One of the most attractive things about online casinos, except for the selection of games, is their bonuses and promotions. That’s the trick they’ve got up their sleeves to beat traditional casinos and motivate players to join. Bonus deals and promos are a powerful marketing tool for casino operators, but you can also use them to your advantage.
Players are often offered a bonus when they sign up for a new casino as a thank-you present. But the welcome bonus is only the beginning. The best online casinos will also provide a variety of incentives and promotions, all of which are designed to improve your balance and keep you playing.
However, given that there are numerous bonus options available, it might all be complicated for newbies. In this comprehensive guide, we will examine different types of casino bonuses. We will look closely at how they work, who can claim them, and what they entail.
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No deposit bonuses
A no deposit bonus is also referred to as a free bonus. You don’t have to invest anything to get it. Once you create your gaming account, the casino will reward you with a specific cash amount, free spins, or a combination of both.
We have another helpful article explaining the different types of no deposit bonuses and how they work in more detail. For now, just keep in mind that these deals come with specific rules. Casinos often restrict the games you can play using the no deposit bonus or attach high wagering requirements to it.
Deposit bonuses
Deposit bonuses are awarded to you after you top up your casino account. You can get rewarded on your first deposit, the first couple of deposits, or earn the bonus later as part of a promotion. Such deals are typically called reload bonuses, as you get them for reloading money into your account.
Deposit bonuses may match a portion of your deposit, 100% of it, or sometimes even more. Alternatively, they may get you free spins on selected slots. If you want to dive deeper into this topic, check out our article about deposit bonuses.
Free spins
Free spins are, in a way, free game sessions for online slots only. Online casinos give them out regularly, in batches of 20, 30, 50, 100, or even more. This kind of casino bonus is often given on a specific slot game or on a few titles from a particular developer. The specifics vary depending on the deal you get, and the rules set out by the operator.
As for the types of free spin deals you can get, they also vary. Below, we will discuss the most common ones and what they entail.
- No deposit free spins – These are the most attractive type of free spins bonuses because you can claim them without any investments. Usually, with this bonus, you get fewer free spins on specific slots at the casino.
- Deposit free spins – Unlike the previous offer, the deposit free spins bonus gives you a set number of free spins after you fund your gaming account. Also, since it requires a deposit, this offer often comes with lower wagering requirements, and more spins are included.
- No wagering free spins – This kind of free spins bonus completely removes the playthrough element. Since you don’t need to meet all the requirements to use the bonus in its entirety, it is more player-friendly. However, there aren’t many online casinos that offer this kind of promotion.
So, in a perfect world, you would want to take advantage of no deposit free spins without wagering requirements. These are rare, but if you look hard enough, you might be able to locate some online casinos that have such deals.
Welcome and sign-up bonuses
New players often wonder what casino welcome bonuses are. Well, a welcome bonus is the first type of bonus you’ll come across at online casinos. Welcome bonuses often combine free spins and deposit bonuses, although these can also be given separately or in the form of another type of perk.
Sometimes, match bonuses are spread over the first three, four, or five deposits. In such cases, the welcome offer is also called a welcome package because it includes multiple prizes bundled together.
It’s good to mention that sign-up bonuses can also be modest no deposit deals. For example, when you complete your registration or verify your email, the operator may give you a $5 bonus or 5 to 10 free spins.
Cashback bonuses
When you play at an online casino, there’s a good chance you will win and also lose money. But who doesn’t like a bonus that compensates them for their losses? Well, that’s what cashback bonuses are here for.
Online casinos give out these bonuses daily, weekly, or monthly. Of course, you shouldn’t count on them to compensate for all your losses. Depending on the deal or your VIP status, they will likely cover 5 to 30% of them. However, make sure to read the terms associated with the bonus before claiming it because it probably needs to be wagered.
Loyalty and VIP programs
High-roller casinos appreciate high-spending users and frequently shower them with benefits and incentives to keep them motivated. Long-term members of a particular casino often have the opportunity to join a VIP or Loyalty Club.
The bonuses given as loyalty perks here are better than regular promotions. For example, users may get exclusive deals, birthday bonuses, event tickets, and more.
Online casino promotions and tournaments
While playing online casino games is thrilling, competing against other players undoubtedly ups the ante. Hence, gambling operators have been hosting tournaments for a while now.
With their help, each player increases their chances of winning a portion of a massive prize pool for a brief period. Besides tournaments, iGaming operators also often launch limited-time promotions that ensure everyone is well-rewarded for their loyalty.
Exclusive bonuses
As the name suggests, exclusive bonuses are online casino bonuses offered to a specific group of players. Online casinos reward existing players and try to make them feel valued.
Exclusive bonuses are offered to a variety of categories of players to satisfy their gaming demands and preferences. The following is a list of some of the more well-known exclusive bonus promotions:
- CasGuru exclusive bonuses – Sometimes, we have generous and exclusive bonus deals available to our readers only. Often, you can claim them using a specific code or by registering with a casino using a link from our website.
- High-roller bonuses – These might include substantial deposit matches and a lot of free spins. Even better, they’ll provide additional incentives like free flights and vacations in exchange for the earned “loyalty rewards.”
- Referral bonuses – Casinos will reward you for introducing your friends as new members. The bonus may be a set sum, such as $20 for each referral, or it may be a percentage of the deposit made by your referral.
- Birthday bonuses – Many casino sites offer birthday bonuses to their loyal players. Each year on your birthday, you will get a bonus in the form of cash, free spins, or both.
