Online casino bonuses grant you freebies while playing on the gambling sites. They have become quite common, with nearly all online gambling sites offering one form of bonus or another. Although many online casinos have bonuses and other promotions, these offers are not created equal. For example, the Verde Casino bonus for new players might not be the same as that offered by ICE Casino, even though the numbers might seem the same.
In this article, we highlight some features that make a bonus stand out more than another. These features are mostly hidden in the terms and conditions, and you must learn how to identify them to get the most out of the promotion. These important T&Cs include but not limited to:
- Wagering requirements;
- Game qualification;
- Expiry dates;
- Sticky vs non-sticky offers;
- Maximum winnings.
Wagering Requirements
Wagering requirements refer to the money you must spend before you can cash out a bonus. They are usually expressed as a multiplier followed by a number, which describes the amount that needs to be spent. Examples of wagering requirements include x15, x20, x30, x40, x70, e.t.c., etc. There’s no fixed number across the industry, and it’s usually up to the online casino to determine the number for its bonus.
Understanding Wagering Requirements
If an online casino gives you a welcome bonus of $100 with x15 wagering requirements, while another gives you $1000 with x10 wagering, which of the two offers is suitable for you?
First, you must understand that to withdraw or use the $100 bonus, you are required to spend $1500 in real money, i.e., $100×15. In the second case, you must spend $10,000 in real money playing casino games to cash out your bonus.
Basically, the best bonus is one with low/easy-to-achieve wagering conditions. The bonus numbers might be lucrative on paper, but the wagering requirements make it difficult to redeem or withdraw them.
Game Qualification
When it comes to meeting the wagering requirements, not all games qualify to contribute to satisfying them. Moreover, some games make more contributions than others. For example, a game like Starburst slot might have a 90% contribution rate to the wagering requirements compared to a 10% made by video poker. This means 90% of your wager placed while playing Starburst will go toward the wagering requirements compared to the 10% made on video poker. Overall, online slots tend to have high contribution rates to the wagering requirements compared to any other game. Table games such as roulette come in second place, while other games, such as baccarat have zero contribution rates.
Expiry Dates
You don’t always have the whole day to claim bonuses. Online casinos usually put expiry dates on all bonuses, promotions, and other offers. There are usually two types of expiry dates on these offers:
- Those that require you to opt into the promotion as soon as you’ve signed up for an account. These usually last for about 7-14 days after signing up.
- Those that surround wagering requirements. You are usually given a certain number of days to meet the wagering conditions on the offer. Most top-rated online casinos will allow you up to 30 days to satisfy the wagering conditions.
Sticky vs. Non-Sticky Bonuses
Regardless of the number of bonuses available online, they are broadly categorized into sticky and non-sticky. A bonus is determined to be sticky or non-sticky, depending on how it relates to the deposit.
For instance, for the sticky offer, a bonus ‘sticks’ to the initial deposit awarded. These two become one and cannot be withdrawn even after meeting the betting turnover. This means the bonus can only be used to play games on the website.
On the other hand, a non-sticky bonus is independent of the deposit. These two are put in separate accounts and can be withdrawn or used to play casino games on the website. Non-sticky bonuses are the most preferred among casino players. They are easy to withdraw and use. Players can always opt-out if the wagering requirements are too high.
Maximum Winnings
Even after satisfying the wagering requirements, you cannot win as much as you’d like to. Many online casinos usually have restrictions on the maximum amount you can win while using the bonus. As a rule of thumb, always ensure the maximum amount is uniform across all online casino games.
Being Prudent Is the Key to Claiming Bonuses Successfully
These are the major factors you must consider when claiming a promotion or bonus. Remember that they vary from one online casino to another. Therefore, before opting for a promotion, read through the terms and conditions to get to grips with what you are receiving and what is required of you before withdrawing the bonus.