A Guide to Online Casino Bonuses 2023

What is a Casino Bonus?

Casino bonuses are incentives that online casinos offer to attract and retain players. They can come in different forms and sizes, depending on the casino and the player’s preferences. c

A casino bonus is a promotion that a casino gives exclusively to members of its community. Casino bonuses can provide players with free bonus cash, free spins, free sportsbook bets, or other rewards. These offers are a popular methodology of user-attraction that online casinos have been using very actively in recent years.

How Does a Casino Bonus Work?

A casino bonus works as a reward that you receive from an online casino when you take some action at the casino. An action can be a registration, a first real money deposit at the casino, or by performing certain actions on the site.

Note! Casino bonuses are optional, which means that you can choose not to accept them or to opt out of them at any time.

Best Casino Bonus 2023

How We Review and Rank Online Casinos

We create a list of recommended casinos based on various criteria, such as:

• Game selection: The number, variety and quality of casino games available, including online pokies (slots), table games, live dealer games and progressive jackpots.
• Bonuses and rewards: The amount, frequency and fairness of casino bonuses and promotions offered to new and existing players, such as welcome bonuses, free spins, cashback and loyalty programs.
• Payment methods: The range, speed and security of banking options available for deposits and withdrawals, such as debit cards, e-wallets, prepaid cards and cryptocurrencies. Also, the minimum and maximum limits and the acceptance of local currency.
• Customer support: The availability, responsiveness and professionalism of the casino’s customer service team, which can be contacted via live chat, phone or email. Also, the presence of a FAQ section and a responsible gambling policy.
• Licensing and security: The reputation, reliability and legality of the casino’s license and regulation by reputable authorities, such as the UK Gambling Commission or the Malta Gaming Authority. Also, the use of encryption technology and independent audits to ensure the safety and fairness of the casino’s operations.

Casino Bonus by Country

Online casinos offer different bonuses based on what country you are in.

• Casino Bonus in Canada
• Casino Bonus in New Zealand
• Casino Bonus in Ireland
• Casino Bonus in India

Types on Casino Bonuses Explained

There are different types of casino bonuses available, depending on the casino and the purpose of the bonus. Some of the most common types are:

Welcome Bonus

This is a bonus for new players who sign up and make their first deposit at the casino. It’s usually a combination of a deposit bonus and free spins, but it can be one or the other or some other type of freebie.

Deposit Bonus

This is a bonus that matches your deposit with a certain percentage up to a limit. For example, a 100% bonus up to $150 means that if you deposit $150, you get another $150 as a bonus.

No Deposit Bonus

The no deposit bonus is a bonus that does not require you to deposit any money to claim it. It is often given for registration or as a reward for loyal players. It is usually a small amount of money or free spins.

Free Spins

These are free rounds on slot machines that you can use without risking your own money. Sometimes they have no wagering requirements, which means that you can keep the winnings as real money.

Loyalty (VIP) Bonuses

These are bonuses that reward you for your continued play at the casino. They often include tiered systems, with increasingly valuable rewards as you move up the ranks, such as exclusive bonuses, faster withdrawal times, and even personalized account managers.

Cashback Bonuses

These are bonuses that give you back a percentage of your net losses over a certain period of time, providing a safety net for those who have had an unlucky gaming session.

Reload Bonuses

These are bonuses that are offered to existing players to encourage them to keep depositing and playing at the casino. They are usually similar to deposit bonuses, but smaller in size.

Other types of freebies

These are bonuses that can vary depending on the casino and the occasion. They can include things like tournaments, prize draws, birthday gifts, refer-a-friend bonuses, and more.

Bonus Terms & Conditions Explained

Terms and conditions are the rules that apply to any bonus or promotion that you claim at an online casino. They are important to read and understand because they affect how you can use the casino bonus and withdraw your winnings from it. Some of the common terms and conditions that you may encounter are:

Wagering requirements

These are the number of times that you have to play through the bonus amount or the bonus plus deposit amount before you can withdraw any winnings from it. For example, a 50x wagering requirement means that you have to bet 50 times the bonus amount or the bonus plus deposit amount before you can cash out.

Game weightings and restrictions

These are the percentage contributions of different games towards meeting the wagering requirements or the games that are excluded from playing with the bonus. For example, slots may contribute 100% while table games may contribute 10% or nothing at all. Some games may also be restricted from playing with the bonus, such as progressive jackpots or live dealer games.

Size of stakes

These are the limits on how much you can bet per spin, hand, or round while playing with the bonus. For example, a $5 maximum bet limit means that you cannot bet more than $5 on any single game round while using the bonus. If you exceed this limit, you may forfeit your bonus and winnings.

Time limits

These are the deadlines that you have to meet to claim, use, or wager the bonus. For example, a bonus may be valid for 7 days after registration, which means that you have to claim it within 7 days of signing up at the casino. Or a bonus may have a 30-day wagering period, which means that you have to complete the wagering requirements within 30 days of receiving the bonus. If you fail to meet the time limits, you may lose your bonus and winnings or forfeit your eligibility for the offer.

Maximum win limits

These are the caps on how much you can win from the bonus. For example, a bonus may have a $500 maximum win limit, which means that the most you can withdraw from playing with the bonus is $500. Any winnings above this amount will be voided or deducted from your balance. Maximum win limits are usually applied to free spins or no deposit bonuses, but they can also apply to other types of bonuses.

Minimum deposit limits

These are the minimum amounts that you have to deposit to qualify for the bonus. For example, a bonus may require a minimum deposit of $20, which means that you have to deposit at least $20 to claim it. If you deposit less than this amount, you will not receive the bonus. Minimum deposit limits are usually applied to deposit bonuses or reload bonuses, but they can also apply to other types of bonuses.

Bonus codes

These are special codes that you have to enter when making a deposit or claiming a bonus. For example, a bonus may have a code BONUS100, which means that you have to enter this code in the cashier or in the bonus section of your account to activate the offer. If you forget to enter the code or enter it incorrectly, you may miss out on the bonus. Bonus codes are usually used to differentiate between different offers or to track the source of the players who claim them.

Note! Each casino and each bonus may have different or additional terms and conditions that you should check before claiming them. Failing to comply with the terms and conditions may result in losing your bonus and winnings or even having your account closed. Therefore, it is always advisable to read and understand them before accepting any offer.

200% Casino Bonus

A 200% casino bonus is an offer that will match your deposit 200%, meaning that you get two times your deposit for free. For example, if you deposit $10, you will get $20 extra to play with.

A 200% casino bonus may have different terms and conditions depending on the casino, such as wagering requirements, minimum deposit, maximum bet, game restrictions and expiry date. You should always read the fine print before claiming any bonus offer.

Low Wagering Casino Bonus

Bonuses with wagering requirements are appealing because you can easily satisfy the conditions. Most casinos have 30 times wagering requirements. However, you will find casinos with lower terms, such as 20 times and below. 

No Wagering Bonus

Interestingly, a no wagering bonus doesn’t require you to play through your bonus or free spins to withdraw winnings. Thanks to this, you get to keep your money and can cash out when you have the minimum payable amount.

While such offers are attractive, they are rare as casinos have to ensure players don’t take advantage. 

Benefits

• Allows you to try a casino — Bonuses like the no deposit offer enable you to check out a casino without spending money. 
• You can win real money — Notably, you can win cash from bonuses and even cash it out.
• Helps you boost your expertise — With bonuses, you can sharpen your skills without spending too much. 
• They allow you to play new games — Casinos mostly tie free spins to new games, giving you a chance to enjoy extra spins without committing your money.

Drawbacks

The disadvantages of casino bonuses include:

• High wagering requirements — Some bonuses might have high terms, requiring you to spend a lot of money to satisfy them. 
• Expiration dates — The expiry period of some bonuses is too short, meaning you might lose the bonus and winnings.

James Barkley( Senior Online Casino Expert )

James “Jimmy” Barkley is an online casino expert with over 15 years of experience in the industry. He started his career as a software developer for one of the leading online casino providers, where he created innovative and engaging games for millions of players. He then moved on to become a consultant and advisor for various casino operators, helping them improve their products, services and marketing strategies. He now writes reviews and articles for Ocelot Casino, sharing his insights and tips with the community. Jimmy has a passion for online gaming and a deep knowledge of the latest trends and developments in the industry. He is always on the lookout for new and exciting casino sites to try out and recommend to his readers. Jimmy is your go-to source for everything related to online gambling.