The Role of Bonuses and Promotions in Attracting Online Casino Players


The online gambling industry is one of the fastest-rising industries globally. Current revenue figures in the online gambling industry, as well as future projections, corroborate this and also illustrate how the trend is set to continue for the foreseeable future. The huge figures being recorded have unsurprisingly persuaded many business entities to venture into the industry as casino operators. This, in essence, gives players a plethora of options to choose from when selecting betting sites to play at.

The ever-increasing number of betting sites means that casino operators who want to stay afloat and succeed have to fiercely compete and outwit fellow operators. Owing to this, the operators have to employ innovative strategies to stand head and shoulders above the competition. One of the favored and most popular strategies employed by many casino operators is the issuance of bonuses and promotions.

Bonuses and promotions are primarily offered for two reasons. First, it’s to attract new players and second, it’s to retain existing account holders. The focus of this article is to explore the meaning and essence of bonuses and promotions offered to new casino players and understand how exactly these perks entice prospective players. We will also illustrate the different types of bonuses and promotions for new casino players while outlining the tips to maximize the perks’ benefits.

Understanding the Essence of Bonuses and Promotions

Bonuses and promotions refer to the perks offered by casino operators to new players. The perks are offered as an incentive for opening an account with an online casino. The specific incentive offered differs from casino to casino. Despite this, the objective that they serve is the same that is, to entice new players to join a casino and reward them for completing the account registration process. Since the perks are offered to players who are new at an online casino, they are technically referred to as ‘welcome bonuses’ within the gambling industry.

An interesting thing to note about ‘welcome bonuses’ is that players may claim the perks at different junctures after joining an online casino. This is determined by the type of welcome bonus offered at the online casino they choose to settle at. The distinct junctures are as follows:

  • After completing the registration process but before depositing funds: Online casinos that offer no-deposit welcome bonuses allow players to claim the welcome bonus soon after completing the registration process but before they make their first deposit. These bonuses are the most favored as they enable players to wager on real money games without using their hard earned cash. When the wagers they place are successful, they withdraw real money.
  •  After making the 1st (and subsequent) deposit: Some online casinos allow players to claim the welcome bonus only after they make their first deposit. In this instance, depositing funds is thus a prerequisite to claim the welcome bonus. Some online casinos even extend their welcome bonus perks to cover the 2nd, 3rd, 4th, and so on deposits. This, therefore, means when players make the second, third, and fourth deposits, they also claim a bonus.

Different Types of Bonuses and Promotions

The welcome bonuses offered by online casinos to attract new casino players come in different forms. The most common types include the following:

  • Free Spins: Most online casinos offer free spins either as part of the no-deposit welcome bonus package or the deposit-first welcome bonus package. The free spins offered allow players to spin the reels of select casino games for free but stand a chance of winning real money.
  • Percentage Match-Up Bonuses: The deposit match-up bonuses are only offered under the deposit-first welcome bonus package. Players are instructed to make their first deposit before they can claim the percentage match-up bonus. The percentage offered differs from casino to casino, but the most popular is the 100% match-up bonus. This bonus sees the casino double whatever amount the player deposited. For example, a player who deposits 500 BDT will receive a free 500 BDT bonus.

It’s important to note that the regular casino promotions offered by online casinos primarily help to satisfy and retain existing account holders. The regular bonuses and promotions instill a sense of belonging to existing account holders. They feel more appreciated hence develop the desire to keep gambling on the same platform. While this is the case, regular casino promotions also play a critical role in attracting new players. Just by knowing that joining a specific casino will enable them to benefit from a whole host of lucrative regular bonuses available 24/7 365 days a year, new players feel more motivated to join that casino.

Tips on Maximizing Casino Bonuses and Promotions’ Benefits

As casino bonuses and promotions are incentives, they do have intrinsic values and benefits that they offer to all those who claim them. However, some players may derive more value from the same bonus than others. To ensure that you join that pool of players who derive the most of any bonus they claim, check the tips explained below.

  • Claim Bonuses with Low Wagering Requirements: Casino bonuses and promotions come with wagering requirements. This is an industry requirement. While this is the case, casinos have the freedom to set their own wagering requirements. Some choose to go with low wagering requirements while others opt for high requirements. The recommended route for players is to choose low wagering requirements as it means they don’t have to wager bonus funds for long before they can withdraw the funds. There are a few zero wagering requirements casinos and if players can locate them that would be the best option.
  • Longer Time Frame to Satisfy Wagering Requirements: Linked to the wagering requirements aspect is the issue of the time frame that players get to wager the bonus funds or free spins awarded. It’s advisable to pick casinos that offer a longer time frame, for instance, at least one month. The longer timeframe guarantees ample time to satisfy the wagering requirements.
  • Compare Offers: As we said at the beginning, there are hundreds of online casinos to choose from. As such, it’s highly recommended to compare the perks offered so that you only claim the most valuable bonuses and promotions.

Round Up

As we conclude, we want to reiterate the fact that bonuses and promotions play a pivotal role in attracting casino players. The welcome bonuses entice players to join the casino while the regular promotions instill a sense of belonging, hence making players feel more appreciated. Owing to this, they devote their loyalty to the casino.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1. Why do online casinos offer bonuses and promotions?

There are two main reasons why online casinos offer bonuses and promotions. First, they are offered to lure new players and second, they are offered to retain the existing account holders.

Q2. Can players claim welcome bonuses before they deposit funds for the first time?

Yes, when playing at online casinos that offer no-deposit bonuses, players can claim the no-deposit welcome bonus offer.

Q3. What are some of the most common types of bonuses and promotions?

The most common types of bonuses and promotions offered by online casinos include free spins and percentage match-up bonuses.