What Makes a Good Casino Bonus?
To find the best online casino bonuses, you must look at the following:
Wagering Requirements
Aside from value, wagering requirements are a huge factor. A wagering requirement is a set multiplier you must spend before you can make a withdrawal of bonus funds.
For example – a casino has a 100% matched deposit bonus up to R500. The wagering requirement is 35x. If you deposited R100, you would receive an R100 deposit bonus. However, to withdraw these bonus funds, you would have to spend R3500 first (35x R100).
Obviously, the LOWER the multiplier, the better the casino bonus. Also, check the wording of the wagering requirements. Some simply have a wagering requirement for the bonus funds. Other casinos, however, have a wagering requirement for BOTH the bonus funds and your initial deposit value.
In the example above, if that were the case, you would have to spend R7000 (35x R100 + R100) first.
Minimum Deposit to get Bonus
Next, look at the minimum deposit value required. Most casino bonuses have a minimum deposit value. This means you must spend X amount to qualify for the offer. The lower the minimum value, the more flexibility you have. Also, the lower the min value, the less you must spend.
Welcome Bonus
Good welcome offers give you multiple rewards. For example, a good welcome offer could include several matched deposit bonuses and free spins.
You must look beyond the basic value and rewards, however. Good welcome offers have lower wagering requirements, only on the bonus funds. Look for offers with a wagering requirement of less than 20x. Also, they will allow you to use the bonus funds on any games, and not impose restrictions on how much you can win.
Free Spins
A good promotion often provides more than just a deposit bonus. You may also receive free spins. Free spins are obviously great, but you must look closely at the free spin terms.
The best free spin offers do not impose a restriction on how much you can win from the free spins. Also, the best free spin offers will allow you to use the free spins on ANY video slot game.
Oftentimes, casinos choose the games you can use the free spins on. This isn’t to give you the best experience. It is to control the amount they lose as they can choose video slots with lower RTP percentages. Therefore, free spins available for any game, mean you can use them on video slots with the highest RTP percentages.
Bonus Validity
Most promotions have a range of time restrictions. Firstly, you may have to claim the promotion within a certain period. Secondly, you may have to use the bonus funds and/or free spins within a specific period. Finally, you may have to complete the wagering requirements within a set period too.
All these periods constrain you. They force you to act, and sometimes rush and ultimately make bad decisions. The best casino bonuses have either no time restrictions or lax restrictions that give you ample time to benefit from the promotion.
Recurring Promotions – Daily/Weekly/Monthly etc.
Recurring promotions are usually deposit bonuses or free spins. The best recurring promotions are available weekly. For example, you may get a matched deposit bonus each Tuesday.
However, you must assess the wagering requirements, and other terms and conditions. Often, these recurring offers have higher wagering requirements. They may also have stricter terms. The best daily/weekly offers are frequent, but also provide good value and flexibility.
How to Compare Casino Bonuses
New Customer Bonuses
The most common type of offer is new customer bonuses. These offers come in many forms, but the basic premise remains the same.
New customer bonuses can only be claimed by new customers who have just registered an account. Oftentimes, the offers are tied into your first deposit, or the initial account registration process. The following are common new customer bonuses:
Welcome Bonus
The welcome bonus is the most common type of new customer offer. This comes in various forms. Usually, it involves one or a combination of the following:
– 1 or more matched deposit bonuses for your 1st, 2nd, 3rd, and 4th deposits
– A lump-sum cash bonus based on a minimum deposit
– Additional free spins on video slot games
Welcome offers usually give the highest cash bonuses. For example, you could find a welcome offer with a 100% matched deposit bonus up to R5000 +100 free spins. These offers are only available once you have created a new account and come to make your first deposit, or during the registration process.
No Deposit Bonus
As the name implies, no deposit bonuses are new customer bonuses in which you don’t have to spend to receive the reward. These offers are usually much lower value than welcome bonuses.
No deposit bonuses could be a small number of free spins or a small cash bonus. To offset the fact that you don’t have to spend, casinos usually impose higher wagering requirements for these bonuses.
This inevitably means that you will have to spend eventually and effectively there are few true “no deposit bonuses”. You may not have to make a deposit to get the reward, but you will have to make a deposit to cover the wagering requirements.
Free Spins
Free Spins are a common new customer bonus and often good value. A casino may offer free spins as part of a welcome bonus, or a standalone free spin package.
Standalone free spins are usually obtained via a minimum deposit. For example, you may have to deposit R500 to receive 20 free spins on Starburst. Usually, casinos limit the maximum winnings you can earn from free spins. Also, they often impose wagering requirements on any winnings you earn from the free spins.
The free spins will also have a value and this is usually the minimum bet value allowed on the particular video slot game.
Free Play Bonus
A free play bonus is essentially either free cash or a free number of spins/games. Some casinos provide this type of offer for new customers instead of giving a matched deposit bonus.
Usually, you must make a minimum deposit value – R200, for example, and a pre-defined cash bonus is given. Alternatively, they could give 10 free hands on Blackjack, or other table games.
Player Bonuses
Online casinos often have player-specific bonuses. These are in addition to promotions for new customers. Any player can claim these offers and they are not tied specifically to the registration of a new account. Oftentimes, player bonuses are recurring too – you may be able to claim them on a weekly basis, for example.
Deposit Bonuses
Casinos often give weekly deposit bonuses on set days of the week. These deposit bonuses are usually lower value than welcome offers. Also, the wagering requirements tend to be higher.
For example, there could be a Monday Mayhem deposit bonus. This could be a 50% matched deposit bonus up to R2000 that you can claim once each Monday.
Loyalty Points
Many platforms offer some form of loyalty reward scheme too. This is different from a VIP program. The premise is simple – you accumulate loyalty points based on how much you spend. These points can then be exchanged for different rewards.
You can often gain points on the deposits you make, but also for each time you spend money on games. For example, the loyalty scheme could be 1 point for each R100 you spend, and 5 points for each R500 you deposit.
Loyalty rewards vary. Some casinos have loyalty stores that provide items you can purchase with your points. Others allow you to exchange your points for real cash. In most instances, however, the point to Rand ratio is low, and you have to spend a lot to gain relatively small rewards.
Free Spins
Similar to deposit bonuses, casinos often give regular free spins. They may choose a game of the week, for example, and give customers free spins to use on that game.
Usually, to claim these free spins, you have to make a minimum deposit during the same week or day that the offer is active. The free spin amount is usually between 5-20 spins. Also, casinos usually cap the total winnings you can earn from these free spins.
VIP Bonuses
Many online casinos provide a VIP or Loyalty club. This is a program that rewards regular customers who spend frequently. Some casinos have invite-only VIP clubs, others have entry requirements based on how much cash you have spent.
VIP Tiers
Usually, VIP programs are split into tiers. These tiers have two purposes. Firstly, different tiers have different entry requirements. For example, a bronze tier may require that you spend R5000, whereas a silver tier may require you to spend R10000.
Secondly, the different VIP tiers offer progressive rewards. For example, the bronze tier may provide 10 free spins each Sunday, whereas the silver tier may provide 20.
VIP Rewards
VIP rewards are varied, but often include the following:
- Dedicated account managers.
- Improved withdrawal processing times.
- Higher maximum deposit/withdrawal limits.
- Frequent deposit bonuses.
- Free spins.
- Access to special tournaments and promotions.
Should you join a VIP club? In reality, these clubs are only beneficial for serious gamblers and high rollers. If you intend to gamble professionally, or regularly, then a VIP program is beneficial.
For those who gamble occasionally for fun, however, you may never even meet the entry requirements to join a VIP program.
How to Claim a Casino Bonus
There is no exact process of claiming a bonus. This varies depending on the casino and the type of offer. First, however, you should do the following:
- Locate the casino bonus.
- Read the terms and conditions.
- Follow the instructions to claim the offer.
After this, the process varies. For deposit bonuses, there is usually a promotional code, or an option to activate the offer when making a deposit.
Alternatively, for free spins, you again may have to use a coupon, or select the option when registering your account. The following are common methods of claiming an offer:
- Selecting a bonus option during account registration.
- Using a coupon code during registration or when making a deposit.
- Selecting a bonus option during the deposit process.
- Contacting the customer support team
Usual Bonus Terms and Conditions
A key aspect of casino bonuses is the terms and conditions. These are a list of requirements/rules relating to a promotion. It is vital you read these terms thoroughly. Oftentimes they contain important info that affects how you use a bonus, or how you can profit from it.
The following are self-explanatory features you often find in bonus T&C’s:
- Wagering requirements are stated as a multiplier.
- Minimum & maximum deposit limits.- The period you must claim bonus/funds within.
- Expiry period of bonus funds/free spins etc.- The completion date of wagering requirements.
- Accepted/declined payment methods.
- Any applicable bonus codes.
Also, there is usually a host of legal terminology relating to proper usage of the bonus. This is not as important, but the main premise is that if you break the rules, the casino has the right to terminate the offer, etc and could even close your account.
Casinos may also include statements relating to discretion. These are important as it gives you some idea of the reputation and practices of the casino. For example, they may state that if they wish, it is the casino’s discretion to void any bonuses without reason. If you see phrases like this, you should be wary of the casino.
Mobile Phone Compatibility
When choosing a bonus, always look at device compatibility. In most instances, casino bonuses are available regardless of the device you access them from. They are specific to user accounts – not devices.
However, some casinos may specify that mobile users are not eligible for promotions. This is listed in the terms and conditions.
Alternatively, some casinos provide mobile-specific promotions. These could be sign-up offers for those using a mobile app, or deposit bonuses for smartphone app users. Also, casinos may provide free spins or cash bonuses for use on mobile-only games.
How We Rank Casino Sites
Our casino rankings are the culmination of over 3000 hours research on over 400 casinos. We have gathered detailed data on over 110 of these casinos and used this data to write over 198,000 words of analysis. Finally, we have assigned each of these casinos a score to reflect their quality. How We Rank Casinos.
FAQ
Q – Which is the best type of casino bonus?
A – There are too many variables to pick a top bonus type. This depends on your preferences, budget, device, and a host of other factors.
Q – What is a playthrough requirement?
A – This means the same as wagering requirements. The terms are often used interchangeably. If an offer had a playthrough requirement of 10x for the bonus funds, and you had an R500 bonus, you would have to spend R5000 to make a withdrawal of the bonus funds.
Q – Can you use any deposit method to claim a promotion?
A – In most instances no. Online casinos often limit the payment methods you can use for promotions. This is stated in the offer terms and conditions.
Q – Could I claim the same offer using a different email address?
A – Most likely no. Most one-time offers like welcome offers are valid for a unique account or even unique IP address only. If you tried to register a new account, with a different email address, your other details would still be the same and the casino would probably reject your new account.
Q – What happens if I don’t meet the wagering requirements and try to withdraw?
A – This depends on the casino. Some platforms may simply decline your withdrawal. Others, however, may go so far as to void your bonus funds and offer completely.