Welcome Bonuses Explained

Even the longest voyage begins with a single step and online casinos want to make players feel welcomed right from the start. Intense competition between Internet operators led to a flurry of welcome bonuses, aimed at attracting customers. Many casino sites have advanced client retention tools, but before they get to put them to good use, they need to expand their customer base. The introductory offers are the best weapons in their arsenal and new players can benefit from some sweet deals, if they know what to look for.

Why do Casinos Offer Welcome Bonuses?

When things sound too good to be true, they usually are and players are entitled to be skeptical about things they get for free, especially online. Welcome bonuses are offered to those who sign up for an account and usually consist of cash and free spins. The obvious reason for why casinos have them in their offer is to lure in new customers. There are plenty of operators out there, all bragging to be the best, so it’s a buyer’s market and players never run out of choices.

The other reason for why welcome bonuses are offered is that they provide players with the incentive to make a deposit. Free spins and other bonuses that are offered with no strings attached on new slots sites are low; players need to load their accounts to benefits from generous matched deposit bonuses. This is the goal of online casinos, as they try to convert prospective players into customers. Thanks to the wagering requirements, the casinos make it impossible for players to claim bonuses, cash them out and never play there again.

What Types of Welcome Bonuses are there?

Online casinos are not as creative as one might assume, especially when it comes to welcome bonuses. There are a few introductory offers for players to choose from and most operators offer similar deals.

First Deposit Bonuses

The most popular welcome bonus is the one offered as a one-time deal when players make the first deposit. This is matched by a certain percentage and players must meet play through demands before cashing out winnings. Some bonuses require the redemption of promo codes while others are awarded automatically. On rare occasions, players are expected to contact customer support and claim the bonus.

Multiple Deposit Bonuses

Another type of welcome offer, very similar to the first deposit bonus is the one spanning over several deposits. The casino will match the first three or more deposits by a percentage that can differ from one deposit to the other. Sometimes players need to clear the first bonus before claiming the second. More often, they can make deposits in a quick succession and have them all matched.

No Deposit Free Spins

Free spins are also offered frequently to players who sign up for a real money account. Some of them are awarded with no strings attached, while others are indissolubly linked to a deposit. It is common practice for casinos to award free spins in conjunction to the first deposit bonus. Free spins can be played once on eligible slots and the resulting profits are subject to further wagering requirements. No deposit free spins are almost always fewer than those awarded to real money depositors.

No Deposit Cash Bonuses

These bonuses used to be very popular many years ago, but they are almost a rarity today. Casinos don’t want to take the chances of players abusing the no deposit cash bonuses, so they rarely offer them. Even when these incentives are offered, the amounts are small and the wagering requirements very strict. Some casinos go a step further and will cap the maximum winnings, so players can’t win a jackpot using no deposit cash bonuses. In order to withdraw winnings, players need to make a deposit.

High-Roller Welcome Bonuses

Online casinos dream of expanding their customer base, but they have a clear preference for high rollers. These are the ones who deposit and wager the bigger amounts, so casinos go to great lengths to keep them happy. The most effective way of attracting this elite category of players is to make them an offer they can’t refuse. Given their high expectations and resources, high-roller welcome bonuses need to be large enough to catch their eye. Casinos frequently lower the wagering requirements for the special offers.

Things to Know about Welcome Bonuses

Prospective players who search for the best casino to join and make a real money deposit take welcome bonuses very seriously. Tempting as it might be to choose those gambling operators offering the bigger amounts, further research is needed. That is because there is more than meets the eye about introductory offers and the sheer size of the bonus isn’t the only thing that matters.

Take Wagering Requirements Seriously

The size of a bonus means nothing when the wagering requirements make it impossible to cash out winnings. It is essential for players to have a real shot at clearing the bonus before the deadline, so the funds are not removed. The terms and conditions differ greatly from one casino to the other, but welcome bonuses with low wagering requirements are worth pursuing.

Which Games Qualify?

This is a very important question to ask when making the deposit and applying for a welcome bonus. Some casinos will require players to focus exclusively on slots, table games or other genres. In most cases, different games will have a different stake percentage contribution. Slots are usually the most effective at clearing bonuses, while table games can take up to 10 times longer.

Make Use of Promo Codes

The vast majority of casinos automatically credit bonuses to the accounts of eligible players after a deposit is made. Others still require them to use a promotional code before, during or after the registration process. Read the fine print to make sure you don’t miss out on the opportunity of having the first deposit matched. Get in touch with customer support to clarify matters when you have even a shred of a down.