Online Casino Bonus: What is It?
Online casinos often utilize an attractive marketing tool that also proves to be a delightful perk for players: a casino bonus. This casino bonus serves as a magnet to draw in new players and to retain existing ones. After all, who doesn’t appreciate some “free” money to play with? These bonuses are often presented as “aanbiedingen en promoties die aangeboden worden door online casino’s” or offers and promotions provided by online casinos.
In this piece, we will delve deeper into what exactly a casino bonus is, the key elements to consider when you come across such offers, and how to truly maximize these opportunities. Thus, you can make the most out of the verschillende casinobonussen online casinos offer.
How Does an Online Casino Bonus Work?
A casino bonus is often seen as “free money” that a new online casino offers to players. We intentionally put “free” in quotes because free money usually comes with conditions. So it’s not always as free as it seems, but if you know what to look for, you can benefit from it. Casino bonuses come in many different forms and with various terms and conditions.
That’s why we provide a brief explanation of the most common bonuses. In the explanations, you will also often find a link to a page with detailed information.
Welcome Bonus
Most online casinos offer a welcome bonus. That’s not surprising because it’s the perfect way to attract new players. Sometimes, a welcome bonus is given when you sign up (in which case it’s a no-deposit bonus), but usually, a welcome bonus consists of one or more deposit bonuses.
With a welcome bonus, you usually receive free money, often a percentage of your first deposit or first few deposits. For example, you might see: “100% bonus up to €300 on your first deposit.” This means that your first deposit will be doubled, and you can receive a maximum of €300 as a casino bonus.
A welcome bonus can also have a different percentage, sometimes as high as 200% of your deposited amount, and sometimes as low as 50%. The maximum amount also varies depending on the casino bonus. Some online casinos have a welcome bonus that is spread over multiple deposits. For example, you might receive 100% on the first deposit, 75% on the second, and 50% on the third.
In addition to money, a welcome bonus can also include free spins. If that’s the case, they are often combined with a cash bonus and are given in stages, requiring you to come back multiple times to claim them.
Reload Bonus
A reload bonus is often part of the welcome package. For example, you might receive a bonus on your first deposit and also on subsequent deposits (reloads).
A reload bonus can also be offered when you haven’t played for a long time, with the casino hoping to reactivate you and encourage you to play again.
Deposit Bonus
A deposit bonus is self-explanatory. It’s a bonus you receive when making a deposit. Almost always, a deposit bonus is in the form of money, but it can also be in the form of spins, for example.
This bonus is a win-win situation for both you and the casino. You make a deposit, and the casino gives you something extra in return.
Leaderboards/Tournaments
Not everyone sees leaderboards as a casino bonus, but we believe it belongs here because it’s about earning extra money in an online casino.
Leaderboards are promotions where the goal is to rank as high as possible. Leaderboards are essentially tournaments, and you usually have to collect points to climb the ranks. How you earn those points depends entirely on the specific leaderboard.
There can be many different tournaments. It’s no wonder these rankings have their own chapter in the book “Beat the Online Casino.”
A common type of leaderboard we encounter is based on the highest single spin win. It focuses on the ratio between your base bet and your winnings in a single spin. For example, if you bet 20 cents and win €200, especially in a bonus round, you would receive 1,000 points.
Cashback Bonus
Another popular type of online casino bonus is the cashback bonus. As the name suggests, this bonus allows you to get a percentage of your losses back over a specific period. For example, a casino may offer a 10% cashback bonus on your net losses from Monday to Thursday.
The cashback bonus provides a safety net for players, giving them a chance to recover some of their losses. It’s a way for casinos to show appreciation to their players and provide them with an extra incentive to keep playing.
No Deposit Bonus
A no deposit bonus is a favorite among players because it doesn’t require any initial deposit. It’s essentially free money or free spins that the casino gives you just for signing up. This bonus allows you to try out the casino and its games without risking your own funds.
However, keep in mind that no deposit bonuses usually come with wagering requirements. This means you’ll need to wager a certain amount before you can withdraw any winnings from the bonus. It’s important to read the terms and conditions carefully to understand the specific requirements attached to the no deposit bonus.
Loyalty or VIP Bonus
Many online casinos have loyalty or VIP programs to reward their loyal players. These programs often offer exclusive bonuses, personalized offers, faster withdrawals, dedicated account managers, and other special perks. The more you play and wager at the casino, the higher your loyalty level and the better the rewards.
Loyalty bonuses can come in various forms, such as reload bonuses, cashback offers, free spins, or even luxury gifts and vacations. The purpose of these bonuses is to make players feel appreciated and encourage them to continue playing at the casino.
Wagering Requirements
When discussing online casino bonuses, it’s crucial to understand wagering requirements. Wagering requirements refer to the number of times you must wager the bonus amount before you can withdraw any winnings associated with it. These requirements are put in place by casinos to prevent bonus abuse and ensure fair play.
For example, if you receive a €100 bonus with a 20x wagering requirement, you would need to wager a total of €2,000 (€100 multiplied by 20) before you can cash out any winnings. It’s important to check the terms and conditions of the bonus to understand the specific wagering requirements and any restrictions on eligible games.