Casino bonuses are when a casino offers a bonus in the form of free money or chips to players. These bonuses are used to entice new players to come into the casino and play their favorite games of chance. These bonuses are also given to current players to thank them and to encourage them to return to play again at another time.

Casinos offer the bonuses in two separate forms, the first deposit bonus and the loyalty bonus.

The First Deposit Bonus

A first deposit bonus is when the casino gives the player money to thank them for joining as a playing member. This casino bonus is most often paid after the player has signed up and paid their very first balance into their casino account. In some instances, when the player makes an initial deposit the casino matches the deposit. The matching bonus does have a limit, which is most often set at one hundred dollars. At other times the bonus may a percentage of the amount the player deposits.

Percentage deposits rarely exceed a maximum of fifty percent of the player’s deposit total. These percentage deposits may also require a minimum deposit of two hundred fifty dollars or better. Of course the deposit amounts and the matches put forth by the casino will vary from one casino to another. Casino bonuses also tend to change on occasion.

The Loyalty Bonus

Loyalty bonuses are given to casino clientele as a gesture of appreciation for the continued patronage of the player. Usually, these loyalty bonuses are given out on the first deposits made in any given month. The percentage may be a fixed percentage, or may increase slightly with continued month by month player loyalty. Loyalty bonuses can also have a lower percentage per bonus, but the bonus would be applied to every deposit made in the month.

In exchange for the loyalty bonus, the casino has expectations of the player. The player must agree to and abide by all casino terms and regulations regarding conduct, accuracy of personal information, and the conditions which apply when cashing in the player’s chips.

If a player accepts a bonus, they are expected to fulfill a wager through requirement. A wager through requirement is a clause which requires the player to bet a minimum amount of money before they can qualify to receive the bonus. This information is usually found in the casino’s terms and conditions statement.

When I first started playing at online casinos few years ago, I was a real bonus whore who tried out every possible way of getting free casino cash, every free dime and gambled it away. I never purchased maximum amount of money back then to receive maximum amount of bonus money, because I always thought: “Hey, I am going to win eventually anyway, I don’t want to spend extra $50 for getting more green to my casino account!” Of course, I lost it all and was quickly depositing again, this time without bonus, which clearly meant I was not very good handling my jumpy bankroll.

This is not what I do know. Although nowadays I don’t play slots, blackjack and craps very often at online casinos, I still hop by once in a while and give myself a shot. Some might call me a “bonus whore” even now, since I choose casinos by bonus. I don’t do that systematically anymore since I run my own gambling website and I keep getting generous bonus offers that I mostly keep for my visitors.

What I do now – I search the most generous bonus amount I can get from a casino with my first purchase and I buy myself that bonus. Searching the generous bonus amount includes reading terms and conditions carefully and doing some research work to make sure I am not getting ripped off.

I call these huge bonuses high roller bonuses, since they are perfect for people who like playing long sessions and who are willing to spend a lot of money in order to win big. High rollers are also aware that they are going to lose in a long term, but if they are going to lose anyway, why not lose the minimum amount of money? This is the root of online casino bonuses that every player should understand.

Since most of these high roller bonuses have similar terms and conditions, I will bring you few examples from random casinos and explain them to you. The following is essential, since if you don’t follow the terms you might lose all the winnings and the bonus itself as well.

The first example is from Racetrack Casino, that has 20% first deposit bonus up to $500. In the interests of fair gaming, they require you to have wagered a minimum of six times the total amount deposited plus bonus, up to a maximum wager of $18,000 for each deposit plus bonuses made during the bonus promotion time. The following is extremely important for you to understand! – If you make a withdrawal before wagering six times your deposit and bonus, the bonus money and winnings will be removed from your account.

The other example comes from Europa Casino. This casino claims to have $2400 welcome bonus for all the players, although it isn’t quite so. They have one of the trickiest bonus systems. I have personally only used the $500 welcome bonus, which is actually a 25% first deposit bonus. “Low rollers” have to do with 100% first deposit bonus with many times smaller first purchase.

To the bonus: In the interest of fair gaming they’re ordered to cash out any amount of money you must wager at least twelve times your play bonus plus deposit. Players depositing in U.K. Pounds must wager at least eighteen times your play bonus plus deposit. If you withdraw before having reached the minimum wagering requirements, your bonus and winnings will be void. So, again the similar bonus structure.

At least now you can understand why casinos offer those bonuses – it’s not very likely you have lots of money left when you have wagered at least twelve times your play bonus plus deposit. But you can always get lucky, and this is what we all want when we step in to a casino!

Casino resort room and food deals can be found using the Internet and also tourist services located in the resort you want to visit.  When talking to a specific hotel or motel ask them if they offer any deals for more than one night or during the week when they are not so busy.  Large resorts like Vegas often have super specials listed on the Internet for those that are willing to make a reservation well in advance of the arrival date.

If you are willing to set through a pitch for a vacation club, you can get your room and some shows for free.  These vacation clubs use these incentives to gain access to prospective clients. 

Casinos with large room occupancy offer specials for those visiting during the week and at what are considered off times.  If there is no offer ask if there is one coming up or is there one you might qualify for in the near future.  Maybe you could shift your visit in order to save a great deal on this necessary expense.

Holiday seasons and weekends are difficult times to locate deals if you wait until these dates are just around the corner.  The only way to get a deal for these dates is to make your reservation well in advance.

If you are going to have an extended stay, look into renting a furnished condo for the month or longer.  If you and another couple are making a similar vacation time, this can save a great deal of money over renting from a hotel or motel.  Also you will probably save on the room tax as these rentals are considered in a different class than hotel and motel rooms.

Private residences are also open for longer stays as the people who own them are trying to use their property to make a little extra money.

If you are an RV person or a travel trailer owner, the places that rent to these owners are wiling to make deals for stays longer than a day or so.  It never hurts to ask what they have to offer or are they wiling to negotiate an arrangement.

All of this information is readily found on the Internet using any good search engine.  These searches are worthwhile as you can get a handle on what is being offered and at what price.  Most of these sites will have a special for longer stays.