If you have ever visited an online casino website before, you will most likely have noticed the huge promotional offer on the homepage that is trying to tempt you to register an account with them and start playing any of their games in the real money mode. I have claimed countless sign-up bonuses.
If you haven’t ever been to an online casino before, there’s a good chance you will have seen them being advertised on late-night television, on any other websites that you visit, on various social media platforms, video streaming platforms, and many other places. Today, I notice online casinos being advertised everywhere.
For example, you can also see online casinos being advertised on the hoardings around football stadiums and even on the kits the teams wear. The welcome bonus is the initial sign-up offer that can usually only be claimed when you make your first ever real money deposit on that site, and it’s usually either a matching deposit bonus or you will receive free spins to try out selected online slots.
Let’s dive straight in to discover five different types of online casino bonuses you will most likely encounter when visiting today’s most trusted sites, and learn more about what to look for in a good bonus and how you can get the most out of any bonuses that you decide to claim.
What are the five main types of online casino bonuses in 2024?
Although there are thousands of online casino bonuses out there, most of them can be classified as one of five different types of bonuses. For example, the main bonuses you can easily find on most sites today are one or more of the following:
- Deposit bonuses (also known as matching deposit bonuses or match bonuses)
- No deposit bonuses
- Cashback bonuses
- Free spins bonuses
- Loyalty bonuses
You also have reload bonuses, wager-free bonuses (aka zero wagering bonuses), high roller bonuses (aka VIP bonuses), live casino bonuses, payment method bonuses, and daily login bonuses.
However, try not to be confused by all of these bonuses because they are essentially either a free spins bonus or a free cash bonus, and you will either need to deposit to unlock your bonus or you won’t need to make a deposit.
Where to find the most generous bonuses in 2024
If you have decided that you want to play at an online casino, and you are of legal age in your country to play on real money gambling sites, then you want to ensure that you find yourself a safe site with generous bonuses that won’t let you down in any way, shape, or form.
In all my years of playing, I have never looked for online casinos using Google or any other search engine. For over ten years, I have always trusted this page (askgamblers.com/casino-bonuses/exclusive) for the latest bonuses on the safest sites.
These bonuses can’t be found elsewhere and often come with low-medium wagering requirements.
All of the featured casinos on this well-known iGaming review site are fully licensed and regulated by several top-tier gaming commissions/licensing authorities, meaning they can be trusted 100%, and they are controlled by trustworthy operators with superb reputations.
What look for in a good online casino bonus
I consider myself a seasoned pro when it comes to claiming online casino bonuses, which is nothing to boast about, but it means I always find the best deals. When looking for a good online casino bonus, always remember the following:
- If you like playing online slot machines, start by looking for free spins bonuses. However, claiming a matching deposit bonus also means you can use that free money to play online slots
- Only ever claim bonuses on licensed and regulated sites with positive reviews, a CasinoRank score of 8.00 or greater, and excellent player feedback
- Before claiming bonuses, read through the terms and conditions to ensure you get the most out of your bonus
- The Ts and Cs will also tell you about the wagering requirements attached to that bonus, how long you have to complete them by, and which games/payment methods are included/excluded from that promotion. You will receive your full expected value by reading through the terms and conditions and doing what you need to do
- Look for bonuses with wagering requirements lower than 50x. It doesn’t mean you should never claim bonuses with 50x or higher wagering requirements. It just means you will complete your wagering requirements quicker when they are lower. I’m generally ok with claiming bonuses that come with a 0x to 45x wagering requirement
- If you can afford it, maximise your bonus by depositing the full amount
- Find out what the minimum qualifying deposit amount is to ensure you don’t miss out on the bonus
- Only ever claim one bonus at a time
Final thoughts
Some people will immediately sign up to an online casino if they like the look of the current welcome bonus on that site without conducting any basic research, which I strongly advise against.
Before signing up anywhere, don’t be tempted straight away by a bonus. Remember to read the reviews because they often claim exclusive bonuses that are even more generous, and the reviews will also tell you if the site is safe or not.
Finally, remember to gamble responsibly when you next claim an online casino bonus. In other words, I would suggest that you log in and set as many safer gambling controls as possible to ensure you remain within your budget. Session time reminders work well for me, but you might like to set a daily, weekly or monthly deposit limit or a win/loss/spending limit.