Online slots bonuses explained

There are multiple offers and promotions offered by online casinos which can lead to a bit of confusion if you can’t tell the difference. This guide will explain the different types of online slots bonuses.

Every bonus has a playthrough requirement before you are able to cash out your winnings, so make sure you understand what that means too – if you don’t, this guide will also explain so don’t worry.

In fact, let’s begin with that before diving into the types of online slots bonuses.

 

What Are Playthrough Requirements?

The best way to explain is with an example.

Let’s say the bonus requires you to play your deposit and a 30x bonus before you can cash out your winnings. Note that the multiplier will vary between online casinos.

So then let’s say you deposit $100 and get a $100 bonus to play with, totalling $200 in all. In order to satisfy the playthrough requirement, you must wager the entire $200 30 times before you can withdraw the winnings ie $6,000.

Other casinos may make you play through the bonus only. So, using the example above, you would have to wager the $100 bonus 30 times before you can withdraw the winnings ie $3,000. 

Another important thing to know about playthrough requirements is that only certain games are allowed. The slots are always allowed but games like blackjack and roulette aren’t always treated the same way. If they do accept blackjack, then it’s likely the casino will have a higher playthrough requirement. 

Always read the terms and conditions of every online casino you join. While they may all seem the same, most of them will be very different when you get into the detail.

So now that that’s been covered, let’s take a look at all the different types of online slots bonuses to claim.

No Deposit Bonus

The no deposit bonus is a very simple slots bonus and it’s very popular with players. Simply register a real player account and you will get the money. You don’t even have to make a deposit. The money will either be automatically credited to your account or you will have to claim the bonus by confirming it through an email.

Some casinos may limit your use of no deposit bonuses to play certain games, so again, make sure you read the terms and conditions to understand what you can and can’t do with it. The limitations may include how much you can withdraw with that bonus. While other casinos may not have this restriction, they may require you to make a token deposit before you can then withdraw the cash.

Match Bonus

The match bonus is received after you made a deposit. As the name suggests, the online casino will match your deposit by a certain percentage. For example, if the online casino offered a $100 match bonus up to $500, then you will get double the amount you deposit to play with, as long as you deposit no more than $500.

So, if you deposited $500, then the match bonus will give you an extra $500 play with.

Match bonuses are usually only offered to new customers making their first deposit at that online casino. Pay attention to the percentage bonus. Depending on where you play, you may find a better offer at another site.

Of course, you will still need to meet the playthrough requirements before you can withdraw any winnings.

Free Money Bonus

The free money bonus is another initial deposit bonus where you know exactly how much you are getting regardless of how much you deposit. For example, the casino may offer to give you a $100 bonus as long as you deposit at least $20, giving you a total of $120 to play with. However, if you deposit $50, $100 or $500, you still only get $50. 

Whether this gives you enough value comes down to the math. For example, if you compare it to the match bonus above, you get far more to play with on a $20 deposit on a free money bonus. In this case, it works out to a 500% bonus.

So, before you disregard bonuses that seem very small at first glance, make sure you actually know how much you would get from a minimum deposit. You may get just as much as you would from somewhere else that offers a “bigger” bonus.

Sticky Bonus

The sticky bonus allows you to play with a larger amount of money, but you cannot withdraw the sticky bonus itself. In essence, you’re given free money to play at the slots. Once you have met the playthrough requirement, then you can only withdraw winnings that exceed the initial sticky bonus amount. Once you have withdrawn the winnings, the sticky bonus is removed from your account.

Casinos that offer sticky bonuses usually offer very generous sums for this reason, so you can play with a much larger bankroll than you may have planned. Some casinos out there may give you $3,000 worth of sticky bonuses alone, meaning you can play the bigger stakes and get a much payout ratio when you hit the big win.

Exclusive Bonus

You will only see exclusive bonuses at certain sites. It means that the owner has made an exclusive deal with the online casino for members only. The bonus will be one of any of the above types, but usually at better rates than the bonuses offered to the general public. Of course, make sure you read the terms and conditions so you know exactly how different they really are.

Loyalty Bonus

Loyalty bonuses work similarly to exclusive bonuses in that they can only be received by members only. You must reach a certain status within that online casino to unlock the bonus. The types and subsequent amounts will vary between the casinos, but the rewards can be great. For example, some may not even have a playthrough requirement, while another bonus may give you extra perks and cashback rewards after playing for so long.

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