Whenever a player signs up at an online casino, they are likely to be met with a welcome bonus. Once they have taken advantage of the registration offer, most operators will follow that up with deals and promotions for the life of the account.
While the exact mechanics of each offer will differ depending on the casino in question, they will fall into certain categories. It’s also the case that certain types of promotions are more popular in specific countries.
No Deposit Bonus
This is one of the most appealing types of offer for any player. The ability to play at an online casino without adding a real money deposit is always going to attract attention. The exact terms and conditions will differ depending on which casino is used, but a no deposit bonus will traditionally credit a new player’s account with a small sum. In the UK, this would typically be £5, and the customer heads off to play from a specified choice of games.
A no deposit offer will typically come with stricter terms and conditions. There may be a limit on how much you can win, and there is likely to be a wagering requirement attached. Also known as a rollover, a wagering requirement specifies that the amount of the bonus must be played through a certain number of times before any winnings can be withdrawn.
Although those stricter rules are in place, the no deposit offer remains popular. Even if the player doesn’t win, it’s a great way to get used to the workings of the casino before depositing any real money funds.
Free Spins
Each of the offers mentioned in this round up can either be applied as a welcome deal or an ongoing promo for existing customers. Once signed up as a player, the operator will publish regular bonuses, and there is the chance to opt in and receive updates.
One of the most popular offers for players in the UK is that of free spins. Slots are the busiest area of any platform, and it’s logical that there will be more offers tailored to online slot machines than any other.
The amount of free spins will vary from casino to casino, but 50 is a typical number. There is likely to be a specified slot in play, and the most common options include classic games such as Starburst and Gonzo’s Quest.
The player takes their spins, and the rules will differ between platforms. Some casinos will publish a rollover on any winnings, while others will not apply any form of wagering requirement. As with all casino bonuses, remember to read the terms and conditions to check on this and other key points.
Matched Deposits
The matched deposit offer is more common in the United States, where virtually all platforms seem to have a deal of this kind. Once again, the mechanics will work slightly differently, depending on who you play with, but the principle will be similar.
Matched deposits often appear for new customers, and they initially require the player to add some funds to their account. The casino will then match that sum by a certain percentage. It may be 50%, 100%, or higher.
The minimum and maximum deposit amounts may also vary. £5 would be a common starting point, while the ceiling will often be set at £100.
Bonus funds will be added to the customer’s account. There will almost certainly be wagering requirements, but some are relatively low, making this a popular player offer as well as a common one.
Matched deposit offers may also appear for existing players. These are known as reloads and will work in a similar way. Once again, it’s important to check the rules, particularly those that relate to wagering requirements.
Loyalty Programmes
Most areas of e-commerce aim to reward loyal customers where they can. The casino industry has been relatively slow to do this, but it’s been catching up in recent years. Loyalty programmes, also known as reward programmes, tend to be more common in Canada and the United States, but they now appear more frequently in the UK.
As you play through all the casino games on the platform, points are awarded for each stake. These points will add up until the stage where they will trigger a reward. The prize could involve free spins, but at some casinos, there are luxury packages such as hotel stays and similar experiences.
The value of the rewards may differ, but each casino knows the importance of a loyalty programme, and more of these are coming into play.
Refer a Friend
The refer a friend programme is now almost universal, and this type of offer will be found in most parts of the world. The idea is to get friends and family to sign up to the casino via a unique referral link. The operator then recognises where the referral has come from and the referring customer receives a reward.
The bonuses will vary, but there may well be some free spins, or an amount of bonus cash. In some cases, the referrer and their friend will receive the same offer, but this is less common.
These are the main types of casino bonuses offered by platforms around the world. Other operators will look to be more creative, by listing more unusual deals. There are some providers that publish a daily wheel of fortune game where the player spins the wheel in an attempt to win prizes.
Other isolated bonus deals may appear elsewhere, but for most casino players, these are the offers that they will see more often. It’s such a competitive industry and operators can keep customers engaged by listing promotions such as these.
When considering each offer, value needs to be taken into account, but it’s also vital to check those terms and conditions. The best casino bonuses are those with generous numbers, backed up by fair rules so that the value is balanced correctly.
