It was back in 2013 that New Jersey cut the ribbon on online casinos. Since then, it’s been legal to place bets on blackjack, roulette, slots and other games online, just as long as you’re over 21 and using licensed, above-board sites affiliated with bricks-and-mortar casinos in Atlantic City.
Playing online comes with lots of perks – like being able to soak up the glitzy casino experience while lounging around in your home clothes. And then there are the New Jersey casino bonuses, which so many sites offer as incentives for new players and existing members alike. Here’s our guide to knowing what the best casino bonus is for you.
Why claim a bonus?
Simply put, claiming a casino bonus will give you a bigger pot to gamble with. There are various kinds of New Jersey casino bonuses available, some requiring you to deposit some money first, others given to players with absolutely no deposit required whatsoever. Whichever kind you go for, the bottom line is you’ll have more funds to play with than you otherwise would.
That’s a pretty enticing prospect, which is exactly why the online casino operators are keen to offer it. After all, online gambling in the Garden State is a booming business with lots of sites competing for your custom, so it’s in their interest to lay out some very tempting casino bonus offers. Of course, it’s important to always check the exact terms and conditions for the bonus, and we’ll talk more about that below.
What kind of bonuses can new players claim?
New Jersey online casinos offer a variety of bonuses to tempt new customers to sign up. Here are some you can expect to see.
No deposit bonus
As far as many players are concerned, the answer to the question “What is the best casino bonus?” is most definitely the no deposit bonus. And it’s easy to see why. As the name suggests, a no deposit bonus doesn’t require a single cent to access. All you have to do is sign up to the casino site, and – if you take the no deposit bonus – your account will be credited with money you can wager with.
Yes, there will very likely be a playthrough or wagering requirement, meaning you can’t simply withdraw the bonus as cash into your bank account. But this is still a very nice incentive, particularly as it’ll let you explore a new site, and try out its offerings, without having to risk any of your own money.
Matched deposit bonus
No deposit bonuses tend to be pretty small amounts, but matched deposit bonuses will give you much more to play with. In this case, the casino site will match your initial deposit up to a stated percentage. So, to give an example, if the bonus deal is to match your deposit 100%, and you put in $100, you’ll have $200 to play with. There will usually be an upper limit they will match to (for example, “100% up to $500”). And, of course, you should check what the playthrough or wagering requirements are.
No wagering bonus
No wagering bonuses are rarer than other kinds of new player bonuses, but they’re highly desirable. That’s because they come with no wagering requirements at all, meaning you there’s no minimum number of times you’ll have to bet before you can withdraw your winnings.
Free spins
Slots games are incredibly popular with online casino players, with good reason. The rules are simple, there’s a huge and ever changing selection to choose from, and you can often find exciting slots based on hit TV shows and movies. That’s why the prospect of free spins is a big hit with customers.
But what if you can’t see “free spins bonuses” advertised in so many words? Not a problem. You can simply use your no deposit or matched deposit bonus credits to play the slots, which would effectively make it a free spins bonus. One big advantage of doing this is that slots games contribute a lot, usually 100%, to the wagering requirements of the bonus, while table games like blackjack usually contribute far less.
Rewarded for returning
You don’t always have to be a new member of a site to be given a casino bonus. There are many on-going promotions available, which are designed to reward existing members for being loyal.
The reload bonus
These work like the matched deposit bonuses offered to new players. In other words, the casino site will stump up the same amount as your deposit, up to a certain percentage. One way this could work is a reload bonus being offered on the amount you transfer to your account on a certain day of the week. The exact terms of the percentage matches will vary a lot, but reload bonuses can amount to some of the best New Jersey casino bonuses around.
The cashback bonus
This is sometimes referred to as a rebate bonus, and – as the name suggests – it means you’ll get some money back after losing a bet. This can be a stated percentage over a minimum amount. For example, 10% cashback for lost bets going over a $150 threshold.
The VIP bonus
Regular players on online casinos may may find themselves awarded VIP status, which can open the doors to specific bonuses tailored to them. VIP schemes may be tiered, so that the more points you amass, the more bonuses and incentives you’ll unlock. These often include birthday bonuses, lower wagering requirements and even gifts like hotel stays and tickets to shows.
Bonus terms and conditions
Combing the fine print
When deciding on the best casino bonus for you, it’s crucial to pay attention to the precise terms and conditions. While it’s nobody’s idea of fun to wade through the legal stuff, it’ll ensure you know exactly how the bonus works, so you won’t be frustrated or disappointed later on. Here are some basic points to look out for.
Wagering requirements
Playthrough, or wagering requirements, come with almost all bonuses. What this means is you’ll generally be obliged to bet a set number of times before being allowed to draw any winnings on the bonus. For example, if you receive a matched deposit bonus of $50, with a x10 wagering requirement, you’ll have to bet $500 before you can access the funds in cash.
Game weighting
There’s another important element to bear in mind, which is that not all casino games contribute equally to the wagering requirement. Slots usually contribute 100%, but other games like blackjack or roulette usually count for a far smaller fraction. If, say, roulette contributes 20% and you wager $100 on the spin of that famous wheel, it’ll only contribute $20 to your wagering requirement.
Time limits
There’s usually a set time limit on satisfying the wagering requirement on your bonus. This will vary depending on the casino site and the specific bonus in question, so it’s important you check what the time limit is – the last thing you want is to be late making up the wagering requirement and forfeiting the bonus funds.
Maximum win cap
Another thing to look out for is the maximum win set for a particular bonus. A long winning streak is great, but if you go over the maximum win threshold for a particular casino bonus, you won’t be able to claim it.
