Here is everything you need to know about casino bonuses and how we factor different bonus details into our ratings. It’s no easy task, as every operator puts their unique angle on the promotions they offer.
1. Sign-up Bonuses
Also known as: no-deposit bonus, join bonus
This is a bonus players receive for joining a casino. Verification for these bonuses varies. Some sites will require players to verify their email and/or phone number to receive. Because we’ve reviewed and played at so many operators, we’re in a position to provide you with concrete information on bonuses, their in and outs, and common pitfalls we see players falling victim to.
How Available Are Sign-up Bonuses?
Widely available but not offered by 100% of operators.
How are They Credited?
Automatically, once you’ve met the verification requirements, the bonus should be in your account and available for play as soon as you’ve satisfied the casino’s requirements.
What is The Rollover Requirement at Sweepstakes Casinos?
95% of sweepstakes casino sign-up bonuses have a 1x rollover, while crypto and offshore casinos have a higher 35-40x playthrough requirement.
Many casino complaints arise from players not understanding this issue and winning on bonus funds that have not met the playthrough requirements.
Some games are exempt from rollover/playthrough requirements. Table games like Baccarat are not included in rollover calculations.
Cashout Potential
Varies by operator. 97% of operators do not restrict the amount of money you can redeem/withdraw from winning on a bonus. Some do like all of the sites operated by A1 Developments. Some states/locations, like Florida, limit the amount that can be withdrawn to $5,000.
None of the operators that include potential cashout issues make it into our best of lists.
We recommend playing through all sign-up bonuses before making a deposit or claiming a welcome bonus. This avoids confusion about which funds you are playing with.
What’s a Good Sign-up Bonus at a Sweepstakes Casino?
| Amount | Value |
|---|---|
| 1 SC | Good |
| 1-5 SC | Better |
| 5-10 SC | Best |
No-deposit bonuses draw players who hope to win big without making a deposit. They give players a few free spins on the house to check out the site and become familiar with it. The sign-up bonus accounts for 20% of the overall bonuses and promotions score. We factor in the following when calculating it:
- Monetary value of the no-deposit bonus
- Playthrough requirements
- Game exceptions
- Any additional restrictions placed on the bonus money
2. Welcome Bonuses
Also known as: first purchase bonus, initial purchase offer, welcome offer.
This is a one-time bonus that casinos offer players on their first deposit/coin package purchase.
What’s a Good Welcome Bonus?
90% of the welcome bonuses we’ve reviewed give you an additional 100% to 400% percent of your purchase/deposit value back. If you put in $10 with a 100% deposit, you would end up with $20.
He’s a simple way to know if the bonus you are getting is any good:
| Bonus % | Value |
|---|---|
| 100% | Good |
| 100 – 200% | Better |
| 200% + | Best |
We rate bonuses based on the percentage extra given, playthrough requirements, and any fine print attached to it, which impacts the ability to cash out. This category carries the most weight as it’s the most lucrative for players. As such, it represents 30% of the total bonus and promotions score.
3. Daily Bonuses
Also known as: Daily drops, daily login bonus, daily reward, daily perk
Daily bonuses have gained huge popularity among sweepstakes players as they reward consistent logging in.
They can include free sweepstakes coins, wheel spins, mystery boxes, free spins, or other rewards for accessing platforms on a regular basis. They can also include a combination of rewards. Some sites offer a consistent daily amount while others escalate in value over a week or month.
We rate daily rewards not only on their value (daily and total) but on their ease of claiming. Daily bonuses should be quick to find once in your account. We deduct points for any daily login bonuses where players need to log in for more than seven consecutive days to unlock the highest reward.
This category represents 15% of the total bonus score. Sweepstakes casinos that do not offer any daily login perks receive 0 in this category.
4. VIP Programs
Also known as: Loyalty program, rakeback
VIP programs reward frequent play in the form of money back. They are tier-based systems where you can level up for more rewards. Sites that offer these rewards put their own spin on it, but the mechanics are the same. The more you play, the more you get back.
Factors we consider when reviewing loyalty programs:
- Is enrolment automatic?
- How easy or difficult is leveling up?
- Number of levels in the program
- What each level unlocks
This category makes up 25% of the overall rating for the bonus and promotions category. If a casino does not offer any loyalty program or cashback based on play, they receive a 0 in this category.
5. Other Bonuses
There are a variety of additional bonuses up for grabs, including:
Refer a friend: This is a financial incentive for inviting friends and family to the platform. The platform offers a referral link you can share to get credit when a contact creates an account.
AMEO: The Alternative Method of Entry is a casino-specific sweepstakes bonus required under sweepstakes law. All sites operating under the sweepstakes model must offer players the ability to play with no purchase necessary, along with an alternative way to claim sweepstakes entries. These have traditionally been done by postal mail, but have begun to shift to online versions.
Social media: Bonuses are given out for completing certain activities on social media, like following the official brand.
Flash sales: Time-limited offers that can last anywhere from 2-24 hours before they expire. They arrive unannounced and expire quickly. They range from 25% to 100% of the purchase price as bonus value.
Seasonal Promotions: Like clockwork, operators send holiday-themed promotions straight to your inbox.
We weigh this category at 10%, which is the lowest weight because they just aren’t as easy to claim, involve extra steps, or you have to wait for one of these to land in your inbox.