The Complete Guide to iGaming Bonuses
If you are not new to gambling online, or even on this website, then you would already have a fair idea that iGaming bonuses refer to any promotional incentive provided by online gambling operators—from online casinos to sportsbook applications.
Of course, the best part of the truth is that with so many iGaming platforms currently running, each trying to come up with something new off this much-coveted bonus offer, it turns out to become really overwhelming. That's why we have got our definitive guide to iGaming bonuses!
Why Gambling Bonuses Matter
As a player, whether you’re wanting to get your hands on a tasty welcome bonus to play gambling games online or after some free bet offers for your favorite sports events, iGaming bonuses can deliver all manner of extra value. Bonuses aren't just about player benefits, however, they’re also a strategic tool for operators.
In fact, it's no overstatement to say that bonuses are fundamental to the iGaming industry’s ongoing growth and sustainability. They can:
- Increase player acquisition
- Enhance player retention
- Reward player loyalty
- Facilitate higher stakes in games
- Mitigate player losses
Understanding Casino Bonuses
Enough about the strategies behind online gambling bonuses, though. Let’s move on to the exciting part, the different types of bonuses that are available to you as a player.
Welcome Bonuses
Easily the most common type of bonuses, welcome offers typically come in the form of a match bonus, where the casino matches a percentage of the player's first deposit up to a certain amount. For example, a 100% match bonus up to, say, $1000 means if you deposit $1000, you get an additional $1000 in bonus funds to play with. Some welcome bonuses even include free spins on top slots titles as an added incentive.
The welcome bonus structure can vary from platform to platform, though, with some casinos offering a single bonus on the first deposit and others splitting the rewards across multiple deposits.
Pro tip: always read the terms and conditions in depth to understand the wagering requirements attached to a welcome bonus.
No Deposit Bonuses
The Holy Grail of online casino gaming bonuses, the no deposit offer is a promotion that gives you funds to play with without having to deposit any of your own money to your player account. Now, before you get too excited, these types of bonuses are often a lot smaller than the classic deposit bonus (averaging between $10 and $25), but they’re a great way to check out what a new casino platform has to offer.
Free Spins
If you’re a slots gaming fan, then the free spins bonus will be right up your street! As the name suggests, these offers allow you to play a series of free spins in specified games. They’re pretty versatile bonuses too, either being offered as a standalone promotion, forming part of a welcome bonus package or to reward player loyalty.
Free spins also come with conditions, such as a cap on the amount you can win, a minimum limit for wagering requirements, etc. Make sure you check which games are eligible for free spins bonuses too as they will only be compatible with named titles.
Reload Bonuses
As substantial as a welcome bonus but tailored towards existing players, reload bonuses can provide extra funds for multiple deposits. Each operator will set its own schedule as far as when such bonuses are offered, but you can expect most platforms to release reload bonuses on a weekly or monthly basis (they’ll typically match a percentage of a deposit amount too).
High Roller Bonuses
Maybe you fancy yourself as a bit of an elite gamer, if so, the high roller bonus will be right up your street! These offers are geared towards often longer-term players who've continually deposited and played larger sums of money at online gambling platforms. The bonuses themselves will often be a match deposit, with higher percentages and larger amounts to incentivize big spenders. For example, a high roller bonus might offer a 50% match up to $5,000.
High roller bonuses will have unique terms and conditions separate to that of a regular deposit match. They’re certainly not for every type of player, but they can be pretty useful for those gamers who are comfortable managing a large bankroll and looking to generate significant returns at the table.
Wager: 25XB
Max Win: €/$100
Wager: 40XB
Max Win: €/$50
Wager: 20XB
Max Win: €/$50
Poker and Sports Betting Bonuses
It’s not just the online casino sector that rewards player loyalty, many online poker platforms and sports betting operators offer their own bonuses and promotions too.
Deposit and no deposit bonuses can typically be found across the board, with the only difference being the types of gambling activities they can be used on.
In the world of online poker, though, a popular offer is the rake back bonus. This essentially represents a percentage of the rake per pot that’s returned back to the player. Often used as part of a loyalty program, the rake back bonus can significantly boost a player’s bankroll over time, provided they’re playing at a high enough volume.
And it doesn’t take a genius to work out that the most common bonus available in the sports betting vertical is the free bet offer! They may be simple in their premise—a small amount is credited to a player’s account that they can then use to place a bet and keep the winnings— but they’re an excellent way to try out new online bookies or venture into sports betting as a rookie.
