Why Do Players Prioritise Bonuses So Much? An Expert Opinion from Dermot Heathcote

One of the biggest draws of online casinos is the exciting range of bonuses players get to choose from. I always ensure I’m getting the most out of my money and enhancing my playing experience by making the most of the bonuses on offer. While in the past, bonuses at land-based casinos have been reserved for the top spenders, online casinos have since expanded to include a wide range of budgets and players. It’s no surprise that, as a result, bonuses are one of the top priorities for those comparing online casinos. In this article, I’ll explore some of the reasons I believe bonuses have become so popular. 

What Are the Different Types of Bonuses? 

One of the things that makes bonuses so attractive for casino players is the variety on offer. While land-based casinos don’t usually offer bonuses for those who aren’t high rollers, the vast majority of online casinos have a wide range to choose from. Let’s take a look at some of my favourite types of casino bonuses. 

No Deposit Bonuses: These bonuses usually take the form of free spins and are applied without players having to make a deposit of money. They’re an especially popular option for those looking to play on a lower budget. 

Birthday Bonuses: Casinos may help players celebrate their special day through bonuses and rewards. They can come in many forms, free spins, bonus rounds, and prize money added to a player’s balance. 

Reload Bonuses: This type of bonus is designed to reward players for frequent activity by offering players a percentage of their deposit as a bonus or cashback. 

Referral Bonuses: Players can earn this bonus by recommending a casino to a friend and them then becoming a customer. Usually, players are rewarded with a specified prize, like 200 free spins or a £10 bonus. 

Loyalty Bonuses or Programs: Loyalty bonuses reward players who frequently play at a casino with prizes like exclusive games, bonus rounds, and free spins. They often take the form of a program in which players gain points to progress up a tier system as they play. 

Make sure to keep an eye out for further bonuses, including seasonal bonuses that are offered at specific times of the year, like Valentine’s, Christmas, and St Patrick’s Day. 

Making the Most of Your Money 

A 2021 study by the UK Gambling Commission found that 65% of players had used a bonus at an online casino in the last year. The majority were sent their bonuses via an email, which encouraged them to visit the casino and play to make the most of the promotion on offer. Many also reported that their first use of a casino was a result of receiving a bonus, which highlights their financial importance for many players. 

It can be difficult for many to balance wanting to play their favourite games with limiting their spending. Budget options, like no deposit or low wagering bonuses, help players stretch their budget to as many games as possible without a big financial investment. There are further options to suit the budget of all players—such as high roller bonuses, which offer bonuses to those who wager large amounts. 

Naturally, when playing at online casinos, players want to make the most of their money, stretching it out to play as many games as possible. In times of economic difficulty, when inflation is high and disposable income is reduced, bonuses have become even more important in allowing players to get more for less. I find that bonuses that offer free spins and cashback are a great way to continue one of my favourite hobbies while controlling my spending. 

The Psychology Behind Bonuses 

One of the reasons players find bonuses so enticing is the psychological reward pathway of dopamine that is triggered by their use. The release of dopamine tells the brain it is enjoying something, creating a strong connection between this good feeling and bonuses. As a result, players want to continue this feeling by further playing and finding more bonuses. 

Psychology studies have also shown that players tend to find bonuses that are easier to understand and achieve more from more appealing than those that are overly complicated. As a result, players prioritise finding the right bonus for them. Bonuses can also make the most of a player’s psychological response by including features like a time frame, which adds a sense of urgency and encourages them to prioritise a bonus while it’s still available. The psychological effects of bonuses can make them incredibly tempting, but I always recommend players fully understand an offer’s terms and conditions before they commit to spending. 

Highlighting Individual Player Value

Bonuses are designed to reward players for their loyalty and are a great way for casinos to highlight the value of individual players. Long gone are the days of blanket bonuses, which only applied to the very top spenders. In the online casino world, bonuses demonstrate the value of every player. 

Customised bonuses that cater to a player’s specific budget, or offer free spins on their favourite game, help create a connection and provide a unique, custom experience. Birthday bonuses, which are personal to every player, are a great example of this. They show recognition by rewarding a player with exciting promotions like multipliers and bonus rounds, while adding that personal touch that helps form a player-provider connection. 

Rewarding Loyalty 

I always look for casinos that offer impressive loyalty programs that reward me for consistent playing. Players don’t want to spend and spend without seeing any rewards in turn, and this is where loyalty programs and bonuses come into play. 

Loyalty programs reward players by offering exclusive games, higher multipliers, and bonus rounds. Many operate a tier system where players are awarded points for their activity, making sure that every play counts towards a bonus. It also gives players something to work towards as they gain points to unlock the next tier level. Simply, if players know their every play can count towards exciting bonuses on one casino, why would they pick one where they’re not rewarded? 

What Else do Players Look Out for When Choosing a Casino? 

While many players prioritise bonuses when choosing a casino to play at, there are a number of other factors that they look out for as well. I’ll highlight some of them in more detail in the section below. 

Game Selection 

Players also look out for casinos that have a great range of games to pick from. There’s a wide variety of games available at online casinos, with some of the most popular including blackjack, poker, roulette, and slots. Players will either look out for casinos that specialise in the game they’re looking for or, if they’re still narrowing down their choice, they’ll want to find a casino that includes a good game range. 

Payment Methods

On top of bonuses, players also want to control their financial options by making sure their preferred payment method is available. As payment methods like cryptocurrency and e-wallets increase in popularity, casinos have begun incorporating them into their payment options. Many players are also understandably cautious about uploading their card information online, so they’ll look for third-party options like PayPal, Skrill, and Neteller. 

Reputation and Authenticity

It’s always important for players to make sure they’re playing at reputable casinos that abide by the laws in the region. There are a few ways players can check this, including making sure the casino offers responsible gambling tools, like helplines, options for time and spend limits, and self-exclusion tools. It’s also important to check that a casino has a licence from a reputable authority, like the UK Gambling Commission. I always recommend that players take a look at the reviews of their proposed casino on sites like Trustpilot. 

So, Why do Bonuses Remain a Priority? 

As I’ve discussed in this article, there’s a lot for players to consider—site reputation, payment methods, and game selection—when they’re looking for the right online casino. However, bonuses remain the top priority for many players, simply because of their financial benefits. In times of economic difficulty, bonuses ensure players can continue to play their favourite games while controlling their spending.

They help make players feel valued and important, encouraging further playing. Of course, the psychological pathway triggered by bonuses also plays an important role in their popularity. Overall, bonuses are more than likely to remain a priority for players in the future because of all the exciting benefits they offer.

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