Online Casino Bonuses

What is a Welcome Bonus?

In a nutshell, a welcome package is the main bonus or promotion an online casino gives out to new players as a gesture of goodwill for choosing to play with them. Welcome casino offers can be anything and include a number of bonuses in one package, but the most common type of bonus included in the welcome package is the ‘deposit bonus’.

Many online casinos throw in extra spins to sweeten the deal, with some extra spins bonuses running into the hundreds. When the number of bonus spins in a welcome package is colossal, they are usually awarded to players over a number of days, especially since the extra spins need to be used within a stipulated time. If all of this is still confusing to you then fear not. Our team takes a no-nonsense approach to jargon that’s why South Africa Casinos Online’s online casino reviews have all the info you need.

Deposit Casino Offers

These are the most common types of casino bonuses and do exactly as the name suggests – reward players with bonus money when a real money deposit is made. Deposit bonuses come in many shape and sizes and the generosity varies from one casino to the next. You’ll quickly discover that some online casinos give away huge deposit bonuses and there certainly is ‘no catch’ to them. Having said that, it’s of utmost importance to read over ANY bonus terms and conditions, as these are rules that must be adhered in order for the deposit bonus to stay active. All online casinos will clearly state that any breach of their bonus terms will result in confiscation of bonus money and any winnings made through the promotion. The following are examples of the most common deposit bonuses you’ll find at many online casinos:

• Example 1: 100% Deposit Bonus Up To R2,200

This is the most commonly used deposit bonus and it simply means that if a player makes a deposit of R2,200, the casino will reward the player with an additional R2,200. This means that the player will have a total of R4,400 to play with. Some online casinos will specify which games the bonus should be used on, which brings us back to the aforementioned point on how important it is to read over the terms and conditions of the offer. This type of deposit bonus can be then used as is or be included in a welcome package as part of a more lucrative offer.

• Example 2: 200% Deposit Bonus Up To R2,200

This is essentially identical to the example above with the only difference that the online casino will reward players with double the amount deposited in bonus money. For instance, if a player makes a deposit of R2,200, the player will have a total of R6,600, R2,200 in real money and R4,400 in bonus money. Keep in mind that players are not obliged to deposit the maximum amount. Any amount under the maximum will suffice, but any deposits which exceed the bonus amount won’t be matched in full. In other words, if a player deposits R4,400, the casino will still reward the player with R4,400 in bonus funds.

No Deposit Bonuses

No deposit bonuses are highly sought after by casino players because of the obvious fact that the bonus money is given away without the need for depositing a penny. Needless to say, no deposit bonuses are never going to be as generous as deposit bonuses, as the casino will literally be giving away free money. The bonus terms should always state whether there are any wagering requirements attributed to no deposit bonuses and if winnings are capped at a certain amount.

• For Example:an online casino can have a no deposit offer of R220 but winnings will be capped at R330 to avoid huge losses. In other words, if 1000 players had to win R220 each, the casino will be down R219,000 just from the no deposit offer.

No deposit bonuses usually have a maximum bet that can be placed, which means that the bonus money given won’t be able to be wagered all at once.

Bonus Spins

Free spins now known as bonus spins are designed specifically for playing online slots and the main reason online casinos offer spin bonuses is for players to get familiar with specific slot games like Starburst. More often than not, extra spins bonuses will have to be used on certain games, as opposed to being given the liberty to play any game. Extra spins bonuses usually have wagering requirements and the value of each spin is stipulated in the terms and conditions. Regardless of their worth, extra spins bonuses are perfect for online slot enthusiasts as they give the opportunity to players to get acquainted with many of the games.

Live Casino Bonuses

Live casino bonuses are pretty straightforward and simple to understand. Essentially, they’re deposit bonuses that can only be used on live casino games. Please note that some live casino games will contribute toward the requirements more than others, which means that certain games will need to be played more in order for the funds to be eligible for withdrawal.

For instance, some terms and conditions state that roulette will contribute 100% towards the wagering requirements while blackjack will only contribute 50%. This means that you’ll need to make double the amount when playing blackjack since only 50% is contributed.

If you’re a fan of live dealer games then check out our list of the best live casino bonuses

Sports Betting Bonuses

If you’re more goals and points than extra spins then don’t worry. Many online operators also offer bonuses for sports betting. For novice bettors, sports betting bonuses can be a good way to introduce themselves to a sport.

Example: Around the time of the Grand National many operators offer a free bet. This helps draw in more interest in the event and operator. Of course, there are strings attached so always read the terms and conditions.

Check out our list of the best South African betting sites for sports-related bonuses.

Reload Bonuses Explained

Reload bonuses are aimed at existing casino players and are bonuses given to players who have sustained net losses. For instance, a 30% reload bonus on net losses means that if a player lost R1,100, a reload bonus of R330 will be given back to player as compensation for the losses incurred. The best thing about reload bonuses is that they usually have little to no wagering requirements, however, the terms and conditions usually state which game type the losses had to be incurred on. For instance, a live casino reload offer will only be applicable if the losses incurred came through live casino games.

Reload bonuses are very common at online casinos and are usually active throughout the year. Besides being created to reward existing players and their loyalty to the online casino, they were created with the idea to retain players and avoid losing them to a more attractive offer from a competitor.

However, from a player’s perspective, it provides reassurance that if losses are made, a portion would be given back, which essentially means that they can play their favourite casino games for longer with minimized risk.

Loyalty and VIP Programs

Loyalty programs reward players simply for being loyal to an online casino. VIP or loyalty programs are very often split into tiers with each tier having its own unique advantages. The following are some of the perks VIP players benefit from:

• Faster Withdrawals
• Personalised Bonuses
• Dedicated Account Manager
• Cash Back Bonuses
• Regular Promotions

To achieve the status of a VIP, players would need to spent a significant amount at an online casinos but if you find the right one for you and all your needs are satisfied, there’s absolutely no reason why there would be a need for a change, thus increasing your chances of becoming a VIP player.

Why do casinos offer bonuses?

The simple answer is to make money! But, you’re probably wondering how they can make money if they are giving out bonuses? Well, the concept is no different from a store having a sale and offering a discount. Casinos can only make money if you are betting, and while they may actually be losing some of their profits due to bonuses, experience has shown them that, on average, customers spend much more in the long run, which means the casino makes more in the long term.

Can I withdraw bonus after signing up or after my first win?

Unfortunately, no! You will have to meet the set wagering requirements. Bear in mind, casinos are in business to make money and so to protect themselves, they have to put limitations in place, or they will be handing out free money and end up going out of business.

What makes a good casino bonus for South African players?

The best casino bonuses aren’t necessarily the ones which have the biggest deposit bonuses or the biggest number of extra spins. The best casino bonuses are the ones which have the lowest wagering requirements and the ones which don’t specify how the bonus should be spent. Certain online casinos will have special deals with game providers, hence the reason why extra spins need to be used on particular games. Deposit bonuses which are split over three or four deposits are preferred by players because of the fact that each deposit will give them more than they bargained for, instead of having all the welcome package awarded at once.

According to our team, the following elements are what make up the best casino bonuses

• Low Wagering Requirements
• Can be used on any game type
• Have a lengthy period to use the bonus money
• Split over a number of deposits

Bonus Codes

Bonus codes are phrases or letters that are used to trigger a particular bonus and without them, the bonus won’t be awarded. The bonus code should always be clearly displayed but if you’re unsure as to whether a bonus code is applicable, read through the terms and conditions. Bonus codes are implemented for online casinos to calculate how many players made use of the particular promotion and because some players prefer not to opt-in to a welcome package. Most deposit bonuses which are split up over a number of deposits require bonus codes, so be sure to insert the correct one when making a deposit.

Our final word on Casino Bonuses

South African players wishing to make the most out of their casino experience should definitely check out what bonuses they can snap up. South Africa Casinos Online has even done all the hard work for you by listing all of the information in our casino reviews.

Be Aware: That before accepting any casino bonus or promotion, you should always read through the terms and conditions.