With the huge range of casinos offering bigger and better sign up bonuses, it can be very confusing to decide which casino bonus you’d like to spend your hard earned dollars on. It’s worth taking a moment to find out exactly what type of bonus each casino offers, and how it can make your gaming experience even more enjoyable.
THE SIGN UP CASINO BONUS
So now that the casino has your attention – what kind of bonus is it really?
Sign Up Bonuses
If you like to try before you buy, these casinos are a great choice to start with. You are given a certain amount of bonus money, and a set time to play (usually one hour). This way you get a chance to try games you may not normally have played, as well as having a chance to navigate the software and see if you enjoy it. At the end of the hour if you have winnings, you can claim them as a first deposit bonus. If you don’t end up with any winnings, you can choose to walk away, or claim a Second Chance Prize. So there’s nothing to lose trying one of those really!
Best option for
Casinos with sign up bonuses are the safest option for first-time gamblers that are not sure if they want to invest money yet.
Examples of Bonus Feature Casinos we recommend
Casino Action – up to $1250
Players Palace Casino – up to $2000
Grand Mondial Casino – up to $2500
No Deposit Bonus
This is a casino chip with no time constraints, but usually a much smaller amount. They usually really are safe and only require an easy identity verification – don’t worry, you won’t have to send in your passport – a simple credit card registration is enough! No deposit bonuses usually also come with a follow up percentage match bonus.
Best option for
This is a good bonus type for those already familiar with gambling but wanting to test their luck first – or those that don’t want to mess with playing with bonuses and get into playing with real money straight away without risking any of their own money.
Example of a No Deposit Casino we recommend
Lucky Emperor Casino – Get $10 and a 100% match bonus on your first deposit after that
Percentage Deposit and Match Bonuses
The most common type of sign up bonus offered, this is where you will receive a percentage match bonus on your first deposit, or in some cases, on your first few deposits. These will usually be capped bonuses. A common offer is a 100% match up to $100. Keep in mind, though, the percentages may vary with each deposit. Your deposit can also be matched by a dollar value e.g. $20 of your money is matched by the casino for an extra $20. However, there is usually a maximum bonus amount, as these are capped, and will not increase even if you deposit more.
Best option for
These types of bonuses are best for players that already know they want to deposit – it’s just about finding the best match!
Examples of Match Bonus Casinos we recommend
Luxury Casino – Get % match bonuses on your first 5 deposits, up to a maximum of $1000 in total (1st deposit is 100% match up to $150)
Zodiac Casino – Get $20 bonus for only a $1 deposit, and percentage match on subsequent four deposits (up to $500 in total)
Golden Reef Casino – Get 100% on your first deposit, up to $100
Payment Bonuses
By using a certain payment method you may get extra perks, like a match on each deposit, or waiving of fees. It’s best to ask around and see what you can get for continued loyalty.
ONGOING CASINO BONUSES
Now that you’ve chosen the casino and claimed the sign up bonus, how else can you make your deposits stretch even further? Most casinos will offer deposit bonuses and incentives to keep you interested and happy with them. Always keep an eye out – you’d be surprised at how much is actually on offer!
Weekly / Weekend Promotions
This is usually a deposit bonus valid for a week, or for the weekend. It’s worth making your deposit around this offer. Keep in mind the dates of the promo period, and any minimum deposit amounts to make sure you are eligible. You may also need to opt in or register for the promotion and wait for a confirmation.
Compts
This is a real insider tip: Since online casinos can’t give you a free buffet breakfast or a night in a hotel, they can often credit generous chips at your request. All you need to do is ask!
However, you won’t receive one every time you ask, as it is a complimentary gift. It is based on your history at that casino. If your request is denied, simply try again another time.
Newsletter promotions
These are a fuss way to keep up with the latest games and promotions, and will often have a “Game of the Month” where you can earn bonus credits and prizes. These aren’t limited to cash or credits – e.g. Casino Rewards has been known to give away pamper spa packages, entertainment systems and even trips overseas!
Loyalty Programs
Very similar to frequent flyers points, a lot of online casinos offer loyalty programs where you can accumulate VIP points into a little online piggy bank, and redeem them for casino credits. This is where other bonuses may be credited too, so you can easily access your bonuses when you need them most.
Let’s take the example of Casino Rewards again: this is a loyalty program that covers a group of about 30 online casinos. When you register with a Casino Rewards casino, you are automatically enrolled into the Loyalty Program. Each casino you register at with the same email address will be added to your account, making it easy to keep track of your accounts, and more importantly, your bonuses.
The benefit is that you can redeem your points at any of your casino accounts, and keep track of it all from one homepage. It also means that you can choose when you want to use your bonuses. You could even save them for a rainy day.
Wagering
Keep in mind that all bonuses in online casinos have a wagering requirement, which means you need to turn over the bonus amount a few times before you can withdraw it.
Each casino group will have different requirements and the wagering of a bonus will also change depending on which games you play.
Trying to explain how it works can get quite complicated – we’d actually recommend contacting customer service via live chat in your casino and getting them to explain it to you if you’re unsure about how it works!
