BEST ONLINE CASINO BONUSES FOR IRISH PLAYERS

Any online casino worth its salt will offer a casino bonus of some kind to its players. It may seem counterproductive to be giving away bonus money, but bonus offers for new players are one way that new casinos can stand out from the crowd. No deposit bonuses, in particular, are a way to attract new players. Check out our toplist and continue reading to learn more.

What is a Casino Bonus?

A casino bonus is essentially a bonus that you play casino. There are many different types of bonuses and they will vary from casino to casino. We are aware that it can be quite a lot of information to process when first starting out. That is why we have made an extensive casino bonus guide on this page, to help you have all the info gathered in one place.

At many of the top Irish online casinos, you’ll find a whole range of bonuses and promotions all geared towards giving you a better chance of winning real money from the get-go. It’s not just for players newly joining a site though; casinos will also offer extras, promotions and continuing offers to those players that remain loyal and stick with the casino – it’s not only essential to increase the player base after all, but also to maintain it through loyalty schemes. These bonuses will come in all sorts of different shapes and sizes, so it is important to know what the best features of a bonus are.

It’s not always the biggest amount of money that offers the best option. To help you better see through the bonuses, we’re going to give you some handy tips on how to find the best bonuses. We even provide you with a list of the recommended casinos with the best options.

The right casino means one that is available to players in Ireland and that has a great reputation and isn’t going to make life difficult for you as the player.

Check the Irishluck homepage for top tips on how to find a good and trustworthy casino, especially if you are new to the iGaming world. If you are deciding on a good quality bonus, you can use a few steps. Here are some important questions to consider when looking for the best bonus:

What amount of money does the bonus offer and what is the percentage?

The amount of the bonus is not always completely transparent. You will see the amount of the bonus at first sight, as this is what the casino is promoting. The percentage, however, is what makes it interesting. To give an example; a bonus of €100 will vary depending on if it's 100% or 50%. If it is 100% up to €100, then it means that you can deposit up to €100 and receive that amount on your casino account as a bonus. 

If it’s 50% up to €100 then if you make a 1st deposit of €100 and you will receive €50 from the casino. That means that you have to keep an eye on not only the actual amount the casino bonus explicitly shows but also the percentage it gives. 

What’s the validity period for the bonus?

Most online casinos have a validity period for your bonus set. This means that from the day you make your 1st deposit and claim your welcome package, there will be a period in which you can use it. Usually, it runs around 30 days but it varies so it is important that you check the individual casino.

After the period has ended you will no longer be able to use the bonus spins or other bonuses you have claimed. That's why it's important that you check this before you create an account.   

How many times you have to play through the bonus (bonus wager) to claim it?

The online casinos use different hacks to keep you playing and to keep the prizes within the casinos. That is also why there is something called wagering requirements. They can be anything from 1x - 60x. One meaning that you basically just have to play it through as you win it and 60 meaning that you have to play your bonus through 60 times before you can withdraw your prize from the casino.

So what does this actually mean? It means that if you have a bonus of €10 then you have to bet a total of €600 before you have played the money free. Usually, online casinos have a wagering requirement around 35x. Anything higher than that is considered high requirements. More casinos are starting to offer that you have to play through your bonus 10x. This is considered quite a good wagering requirement. 

Which casino games is the bonus valid for and how much do they contribute?

You most likely haven't heard about game-weighting, but it is actually a thing. Some casinos only allow you to use your bonus on certain games. This means that only these games will contribute towards playing your casino bonus through. You have to make sure you are aware of which games that is. 

Some casino bonuses will give tell you that you can only use your bonus spins at a certain slot. That will usually be stated very clearly in the welcome bonus offer on display.

We recommend to always keep these things in mind when you choose your new casino and casino bonus. 

Match Deposit Bonus

The match deposit bonus is the most common option. Here, Irish players will be required to sign up to the casino and make an account. To be eligible for the bonus, they will then need to put down the minimum deposit (minimum amount required to qualify). Once this is out of the way, you will get your deposit matched by a specified percentage. It can be anywhere from 50% to 400% depending on the offer – up to a predetermined maximum amount.

No Deposit Bonus

The next option is a no deposit bonus. This is a big favourite among players, as it means that although you do create an account with the casino, you don’t need to invest any of your own money. The casino will then award you with a small cash sum or amount of free spins that can be used within the casino on most of their games. So if this type of bonus is a requirement for you look for a no deposit casino. 

Free Spins Bonus

The third option is to get welcome spins. Here, you are awarded a number of free spins.  Often they are attached to a match bonus so you get spins on first deposit. As mentioned above, they’re usually attached to a specific slot game and can’t be played indiscriminately at the casino. Deposit free spins are sometimes attached to a specific slot such as Book of Dead. Sometimes you can also be lucky to get spins on Starburst.

Reload Bonus

Reload bonuses can be seen at certain casinos. They mean that you will get a bonus on not only your 1st deposit but also on your 2nd deposit and something third. Usually, the 1st deposit bonus will have the highest value. It is a good way for the casino to give you a reason to make more than one deposit and to have you keep playing with them. 

Instant Casino Bonuses

These are also called instant cash bonuses and to redeem them you will have to make a deposit (note, this is different from the match deposit bonus). These bonuses are instant, as the name suggests, so you can use them in games straight away. Remember to look at the wagering T&C to make sure you can cash out the bonus. These types of bonuses are perfect for when your bankroll is small and give you a chance to build it up. 

Cashback bonuses

A cashback bonus gives you an amount on the money you deposited back again. The terms will vary but usually, the casino sets a percentage and then you will get that amount back at the end of the month.

Refer a Friend Bonus

Not many, but some only casinos will award you with an extra bonus if you refer a friend that ends up creating an account and depositing. If you refer a handful of people, you can potentially get quite a good amount to your bonus. 

What Are Casino Bonus Codes?

Casino bonus codes are used by some casinos. Especially if they have a temporary promotion going on. A casino bonus code is a code you to input a specific box during your 1st deposit. Failure to do so will mean that you do miss out on that bonus. This depends on the casino or the software provider you choose to play with.

If you are prompted for a bonus code, this will usually be a string of digits and capital letters. You can often find these bonuses on the casino promotions page, next to a bonus offer and it will be written on the homepage of the casino as well. We also make sure to inform you about any potential bonus codes there may be. 

Manual Casino Bonus Requests

In some cases, players will be required to tick an opt-in button during the signup process to be able to grab the bonus. Another, less common scenario is when online casino bonuses can only be redeemed by directly asking the casino support staff. You can usually get this done via email or a customer service chat.

You may want to consider asking for a welcome bonus if you’re a new player or for a higher bonus rate if you have been a loyal customer for a while. We recommend online casinos that make it easy for you to claim your bonus and get started playing. Making it a tedious process to get your bonus can seem a little strange.

How to Claim a Casino Bonus - Step by Step Guide

Claiming a casino bonus depends pretty much on the individual casino but on average, the process of redeeming or claiming your bonus is similar regardless of which type of bonus you earn. The steps involved are: 

1. Register a real money online casino account
2. Go to the cashier and make your 1st deposit (not all bonuses require a deposit)
3. If appropriate, type in the bonus code
4. Redeem your bonus - it should be available right away or within a few days.

Checking if You’ve Got a Welcome Bonus

For some casinos, simply signing up will add a welcome bonus to your account. You’ll be able to see this easily if it is a cash bonus, as the value in your account will be instantly updated. It is a little more difficult to be certain that a free spins bonus has been credited to your account, but heading over to the relevant games and opening one should soon demonstrate whether or not these spins are now available to you. Some casinos will automatically put the bonus in your account only when you have completed a series of requirements such as making a specific deposit amount, verifying the account or making a payment using a specific provider. 

Whatever the method is, make sure to follow it to the letter. The slightest deviation from the casino’s instructions will mean that you could lose out on claiming the bonus. This is especially important for welcome bonuses, as once you’ve created an account, the chance for that bonus is over.

Casino Bonus Offers for Individual Games

Game selection is important when it comes to claiming a bonus you earned! Make sure you pay attention to which casino game you are playing. Sometimes a bonus is only valid for a particular casino game and not for any others. To make sure that you can redeem the bonus you have earned, always look at the terms and conditions that apply.

Ensuring that the bonus is used properly is the responsibility of the player. Be extra careful because even if you acquire a bonus if you are playing the wrong game, the casino could be taking the stakes out of your own bankroll rather than from the bonus you’ve won. 

Fortunately, it’s not easy to make this kind of mistake when playing many games, especially when it comes to slots because the games will instantly start taking the value of the bet from your bankroll, so you should notice pretty quickly. What’s also helpful is this: when it comes to designated free spins, if you are on the correct slot game, most casinos will ask whether you wish to use the extra spins you’ve been awarded or whether you’d like to choose to use your bankroll and save the spins for later instead.

Try noticing these things every time and you’ll see that it makes it easier to always know where you stand: whether you are using the free spins accurately and not losing out on your bonus. In short, though, pay attention to where you are playing and what games are eligible for the bonus. You should not get caught out.

Bonuses for Live Casinos

Most online casinos offer a welcome package that fits best with players who enjoy slots the most. That doesn't mean that you should feel left out if you prefer the more classic casino table game. What you should do instead is keep an eye on bonuses that offer a cash bonus. I.e. match bonuses or other types of cash bonuses. Make sure that live casino games contribute to fulfilling bonus wager though. 

Another option is to go for bonuses that explicitly states that they are made for live casino. There are not many of these though, so it should be a plan B. If you choose a casino with a large live section, then it is also more likely that you are able to use your casino bonus on a live casino table game. 

Bonus and VIP Clubs

Another way of getting bonuses is to not limit yourself to only the welcome package. Many casinos offer additional promotions but in different forms. One of them is the casino VIP club that more and more casinos are offering. At some casinos, you are automatically a member as soon as you sign up. On other casinos, you have to actively take action to become a member. 

The bonus club consists of different levels. Each time you play an eligible game you will earn bonus points. For each time you level up, more and better bonuses await you. Examples of bonuses are extra free spins, a bonus of the day, faster withdrawing, exclusive access to tournaments etc.

If you play casino regularly we highly recommend becoming a member of the casino's bonus club. It doesn't cost you anything and it gives you plenty of opportunities for extra bonuses. 

What You Need to Know About Terms and Conditions

We know it sounds boring to be reading terms and conditions but hear us out. You don't have to thoroughly read everything multiple times. Instead skim them and make sure you are aware of the most important points. Such as the requirements to receive the casino bonus and withdrawing your prizes. It's also a good idea to figure out exactly what the bonus means and what it entails. 

Wagering Requirements

As mentioned above, wagering requirements are of importance to you. Many players forget about these, only to be suddenly reminded down the line when they can’t withdraw any of their winnings. These requirements aren’t in place just to thwart us as players but are safeguards for the casinos, protecting them against money laundering practices. 

To put it simply, a wagering requirement is the number of times a player must play-through a bonus value and/or its winnings before being able to make a withdrawal. In this manner, it prevents the more unscrupulous players from taking advantage of the system and simply signing up, taking the bonus, withdrawing and leaving.

It’s also important to look and see how long you have to meet these requirements – some casinos offer seven days, others give you months. Failure to adhere to these requirements will result in the bonus, and its winnings, being removed from your account -assuming that you haven’t lost it all through play already.

Minimum Deposit Requirements

Another thing to look out for is the min deposit requirements. It means that your 1st deposit has to be a certain amount in order for you to qualify for the bonus. It is important that you are aware of this amount because once your deposit has been made you cannot take it back and your first deposit has already been made. This means that you will not be able to get your welcome bonus.  

How to Deposit to Claim Your Bonus           

There are many different deposit methods that you can avail of and being able to deposit quickly and safely is essential when playing at an online casino. We cover the different payment methods in detail here but Credit / Debit / Prepaid Cards, E-Wallets, and Bank Transfers are all good options.