Types of Casino Bonus

Types of Casino Bonus

To begin with, you need to know what bonus you desire. All casino bonuses share some commonalities, yet each one is quite different and is intended for players of a certain kind. The most popular casino bonuses, along with the most coveted casino deposit promo offers appealing to both new players and old, are described below.

No Deposit Bonus

No deposit bonuses are probably the most sought after by online casino gamblers because they allow you to play and take something home for nothing. Their money value is usually small, which is understandable. Sometimes getting those money is trickier than you would think, especially if you manage to win something. However, that does not stop gamblers from taking advantage of them.

Note: The no deposit bonuses you see on this page are offered to new players when they register at the casino. Occasionally, however, casinos give no deposit bonuses to regular players as a reward for loyalty, or in order to persuade them to try new games or games. Usually, the latter type of bonuses aren't advertised in places like ours, because they are given one-by-one.

Welcome Bonus / Sign-Up Bonus / Deposit Bonus

Even though deposit bonuses technically can be issued to existing players (see the reload bonus section below), by far the most typical meaning of the term "deposit bonus" refers to bonuses issued to new players when they deposit for the first time, or sometimes their first deposits (e.g., first three deposits). This is why they're also called welcome bonuses or sign-up bonuses.

Deposit bonuses typically are based on the player deposit amount and are generally awarded as a percentage of the deposit. This means the bigger the deposit, the larger the bonus money. There is always almost always a cap on the bonus total figure, however.

Reload Bonus

Reload bonuses are very similar to the welcome bonuses outlined above, but with one key difference. The welcome bonuses are awarded to new players, whereas reload bonuses are for frequent players, people who have been playing at the casino already. Casinos offer them as a form of appreciation for loyalty or to bring back players after a break.

Cashback Bonus

Cashback rewards are provided to existing players but sometimes to new players too. They pay back the player a percentage of his/her losses within a period of time.

Loyalty Programs

Loyalty programs are very unique and are different from any other type of casino bonus. They allow players to exchange prizes and move up in VIP levels, and also purchase many items from loyalty points gained during play. Every casino takes its loyalty program slightly differently.

Common Terms and Conditions for Online Casino Bonuses

All casino bonuses have certain terms and conditions that are accepted by players in order to receive the bonus. They differ from one bonus to another, but here are some of the most common rules that are applicable for most:

  • Wagering Requirements (WR): You can't take bonus money out at once. You have to meet the wagering requirement first in order to "unlock" the bonus money. For example, if you're awarded a $100 bonus with a 40x WR, you must bet $4,000 before you can cash out your bonus winnings.
  • Maximum Bet Limit: You’re not allowed to place any size bets while using bonus money. Most casinos set a maximum bet limit—usually around $5 or equivalent in other currencies.
  • Restricted Countries: Not all bonuses are available in every country. Some bonuses are only available to players from certain regions, while others may exclude users from specific “restricted” countries.
  • Limited Games: Not all games are accessible using bonus money. Some are entirely off the table, and others have lower proportions towards fulfillment of the wagering requirement.
  • Win Limit Maximum: Your winnings from your bonus might be capped. If your win exceeds the maximum, only the capped amount will be paid out—anything in excess of the capped amount will be forfeit.

There are many other terms and conditions around bonuses that you should be aware of. It is always a good idea to read the bonus conditions first before you take one so you don't get any nasty surprises when you want to withdraw any winnings.

What to Look for When Looking for Bonuses

Other than the bonus terms and conditions listed above, there are a few other important issues to consider.

Always give accurate and true personal information when registering at an online casino. The majority of casinos will require you to fill out the KYC (Know Your Customer) process prior to approving your first withdrawal. That's where you'll have to provide copies of your ID and/or other documents so that the casino can verify that you're not gambling with someone else's identity but are a real person.

Also note that casinos typically have a "one account per individual" and "one bonus per individual" policy. You can't create multiple accounts at one casino, and most bonuses can only be claimed once. Trying to circumvent this policy will result in you being able to create a new account, but you'll likely get caught when you complete the KYC process when you withdraw for the first time—if not earlier than that.

Note: Opening a new account using a family member's personal details will usually be impossible either, as most casinos have a "one bonus per household" policy.

In Summary

Always carefully read the terms and conditions of any bonus, open only one account in each of the casinos, and fund using your own personal details. Do not play in scam casinos if you do intend to cash out. It is always safe to play bonuses provided by very highly rated casinos reviewed by us.