One of the defining features of online casinos is their commitment to promotions, free bets, and other incentives to catch the eye of new players. However, sometimes you need a bit of knowledge to make the most out of these offers. So, here’s a quick guide to getting the most from your new hobby.
Welcome Bonuses
The vast majority of iGaming websites give new sign-ups some kind of welcome bonus such as a free bet, a few complimentary spins on the slot machines or a ‘deposit match’. That’s where the casino effectively doubles your first deposit. The welcome bonus will likely exceed in value any singular promotion the website offers players in the future – it’s the bait to hook new punters.
It can pay to be patient when deciding on a new casino. A fat welcome bonus may sound like the perfect start to your poker career, but some companies attach conditions or ‘wagering requirements’ to the gifts they give. Especially those in the category of no deposit bonuses. It may be the case that you can’t withdraw winnings on a free bet, or a deposit is required before you can cash out.
mFortune, a casino and bingo website, is a good example of a company with a no strings attached welcome bonus. The site offers up to 80 free spins on some of its slot games as well as a free play worth £5 in its virtual bingo halls. That might sound pretty standard in the casino niche but a ‘keep what you win’ policy on free bets is a bonus all on its own.
Refer a Friend
This one speaks for itself: refer a friend to a casino and receive a reward in return. There will be stipulations, however; the casino might not payout if your friend doesn’t make a deposit or never plays again after spending their welcome bonus. Plus, rewards tend to be on the low side. But, they can prove lucrative for social butterflies on a poker circuit.
High Roller
Another fairly obvious one: high roller bonuses reward players who have the money to make huge deposits. So, if you’re going to be dropping £1,000 or more, you could be onto a winner.
Most games with a deposit or microtransaction system – from casino titles to Pokémon Go – earn the majority of their income from a very small number of users referred to in the trade as ‘whales’. In mobile gaming, the figure is 50% revenue from 0.5% of the user base. Whales are incredibly valuable to casinos so high roller bonuses can be lucrative, paying out (e.g.) £10,000 on a deposit match basis.
Reload Bonuses
Otherwise known as deposit or monthly bonuses, reload promotions usually reward players with a percentage of their total deposit back every month. They’re similar to loyalty payments in that they’re designed to keep players interested and on a single website.
Some websites will go as high as 100% on reload bonuses but there’s almost always a maximum amount, ranging from hundreds to thousands of pounds. The downside of this approach is that a ‘100%’ reload bonus on £1000 might only turn out to be £50 – if the company isn’t willing to go any higher than that. It always pays to read the fine print.
A final point, don’t throw all your eggs in one basket – small bonuses on a regular basis may ultimately pay out more than a huge welcome bonus. If the casino has no other promotions on offer.
