There’s more to consider than the number of games on offer when looking to take a new casino online betting platform for a spin. Be sure to pay close attention to the casino bonuses and, most importantly, the fine print that comes with them!
Bonuses and promotions are a great way for online casinos to attract new customers and reward loyal and VIP gamblers. If you’re new to online casino games, taking advantage of a bonus offer can be a good way to try out the activity and see if it’s something you’d like to stick with. Just remember that not all bonuses are created equal and many are tied up in various terms and conditions.
Read on to discover the types of casino bonuses you’re likely to come across, as well as the insider information you’ll need to tell a good bonus from a bad one.
Deposit Bonus
Ready to play at an online casino for real money? Then you’re probably about to bag your first deposit bonus. It’s essentially a bonus you’ll get to boost the deposit you make into your online casino account. While most deposit bonuses are reserved for first-timers, you can also be rewarded with a deposit bonus as part of a promotion (even if you’ve been playing on a particular site for some time.) Some online casinos offer a small deposit bonus every time you make a deposit. In most cases, this bonus is half the value of your deposit but can be as much as 100% of your total deposit up to a certain amount.
How do you tell a good deposit bonus offer from a bad one? It’s simple — read the fine print. Take the time to go through the site’s terms and conditions (T&Cs) and familiarize yourself with the wagering requirements.
Here, you’ll find the amount you’ll be expected to wager before you’re able to withdraw your deposit bonus and any money you’ve won as a result of using the bonus. Keep in mind that you may only be able to play certain games using the bonus. For example, you could be awarded a 50% bonus for playing online slots but just 10% for live dealer casino games such as poker or roulette.
Sometimes a casino site might stipulate as much as a “20x wagering requirement” or “20 times play-through”. This means you’d have to wager the amount of your bonus 20 times over (that’s right, we said “20x over”) before you can collect the bonus and any subsequent winnings. As you can imagine, this is a considerable amount of your own money that you’ll have to add to the bonus amount before you can actually withdraw any winnings. This is why we recommend you take your time to read the fine print because some offers have stricter requirements than others!
From here, armed with the facts, you’ll be able to decide if there are too many wagering requirements for your liking or whether you’re happy to go ahead and start gambling using that deposit bonus.
Sticky Bonus
A good casino bonus can quickly turn into a bad one when certain individuals practice what is called “bonus hunting.” This is when a player trawls the internet looking for loopholes in the T&Cs at online casino sites so they can play without ever having to use their own money.
In order to stop these individuals from abusing the system, sites rely on sticky bonuses that can be used to play online games but can never be withdrawn. A good casino bonus is always one that aims to give everyone a fair share and states its intentions upfront.
No Deposit Required
As the name suggests, a promotion of this type encourages new customers to sign up to a site without requiring them to make a deposit before playing online casino games.
Typically, you’ll need to complete a registration form before receiving a cash sum to play with, but keep in mind these deposits also come with conditions. If you want to tell a good no-deposit bonus from a bad one, read the T&Cs to ensure there aren’t too many restrictions attached. Then again, you’ve been given free cash to play your favorite jackpot slots or casino table games, so you might not find too much to complain about!
Poker Bonus
Poker bonuses are usually offered for first deposits. While certain wagering requirements will apply, provision is made sometimes to allow players to quickly use the bonus to boost their bankroll when they continue to play online poker. These bonuses are also a common way to reward regular or high-value players on a site.
Loyalty Bonus
Look out for good casino bonuses that reward you for your loyalty, because then it pays to play on one casino site only. Some sites even offer a VIP club membership with added benefits, often in the form of larger bonuses, more frequent bonuses or bonuses that can be withdrawn along with any winnings sooner than they usually would be.
For high-rollers or individuals who play regularly, it’s worth seeing what loyalty or VIP bonuses are offered before choosing a site. This could lead to a more rewarding gambling experience over time. However, it’s important to note that impressive loyalty bonuses can fuel gambling addiction. Never allow a casino’s loyalty scheme to tempt you into spending more on gambling than your budget allows. You should only ever wager money you can afford to lose.
Bitcoin Bonus
If you’re a fan of cryptocurrencies, you’ll be pleased to know that some online casinos now offer Bitcoin (and other digital currencies) as bonuses. While the wagering requirements may be the same, cryptocurrency bonuses tend to be larger than traditional currencies to encourage greater use of this growing payment method that’s safe, anonymous, carries no traditional bank fees and is easy to send and receive with nothing more than a smartphone in hand.
Free Spins
If you’ve played casino jackpot slots, you’ll be familiar with free spins. This is when you can spin the reels of a slot without having to pay to play. Sites typically give these out in batches of 10, 20, 30, 50, 100 or more.
While there will usually be requirements attached, free spins are a great way to increase your chances of landing those winning combinations (and maybe have some fun trying out a few new slot titles in the process.) Some particularly good free spin bonuses are included in deposit bonuses as an extra, but this depends on the online casino.
Remember to check the timeframe within which you need to use your free spins bonus. Some bonuses are valid for a short period, while others don’t have any time restrictions at all.
Choosing a Reputable Online Casino Betting Platform
Sold on an impressive casino bonus? Before you grab it, always take the time to vet the online casino in question thoroughly. Here are a few tips to ensure your safety.
- Make sure the casino is licensed and regulated by a reputable authority.
- Read reviews from other players to get an idea of their experiences with the online casino. You can find reviews on websites such as Trustpilot and AskGamblers.
- Check the software providers. Reputable online casinos typically partner with well-known software providers such as Microgaming, NetEnt and Playtech, all known for producing high-quality games.
- Look for secure (and varied) payment methods. Ensure the online casino offers payment methods such as credit and debit cards, e-wallets and bank transfers. Also, check if they use SSL encryption to protect your financial and personal information.
- Investigate customer support. Ideally, customer support should be available 24/7. Check if the casino has a live chat feature or a support email address. Make sure to test out these options to see how quickly a member of the support team responds.
Find the Right Bonus for You at Borgata Online
Are you looking for the best live dealer online casino with plenty of bonuses to take advantage of? Borgata Online ticks all the boxes! From free spins to unmissable deposit bonuses, we make it easy to get more out of your gambling experience no matter where you play — whether at home, at the airport or waiting in line at the store.
Explore our ever-growing menu of online casino games, including online slots, casino table games, bingo and many more. Register with us whenever you’re ready to join in the fun!