reward.
Casinos also impose other restrictions that make it harder to profit from bonuses. Like short time frames for completing the wagering requirements, low maximum bet limits, and limits on how much you can withdraw from your winnings. In simpler terms, while casino bonuses offer great opportunities, they come with limitations. Don’t expect to win a fortune from a bonus, and understand that claiming any winnings often requires meeting strict conditions.
Bonus terms
Bonus terms are the specific conditions that accompany the promotional bonuses. These terms dictate how the bonus can be used, how winnings from the bonus can be withdrawn, and the rules that you must follow to benefit from the promotion. Understanding the bonus terms is essential to ensure that you get the most out of the bonus. Here are some of the most common and important bonus terms you’ll encounter:
Wagering requirements
This refers to the number of times you must wager the bonus amount (or sometimes the deposit and bonus combined) before you can withdraw any winnings. For example, a 30x wagering requirement means you must bet 30 times the bonus amount before being eligible to withdraw your funds.
| Description | Detail |
|---|---|
| Lowest WR detected | 35x bonus |
| Highest WR detected | 200x bonus |
| Average WR in Canada | 55x bonus |
| Median WR in Canada | 30x deposit + bonus |
| Recommended WR | 40x bonus |
If a bonus has wagering requirements set at 100x, the amount being offered becomes irrelevant. It’s simply too high to realistically meet in a short time, especially when the potential winnings might only be around $/€50. In essence, if the wagering requirements exceed the recommended levels, the bonus isn’t worth claiming.
Minimum qualifying deposit
The minimum qualifying deposit is the smallest amount of money that you need to deposit in order to be eligible to receive a particular bonus. This requirement varies from one casino to another and can differ depending on the type of bonus offered. For example, some welcome bonuses may require a minimum deposit of $/€10, while others may set the threshold at $/€20 or more.
| Description | Amount |
|---|---|
| Lowest minimum qualifying deposit | $/€5 |
| Highest minimum qualifying deposit | $/€20 |
| High roller qualifying deposit | $/€1,000+ |
Understanding the minimum qualifying deposit is essential, as it determines how much you have to invest to take advantage of promotional offers. You should also be aware that making a deposit below the specified amount will result in not receiving the bonus, even if you meet all the other eligibility criteria. Additionally, it’s important to consider that the size of the bonus is often linked to the amount of the qualifying deposit. Higher deposits may unlock larger bonuses, but you should always play responsibly and only deposit what you can afford to lose.
Maximum bet limit
Casinos often impose a limit on the size of individual bets when playing with bonus funds. For example, if the max bet limit is $/€5, placing a bet higher than this will result in the forfeiture of your bonus and winnings.
| Description | Amount |
|---|---|
| Lowest maximum bet limit | $/€2.5 |
| Highest maximum bet limit | $/€10 |
| Median max bet limit | $/€7 |
| Average max bet limit | $/€5 |
By imposing a limit on the maximum bet amount, casinos encourage you to place more bets across various games. This can lead to spreading your wagers too thin. Even more concerning is that if you exceed the maximum limit, not only will that bet not contribute to meeting the wagering requirements, but the casino may also revoke your bonus funds altogether.
Game contributions to the wagering requirement
Not all games have the same contribution to wagering requirements. It’s a significant advantage when a casino bonus allows you to wager across various games with different contribution percentages, rather than being limited to slots alone. However, such offers are quite uncommon. Generally, most bonuses follow the 100% contribution rule for slots, while other games contribute less.
| Game | Best case | Worst case | Usually |
|---|---|---|---|
| Slots | 100% | 50% | 100% |
| Progressive slots | 100% | 0% | 0% |
| Blackjack | 100% | 0% | 10% |
| Roulette | 100% | 0% | 10% |
| Baccarat | 50% | 0% | 10% |
| Video poker | 50% | 0% | 0% |
| Live blackjack | 100% | 0% | 5% |
| Live roulette | 100% | 0% | 5% |
| Live baccarat | 50% | 0% | 0% |
| Texas Hold’em Poker | 50% | 0% | 0% |
Unfair bonus offers typically restrict the wagering contribution for all games to below 100%, which is not realistic and creates a partial disadvantage that should be avoided in casino bonuses.
Time to complete the wagering requirement
Bonuses typically come with a time limit within which the wagering requirements must be met. This can range from a few days to a month or more. Failing to meet the requirements within this time will result in the bonus and any related winnings being forfeited.
| Description | Period |
|---|---|
| Shortest time to complete WR | A couple of days |
| Longest time to complete WR | 60 days |
| Median time to complete WR | 30 days |
| Average time to complete WR | 30 days |
In general, most casinos provide a 30-day window for meeting wagering requirements, which is usually sufficient as long as the requirements aren’t too high. However, some casinos set the time limit as low as seven days, making it nearly impossible to complete the wagering in time. If you come across a casino bonus with high wagering requirements that only offers a few days to fulfill them, it’s advisable to decline the offer.
Other bonus terms
In addition to the key casino bonus terms we’ve discussed, there are several other important factors you should be aware of. Although their impact may not be as significant as wagering requirements, these terms can still significantly influence the overall bonus value.
Deposit-to-Bonus ratio
This refers to the ratio of how much you must deposit to claim the bonus. Some casinos require a minimum deposit to qualify for a bonus, and this ratio might also influence the amount of the bonus awarded.
Maximum cashout limit
Some bonuses come with a limit on the amount of money you can withdraw from winnings earned through the bonus. Even if you win a large sum, you might only be able to withdraw up to the limit set by the casino.
Skrill and Neteller deposits do not qualify
More often than not, deposits made via Skrill and Neteller are not eligible for bonuses. This means you won’t be able to meet the minimum deposit requirements using these e-wallets and will need to use a different payment method instead. The reasoning behind this exclusion is straightforward. Historically, both Skrill and Neteller were exploited for bonus abuse, as players would create multiple accounts with different email addresses to claim bonuses repeatedly, which violates the rules of most casinos.
How to distinguish good casino bonuses from poor ones?
Good bonuses
- Reasonable amount – $/€1,000+
- Low wagering requirements – 35x bonus up to 50x bonus
- Enough time to complete WR – 14 to 30 days
- High maximum bet limit – $/€8 or more
- No cashout limit
Poor bonuses
- Too high amounts with high wagering
- Only a couple of days to complete WR
- Slots only contribute to WR completion
Conclusion
Understanding online casino bonuses is crucial if you’re looking to elevate your gaming experience. Bonuses can provide significant advantages, like increasing your bankroll and extending your playtime, and perhaps most importantly, enhance your chances of winning. However, it’s essential to carefully analyze the terms and conditions attached to these promotions.
By being informed and aware of the various terms associated with casino bonuses, you can make better decisions about which promotions to pursue. The goal is to find bonuses that offer clear and fair terms without unnecessary complications. Ultimately, with the right approach, casino bonuses can be a valuable tool, allowing you a more enjoyable and potentially lucrative pastime.
Yes, however, there are specific terms and conditions attached to these bonuses that you must meet in order to withdraw any winnings. You will need to wager the bonus a specified number of times. This involves making a deposit once the bonus funds run out in order to fulfill the wag