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A little bit more
Seriously, who can resist a bonus? We all love them, whether it is some extra money on our paychecks or free products when we go to the mall. A little more is always welcome, particularly when we have to tighten our purse strings just to afford the basics. There’s a British idiom that goes, “What has that got to do with the price of eggs?”. Right now, rather a lot has to do with the price of eggs, and any savings that can be made are a welcome relief from spiraling prices.
When we have to make savings, the fun parts of life often suffer. We rightly prioritize ensuring that we can afford the essentials, and having funds and enjoying ourselves can play second fiddle. We might find ourselves playing the same games over and over. No matter how exciting the latest Warhammer game is, sometimes it is nice to branch out. iGaming is a sector that offers generous bonuses that can be used to enhance our online experience and make our budgets go further.
Look before you leap
Before you click on what appears to be the most generous bonus on offer, it is important to remember that not all bonuses are equal. Some seem too good to be true, and frankly, some are too good to be true. If you do not read and understand the terms and conditions of the offer, you may find that you are tied into restrictive wagering requirements. That could mean that, despite having racked up a good cash pot, you cannot withdraw your winnings until the amount you stake hits a pre-determined total.
While this does sound complicated, if you remember that high-multiplier bonus offers usually have high wagering requirements, you will avoid the worst of the onerous conditions. Not all high-multiplier bonuses have excessive wagering conditions, but it is a valuable rule of thumb.
Finding the best bonus codes
Anyway, enough of the doom warnings because bonus codes aim to make your play more enjoyable and, hopefully, more fruitful. Online casinos offer bonus codes to encourage players to sign up at their establishment rather than at a competitor’s. The most common ones are for opening a new account, and they usually include deposit matches and free spins. However, it is also possible to find no-deposit bonus codes, which are the holy grail that every iGamer is seeking out.
With dozens of bonuses to choose from, the advice is to shop around for the best deal. However, it can all become a bit overwhelming, and it can be tempting just to click on the first link that comes up in an internet search. The problem with that approach is that the higher-ranked results may not be the best offers – companies pay to get their links up the rankings. So, if you want to get the most out of bonus codes, it is worth asking an expert about the best ones and learning how to deploy them to enhance your gaming time.
Finding an expert is easier than you might think. There are review companies that do nothing other than compare and review gambling sites. Casino.org is an independent review site that actively seeks out the best promo codes on offer. It also makes it very clear which bonuses players should steer clear of.
How to use them
Real-money casino bonuses can only be used in states that allow real-money gambling. However, if you are a resident of a state that does not permit online casino gaming, you will find that many operators offer similar promotions for sports betting sites, and the principles of using them are the same.
Using a bonus code can offer the following perks:
- Access to exclusive offers
- A bankroll boost, even with a low deposit
- An opportunity to try new sites and games for a low down payment
- Bonuses that work for you (and not just the casino
Watch out for:
- Short expiry dates
- Excluded games
Signing up and claiming should be simple and straightforward. If you see a bonus you like on Casino.org’s site, click the ‘Visit Site’ or ‘Play Now’ link, and you will be directed to the online casino offering the bonus. You will need to set up your account with your personal details. At this stage, you might need to enter the bonus code, or there might be an automatic link between the review site and the online casino.
To prove you are who you say you are, verify your age, and confirm that you are located in a location where online gambling is legal, you will probably have to upload your official ID. Your device’s geolocation service will sort out that you are in a legitimate location. Once the verification process is complete, the sign-up bonus will be activated, showing in your account and ready to play.
Common mistakes to avoid
While bonuses can enhance play, there are some common mistakes that people make, which you need to avoid to get the maximum bang for your buck from the bonus code. So do not forget to:
- Enter the promo code when prompted
- Make the minimum deposit requested
- Play the specified games
- Play the bonus within the specified timescale
- Fulfill the wagering requirements before trying to withdraw your winnings
- Only claim a welcome bonus that is available in the state you are playing in
- Check out the rules for existing customers – sign-up bonuses are not available in this case.
Rewarding loyalty
Do not despair if you have already found a casino that you like to play at and do not want to jump ship. Online casinos do not want you to go elsewhere; most offer attractive bonuses to existing players. However, they differ from the commonly available, flashy sign-up bonuses.
You might need to enroll in a rewards program to qualify for loyalty-type bonus codes. Rewards programs recognize loyalty and offer a whole host of benefits. Some allow you to build up points that can be redeemed for free play credits and exclusive events. Some online casinos with land-based venues might offer discounted hotel stays or other premium incentives.
Keeping the customers satisfied
Online casinos also aim to keep their existing customers happy by offering weekly promotions and incentives to try out new games. Above all, the operator does not want you signing up for another casino, and bonus codes and promotions are their tool of choice to attract you and keep you playing.