So what is all the fuss about a simple bonus?

Often, that simple bonus is the one deciding factor that will draw more players to a certain casino than to their nearest neighbour. The reason is simple. Every gambler likes to win and winning is akin to getting something for nothing. A bonus in the form of free money mimics that philosophy and will attract a gambler because it is something for nothing. By offering the most tempting bonus then, a casino is almost guaranteed to attract the most new players, in theory at least.

In practise, there are several factors that a new player must weigh up before deciding upon which casino they will sign up with, but a big, attractive bonus can swing the balance toward one casino when all other things are equal.

Most bonuses are of the sign-up deposit match variety, meaning that you must first sign up with an online casino and deposit money into your account before you get the free money. These bonuses vary from casino to casino, with some offering straight deposit match amounts up to a certain limit on sign-up. This is usually in the region of $100 for a deposit of $100. However some advertise bonuses that are much higher than this, although to get the full value, you need to make several cash deposits spread over several months.

Other casinos try a different tack and offer a free $10 just for signing up without needing to deposit any money. This is very attractive for new players as it gives them the chance to play for money without at first using any of their own.

Another form of bonus offered by some casinos is the time limit variety, where the casino gives you something like $500 to play on a certain game for one hour and you get to keep whatever you win.