What's the fastest – and safest – way to unlock a casino bonus? We give you 10 essential tips to increase your chances of winning a bonus. Who doesn't like a nice bonus? The bonus is the most common marketing tool used by online casinos.
Bonuses are given to both new customers (the so-called welcome bonus) and existing customers:
- No Deposit Bonus: you receive a bonus without making a deposit;
- Welcome Bonus: you receive an extra % bonus on your first deposit(s);
- Deposit Bonus: also called a reload bonus. Same as a welcome bonus, but for existing customers;
- Loyalty Bonus: based on your play or history you will receive a (free) bonus: game credit, free spins or something else.
- Cash Back Bonus: you receive a portion of your losses or deposits back.
Almost every online casino gives away bonuses. And the best part is: it's a win-win situation. You get something (a lot) extra and the casino gains a new customer. You can't (of course) withdraw your bonus money directly. You have to do something for that. SuperBigWin lists everything you need to know about casino bonuses and how to get the most out of them.
Optimal Casino Bonuses Cash Out: 10 Essential Rules
Whether you are a novice online casino player or an experienced player, if you follow these 10 essential rules then you can be sure that you are not only getting the most out of your casino bonuses but also learning the difference between a good casino bonus and a bad casino bonus.
- Software providers Microgaming and Evolution Gaming help to offer an extremely enjoyable casino platform.
- Certified by eCogra and licensed by the Kahnawake Gaming Commission.
- Many progressive jackpot games available.
- Jackpot City is hugely entertaining, with the design or their site being very user friendly.
- Exciting, themed and rewarding games, including a large number of slot titles.
- Customer support available 24/7 through a variety of avenues.
Rule 1: Look at the bonus percentage and the maximum bonus amount
Look closely at the bonus percentage and the maximum bonus amount. Many casinos give new customers 100% bonus on the first deposit. But this can go up to 150% and even 200% at some casinos. The maximum amount also varies greatly, from C$50 to as much as C$300.
If you have both of these factors clear, you can determine the optimal deposit amount.
Calculation example
If the bonus percentage is 200% and the maximum bonus amount is C$150, deposit C$75. You will receive a total of 75 + C$150 = C$225 balance on your first deposit. Please note! You can only make a first deposit once. So: just like the first impression you leave behind: make sure it's a good one.
Rule 2: Check the rules for releasing bonus money
This is an extremely important part which unfortunately many people forget. Make sure to check the conditions for wagering the bonus money.
Almost all casinos require you to play through the bonus money a certain number of times before you can freely dispose of it (read: have it paid out). Usually this is between 40x and 50x the bonus amount.
There are also more and more casinos that require you to play both the bonus amount and the deposit a certain number of times. Then in the terms and conditions it says for example 25 x (b + d). Pay close attention to this, because 25 x the bonus is a nice bonus condition. 25 x the bonus + the deposit is much less favorable.
The lower the playthrough requirement, the better it is for you, the player.
Calculation example
Suppose you receive a C$100 bonus and there is a wagering requirement of 50x the bonus, then you have to wager a total of 50 x C$100 = C$5,000 before you can freely dispose of the money. That's a very hefty wagering requirement.
Fortunately, there are also online casino bonuses with much lower playthrough requirements. The main ones are:
- Simple Casino: the bonus must be wagered 40 times before it is released (100% bonus up to C$500). An excellent bonus at a top casino.
- LeoVegas: only 35 times the bonus must be wagered (200% bonus up to C$200 on your 1st deposit). A great wagering condition that gives you an excellent chance of converting your bonus into real money.
- Slots Million: 48 times the bonus wager (100% bonus up to C$100 on your first deposit). This is also an excellent wagering condition.
How do I know what the conditions are for redeeming casino bonuses?
There are two ways to find out:
- Read the terms and conditions, which you can always find at the time you register. They are also often found under the heading “Promotions” or “Bonus”. Also known as “terms and conditions”. If you can't find them or they are unclear, find another casino.
- Ask the helpdesk via chat. A good online casino will always be 100% transparent about the terms and conditions of unlocking bonuses. Again, if they are unclear or ambiguous: find a better online casino.
Rule 3: Check if and how much the casino games contribute to the wagering requirement
This rule is also very important. After all: not every game contributes to the wagering requirement. Slots, as a rule, contribute 100%. But games like Roulette and Blackjack contribute less. For example, at most casinos, all table games only count for 10%. Also video poker contributes less as a rule.
But: there are also casinos where Roulette doesn't contribute anything at all to the release of the bonus. In other words, you'll never be able to clear the bonus in this case!
And again, this rule must be clearly stated in the terms and conditions. If this is not the case, take your money to another casino.
Rule 4: Don't be an “Advantage Player”.
If you play with too high stakes the casino may consider you an “advantage player”. This means: a player who is trying to get as much out of the welcome bonus as possible by deliberately playing at high risk.
Two examples of what casinos see as advantage play:
Playing with too high stakes on the slots, hoping to win an extremely high payout.
A player who first wins a nice amount of money on, for example, a slot machine and then starts playing high stakes roulette with single chances (red/black/even/even) in order to quickly meet the wagering requirement.
Our advice: don't. Play your normal game and don't change your pattern of play. If casinos (especially if you want to make a large payout that you won with bonus money) find that you have not displayed normal gambling behavior, they may refuse to pay out the funds. So be really careful with this.
Are you a slots player and want to properly meet your wagering requirements? Then play slots with low to medium volatility (few high payouts, many small and medium payouts) like Starburst or Super Jackpot Party.
Adhere to the maximum bet per spin with bonus money
The terms and conditions clearly state how high you can bet per print. As a rule somewhere between C$5 and C$7 maximum per spin.
Therefore always read the terms and conditions carefully in advance, online casinos take strict action against players who violate this rule. It will irrevocably lead to the withdrawal of the bonus and any winnings won with bonus money. Even if you have been good of faith.
Rule 5: Watch out for (small) snags!
Casinos sometimes pull tricks that can put you at a disadvantage. Again, make sure you are well prepared. Known tricks you can look out for are:
- Is there a maximum amount you can win with the bonus? If so, determine if you can live with this.
- Is the wagering requirement only about the bonus? Or is it over the bonus and the deposit (bonus + deposit)? In the second case, the wagering requirement is effectively doubled! This makes it almost impossible to have a payout left over from the bonus and is strongly discouraged by us for that reason.
- Can you cash out winnings from free spins immediately? Sometimes you can, sometimes you have to play the free spins again. Of course, free spins are always nice, but it's best if you can keep all winnings immediately.
Rule 6: First clear your balance before you deposit again
A very important one. Make sure you completely max out your balance before you deposit again! And zero to zero really means zero to zero.
If you don't do this, chances are:
- You won't receive any 2nd, 3rd or 4th deposit bonuses;
- Any wagering requirement of bonus money will remain. This, of course, is not what you want.
If this happens, don't hesitate to contact the help desk. Usually, they can forfeit (drop) the leftover bonus money and then all restrictions/obligations are also dropped.
Rule 7: Know that you can refuse the bonus
You are not obligated to accept a welcome bonus. We always do, but we also always see the welcome bonus as a piece of entertainment money. You get a lot more to play with, and sometimes you win a nice sum of money with it. But if you don't feel like meeting the wagering requirements, you can refuse the bonus. Sometimes you can check this option on your first deposit. If this is not possible, ask the helpdesk to remove the bonus. Do this before you start playing. If you do it after, it depends on the casino if they will remove it.
Rule 8: Regularly check how much you have left to wager before your bonus is released
If you are on a winning streak and you want to cash out an amount, check if it is already allowed. Usually, when you go to the withdraw option, you will see what amount is free to withdraw. If this amount is zero or significantly lower than your balance, then you probably haven't met your wagering obligation.
At most casinos you can see how much you have left to wager in the withdrawal screen, sometimes you have to ask the help desk. Return to this screen periodically to check your progress. It often happens faster than you think.
Rule 9: Have a problem or question? Ask the help desk (and be nice!)
Casinos, as a rule, welcome every customer. If you have a problem or a question, don't hesitate to ask the help desk for help. Often they can and will help you as best they can. And our experience is also: it's the tone that makes the music. If you ask questions in a friendly and non-coercive manner, you will often be helped better. A help desk employee will be more willing to help someone they like than someone who is rude, annoying or angry.
Rule 10: Big win? Let your bonus lapse!
We're saving perhaps the best tip for last. If you have won a nice amount of money and you want to withdraw it without having to fulfill the wagering requirement, then at some casinos you can claim the amount immediately. However, all bonus money will be forfeited.
This should always be requested through the helpdesk. Not every casino does this and it's not always explicitly stated in their terms and conditions. But you can always ask and often it works.
Conclusion
So. That's it. 10 essential rules to help you unlock the best casino bonuses. Now you know how to recognize a good casino bonus and you know how to redeem it. Good luck.
