Explaining Casino Comps and Promotions
It is hard to find an online casino these days that does not offer a sign-up or a welcome bonus to new players. This is one of the biggest differences between land-based casino comps programs and online bonuses. While brick-and-mortar casinos offered comps programs to prompt their players to gamble and frequent their premises, online casinos have an entirely different approach.
In land-based casinos, comps come in the form of free beverages, hotel rooms, transportation, reward systems for tournaments, etc. They also offer free chips to gamble with. But, online casinos don’t really have the option to entice players with free drinks or a night in their exclusive apartment. What they have are free spins, match bonus offers, and other promotions that can hardly be found in land-based establishments.
When you gamble at traditional casinos, you’ll be taken care of by employees. If you are a high roller, they’ll send a member of their team to be at your service at all times, offering you all kinds of pleasantries. But when you gamble online, you’re on your own. You need to reach out to support virtually and cannot enjoy the same perks.
This doesn’t mean that online gambling is any less beneficial. In fact, many prefer this option because of the flexibility and privacy, not to mention the grand welcome bonuses that you can never really find in traditional casinos.
Welcome Offers at Online Casinos VS Land-Based Casino Comps
When people go to gamble, their goal is to have some fun and win some money. On the other side, there are the gambling businesses whose goals are to attract more players, preferably regulars and high rollers. This is why companies compete in providing better offers to their players – to beat the competition and get more gamblers to play their games.
This is where comp programs and bonuses come into the picture. Whether you choose to play from the comfort of your own home or visit a well-lit and prestigious casino, you’ll be given a chance to use some bonuses and comps. As in any other industry, some companies offer better bonuses than others. There are also those that offer better conditions, and the ones that make it impossible for players to actually get something from their ‘special offers’.
Not all sites and casinos are created equally. This divide is evident in their offers. If you go to several brick-and-mortar casinos and check out what they offer, you’ll probably notice a significant difference. If you go online and check out several websites, you’ll find minimal special offers and grand gestures from the big names.
Types of Welcome Bonuses Available Today
Welcome bonuses are the most common promotions you’ll find at online casinos. In fact, you’ll have a lot of trouble trying to find a site that doesn’t have some kind of a sign up offer. Some types of welcome bonuses offered today are:
- Match bonuses that allow you to double, or even triple your deposited amount on your first deposit
- No deposit offers such as free spins or a small sum of credits to spend on casino games
- Special offers based on which banking method you’ll choose
- Game-specific bonuses like free spins
- Device-specific bonuses when you sign up from your mobile device
In addition to deposit and no-deposit bonuses, there are also sticky and non-sticky ones. The first applies to withdrawable offers, while the others are for wagering purposes only.
Wagering Requirements for a Welcome Bonus
For the most part, the perks that come with claiming bonuses beat the disadvantages by a lot. However, some sites have much better wagering requirements than others. A lot depends on wagering requirements when you gamble online. In some cases, you have to play through the bonus money for 60 times before you are able to withdraw, making your chances of winning actual money slim to none.
Always read the Terms and Conditions of a promotion before you claim it. Casinos have to have some restrictions and requirements to prevent players from simply depositing to claim a bonus and withdrawing immediately. As long as they don’t go overboard with this, it’s a great opportunity for you.
Casinos without Any Welcome Bonuses
These are very hard to find these days. Most casinos will have at least some kind of a welcoming offer. At some, you’ll find grand offers like match bonuses that go up to thousands of free cash. In others, you’ll find something minimal such as 10 free spins when you sign up. Regardless, there’s hardly an online casino these days without some special promotion to attract new players.
What Games can a Gambler Play at Online Casino with Welcome Bonus?
While some casinos may restrict what you can use your welcome bonus on, the majority of them will allow you to use your bonus however you please.
Other casinos tend to be a little stricter and will typically offer a sign-up promo that is specific to the section of the website that you want to use. Some bonuses may be tied into a particular game as a promotional offer, so you may only be able to use them there.
What Software Developers Have Slots with Great Welcome Bonuses?
Most of the major software developers will have games or slots that can be used as part of your sign-up bonus. Companies like Microgaming, NetEnt and various others all work with the major online casinos, and as such, their games will all be eligible for promotional offers.
Some games may not be eligible for welcome offers, and if this is the case, then it will probably be mentioned in the terms and conditions.
How to Claim Welcome Bonuses?
You must claim your sign up offer when you register; otherwise, you will not be able to claim it at a later date.
You can typically enter a code as part of the signing-up process that will grant you access to the individual reward. Alternatively, some websites may fund your account with the welcome bonus the moment that you sign up. You will typically have to make a deposit when you first sign up to get access to the sign-up bonus.
Is it Possible to Win Real Money with Sign Up Bonus?
Sign up bonuses and other such special promotions can be an excellent way to win some real money at an online casino. Most sites will offer non-cashable offers, meaning that you are free to collect any winnings you make from your welcome bonus, providing that you have played through the required wagering requirements in the first place. It is always best to find a casino with easier wagering requirements so that you can claim your winnings much quicker and easier.
Is it Possible to get Welcome Bonuses at Mobile Casino?
These days, most casinos will also have a mobile website that perfectly mirrors their desktop site. As such, anything that is available on the desktop version will typically be available on the mobile one, including special offers and welcome ones. Most sites will have an excellent mobile casino welcome bonus.
Is it Possible to Get Sign Up Bonus without a Deposit?
While it is infrequent, it is not entirely uncommon to get a welcome offer without making an initial deposit. If this is the case, then there is a strong chance the wagering requirements may be a little bit higher. They may also not give you as big of a welcome bonus if you make no deposit. That being said, these offers can be worth taking as there is no risk involved on your part.
FAQ on Welcome Bonuses ?
Can a Welcome Bonus Be Declined?
Depending on the casino’s terms and conditions, you can decline a welcome bonus. There aren’t any consequences from doing this, except for the fact that you won’t reap any of their special benefits related to the offer. There’s hardly any case where a player rejects a sign up bonus. This can happen in cases where the wagering requirements are unrealistic, but who wouldn’t want to get some free cash to gamble with if they choose a reliable casino site? You should also know that bonuses come with conditions attached. If you don’t meet them, you are automatically not eligible for claiming the special offer. For example, if there’s a minimum deposit of $100 to claim it and you only deposit $10, you’ll miss your chance on getting this one-time-only offer.
What are Cashable Welcome Bonuses?
Cashable bonuses can be the best type of reward if you can get your hands on it. A cashable casino welcome bonus is when the website allows you to withdraw the cash from the sign-up promotion once you have used it. These are not as common as non-cashable bonuses, and they usually have much more difficult wagering requirements before you can withdraw the cash.
What are Non-Cashable Welcome Bonuses?
These are much more common than cashable ones. A non-cashable bonus is when the casino will allow you to withdraw winnings from the free bets, but they will not allow you to withdraw the free bet that they provided you with. So, for example, if you win $20 from a $20 free bet, then you will be able to withdraw the 20 you won and not the combined $40.
What Games can a Gambler Play at Online Casino with Welcome Bonus?
While some casinos may restrict what you can use your welcome bonus on, the majority of them will allow you to use your bonus however you please. Other casinos tend to be a little stricter and will typically offer a sign-up promo that is specific to the section of the website that you want to use. Some bonuses may be tied into a particular game as a promotional offer, so you may only be able to use them there.
What Software Developers Have Slots with Great Welcome Bonuses?
Most of the major software developers will have games or slots that can be used as part of your sign-up bonus. Companies like Microgaming, NetEnt and various others all work with the major online casinos, and as such, their games will all be eligible for promotional offers. Some games may not be eligible for welcome offers, and if this is the case, then it will probably be mentioned in the terms and conditions.
How to Claim Welcome Bonuses?
You must claim your sign up offer when you register; otherwise, you will not be able to claim it at a later date. You can typically enter a code as part of the signing-up process that will grant you access to the individual reward. Alternatively, some websites may fund your account with the welcome bonus the moment that you sign up. You will typically have to make a deposit when you first sign up to get access to the sign-up bonus.
Is it Possible to Win Real Money with Sign Up Bonus?
Sign up bonuses and other such special promotions can be an excellent way to win some real money at an online casino. Most sites will offer non-cashable offers, meaning that you are free to collect any winnings you make from your welcome bonus, providing that you have played through the required wagering requirements in the first place. It is always best to find a casino with easier wagering requirements so that you can claim your winnings much quicker and easier.
Is it Possible to get Welcome Bonuses at Mobile Casino?
These days, most casinos will also have a mobile website that perfectly mirrors their desktop site. As such, anything that is available on the desktop version will typically be available on the mobile one, including special offers and welcome ones. Most sites will have an excellent mobile casino welcome bonus.
Is it Possible to Get Sign Up Bonus without a Deposit?
While it is infrequent, it is not entirely uncommon to get a welcome offer without making an initial deposit. If this is the case, then there is a strong chance the wagering requirements may be a little bit higher. They may also not give you as big of a welcome bonus if you make no deposit. That being said, these offers can be worth taking as there is no risk involved on your part.