One of the best things about gambling online is definitely casino bonuses. For many players, these bonuses are what sway them towards playing online instead of visiting a live casino. And anyone who’s been playing or looking to play casino games on the internet knows that welcome and other bonuses can be very generous.
However, things are not as simple or as good as casinos would like you to believe. There is no denying that bonuses are good for you and your bankroll, but there are many things that players, especially those who play recreationally, don’t know about them.
In this article, we’ll try to explain some of the intricacies of online casino bonuses. The information contained in here should help players create a better understanding of bonus offers in general and highlight both positive and negative sides of these offers. That way, you’ll be fully equipped to distinguish between good and bad bonuses and go for the most valuable ones.
Online Casino Bonuses in a Nutshell
It is no secret that casino bonuses are promotional tools designed to attract players to sign up, deposit, and play with a particular casino. You’ll hardly find a gambling site these days that doesn’t offer a welcome package consisting of a cash offer and often some free spins to go along.
In general, bonuses are good for you. After all, you’ll get extra money to play with. If your main goal is to have some fun, bonuses will often give you twice as much of a chance – or even more. For example, if you deposit $100 and get another $100 on top, this sounds like a great deal, doesn’t it?
And I’m not saying it isn’t! However, casinos often make it sound way better than it actually is. There are always different terms, conditions, and restrictions connected to casino bonuses. If you don’t know where to look, you might miss these altogether. However, if you want to avoid frustration and really take advantage of these offers, it is crucial to understand the fine print.
What You Must Know About Casino Bonuses: Wagering and Game Restrictions
First thing first, let’s talk about the terms and conditions that are almost always connected to bonus offers. You need to know about these and always check them out before you start because breaking them can give a casino grounds to forfeit all of your winnings.
Wagering Requirements
If you look through the fine print, you’ll discover that 99% of casino bonuses are connected to something called “wagering requirements.” While more experienced players are well familiar with the term, those new to online gambling may not quite understand it. So, let me give a quick explanation of what the term stands for.
In a nutshell, wagering requirements are the amount that needs to be wagered (turned over) before the player is allowed to do anything with the bonus money. Again, this may sound confusing to someone new to online casino bonuses, so here’s an example.
If you deposit $100 and receive $100 in bonus cash, you’ll have a total of $200 to play with. This doesn’t mean that this money belongs to you. The casino is giving it to you to play with, but under certain conditions.
So, for example, say the bonus comes with 35x wagering. This means that you’ll need to place a total of $3,500 in bets before you’re allowed to withdraw. If you get lucky on your first spin and win $1,000 playing your favorite slot, most casinos won’t let you cash out (some will, which we’ll get to a bit later). Instead, you’ll need to continue playing until you’ve placed $3,500 in bets.
Game Restrictions
You may be thinking, “If I get lucky and win big right off the bat, couldn’t I just take my money to roulette and play red-black to clear the wagering quickly?” The short answer is no, you can’t. A majority of casino bonuses can only be used on slots, and if and when table games are allowed, they’ll only contribute a fraction of the total bet (like 5% or 10%).
Furthermore, low-risk bets, such as even-odds bets on roulette, are almost never allowed. Trying to meet your wagering in this way can only cause the casino to flag you for bonus abuse and confiscate your winnings.
With a few exceptions, most online casino bonuses are geared towards slot players, and slot play usually counts at 100%. There are some casinos also offering bonuses for table games and even live dealer tables, but these offers are far less common.
So, with all these considerations in mind, here’s what you should look out for when deciding on a casino bonus:
- Wagering requirements: avoid anything over 35x if possible
- Make sure the games you intend to play count towards wagering
- Avoid all restricted games while the bonus is active
- If you’re unsure about anything, check with customer support
Non-Sticky (Parachute) Bonuses: Here’s Why They Rock
You may have heard the terms “non-sticky” or “parachute” bonus. You may have also heard people saying that these are the best bonuses you can get. But why is this so? What is the difference between non-sticky and sticky bonuses?
Essentially, a parachute bonus is the type of bonus given to you on the deposit but with no immediate strings attached. So, you deposit the same $100 and get $100 extra, and wagering requirements are still 35x. But a non-sticky bonus will give you much more freedom.
In the same scenario described above, where you happen to win big quickly, you’ll be allowed to withdraw your deposit and all the winnings, only forfeiting the bonus amount. So, if you have a total of $1,500 in your account, you’ll be allowed to cash out $1,400 if you choose so!
It isn’t until you actually start using bonus funds that restrictions come into play. Only after you lose your initial $100 and start playing with the bonus money will the wagering requirements kick in. As long as you’re playing with your funds, the casino will not try to restrict you in any way.
With sticky bonuses, once you take them, you’re basically obliged to play until you meet the wagering or lose the lot. So, if we compare the two, there is really no argument about which one is better. Lately, more and more casinos are starting to introduce parachute bonuses, which is great news for the players.
Play-Only Bonuses: What’s That All About?
Some casinos will offer big bonuses, like 200%, 300%, or even 500%. These deals sometime sound too good to be true, even when all the wagering requirements are considered. However, more often than not, these are play-only bonuses, which belong to a category of their own.
A play-only casino bonus is the one you can use to play with just like any other bonus. However, once you meet the wagering requirements and decide to cash out, the original bonus amount will be deducted. So, if you deposit $100 and get an extra $300, if you’re cashing out a total of $1,000, $300 in bonus funds will first be removed.
Is This a Scam?
Opinions on play-only bonuses differ among players. Of course, they’re not a scam, as legit casinos don’t try to show them as something they’re not (although you’ll need to read the fine print). However, as far as value goes, these are probably the lowest-value bonuses you can have.
Since the money can only be used to play with, you’re only getting a boost to perhaps play higher or longer than you would otherwise. However, to cash out anything, you need a balance that’s over the actual bonus amount. So, all in all, these aren’t particularly valuable, although they can be fun because you can get a large boost on your deposit.
Another thing to be very careful about with these types of bonuses is the maximum cash-out clause. Often, you’ll be only allowed to withdraw three, five, or ten times the deposit amount. So, if you happen to win really big thanks to this generous boost, you still won’t be able to really take advantage of it because of this restriction.
Bonus or No Bonus: Pros and Cons
Clearly, casino bonuses can be valuable in terms of giving you a boost on your deposit, offering more play time and giving you more chances to win. On the other hand, they often come with restrictions that might cost you winnings you’d otherwise be able to withdraw. So, when all pros and cons are added up, are casino bonuses a good thing for the players?
In general, they certainly are. Most players are primarily interested in the entertainment aspect, and bonuses are great for that. With more money to use for play, you’ll get to try your luck with more games, and trying to meet the wagering requirements is a challenge in itself. It can help with setting a goal so that once you do clear the bonus, you can cash out and move on, feeling you’ve accomplished something and (hopefully) earned some money in the process.
However, if you aren’t planning for a long session or aren’t someone who plays often, bonuses might not be the best option. You’ll usually need to play for several hours to meet wagering requirements, and most bonuses come with expiration dates. For example, if you have a week to meet the wagering, but you’re only planning on playing on one day for an hour, there is really no upside in taking the bonus.
Conclusion: Are Casino Bonuses Really Free Money?
Online casinos love advertising bonuses as free money for obvious reasons. And to some degree, they are telling the truth. However, now that you know all there is to know about them, it is clear they aren’t as free as they’d like players to believe.
Are Wagering Requirements Fair?
The final point to wrap up this blog will go back to wagering requirements. The reason why I suggested you should almost never go with a bonus that has wagering requirements over 35x is quite simple. There is no value for the player in that type of deal.
Given the average return to player of a slot machine, once wagering requirements become too big, a player will never be able to meet them expecting to win money. This is, of course, in the long run, just like anything else casino-related. Most bonuses are, effectively, break-even propositions for the casinos, where they aren’t losing money but aren’t really giving anything away when all numbers are added up.
So, now you know pretty much all there is to know about casino bonuses. The ultimate decision is always up to you as the player, but it is easier to make up your mind when you have all the facts.
Keep in mind that different casinos have different terms and conditions, so always make sure to read these carefully before claiming any bonuses. If you’re unclear about anything, ask customer support. If they can’t or won’t give you an answer, you’ll probably be better off at another casino where everything is clear and transparent!
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