We’ve all seen the generous welcome offers quoted by online casinos that are designed to entice you in and sign up. If you’re just taking advantage of an initial deal then there are hundreds around and many represent great value – stretching into thousands of pounds, or Euro equivalent.
But what if you want to hang around a little longer once your bonus has been activated? What should you look out for when you are comparing casinos online?
Ts and Cs
The first point to remember, before you even sign up, is to check the terms and conditions of the bonus in question. How much do you have to deposit before you can claim the deal? What are the minimums and maximums and how many times do you have to play through those figures before you can take out any money?
That is the first, and most important step, and once you’re happy, it’s time to move forward.
Choices
Whatever area of casino play you prefer – roulette, card and table, slots etc – it’s important to have plenty of choice. If roulette is your thing then does your intended provider offer all the main variants such as European, American and French?
A similar question should be asked by poker players looking to play more than one version of the game. Then you have the slots: by partnering in with many software providers, a casino can offer a better choice when it comes to competitors so if you are looking to play some of the more obscure versions, this could be an important factor.
Similarly, you should look for other games such as Keno, Bingo and Scratchcards if you feel you are going to need them.
Live Dealers
Many operators are now hiring live dealers to process their most popular card and table games. So, you can now play roulette, poker, blackjack and more and enjoy a game that is as close to the Vegas Experience as you will see online.
Having a live dealer also gives you the chance to interact and enjoy a welcome distraction but you must remember that they are professionals and won’t allow you to disrupt the flow of the game. Alternatively, some players like to stick with the traditional versions that have basic software and a computerised voice that can be muted.
Without such distractions they can focus fully on the game but if you want to have the choice, then it pays to see which casinos have the Live Dealer facility.
Repaying Loyalty
Welcome bonuses are great but if the rewards just stop once you’ve become a customer, what is the point of signing up with any casino? To keep players onside, most operators will quote some form of ongoing promotion but as with those opening deals, some are more generous than others.
Typically, you will find that there is a rewards programme that gives cashback or other incentives depending on how much you play through in any given week. ‘Cashback’ can literally mean a cash return or it can just refer to stake money that you can’t withdraw automatically so once again you should check all the relevant terms and conditions.
In addition, there could be a separate VIP programme where the highest bonuses can be found. Many casinos will also have regular, random or one-off deals which would usually include free spins on popular slot machines.
Choosing the right casino requires the customer to see beyond the welcome bonus and for anyone looking to sign up and play for the mid to long term, these are some of the criteria that you should consider.
