Your Guide to Casino Bonuses | The African Exponent.
The online casino has become a juggernaut of the modern era and one of the success stories of the digital world. Globally, a progressive move towards more liberal gambling legislation combined with an increasingly online base of consumers has created the perfect environment for the casino industry to prosper.
And in such a fiercely competitive arena, it’s a customer’s market. Each year several new providers appear on the scene and several more shut up shop, having been squeezed out by the competition.
As a result, online casinos are keen to attract new players to their sites, and one of the ways they do that is by offering bonuses to new users for creating an account. This guide will tell you everything you need to know about the types of promotions online casinos provide and how to make the most of them.
No Deposit Bonus
The simplest and most direct form of bonus a casino can offer is the no deposit bonus. As the name suggests, no deposit is required by the user in order to redeem the promotion.
No deposit bonuses are less common and usually only run for a brief promotional period so should be taken advantage of whenever you see them. As with any bonus there are inevitably fine-print details that you should ensure you are aware of which often include wagering requirements, but otherwise, these offers are available to any new customer creating an account for the first time.
Wagering Requirements
As generous as many promotions appear, casinos are not often in the business of giving away money for nothing and therefore any casino bonus is likely to come with an accompanying wagering requirement. A wagering requirement is a set of stipulations that the redeeming party must satisfy in order to withdraw their winnings.
Wagering requirements are usually displayed as a multiplier. A no deposit bonus of 20 might have a wagering requirement of 5x. This means that 100 must be wagered before a player can cash out.
The most important thing to remember concerning wagering requirements is that if you hit a losing streak and wager the entirety of your bonus amount before meeting the requirement, you will need to deposit your own funds to continue playing. If, however, you hit a win while still using the bonus capital and subsequently satisfy the wagering requirement, that money is then yours to keep.
Deposit Matching
Similar to no deposit bonuses, a provider offering a deposit match will add a specified amount to the player’s balance relative to the sum that is deposited. The conditions of deposit matches normally include an upper limit and sometimes a multiplier, i.e. the casino offers 2x whatever the user adds to their opening balance up to a maximum deposit of 20. Wagering requirements will also apply.
Free Spins
Slots are undergoing somewhat of a resurgence at present. The popular fruit machine mechanic has found its way into dozens of hit mobile games, even ones far removed from the casino sphere.
Traditionally, slots would occupy the largest percentage of a casino’s gaming floor and the modern online counterparts are no different, with dozens of titles available for all tastes and styles. There are even some websites that revolve entirely around their selection of slots titles.
A common promotion you’re likely to encounter is a free spins bonus, which can be redeemed at a number of the provider’s slots games. Free spins are also popular bonuses at poker-centric sites in an effort to persuade players to sample the host’s accompanying casino services – this is because slots are more profitable than the rake (percentage) gained from poker tournaments.
Free spins, like most other bonuses offered, are also subject to wagering requirements, so make sure to always check the terms and conditions thoroughly.
Loyalty Incentives
It’s not just new customers that are the recipients of hot casino bonuses, just as important to the company is to retain a player’s custom and that’s where loyalty incentives come in. Loyalty incentives are offered to players that return to the site regularly, reach a predetermined financial investment level or achieve a certain volume of play time.
Like many high-end brick and mortar casinos, a progression of the loyalty incentive is the VIP area which is offered by many sites. These are special restricted areas that are reserved only for the high-rollers and biggest spenders. VIP rewards can include any number of perks and advantages including special jackpots, limit free play, tickets to big events and access to exclusive games.
Bonuses have become an integral part of the marketing strategy of many online casinos. They work to draw new players to the providers’ sites and also keep existing customers satisfied.