For gaming sites not on GamStop it is a marketing tool and often a nice extra for players: a casino bonus. Casinos use it to lure and keep players. After all, who doesn’t like “free” money? On this page, we will explain to you what a casino bonus is, what to look out for and how to make the most of a bonus.
Welcome Bonus
Most online casinos offer a welcome bonus. That is not surprising, because this is the way to bring in new players. Sometimes a welcome bonus is already given when you sign up (and then it is a no-deposit bonus), but usually, a welcome bonus consists of one or more casino bonuses.
With a welcome bonus, you usually get free money, often a percentage of your first deposit, or first few deposits. For example, you can see: with your first deposit 100% bonus of up to €300. That means your first deposit will be doubled, and you can get a maximum of €300 casino bonus.
A welcome bonus can also be a different percentage, sometimes it is 200% of your deposited amount, sometimes only 50%. The maximum amount also differs per casino bonus. Some online casinos have a welcome bonus that is spread over several deposits, for example, you get 100% on the first deposit, 75% on the second and 50% on the third.
In addition to money, you can also get free spins with a welcome bonus. If this is the case, it is often in combination with a cash bonus and is often given in stages so that you have to come back several times to claim them.
Reload Bonus
You often see a reload bonus as part of the welcome package. For example, you will receive a bonus on your first deposit, but, if it is gone, also if you deposit again (a reload).
A reload bonus can also be offered if you have not played for a long time as a player. The casino then hopes to activate you to play again.
Deposit Bonus
A deposit bonus speaks for itself. It is a bonus that you get when you make a deposit. A deposit bonus is almost always in the form of money, but it can also be in the form of spins, for example.
This bonus is a win-win situation for both you and the casino. You make a deposit and the casino gives you something extra.
Leaderboards / Tournaments
Not everyone will see a leaderboard as a casino bonus. Yet we think it belongs here, after all, it is about the extra money that you can earn in a non GamStop online casino.
Leaderboards are promotions that are all about getting as high as possible on the leaderboard. Leaderboards are therefore tournaments, where you usually have to collect points. How you collect those points is entirely up to the leaderboard.
Tournaments revolve around completing certain tasks in as few spins as possible, such as getting a bonus game, collecting many symbols, etc. There are also leaderboards where you earn points with the amount you bet at non gamstop betting sites. With the latter there is little luck involved, with other leaderboards often a bit.
No Deposit Bonuses
Sometimes a non GamStop casino gives away a bonus that you don’t have to do anything for: a no-deposit bonus. These are often free spins or chips for a live casino game, but it can also be an amount of money.
The fact that you don’t have to deposit anything for it does not mean that there are no further conditions, but more on that later.
Jackpots
Jackpots come in many different types. Non GamStop casinos can also use them for promotional purposes and these are the jackpots we love. So not the mega jackpots at Mega Moolah, Wow Pot etc, because you usually give in more than it gives you.
Promotional jackpots are jackpots that are given away by the casino, and not by the game provider. Jackpots often fall for a certain time or a certain value. And our experience is that this is often really at the last minute, or just before the maximum value is reached.
So it is often possible to predict when a jackpot can fall and that can make them interesting.
Free Spins
Free spins is perhaps the most common bonus. Not only do you get free spins as a welcome bonus, you often see this bonus coming back as a promotion for new slots or just as a nice gift from the casino.
Cashback Bonus
A cashback bonus is a casino bonus where you get part of your loss back as cashback. Usually, this is a few percent, for example, 5%. Suppose you lose €1000 in a month, you will get €50 back.
Live Casino Bonus
A live casino bonus is a bonus that only applies to the live casino. This can be a deposit bonus that can only be used in the online live casino, but also free bets.
Highroller / VIP Bonus
We come across the high roller bonus in two variants. First of all as a variant of the welcome or deposit bonus, but then for players who immediately want to deposit a substantial amount (usually at least €1000).
The high roller bonus was often seen as a VIP bonus. Almost always for bigger players. All players must be offered the same bonuses. We will therefore not often see the Highroller bonus again.
The Terms & Conditions of a Casino Bonus
It never happens that a casino bonus is without conditions. That would be nice: receiving free money and not having to do anything for it. Suppose a deposit bonus was without conditions, then you would deposit money, receive extra money and be able to cash it out again.
It is therefore important to take a good look at these conditions. Sometimes gems come along that are too good to pass up, namely bonuses with extremely good conditions. You have to look for them though because they are rare!
