One of the biggest success stories since the turn of the millennium has been the growth of the online gambling industry.
It is strange to think that iGaming websites did not start operating until the 1990s, yet the sector now generates billions of dollars every year.
Bingo sites and online casinos are amongst the innovations that have had a major impact on the industry over the past couple of decades.
Much of the growth can be attributed to the clever use of bonuses and promotions, which help to attract new players into signing for an account.
For instance, some operators allow you to play free online bingo with no deposit, which is a great way to entice you into eventually playing for real money.
Promotional offers can be used to reward regular players for their custom, thus giving them much greater incentive to stay loyal to a particular brand.
This marketing tactic also benefits gambling operators, particularly when it comes to competing with traditional land-based venues.
Greater running costs make it difficult for offline businesses to offer bonuses to players, which gives the firms in the online sector a big advantage.
With that in mind, let’s take a closer look at how bonuses and promotions work, how to claim them and why they are beneficial to players.
Introducing bonuses & promotions
There are several different types of online bingo and casino bonuses, some of which require you to make a deposit and others which don’t.
Generally speaking, while there are loads of bonuses and promotions, they fall into just a handful of different categories.
Welcome bonus
Often advertised as a sign-up bonus, this type of promotion rewards players for opening an account with an online bingo or casino site.
It will usually be a matched deposit bonus, where the operator adds a pre-determined percentage bonus to your initial deposit.
For instance, ‘get £50 to play on bingo and slots when you deposit £10’ is one of the common ways welcome bonuses are structured.
No deposit bonuses
The next time someone says there is no such thing as a free lunch, you will be able to contradict them by mentioning no deposit bonuses.
Many of the leading iGaming operators use no deposit bonuses as a way of enticing people into opening an account on their sites.
They give players the opportunity to test out the different games before deciding whether they want to deposit real money.
Free spins or games
Free spins or games often come packaged as part of sign-up bonuses, but are also used as ongoing promotions to reward regular players.
Free spins are specific to slots games, and allow you test out different games in the hope that you will make a real money deposit.
Some operators also regularly run free bingo or casino games, giving regular players the opportunity to boost their bankroll if they are lucky enough to win.
Bonuses & promotions give you more bang for your buck on bingo & casino sites – Image via Pexels
Loyalty schemes
Loyalty or VIP schemes provide regular players and high-rollers on bingo and casino sites with exclusive offers and promotions.
In some cases you will be required to opt-in to take advantage of the deals, while other operators issue direct invitations to join the scheme.
Benefits include free spins, money back offers, prize draws and gadget giveaways, while some schemes even include invites to special in-person events.
How to claim bonuses & promotions
Each gambling operator has their own rules for bonuses and promotions, but they generally work along the following lines:
- Sign-up for an account on a bingo or casino site.
- Enter the bonus code if requested.
- Make a qualifying deposit.
- Play on the site with your bonus.
- Meet the wagering requirements to unlock any winnings.
- Play regularly to receive further ongoing promotions.
It is worth noting that players are generally required to verify their identity before withdrawing any winnings. This usually involves supplying photographic ID and proof of address.
The benefits of bonuses & promotions
As we mentioned early, bonuses and promotions give online gambling operators a distinct advantage over their land-based counterparts.
They are undoubtedly an excellent marketing tool, particularly in an age where people like to feel their custom is valued.
The offers have a major impact on new player acquisition, while customer retention is another area where they benefit the operator.
The latter factor is especially pertinent, as some online gambling sites only pay lip service to promotions for existing customers.
With regards to players, bonuses and promotions not only provide the chance to test out different games, but also the opportunity to bank some extra winnings.
The best sites attach terms and conditions to their offers to give players a fair chance of boosting their bankroll without spending their own money.
By using reputable gambling brands, you can be sure that the wagering requirements you need to fulfil are unlikely to be too restrictive.
Bonuses and promotions are ultimately a two-way street – a mutual back-scratching affair where both operators and players benefit.
Bonuses & promotions – The final word
Online gambling operators have expertly leveraged bonuses and promotions to their advantage over the past couple of decades and will continue to do so for the foreseeable future.
Their lower overheads unquestionably give them a distinct advantage over land-based bingo and casino venues in this respect.
The benefits http://www.phenterminereviews.org for players are clear to see, with bonuses and promotions giving them a genuine chance of bagging some free cash.
The opportunity to test out games on desktop or mobile devices should also not be underestimated, as this allows players to get a feel for an iGaming site before making a deposit.