Nick Balistreri A gambling bonus can make the difference between coming out ahead or falling behind when betting online. Whether you love the slots, spend time on the tables, or can’t get enough of sports, margins are thin, and a timely bankroll boost can help any player on their quest to beat the house.
There are thousands of online casinos and bookmakers out there, and every one presents new and existing players with a whole host of fabulous rewards. There are over 2,800 established betting sites available globally, and the market looks set to expand by 11.49% by 2026. That means plenty of online betting bonuses and more become available every day.
But how do you find the best bonuses when you gamble online? Read on to discover how to separate the wheat from the chaff.
Gambling Bonus Categories
The best place to start is with the different types of bonuses. Do you want to visit a betting site, take advantage of the early bonuses, and then cash out? Perhaps you’re looking for a long-term betting home with plenty of events and, more importantly, a raft of ongoing bonuses for regular visitors.
The best bonuses in online betting often come down to how closely they match up to how you like to play. Here are the key bonus types to keep an eye on:
The Welcome Bonus
Some might say any online gambling site without a welcome bonus isn’t worth joining. However, it has become the standard among gambling sites to entice people to come inside and see what’s available.
They’re typically large bonuses, often tied to your initial deposit. Turnover requirements often require players to stick around for a while, but there are plenty of different options to clear them. After all, sites prefer punters to use their bonuses to see what the brand is all about.
The No Deposit Bonus
No deposit bonuses are eternally popular and for a good reason. It’s a great way to bet for real without risking your bankroll. When a casino wants to entice you onto the slots and tables, or a betting site wants you to return to the sportsbook, they’ll happily front some cash into your account for you to do with as you please.
These bonuses have gotten better over time. They used to be challenging to clear and rarely turned into real, withdrawable cash. However, the online betting industry is so competitive that free bets and spins are commonplace, with a realistic chance of cashing out at the end.
Cashback Bonuses
Some cashback bonuses are terrible. Nobody goes into any online betting pursuit planning to lose, and getting a percentage of your losses back as cash is scant consolation when you went in planning to win!
However, sites with the best bonus options will pay cashback whether you win or lose. It might be tied to cashable loyalty points or involve a weekly cash deposit into your account. Either way, it’s an added payment for playing and, best of all, it usually involves real money without any turnover requirements.
Game Bonuses
It won’t surprise any seasoned online gambler that casinos know their players well. They have to carry out KYC (Know Your Customer) checks under their licensing agreements in most jurisdictions. However, while they’re happy to check regulatory boxes, they also know what you like to play and when.
Many sites combine live casino games, sports betting, video slots, and just about every other activity imaginable. If you spend most of your time on the slots, they won’t waste theirs sending you free bets for the sportsbook. Fortunately, they’ll often double down on slots bonuses, and you’ll find regular reloads in your account.
High Roller Loyalty Bonuses
It doesn’t take as much as you might think to qualify as a high roller at online betting sites. Playing regularly but within your limits will often make you more important than a standard player – and you’ll be rewarded accordingly.
Some sites use a tier system, so you can see how and when you’ll get your bonuses based on your play. Others simply keep an eye on players and reach out when they want to reward them. These bonuses are often incredible, as they’re befitting of your VIP status.
They can take the form of reload bonuses, free spins, and other conventional offers. However, they might be worth much more. Some brands even take bonuses out of the online world and into reality with event tickets, holidays, gadgets, and merchandise. So they’re worth keeping an eye on if you’re looking for a long-term gambling home.
Keep an Eye on the Terms and Conditions
Many beginners and inexperienced gamblers make one crucial mistake when seeking out the best bonuses when they bet online: they only look at cash amounts.
Bigger sometimes means better, but you need to get used to poring over the terms and conditions if you want to be a betting bonus expert.
These terms could be as simple as the requirement to make a deposit before cashing out a bonus. However, different brands have different rules. When determining the best bonus for you, consider:
- Turnover and wagering requirements, or the number of times you need to play through bonus cash before making a withdrawal
- Expiry dates, where the bonus amount might potentially disappear from your account
- Promotion codes and when you need to enter them, such as when you make a deposit
- What the bonus covers, such as whether it’s exclusive to sports or specific casino games
Boost Your Return to Player Percentage with the Best Gambling Bonuses
In standard online blackjack, the house had an edge of around 2%. Online slots usually have a return to player percentage of 95% or more. Meanwhile, online bookmakers look for an edge of about 5%.
An excellent gambling bonus can be all it takes to even those odds. Played well, it can single-handedly turn the odds in your favor. From a fantastic welcome to a new site to loyalty rewards and the occasional surprise, the best bonuses can be a potent bankroll builder in their own right!
It can take time and effort to find the best ones, especially when diving into the terms and conditions, but if you want to bring down the house, a great bonus will get you off to a fantastic start.
For more tips on the best bonuses and casinos, take a look at the other fantastic gambling content here on the site!
