As with other types of online gambling, taking advantage of the bonuses available to you is something you should always be thinking about as a bingo player. Bingo bonuses can make a huge difference when it comes to your bankroll, so be sure not to overlook them!
In this guide, we’ll explore which types of bonuses you should prioritise, what you need to do to be eligible, which terms and conditions you should be aware of, and exactly how to claim these bonuses.
Different Bingo Bonus Types
Firstly, it’s important to understand the main differences between the various types of bingo bonus. This section will break down each of the bingo promo types you’re most likely to come across…
Welcome Bonuses
One of the most popular types of bingo bonus is the welcome bonus. As one might expect, these are aimed at drawing in new players, so they often involve some very enticing deals.
Welcome bonuses often come in the form of deposit match bonuses, which boost your first deposit by a percentage, up to a certain limit. Some welcome deposit match bonuses will even match second and third deposits, so be sure to check out the T&Cs.
Alternatively, some sites offer no deposit bonuses, which don’t require players to make any payments at all. These bonuses often take the shape of a free sum to wager as you please, or a number of free bingo tickets. This may sound too good to be true, which is why some (but not all) no deposit bonuses are subject to strict wagering requirements.
Other Deposit Bonuses
Good news: deposit bonuses aren’t just for new customers! Reload bonuses are intended to keep players loyal, and they may even be offered to existing customers on a regular weekly or monthly basis. They may not be worth quite as much as a welcome deposit bonus, but they’re well worth having!
Whether aimed at new or existing customers (or both), bonus promotions are generally calculated on a percentage basis. For instance, a bingo site may offer a 50% bonus up to £50 on re-deposits, in which case you can make the most of the promo by depositing £100 and ending up with a £150 bankroll to spend!
Loyalty Rewards
There are various different types of loyalty rewards which may run alongside other bonuses.
VIP programmes are a way for bingo sites to reward players who are high-rollers, or who have been using the casino for a while. These tend to involve systems which reward players with points for spending time and money on games, which can then be redeemed and exchanged for rewards such as free spins or bonus cash.
Similar to VIP programmes are loyalty schemes, which allow players to climb a ladder of rewards, earning benefits at each tier they reach. To be eligible for these, you’ll often need to be a member, or at least a consistent user of the site.
Other loyalty perks offered to regular players include cashback, which essentially gives players a percentage of their losses back on a regular basis, personalised promotions, which vary from player to player, and exclusive bonuses, which are offered only to the casino or bingo site’s most valued customers.
Free Bingo Tickets
One way in which bingo sites like to keep players happy is with free bingo tickets, which essentially give you a free game and another chance to win! These are often earned through loyalty schemes or given away as part of other promotions.
Seasonal Promos
Some bingo promotions may run alongside or be associated with certain sporting events or cultural occasions. Some of these, such as New Year bonuses, may run for one weekend, whereas others might run for an entire football season. Whatever the occasion, seasonal bonuses can be great for everybody!
Others might run across a network of interconnected bingo sites at the same time, offering enhanced prizes, improved odds, or additional reload bonuses. It’s important to note that these may have the effect of raising the level of competition, so keep an eye out for emptier bingo rooms!
Bingo Bonus Terms & Conditions
The UK Gambling Commision sets strict rules which must be adhered to by online bingo sites, and these state that all terms and practices must be fair and transparent. This is where the terms and conditions come in…
First of all, it’s important to understand wagering requirements. These state that winnings from a bonus must be re-wagered a number of times before they can be withdrawn, giving the casino or bingo site a chance (or many chances) to reclaim their cash.
Sometimes these requirements can be excessive, so it’s advisable to look for no wagering bingo sites. These allow you to keep your winnings to either bet again, or withdraw to your bank or e-wallet.
Other restrictions you may encounter include time limits, bonus expiration dates, bonus code requirements, and the limited eligibility of particular games. All of these will be laid out in the T&Cs.
Reading bingo bonus terms and conditions isn’t anyone’s idea of fun, but it is an essential part of responsible gambling, which brings us onto...
Responsible Use of Bingo Bonuses
Whether gambling with bonuses or your own hard-earned cash, responsible gambling is essential to a healthy and rewarding experience.
Using bingo bonuses responsibly means carefully observing the terms and conditions, ensuring that you don’t develop bad habits, such as chasing your losses, and setting sensible limits so that you only bet what you can afford to lose.
If you need a little help, Safer Gambling UK offers a guide to using various tools, such as self-exclusion, time restrictions and deposit limits.
Summary
Bonuses, when used responsibly, can be a great way to enhance your bingo sessions! If you’re looking for lower-risk alternatives to the standard welcome bonuses, seek out no wagering and no deposit bonuses. Whatever type of bingo bonus promotion you go for, be sure to read the T&Cs when you’re claiming a particular bonus, or you may run into some unpleasant surprises.
Stay safe, keep an eye on your tickets, and have fun!
