How casino bonuses work
Why do casinos offer welcome bonuses?
Of course, the goal of casinos is to make a healthy profit and keep players satisfied. The bonus comes into play from a casino's perspective by allowing the player to play longer with their deposit, and to experience more excitement through higher stakes.
Naturally, the casino would like most of the bonus money they give out to return to them sooner or later. They achieve this by setting usage requirements for the bonuses, which make it very difficult for a player to withdraw their winnings from the bonus.
Not every player will meet these requirements, such as those who hit a jackpot with the bonus. However, it's not important for the casino that every player is profitable, but rather the overall picture matters.
Types of casino bonuses
Deposit bonuses
These bonuses credit an amount larger than the deposit made. Typically, you'll see 50%, 100%, or even 200% extra credit. It's important to know that most casinos maintain two parallel accounts: one for our deposited money (also called real money account) and one for bonus money (which also holds winnings from the bonus). Generally, when playing, the stakes are first deducted from the real money account, and then from the bonus account when the real money is exhausted.
Free spins on slot games
It's not uncommon for new players to receive 50, 100, or 200 free spins as a bonus. Often, free spin bonuses are combined with the previously mentioned deposit bonus offers. It's essential to know that the casino selects which slot machines the spins can be used on. Also, the casino sets the stake size for the free spins, typically between €0.1 and €1. With this information, we can calculate the value of this bonus by multiplying the number of spins by the stake value, revealing that the typical value of this bonus ranges between €5 and €100.
Cashback bonus
This bonus is unusual in the sense that the casino returns a portion of the money you've lost. This amount generally ranges between 10% and 35%. The advantage of this bonus is that the casino usually imposes very few restrictions on it, and sometimes it can be combined with other bonuses.
No deposit bonus
As the name suggests, the casino gives us this bonus upon registration without any deposit required. Most often, it's a smaller amount, typically between €3 and €25. Sometimes this bonus comes in the form of free spins. The no deposit bonus is relatively rare, and its amount pales in comparison to other bonuses. The term "found money" would best describe this bonus; however, the associated usage conditions can be quite restrictive.
Frequently Asked Questions
- Can I receive the welcome bonus multiple times if I register again?
- No. Casinos explicitly state in their bonus terms and conditions that a real person can only use welcome bonuses once. They thoroughly check compliance, especially if it concerns an account with a big win. However, there's nothing stopping you from getting a welcome bonus at multiple casinos.
- Is it worth using a casino bonus?
- It depends on your goals. Bonuses usually come with strings attached: the more valuable a bonus, the more strings. If your goal is to play and have fun with as little money as possible, then it's generally a good idea. However, if you want to win and withdraw money from the casino, make sure to read the terms and conditions carefully!
- What types of casino bonus terms and conditions exist?
- There are many types. The most common is the wagering requirement, which refers to how many times you need to bet the bonus and deposit amount. Other limitations can include the size of the bet and the games you can play. Sometimes, the payment method also matters.
- Why are there terms and conditions attached to casino bonuses?
- These conditions serve the purpose of minimizing the casino's losses from the issued bonuses. The terms significantly increase the chances that you will lose the bonus and the deposited money sooner or later. An exception to this is if you manage to secure a very large win.
- Which games are restricted by the casino bonus?
- This depends on the specific bonus, so read the detailed terms of use for the bonus. Most commonly, however, slot machines with jackpots and live casino games are restricted. Video poker and other high RTP (Return To Player) games are usually limited as well.
- What makes a good casino bonus?
- A bonus with a high value and fewer accompanying conditions. For example, a 200% bonus that only needs to be wagered a few times and can be used on any game. This means that it's easier to convert the bonus and potential winnings into real balance and withdraw it.
- What are the advantages and disadvantages of no deposit casino bonuses?
- The advantage is that it's practically free money. The disadvantage is that it's usually a very small amount, and the number of games you can play with it is limited. It's generally enough to try out the casino for an hour.
- Are there strategies for fulfilling wagering requirements?
- There are working strategies, but these are often prohibited by the bonus terms and conditions. Such strategies include High-Low Risk Betting or delaying the Bonus Game Free Spins.
- What happens if I don't use the casino bonus?
- Casino bonuses usually have an expiration date of a few days or weeks. If you don't use it, the bonus and any winnings from it may be lost. If you meet the bonus conditions, you can convert it to real money. The bonus account and the real money account are usually two separate things at casinos.