We Spoke to Jemma McColgan About the Pitfalls of Bonuses in North America

Hey, doesn't everyone love a bonus? Do we not all dream of getting a bonus from work or something extra when we shop? Bonuses usually imply a little (or a lot) extra and are usually a welcome incentive. However, to be motivational, they need to be achievable, and, unfortunately, some bonus offers are not all that they are cut out to be. Whether it is an unattainable target we have to hit at work, or a store spend that is beyond our reach, poorly structured bonuses can backfire.

We spoke to Jemma McColgan, expert reviewer at Casino.org, to find out about what makes for a great online casino bonus and which ones are best to avoid. We wanted to know how they guide players and help them avoid potential pitfalls.

We started by asking Jemma McColgan,

So what is the purpose of bonuses, and how can players measure them up?

"At first glance, all casino bonuses, whether for real-money or sweepstakes casinos in the US, appear very attractive. A casino will often use promotions to attract and retain new players. It is one of the most effective forms of marketing to turn consumers from brand aware to actively engaging with an outlet. Broadcast advertising and sponsorship are effective tools for brand-building, but converting the aware to the active often depends on great sales promotion."

"This can mean that customers are bombarded with messages like: "Up to 220%, 2000 GoldCoins and 80 VIP points", or Up to 500,000 GoldCoins and 3.5% Rakeback", or "100,000 Gold Coins, 40 Sweeps Coins and 100 free spins". I do not know about you, but unless you are an expert, your head could be the only thing spinning by now."

"So while casino bonuses are worth it and can offer great value for your bankroll, it is worth being aware of the pros and cons of using a particular casino bonus before you choose a particular one."

"It can be pretty hard to see the wood for the trees, as many bonuses promise the world, but then having massive wagering commitments. At Casino.org, we take a long, hard look at the small print, in the hope that our readers won't have to.

Now that we understand that not all bonuses are equal or even good, we wanted to know a bit more. Therefore, we asked Jenny,

When are bonuses a reasonable offer, and when might they be riddled with potholes?

And here is what she told us,

"In general, bonuses are great, and we are very keen to let our readers know about the good ones. However, some casino bonuses can come with very high wagering requirements, meaning that it can take a long time and considerably more investment before players can withdraw their winnings."

"Another thing to look out for is minimum deposits on some bonuses. Some casinos have a minimum purchase or deposit value. So while the headline advertises a lucrative bonus, when we look more closely, we can see that it is only available for stakes of over x or y amount. This means that not all players can access it. Bonuses can also have totally unrealistic time limits, meaning that even those with lower wagering requirements cannot be completed in time to claim the benefit.

"There are also potential payment restrictions. It could be that the online casino is trying to encourage a particular payment type, or even working with a payment provider to encourage use of their payment processing platform. However, it does mean that you might see a bonus but then discover that it cannot be used with a pre-paid card or e-wallet, for example".

"The devil really is in the detail, and we believe it is our job to dig in behind the headline offer and find bonuses that are not full of pitfalls"

Having told us about the downsides, we wanted to know about the types of bonuses players might benefit from and the kinds of offers available.

Jemma, you have told us what you steer players away from, but when are bonuses a good match for players, and when should they snap them up?

"Once we have worked out that the wagering requirements and time limitations are fair, we are big fans of bonus offers. Match bonuses are when the casino offers a bonus that doubles a player's bankroll up to $2,500. If the conditions are not too onerous, that is a wonderful wedge of free money."

"The jewel in the crown of casino bonuses is the 'no deposit bonus' with no strings attached. These are increasingly rare, but places like BetMGM still offer them, which means you get additional funds just for signing up. Casino bonuses can be genuinely generous for new customers – it seems that loyalty does not always pay".

"Bonuses should be simple to claim and super accessible. Some casinos offer free bonus spins that allow you to try out popular or new titles without having to spend a red cent. The best online casinos go beyond welcome bonuses, and many have VIP programs that allow existing players to access exclusive promotions and offers".

Knowing that online casino gambling for real money is only available in a handful of US states, we were keen to find out if there were similar options for sweeps and social casinos.

Are there any bonuses for social and sweepstakes casinos on offer?

"Sweepstakes and social casinos have some of the most generous bonuses out there. They offer incredible Sweep Coins (SC) and Gold Coins (GC) bonus offers – in some cases, hundreds of thousands of them as welcome and first purchase bonuses. The biggest downside for players is that these offers are largely restricted to states where real-money gambling is unavailable or illegal. New sites often offer stellar bonuses to attract new players, so we always keep an eye out for those"

And finally,

Are there any other pitfalls?

"Players need to be aware that online casinos offer bonuses to get customers to play. That is great if you have the budget to afford the bonus. However, while it can appear like free money, it usually requires match funding or some form of payment. Like any other form of entertainment, whether that is tickets to the movie or a match, payment usually comes into the equation. Therefore, to enjoy bonuses, players usually need to make a down payment. We advise people to gamble responsibly, stake only what they can afford to lose, and never chase their losses. It is important not to let a bonus cloud your judgment. Take time and enjoy the ride".