If there’s one thing that most online casinos have in common, it’s welcome bonuses, ongoing deals and loyalty programmes. If you’ve already looked at a few different casinos before coming to Tonybet, it’s likely that you’ll have noticed several deals offering you free spins, cash matching on your first deposits, and all kinds of VIP schemes.
However, it’s worth noting that online casino bonuses carry specific terms and conditions, which, for some people, might not be worth getting into. Before agreeing to sign up and take on a bonus deal, for example, you might need to agree to wagering requirements or be restricted to a certain amount of prize money from free spins.
So, are online casino bonuses worth it? Certainly, the Tonybet team strives to offer deals and perks that provide genuinely great value regardless of your play style. However, it’s still worth asking the question, and in this guide, we’ll take a look at how casino bonuses work, and what you need to consider.
Explore Tonybet’s games catalogue before checking out our promotions.
How do online casino bonuses work?
Online casino bonuses are designed to give players extra credit to play games and to keep them invested in a specific casino. For example, a welcome bonus might boost the amount of money you first pay in, or a free spins package might allow you to explore a specific series of games.
Online casino bonuses work in a few different ways depending on the type you opt for. For example, to claim free spins, scratchcards or a credit boost, you may need to:
- Pay in a certain amount of money.
- Wager a specific total on a set game.
- Be a member at the casino for a certain period of time.
- Simply be a brand-new customer.
Regardless, online casino bonuses are incentives with certain terms and conditions attached. The most talked-about of these is wagering requirements (which we’ll go into more detail about below). Otherwise, when claiming casino bonuses, the following terms and limitations may apply:
- Caps on prize sizes when using bonus credit.
- Time limits for using credit and free spins.
- Restrictions on specific games.
- Use of specific payment methods (e.g., cards rather than e-wallets).
- Minimum deposit amounts.
It’s vital to look at all the terms and conditions of any online casino bonus you consider taking advantage of. Unfortunately, some casinos may not be upfront about the small print, meaning that it’s up to you to do your due diligence. Rest assured, of course, that Tonybet always tells you everything you need to know about the bonus terms we run.
You also don’t have to claim a casino bonus unless you want to, meaning that you won’t have to adhere to wagering requirements.
Types of casino bonuses
Some of the most popular types of casino bonuses include:
- Cash matching deposit bonuses (where the casino matches the amount of money you pay in with a bonus credit).
- Free spins (where you claim free games on specific slot games based on a certain bet level).
- No-deposit bonuses (slightly rarer deals where you can try games without paying in).
- Free scratchcards (pretty self-explanatory!).
- Reloads (cash matching deals for regular players who come back and make further deposits).
- VIP programmes (tiered loyalty schemes and achievement features where you can claim extra freebies by playing regularly).
This is by no means the full extent of the different casino bonuses out there, but this list does cover the most popular choices among players right now. In all cases, it’s vital to play responsibly and to set limits so that you always keep control of your play time and money.
What are wagering requirements?
Wagering requirements expect players to pay and play a certain amount of their bonus money back into games before they will be able to withdraw cash. It is a common stipulation which ensures that casinos make the most of the bonus marketing and encourage players to stay for longer.
For example, if you accept a cash matching deal with 40x wagering attached, you would usually need to play 40x your bonus amount received back into specific games. Sometimes, the wagering requirement will apply to your bonus credit and the amount of money you deposit, meaning that, again, it is always worth checking the fine print so that you know what’s expected.
Wagering requirements are often the terms and conditions that players look at first before claiming a bonus, simply because they tell you how valuable a deal might be in the long run. For instance, let’s say that you take up a cash matching deal set at 100% (meaning that the casino effectively gives you the same amount of money you deposit back as a bonus).
If you deposit €100 and claim €100 in bonus credit, you have €200 to play with. However, if the bonus wagering terms are set at 40x, you will have to play €200 multiplied by 40 – which is €8,000 (if the wagering requirement accounts for the deposit and the bonus received). To some players, this might be a relatively high figure, especially if they are set on withdrawing any prizes they claim.
Therefore, it is always wise to consider your gaming budget before looking at wagering terms. Some casinos offer different wagering requirements, and bonuses always vary regardless of where you play.
Pros and cons of claiming casino bonuses
There are plenty of good reasons to take advantage of online casino bonuses. However, there are still some potential drawbacks and limitations you might want to keep in mind. Let’s break down the pros and cons in detail before you claim any bonuses of your own.
Pros:
- Bonuses can give you more chances to explore new games.
- Casinos frequently launch new bonus deals.
- Many casinos let you use bonuses on mobile and desktop.
- You have extra time to play games and try strategies.
- Bonuses are completely optional in the vast majority of cases.
Cons:
- Wagering requirements may restrict what you can withdraw.
- Some bonuses come with bet and win caps.
- You may be restricted to certain games.
- You’ll usually have a window of time to use the credit quickly.
- There are risks if you don’t play responsibly.
Common mistakes to avoid with casino bonuses
Let’s close with a few quick tips on what to avoid when using casino bonuses, whether as a new player or a seasoned customer:
- Never overlook the bonus terms – read them in full before making a deposit.
- Don’t assume that you will always have time to use credit within the time limits set – plan ahead carefully.
- Don’t assume that you have to accept a welcome deal – in some cases, you may not need to.
- Never accept online casino bonuses at a site that appears unregulated or otherwise shady.
- Don’t ignore wagering requirement weighting (some games pay less towards wagering than others).
- Avoid claiming multiple bonuses at once (and potentially voiding the terms and conditions).
Before you take a look at any of the bonuses and deals available at Tonybet, always make sure to carefully read what’s on offer and to measure your own attitude to risk and wagering. And remember, we are always here to help if you need us!
