Bonuses are the first things we notice when visiting an online casino. They are designed to catch our eye and make us want to play there – and then play some more. In betting, in turn, bonuses don’t seem to be in so much focus. The fundamental difference between the two forms of gambling is reflected by the bonuses available for them. In this article, we’ll look at both, pointing out the differences between casino and betting bonuses.
Casino bonuses
Casino bonuses are designed to help people extend their play time in the hopes of winning – maybe even winning big. And, of course, to convince them to deposit and play more. Depending on the applicable terms and the playthrough requirements, some bonuses are better than others.
No deposit bonuses
No-deposit bonuses are the most sought-after ones in the industry. An online casino no deposit bonus means exactly what it sounds like a bonus you get without making a deposit.
No-deposit bonuses are usually small amounts or free spins and have big playthrough requirements.
Deposit matches
These are the most common at online casinos. In a nutshell, if you make a deposit, the casino will match a certain percentage of it as a bonus. While this may sound like “free money”, it’s really not – deposit matches usually come with hefty playthrough requirements that have to be completed before you can claim your winnings.
Betting bonuses
Betting is not as much about luck as it is about making informed predictions about the outcome of (usually sporting) events. Here, it’s not the play time that matters but a journey toward actually placing a bet. The activity itself is not like playing at a casino – and the bonuses are also different.
Free bets
The most common betting bonuses are free bets. And their name is surprisingly accurate, too. Free bets are chunks of bonus cash that you can use for qualifying bets. Bookmakers usually have strict rules on what type: they can be only for specific events, markets, and bets with specific odds.
Free bets work like this:
- You place a bet using the free bet amount on an event, with the minimum odds set by the bookmaker
- If you lose, you move on, there are no strings attached
- If you win, the amount you got as a free bet is subtracted from your winnings, leaving you with the net profits
- The winnings may or may not be subject to playthrough requirements – this one depends on the individual bookmakers
Boosted odds
Boosted odds are designed to attract punters to certain events and certain markets. They are pretty much what they sound like: the odds for a certain market are bigger than they should be, so winning this bet comes with bigger returns.
Be wary of these offers, though, because bonus odds don’t usually mean safe bets. Be sure to read the applicable terms before you place it.
Combo boosters
Normally, professional bettors recommend keeping your betting slips short and safe. Combo boosters try to convince you of the opposite: to bet on many events on a betting slip and get a bonus for taking the extra risk.
Just like casino gaming and betting on sports are different types of activities, the bonuses you can redeem while doing them are also different. Whichever you prefer, make sure to keep it fun – play responsibly, and within your means.