Online Casino Bonus Codes Explained
It's unusual to find an online casino that doesn't offer enticing bonuses. Indeed, promotional offers are often a top consideration for players when choosing an online casino. Savvy platforms are well aware of this preference, which is why they typically offer a variety of incentives such as welcome bonuses, no deposit rewards, deposit matches, and free spins. Prospective players are likely to explore multiple platforms until they find the one that offers the quality and range of bonuses they're seeking. Some online casinos employ the use of bonus codes as an additional lure for new members. By entering a specific code during sign-up or deposit, players can unlock a variety of rewards, ranging from deposit matches and cashback deals to reload bonuses and beyond.
If you're new to online casino gaming or just want to know more about bonus codes, you have landed on the right page. We will explain how casino bonus codes work, the different bonuses you can claim with them, and how you can utilize them to improve your chances when playing at online casinos.
What are Casino Bonus Codes?
If you regularly play at online casinos, you may already have an idea of what bonus codes are and how they work. However, some of you, and, in particular, newer players, may not understand either. Well, thankfully, we're here to explain exactly what you need to know.
In short, casino bonus codes are promo codes that you can enter to claim a bonus at online casinos. Usually, these promo codes will unlock special benefits when entered as part of registering for an online casino or making your first deposit. However, many online casinos also use bonus codes for many of the other casino bonuses they offer to existing players.
The types of bonuses you can claim with bonus codes will depend on what the casinos offer. In many cases, you will find no deposit bonuses require promo codes more than most other bonus types.
Why Do Online Casinos Offer Bonus Codes
The iGaming industry is fiercely competitive, particularly in the realm of online casinos. Thousands operate globally, with new online casinos appearing each week in key iGaming markets, escalating the competition for customer acquisition.
To gain a competitive edge, many casinos offer various incentives such as no deposit and welcome bonuses to entice new players. The rationale is simple: by luring customers in with appealing early offers, the casino has a chance to retain them, assuming they enjoy their initial gaming experience.
However, to effectively attract and retain players, online casinos must get creative. Their offers need to be sufficiently compelling to persuade players to sign up, rather than opting for another platform with a different bonus. These bonuses must not only attract the players, but also present a unique value proposition that sets them apart from other casinos.
Often, online casinos offer a no deposit bonus as a starting point. This is free money or free spins a new player can use without having to make a deposit. This gives you a chance to test out the casino and games without having to risk any of your real money. For example, you might receive 20 free spins on the Book of Dead slot that, once completed, reward you with a few dollars you can use on many other slot games at the casino.
Then, the online casino will usually follow that up with a welcome bonus containing bonus money, free spins, or a combination of both. You just need to enter the appropriate bonus code when making your first deposit.
Why Are the Advantages of Casino Bonus Codes?
There is one obvious benefit for players that claim bonuses via promotional codes. They receive a bonus that they could yet turn into real cash. The odds are stacked against them, but it is definitely possible to receive a bonus, complete the wagering requirements, and come away with some healthy profit. The benefits a player could receive as the result of a bonus code are a match deposit bonus or a registration no deposit bonus. That could mean a bunch of free spins or some bonus cash - in terms of the former, it might even mean both!
Where and How to Find the Best Casino Bonus Codes
If you're interested in finding some casino bonus codes, the best place to look is online. However, rather than trawling through Google and visiting untrustworthy websites with tons of advertisements, you might as well stick around here at Playcasino. We have a ton of no deposit bonuses you can use, while we can also point you in the direction of some online casinos offering welcome bonuses via bonus codes.
Before you claim any bonus, however, we strongly suggest you read the bonus terms and conditions. This is just to ascertain whether you actually qualify for it. The casino might only offer that bonus to players in certain countries. Furthermore, you will want to understand the wagering requirements before deciding if the online casino bonus is worth the bother.
What Bonuses Can I Claim Using a Bonus Code?
Bonus codes can be used to claim different types of bonuses. These all depend on what the different casinos are offering. Each platform will have its own casino bonuses designed to attract new players or keep existing players happy. Below, we will cover all the bonuses that sometimes require a bonus code to claim.
A No Deposit Bonus
Ever wanted to enjoy top-notch online casino games without losing money? Well, this is possible with a no deposit bonus. You might even come away with some free money you can withdraw. The name 'no deposit bonus' is self-explanatory. You're not required to deposit any of your own money to claim this type of bonus.
Instead, you just create an online casino account, enter the bonus code, and you receive the freebies offered by the online casino. Players do not receive a large sign-up bonus, as usually, you will receive a small amount of bonus money between €/$5 and €/$20 or a number of free spins ranging from 5 to 50. We're you agree that anything for free is a good reward for doing nothing more than creating an account?
The best part about a no deposit bonus is that you do not have to feel the pain of losing money. You're essentially playing with free money. You might even turn that bonus cash into more money you can withdraw - although you will have to consider the wagering requirements to achieve this.
Just remember that no deposit bonuses are usually given to new players as a way of attracting them to an online casino. If you already have an account at a particular casino offering a no deposit bonus, it is likely you cannot claim it.
A Welcome Bonus
In most cases, the biggest promotion you will find at online casinos is the welcome bonus. As the name suggests, this is the bonus that welcomes new players who make their first deposits. It could cover just the first deposit alone or spread across two, three, four, or even five of the player's first deposits.
The most common type of welcome bonus is a match bonus that gives players a percentage of the deposit amount with some bonus funds. For example, you might have seen bonus offers such as 100% up to €/$500. What that means is that when a new player makes their first deposit, the casino will match it 100% up to a maximum of €/$500 worth of bonus cash.
In other cases, players might receive free spins on certain games in return for that initial deposit. For example, a casino may advertise its welcome bonus as "300 Free Spins on the Book of Dead video slot game". The player gets their initial deposit amount and the 200 free spins. Of course, those free spins might earn the player some substantial winnings to play with on top of the money already deposited.
However, probably the most common welcome bonus of the two is a combination of both. The first deposit bonus might be something like a "200% match bonus up to €/$200 100 Free Spins on Starburst". This is one of the most popular casino offers among players as it not only rewards players with a cash bonus amount but also some free spins that are likely to generate more.
To claim any of the above, a player may have to enter a bonus code when making a deposit.
A Reload Bonus
For all intents and purposes, a reload bonus is the same as a welcome bonus. The only difference is that a reload bonus is a match bonus/free spins bonus that is available to all existing players and not just newcomers to an online casino. This type of bonus offer is not usually as big as a welcome bonus simply because higher bonuses are designed to attract new players.
However, an online casino also has to focus on keeping current players happy enough to stick around and wager on slots and other casino games. A good reload bonus offer that hands out a match deposit bonus and some free spins is a good way of doing this.
A Cashback Casino Bonus
Although not as common as the online casino bonuses already mentioned, you may sometimes stumble across casino cashback promotions that require a bonus code to claim. Now, cashback promotions can work in one of two ways:
- You receive a percentage of the losses accrued on your deposit back as bonus funds.
- You receive a percentage of the losses accrued each week as bonus funds.
The size of the bonus amount you receive in your casino account will depend on the size of your previous losses. As we have experience with casino bonuses, we can tell you that in most cases, you will not usually see cashback deals offering more than 20% of your losses back. Also, the different casinos will have different ideas of what you have to do with that cashback. Some will give you that cash wager-free, while others may want you to playthrough those funds before you can withdraw them.
A Loyalty Bonus
Another time you may come across the need for a bonus code is from loyalty bonuses. Like land-based casinos that offer loyalty programs to those that play more regularly, many online casinos also like to reward their most loyal customers.
When you play and continue betting at an online casino that has such as program, you can unlock added benefits and bonuses. The more you play, the better these benefits become. On some occasions, you might unlock a special bonus that requires a bonus code to claim. That could be free spins, a cash prize, or another creative reward the casino has thought up.
Wagering Requirements of Your Online Casino Bonuses
Now for the catch with most online casino bonuses - wagering requirements. A large percentage of bonuses claimed via a casino bonus code will come with certain wagering requirements you will have to fulfill before you can convert any winnings into real money you can withdraw.
Wagering requirements basically revolve around how many times you have to playthrough any bonus amount you received and how long you have to achieve that requirement. Of course, there's more to it as well. For instance, you might have limits on the types of games you can play when wagering a bonus amount. Different games will contribute a certain percentage towards the wagering requirements. Other stipulations might include a maximum bet limit when wagering and a max limit (conversion) on how much you win from the bonus cash.
Essentially, you will come across a wide range of wagering requirements. On average, the wagering requirements for welcome bonuses is around 35x, with some coming much lower and others much higher. When claiming no deposit bonuses, you should expect high wagering requirements. This is simply because this is free money handed out without the need for players to make a deposit.
How long you have to complete the wagering requirements and thus turn your winnings into real cash is another significant part of the bonus rules. If you only have a few days to complete 50x wagering, good luck achieving that bonus unless you play around the clock. That said, if you can find bonuses with longer expiry dates, you might stand a chance.
Our Opinion of Online Bonus Codes
In our expert opinion, bonus codes, particularly those associated with no deposit bonuses, offer great value to both players and casinos. Players enjoy the opportunity to engage in risk-free games, potentially accruing real money winnings, while casinos can attract new customers who may become long-term players. It's a win-win scenario for all involved.
Furthermore, bonus codes have been a staple in the industry for many years, and they're here to stay. So, we encourage everyone to maximize their benefits.
Start Playing Thanks to Online Bonus Codes
Thanks to our in-depth casino bonuses explained guide above, you can now take what you have learned to go and locate the best bonus codes in the online gambling industry. Of course, make sure you read the bonus terms and conditions thoroughly so that you understand the bonus rules and how you can wager your bonus funds. As long as you adhere to all wagering requirements, you might make it far enough to withdraw the cash as our profit!
