Pros And Cons Of Online Casino Bonuses

Should you take a casino bonus at a casino? What are the pitfalls you need to watch out for? We take a look at some of the basics before you jump into the murky waters of casino offers.

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Many avid gamblers would agree that online casino bonuses are great and they come in a myriad of deals, some as welcome bonuses and others as loyalty perks.

In fact, online casino players the world over leap at the opportunity to claim an online casino bonus whenever possible.

Bonuses are a great way for casinos to attract new customers, but it’s important to know that even if bonuses can be helpful, there are also some downsides – some obvious, some hidden.

To help you understand casino bonuses in more detail, we have put together a list of pros and cons.

The pros of online casino bonuses

The best way to think of a casino bonus money is to keep the word ‘bonus’ in mind. It’s a little extra given to you by the casino to keep playing at the casino.

So no. Most of the time you can’t withdraw it (see the cons). But that’s not to say that if you don’t have the right mentality, it can’t be a useful tool.

A little extra help to experiment and play

The greatest upside of the bonus is the bonus cash itself, as it’s always a great feeling when making a deposit into your account and having more than what you estimated.

It gives you more time to play the games you love, and the possibility of winning a big prize is always there in the background.

The extra help that a bonus provides can be incredibly beneficial for players on tighter budgets. You can enjoy extended sessions or gamble with higher bets than you would with your own money.

The best is to play at a casino like Vera and John where you get to see how much ‘real money’ and ‘bonus money’ you have left, and you use the real stuff first.

So when you start playing with your bonus money, you know you can start playing around with new games or bigger bets.

Try new casino games and slots

Both deposit bonuses and free spins bonuses lead to the opportunity for you to play new slot games, without a huge financial commitment.

If a promotion rewards you with free spins on a slot you have never delved into, it can be a fantastic opportunity to discover something new without spending any cash.

You can equip yourself with a better feel for the basics of a new game and that’s always a good thing.

A no deposit betting bonus is also the perfect opportunity to decide whether you like a casino or not before you spend more of your money and time there.

Think of it as a way to get a taste of what’s available before you fully commit. Like a coffee date before you book that table at your favourite restaurant.

Numerous bonuses for numerous months

Across the online casino market, there’s no shortage of casino promotions and bonuses available for you to choose from.

With such a wealth of options open to you, players can afford to be picky about which bonuses they choose to claim and ensure they only claim the ones with the best terms.

These bonuses allow you to extend your gameplay yet at the same time, a welcome bonus is only the start. Most casinos will have a promotions page and a loyalty program that will reward you with even more rewards.

From welcome bonuses when you deposit, to free spin deals on new games, to offers on subsequent deposits and more – there is truly something for everyone.

If you like to constantly have an offer or two to enjoy, Mr Green casino is the best for it as there is always something different going on week to week.

Play Now at Mr Green »

The cons of casino bonuses online

There are many stories from gamblers out there who have been burnt by bad casino bonuses, and for good reasons: there are many bad casinos offers out there.

Usually, this is tied into the small T&Cs that isn’t always clear when you sign up. So be sure to read them, or read our casino bonus reviews, because that’s what we talk about most.

Wagering requirements

A wagering requirement is essentially the number of times you must bet your money prior to being able to request a cash withdrawal.

These are one of the greatest obstacles face when playing online casino games, as clearing your wagering requirements takes time and luck. Something we don’t all have.

Generally, wagering requirements should be on the bonus only, not on your bonus and deposit. So watch for that. As if it’s tied into your deposit, it means you can’t withdraw your real money.

Second, it should probably be no more than 35x the bonus money amount in order to have any chance of actually making a withdrawal. (If in doubt, use our mobile bonus calculator to help you work it out).

Thirdly, and lastly, mostly you clear the wagering by playing slot machines, as a bet on a slot usually counts for 100% of your wagering bet, whilst a bet on a blackjack mobile game would count for 15%.

Cashout limits

Many casinos also have cashout limits, which are protective measures for casinos. It means that even if you manage to clear the wagering requirement, the most you can withdraw is, for example, $100.

When players, especially beginners, are searching around for an online casino to play, they rarely evaluate these withdrawal conditions.

If we are honest, cashout limits are generally added to no deposit cash bonuses, which are rare these days anyway. Some are on casino slot free spins though, so keep an eye on them.

Like wagering requirements, it is important to read the terms and conditions so you can understand exactly what you need to do to claim your winnings.

Time limits

Many online casino bonuses have time constraints, that means that they come with a built-in expiration date, which is usually triggered the moment you claim them.

It is quite common for an online casino to provide you with a deposit bonus offer or free spins with an expiry date on them, and usually give you a week or a month to wager your bonus, but some can limit you just a few days.

The best advice we can give you is to only claim a bonus when you are ready to play on slot machines online. Then you use the bonus within 24 hours and you never waste an offer.

When it comes to bonuses, the circumstances often depend on the specific online casino. Therefore, as we have already mentioned, it is very important to read the terms and conditions before making a deposit.

You also need to understand that no matter what, the decision on whether to claim a specific bonus is ultimately yours.

At the end of the day, there’s nothing wrong with playing with your deposit and never having to read a single bonus T&C in your life.

What matters is making sure you play at a great casino, on a great game, and have a great time.