All you need to know about casino bonuses
As a newbie, visiting an online casino for the first time can be vastly overwhelming. First of all, there’s the sheer choice and number of games available, compared to a brick-and-mortar casino that can throw a curveball. Then there’s all the different types of bonuses, knowing the differences between them and when they are applicable. Some casinos may attract customers with the newest online casino bonus but these offers are a great way to dig a little deeper into the world of casino. Sometimes, you even receive them without having to part with your hard-earned cash. Before you take that leap into the world of zany Slots or mastering Blackjack to beat the dealer, let’s take a look at the different bonuses available and their benefits.
Free Play v Free Spins
Free play bonuses usually give you a certain amount of time to play the games of your choosing. It could be an hour, or it could be 24, but it’s rarely longer than that. Your free play balance will be set at a specific amount and if you go on to win anything above your original free play balance, you will get to keep that money – but you’ll more than likely need to make a deposit to withdraw that bonus cash.
Free spins differ in that it’s unlikely that you’ll have a set time frame to use them with. As they are free, you won’t be required to make a deposit into your account, and can go on to choose your new favourite Slots game to play with. Maybe there’s a title that intrigues you, or one whose graphics look incredible – as long as the games are eligible within the promotion, you’re allowed to use your free spins how you wish. The important part – any winnings that you accrue from your free spins, will be added to your account balance. But like free play, you’ll be required to make a deposit to withdraw your funds and you’ll have to look into the casino’s terms and conditions for more information on those.
What’s a no-deposit bonus?
Well as its name suggests, it’s a bonus the casino offers to new players to try out games, without having to deposit any of their own funds. New players will create an account and be instantly rewarded with free cash. There is a catch though, and more often than not, the bonus will apply to only a handful of games, so you won’t be blessed with the entire online catalogue. But we all love something for nothing and if it allows you to dip your toe into the world of online casino without needing to spend, it’s a bonus, right?
By a similar token, online casinos also offer deposit bonuses. This could be a matched bet – so if you deposit £10 into your account, the casino will match it exactly. Alternatively, they could offer you a percentage of the money you deposit, which will get added to your online account.
Both will have specific requirements and separate terms and conditions, so it’s always best to check the small print before you select any offers.
Cashback – a win/win situation
This bonus is one that can vary greatly and that’s not always available. The majority of the time, it will be valid on a specific day, or across a whole week – taking into account your losses while playing. The cashback will be credited to your account up to a specific amount, as a certain percentage of your losses. If you’re riding that losing wave while playing Roulette, or the dealer keeps beating you at Blackjack, your bankroll could take a bit of a hammering. But imagine logging in to your account to find some extra bonus cash to play with that you weren’t expecting – it would be pretty awesome, wouldn’t it? While there will be rules in place, you’ll be able to reuse those funds, or even withdraw them instead. Like we say, surely a win/win situation.