Online Casino Bonuses – How Do They Work?

Online Casino BonusesWhy do casinos offer online casino bonuses?  It’s important for players to remember that the goal of any casino is to ensure that over the lifetime of the player’s membership, the house wins.  Random number generators ensure the fairness of the games, but the odds are still stacked against you.  It’s only under special circumstances, such as being able to count cards at a blackjack table, that a player may have an advantage over the casino.  In order to entice players who might otherwise be put off the casino’s edge, most online casinos will offer “Welcome” online casino bonuses and other promotions to increase the player’s odds of winning in the short-term.  In almost every case, there are strings attached to these bonuses.  For example, most of them are game-specific.  If you only enjoy playing roulette you might be out of luck.  Although most bonuses will allow you to play virtually any slot machine, occasionally you can also find bonuses for blackjack and other games, including roulette, but the advantage provided by these bonuses won’t be quite as generous.

Online Casino Bonuses Variations

There are several varieties of online casino bonuses. The simplest type of bonus is a cashable one.  This is accompanied by a wagering requirement. An example of this would be $200 welcome bonus with a 25x wagering requirement.  In this scenario the player must wager the initial deposit 25 times for a total of $5000 before the player can cash out any winnings.  The $5000 in wagering can be achieved in any combination such as fifty $100 bets, five hundred $10 bets or five thousand $100 bets.  Players are expected to lose, on average, approximately 0.5% of their bet on blackjack.  Therefore, the anticipated loss on the $5000 in wagers is $25 ($5000 x 0.5%).  Consequently, $175 of the original $200 welcome bonus remains as a cashable profit.  It’s a good idea to do some research for any game selected in order to develop a basic understanding of game strategy as well as determining an appropriate bet amount.

“Sticky” online casino bonuses also come with a wagering requirement. But, unlike a cashable bonus, sticky bonuses can’t be withdrawn; they can only be used to make bets.  Generally speaking, players cash out their balance first.  Then, should the account balance fall to zero, the player can continue wagering with the sticky bonus amount.

Microgaming casinos offer a variation on the “Clearplay” bonus scheme. These bonuses allow you to play any casino game and withdraw any winnings whenever you like, whether or not you have satisfied the wagering requirements. Wagering requirements are higher for games with better odds, like blackjack.  Therefore, unlike the typical cashable bonuses, these have different strategies and suggested games.  If you choose to play at a Microgaming casino you may want to contact their customer service representatives for more information.

It is becoming a lot more commonplace these days for some casinos to offer free play and free spin online casino bonuses. All you need to do is register to play as a real money player.  Your account will then be credited and once you make your first deposit your free play winnings will be credited to your account as bonus money.  As with any offer, be sure to review the terms and conditions carefully before accepting any bonus.  If the terms are unclear, contact customer service for a detailed explanation.  Online casino bonuses are a great way to increase your odds of winning; just do your research so you can play with confidence!

Online Casinos – Choosing the Best Destination

Best Online CasinosEvery day, millions of casino players the world over access online casinos to satisfy their gambling desires.  The multitude of casinos one can choose from can make it extremely difficult for novice players to determine which one is the best choice and offer the best return for their money.  There are many things that savvy players should consider before depositing a single dollar.  The tips provided below have been gathered from seasoned pros who understand the ins and outs and ups and downs of the various operations.  By following this expert advice, new players will find themselves not only a safe and reliable gambling destination, but they will also benefit from the best games and bonuses.

A primary consideration when selecting online casinos should be whether or not the site has been registered and licensed.  This will ensure that the online casino operates legally and complies with all of the gambling laws that pertain to the jurisdiction in which they are licensed.  A further indication of the casino’s legitimacy is to seek out approvals from regulatory bodies such as eCOGRA.  A seal from eCOGRA, for example, indicates that the site has not only met industry standards, but that it offers fair games as well.

Once a player has completed this stage of cursory review, he/she can start checking under the hood.  There are many different software providers; some good, some bad.  New players are advised to take a conservative approach and narrow their initial focus to some of the bigger names in the industry like Microgaming, Real Time Gaming, and Playtech.  This is not to say that other gaming providers don’t offer excellent gaming platforms, it’s more of a matter of trust and reliability.  Those things are earned and demonstrated over time and these online casinos have long histories of providing both of these essential elements.  Each provider will have their own unique suite of games and each brand will feature their own set of promotional incentives.  The quality of the service provided at each casino will also vary.

Once a player has determined their choice of casino software, they can then begin comparing the individual offerings at each of the various online casinos that utilize their preferred software platform.  Sites will often list the games included in the software package, so if there’s a particular game desired, a simple check to ensure it’s included in the suite of games is all it takes.

Online Casinos – What Bonus is Right For You?

Next up is the size and nature of the bonus incentives.  While a particular offer might seem hard to resist at first glance, players must take the time to review the terms and conditions so that they are making the most informed decision possible.  They will need to compare things like wagering restrictions, qualifying games, as well as the withdrawal clauses at various online casinos.  Identifying if the casino has a lucrative loyalty program will help to ensure satisfaction in the long run.

In the event an issue should arise, players should consider the quality of the customer service provided.  The online casino should offer easy access to their support services via email, phone, and, ideally, live chat.  Depending on where a player resides, the option to receive support in certain languages might also be a key determining factor.

Following these guidelines is a great way to ensure long-term online gaming satisfaction.  If you’re pressed for time or unsure about how to apply any of the information above, a great shortcut is to read online casinos reviews written by industry experts.  A simple online search will provide tons of reviews, many from insiders who are more than happy to guide players to safe, entertaining gambling destinations.