When it comes to making the most out of your online gaming experience, nothing comes quite as close as casino bonus deals. From cashback offers to loyalty rewards, casino bonuses have become an increasingly popular feature in the world of online gambling. Designed to attract new players and keep existing ones engaged, they provide them with a chance to boost their bankroll, which is great in the current economic crisis, and maximize their chances of winning big.
Obviously, one of the most sought-after things an online casino has to offer its players (aside from its range of great games) is the collection of offers. As you may have realized, not all bonuses are what they’re advertised to be. Sometimes you learn the hard way, and other times you have a useful guide like this to give you some practical tips on things to look out for. But, before we start listing our pearls of wisdom, perhaps you’d like to check out Energy Casino’s latest £400 Match Bonus – we’ve tried and tested this operator, so it’s certainly no gimmick!
While not all bonuses are created equally, it is important to know how to determine whether what is being offered is actually worth your time or if it is just a marketing ploy. In this article, we will provide you with tips and tricks to help you avoid common pitfalls.
Fair Terms and Conditions
Sure, casino bonuses may come in all shapes and sizes but the one thing they all need to have in common is fair terms and conditions. Fair terms and conditions ensure that players can enjoy the benefits of the bonuses without being taken advantage of by the casino.
They outline important rules including wagering requirements, expiration dates, and participating games, which players must follow in order to claim their winnings. Bonus terms and conditions should be clear, concise and understandable with no hidden clauses to trick unsuspecting players out of their earnings.
Wagering Requirements
Wagering requirements, also known as playthrough requirements refer to the amount of money a player must wager before they are able to withdraw any earnings from using a casino bonus. The amount is typically expressed as a multiple of the bonus amount such as 20x or 30x. Think of it this way, if there was a $200 bonus up for grabs with a 10x wagering requirement, a player would need to wager $2,000 before they could withdraw any winnings.
While wager requirements are designed to protect the casinos from bonus abuse, it’s important for players to determine if they are fair as they may vary from casino to casino. If they are too high then it may be too difficult to meet them as such they won’t be worth your time.
Additionally, players must be aware that not all games contribute equally towards fulfilling wagering requirements. Slots generally contribute 100% towards the requirements while table games such as online blackjack and online roulette only contribute a percentage of the wager.
Bonus Eligibility
It’s very important to know the expiry date of a casino bonus as you need to ensure you have enough time to meet the requirements and withdraw your earnings. While the validity of most bonuses can vary widely depending on the type of promotion, most casino bonuses tend have an expiration date of between 7 and 30 days from the time that the bonus is credited to the player’s account.
Additionally, since you have a limited time to use the bonus you may want to prioritize playing the games that contribute to the offer’s wagering requirements. If you don’t use your bonus before it expires then you may have to forfeit any winnings you may have accumulated through the bonus. Although as previously stated the time frame for online casino bonuses may vary, players determine whether the amount of time stated is fair and manageable as it could just be a marketing plot with no real outcomes intended.
Trusted Casinos
Most importantly, you will know if a casino bonus is worth your time if it is offered by a trusted and reputable online casino. Unfortunately, not all casinos have your best interest at heart and can use bonuses to lure unsuspecting players in. That’s why it is essential to conduct your research and check out casino reviews, this will give you an unbiased overview of the casino and its offerings. Casino reviews will also alert you to any unfair gaming practices such as withholding players’ funds or rigged games.
Additionally, ensure the casino is operating with a legitimate gambling license from a recognized board such as The UK Gambling Commission. This can be checked by locating the gambling commissions logo at the bottom of the casino’s website and clicking on it to ensure it redirects you to the official website of the gambling commission. Trusted brands have a reputation to protect as such you can trust that you are in safe hands and will not be scammed by any seemingly attractive bonuses.
Good vs Bad Bonuses
Don’t get us wrong we love taking advantage of casino bonuses as much as the next casino player. However, when you have been burnt one too many times you get a little sceptical especially when they sound too good to be true.
Yes, it seems that with every online casino you come across the bonuses are bigger and better than the last, constantly trying to one-up each other and re-invent the wheel. That’s why we can’t emphasize enough the importance of being able to tell a good deposit from a bad one.
At the end of the day, it all comes down to reading the fine print. Take your time to go through your chosen casino’s terms and conditions and see whether they are offering something worth your time.