Casino Bonuses are considered to be one of the most important aspects of online gaming. It's one of the main differences between online casinos and land casinos. A land casino attracts its' customers through an exciting gaming atmosphere, free drinks, room and buffet comps, shows, shopping and other enticements. Online casinos attract customers with bonuses. These can be divided into two categories; Deposit Bonuses and No Deposit Bonuses.

Deposit Bonuses, as their name suggests, require you to make a cash deposit at the casino. The casino will then add to your deposit, in accordance with the size of your bonus – with a set maximum limit. This way, the casino can make sure that you have deposited your share, before adding a bonus to your account. These are usually "Welcome Bonuses" – meaning that it's a first time offer extended to you, if you are brand new to the casino. Typically, the Welcome Bonus is the largest bonus that will be offered.

Unlike the Welcome Bonus, which is typically hundreds or even thousands of dollars, you can also receive monthly bonuses. These can be offered to you, as an existing player. In a monthly bonus, for every deposit that you make, the casino will add a proportional amount to your account (subject to a monthly cap). Other bonuses can also be offered if you make a deposit using a specific deposit option.

With a No Deposit Bonus, you are not required, as a new player, to make a deposit. You will be offered a free amount that you can use to try out the casino's games, without investing any of your own money. For this reason, No Deposit Bonuses are usually much smaller that Deposit Bonuses. These bonuses are also much rarer than Deposit Bonuses.

It should be noted that Microgaming online casinos offer a different version of the No Deposit Bonus. Here, you will be given a certain number of free spins on specified slot games (which need to be completed in a specified time frame). You'll get to keep your winnings from the free spins.

Other bonuses include the Refer-a-Friend Bonus which awards a lump sum for each friend that you have successfully referred. A Birthday Bonus can also be awarded if you are playing online on your birthday.

Deposit Bonuses

Pros

Deposit Bonuses are usually larger and tend to be in the hundreds or thousands of dollars
The Welcome Deposit Bonus is offered up front – before wagering your own money.
Deposit Bonuses are usually offered by all good online casinos

Cons

Deposit Bonuses are given after you deposit your own money.

No Deposit Bonuses

Pros

No Deposit Bonuses do not require you to deposit your own money.
The Welcome No Deposit Bonus will enable you to test games without investing your own funds

Cons

No Deposit Bonuses are usually much smaller (running only into tens of dollars).
Few casinos offer No Deposit Bonuses.