Understanding Online Casino Bonuses

Are you puzzled by the workings of online Casino bonuses, with those pulsating dollar signs and offers of free cash? Let's see if we can demystify the situation.

Different rules apply to different casino bonuses - know these rules and avoid disappointment. In addition you may think you're receiving the best treatment because a casino gives the best percentage bonus, then you learn that your small deposit hasn't bought that much of a bonus after all, or you have problems cashing out your winnings. In this article we'll explain how to work out which bonus is actually the best, drawing from typical bonus schemes to help you make your selection.
Types of Casino Bonuses Casinos typically offer four types of bonuses:

• Free cash or no-deposit bonuses.
• "Match bonuses" or bonuses when you sign up or pay your first deposit.
• Bonuses for renewing your membership or making further deposits.
• Bonuses for using a preferred deposit system, such as paying through

  Neteller. We'll consider these bonuses one by one.

Free Cash Bonuses
There's nothing strange about these bonuses. Once you've signed up at the casino, you can place free bets up to the value of the bonus. But there is a snag - you may not be able to cash in until you've either paid your deposit or staked a sum real money many times greater than the bonus value.

Even so, newcomers to online casinos should accept this type of bonus to use as your initial stake money. There's always a chance that you could win real cash with your free bet! However, take caution as many of these types of bonuses have onerous wagering requirements that sometimes make it difficult to cash in any money at all.

First Deposit Bonuses
Now things become a little more interesting. Deposit bonuses come in two forms, namely, the straight cash bonus and the percentage bonus.

Let's look at an example. A casino advertises a 400% bonus up to $100 maximum. Here you'll get free credits worth $100 for the first $25 you deposit. Take note that this bonus is likely to apply only to the first $25. Afterwards you qualify for other types of bonuses, like the one for making a re-deposit. Now the casinos terms and conditions state a 7 times wager through requirement in bonus + deposit if you elect to take a bonus. That means that you have to wager $25 + $100 = $125 x7 = $875 before you can cash out anything. Wager through requirements differ between casinos. Always understand them carefully before you make a deposit. The last thing you want is to win, only to find that you can not cash out because you have not wagered enough.

Ongoing Bonuses
Casinos offer numerous forms of re-deposit bonuses as inducements to retain their gamblers. At a number of casinos the extent of these bonuses depends on the loyalty ratings of the members. Most of the time these bonuses are subject to the same conditions as the bonuses for initial deposits, but sometimes you have to bet multiples of this deposit to qualify for a cash-out. If your bonus is $50, for instance, you may have to bet 10 times as much - yes, $500 - to qualify. To do so you'd obviously have to be on some sort of winning streak.

Special Bonuses (e.g. preferred payment method)
Here too there are a range of bonuses. The two most frequently applied are deposit mechanism and special event bonuses.

The deposit mechanism bonus rewards you for making deposits through a preferred payment system, of which Neteller is the most widely used. You can get an additional 20 percent from some casinos for using Neteller. Terms and conditions are much like those for first-deposit bonuses.

Special event bonuses may be dressed up in different ways. You may receive one of these special bonuses if, for instance, you bet a minimum amount on a particular game. Many casinos offer this type of bonus for slots players.

Ryan D. has over 6 years in the online casino and sportsbook market in marketing, operations and customer service. He shares his "insider" views at The Online Gambling Insider

---

The Healthy Gambler

In our day and age gambling is very popular. The problem is that many still see it as being wrong. Let's face it, the utmost human instinct... Read More

Rules and Strategies for Roulette

Roulette offers the greatest variety of possible ways you can wager. If you've never tried it, the game is easy to learn and we'll show you strategies... Read More

Texas Holdem Tournament Poker Strategy - Betting Is Communicating

The "Language" of Poker BetsWe humans are very perceptive creatures. We are able to communicate in many different ways with one another. By saying something, by saying... Read More

No Limit Texas Hold?em Poker

Most online casinos offer three different types on Texas Hold'em Poker, namely No Limit Texas Holdem poker , Limit holdem Poker and Pot Limit holdem poker.The only... Read More

Party Poker Sign up Bonus Code Tutorial

I have had a lot of emails from people who are looking for a partypoker sign up bonus code. To save some time I have written a... Read More

2005 World Series of Poker -- Mid Tournament Report

The 2005 World Series of Poker started its 36th year bigger and better than ever at the RIO! Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas, Nevada. At the... Read More

Do You Know the Best and Worst Roulette Bets?

Do You Know the Best and Worst Roulette Bets?The outcome of every spin of the roulette wheel is independent of any other and is not influenced by... Read More

Three Card Poker Betting

A player must be aware of how to place bets in three card poker. The playing area both live and online will have three areas where you... Read More

Gambling Superstitions

Many times while gambling, I've found myself searching for subtle signs to assist me in making my next bet. For example, if I'm playing roulette and a... Read More

Poker Can Be Played for Money from the Comfort of Your Living Room?Legally!

Poker is one of the world's all time favorite gambling card game. However, for most of us, to be able to legally gamble with poker, we'd need... Read More

Two Great NFL Systems

Why would the odds maker make adjustments you ask? Simply put my friend, the reason why is because the odds maker already knows what today's "Joe Public"... Read More

Compulsive Gambler Shares His Recovery Story About Gamblers Anonymous Now That He Stopped

A compulsive gambler who participated in Gamblers Anonymous program shared his recovery in hopes to help others affected by this addiction. Sean was an above average student... Read More

Why All the Excitement Over Poker?

Poker's new upsurge in popularity in is due to televised showings of championship poker tournaments, such as The World Poker Tour and The World Series of Poker.... Read More

Martingale Betting System - Are You SURE?

Very common and popular system among newbies who like roulette, but not a very useful one. Sure, it seems simple and logical - you start with, let's... Read More

The History of Roulette

The term "Roulette" is derived from a French word meaning small wheel. The origin of Roulette is not very clear. while some sources state that Blaise Pascal,... Read More

Online Casino Bonuses Explained

Types Of Online Casino BonusesIf you've ever considered playing at an online casino, you should be aware that the vast majority of them offer cash bonuses as... Read More

Land Casinos Vs. Online Casinos

Since the emergence of a few online casinos in 1996, the growth and popularity of the online gambling industry has skyrocketed at a phenomenal rate. There are... Read More

YOUR Advantage With Online Poker Table Notes

The importance of taking notes on your opponents can't be stressed enough. The more you play, the more you value the information that you have collected on... Read More

Depositing Funds to Your Online Casino & Poker Room Account - The Best Options

Ways To DepositWhen I first wanted to start playing in online casinos and poker rooms, I thought it would be as easy as 123 to start playing... Read More

Types of Online Roulette

Roulette ? American and EuropeanAs many casino-savvy players already know, there are two main forms of online roulette. I plan on covering some of the differences between... Read More

Beware of So-Called Baccarat Strategy

Card Counting is one of those phony ideas published in baccarat strategy books. Card counting is most often associated with the game of blackjack - and is... Read More

The Secrets of the Big Numbers

Pssst...! Wanna know a secret?How about the secrets of the Big Six and Big Eight?As you might know, the Big Six and Eight are even money bets.... Read More

Virtual Casino Games

Looking to find out what kind of games can be found at a virtual casino? Look no further because here we give you an overview of virtual... Read More

The Slot Machine

The very first slot machine (called 'Liberty Bell') was created by a man called Charles Fay from his workshop in San Francisco in 1887. Slightly smaller than... Read More

Sports Betting Portfolio Management

The subject of financial investment is such a wide and varied area. We all know (or should know), that investing surplus funds is a sound idea; nothing... Read More

Dice Games 101

Dice games are the oldest and one of the simplest games that perhaps suit all ages. The dice games involved in gambling are one of the most... Read More