If you decide that you want to play real money games at an online casino, probably the first thing that will strike you when you check out casino sites is the huge array of alluring bonuses up for grabs. Given that there is so much competition in the industry, operators use bonuses to grab your attention and encourage you to sign up.
Yet whilst bonuses are undoubtedly a huge advantage of playing casino games online, they can also be the source of much anger and frustration among players. You see, there are conditions that come with every bonus, and understanding them is the key to a hassle free and smooth experience. It can also help you to spot the best deals that are up for grabs.
The first point I will stress is that regardless of how outstanding a bonus may seem, only ever play at licenced and regulated casinos. A quick check to verify that the casino site holds a valid licence from the UK Gambling Commission means that the operator is legit and can be trusted. If the UKGC licensing details are not clearly displayed on the site, there is every chance it is a rogue casino. Sign up there and you could easily become the victim of a scam.
As a new player, there are a variety of offers that you can take advantage of. No-deposit and free offers are few and far between, plus, they are rarely truly free, as you’ll generally have to make a deposit before you can withdraw any winnings in any case.
The best new player bonuses are awarded when you make a deposit. There are generally 2 types of deal available. The first is a one-time deal, where your first deposit will be matched by a given percentage with bonus funds. You will find many 100% match deposit offers. So, if for instance you deposit £100, you will also get £100 bonus, giving you a balance of £200 to start playing with.
The other type of bonus is a package deal, where you can earn bonuses over your first few deposits. These can provide better value for money if you plan to deposit and play regularly.
With both types of deal, some operators will also add on free spins as part of the offer. Keep in mind that whilst these may be called free spins, any winnings are awarded as bonus funds and are subject to the same wagering requirements as the welcome bonus.
Speaking of which, this is one of the key conditions that you will find attached to all casino bonuses. To ensure that you use your bonus to play games, operators add a wagering, or play through requirement to bonuses. This means you’ll need to play through your bonus and in some cases the deposit too, a certain number of times before you can withdraw any winnings. A wagering requirement of 50x or less generally represents a favourable deal for players.
The other important detail when it comes to wagering requirements is that not all games have the same weighting. Whilst slots and scratch cards generally count entirely towards fulfilling the playthrough requirement, you’ll often find that games with a lower house edge, including blackjack and roulette have a much lower weighting. So, say for instance blackjack has a 10% weighting, you’ll need to wager 10x more playing blackjack than you would playing slots with a 100% weighting.
These are the key details to look out for when deciding whether a particular bonus provides a good deal for you. You should also check out the validity of the bonus, so you know how long you have to fulfill the wagering requirements before the bonus expires. In future articles, I will delve into more details about casino bonuses and promotions. But for now, you know all the essentials you need to find a good welcome bonus and start playing games.