Image source: https://unsplash.com/photos/_68ATDXuBLo
by Matt Bourie
Did you know that the online gambling market is growing at a rapid pace? It is estimated that its value will reach $92.9 billion in 2023, and online slots have played and are still playing a vital role in this growth – they attract tens of millions of players worldwide.
While the online slots are colorful, engaging, and provide the convenience of playing them whenever or wherever they are, there is still one thing that has contributed to their popularity – the big bonus. Online slot creators are really creative when it comes to bonuses. If you enjoy online slots, you should definitely know which bonuses you can encounter.
Below you can find six different types of bonuses online slots can have.
Img source: https://unsplash.com/photos/wPXEQz40f8s
Game-Specific Bonuses Aren’t the Same as Casino Bonuses
Before we dive into specific bonuses offered through online slots, there is one important thing you should know. Online casino bonuses are not the same thing as game-specific bonuses. You already probably know about deposit and free spins bonuses, the two most common online casino bonuses.
However, even if you get these bonuses, such as free spins, you are still going to be eligible to benefit from an online slot-specific bonus.
That’s because casino bonuses are completely separated from online slots bonuses. Every online slot offers a unique bonus or set of bonuses. Every time you spin the reels of an online slot, you can get these bonuses, and there’s no limit to how many times you can get them.
Sticky & Non-Cashable Bonuses
Many players end up quitting an online slot game because they don’t want to deposit additional cash to continue playing. The sticky or non-cashable bonus is there to motivate these players to continue playing even though their online wallet has dried up. The thing about the sticky bonus is that you can’t withdraw it, thus the name non-cashable bonus.
On the other hand, players can use a sticky bonus to continue playing, spinning the reels, and winning. However, the real question is can you withdraw the money you win when using a sticky bonus? While you can’t withdraw the sticky bonus, you can withdraw any wins you make using it. Most online casinos specify the wagering requirements you need to meet before you can make a withdrawal.
Image source: Google
Bonus Multipliers
Almost every online slot has a bonus multiplier. These bonuses put you in a position to win more cash. There are several bonus multipliers you should know about – bet multiplier, line wins multiplier and total win multiplier. These bonuses can significantly increase your wins. Overall, they make online slots more attractive to players.
When it comes to a multiplier amount, there are several of them, usually ranging from 2x to 10x. However, some online slots offer bonus multipliers as big as x2,000 and a whopping x10,000.
Wild Bonuses
Many online slots feature wild symbols, and the game mechanics behind them are really simple – wild symbols can replace all other symbols in an online slot. To complete a winning pay line, a player needs to get the right symbols. Instead of waiting to get all the right symbols, players can keep the wild symbol (if it’s a sticky wild symbol) and spin the reels to increase the chance of getting the bonuses unique to a game.
When it comes to the wild bonuses, you should know that a wild symbol can replace other bonus symbols (if there are any featured in the online slot), a free spin symbol, or any of the scatter symbols. Wild bonuses add excitement to the game.
Besides the sticky wild symbol we already mentioned, other types include expanding and stacked wild symbols. They are very random and can deliver wins when you least expect them.
Free Spins
Online slots are famous for their free spins bonuses. As you know, every time you spin the reels, you pay for it, and the game takes a certain amount from your balance. Using free spins bonus means that you can spin the reels free of charge and still win big.
We are not talking about the free spins online casino bonus here, like the one you get for your first deposit, no. For instance, a free spins bonus is the one you get if you get a free spin symbol. Most online slots award free spins bonus if you spin at least three scatter icons.
Weekly/Monthly Bonuses
It’s in the best interest of online casinos to turn players into loyal customers. To do it, casinos deploy various loyalty programs, rewards, and bonuses. Two of these bonuses are weekly and monthly bonuses. Every online casino has different weekly and monthly bonuses.
The bonuses can range from free credits for playing online slots or free spins for a particular online slot game. These bonuses are straightforward and are often advertised by casinos. Some even offer a no deposit bonus which is just free money! If you are interested in whether your favorite online casino offers them, feel free to check their terms and conditions.
Image source: Google
Free Introductory Games
Online casinos use different marketing strategies to promote the emerging online slots. One of the tactics that appear to resonate with the players is – free introductory game. New online slots often come with a new play style and rules. If it features some brand new concept, the online slot can appear too complicated to players. That’s where free introductory games come in.
Thanks to this bonus, players have that hands-on experience with a game that is not originally free-to-play. The practice gives players the opportunity to play the game for free, learn the rules, and immerse themselves in the experience. Once they play, the online slot players can decide on their own whether it’s worth their time and money or not.
Are you surprised by how many different types of bonuses online slots can have? Please note that not all of these bonuses are available at every casino, nor does a single online slot offer all of them. They were designed to make games more fun, exciting, and available to players who love online slots.
Matt Bourie is the editor of the American Casino Guide book. He has been writing about casinos for more than 12 years and he also co-hosts the American Casino Guide YouTube channel which has had more than 40 million views. A new video is released each month that discusses a new casino gambling topic and you subscribe for FREE at at https://www.youtube.com/americancasinoguide
