Bonus Hunting: How to Find the Best Casino Bonuses
Online gaming is hugely popular, and one reason for that is the sheer number of bonuses on offer. Bonus hunting is the practice of searching the internet for the most lucrative bonus offers, which can help you stretch your bankroll further.
To hunt for bonuses well, you need to know about the many casinos out there and how their promotions change over time. For example, Kassu Casino has offered different promotions over the years and has steadily improved its bonus offers. A bonus hunter who keeps this casino on their radar would notice when the Kassu Casino bonus section changes, and take advantage of it.
How to Find Casino Bonuses
There are so many bonuses available that choosing the right one can feel overwhelming. Below, we’ll walk you through everything you need to know to make informed decisions about which bonus offers are actually worth your time. Let’s begin.
The Different Types of Casino Bonuses
Most online casinos offer one or more of the following bonuses:
- Match deposit bonuses
- Cashback bonuses
- Reload bonuses
- Free spins
- Small cash offers (also popular when bonus hunting)
The first three generally fall under the match deposit bonus category. The last two usually belong to the no deposit bonus category, though you’ll also come across plenty of combinations.
Deposit Bonuses
The deposit bonus is the most common type. You’ll need to sign up at the casino to qualify, then deposit funds into your account as the next step. The casino sets how much you need to deposit to claim the offer, and there’s always a minimum amount. The payment method you use can also affect your eligibility. Some bonuses also require you to enter a code to claim them.
Welcome Bonus
When bonus hunting, one of the most common online casino bonuses is the welcome offer. This is usually a match deposit bonus, although some welcome offers don’t require a deposit at all. In most cases, the casino will match 100% of your deposit, boosting your bankroll from the start. Match deposit bonuses generally range from 50% to 400%, though the exact amount varies by casino.
Some casinos only offer a single welcome bonus, tied to your first deposit. Others spread the bonus across multiple deposits, often with a different percentage for each one. The amount the casino matches will also differ. Since there’s always a cap on the match amount, a higher match percentage doesn’t automatically mean a better bonus. We’ll come back to that shortly.
No Deposit Bonuses
Most players are always on the hunt for offers that don’t require a deposit. These bonuses give you a completely free gaming experience. To claim one, you usually just need to register at the casino. In most cases, the bonus lands in your account automatically once you’ve completed registration and verified your account.
Sometimes, you’ll need to enter a unique bonus code to claim the offer. You’ll find plenty of options for no deposit bonuses, and it’s up to you to decide which ones suit you and how best to use them.
Keep in mind that no deposit bonuses usually come with strict wagering requirements. Some bonuses are “sticky,” meaning you’ll need to wager the entire amount (bonus plus deposit) to meet the requirements. Others come with no restrictions at all, so it’s worth keeping an eye out for those. You’ll typically find a few different types of no deposit bonuses on offer when you sign up at a casino.
Free Spins
When bonus hunting, free spins are one of the most common bonus types you’ll come across. These are usually offered as part of a no-deposit promotion, giving you a small number of spins on a specific slot.
Alternatively, free spins can also come as part of a match deposit bonus. One important thing to consider is that free spins are usually tied to one particular slot game. It can be disappointing to get free spins on a game you don’t enjoy, so it’s worth checking which slot the bonus is attached to before you claim it.
Quick Credit
A no deposit credit, or cash bonus, is another option alongside free spins. It works in a similar way: all you need to do to get the credit added to your account is sign up at the casino. The credit amount is usually small, often around $5, but it can go a long way if you know what you’re doing, and it also lets you practice without risking your own money.
Unlike free spins, credit bonuses are usually available across most virtual games at the casino, not just one slot. That said, they generally can’t be used on live dealer games, and wagering requirements can still apply.
Bonuses for Existing Players
Reputable casinos will keep offering bonuses to loyal customers long after they’ve stopped being “new.” This encourages repeat visits and keeps players happy. Reload bonuses are a common example, often available when you make frequent deposits into your account. Many casinos set aside a specific day each week for reload offers.
Reload bonuses aren’t available at every casino, and they differ from deposit match bonuses in that they’re based on how much you play, win and deposit over time. The percentage match and maximum deposit amount are usually calculated from how much you’ve deposited during the period leading up to the reload. The bottom line: the more you deposit, the more the casino tends to reload your account to keep you playing.
High Roller Bonuses
High rollers and VIP players don’t always get better treatment than regular players when it comes to bonus style, match deposit and no deposit options both remain available to them. The real difference lies in the amount deposited and how much of it the casino is willing to match. For large single deposits, casinos will often match a smaller percentage, such as 50%.
Your chosen payment method can also affect your eligibility for bonuses. Some banking methods, including PayPal, Skrill and Neteller, often don’t qualify for bonus offers. Choosing a different deposit method for your first deposit may make you eligible for bigger or additional rewards.
Loyalty Programs
Many online gambling platforms also run loyalty programs. These aren’t just for VIPs or high rollers, they’re open to every player who joins the casino. Most loyalty programs are free to join, and come with a range of benefits. Once you start playing with real money, you’re automatically enrolled at the lowest tier.
You earn points by playing with real money, and those points move you up through the tiers. Each loyalty program has a set number of tiers, and each one has a target you need to hit before moving up to the next level. Some casinos also run a bonus shop, where you can exchange points for extra prizes. Higher tiers usually come with better rewards.
Wagering Requirements for Casino Bonuses
Wagering requirements exist to prevent fraud at casinos. Skilled players can sometimes exploit bonuses if left unchecked, so casinos put wagering requirements in place to stop players from grabbing a bonus and cashing it straight out. Wagering requirements also help prevent money laundering.
Every casino sets its own playthrough requirement, and it can range from as low as 2x up to as high as 70x. A 2x wagering requirement means you need to play through the bonus amount at least twice. A $5 bonus with a 20x requirement means you’d need to wager $100 worth of bets before you’re eligible to withdraw any winnings.
Additional Requirements
There are often extra restrictions beyond the basic playthrough requirement. One example is which games actually count toward it. In other words, even if you’ve wagered money, it might not count toward meeting the requirement at all.
As a general rule, slot games count 100% toward wagering requirements, although some individual slots may be excluded. Other games, like virtual table games, live dealer games and video poker, usually contribute a much smaller percentage.
When bonus hunting, always check the expiry date on your bonus too. Most bonuses come with a deadline to meet the requirements. Some casinos give you up to a full month, while others only allow a matter of days. Always check this detail carefully, since missing the deadline means losing both the bonus and any winnings tied to it.
Tips for Spotting the Best Bonuses
We always stress the importance of checking the playthrough requirement first. Anything over 30x is going to be genuinely challenging to clear.
It’s also worth looking at every aspect of the bonus, not just the headline number. A 400% match bonus sounds appealing, but check the maximum bonus cap too. If you deposit the maximum amount a casino allows, a 100% match up to $200 gives you $400 total to play with, which may end up being more generous in practice than a flashier-looking 400% offer with a lower cap.
Slot RTPs
When bonus hunting, always check which games your free spins are tied to. Some casinos hand out a large number of free spins, but attach them to a smaller, less popular game with a low RTP and low variance. To get the most out of your free spins, stick to quality games with an RTP of 96% or higher wherever possible.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is bonus hunting against the rules at online casinos?
No, claiming welcome bonuses and promotions as a new or returning player is completely normal and encouraged by casinos themselves. Just make sure you follow each bonus’s specific terms, since abusing bonuses across multiple accounts is a different matter and can get you banned.
What’s the easiest type of bonus to actually cash out?
Bonuses with lower wagering requirements, ideally under 30x, and no restrictions on which games count, tend to be the easiest to clear and cash out successfully.
Should I always pick the biggest bonus available?
Not necessarily. A smaller bonus with fair wagering terms and a generous cap is often better value than a large, flashy percentage with strict conditions attached.
For more guidance on evaluating a casino’s overall bonus offering, take a look at our How We Review Casinos page, and always play within your means, our responsible gambling guide has practical tools to help you stay in control while chasing a bonus.
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