If you take even a casual or glancing interest in casino gaming, you’ll have been inundated with bonus offers in all the many forms they present themselves. Ultimately, the goal for casinos is to advertise their quality, how they can stand out from their competition, and how bonuses can enable them to expand their business model.
Importance of terms and conditions
It’s a deal that goes both ways, and the best bonuses will provide you with a bit more longevity, whether it comes via betting credits, real money, or free spins. Essentially, it’s a chance for the casino to showcase what they’re all about. At least, this is how it should work.
However, those with expertise in the industry know that there is a host of casino bonuses and promotions that are better than others. They also understand that there are certain things to look out for, and buried within the terms and conditions of many of these promotions is their true standout quality and features, so let’s take a look.
What is a casino expert?
It’s a fair question, isn’t it? It might be a confusing term for those who understand how casinos operate. Sure, you can become competent and understand the mechanics of how a casino game generally works, but due to their random nature, how can somebody become an expert, per se? In our experience, a casino expert is somebody who matches several or all of these criteria:
- Multiple years of experience in the casino gaming industry.
- Professional, proven track record, with expertise that showcases extensive, intricate knowledge.
- Specializes in one niche or has a deep knowledge of several topics.
Casino experts can have a detailed knowledge of casino software, how marketing works, or the mechanics of coding and algorithmic technology. Those who have turned their hobby into a profession often display the greatest passion for the industry, which is evident in their writing or when they pen an expert casino review.
Sites such as NewCasinos can bring many of these experts under one umbrella, and seek out and publish their objective opinions on the best new providers and the factors you should look for if you want to play at a highly-rated new casino.
Types of Casino Bonuses
While casinos use dozens of promotions, the most common ones revolve around matched deposits, free spins, or no-deposit codes. Generally speaking, casinos will put more emphasis on new customer bonuses than catering to existing customers, as this ultimately provides a greater yield for them from a business perspective. While there’s an emphasis on social media marketing or SEO-focused advertising, bonuses are the number one way that casinos get new customers onto their sites.
Matched deposit bonuses will match your initial deposit – that’s fairly self-explanatory. It’s often detailed as a percentage, so a 100% matched deposit on anything up to $100 means you can claim up to $100 as a free bet with your first deposit, while the terms and conditions of the bonus will state whether this is paid out in real cash or as betting credits. More often than not, it is the latter.
No-deposit bonus codes basically provide you with a free credit upon signup. Again, most casinos will pay these out as free spins or other site-specific freebies, but it’s a great way to get people on board and the most cost-effective promotion to help you get a taste of what they offer.
Free spins are usually specific to one game and will have a limited max spin amount, so again, be sure to check the terms before you register. VIP and high-roller bonuses are of the more niche variety and only target a small percentage of high-net-worth customers. So, unless you fall into this bracket, matched deposit, no deposit, and free spins bonuses will be the most common ones you encounter.
Understanding terminology in casino bonuses
While bonuses might look essentially the same on paper, a lot is happening beneath the surface that you need to pay attention to. Terms that are deep-rooted and ubiquitous in the world of casino bonus terms and conditions are what you want to consider if you’re looking at a casino bonus:
- Wagering requirements – usually stated as a multiplier of your initial deposit. If a bonus has a 30x wagering requirement and you deposit $10, you must play through $300 worth of bets before you can cash it.
- Expiry – some bonuses expire after 24 hours, so you might use your code but if you don’t deposit in time, you will not reap the benefits of said promotion. Decent expiry times vary but usually range from three to seven days.
- Max cashout or withdrawal limits – the highest amount you can withdraw in real funds. Some bonuses do not allow any cashouts and only pay out in betting credits, which can be a source of disappointment for those who do not thoroughly read through the T&Cs. We appreciate this issomething few people do in real life; it can be time-consuming but will save you time and build your knowledge in the long run.
Final thoughts
To understand casino bonuses, you need to understand the specifics of the T&Cs and the terminology. If you ensure this becomes your first stop, you can build on this foundation, implement expert tips, and get the most out of the casino bonuses you register for.
