Casino players can get an advantage when playing at an online casino
When you create an account as a new player, you can get your hands on hundreds in free casino money.
Also, you are often gifted a large number of free spins on a slot machine as well. A huge advantage over land-based casinos, pubs or slots parlours, where you don’t get these kinds of bonuses.
However, there is one drawback to a casino bonus: you cannot get the casino bonus paid out immediately in most cases.
For a casino bonus to be paid out, you must first convert it into real money.
And you do that by betting the bonus (and sometimes the bonus + deposit) several times. This phenomenon is often called the wagering requirement.
Additionally, there are several other things you need to take into consideration when you want to unlock an online casino bonus.
Best ways to unlock a casino bonus
To prevent everyone and their dog from receiving a bonus and having it paid out immediately, the online casino has drawn up these rules. If they didn’t, then an online casino that gives away a free casino bonus would be bankrupt within a few days.
And an online casino is in the business of making money, not losing money, whether we like it or not.
A casino bonus is a little extra for the player. You can benefit from it, but the casino doesn’t just give it away as a gift. Think of it as a cat and mouse game between the player and the casino. The mouse (the player) tries to get away with the cheese (the casino bonus), the cat (the online casino) tries to prevent this fairly.
The bonus rules are nothing more than the rules of the game between the player and the casino. Although unlocking a casino bonus may sound tricky, it is not that bad.
You can already give yourself an advantage by looking closely at the requirements and making the right choices based on that information.
How to improve your success rate in unlocking an online casino bonus?
We’ll give you some tips on what to look out for when unlocking a casino bonus. By applying these tips, you can be sure that you’re playing a casino bonus quickly and securely with the best chance of converting the casino bonus into real money.
Bonus Tip 1: take the maximum amount of bonus on offer
You only claim a casino welcome bonus once. So, please take a good look at how much the maximum bonus is and use it. Of course, it all has to fit within your budget.
Bonus Tip 2: compare wagering requirements
Many players forget to look at the different wagering requirements that online casinos enforce on a welcome before making their first deposit.
This is a huge shame, as there are significant differences between online casinos and their bonus terms.
For example, let’s compare two online casino bonuses:
- Casino A offers a 100% welcome bonus up to $€100 with a 30 x times (bonus + deposit) wagering requirement.
- Casino B offers a 100% welcome bonus up to $€100 with a 35 x times (bonus) wagering requirement.
If you take a bonus of $€ 100 at Casino A with a playing requirement of 30 x the bonus + your deposit, then you have to wager 30 (100+100) = $€ 6,000 before the bonus becomes available.
If you take a $€ 100 bonus at Casino B with a playing requirement of 35 x the bonus, you only have to wager 35 x 100 = $€ 3.500 before the bonus becomes available.
Both casinos give the player a $€100 bonus, and the starting balance is the same at both ($€ 200). However, The wagering for that same deposit amount is $€ 6,000 at Casino A and only $€ 3,500 at Casino B.
Which casino would you choose?
Only a fool would choose Casino A.
The lower the wagering requirement, the easier it is to unlock the bonus.
Bonus Tip 3: pay attention to which games are allowed
Not every game contributes equally to the fulfillment of the requirements to get your bonus paid out. Table games often contribute only 10% or even nothing.
Some slots only contribute 75% or 50%, and in many online casinos, you can’t even play certain slots with bonus money at all. These slots include progressive jackpot slots, slot machines with a bonus you can save up.
Bonus Tip 4: want to play live casino games with bonus money? Forget it.
Nearly all online casinos prohibit players from playing live casino games with bonus money.
If your game of choice is Lightning Roulette, Live Dream Catcher or Deal or No Deal Live and you loathe online slots, it might be a good idea not to take a welcome bonus.
Bonus Tip 5: check if there is a maximum withdrawal on bonus winnings
Some online casinos (usually the dodgy ones) impose a maximum payout on winnings with bonus money.
We have encountered online casinos with a withdrawal limit of 5 x or even 3 x times the initial deposit amount.
Some dodgy online casinos impose maximum withdrawals on bonus money winnings
Should you win a 5k jackpot on a deposit of $€ 50 at one of those online casinos, you are out of luck and will only be able to withdraw a fraction of that win.
If you want to avoid such a horror scenario, always check the terms and conditions before you even consider making your first deposit.
Bonus Tip 6: see if you can get free spins as well- and what they’re worth
Many casinos also give away free spins on your first deposit – sometimes up to 200 free spins. It is, therefore, worthwhile to consider this.
Also, look at which slot machine you get the free spins on. Some spins are worth $€ 0.10 per spin, others as much as $€ 0.50!
For example, free spins on Starburst are only worth $€0.10 per spin. If you receive 100 free spins on Starburst, their total worth is only $€ 10. Free spins on Twin Spin are worth $€0.25 per spin.
Even if you only get 50 free spins on Twin Spin as part of the welcome bonus, they would be worth more than the Starburst spins.
Many online casinos also have wagering requirements on free spin payouts, but some have no wagering requirements on free spins — a huge advantage.
Bonus tip 7: pay attention to the time limits
Online casinos have time limits on casino bonuses: you must have used the bonus within the set time limit. With welcome bonuses and reload bonuses, you usually have up to 30 days. Free spin bonuses often have to be used faster: generally within 15 days.
Bonus tip 8: avoid using strategies while playing with bonus money
Don’t even think about using a roulette strategy to plough through those pesky bonus wagering requirements.
It is forbidden to use betting strategies such as the Martingale strategy or by betting both on black and red at the same time.
While most strategies have been forced out of play by the casinos by enforcing the maximum bet rule, casinos are always on the lookout for players that try to beat the systems, so-called casino bonus abusers.
Bonus tip 9: some casinos will stop you when you (unknowingly) are about to break a bonus rule
Sometimes you might be breaking a bonus rule without even knowing it. You could be playing a slot on the “no bonus play allowed” list, or you could accidentally be staking too much. The results could be disastrous, as the casino now has the right to confiscate your bonus and all bonus winnings.
Some online casinos have decided to implement systems that detect when you are about to break a bonus rule. Furthermore, play will be stopped so you can choose a different game or lower your bet.
We applaud online casinos that have implemented these kinds of player-friendly warning systems.
Slots Million was the first online casino to do so, and we applaud that.
Bonus top 10: try to play low variance slots with a high return to player
If you want to have the best possible chance of unlocking a casino bonus, try to play low variance slots with a high return to player, preferably 97% or higher.
Have you ever wondered why slots like Blood Suckers and 1429 Uncharted Seas are always on the list of slots that you cannot play with bonus money? They are both low variance and have a high return to player.
That said, there are plenty of suitable slots you can play with bonus money out here. You need to find them.
Grab your casino welcome bonus
After reading these tips, you will undoubtedly be eager to unlock a casino bonus at one of the many reliable online casinos we have already tested for you.
You will find the best casino bonuses in the overview below, good enough to satisfy even the most seasoned casino player.
Available in your country
- ✅ Licensed and secure
- ⚡️ Crypto payments
- 📱 Mobile-friendly
That said, before claiming any of the Buffalo Casino welcome bonus offers, I suggest you read through the Buffalo Casino bonus terms and conditions. For instance, the minimum required deposit for the bonus is €10, and the maximum amount you can wager using bonus money is €5. Additionally, you must fulfill 40x Buffalo Casino wagering requirements for both bonus credits and free spins to keep the winnings.
Bonus Info & Terms
- 🤑Crypto-friendly
- 📱Mobile app
- 🚀Leaderboard feature
It has a wagering requirement of 60x and I have to say that the bonus terms and conditions are not fair, 60x is an above the standards, so be aware before you deposit for welcome bonus.
Bonus Info & Terms
- 🤑 Mouthwatering welcome bonus
- 📱 Mobile compatible site
- ⚡️ Fast payouts
Unlike some operators, you don't need a promo code to claim this welcome bonus. However, the minimum qualifying deposit set for the offer is $20 each for the first, second, and third deposit bonuses. Once you claim the bonus, you must also fulfill 40x Spinbet Casino wagering requirements to cash out winnings made from the offer.
Bonus Info & Terms
- ✅ Cryptocurrencies available
- 🎁 Multiple Welcome Bonuses
- ⚡️ Fast payouts
Nevertheless, note that the qualifying deposit for the Goldwin Casino welcome bonus is €20, and the free spins have no wagering requirements. However, your match bonus for the second and third deposits comes with 35x Goldwin Casino wagering requirements.
Bonus Info & Terms
- ⚡️Fast deposit and withdrawal options
- 🤑Mouthwatering bonuses
- ✅24/7 live chat support
Note that the deposit + bonus amount is subject to a 35x wagering requirement for any winnings to be withdrawn. Ensure you complete the wagering requirement within the 30-day validity period. Slots contribute 100%, and table games and video poker contribute 10% to the wagering requirement.
Bonus Info & Terms
- 📱Top-notch mobile performance
- 🤑Crypto gambling
- 🎁Exciting bonuses
You need a minimum of $20 to claim the offers. Additionally, if you can deposit $100 or more for your first deposit, you can claim up to 100 free spins to play the Hot Lucky 7s slot.
Bonus Info & Terms
- 🤑 No-deposit bonus
- 🎁 Generous promotions
- ⚡️ Progressive jackpots
The minimum deposit for the welcome offer is $50, which is a bit higher than most other online casinos I gotta admit. However, if you don’t mind the steep deposit, you can get a pretty decent starting bonus to try out what this casino has to offer.
Bonus Info & Terms
- 🤑 Multiple Bonus Offers
- ✅ 24/7 Customer support
- ⚡️ Fast payouts
The welcome bonus wagering requirement is 30x (60x for table games and video poker). If you claim the cashback bonus, you must fulfill 1x Paradise8 Casino wagering requirements to keep winnings from the offer. In addition, all bonuses have a validity period of 30 days, after which they become invalid.
Bonus Info & Terms
- ✅ 24/7 Customer support
- 🎁 Enticing welcome offers
- 🤑 Existing promos and VIP program
The wagering requirement must be beaten in 90 days to win and withdraw the bonus fund. All games except jackpot slots contribute to the wagering requirement. Slots contribute 100%, Keno contributes 50%, and Video Poker contributes 20%.
Bonus Info & Terms
- 🤑 Crypto-friendly
- ✅ Licensed and secure
- ⚡️ Instant deposits
The qualifying minimum deposit for these welcome bonuses is capped at $25. It’s important that you redeem the code before you make these deposits for the bonus to be valid. In addition, you must beat the wagering requirement of 25 times before you can withdraw the bonus funds on any deposit.
Bonus Info & Terms
