All online casinos offer big bonuses to new players -- ranging from around $100 to something over-the-top like $20000 as a "welcome bonus". This sounds too good to be true, and it largely is. Obviously nobody gives anything for free, so there's always a catch -- in fact a number of catches. All bonuses offered by online casinos have terms and conditions that you have to fully comply with if you are to make any money out of the bonus money.

How many people actually read these terms and conditions thoroughly? And how many people think that if they deposit $50 they will be given $100 free and can then walk off without even playing? The welcome bonuses offered are "sticky", meaning that you can't withdraw the bonus money, but you can win cash with it. However, there is a wagering requirement that has to be met, such as 20 times you deposit plus bonus. The most common wagering requirements range from 12x at the lowest to 50x at the highest.

It is most important for new and old players alike to read terms and conditions in online gaming sites to get the most out of them and to be clear on the rules of playing in such sites. Most online casinos and other online gambling sites are not trying to con you but tell you of the best possible way to get the most from playing in their casino or poker sites. They are not trying to pull the wool over your eyes but to open them wider. There are also some bad apples of course, but most are legit.

An Internet casino that offers you up to $100 free will usually expect you to deposit $100 to get the $100 free. Deposit $20 and get $20 free, $30 to get $30 free bonus, etc. What about casinos that offer $3000 free as a welcome bonus? You would not expect to deposit $3000 to get $3000 free or would you? These type of welcome bonuses are usually over several weeks. A welcome bonus is not necessarily just your 1st deposit. Online casinos want you to stay at their casino so they offer you extras to stay and repay your loyalty with extra bonuses.

For example, some online casinos may offer new players $5000 as a welcome bonus. Great! This is over a 10 week period and only if you deposit the maximum required to entitle you to it. This is not a scam or anything to warrant distrusting the casino, just a marketing strategy whereby they outline how to get the most free bonus cash out of the casino.

Casinos that offer a no deposit bonus to try their casino will get many new players but will they ever return and deposit? Most online casinos offer players the chance to play for free to test their product before you decide to deposit. The welcome bonus is to keep the players happy and to repay their loyalty by offering bonuses over several weeks. This keeps players in the casino which is what they want.

If you are searching for the best welcome bonus or any other bonuses from casinos then we strongly suggest that you read the terms and conditions of the bonuses before you jump in to claim it as large flashing numbers do not always mean the best deals. It is strongly recommended that you do a search for the online casino in question to find out whether it has a good or bad reputation. Casinos with a bad reputation should be avoided if you are hoping to withdraw any money you may win.