There are a range of different casino bonuses available. With increasing numbers of casinos populating the online space, it becomes more important for casinos to stand out with bonuses. However, while some bonuses appear lucrative on the surface, this may not be the case.
Due to rigorous regulations and requirements to hold licences, casinos are obliged to have specific terms and conditions in place for those who accept these promotions. It can be a pain and seem unfair to players, but part of these requirements is to protect the casino too. After all, there are fraudulent gamblers and money launderers.
Without understanding what these terms and conditions mean, players can often find themselves confused or even taken advantage of.
Wagering requirements
One of the most common of all bonus requirements refers to the number of times the bonus must be played before winnings can be withdrawn. In some cases, there are bonuses with no wagering requirements. which can be found at, https://hideousslots.com/uk/casino/bonus/no-wagering/ but these are increasingly few and far between.
However, there are a couple of important features to consider. First, the number of times a bonus must be played through. The lower this number is, the easier it is to achieve. Ideally, wagering requirements around 20x are good. However, many casinos will have requirements of 40x to as much as 75x, which can be almost impossible to achieve.
In addition to the wagering times, it’s important to take note of how much of the bonus must be played through. Some bonuses only require the bonus cash to be played through. Others, the bonus and the initial deposit.
Expiration dates
Hugely important, most bonuses have a time frame in which to use them. Depending on the casino or the bonus type, this can vary greatly. For instance, free spins awarded as part of a welcome package often have 24 hours in which to use them. Failing to use them in this time means they expire, and you lose them.
Other bonuses have a lot longer to claim and use. Some will be a week, while others a month or even three. Carefully read the conditions though, as these expiry dates may refer to the time period in which you can claim the bonus, or they may be the time you have to meet all the requirements.
Eligible games
Going back to the playthrough or wagering requirements — it’s important to know exactly which games you can play the bonus on. Now, this can even start earlier when it comes to free spins. Typically, these are attached to a specific game and must be used on that slot in order to receive them.
Different game types will contribute various percentages towards the wagering requirements. Usually, slots contribute 100%, but occasionally casinos will list some slots that are not eligible. Other games like virtual table games or video poker will contribute, but only 20% or so. Live dealer games tend not to be eligible at all.
Minimum and maximum bets
For most bonuses, there are also minimum and maximum bet sizes in place. It’s important to check what these are so as not to violate the terms of the bonus. The casino will usually allow you to make any bet size, but if these are over or under the requirements, you may find all winnings are forfeit, and you are unable to withdraw them. As such, you should carefully check the conditions in place so that you don’t lose your winnings or offer as a whole.
Tips for getting the best bonus
There are some additional steps for getting the best out of your bonus offer, and that’s all aided by choosing the right bonus from the outset. With a variety of different bonus types, players should check whether they’re looking for a match deposit bonus or simple free spins.
It’s a good idea to time casino bonuses carefully, picking them when they are a limited-time offer, seasonal or a special offer as these typically provide better value. Players should also manage their bankroll, not making a bigger bonus claim deposit than is necessary.
Finally, when actually using the bonus, it’s important to choose games with a low house edge. Games like blackjack, baccarat, video poker and roulette offer better value than other games making it more likely to win. Similarly, free spins, if possible, should be used on slots with high RTPs.
With all these considerations in place, players are in a strong position to use any casino bonus effectively.
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