The global online casino market is expected to grow to the value of $92 billion US dollars in the next two years. Included in this is internet casino gaming and iGaming, both of which are popular entertainment options for adults around the world.
Online casinos have come a long way in the past two decades and now have a huge variety of games for users to play, with everything from poker and blackjack to slots, baccarat and roulette on offer. There are a large and growing number of websites offering these games and as a result the industry has become highly competitive.
In order to stand out from the crowd and attract and retain new customers, most online casino sites offer bonuses and welcome promotions. They often also have some form of loyalty scheme to encourage players to visit their site again in future.
There are a number of different types of bonuses that are available to casino gamers and by understanding each of them, you can find the best ways to utilise them to play your favourite games or try out new ones.
Here are some of the most popular bonuses that you will come across when playing on online casino sites:
Welcome bonus
The welcome bonus is probably the most common type of casino promotional offer that you will come across online. They are created with the purpose of enticing new players to try out a new site and sign up for an account.
In return for signing up for an account, the new user will receive some sort of reward that they can redeem once they have deposited some money into their account. For example, if you are a brand new member to the Virgin Games website then there are two welcome offers you can make the most of.
New users can choose from either 30 free spins or up to £50 worth of free bingo if they deposit at least £10 into their account. In order to withdraw winnings there are certain wagering requirements that must first be met.
Monthly or reload bonus
For returning players, there are different bonuses that reward their loyalty and encourage them to make more deposits into their account. One such offer is the monthly or reload bonus.
A repeat player might receive bonus offers in their email inbox or when adding money to their account. While this bonus might not be as generous as a welcome offer, it is still great for casino gamers that like to play on the same website regularly.
No deposit bonus
Bonuses that do not require new users to deposit money into their account when signing up are becoming increasingly popular on online casino websites. They are perfect for new players who want to try out games without risking any of their own capital.
However, it is important to note that with no deposit bonuses, the wagering requirements are almost always very high. As a result, it is likely that you will end up depositing some of your own money and playing with that if you want to withdraw the winnings you made when playing with the bonus.
The amount that you can win from these games usually has a limit to prevent the casino from making huge losses through this offer.
Refer a friend bonus
The refer a friend bonus is just what it sounds like. If you are a member of an online casino site, you can be rewarded for recommending the site to friends.
This usually works through a referral code or link. If your friend signs up to the site using your referral you might be rewarded through either a deposit into your account or some free spins on a slot game, your friend may also receive a reward too.
High roller bonus
Sometimes when playing on an internet casino you will be rewarded if you deposit or stake a significant amount of cash. An individual who does this is known as a high roller and can receive extra rewards such as free games or deposit bonuses.
As with other bonus offers, you are likely to have to meet some sort of wagering requirements before you can cash out.
Free spins
Free spins are often given in slot games if you meet certain criteria. These spins might only work with the one game you are playing or they may be added to your account for you to use on a slot game of your choosing.
Here are some tips for getting the most out of slot game bonuses:
Play low or medium variance slots
Playing low or medium variance slots will give you the best chance of withdrawing money that you have won. These slots do not have the largest winning prize sums, however they will increase your chance of winning at least something before your balance hits zero.
Find free spins without wagering requirements
Lastly, you should stay on the lookout for free spins that have no wagering requirements. These games do exist and they will give the opportunity to withdraw winnings without playing lots of your own money first.
