The thing about online casinos is that they need to do quite a lot to stand out from their competition. One of the biggest ways that they’ve done this is through offering different bonus codes. Yes, you heard that right, bonus codes.
Are you asking yourself what bonus codes are and how they’re used? Well, fret not, you’re about to find out the answer in no time. There are many different types of bonus codes out there and at first, it can be a bit confusing; however, once you get the hang of it, you’ll be just fine.
This content is created in collaboration with king casino, thanks to their team for providing me insider information regarding this.
Welcome Bonuses
This is the bonus that most people notice first. It’s usually given when you sign up and make your first deposit, often matching a percentage of what you put in. For example, a site might offer a 100% match up to £100. That means if you deposit £100, you’ll get another £100 to play with.
Sounds generous but here’s what to look at:
- Wagering requirements: This refers to how many times you need to wager the bonus (or bonus + deposit) before you can withdraw any winnings. If the requirement is 35x the bonus, that £100 bonus needs £3,500 in bets before you can cash out.
- Game restrictions: Some bonuses can only be used on slots and certain games may contribute less towards the wagering.
- Time limits: Many of these offers come with a 7 or 30-day limit to meet the conditions.
Unless the wagering is low or you’re planning to play anyway, welcome bonuses tend to favour the casino. They’re great for getting to know a site but less useful if you’re hoping to take money out without jumping through hoops.
No Deposit Bonuses
These are the rare gems that don’t require you to put in any of your own money. You get a small amount, maybe £5 or a few free spins, just for signing up.
It sounds too good to be true and often, it nearly is. Things to consider are very high wagering requirements, maximum withdrawal caps (e.g., you can only take out £20) and tight restrictions on which games can be played.
Casinos also benefit more with this one. These offers are mainly marketing tools to get you through the door. They give you a taste of the site but make it tough to walk away with winnings. Still, if you’re new and just browsing, there’s no harm in giving it a go, as long as your expectations are realistic.
Free Spins
These usually come as part of a welcome package or as a reward for ongoing play. Free spins are typically tied to one or two specific slot games.
Watch for:
- Winnings from free spins are often treated as bonus funds
- Wagering requirements on those winnings
- Expiry of unused spins within 24-72 hours
When it comes to who benefits more, it’s pretty balanced, depending on how generous the wagering conditions are. If winnings come with low or no wagering, that swings the favour towards players. But most of the time, there’s fine print that pulls it back toward the house.
Cashback Bonuses
Cashback is often given as a percentage of your losses over a period, like 10% back weekly or monthly. Some are paid in real cash, while others might come as bonus funds.
Keep in mind that cashback in real cash is more valuable to players, some deals apply only to certain games or require you to opt-in and time frames and caps can limit the actual value.
This one can favour the player, especially if it’s real cash without wagering. It softens the blow during a bad run and gives something back. If you’re a frequent player, cashback offers can be one of the most rewarding bonuses out there.
Reload Bonuses
These are similar to welcome bonuses but offered after the first deposit, typically as part of ongoing promotions. You might see 50% reloads or occasional top-ups on weekends.
Key things to look at:
- Lower match percentages than welcome bonuses
- Still often come with wagering requirements
- Can be good for regular players, less useful if you’re only playing occasionally
Again, with this one, it’s fairly balanced. If you’re already planning to deposit and the bonus offers decent value without punishing conditions, reloads can add a bit of extra mileage to your bankroll.
Loyalty and VIP Schemes
These programs reward regular players with points, perks or even physical rewards. You earn points as you play, which you can often redeem for cash, bonuses or other prizes.
Consider:
- How easy it is to earn points
- What those points are worth
- Whether perks like faster withdrawals or higher limits are valuable to you
Frequent players can get a lot out of loyalty schemes. The value increases over time and unlike one-time bonuses, these can reward consistent activity. For occasional players, though, they’re unlikely to have much impact.
