Online casinos often offer attractive welcome bonuses to new players signing up for an account. These casino bonuses usually match a percentage of your initial deposit up to a certain amount. For example, a 100% deposit match bonus up to $200 means the casino will give you a bonus equal to your deposit amount, doubling your bankroll, up to $200.
While these welcome offers seem generous, you need to understand how they work in order to maximise their value. Whether you play at christchurchcasino.com or elsewhere, here are some tips on making the most of online casino welcome bonuses:
Read the Bonus Terms and Conditions
The first thing you should do is read the specific bonus terms and conditions on the casino website. Pay attention to the wagering requirements, which state how much you need to play through the bonus amount before you can withdraw any winnings.
Also, note if there are any games excluded from meeting the playthrough. For instance, some casinos won’t let you play low house edge games like blackjack or video poker with bonus funds. The terms will also specify the timeframe you have to meet the requirements, often 30 days.
Make Sure to Opt-In
Most casinos require you to opt-in to activate welcome bonuses – they won’t credit it automatically just for making a deposit. Log into your new account, visit the promotions page, and find the opt-in button for the welcome bonus you wish to claim.
Take Advantage of Reload Bonuses
In addition to the initial welcome bonus, many casinos offer reload bonuses on subsequent deposits. You can often get a 25% to 50% match on future deposits, giving you extra funds to play with. Check if the casino offers reload bonuses and be sure to opt-in so you don’t miss out on these ongoing promos.
Claim the Full Bonus Amount
To maximise a welcome bonus, you’ll want to deposit enough to claim the entire bonus amount. On a 100% match, this means depositing the full amount specified by the promotion. If the bonus goes up to $200, deposit at least $200 so you get the full $200 bonus added to your account.
Some casinos will still match a lower deposit, but you’ll leave free money on the table by not depositing the max. That said, only deposit an amount you’re comfortable playing through per the bonus requirements.
Choose Games with a Low Wagering Contribution
To clear casino welcome bonus requirements, you’ll need to play through both the bonus and deposit amounts a specified number of times. This playthrough requirement is usually between 20x and 50x the full bonus amount.
Certain games contribute differently to these wagering requirements. Slots usually count 100%, while table games only contribute 5% to 20%. That means for a $200 bonus with 25x wagering, you’d need to make $5,000 in slot bets or $25,000 in blackjack bets.
To complete the bonus faster, focus your play on slots and other high contribution games. Avoid blackjack and roulette unless you plan to meet the requirements through slots first.
Play Low Variance Slot Games
Slot games come with different levels of variance – that is, how often and how big the payouts are. Low variance slots land smaller wins more frequently. High variance slots pay out less often but with bigger wins.
Since you just need to gradually accumulate bets to meet bonus wagering, low variance slots are ideal. The small frequent payouts give you plenty of spins to churn through the playthrough requirements while minimising risk of busting out.
Bet Small and Extend Your Gameplay
One mistake players make with welcome bonuses is betting too aggressively out of the gate. Wagering too much per spin relative to your balance gives the house edge more of an opportunity to eat away at your bankroll.
Bet small – minimum bets or not much above – and take your time working through the requirements. This conservative approach extends gameplay and reduces variance, giving you the best chance to clear and withdraw your bonus winnings.
Watch for Bonus Abuse Rules
To prevent bonus abuse, most casinos implement a max bet rule, usually $5 or $10, that applies when playing with bonus funds. This means you cannot place bets any larger than this threshold until the bonus is cleared. The casino may also void your bonus and winnings if it detects you are deliberately trying to game the wagering through prohibited betting patterns.
Read up on the casino’s bonus abuse policy and make sure to adhere to any bet restrictions when playing with an active welcome bonus.
Take Breaks and Watch Your Bankroll
It can be tempting to play faster in hopes of clearing your welcome bonus in record time. But take breaks regularly, such as 5-10 minutes every 30-60 minutes of play. This helps avoid mental fatigue which could lead to playing on tilt and deposits you’ll later regret.
More broadly, manage your bankroll wisely when using bonuses. Have a budget for deposits and withdraw regularly to ensure you are comfortably spreading out wagering requirements. The bonus should supplement your bankroll, not drive unhealthy play.
Online casino welcome bonuses allow new players to boost their starting bankroll and play more on the house. But these promos must be used strategically to benefit your gameplay and bankroll in the long run. Read the terms carefully, play through the wagering requirements slowly, and budget your deposits wisely. Used properly, welcome bonuses are a valuable way to get more value out of online casinos.