Like mushrooms after a downpour, new online casinos are popping up all over the place. Which stands to reason, given the skyrocketing popularity of online casino gaming worldwide.
Competition is ferocious, but nowhere near daunting enough to dissuade newcomers from joining the party. Best of all, insane competition between rival casinos is playing right into the pockets of players.
Conduct a quick online search and you’ll see just how much the average casino is willing to hand out by way of bonus offers. New members in particular are lavished with rich rewards, but there’s much to be said for the quality of ongoing incentives for regular players.
Making sense of what’s on offer can seem tricky at first, due to the sheer number of bonus offers available. It can therefore be useful to focus more on the main categories of bonuses, of which there are just seven.
For anyone looking to make the most of their money in 2022, these are the top bonus categories worth keeping an eye out for:
Welcome Bonuses
This is often the single most generous bonus you can expect to be handed by any online casino. Welcome bonuses vary enormously by way of generosity and complexity, though always attach a long list of terms and conditions.
Remember that as a general rule of thumb, the bigger the bonus on offer, the heavier the restrictions. A welcome bonus of £2,000 may seem irresistible, but bring 30X wagering requirements into the mix and it’s probably not worth bothering with.
By contrast, a modest £10 or £20 welcome bonus with the same wagering requirements would be a far safer and more sensible bet.
Free Spins
Most of the best online casinos hand out free spins on a regular basis. This type of bonus is exclusive to slot play, and may sometimes be restricted to certain specific slot games.
Free spins are extremely useful because they allow you to “practice” the games without using real money. More exciting than free play and less risky than putting your own money on the line, they can be great when getting to grips with the mechanics of a new slot.
Depending on those all-important terms and conditions, it may even be possible to transform a bunch of free spins into a cash prize or two. Winning a fortune on the back of free spins simply isn’t an option, but getting something for nothing is always welcome.
No deposit Bonuses
Considered by many to be the gold standard of welcome bonuses, this type of bonuses are handed out without having to put any of your own money on the line. Consequently, the sums up for grabs are significantly lower than those that apply to standard deposit bonuses.
More often than not, you’ll be looking at a no deposit bonus limited to no more than around £10 or £20. All you need to do to claim the bonus is sign up, and wait for it to be transferred into your account.
No deposit bonuses understandably carry heavy restrictions with regard to potential wins. For obvious reasons, the average casino is not in the habit of handing out wads of free cash, no strings attached. The credit you get by way of a no deposit bonus therefore cannot be withdrawn, without first satisfying all attached terms and conditions.
Precisely why it pays to read the T&Cs carefully and in full, so that you know exactly what you are getting yourself into.
First, Second and Third Deposit Bonuses
Increasingly, online casinos are extending their introductory bonuses beyond players’ first deposits. Along with a generous match bonus on initial deposit payments, similar bonuses can be claimed on second deposits.
All the same terms and conditions apply, making it important to keep things sensible. You’ll often see welcome packages valued in excess of £1,000 or £2,000 being touted, but wagering requirements always apply.
Still, the credit you are handed for free can be fantastic for stretching your bankroll as far as possible. Even if it doesn’t technically work like real money in the conventional sense, it’s still perfectly viable credit to play with and enjoy.
Bitcoin Bonuses
Cryptocurrency casinos have exploded in popularity as of late. Bitcoin gaming has proved particularly popular, due largely to the incredible volatility of this somewhat controversial currency.
As the name suggests, a Bitcoin bonus is a type of bonus available exclusively to those who perform transactions in Bitcoin. They can be just as generous and diverse as their conventional currency cousins, but are restricted to bitcoin customers.
If planning on playing with cryptocurrency, be sure to find an online casino that offers generous rewards for crypto customers.
VIP/Loyalty Bonuses
The value of any given VIP program or loyalty bonus will be determined by how often you intend to play. Or more importantly, how much you intend to spend.
Most VIP programs disproportionately (though understandably) favour high rollers and big spenders. If you spend a small fortune at an online casino, you can expect to be lavished with luxurious rewards and incredible incentives.
By contrast, wager no more than £10 on occasion and you’re unlikely to get a great deal in return. Maybe a cashback incentive of £1 for every £100 you spend, which is again better than nothing.
Referral Bonuses
Last up, casinos that offer referral bonuses can be great for stacking up bonus credit to play with. It’s usually a case of sharing a link with family, friends and colleagues, who can then use it to sign up and start playing.
When they do, you’ll collect your bonus credit accordingly. The more people you refer, the more bonus credit you can stuff into your account.
Though once again – and at the risk of sounding like a broken record – terms and conditions will always apply! Before accepting any kind of online casino bonus, give the T&Cs a good once-over and ensure you’re happy with them.
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