When looking to play online casino games, one of the first things you will notice when going through the top casinos available online, is the number of promotions that are used to entice new players in through the virtual doors of an online gambling operator site. Our guide here provides valuable information to all those looking to join the best casinos Ireland has and presents all that is on offer to newly registered players looking to claim a number of obtainable casino bonus codes.

If you want to make the most out of your new online gaming experience, then make sure to start here first so you do not miss out on access to the hottest bonus offers in Ireland and the top Irish casinos that offer them.

What are casino bonuses

So, what exactly are casino bonuses? Well, there are several different presentations of a casino bonus. Ultimately, there are two kinds that get repackaged over time. These two prime bonuses are ‘free’ spins and ‘free’ cash credit. Some bonuses offer both but, as mentioned, it all comes down to how they are presented.

No casinos are the same online and with that, neither are the bonuses.

Bonuses can be paid for through a deposit scheme and some are gifted as rewards with no charge, relative to the type of bonus it is. Loyalty bonuses for example are often free and are tailored to your favourite games. So, depending on what you play most will have an effect on how you are rewarded long term by the casino throughout your membership.

Why opt to use casino bonues?

So, there are clear benefits to using a bonus, it broadens the chance to win real money, right? Well, yes and no. Not all bonuses can guarantee a profitable return. The opportunity is there are it is more of a win-win case, especially if you manage to claim a no deposit bonus or free loyalty reward.

We spoke with Orla Byrne Editor-in-Chief at BetinIreland.ie, Ireland’s number one online comparison site to discuss all things related to the benefits of using no deposit bonus rewards and others found within Irish casino websites.

“We always tell and remind our Irish users that casinos are businesses in it for the purpose of making money. If they are giving it away, there will always be a catch, so be aware. Casino bonuses are fraught with catches and though the opportunity to win money is very much real, the odds of making a substantial profit are, in fact, very minimal. This is not to say that there is no worth or value in them, but each case to its own merits, should be the rule of thumb when opting to use them.

Despite this, bonuses remain extremely popular given that they seem to promise so much, that for newly registering players, the opportunity is too irresistible to pass, and their concerns are more focused on using the offers, rather than reading about them. Always read about the terms before using them.”

Bonus terms and conditions

Judge the merits of the bonus on a case-to-case basis. This is key to money and time-saving processes. There are many points within the terms and conditions (T&Cs) of a casino bonus, but the one that sets the standard as to whether or not it is profitable relates to the Wagering Requirement term.

The Wagering Requirement refers to the rules of withdrawing winnings. If you win using the casino’s own money, then there is still a price to pay to be able to claim it. Does this price increase the value of the winnings or does it go beyond the costs, that the winnings amount to nothing in overall value?

Here is an example of the Wagering Requirement:

You claim a €100 bonus and you win €500. To be able to withdraw the €500, you need to meet the Wagering Requirement term of paying 50x the bonus value.

100 x 50 = 5,000. This is the cost that needs to be deposited and played with before you can claim the €500 winnings you made.

Spending €5,000 to recoup a €500 win makes zero sense. The profitability comes down to the Wagering Requirements value (X-times) and the amount you win. With this, there are also x-amount of days by which this cost must be deposited and played by.

The terms of a bonus may also cover the eligible games and slots that apply to the reward. An example of this may be relative to a new game release from a developer like Red Tiger, NetEnt, or Microgaming. You may be granted free spins with this offer but, only the new game or all the games from that one developer may be played with the casino bonus free spins.

The terms will also denote to players how long the bonus is valid for. There is also the case for how much may need to be deposited into your account before you can receive the offer. For the bonuses requiring deposits to be made, you will be notified of the min and max values required before the bonus can be claimed.

Now, it might be easy to disparage the offers and say that overall, they are unfair, but you have to remember that they have been approved by the regulatory bodies that analyze the offers presented to casino members. They are deemed fair because the terms make it clear.

Like smoking, the warning is on the package, if you choose to ignore the signs, you can’t claim that you were unaware of the risks. Hence why reading the betting terms are so beneficial for a player to understand.

Types of bonuses given to players

There are many bonuses available from the plethora of Irish gambling sites online. Here is a brief preview of the five main offers you will come across on a regular basis whilst you explore the bonus opportunities and potential online throughout the Irish casinos you join.
Welcome Bonus: Special offers that are only available to newly registered players. This bonus offer can present many different rewards. Cash credit, free spins, both!
99% of all welcome bonuses require the player to make a deposit first. Sometimes the deposit costs can be spread over several payments.

No Deposit Bonus: The no deposit bonus is more rare. This is a 100% free allowance but will still have T&Cs that tell you what game or slot should be used with the offer. No deposit bonuses tend to be far smaller than those which are essentially paid for through deposits. Free spins come in this package but average between 5 and 50 spins. If it is cash to bet with either on slot games or sports bets, then you get an average of €5 to €25 in credit.

Free Spin Bonuses: The number of spins rewarded depends on the type of bonus claimed. The spin count can be as low as 5 and as high as 500. Now, free spin bonuses are not just made for slots. Bingo, scratch cards and others become eligible depending on the casino terms. Free spins tend to be more popular throughout casino promotions that are core rewards, rather than welcome bonuses. You will get Game of the Week Free Spins, No Deposit Free Spins, Welcome Bonus Free Spins, VIP Free Spins and so on.

Loyalty Bonuses: Just for being a member, a casino bonus can be granted for free as a ‘thank you’ from the operator. The loyalty bonus will always be tailored to your favourite range of games that you play during your membership. Again, like any 100% free reward, the returns are minimal, so don’t expect to play with large numbers of spins and credit.

VIP Club Bonuses: Special VIP Programs exist in the majority of Ireland’s top online casinos. These VIP schemes work on a points basis. Points are made through each bet placed, meaning the more you play the more points you can accumulate. The VIP scheme works on a tiered basis, each having set rewards for the players occupying those tiers. Often free spins can be part of the reward structure as well as cashback offers.

In summary, bonuses are not obligatory, they are entirely optional and whether success comes from them is entirely based on luck. Should you judge any casino based on their bonus, do so not by the amount promised but by the quality of the terms and conditions. Remember, your withdrawal rights are dependent on the Wagering Requirement rules, so if you want wins to be profitable, measure it by the Wagering Requirement terms. Fingers crossed on landing the jackpot.