Most online and mobile casinos offer new players a first deposit bonus. There may also be free bets, loss rebates and reload bonuses.
These types of wagers help the player cut the house edge. In some cases, it can swing a game in the player’s favor. This is how real money online and mobile casino bonuses work.
Different types of online casino bonuses
There are three types of mobile and online casino bonuses. This section covers the details of each. It is imperative to read an online casino’s bonus terms and conditions before accepting one. You may contact support to opt out of the bonus if you do not want to play enough to clear the wagering requirement before withdrawing.
No deposit bonus
Some sites offer players free chips to get started. This is a no-deposit bonus. This amount is typically $10 or $25. The sites that offer these typically only require the player to wager it one time before the bonus is cleared. However, a deposit is often required before it may be withdrawn.
The bonus appears in the player’s account within a few hours of opening it. The casino site must identify the player to make sure that they qualify for the bonus and has not already received it.
These types of online casino bonuses typically expire within a few days of opening the account. Make sure to play while the bonus is still active. BetMGM is an example of an online casino that offers a free no-deposit bonus. New players there get $25 in chips just for creating an account.
First deposit bonus
All real-money online casinos offer new players a deposit bonus. It may be as small as $200 or as much as $2,000.
There is a wagering requirement tied to first deposit bonuses. The smallest is one time. This means an amount equal to the bonus. Larger ones can be as high as 150 times the bonus. The wagering requirement may vary depending on the game. It may also include the deposit plus the bonus.
First deposit online casino bonuses expire. The number of days is typically 14 or 30. If you fail to meet the wagering requirement before it expires, the bonus and all related winnings are removed from your account.
Make sure that you have enough time to clear the bonus requirement before accepting the offer. If you do not think that you can meet the obligation, deposit less or contact support to opt out of it.
Reload bonuses
Reload bonuses are offered to existing players that have already claimed the first deposit bonus. A player may receive this based on their past action, or the casino site may have a special reload bonus offer available to all players during a promotional period. Reload bonuses offered to all players tend to occur during holidays when the online casino business is slower.
How online casino bonus wagering requirements work
Every online and mobile casino bonus has a wagering requirement. A player is not permitted to claim the bonus and immediately withdraw it. The casinos could not stay in business that way.
Some online casino bonuses have a wagering requirement that is one time the amount. That means that if a bonus is $200, the player must wager $200 before the bonus is cleared and its winnings may be withdrawn. That is the BetRivers Casino bonus offer when $50 is deposited. Players have 30 days to clear this bonus.
Wagering requirements may vary by game
Most other online casinos have higher wagering requirements. Typical slots and keno bonus wagering requirement at these sites is 15 times. That means for every $1 in bonus, the player must wager $15 to clear it.
Table games and video poker tend to have wagering requirements of 75 or 150 times the bonus at sites like these that include DraftKings online casino and BetMGM online casino. These games require 75 and 150, respectively, to clear the bonus at video poker and table games. However, DraftKings makes the player clear an amount equal to adding the deposit and bonus together. This makes the wagering requirement the same for these games between DraftKings and BetMGM.
Our bonus offer for DraftKings allows players 30 days to meet the wagering requirement. The BetMGM casino bonus expires after 14 days if it is not cleared.
The Caesars Casino bonus offer depends on the state. In Pennsylvania, a player must wager five times on slots, 10 times on video poker, or 25 for table games. In West Virginia, it is five times on slots, and 25 times for other games.
Caesars Casino players in New Jersey must wager 10 times for slots, and 20 times for video poker and table games. Michigan Caesars Casino players must wager 15 times at slots, 75 times for video poker, 225 times for roulette and baccarat, and 75 times for other games. Players have seven days to clear the bonus.
The FanDuel online casino offers an unusual bonus that is more like a sportsbook offer than a casino one. That offer is up to $1,000 in loss rebates from their first 24 hours of online casino action. Players have seven days to wager this loss rebate before it is removed from their account.
Read the terms and conditions for excluded games and new terms
Note that some games may be excluded from bonuses. Craps is a common example there. The house edge is too low, and there are opportunities to bet on both sides of an outcome. Even if a game with two sides of betting is permitted when clearing a bonus, like banker and player in baccarat, you should never try this betting strategy. It could get you declared a bonus abuser. Your action may be voided, and your account may be banned for this practice.
Online casino bonuses can change quickly without notice. To ensure that you are getting the best offer, always double-check the terms and conditions. This will show if the offer that you are looking for is still valid. The new offer may be better than the old one.
Computing wagering requirements into player returns
Bonuses increase the player’s return at a game. This improves the player’s chances of winning. It may also swing a game to the player’s advantage. The list below shows how much a bonus and its related wagering requirement increases the player’s return.
Take the payback of your favorite game and add the amount below to determine the true return of the game. If a game has a house edge of 2%, and its bonus return is 1.3%, that game now has a return of 99.3% when clearing the bonus.
The higher the house edge of a game, the lower the wagering requirement typically is. However, many games will return over 100% when combined with an online casino bonus. This means that a player is more likely to win than lose when using the perfect strategy.
Online casino bonus wagering requirements and related return
- One time: 100%
- 15 times: 6.7%
- 25 times: 4%
- 50 times: 2%
- 75 times: 1.3%
- 150 times: 0.7%
Online casino bonus FAQs
Do online casinos offer new player bonuses?
Yes. All online casinos have deposit bonuses.
How do online casino bonuses work?
Most online casino bonuses have a wagering requirement. Players must wager a disclosed amount before withdrawing. It usually depends on the game players.
What is the minimum age to receive an online casino bonus in the US?
Casino sites usually require players to be at least 18 years old. Some have a minimum age of 21.
Can I play any game when clearing an online casino bonus?
It depends on the site. Some games like craps may be excluded. However, most online casinos permit all games, but the wagering requirement may be higher on games with a lower house edge. Always read the terms and conditions.
Can I bet red and black on roulette when clearing an online casino bonus?
No. This violates the terms and conditions of the bonus. Another example is betting banker and player at baccarat, or the pass line and don’t pass at craps.
Last Updated on August 1, 2023 by John Mehaffey