Much of a muchness

You might initially think that there is no competition, as all casinos offer the same thing, and you could be forgiven for thinking that they are all very similar.  Casinos often have a glamorous and exciting appearance, offering fun and the potential promise of a lavish lifestyle. However, particularly when you are considering online casinos, there are huge differences – particularly when it comes to legality and what can and cannot be offered. While the bonuses and promotions can all seem to be ‘much of a muchness’, there are in fact significant territorial differences.

What all casinos have in common is that they are businesses set up to entertain you and extract money from you. Meanwhile, you and all other like-minded players are trying to get your hands on the prizes on offer – after all, someone has to win the jackpot. In the end, the house always wins, but with determination, a sensible bankroll, and good old-fashioned luck, you can swing things in your favor. Bonuses are a great way to help tip the balance – or at least let you play for longer without dipping into your cash reserves or having you mining for new gold!

A challenging world of fun

Globally, and especially in the USA and Canada, we have seen a massive growth in online gambling. Playing has become more enjoyable and accessible due to changing regulations that make it safer to participate. Every operator is vying for your attention and looking to persuade you to play on their site or game. Designers of equipment like slot machines (whether online or in real life), for example, not only promise varying win levels and degrees of volatility but also provide stunning backgrounds and story lines to draw you in.

A company like Flutter created a whole marketing strategy to bring a fresh face to its FanDuel casino brand to differentiate it from its sports site and propel it to be the #1 US igaming brand. While it will have used clever devices to build the brand personality, ultimately, it still needed to get players to the site. One of the most tried and tested mechanics that all online casino sites use is the bonus in some form or another.

The best bonuses

Some bonus offers look too good to be true. The trouble is that they are, and the best way to ensure you get what you are promised is to play on reputable, recommended sites.

While it is interesting to compare offers on either side of the US / Canada border, the truth is that you can only play on sites where you reside, so unless you are planning on traveling, the best way to compare bonuses is to look at what is available in your jurisdiction. While the grass might be greener elsewhere, if you cannot legally play on the site with the more attractive offers, there is little point in looking.

What to look out for when picking a bonus

Not every establishment is the same, either, and sometimes the less well-known brands offer better promotions. As they have less to spend on fancy sponsorship deals and advertising, they often invest more in their customer experience. First, they need to entice you to try out their site, and having done that, they want to ensure that you stay and play. Creating a ‘sticky’ website is what every casino brand aspires to. The problem is that there is always another one out there trying to get the gambler’s attention.

US or Canada

Whether you are playing in the US or Canada, the principles of bonuses are the same. The key thing any player needs to be aware of is the wagering conditions, as something that looks like an attractive bonus might turn out to be the opposite when all the terms and conditions are taken into consideration. A player needs to read the rules and be sure that what is on offer is as good as it sounds.

While this might sound somewhat overwhelming, you might be relieved to read that there is help at hand. Review and affiliate sites exist to guide you through the process and help you find the very best offers. A site like Casino.org knows its way around all the bonuses and offers. Legal online casino gambling might be relatively new to the US, but these guys have been reviewing sites globally for decades. They know where to find the best online casino promos and bonuses for any market and have particular expertise for US customers. Having done all the hard work for you, all you have to do is follow their advice, find your game, and enjoy the fun.

Still not sure?

The best online casino promos and bonuses might seem a challenge to unravel, but they essentially fall into the following categories regardless of the market.

• Sign-up offers that include
  • a matched deposit equal to yours, up to a specific limit.
  • free spins for slot games again, up to a predetermined limit.
  • No-deposit bonuses that allow you to win real money without having to deposit any (these are pretty rare and can have onerous wagering conditions).
• Loyalty bonuses that cover
  • VIP clubs
  • Guest events
  • Reload bonuses
  • Cashback offers

Whichever country you are playing in, to be eligible, you have to create a casino account and verify your age and location. It is when registration is completed and your account is active that the offers become live. The casino site should clearly outline how bonus payments and winnings are made. The invitations to join are pretty much the same in either country, but the rules and regulations are generally less restrictive in the Canadian provinces than in the vast majority of US states.

Rules and regulations? Oh no, not them again!

They are what make the world go round. Admittedly, somewhat more slowly than you may want, but each country has them, and they are helpful when playing for real money. In neither country is gambling controlled at a federal level, and state and provincial regulations are enforced at a local level.

The key factor is that playing online is safe and fun, no matter where you are. The fact that you are not confined to a concrete monolith in a teeming city but are playing in your own space in your own country can mean freedom of the whole world to you.