Canadian online casino players are always on the lookout for the best bonus deals that will benefit them without having to spend too much of their bankroll. As a result, casino bonuses are one of the main differentiating factors between what would be considered a player-friendly casino and an unfriendly one. As such, for reputable online casino Canada sites and iGaming platforms from different parts of the globe alike, casino bonuses are usually a means to keep existing customers entertained and attract new signups.
One of the coolest aspects of online casino bonuses is that they provide players with advantages that cannot be enjoyed at land-based establishments. But then, if unchecked, promotional perks may end up costing the operator to a point where it will be unsustainable for them to run a profit-making business. As a result, these online casino bonus perks usually come with a few caveats to ensure that the player does not try to gain an unfair advantage over the casino.
So, for you to effectively claim a casino bonus, you will need to understand the elements of a bonus that are always stipulated in the terms and conditions for the promotional deal. Read on to find out what the fine print of casino offers entails and how best you can navigate them to fully benefit from these promotions.
Wagering Requirements
Wagering or playthrough requirements are probably the first thing to look out for in a casino bonus. A wagering requirement indicates how many times a player must bet a bonus amount to qualify for a withdrawal of all earnings from a bonus. When a player uses bonuses to play a game, any wins cannot be withdrawn unless the wagering requirements have been fulfilled.
To fulfil the requirements, the bonus funds will have to be staked as many times as indicated before they can be transferred to the player’s actual bankroll. For instance, if you‘ve got a C$100 bonus with the playthrough requirement is x35, you will need to place bets totalling C$3500. But you only have C$100 and to be able to bet C$3500, you need to have many winning bets. Otherwise, you’ll just lose your money while trying to meet the wagering requirement. For this reason, it often makes more sense to go for a bonus that has the fewest wagering requirements, if any.
Excluded Games
Not all bonuses allow users to wager on just any game in the casino. Most would specify which games would contribute to the player’s right to claim the final real money cash out when the wagering requirements have been met. A casino bonus may be tied to one or more slot machines or casino table games.
The Minimum Deposit and Bet Limits
Whether it’s free spins or credits that get awarded as bonuses, the casino has to set a bet limit and, for deposit bonuses, a minimum deposit limit as well. The minimum deposit is the amount of cash that needs to be in the bankroll for a punter to be eligible to enter into a bonus promo.
Additionally, some deposit bonuses are rewarded in stages, and the casino may set a minimum deposit amount for each level of the bonus. And as for the bet limit, each spin or credit awarded will have a designated amount equivalent to a real money value when wagered. Moreover, in some cases, triggering a casino bonus requires you to have staked a certain amount in a specified period.
Expiration Dates
A time limit has to be set for when a bonus can be considered valid. Welcome bonuses usually have a more extended expiration period to allow a new user ample time to get accustomed to the casino culture. The most common period is between 5 and 90 days, depending on the type of bonus.
On the other hand, ongoing weekly bonuses expire after a couple of days, and once claimed, the player may only have a couple of hours to redeem the bonus by using it in a casino game. If the player fails to meet the deadline for redeeming their prize, they will forfeit it as the casino will automatically revoke the offer.
Other Elements of Bonus Fine Prints
Besides what we’ve discussed above, there are other common promotional terms and conditions that you may encounter in an online casino. They include:
- Eligibility based on your VIP status or loyalty level;
- Qualification only after you lose a bet;
- Some promotions are only issued for mobile device players;
- A limit to the maximum payout you can collect from a bonus;
- Jurisdictional restrictions;
- Only some specific payment methods may be eligible.
Now that you know precisely how casino bonuses work, you will consider all the aspects of the offer and how you’ll benefit before claiming the deal. The bottom line is to grab a casino bonus depending on your level of commitment to avoid wasting time and other resources on a futile errand.