The Ultimate Guide to Online Casino Bonus Types
Everyone loves a good bonus, but the many types of promotions out there can confuse players. That’s why we’ve created this guide to online casino bonuses.
Here, you’ll learn how to distinguish every type of online casino bonus around, and figure out how to tell what makes for a good offer. Our goal is to help you learn how to find the bonuses that are perfect for your style of play.
- Most Common Bonus Types in Canada Online Casinos
- Start With Free Spins and Other Free Bonuses
- Welcome Bonuses Explained
- Discover How to Keep Playing with Reload Bonuses
- How to Get Rewarded for Your Loyalty
- Wrap-Up: More Ways to Differentiate Online Casino Bonuses
Most Common Bonus Types in Canada Online Casinos
While casinos can create just about any type of bonus they can imagine up, a few types stand out as the most common. Here’s a quick look at the most common bonus types you’ll see at online gambling sites.
First, there’s the free spins bonus. This type of offer provides you with free spins that you can use on a particular slot machine in the casino. Often, these promotions come as no deposit offers, meaning you won’t have to risk anything in order to get this reward.
Next, there are welcome bonuses. These offers are only given out to new players, and provide you with a bonus based on the size of your first deposit. Typically, these are matching bonuses, in which a casino will give you a specific amount of matching bonus funds for every dollar you deposit into your account.
Finally, there are reload bonuses. These offers can give you free spins or bonus funds, and may or may not require a deposit. What distinguishes a reload bonus is that it is only offered to existing players at a casino. These can be seen as a reward for sticking with an online casino, or as an enticement to make another deposit into your account.
Start With Free Spins and Other Free Bonuses
A free spin bonus is any promotion that offers free play on a slot machine as part of its rewards package. Typically, a casino will offer you a set number of spins, such as 50 free spins or 100 free spins, that you can use on a particular title.
Each of these spins will be played at a specified stake, such as C$1. At the end of your free spins, the money you win will appear in your casino account. At that point, you’ll have to complete the wagering requirements found in the casino’s terms and conditions in order to cash out your winnings.
How do free spins work?
- Sign up for a new casino account.
- The casino will provide you with a set number of free spins on a particular slot machine.
- Visit that machine and use your free spins.
- The winnings from the slots spins will appear in your account.
- Complete the wagering requirements of the casino.
- You may now withdraw the winnings you made from your slots spins.
Depending on the casino, you may automatically get your free spins when you make your first deposit, or you may have to use a bonus code. These codes are commonly used when claiming no deposit bonuses that include free spins.
Online casinos offer free spins to entice players who might otherwise not be interested in risking their own money on their sites.
By providing you with some free spins, they give you a chance to win some money, but also hope you’ll enjoy your time at the casino and want to play more in the future.
Free spins T&Cs average for Canada
| Free spins terms | Canada average |
|---|---|
Bonus value | C$10 |
Eligible players | New |
Wagering requirements | 50x |
Maximum cashout | C$50 |
Valid for games | Slots |
Tips for choosing the best free spins bonus
- Look for offers that allow you to get free spins on slot machines you enjoy.
- Choose bonuses that offer the most value, both in number of spins and the stakes of those spins.
- Look for lower wagering requirements and higher maximum cashouts.
Free spins FAQ
Are free spins only available for specific games?
Each free spins offer is typically tied to a specific slot machine.
How many free spins can I receive with a bonus?
This varies between bonus offers, but you can often receive 100 spins or more.
Do free spins expire?
Yes, most free spins offers expire. Check the casino’s terms and conditions to learn how long you have to use your spins.
More free bonuses for new players
In addition to free spins, there are other casino bonuses that offer you free incentives. For instance, some sites offer no deposit bonuses that give you funds you can immediately use in the casino on any game you like.
Other sites may give you free chips you can use on live casino games. Others may offer free bingo or lottery tickets to give you another way to potentially win money at no risk.
Welcome Bonuses Explained
A welcome bonus is any promotion that is given to players when they first sign up for a casino account. Most commonly, these offer a matching bonus based on the size of your first deposit.
Typically, the size of the match is expressed as a percentage up to a maximum. A casino might offer a 100% matching deposit worth up to C$1,000. That means that for every dollar you deposit, you’ll get one bonus dollar, up to that C$1,000 cap.
How do welcome bonuses work?
- Sign up for a new casino account.
- Make your first real money deposit into the casino.
- The casino will credit you with a matching welcome bonus.
- Complete the wagering requirements dictated by the casino.
- You my now withdraw any winnings from your bonus.
Welcome bonuses are often claimed automatically when you make your first deposit, though some casinos might require a bonus code in order to claim specific offers. Once you make your deposit, the bonus funds should immediately appear in your account.
Casinos offer welcome bonuses to attract new customers. By offering a matching reward, they incentivize bigger deposits, while still providing value for low-stakes players, meaning these bonuses work for a wide variety of gamblers.
Welcome bonus average Terms for Canada
| Welcome bonus terms | Canada average |
|---|---|
Bonus value | C$1,000 |
Eligible players | New |
Wagering requirements | 40x |
Maximum cashout | C$1,000 |
Valid for games | Slots, table games, live casino |
Tips for choosing the best welcome bonus
- Find a welcome bonus that allows you to play your favourite games.
- Look for bonuses that offer a large matching percentage to get maximum value.
- Pick bonuses with the best terms, such as low wagering requirements.
Welcome Bonus FAQ
What are the most common types of welcome bonuses?
The most common types of welcome bonuses are matching bonuses, which give you a bonus based on the size of your deposit, and no-deposit bonuses, that give you free funds to use in the casino.
Can I claim multiple welcome bonuses at the same online casino?
Typically, you can only claim a single welcome bonus at any one casino.
Are welcome bonuses available to all players, including existing players?
Welcome bonuses are for new players only, so existing players usually can’t claim them.
Discover How to Keep Playing With Reload Bonuses
A reload bonus is any promotion that is designed specifically for existing players at an online casino. These can be special offers, bonuses that are tailored to you personally, or scheduled daily, weekly, or monthly bonuses that are constantly available.
Reload bonuses can come in many different forms. They may be matching bonuses, offer free spins, or provide you with a flat amount of bonus funds if you make a deposit of a certain size.
How do reload bonuses work?
- Open an account at an online casino.
- Find reload bonuses offered on the casino’s promotion page.
- Accept a reload bonus and make a new deposit into your account.
- Meet the wagering requirements for your accepted bonus.
- You may now cash out any winnings earned from the bonus.
In order to claim a reload bonus, you often only need to look at the promotions page at your casino and click a link to be taken to the cashier. From there, you can make a deposit in order to get your reload bonus. Alternately, a casino may provide you with a bonus code in order to claim a reload promotion.
Reload bonuses are designed to keep existing players engaged and interested in an online casino. They offer players an opportunity to top up their account balances with added value, and can even give you a reason to come back to a casino where you haven’t played in a while.
Reload bonus average terms for Canada
| Reload bonus terms | Canada average |
|---|---|
Bonus value | C$1,000 |
Eligible players | Existing |
Wagering requirements | 40x |
Maximum cashout | C$1,000 |
Valid for games | Slots, table games, live casino |
Tips for choosing the best reload bonus
- Check for promotions regularly to find the most valuable reload offers.
- Choose offers that have favourable terms, like large cashout maximums.
- Find reload bonuses that allow you to play your favourite games.
Reload bonus FAQ
How often are reload bonuses available?
The frequency of reload bonuses varies by casino. Some casinos offer these promotions on a weekly basis, while others may provide them only occasionally.
Can I claim multiple reload bonuses at the same online casino?
Yes! You can claim reload bonuses whenever they are offered by a casino, no matter how many you have taken advantage of before.
Do I have to use a bonus code to claim a reload bonus?
Many reload bonuses do not require bonus codes. However, this varies by casino.
How to Get Rewarded for Your Loyalty
Loyalty bonuses are special rewards that are designed for players who play frequently at an online casino. Typically, these are tied to a loyalty or VIP program, with bonuses of various types and sizes being offered to players based on how much they gamble on the site.
How do loyalty bonuses work?
- Open an account at an online casino.
- Play your favourite games at the casino site.
- Qualify for a loyalty or VIP scheme at your casino.
- The casino will now offer you special bonuses according to your level of play.
- Accept the bonus, and make a deposit if necessary.
- Complete the wagering requirements of the loyalty bonus.
- You may now withdraw any winnings from your bonus.
Claiming a loyalty bonus is largely a matter of qualifying for these promotions. Once you reach a qualifying level of your casino’s loyalty program, it will likely alert you to this fact and start informing you of any bonuses you are eligible for. At that point, simply follow the links provided in order to get your bonus.
Casinos like to offer loyalty bonuses to reward frequent and regular players. Since these are the best customers for the casino, they’re happy to treat them to special promotions that aren’t available to the general public in the hope that these top players will continue to play on their sites, rather than spend some of their bankroll at other casinos.
Loyalty bonus average terms for Canada
| Loyalty bonus terms | Canada average |
|---|---|
Bonus value | C$500 |
Eligible players | Existing |
Wagering requirements | 40x |
Maximum cashout | C$5,000 |
Valid for games | Slots, table games, live casino |
Tips for choosing the best loyalty bonus
- Find a casino with a VIP program that you know you can qualify for.
- Look for bonuses that offer especially good terms, like large matching bonuses.
- Seek out loyalty bonuses that give you something for nothing, like free spins.
Loyalty bonus FAQ
How do I become eligible for loyalty bonuses?
In order to become eligible for loyalty bonuses, you will need to play enough to qualify for a casinos’ rewards or VIP program.
Wrap-Up: More Ways to Differentiate Online Casino Bonuses
By now, you should have a better understanding of the types of bonuses you’ll see at online casinos, and how to pick between them. Here are a few more ways in which you can differentiate various promotions and figure out which ones are right for you.
- By cost: A matching bonus requires you to make a deposit in order to earn a corresponding reward. On the other hand, a no deposit bonus is a free reward that requires no risk on your part.
- By eligible players: A welcome bonus is one that is offered specifically for new players. On the other hand, a reload bonus is only available to existing players who have been playing at a casino.
- By game: Some bonuses only allow you to play a certain type of game. Free spins are only for slots, and many bonuses may restrict you from playing certain table games, while others are designed with blackjack players in mind.
- By budget: A bonus that offers a huge match with a low maximum reward is ideal for low-stakes players. On the other hand, bonuses that offer a huge maximum match are designed with high rollers in mind.
- By experience: Simple bonuses like free spins rewards and no deposit offers are geared for new players. Experienced players are likely to be more interested in matching, reload, and loyalty bonuses that are designed for their individual needs.