With online gaming becoming more popular and with an increased rate of online casinos popping up in Canada, there’s one aspect of the casino that can help it differentiate itself from others – the welcome bonus. Welcome bonuses are found at every online casino and they are used to bring in more clients and to provide them with an orientation to the world of online casino gaming. However, it’s evident that not all bonuses are created equally and some are much better than others.
Not only are bonuses different from one another, but some are quite detrimental to the experience of the client and it could potentially put them off from gaming on that particular site. So, how do we know which ones are good and which ones are bad? Well, that’s what we’ll be discussing in this segment, as we take a look at the best casino bonus and everything that goes along with it.
We’ll also be learning about the different types of bonuses, along with the pros and cons, the T&Cs, and everything else in between.
Explanation of Welcome Bonuses
The first question you’ll need to ask yourself is, “what exactly is a welcome bonus?”, it’s quite simple. A welcome bonus is a bonus offer that’s provided when you sign up at an online casino. This could happen immediately or once you’ve deposited it into your online casino account. What you don’t know is that these bonuses benefit both players and the casino, which is why casinos are always looking for new ways to present the best online casino signup bonus.
However, there’s a lot more to this when you look beneath the surface. This is simply because there are different kinds of welcome bonuses and it’s important for you to understand what they are and exactly how they operate.
Types of Welcome Bonuses
Here we’ll be taking a look at the three types of casino bonus offers and how they’re generally presented to you.
Deposit Match Bonus
The casino match bonus is the most popular type of welcome bonus and it’s generally paired with free spins; however, some platforms prefer to present it alone. This bonus consists of a bonus amount that’s provided on the condition that you deposit cash that’s slightly above the minimum deposit limit. The casino will proceed to match the deposit that you’ve made up to a specific percentage. These deposit match bonuses are generally large sums of cash; however, depending on their size, they can be provided over multiple deposits.
For example, if a casino claims that it will provide you with a 50% deposit bonus up to the value of C$200, you’ll receive an additional C$200 in bonus cash if you deposit the maximum amount. This will leave you with a total of C$600. However, some casinos will provide you with multiple deposit bonuses with a larger amount, such as:
- 1st Deposit = 100% match bonus up to the value of C$500
- 2ndDeposit = 50% match bonus up to the value of C$300
- 3rdDeposit = 50% match bonus up to the value of C$300
- 4thDeposit = 100% match bonus up to the value of C$200
This will be a total of C$1000, but you’ll only receive a maximum of C$700 in bonus funds.
Free Spins
Free spins are an incredibly popular welcome bonus and they usually operate with the casino deposit bonus and sometimes this is all you’ll get. Free spins are usually provided in large amounts, such as 200 free spins with your first deposit. However, these will be provided over a certain timeframe and they usually have a short shelf life as they expire after 24 or 48 hours. Free spins can be provided 10 spins per day over 10 days and each day will provide you with a different game.
No Deposit Bonuses
No deposit bonuses are one of the least understood bonuses as they’re generally presented in different ways from one casino to the next. These are available in the following forms:
- Free Spins
- Cash Tokens
These bonuses are usually worth a small sum of cash, between C$10 & C$25, and don’t have any wagering requirements attached to them. These bonuses are automatically credited to your casino account once you’ve completed the registration process.
While these might be the three most common types, but you can be sure that there are much more types of casino bonuses you can find and enjoy from.
How to Claim a Welcome Bonus
When it comes to claiming the welcome bonus in the form of casino earnings, there’s only one way to go about this, and this is to meet the wagering rules and requirements that are found within the terms and conditions of the online casino. Failing to meet these requirements and proceeding to attempt a withdrawal will result in you forfeiting your bonus funds and everything that you’ve won. So, ensure that you read through the terms and conditions and understand what the requirements mean, as many new players get caught up in the idea of a large bonus, but they’re left with a bitter taste in their mouths when they have to meet a 70x wagering requirement on C$21,000.
Understanding the Terms and Conditions
The terms and conditions that are attached to a bonus are the most vital piece of information that the casino can give you. You won’t have to look very far to find it, and if you’re too lazy, a quick Google search will provide you with the answers that you need regarding the particular bonus. Below we’ve listed the most important pieces of information that you need to look out for.
Wagering/Playthrough Requirements
The wagering requirements that are attached to the welcome bonus will determine how easy it will be for you to create a profit on the bonus cash. If a casino provides a 100% deposit match bonus up to C$1000 with a 30x wagering requirement and you deposit C$1000, that means that you will need to play through C$2000 thirty times, which means that you will need to bet C$60,000 before you’ll be able to make a successful withdrawal. This is why it’s important to deposit smaller amounts when it comes to the deposit match bonus.
Wagering Contributions
Another aspect of online gaming bonuses that is overlooked is the wagering contributions. Wagering contributions will determine how much cash will go toward the playthrough requirement. For example, casino games like craps, roulette, poker, and blackjack will count toward 5 – 20% of the general requirement. This is why your best bet will be to play slots as these will always count towards 100% of the playthrough requirement. The only exception would be when casinos will state that a particular provider’s slots will count toward 50% of the requirement and not the full 100%.
Betting Limits
Betting limits are usually implemented with free spins, and this means that you’re not allowed to exceed a particular amount when using them. By exceeding the betting limit, you’ll forfeit your winnings and your free spins, which is time and money that’s gone down the drain.
Restrictions on Time and Games
Restrictions will be implemented on free spins when there are particular games that you’re only allowed to play. For example, an online casino will provide you with 10 free spins a day for 20 days, but on that particular day, you’ll only be allowed to play Gonzo’s Quest. That’s a restriction that’s placed on a set of free spins.
Time restrictions simply imply that you have a certain period to meet the wagering requirements of the welcome bonus before it expires and you lose all the cash you’ve won and left-over bonus funds.
The Best Casino Bonuses
Casino Gods
Get huge promotional offers and a decent deposit match bonus of C$1500 and 300 free spins that come with a 40x wagering requirement. Casino Gods is known for its great banking system and fast payouts.
Mr.Play Casino
With a C$1600 matched bonus and 150 free spins, Mr. Play Casino also incorporates a modest 35x wagering requirement. This means that your focus can be on the task at hand, which is exploring the vast selection of games.
LeoVegas
Join LeoVegas, one of the most popular Canadian online casinos, and claim your deposit match bonus of C$1000 and 200 extra free spins with a 25x wagering requirement. This platform also has a wide range of gaming categories, which means that you’ll likely find what you’re looking for very quickly.
Wildz Casino
Claim you C$20 no deposit bonus when signing up with Wildz Casino and when your first deposit is made, claim a match bonus worth the value of C$520 and 200 free spins with a 35x wagering requirement. Wildz is a fun casino with plenty of promotional offers available, so don’t miss out.
Yeti Casino
With Yeti Casino you can take advantage of a 100% match bonus up to the value of C$333 with 100 free spins with a 40x wagering requirement. This is a great online casino that offers everything that you could want in terms of gaming, as some of the best providers are on board with this project.
CasiGO
Sign up with CasiGO and claim a deposit match package that consists of four deposit match bonuses up to the value of C$1100 + 375 free spins to use on Book of Dead with a 35x wagering requirement. This is a neat online platform that has plenty to offer when it comes to game variety and banking methods.
PlayOJO
With PlayOJO you can claim 80 free spins when you make your first deposit of C$10 and you’ll also get 1 free spin to use on Prize Twister. This platform is known for having some of the best slots and there’s no wagering requirement involved.
Ruby Fortune
Enjoy over 450 games in various categories with Ruby Fortune and claim your three deposit bonuses up to the amount of C$750. A 70x wagering requirement is in effect, but this casino also has a wide range of games that are just waiting to be explored.
Rizk Casino
There’s no risk with Rizk Casino as you can claim a 100$ deposit match bonus up to C$500 with 50 free spins tied down with a 40x wagering requirement. Rizk Casino is a no-nonsense platform that’s established itself as a casino for the people, and here you’ll find a wide range of games and seasonal promotions to take advantage of.
Yako Casino
As a new client, you can take advantage of the C$99 deposit match bonus and 99 free spins offer that comes with a 40x wagering requirement. This modest bonus might leave you with some profit and you’ll be able to take advantage of a range of games and plenty of banking methods.
FAQs
Is a sign up bonus transferrable?
No, it’s impossible to do so because it’s associated to your casino account.
Do I need to register an account to claim the welcome bonus?
Correct, these bonuses are meant to provide new players with a unique gaming experience and this is why you need to sign up.
Will my casino welcome bonus expire?
Yes, but the expiry date will differ from one casino to the next.
Will the welcome bonus sabotage my chances of winning?
No, it will give you more chances to win.
Will all deposit methods allow me to claim the casino sign-up bonus?
Unless stated otherwise, it should.
Is it compulsory to claim the welcome bonus?
No, but it will help you to win, so you would be leaving cash on the table by not claiming it.
