Are online casino welcome bonuses a scam?

Last Updated on July 19, 2020 by Jennifer Wright

Online casinos have largely won the battle with the land-based counterparts, but competition among them is intense. In order to stand out from the crowd and appeal to new players, they use welcome bonuses as effective tools. The amounts differ from one operator to the other and sometimes the proposition made by the casino sounds too good to be true. Prospective members are rightfully concerned about the prospect of online casino welcome bonuses being a scam. Let’s find out the truth about these offers!

Reputable casinos don’t scam players

Licensed casinos like new casino sites UK are strictly regulated and are compelled to abide by the highest security standards. The oversight prevents them from scamming their players and this applies to welcome bonuses and ongoing promotions. Those that have been around for a while have a lot to lose from mistreating players and a lot to gain from earning their trust. If you gamble at a licensed casino you can expect fair welcome bonuses and terms and conditions that clearly state the terms of these offers.

Welcome bonuses are not free

One of the common misconceptions regarding welcome bonuses is that casinos offer them with no strings attached. Naturally, players are suspicious when for-profit organizations offer stuff for free without asking anything in return. The truth about welcome bonus is that they are subject to strict wagering requirements which must be met before cashing out. Casinos use them to attract new players and convince them to make a deposit, since most of them are contingent to loading an account with cash.

Matched deposit bonuses, free spins and even no deposit bonuses need to be wagered first, before players can withdraw the money. It is customary for casinos to require players to bet the amounts offered, as well as the deposit 30 times or more on selected games. Only a fraction of bonus recipients actually end up withdrawing the amounts offered by the casino, because of these play through demands. In most cases, they simply get familiar with the games available and end up with a registered account.

Which are the best welcome bonuses?

Once you filter out unreliable casinos and find licensed operators offering welcome bonuses, you should take a closer look at the introductory offers. Bigger bonuses are obviously preferred, but when it comes to welcome offers, size isn’t everything. Just as important is to find casinos that have reasonable wagering requirements, so you boost the odds of actually cashing out. In regard to play through demands, the deadline is just as important, since new players should be given enough time to clear welcome bonuses.

Another key element to consider is the list of qualifying games, since many games are excluded from wagering requirements. The more extensive the list, the better, as this will give bonus recipients the opportunity to try more games upon registration. For those who have a clear preference for one gaming genre, it is essential to find welcome bonuses that can be used specifically on that game or genre.

Jennifer Wright is an online casino and slots writer since 2010. She has an eye for detail and take pride in her in-depth analysis of new casino sites that enter the UK market. A regular at iGaming conferences and events, she is also a keen follower of industry news. In her downtime, she is an avid gamer and regularly takes part in esports tournaments. Jennifer currently resides in the north of England.