Online and crypto casino bonus offers are a great way to extend your casino bankroll and win real money. And they come in all shapes and sizes so you can find one that suits your style of play.
These promotions attract new players to casinos as well as keep existing members of the casino engaged. And as the world of iGaming is so competitive, it is a buyer’s market out there so your online casino is likely going to offer you tons of attractive offers.
In this ultimate guide, you’ll learn about the various types of casino bonuses available, the pros and cons, and how to research terms and conditions so you stick to bonus rules and make sure you get the best value out of your casino’s bonus offers.
By the end of this guide, we hope that you can proclaim yourself a casino bonus guru!
One-Time Bonus Offers Vs Regular Bonus Offers
Before we get into the various types of offers available, let’s look at the differences between the key types of bonus deals. These are one-time and regular bonus deals.
- One-Time Bonus Versus Regular Bonus: One-time offers are as the name implies; you can only claim it once. These are usually welcome bonus deals, and no deposit bonus offers.
- Regular Bonus Versus One-Time Bonus: A regular bonus is available in your casino’s promotions or bonus section either permanently or for a set time limit. Some of these deals allow you to claim the offer once, twice, three times a day, once per week, or twice per week, once per month and so on. The number of times you can claim the offer and how long it is available is down to your casino’s promotions team.
Understand the Types of Bonuses
Casino bonuses are fun not just because you gain a free bonus money balance, but also because there are a diverse number of options for you to choose from beginning with signing with a new account and as a regular player at the casino. You can receive bonus money deposit matches, free spins bonus money, a combination of both, cash back on your losses and much more.
Deposit Match Bonus
Also known as match deposit bonuses. This style of promotional offer is predominantly used by welcome and reload bonus deals predominantly use deposit match percentages.
For example, a welcome bonus may offer a 100% deposit match on your deposit:
- You deposit 5 mBTC
- The casino will match it 100% so you receive a bonus balance of 5 mBTC
- With your 5 mBTC deposit + your 5 mBTC bonus, you begin with a 10 mBTC starting balance.
Free Spins Bonus
One of the most popular casino bonus deals out there is free spins. All you need to do is simply make a deposit and then head over to the designated slot where your free spins will be waiting for you. Your winning then heads into to bonus balance. You can then use the bonus money as per the casino’s bonus rules to play other games available.
Deposit Match Bonus + Free Spins
The same principle as the ‘Deposit Match Bonus’ applies, except on top do the deposit match offered, you will also receive free spins. Taking the 100% deposit deal above and adding 100 free spins on top, this would be a 100% Deposit Match + 100 Free Spins bonus offer.
Here’s an example of an Ethereum casino bonus with free spins:
- 100% deposit match welcome bonus up to 15 ETH + 100 Free Spins on Book of Dead
Welcome Bonus Offers
When you join an online casino, you’ll often be greeted with a welcome bonus to kick-start your gaming journey. This bonus might include a match deposit bonus, free spins, or a combination of both. It is only available to new players on their first deposit, and as such, this is what we call a one-time offer.
Also, some casinos will extend the welcome offer over the first, second, and third deposit, sometimes even up to the fourth deposit.
Here is an example of a 3-part Bitcoin casino welcome bonus:
- First Deposit: 100% deposit match welcome bonus up to 1 BTC + 100 FS
- Second Deposit: 75% deposit match welcome bonus up to 1 BTC + 75 FS
- Third Deposit: 50% deposit match welcome bonus up to 2 BTC + 50 FS
Reload Bonus
A reload bonus is essentially a regular promo deal available either daily, weekly, or monthly. Most commonly these offers are a deposit match.
Here’s an example of an mBTC reload bonus:
- 50% deposit match up to 100 mBTC: Therefore, if you deposit 10 mBTC, the casino adds 5 mBTC in bonus crypto or real money, so you begin with a 15 mBTC balance.
Crypto Casino Bonus
As opposed to claiming a promotion that gives you Euros, Dollars or any other fiat currency, a crypto bonus is as the name implies. You make a crypto deposit or use a crypto bonus code, and you receive crypto in exchange.
The two most popular crypto casino bonuses are:
- Bitcoin casino bonus
- Ethereum casino bonus
Risk-Free No Deposit
You’ll be excited to know that some bonuses don’t require any deposit to claim them. No deposit bonuses come in various shapes and sizes, such as free spins, free cash, or bonus credits for specific games. It’s an excellent opportunity for you to explore an online casino without putting your money on the line. You will also see this bonus called the ‘signup’ or ‘free registration’ bonus.
Here are two examples of a risk-free no deposit bonus:
- Free spins no deposit: 25 free spins registration bonus
- Bonus Balance no deposit: $20 no-deposit bonus balance upon signing up.
Cashback to the Rescue
Nobody likes losing, so cashback crypto casino bonus deals are a popular way for casinos to give you a way to soften the blow. Essentially the casino gives you a percentage of losses back either daily, weekly, or monthly.
An example of a BTC casino bonus cashback is as follows:
- 20% weekly cashback up to a maximum of 20 mBTC
- You lose 10 mBTC during the 7 days
- You get back 20% of 10 mBTC = 2 mBTC free balance
VIP and Loyalty Programs
Online casinos often have VIP or loyalty programs that reward regular players with exclusive bonuses, promotions, and other perks. The more you play, the higher your VIP status, and the better the rewards.
Bonus Code Promotions
These promotions require you to enter a ‘bonus code’ when you make a deposit or sign up. Sometimes you may even receive an email or SMS with a special promotional code that gives you free spins or a free crypto balance. Think of it like a discount coupon when you are shopping at an eComm store. Simply enter the code and the casino will automatically reward you.
Bonus Money Balance Vs Real Money Balance
Another point worth understanding before you claim a bonus deal is how bonus money/crypto balances work in sync with crypto/real money balances.
- Bonus Money Balance: When your bonus comes with a wagering requirement, it means you will gain a bonus balance. For example, if you claim a 100% deposit match for a 100 mBTC deposit, your bonus balance will be 100 mBTC and your real money balance will be 100 mBTC. You will need to play through the wagering requirement to convert the bonus balance into real money or crypto you can withdraw.
- Real Money or Real Crypto Balance: If a bonus comes with 0x wagering (wager-free), then your money or crypto will head directly into your real money or real crypto balance. From this balance, you are free to play any of the games at the casino without restriction or withdraw it.
Casino Races & Tournaments
A long-time favorite casino promotion is tournaments also known as leader board promotions. What makes these events so attractive are three key points.
- You get to challenge for points on a leader board
- The prizes usually come with 0x wagering
- They are generally free to opt-in
Slot races are a fan favorite because you have a time limit on the tournament and often a spin limit. The idea is to win as many multipliers or as much cash or crypto as you can in that time period. If you hit a cash spot on the leader board, you get paid!
Benefits of Casino Bonuses
With wagering requirements attached to most real money and crypto bonus offers, you may wonder what the benefits are of claiming these promotional offers.
Here are some of the most common pros:
- Increased Bankroll: Your overall bankroll increases thanks to the bonus money balance. And if the offer is wager-free, then your real money or real crypto balance increases with no bets placed.
- Opportunity to Try New Games: With your free balance, you can try out new games and new strategies risk-free. At the same time, you still have a shot at winning real money or crypto balance.
- Hedging Against Losses: Most bonus deals require you to bet your real money or crypto balance first. If you hit a losing streak, then the bonus balance kicks in. This way you get a second chance to win back any losses.
- Play For Longer: Without stating the obvious, a higher balance means more time playing casino games. However, for this tactic to work, you will need to refrain from increasing you are increasing your ‘per bet’ amount when using bonus crypto or money.
Disadvantages of Casino Bonuses
There are not many cons to claiming casino bonuses. However, this depends on how you perceive the offer and the T&Cs the casino adds to its promotions. Man of the disadvantages can be avoided by reading the bonus T&Cs and making sure you follow the rules.
- Following the Rules: For beginners, following the bonus rules can be difficult. Just make sure you check the ‘max bet’, ‘eligible games’ and other T&Cs and make a list. See the next section – ‘Maximizing casino bonuses’ to gain confidence that you are following the rules.
- Wagering Requirements: To convert your bonus balance into real money can become an uphill task if you are not on a winning streak. However, you can mitigate the risk by lowering your bet amount until you feel luck is pulling in your direction. Also, make sure you choose the
Maximizing Casino Bonuses
To ensure you make the most out of your bonus, follow these three steps.
- Read the Terms and Conditions: Always read the terms and conditions of any casino bonus, as this is where you will find essential information on wagering requirements, game restrictions, max bets, and bonus expiration dates.
- Choose the Right Bonus: Select the bonus that best suits your gaming preferences and budget. For example, high rollers might benefit more from a match deposit bonus, while casual players might prefer a no-deposit bonus or free spins.
- Use Bonuses Wisely: Strategize your gameplay to make the most of your bonus funds. For instance, use free spins on games with higher return-to-player (RTP) rates to increase your chances of winning.
Bonus Rules
Every casino bonus comes with rules you must adhere to. If you successfully convert your bonus into your real money balance, you will need to make sure you followed the casino’s bonus terms exactly. Below is an FAQ covering all the questions you should ask yourself before you play any casino bonus offer. Once you know the answers make a note and then stick to these rules.
What are wagering requirements?
Wagering requirements are the number of times you need to play through your bonus balance before you can convert it to your real money or crypto balance, which is also called withdrawable cash or crypto.
There are three terms casinos use to describe wagering requirements:
- Wagering Requirements (the most obvious)
- Turnover
- Playthrough ‘or’ Play Through
Just to be clear, the whole point of a bonus is to bet it and win enough to gain a real money balance. And you will find that there are also three types of wagering requirements to look out for.
- ‘Bonus Only’ Wagering requirement’: If you have a 10 mBTC bonus balance and a 40x bonus wagering, then your play-through amount is 10 x 40 = 400 mBTC. Therefore, you need to bet 400 mBTC to convert your bonus into your real money or crypto balance.
- ‘Deposit + Bonus’ Wagering Requirement: If you have a 10 mBTC bonus balance that came from a 10 mBTC deposit, the rules are slightly different with the ‘Deposit + Bonus’ turnover. For example, 40x ‘deposit + bonus wagering’ means your 10 mBTC deposit + 10 mBTC bonus = 20 mBTC. then your play-through amount is 20 x 40 = 800 mBTC. As you can see, with the ‘Deposit + Bonus’ version of the wagering requirements, you must play through double the amount.
- Wager-Free Bonuses: When you see this type of offer, also shown as 0x wagering, when you win, the money heads directly into your real money or real crypto balance. It is available for withdrawal or to bet on other games at the casino without restrictions.
Are all games eligible for meeting wagering requirements?
When you bet using bonus money, the goal is to play through the wagering requirements. Depending on the game you play, the percentage of the amount you bet may not always contribute 100% towards wagering.
For instance, if a game contributes 10% towards wagering and you bet 10 mBTC, only 1 mBTC is struck off the wagering requirement.
- Typically, online slots contribute 100%
- Some slots will only contribute 50%, 20% or even 0%
- Table games and video poker usually contribute 10% or 20%
- Progressive jackpots will almost always contribute 0%
Always remember, my gaming comrades, always check the specific terms and conditions of a bonus to see which games count towards the wagering requirements.
Can I bet high-stakes games using my bonus?
The quick answer to this question is a resounding ‘no’. All online and crypto casinos have a ‘Max Bet Limit’ for bonus money or bonus crypto bets. The standard is 5 to 10 USD or EUR per bet. For crypto bonuses, the max bet varies depending on the virtual currency or casino. However, you will find that compared to fiat currency casino bonuses, the max bonus bets using crypto are considerably higher.
Here are the max bets allowed betting bonus crypto at mBitcasino:
- 003 BTC
- 55 LTC
- 10 BCH
- 12 ETH
- 10,660 DOGE
- 28 USDT
- 31 XRP
Can I claim multiple bonuses at the same time?
If you’re feeling especially ambitious, you might wonder if you can claim multiple bonuses at the same time. Most online casinos have a rule that you can claim one bonus offer at a time. Therefore, you will usually have to complete the wagering requirements for one bonus before claiming another or simply run out of bonus money so the promotion ends.
Where to find crypto casino bonus offers
Not many casinos offer crypto bonuses as most will only apply promos to Euros or Dollars. Yet, some cryptocurrency casinos out there specialize in crypto bonus deals. For example, mBitcasino offers a variety of ways to get your hands on free bonus money.
At mBitcasino you will find:
- Bitcoin casino bonus
- Ethereum casino bonus
- BCH XRP, USDT, DOGE & LTC bonuses
What’s more, there is a page dedicated to bonus terms and conditions, while each bonus offer also comes with a bonus rules page so you can learn exactly what each one has to offer.
