Integral parts of successful casinos include and not limited to marketing campaigns, lucrative affiliate deals, and most common the lure of the bonus. The latter is the most common in keeping customers’ loyalty. With competition in the online business getting tough, online casinos have resorted to finding new and exciting ways to attract new and retain an existing client base. Free bonuses not only diversify gambling experience, but also create excitement in the process.
Types of Casino Bonuses
There exist various types of bonuses that may be offered by a casino. The most common is the sticky bonuses, which is normally used to incentivize new users. This bonus is the amount of money deposited on a new player’s account for free. The money can’t be withdrawn, but can be gambled with and gradually withdraw the winning when certain set conditions are met. It is a common bonus type and also the most sought out by customers.
Another bonus type is the first deposit bonus. This basically occurs when you open an account and make your first deposit. The casino may match the deposit and offer you additional funds. In most cases the deposit is doubled, though there are instances where the casinos may go as far as tripling or quadrupling your money.
You can also get the free spins bonuses. This is where you are given a specific number of free spins whenever you play a favorite slot game, whereby the aim is to essentially give you extra chances to get a lucky strike. Some casinos can offer the free spins bonuses upfront, while others you will have to earn as you progress in playing. By doing so, the casinos ensure that the reward doesn’t only apply to new clients, but also loyal ones.
How bonuses attract customers
The obvious appeal is the free money that is deposited to your account or the free spins. Despite this money being recovered in some other forms by the betting firms, the offer remains very appealing. Customers on a tight budget find it especially attractive that they can have their gambling prowess multiplied several fold. The free money also seems less dangerous making it easier to gamble with it compared to if you were using your own money.
There is a psychological aspect that comes with the words ‘special offer’ and ‘bonus’. The terms bring the perception that a customer is lucky to come upon the offer and declining it would be a missed opportunity. This applies a lot especially among first-time and inexperienced customers who might have spent little time browsing different options and getting to know a variety of offers.
Checklist for online gamblers
It’s worth noting that casino bonuses are powerful tools for players to maximize their gameplay, however, it is also a “ marketing trick from the casinos to get new customers ”. For the naïve customers, they may get duped by the bonuses and end up losing their money since profits are the priority for the casino operators. The following checklist may come of aid.
- Terms and conditions of any promotion must be cleared, communicated and readily offered without time pressure capable of rushing you into a decision.
- You must have all information, and know the expectations in order that he/she makes an informed decision on whether the deal is right or not.
- If you have deposited real money towards a promotion, you should be free to withdraw the amount regardless of if they decide to forfeit the promotion.
- Online casinos are obligated to separate real money from bonus money. It’s usually made clear that bonus money can be restricted to withdrawing, nevertheless this should be communicated in a clear and an effective manner.
- The casinos cannot offer you a bonus and then alter it once you have started playing.
What to do if you get an unfair experience
- Contact the site’s customer support team. These are readily available on their websites.
- If you don’t feel satisfied with the customer support recommendation, and you still think you were unfairly treated, then contact a casino’s alternative dispute resolution firm. Most gambling sites will have details of alternative dispute resolution firms.
- If the above still doesn’t resolve your issue, then you can pursue a legal case.