One of the points one has to keep in mind when considering gambling at online casinos is the fact that most offer cash bonuses to encourage play. Some of these bonuses are generous to say the least so it’s good practice to develop a clear understanding of how casino bonuses work and what, if any, terms or conditions they are subject to.
No Deposit Casino Bonus
A no deposit casino bonus is basically a no-obligation incentive given by the casino as a goodwill gesture when you register with the site. These bonuses generally require no more than registering as a member and are a great way to get a feel for the site and its games before committing to a deposit. There are casinos that require new members to register a credit card as well prior to paying out a no-deposit bonus. One should not be put off by this ruling though as there are legitimate reasons for these measures.
Casinos will ask for a credit card registration before paying out a no-deposit bonus to prevent bonus abuse and to curtail multiple account registration. This measure also aids casinos in differentiating between serious players and bonus hunters. In the long run, these rules ensure that the casino is able to continue to offer bonuses such as these and is, therefore, beneficial to the player as well.
Some casinos also require a negligible deposit to be made before winnings from no deposit bonuses are cashed out. This is also a measure to reduce bonus abuse. Wagering and game-specific terms may also apply to no deposit bonuses so it is a good idea to make sure you are acquainted with the specific casinos conditions regarding these bonuses. Also remember it is wise to do your homework regarding new casinos before you commit to making deposits to avoid falling foul of any rouge operators.
Cashable Matching Casino Deposit Bonus
The deposit match bonus is another common incentive offered by online casinos. As the name suggests the system rewards a member’s deposit/s with a pre-determined cashable match amount. These bonuses are fairly simple, for instance, if the particular casino offers a 200% first deposit match bonus and your first deposit is $50 they will contribute an additional $100 to your account. Some casinos offer only one bonus based on the first deposit, others offer several, typically decreasing bonuses on a pre-determined number of deposits.
Other casinos will offer a first deposit match bonus and then a certain percentage match on all deposits thereafter but these are not frequently encountered. Also note that deposit match bonuses are often subject to terms and conditions such as having to play out bonus and deposit amounts before cash outs are made or only being able to use the bonus on certain games.
The “Sticky” or Non-Cashable Bonus
These deposit match bonuses may not be cashed out and remain in your account for use as play funds only. Although this may sound restrictive these bonuses are equally attractive and allow for extended free play with which you can accumulate winnings that may be cashed out. Some casinos offer really generous sticky bonuses which can exceed 300% in some cases.
Online Casino Wagering Requirements
Wagering policies differ from casino to casino and generally apply to first deposit and sticky bonuses. They basically restrict players from cashing any money out of their accounts before the bonus and deposit amount have been played through a pre-determined number of times. This may be a considerable number of cycles in the case of some casinos and there are several sites that require players to wager 20 times the initial amount before they can start cashing out.
These policies were previously fairly flexible with only a single play-through being required. Due to bonus abuse and the exorbitant cost of the bonus schemes most casinos now require players to play through several times. It is possible, however, to find sites that offer bonuses without wagering conditions and they represent some of the deals in this regard.
Online Casino Game Restrictions
Wagering policies often apply only to certain games with others being exempt. It is common to see slots games subject to wagering restrictions and table games such as Roulette and Blackjack excluded.
Casino Bonus Terms and Conditions
Always, ALWAYS read the casino’s “Bonus Terms and Conditions”! Once you have registered at your online casino of choice, paid your deposit and logged in you are now hot to trot. Before you do forge ahead though, do you fully and clearly understand all of the terms and conditions that apply to the bonus system of that particular site? If you don’t you may be running the risk of having to forfeit all your winnings.
Most casinos make their terms and conditions available during registration. Please read every single word. If you can print the document, do it and read it at your leisure. Just make sure that you do understand all parts of the terms document. If there is something about the terms that makes you feel uncomfortable, logout and try another site. If some part of the terms is unclear, consult the casino help desk. These points should not put you off though. Online casinos generally offer better odds than land-based casinos and you usually get excellent value for money. And to top it all you get to play your favourite casino games in the comfort of your own living room!