Venturing into a new online casino? Look out for customer reviews, customer service, and, of course, the gaming library. But if we’re talking about first impressions, nothing matters more than the bonuses — especially the welcome bonuses.

These days, online casino bonuses are more diverse and enticing than ever. When looking for the most beneficial bonuses, here are the top ones to not skip out on.

No-wagering-requirement Bonuses

All online casino bonuses come with wagering requirements—almost all of them, that is. Wagering requirements are essentially a set of rules that need to be met in order to qualify for the bonus in question.

Wagering requirements do vary from casino to casino, but they are pretty easy to predict. The vast majority of them make demands relating to the applicable games (usually slots), the amount of money that must be initially deposited, the number of bets that must be placed, and things of this nature.

But without any wagering requirements, you are free to claim your bonus immediately without having to jump through any hoops. That makes them very attractive to people who are really in a rush to test-drive a new online casino.

Unfortunately, no-wagering-requirement bonuses are not super common these days, perhaps precisely because they are such a big benefit to the player. If you’re interested in online casinos that offer no-wagering-requirement bonuses, the reviewed list available at askgamblers.com will provide plenty of great examples that can be redeemed immediately. Refer to that list and check it frequently for new ones that get added. 

No-deposit Bonuses

Another popular and very important type of bonus is the no-deposit bonus. More self-explanatory than other casino bonuses, these ones allow you to acquire your bonus without needing to put down any of your own money beforehand.

No-deposit bonuses are highly sought after because most online casinos will require you to make a deposit to authenticate your casino account. In other words, you will not be allowed to play any of the casino’s games (sometimes except for some demos or trial versions) until you make a minimum deposit, usually $10).

But with a no-deposit bonus, you will not only be allowed to play games without putting in any of your own cash, but you will be rewarded for playing without a deposit. The premise of these bonuses is so exciting to people they are regularly considered when reviews are being made. 

Keep in mind that no deposit bonuses usually come with wagering requirements, so there are still a few things that need to be met to qualify.

Lotteries

Lottery bonuses are becoming more common amongst online casinos. This is probably because many of the biggest online casinos these days have actually been around for quite a while — decades in some instances.

With long-running businesses of this sort, online casinos end up amassing quite a large and dedicated fanbase. With these many customers, many things are needed to keep players invested and returning after years and years of playing. Many casinos have turned to lotteries to achieve this.

Lottery systems implemented by casinos tend to come on a schedule, usually weekly or monthly. Rules and prizes vary from casino to casino, but many of them are free to participate in. 

Lotteries work because they always give the player something to look forward to. Scheduled events such as these always act as great incentives to keep players coming back, because they know there is a fun new event just on the horizon.

The fact that lotteries are more common these days is a testament to how successful and popular online gambling has become over the past few years. It’s currently going through an uptick that mirrors the gaming industry over a decade ago when it just started to become one of the biggest industries on the planet. Things like lotteries allow the online casino industry to thrive the way it does.

Seasonal Bonuses

While these bonus types are uncommon, you can come across online casinos that offer special seasonal bonuses that reflect the month, season, and any upcoming holidays.

These are relatively rare events, as they only pop up every two or three months. Depending on the online casino, they can even be as specific as major holidays like Halloween or Christmas.

Many of the most prestigious real-life casinos also celebrate various seasonal changes and holidays — so it’s logical for some online casinos to follow the same path.

As for the actual rewards from these bonuses, those too will vary from casino to casino. Some of them offer the usual stuff like cashback or free slot spins. Some will go out of their way to offer more exclusive rewards like special e-clubs, exclusive software, or invitations to a loyalty program.

VIP or Loyalty Programs

One of the most common bonuses you’ll see these days at online casinos are VIP programs — also known as loyalty programs — and it’s very easy to see why thanks to their associations with improved customer engagement. Though they have little in common with the short-term bonuses of no-wagering and no-deposit bonuses, their long-term effects bring great benefits to both the house and the players.

Many casinos will automatically register people into a VIP program. These ones end up being passive experience bars that you level up by playing games and making wagers. As you rank up, you gain more access to various perks and prizes.

Like lotteries, VIP and loyalty programs are great at retaining players for long periods by giving them something to look forward to. But they also frequently offer free slot spins and cashback prizes, like no-deposit bonuses. Any top-tier casino should have a VIP program at this point, as it says a lot about how much they care about their most loyal users.