What are casino bonuses?
To tell the difference between different types of casino bonuses, you must first find out what casino bonuses are. To put it simply, these are bonuses in the form of money or other extras that are awarded for a deposit of a certain amount or completely independently of it.
When it comes to cash bonuses, their amount is most often calculated based on the appropriate percentage of the deposit. The bonus activated on the player’s account can be spent on the game or withdrawn using the selected payment method.
In this way, online casinos try their best to advertise and attract new players. From their perspective, this is an extremely beneficial option because you can get free money that can be used in several different ways, without having to make high deposits.
Why do online casinos offer bonuses?
Everyone would like to get something for free, and casino owners have also realized this for a long time. Many players might now be wondering what business casinos have in this. Casino bonuses are primarily intended to serve as advertising. Players who feel appreciated by playing on a particular platform will not only return to it regularly but will also recommend it to their friends.
To protect against abuse by dishonest players, all bonuses are subject to special conditions. They must be fulfilled so that the possibility of withdrawing funds is not blocked. The wagering conditions for the bonus may therefore be more or less complicated, or make it completely impossible to withdraw.
How do we rate online casino bonuses?
When evaluating online casino bonuses, several key criteria are taken into account to determine their value and appeal to players. Hereβs how we rate online casino bonuses based on these main criteria:
- Bonus Amount and Match Percentage
A significant factor is the size of the bonus and the percentage of the match. A higher bonus amount or a higher match percentage (e.g., 100% match on your deposit) generally indicates a more attractive offer, providing players with more funds to play with.
- Wagering Requirements
The wagering requirements attached to a bonus are crucial in assessing its true value. Lower wagering requirements make it easier for players to convert bonus money into withdrawable cash. Bonuses with high wagering demands may be less appealing due to the difficulty in meeting these conditions.
- Game Restrictions and Contribution Rates
We consider what games can be played with the bonus and how much they contribute to meeting the wagering requirements. The best bonuses offer flexibility in game selection and have fair contribution rates across a wide range of games.
- Expiry Period
The validity period of a bonus is important. Longer expiry periods give players more time to enjoy the bonus and meet any wagering requirements, making the offer more user-friendly.
- Minimum Deposit
The minimum deposit required to qualify for a bonus can affect its accessibility to different players. Lower minimum deposit requirements make the bonus more accessible to a broader audience.
- Maximum Win Limits
Bonuses with high or no maximum win limits are rated higher because they offer players the potential for significant wins. Restrictions on how much can be won from bonus funds can diminish the attractiveness of an offer.
- Bonus Type
The type of bonus (e.g., no deposit bonuses, free spins, cashback) also plays a role in our rating. Each bonus type caters to different player preferences and gaming styles, with no deposit bonuses and generous free spins offers often being particularly sought after.
- Additional Benefits
We also consider any extra benefits that come with the bonus, such as free spins, loyalty points, or access to special tournaments. These add value to the bonus package and enhance the overall gaming experience.
- Terms and Conditions Transparency
Clear and fair terms and conditions are essential for a good bonus offer. We look for bonuses that have straightforward, easily understandable terms without hidden catches.
How to activate your bonus in a few steps?
Each online casino operates on its own rules, so the process of granting and receiving bonuses may differ slightly on different platforms. The procedure for granting bonuses that do not require a deposit is also different. To collect a casino bonus, you must comply with the online casino's regulations without omitting any of the points. Otherwise, the bonus may not appear in your account. In such circumstances, you can try to contact the customer service department, whose employees, after carefully describing the matter to you, can add the bonus manually. However, if we follow the plan carefully, you will avoid having to provide additional explanations. Here are 5 steps to get your deposit bonus.
Time Needed: 10 Minutes
Tools Needed: Laptop/Mobile
Software Needed: Email
Step 1
Choose an online casino with the bonus you are interested in
Browse our ranking of the best casino bonuses and choose the offer that seems to be the most profitable. Don't open an account blindly. Casino reviews can be very useful, as they can provide you with valuable information regarding the selection of games on a given platform, but also its safety. Choosing an online casino is quite important, especially when you are just starting casino gaming. It is not worth registering on casino websites that do not inspire your trust and seem suspicious. If you are sure about the credibility of the casino, proceed to the next steps.
Step 2
Register a player account by selecting the desired welcome bonus
Now you need to create your new account. Go to the registration form, which is usually placed at the top of the casino website. At the very beginning, you need to set your nickname and password, as well as provide your e-mail address and choose the currency. This is also the most important moment of the entire process. Don't forget to check the "Get bonus" option or indicate one of the bonuses if the selected online casino offers several of them. Sometimes a bonus code is required and should be provided in the tab describing casino promotions. Once the account is active, you should complete the remaining data, including personal and address details. Some platforms ask their newcomers.
Step 3
Verify your account according to the method indicated by the casino
The player account you have just created requires verification. Most often, you just need to click on the link that will be sent to your e-mail. Some casinos also allow verification by phone number. There are also several online casinos where you can log in in faster way by connecting your account to social media, most often Facebook. Before withdrawing the first larger amount, the online casino performs one more verification, this time by the payment method. To verify yourself properly, you must submit a screenshot of your account as part of the KYC procedure.
Step 4
Deposit the agreed amount
You must top up the ready account with the previously selected bonus with the appropriate amount of money. Make sure your deposit reaches the minimum amount as this is the only way to qualify for the bonus. Those depositing larger amounts into an online casino must additionally ensure that their deposit does not exceed the maximum amount. In this case, the welcome bonus will still be due, but its value will not be calculated based on the amount deposited and the balance will simply be increased by the maximum promotional amount.
Step 5
Start playing your favorite gambling games
Once the casino has credited your deposit, the welcome bonus will become available for you to use however you wish. Do the same if you want to receive a bonus for the second and subsequent deposits, but also in the case of a reload bonus. Start playing your favorite pokies or browse the gaming center for unknown exciting titles.
Types of casino bonuses
Casinos offer bonuses in several forms. These may include registration bonuses, deposit bonuses, or irrespective of deposit bonuses, sports betting bonuses, as well as spins on specific games. Casinos show great imagination in this area, which we can use with virtually no restrictions. Here is a description of all the types of casino bonuses available:
Cash bonuses
Broadly defined bonuses in which you can get cash. These can be bonuses with or without a deposit, thanks to which anyone who meets all the conditions can increase their bonus balance with additional cash, which in 99% of cases can be used only for further play.
It becomes very important to divide the overall balance of the player’s account into a real balance (i.e. real money available for immediate withdrawal, for example from winnings) and a bonus balance (i.e. one that must be wagered before withdrawal).
This bonus can be used in all games provided by the chosen online casino. Thanks to this, we can practice playing all pokies, but also table games and live games. Cash bonuses can be received without a deposit or for the first or subsequent deposit. Brands such as Wazamba Casino, Hell Spin Casino and King Billy Casino have very high casino bonuses of this type. You can get a really large sum of money there to start.
Free spins
As the name suggests, these are free spins in games that you don’t have to pay for. You can win real money with them. As a rule, free spins are intended for use on specific pokies.
Online casinos award different numbers of spins, most often from 50 to even 200. You can get them only once, for example as a welcome bonus or as a reward for winning a lower place in a tournament.
Free spins without a deposit also appear from time to time. The promotion’s terms and conditions always specify the maximum bet that can be placed in the promotional game. In this case, there is also a wagering requirement, which this time covers the amount won thanks to bonus spins. When it comes to free spins, the leader in this segment is Wild Fortune Casino, which offers a lot of them.
Cashback bonuses
Cashback is a refund of money, always expressed by the online casino in the form of a certain percentage of the amount of the deposit or loss. Most often it is from 5% to 30%. Sometimes this amount is not constant and increases, for example, with the deposit or the player’s level in the loyalty program.
Sometimes we can find cashback as part of a welcome offer, but much more often it is a completely separate bonus that can be activated on your account after using all the starting bonuses. Cashback will be paid to the player’s account if it reaches a certain amount. Online casinos that offer very high cashback are, for example, AmunRa, Wazamba, Alf Casino, 5 Gringos and Boomerang Casino.
Welcome bonuses
The welcome offer can be found in every online casino, both on new sites and in casinos that have been around for many years. Every online casino introduces welcome bonuses as a kind of incentive for new users to register.
Welcome bonuses most often include a bonus in the form of cash, the amount of which is a percentage of the first or second deposit.
Starting bonuses can be the equivalent of the deposit, or even 200% or 300%. Sometimes a welcome bonus in a casino is a bonus not only on the first deposit made to the casino but also on the second or third one, constituting a more extensive bonus package.
Sometimes the welcome bonus offered by the casino is increased by free spins. However, it is less common for a welcome bonus to include, for example, cashback or a free bonus, i.e. one that will be added to the player’s balance before the deposit is made. You can find a great 100% casino bonus up to A$750 + 200 free spins at Wazamba Casino.
Reload bonuses
The reload bonus is all casino bonuses that can be activated after the welcome bonus has been used on a given account. These types of casino bonuses can be divided into one-time and reusable ones, i.e. reload. The reload bonus is characterized by the fact that we can activate it on our account multiple times, at specific intervals.
We can claim most bonuses once a week by depositing funds on a specific day of the week or the weekend. Other reload bonuses can be used less frequently, but still regularly, for example, every month or only on holidays or birthdays.
The reload offer may include traditional deposit bonuses, but also money back or periodic free spins. Unfortunately, reload bonuses are less common in casinos than bonuses for first deposits, so if you particularly care about casino bonuses, pay attention to what is offered to regular players. Legal online casinos that offer a great reload bonus are Bizzo Casino, Hell Spin Casino, Wild Fortune Casino, Rolling Slots Casino or Tsars Casino, where you will get a bonus exceeding 30% of your deposit and a lot of free spins.
Highroller bonuses
Highroller bonuses are all casino promotions that are targeted at players who make larger deposits to an online casino. To be eligible for a high roller bonus, you must stay within specific limits, especially the lower ones. Sometimes the offer is divided into a regular bonus and a high roller bonus, which is automatically activated only after exceeding the mentioned threshold.
In the case of casino bonuses for high roller players, the final amount is much higher and can reach up to several thousand dollars. However, you should be careful and only sign up for high-roller promotions if you can afford it financially. You can get a huge deposit bonus and a lot of free spins, for example, at King Billy Casino.
Sports betting bonuses
Many platforms on the market offer multiple products at the same time. It is common for gambling platforms to also offer poker, sports betting and sometimes even bingo or horse racing. Sometimes the best online casino also offers bookmaker bonuses. You can usually use them regardless of what the casino offers. They have separate wagering requirements and before you can transfer these funds to the casino, you must wager them several times. 22Bet Casino is the best example of a company where there are many products available. There is both a casino bonus and a bonus to be used in sports betting.
Bonuses for downloading the mobile application
Mobile apps are rare in online casinos, even though they are very useful and can make the game much easier. Some online casinos that provide their customers with a dedicated mobile application also offer special bonuses available only to people who download and install it on their phone or tablet.
You do not need to make a deposit and just log in to your previously created account. This is usually not a big bonus, as always in the case of offers that do not depend on a deposit. However, if everything is successful, you can use it to win money that will change the fate of the game. An example of such an offer is Lucky Bird Casino, where you will get a small no deposit bonus for downloading the app.
Tournaments and lotteries
You can sign up for tournaments between standard promotions. These are usually competitions to which you must register. Then you need to perform a specific activity, for example, playing the indicated gambling games or pokies.
Usually, in the tournament regulations, the online casino also provides the conversion factor based on which the points are converted. Then, based on the points gained, a ranking of winners is created and they will be rewarded with bonuses or cash. Lotteries work similarly to tournaments, in which winners are drawn. The king when it comes to this type of casino bonus is SkyCrown Casino, where you can always find plenty of such offers.
Loyalty programs
The loyalty program is an extensive reward system in which all regular casino players participate. Most often it is divided into several levels. Upgrading to a higher VIP player status allows you to unlock further casino bonuses, for example, special bonuses available only at a specific level, cashback, free spins, but also points that can be exchanged for other benefits, other payment limits or the help of an individual assistant.
Some casinos have much more extensive loyalty offers, for example consisting of special games that offer an additional VIP bonus. The most interesting VIP programs can be found at Syndicate Casino, also Goodman Casino and King Billy Casino, both from the same owner.
Referral bonuses
Bonuses for recommending the casino to other players are similar to bonuses for downloading and installing the mobile application. This time it’s about sending an affiliate link. If the other person registers at a given online casino on your recommendation, both parties will be fairly rewarded with a bonus, for which no deposit is required. You can find this type of promotion, for example, at Fair Go Casino.
Deposit bonuses and no deposit bonuses
Most of the bonuses described can be awarded for a deposit. However, there are also no deposit bonuses in casinos. Deposit bonuses are those that we obtain only after making a deposit, which should be within specific limits. If you want to get such a bonus, you must indicate your willingness to take part in the promotion or provide the bonus code.
A no deposit bonus is the opposite of a deposit bonus. You don’t have to deposit any money to get the bonus. Most often, these are registration bonuses that are automatically awarded to all those who create a new player account, complete all data and confirm everything by e-mail or telephone number. Often, a no deposit bonus or no deposit free spins package may have much higher wagering requirements.
How to choose a favorable casino bonus?
Beginner players may not yet be fully aware of the mechanisms of online casino bonuses. Currently, there are so many online casinos that finding one perfect promotion may be more difficult than you think because there are simply too many of them in the world. Experts have identified several factors that are worth considering when choosing the best online bonus.
It turns out that the amount guaranteed by the welcome bonus, or any other bonus, is not the most important aspect that should be decisive when choosing an online casino to play. Wagering conditions and other restrictions are more important in this respect.
Here are the factors that you should use to choose the best possible online casino bonus:
- the maximum amount that can be obtained with the bonus,
- the minimum amount that must be deposited to receive the bonus,
- spin amount, i.e. how many times you need to spin the bonus,
- regulations specifying whether the wagering condition is the bonus or the sum of the bonus and the amount of the deposit paid,
- transparency of the regulations and clarity of description
- how the bonus can be used or wagered,
- time to wager the bonus,
- validity of the bonus, i.e. the time within which the bonus must be collected,
- winnings, i.e. the maximum amount that can be won and withdrawn via a welcome bonus or reload.
Bonus terms and conditions in Australian online casinos
All casino bonuses are described in detail in the regulations. Experts advise to always study the rules of the promotion you are about to sign up for. Thanks to this, you will know everything about the bonus withdrawal conditions. Each regulation must contain the information mentioned above.
The total bonus wager must be completed before winnings can be withdrawn. It takes the form of a multiplier covering a given bonus or the sum of the bonus and the deposit made. The bonus wagering is on average between X20 and X50.
Naturally, a lower ratio means a smaller amount needs to be turned over, which may also entitle you to a faster withdrawal. Below are some examples to help you illustrate the idea of ββwagering:
- You get a bonus of AUD 100 with the condition of wagering only the bonus amount of X30. In this case, you need to spend AUD 3,000 (30 x AUD 100).
- You get a 100% bonus up to AUD 100, with a wagering requirement of X30 of the bonus and deposit sum. In this case, you need to turn over AUD 6,000 (30 x (AUD 100 + AUD 100)).
- You get a bonus of AUD 1,000, with the requirement to wager only the bonus amount of X50. In such a case, you need to spend AUD 50,000 (50 x AUD 1,000).
The examples provided should help you understand how bonuses work and how important the wagering requirement is. A high casino bonus can turn out to be very unfavorable if you have too much wagering to make.
Let’s not forget that you are also limited by time and the funds you have deposited. When wagering the bonus, you play for the deposited amount, which may be exhausted much faster than you manage to meet the bonus wagering requirements.
Free spins, although they operate under slightly different rules, also have certain conditions. To cash out your winnings via free spins, you must play through the entire winnings. The condition itself is similar, although sometimes online casinos introduce a higher wager, i.e. wagering, in the case of free spins.
Bonuses without wagering requirements
Wagering conditions are a safeguard that every online casino uses against dishonest players. If it were not for wagering, every player could deposit money into the casino, increase it with casino bonuses and withdraw it immediately. Taking into account all available offers, x20 – x25 can be considered a low wagering.
This does not mean, however, that none of the online casinos available on the network offers a bonus that is not subject to such conditions. Very rarely there are promotions in which the bonus can be withdrawn immediately or after one spin.
Are bonuses required?
Casino bonuses are not required. Receiving them is the privilege of every new and regular player, but if necessary, you can always waive the bonus or simply not sign up for it. Most bonuses require you to manually sign up for the promotion. A bonus code may also be required. Without entering the code, no bonus amount will appear in your account.
Welcome bonuses can be waived by players who would like, for example, to play in the casino without the obligation to make a wagering, but with the possibility of immediate withdrawal of winnings. Only some promotions including free spins and free bonuses are activated automatically. To cancel them, you need to contact the online casino customer service.
Time for wagering and restrictions on bonus withdrawals
No reload bonuses will remain active indefinitely. All online casinos specify the time that players have to wager free spins or bonuses for new players. Most often it is 10 or 14 days, although there are also bonuses for which the casino allows 3 or 5 days for wagering. The most favorable wagering conditions are offered by casinos such as Rolling Slots, Hell Spin and King Billy Casino.
This is a relatively short time that would require you to play all day, although how long it will take to wager the bonus also depends on factors directly related to the game, such as its stake.
The bonuses that each casino offers may also have other restrictions. For example, a free spins bonus can be set so that the player can only use them on specific casino games. The maximum winnings can also be specified. In such a case, any amount won above a strictly defined limit will not be able to be withdrawn.
How to withdraw a casino bonus?
Have you found the perfect welcome bonus offered by a casino and would like to use it and then withdraw it? First, make sure you meet the wagering requirement. Read the terms and conditions to learn about any possible catches that could prevent your payment.
Once you are sure that you can withdraw your winnings, go to the player’s profile, where you will find the payment tab. If you haven’t activated a no deposit bonus on your account, you’ve probably already made a deposit. When withdrawing the bonus granted by the casino, you will notice that the withdrawal process is identical to the deposit.
In your player profile, you must select the most convenient payment method and indicate the amount to be withdrawn. Depending on the payment system, you will receive your payment immediately or after a maximum of several days.
Is it worth using bonuses?
From a player’s point of view, every online bonus seems profitable. Online casinos also willingly give away casino bonuses because, like in any other business, you need to invest in advance to make money. It is worth signing up for promotions regularly, but only for those in which you will receive a no deposit bonus or free bonuses consisting of a cash bonus and free spins with a wagering requirement that can be met with a high probability.
The best casino bonuses can lead to high winnings and allow you to discover new gambling games. The bonuses implemented by the casino are intended to encourage the registration of new customers who can increase their first or subsequent deposits.
The best casino bonuses increase your deposit by up to two or three times, so the game can last longer and the probability of winning increases. Entire bonus packages are even more attractive. Thanks to them, you will increase your deposit and receive free spins. Online casinos very often have a VIP program that activates a special loyalty bonus on your account.
What most players dream of is a no-deposit bonus, which, unlike standard bonuses, does not require the player to make any deposits, but only to register at the selected online casino. For this reason, promotions in which you can get a no deposit bonus seem extremely profitable. This is the least risky type of bonus, most often a welcome one, that casinos give to their customers as a thank-you for registering. After wagering the bonus, you can continue to use the services of these online casinos or delete your account. However, such a casino bonus has wagering requirements that are quite difficult to meet, and no deposit bonuses often also have a maximum winnings requirement.
When using the services of any online casino in Australia, collect the bonus with full knowledge of how it works. Not every online bonus is as profitable as it seems, but you need to have some practice in using online casino services to be able to recognize it. Bonus offers with complicated, i.e. high wagering requirements, are unfavorable.
Final thoughts on Australian online casino bonuses
There are dozens of AU online casinos on the market. There is a lot of competition between gambling sites, which is why each casino is still trying to convince as many players as possible, among other things, by offering more and more bonuses with more and more favorable rules. As players, all we can do is use them, trying to get the most out of them.
Although welcome promotions at a given casino cannot be combined, you can still sign up for different offers on several different platforms at the same time. If you are not sure which casino offers the best bonus, on our website you will find a list of licensed casinos and those with the most profitable bonuses.