One of the most common features seen when landing at any site is the big splash of a welcome bonus offer. These are major once-off, often huge value incentives to get players in the door.
But online casino welcome bonuses are just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to the volume of promotional material that is out there. A great feature of bonuses is that they come in all shapes, sizes and values, so there is something out there for everyone.
Welcome bonus offer
The welcome bonus offer format is usually straightforward and provides exclusive deals for new customers. What exactly may be available can differ considerably from site to site, with anything ranging from €25 up to bonuses of more than €1,000. It is common to see free spins thrown into the mix for an extra boost.
Players are under no obligation to claim a welcome bonus, but it can provide a nice welcome gift. The standard format of a casino welcome bonus offer is a matched deposit – make a qualifying first deposit at a casino and receive a credit of a percentage of the value of that deposit as a free bet.
Other types of bonuses
As mentioned, a welcome bonus offer is not the only type of promotion that can be claimed at online casinos. Extra incentives are out there to explore, and the best casino bonuses Ireland will vary greatly in value, type and terms.
Deposit bonuses
Existing customers are not left out of the bonus picture, as deposit bonuses through reload offers can reward too. This could be something like a 50% match of what the account is topped up with.
Free spins
Free spins can be earned through welcome bonus offers, sometimes through special promotions running at a site. These generally come with some restrictions on what they can be used on, but are a good incentive nonetheless. Typically, at most sites, there is a promotional slot in rotation, which has a free spin bonus running on it.
Cashback
This doesn’t refer to earning money for stake played, but to a return of losses of stake. A certain percentage of weekly losses in the promotional period will be credited back to the user, either as cash or bonuses.
VIP and loyalty
Many of the leading online casinos in Ireland run a VIP or loyalty club. These are programmes where points can be earned through regular casino play. The more points earned, the further up the rewards ladder a player goes. The further up the tiers, the better the perks, such as faster payouts, exclusive games and lower wagering requirements on bonuses.
Terms and conditions
Bonuses at casinos can be claimed through websites or mobile casino apps, but all will come with terms and conditions. These are factors that limit how much the bonus pays out, how to qualify for it and how a promotional offer can be used. T&Cs can be long, but typically, there is a short breakdown of its key conditions displayed next to a promotion.
The main condition is wagering requirements, a term that all players should be aware of. Collecting a €100 bonus from a welcome bonus offer at 40x wagering requirements means that real cash wagering to the tune of €100 x 40 has to be made before the bonus is released.
Sometimes, wagering requirements are applied to both the deposit and bonus amounts. Free spins also come with detailed T&Cs and are typically applied to any winnings earned from them. This is likely to be at a much lower rate than the big deposit bonuses.
The other big factor of bonus T&Cs is timing. Time restrictions are common, and it may be a 14-day period in which to complete the entire bonus wagering requirements, for example, or three days to play free spins.
Bonus codes would be the other thing to look out for. Some casino sites don’t require one, others will, and some may apply one to all promotions. The answers will be in the all-important T&Cs.
Top casino bonus Ireland
A good variety of bonuses is a nice thing to encounter at an online casino site in Ireland. The best of them tend to have low wagering requirements on the signup offer while still giving plenty of variety through other rewards, such as a VIP club and weekly cashback deals.
Casumo
There is a good welcome bundle of a 100% matched first deposit and free spins for new Irish players at Casumo. With reasonable wagering requirements, it fits the bill nicely. Casumo has a huge gaming platform, with everything from traditional slots to progressives, game shows and live dealer tables.
CrocoSlots
Available to players in Ireland, CrocoSlots spreads their welcome bonus over the first three deposits on the account. With an upper ceiling of €3,000, it’s one of the biggest bonus offers going.
There’s also a VIP program that is based on providing cashback, and their site is populated with titles from leading game developers like Microgaming and NetEnt.
LeoVegas
The well-established and reputable LeoVegas have a 100% matched deposit bonus for new customers, which also comes with a large number of free spins. LeoVegas has everything from table games to live dealers, exclusive slots and some bingo as well. Other promotions like their loyalty club can be explored, and it is all accessible on a brilliant mobile app.
Boosting with bonuses
Casino bonuses are designed to be attractive. But it is important to take a step back and assess the terms and conditions of the offer that’s on display. The upper limits of welcome bonus offers, for example, may be out of reach if the wagering requirements are prohibitive.
While welcome bonuses are great, it’s usually the long-term value pulled from promotions for existing customers, like free spin bonuses and tournament play, that gives the most back.
Promotional offers are a great way to boost the chances of adding to a bankroll. Not every promotion will suit everyone’s gaming style, but the variety of bonuses out there means that it’s not difficult to find those that fit like a glove.
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