When things sound too good to be true they usually are and it is only natural for online casino UK players to think twice about welcome bonuses. These come in the form of no deposit bonuses, matched deposit bonuses, free spins and other incentives for new players. The casinos advertise them as a win-win situation, as they bring in new players while helping them build a bankroll from scratch. In this article, we take a closer look at these bonuses to determine if they are a scam or a legitimate proposition.
Double check the wagering requirements
Nothing is offered for free in the highly competitive environment of online casinos. Welcome bonuses might require a deposit, or they can be awarded with no strings attached to new and existing players. They are, however, subject wagering requirements and bonus recipients can only cash out winnings after the play through demands have been met. Carefully reading the terms and conditions will help players determine the eligibility requirements and distinguish between legitimate welcome bonuses and scams.
Casinos expect players to bet the bonus amounts and sometimes the deposits several times before a cash out is permitted. For sports betting, the standard wagering requirements consist of five times the bonus amount, which has to be wagered at predetermined minimum odds. For casinos, it is customary for players to spin the bonus 30 times or more on selected games. Welcome bonuses that have play through demands exceeding this threshold are not necessarily a scam, but they are simply difficult to meet.
Eligibility requirements and qualifying games
Legitimate casinos offering welcome bonuses in good faith will clearly display wagering requirements, so players know what to expect. Before making the qualifying deposit, players should make sure they also meet the eligibility requirements. Casinos might deny bonuses to players from certain countries, as well as those who are actively involved in other campaigns. The difference between fair and dishonest operators is that the former will clearly stake these prerequisites in their terms and conditions.
One of the main reasons for why some players have complained that welcome bonuses are a scam is that they can be used exclusively at selected games. Casinos with comprehensive portfolios can restrict bonuses to a handful of games, while the rest don’t count towards meeting the wagering requirements. Slots are usually preferred and even when other games are accepted, they could have a different stake percentage contribution. At the end of the day, even if players are not directly compelled to focus on a certain genre, the low stake contribution of other games can have a deterring effect.
The reputation of the online casinos offering welcome bonuses should also be considered when applying for these offers. The odds of getting scammed by a casino with an impeccable track record are slim, while new and unproven operators are more likely to shortchange players. Welcome bonuses are rarely a scam and are instead used as reliable instruments to expand the customer base of new and veteran casinos.