What is Bonus Hunting/Bonus Whoring?
What is Bonus Hunting/Bonus Whoring? It's a term used by online casino players to describe the practice of systematically taking advantage of bonuses and promotions offered by casinos. The primary aim is to increase one's bank without risking too much of their own money. Players who engage in bonus hunting are often referred to as "bonus hunters" or "bonus whores."
The practice typically involves signing up at multiple online casinos to claim welcome bonuses, no deposit bonuses, and other promotions. Bonus hunters then use these rewards to play various games with the goal of meeting the wagering requirements set by the casino. Once the requirements are met, the player can withdraw their winnings and move on to the next casino, repeating the process.
The history of Bonus Hunting
Bonus hunting is not a new phenomenon. It has been around since the early days of online gambling, when casinos were offering generous bonuses to attract new players. In the late 1990s and early 2000s, when the online casino industry was in its infancy, bonus hunting was a relatively easy and lucrative. Casinos offered bonuses with minimal restrictions and low wagering requirements.
However, as the industry evolved and competition increased, casinos began tightening their bonus terms and conditions to protect themselves from bonus hunters. Wagering requirements became higher, game restrictions were introduced, and some casinos even implemented maximum withdrawal limits on bonus winnings. Despite these changes, bonus hunting continues to be a popular strategy among players who are willing to invest the time and effort required to find and exploit bonus opportunities.
How Bonus Hunting works: a step-by-step guide
-
Research and identify the best bonus offers: To begin bonus hunting, you'll need to find casinos with attractive bonus offers. Look for welcome bonuses, no deposit bonuses, and other promotions with favourable terms and conditions. Make sure to read the fine print to understand the wagering requirements and any restrictions that may apply.
-
Sign up at the chosen online casinos: Once you've identified the casinos with the best bonus offers, sign up and create an account. Make sure to use accurate personal information, as you may be required to provide identification documents when requesting a withdrawal.
-
Claim the bonus: After signing up, claim the bonus by following the instructions provided by the casino. This may involve entering a bonus code or contacting customer support.
-
Play games to meet the wagering requirements: With the bonus funds in your account, it's time to start playing games to meet the wagering requirements. Choose games with a high return to player (RTP) and low house edge to maximise your chances of winning.
-
Complete the wagering requirements and withdraw your winnings: Once you've met the wagering requirements, you can withdraw your winnings. Some casinos may require you to make a small deposit before you can withdraw, so be prepared for this.
-
Repeat the process at other casinos: The key to successful bonus hunting is to continuously look for new bonus opportunities. Once you've completed the process at one casino, move on to the next and repeat the process.
The role of wagering requirements in Bonus Hunting
Wagering requirements play a crucial role in bonus hunting. They are the conditions set by the casino that determine how much a player must wager before they can withdraw their bonus winnings. Wagering requirements are typically expressed as a multiple of the bonus amount, such as 30x or 40x. This means that if you receive a £100 bonus with a 30x wagering requirement, you'll need to wager £3,000 before you can withdraw your winnings.
Wagering requirements are designed to protect casinos from bonus hunters, ensuring that players don't simply claim a bonus and immediately cash out. When hunting for bonuses, it's essential to find promotions with reasonable wagering requirements. The lower the wagering requirement, the better your chances.
Tips and tricks for successful Bonus Hunting
-
Do your research: The key to successful bonus hunting is finding the right casinos and bonus offers. Spend time researching and comparing different casinos to identify the best opportunities.
-
Understand the bonus terms and conditions: Always read the fine print of bonus offers to ensure you fully understand the wagering requirements, game restrictions, and any other terms that may apply.
-
Choose games with a high RTP and low house edge: When playing through wagering requirements, select games that offer the best chance of winning. Look for games with a high return to player (RTP) percentage and a low house edge.
-
Manage your bank: Bonus hunting can be risky, so it's essential to manage your bank effectively. Set a budget for your bonus hunting activities and stick to it.
-
Don't be greedy: While it's tempting to try and claim every bonus you come across, it's essential to be selective. Focus on the best bonus offers and avoid those with unfavourable terms and conditions.
The risks and potential downsides of Bonus Hunting
Bonus hunting is not without its risks and potential downsides. Some of the challenges and risks associated with this practice include:
-
Difficulty meeting wagering requirements: As casinos have tightened their bonus terms and conditions, it has become increasingly challenging to meet wagering requirements.
-
Risk of losing your own money: If you're using your own funds to meet wagering requirements, there's a risk that you could lose some or all of your bankroll.
-
Account closures and bans: Some casinos take a dim view of bonus hunting and may close your account or ban you from their platform if they suspect you of engaging in this practice.
-
Time-consuming: Bonus hunting can be a time-consuming endeavour, particularly if you're trying to exploit multiple bonus offers simultaneously.
The legality and ethics of Bonus Hunting
As long as you're abiding by the terms and conditions set by the casino, bonus hunting is a legal and legitimate strategy. However, some people may question the ethics of exploiting casino bonuses in this way.
From a legal standpoint, bonus hunting is perfectly acceptable, and players are well within their rights to take advantage of promotional offers. However, some may argue that it goes against the spirit of these promotions, which are designed to attract and retain loyal customers.
In the end, whether you view bonus hunting as an ethical practice largely depends on your perspective. If you believe that casinos are simply offering these promotions to attract new players and that it's fair game for players to take advantage of them, then you're unlikely to have any ethical qualms about bonus hunting. However, if you feel that exploiting these offers is taking advantage of the casino's generosity, you may choose to avoid this practice.
The best online casinos for Bonus Hunting
To maximise your success in bonus hunting, it's essential to find the right online casinos. Some factors to consider when selecting a casino for bonus hunting include:
-
Generous bonus offers: Look for casinos that offer attractive welcome bonuses, no deposit bonuses, and other promotions with reasonable terms and conditions.
-
Low wagering requirements: As we've discussed, finding bonuses with reasonable wagering requirements is key to successful bonus hunting. Look for casinos that offer low wagering requirements to maximise your chances.
-
Wide range of games: The more games a casino offers, the better your chances of finding games with a high RTP and low house edge.
-
Responsive customer support: If you encounter any issues while bonus hunting, you'll want to have access to responsive and helpful customer support.
Some of the best online casinos for bonus hunting include:
-
888 Casino: 888 Casino offers a range of attractive bonuses and promotions with reasonable terms and conditions. The casino also offers a wide range of games, including slots, table games, and live dealer games.
-
Fortune Games : Fortune Games is known for its generous welcome bonus and ongoing promotions. The casino also offers a diverse range of games from top providers like NetEnt and Microgaming.
-
Betway: Betway offers a range of bonuses and promotions, including a generous welcome bonus and loyalty program. The casino offers a wide range of games, including slots, table games, and live dealer games.
Conclusion: Maximising your casino rewards through Bonus Hunting
Bonus hunting can be a strategy for online casino players looking to increase their bankroll without risking too much of their own money. By following the steps and tips outlined in this guide, you can maximise your chances of success.
Remember to always read the fine print of bonus offers, choose games with a high RTP and low house edge, and manage your bankroll effectively. While bonus hunting does come with some risks and potential downsides, it can be enjoyable way to play your favourite casino games.
If you're interested in trying out bonus hunting, make sure to select the right online casinos with generous bonus offers and reasonable terms and conditions. With a little bit of research and effort, you could be well on your way to maximising your casino rewards through bonus hunting.
Are you ready to start bonus hunting? Sign up at one of our recommended online casinos and start taking advantage of the best bonus offers today.