We all love the chance of a bonus whether we are at work, out shopping, or kicking back and relaxing. A bonus promises something extra, a little bit more, something for nothing. However, not all bonuses are equal and not all are as they seem. It has even been reported that some banking staff have been pushing unsuitable products on customers to help them achieve their financial targets.
In the past, one would automatically assume that a banking institution would operate to the highest standards; however, it seems that is no longer the case. You need to be sure that the bonus benefits you rather than the company offering you the promotion. In an ideal world, the bonuses work for everyone and deliver a win/win proposition for the customer and company alike. As you will see, some bonuses come with terms and conditions that mean they are not as attractive as the headline offer suggested.
Nowhere is this truer than in the world of online gambling, where casinos compete to grab customers’ attention and attract gamblers to their sites. Alongside promises of stupendous jackpots, gigantic welcome bonuses, and deposit match bonuses, there are promises of free spins, extra wins, and VIP clubs. It can all be a bit overwhelming. The best casino games stand out from the crowd for all the right reasons, not just because they have the largest bonuses attached.
Delving into Online Casino Bonuses
When gamblers are looking for the best online games and most favourable bonuses, Casino.org experts are on hand to explain how they work and which ones are as good as they appear. As Hannah Cutajar, an expert reviewer at Casino.org, explains,
“There are many different kinds of casino bonuses, and the ones that seem to offer the consumer the most sometimes come with such onerous wagering conditions that customers might struggle to be able to play through in time to make the most of the offer. Sometimes, settling for a lower deposit match bonus with lower wagering requirements is better. The best bonuses and offers are on the games you want to play and offer a genuine chance of winning.”
Hannah knows what she is talking about. Not only is she Head of Gaming at Casino.org, but as a former semi-professional triathlete, she knows about endurance and how to win. Hannah understands that the best things in life take application and training. You might just want to rely on luck, but as a reviewer, she knows it is worth working out tactics and strategy.
“I know my way around online casinos and the promotions they offer after having worked in the gambling industry for years. I honed my casino and sports betting knowledge at some of the top sites in the industry. Spotting a good offer comes naturally now, as I have spent years reviewing what is on offer. My advice to anyone is to check the small print. Fortunately, my team and I do this for our readers and only recommend deals and bonuses that we consider good value.”
She goes on to add,
“I’ve learned that often the best offers aren’t always the biggest. Always read the T&Cs – it may not be exciting reading, but it will help you spot who’s the real deal. We like to guide our readers around the offers and help them understand which ones are worth it.”
Different Kinds of Bonuses
Her colleague Adam Ryan expands on the subject,
“What people need to understand is that there are a lot of bonus offers. The Canadian market is very competitive, and sites can have upwards of 3,000 games in their libraries. Bonuses are the way to make them stand out, so we try to group them so players can get a better idea of what is on offer. Essentially, they are provided by casinos to attract new players and reward existing ones.”
“Bonuses include:
- Welcome bonuses
- Low deposit bonuses
- No deposit bonuses
- Monthly bonuses and promotions
- High roller bonuses
- Game specific bonuses
- Device-specific bonuses”
How Do the Welcome Bonuses Work?
“Welcome bonuses are offered to new players and are usually a combination of bonus money and free spins that can be used on various games. Low deposit bonuses let players claim bonus funds or spins without risking much money. They are popular with players trying out new casinos (possibly after they have completed their welcome bonus. These let players play real money games without risking much cash”.
Hannah says that the ‘holy grail’ of bonuses is probably the No Deposit variety.
“Casinos offer these as a way to try out a casino without a player risking any of their own money. They provide a chance to win real money without depositing any of your own funds. Casinos offering these will be confident that they have an attractive enough offering to keep players coming back and wagering their own money. This is where monthly bonuses and promotions kick in to provide extra value and rewards and keep players engaged at a particular site. They can include reload bonuses, free spins, and cashback offers. Casino.org is also on the lookout for the best high-roller offers offered to players who deposit and wager larger sums. These can include benefits and rewards like gadgets or holidays.”
“Game and device-specific bonuses are designed to encourage players to try new games or trial a new app or device-specific offer. They are usually only available for a limited time, so we keep our eyes peeled to let our readers make the most of these offers”.
Final Thoughts
Adam has one other piece of advice,
“It is essential to understand wager requirements to get the most out of online casino bonuses. Wagering requirements are the amount of money you have to bet before you can turn bonus funds into real money. They can sometimes be very low, but they are often much higher. Low wagering requirements can make a huge difference, particularly to casual players, even if the bonus amount doesn’t appear very high. For example, if the bonus on offer is $100 but the wagering requirement is 10x, you’ll need to wager $1000 before you can withdraw your bonus winnings.”
They both say that their experience has taught them to check the wagering requirements carefully, and they are a big part of Casino.org’s twenty-five-step review process.
As she concludes,
“While the adage says that there is no such thing as a free lunch, there is rarely such a thing as a free bonus with no strings attached. However, there are some great ones available. We aim to highlight the good ones and direct our readers to the best ones so they can make their bankroll go further and, by gambling responsibly, enjoy their online time”.
These final tips aim to help players cut through the noise and find value in a crowded market. Now, you’re ready to make those bonuses work for you.
Tony Hawke 
