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UKDeciding if Casino Bonuses Are Worth it at Online Casinos
Are online casino bonuses worth it in the long run? We examine how online casinos tempt you in with attractive deals and keep you playing with promises of riches.
But how easy are casino bonuses to claim and clear, and will you end up wasting your deposit? We sort the free spins from the deposit matches to show you the best ways to navigate the casino waters.
What to Look for in Online Casino Bonuses
The best online casinos offer bonuses to attract new players and keep existing ones happy. Here are some factors you should consider when asking yourself: “Are casino bonuses worth it?”
- Bonus Size: First, assess the total size of the bonus, including max. payouts and match percentage. Is the bonus generous in itself as a total sum?
- Wagering Requirements: The wagering terms are the amount you must gamble any bonus cash before withdrawing. These “playthrough requirements” vary from casino to casino, so check before you opt in.
- Game Restrictions: Some casino bonuses are tailored toward specific bonuses, such as slots or live casino. Other bonuses completely prohibit low-edge games like blackjack.
- Bonus Time Limits: Most online casino bonuses have strict expiration dates, after which time you lose all money earned.
- Contribution Rates: Slots and table games carry different weights when clearing a bonus. Slots typically contribute 100% (progressives aside), while table games count for much less.
- Eligible Banking Methods: You may be restricted to crypto or debit/credit cards when claiming a deposit bonus. Check the bonus T&C before you open your wallet and deposit.
You can see there are many factors to consider when you claim and clear a casino bonus. Start by checking the terms and conditions and deciding on games to play. You can then decide, “are online casino bonuses worth it for you?”
When an Online Casino Bonus is Worth Your Time
The best online casino bonuses offer generous terms and easy ways to unlock free cash. Here are some of the ways to spot an online bonus that’s worth pursuing.
Good Bonus for New & Casual Players
Welcome bonuses should be just that, gentle and welcoming for new and casual online gamblers alike. You should be able to get started with a low deposit or even claim free spins with no funds.
Bonus Has Low Wagering Requirements
Casino bonuses with low wagering requirements are much easier to clear. For example, $50 on a 30x wagering requirement requires $1,500 of activity. However, a 40x requirement increases that sum by $500.
That extra $500 is a lot of bonus funds to clear within the expiration period. Always check the bonus wagering requirements on every bonus you’re considering.
When the Bonus Includes Cashback or Risk-Free Betting
It’s good to lower the risk whenever you can on an online casino bonus. No-deposit bonuses don’t require any financial commitment, as do free spins. You can also claim a cashback bonus to receive a refund on some of your net losses.
When You Play High-Contribution Games
Playing high-contribution games can quicken the pace at which you clear a casino bonus. Slots tend to contribute 100% towards bonus clearance.
That means every buck on slots you play counts toward your bonus. However, table games with a lower house edge, such as blackjack, may contribute less.
When You Play High-RTP Games
You must play casino games with as high a Return to Player percentage (RTP%) as possible. You can clear bonus funds faster and trigger a withdrawal at the end.
Imagine claiming a deposit match bonus that counts 100% of all your slots play. You can research slots with the highest RTP (96–98% is sufficient) and keep them in your Favorites list. You may not clear the bonus, but you’ll give yourself a better chance overall.
Table games with a low house edge and high RTP% are also worth hunting for a casino bonus. European Roulette has an edge of 2.7%, compared to the 5.26% of American Roulette. Therefore, you should allocate more bonus funds to European Roulette. Long-term, you’re giving yourself a better opportunity to clear cash.
When Online Casino Bonuses Aren’t Worth It
Are online casino bonuses worth it all the time? Not when the terms and conditions are lousy, or game contribution rates don’t pass muster.
At GamblingSites.com, we only recommend casinos online that offer the fairest terms and worthwhile promotions.
You Want to Withdraw Winnings Instantly
Every casino bonus has you locked in until you satisfy the clearance terms, or fail trying. You can’t withdraw slot or roulette winnings until you’ve cleared all the T&C within the set time.
Let’s imagine you have $1,000 to clear within seven days. You win $900 on eligible slots and blackjack games. However, you must clear that extra $100 until you can lay your hands on free cash.
You Play Games Ineligible for a Casino Bonus
A free spins bonus is ideal if you play slots, but it’s pointless if you only like roulette and blackjack. Similarly, many deposit match bonuses are ineligible for live casino games or low-edge table games.
Casino games with a low house edge are great for long-term gains. However, you’re oftentimes better off just sticking to your regular casino play than claiming a bonus.
Bonus Terms are Non-Beneficial to You
An online casino bonus may be non-beneficial if you’re unlikely to satisfy the terms and conditions. You may want 14 days to clear funds instead of the regulation seven.
In addition, you may have to deposit crypto to qualify for a casino bonus. You’ll be cut out if you only want to deposit USD via a card or e-Wallet.
Bonus Terms Restrict Betting Strategy
Casino bonus terms are designed to thwart a zero-sum strategy that’s good for the player. For example, the casino will likely slap you with a bonus abuse charge if you play a zero-sum strategy in roulette.
For example, imagine you spend your bonus funds playing red and black in roulette to negate losses. You’ll likely come out even or incur a very small loss. However, the online casino will spot your betting strategy and void your bonus right there.
Choosing a Good Online Casino Bonus
Are online casino bonuses worth it in the long run? Let’s take a closer look at two common casino bonuses to see how they compare.
| Criteria | Good | Bad |
|---|---|---|
| Casino | Wild Casino | Bovada |
| Casino Bonus | Welcome Bonus – 250 Free Spins | Welcome Bonus – 100% up to $3,000 Deposit Match Bonus |
| Min. Deposit | $20 | $20 |
| Max. Win | $100 | Unlimited |
| Eligible Payment Methods | Cards, crypto, e-Wallet | VISA/MasterCard |
| Eligible Games | 10 slots (25 spins per day) | Slots, table games, specialty games |
| Contribution Rates | Slots 100% | 100% slots; 5–20% table games, specialty games |
| Wagering Requirement | n/a | 25x |
| Reload Available? | No | Yes (2x reloads) |
A free spins bonus allows you extra cash when you play and win nominated online slots. You can access free spins with a minimum deposit, but the maximum win is limited. Plus, you may still have to wager your free spins winnings many times over before withdrawing.
In our “good” bonus example, Wild Casino offers 250 free spins when you open your account. You trigger the free spins with a minimum deposit of $20. You then receive 25 free spins per day for 10 days on different slots.
Our “bad” bonus example is the hefty deposit match deal from Bovada. A deposit match welcome bonus like Bovada’s offers much more freedom on maximum wins and eligible games.
You can pick and choose from table games, slots, or even specialty games to work through your bonus. However, the 25x wagering requirement applies to on winnings before you come to cash out.
In our example, Bovada offers more ($3,750) when you sign up and deposit with crypto. You can only claim $1,000 if you deposit with VISA or MasterCard. However, the 25x playthrough amount is much lower than the 35x–45x you usually find online.
Should You Use Casino Bonuses Online?
Are casino bonuses worth it? Essentially, it’s a question that boils down to your personal bankroll, game preferences, and level of gambling activity.
You can unlock free cash easily if you maintain a lot of spins and gambling hours. However, always check the terms first and choose the games you want to play before you commit.
Bovada Casino offers an exceptional range of welcome bonuses and crypto promotions. You can earn bonus credits for sports and poker, too. Plus, the Bovada Rewards scheme rewards you for every dollar you spend on eligible games.
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