In the last few years, online casinos have seen a surge in popularity. Recent global events have given online casinos an extra boost too, as more and more people have been stuck indoors for longer periods of time during lockdowns and under tier restrictions.
More people are playing online casinos regularly than ever before, and there are hundreds of options to choose from. If you are thinking about trying your luck at some of the best online casinos in the UK, then read this quick guide. We are going to take a closer look at what makes online casinos so popular, what bonuses are on offer, and where to find the best bonuses for you to take advantage of.
Why Are Online Casinos Growing in Popularity?
Online casinos have always been popular, but in recent times they have seen an increasing number of new and younger users. This has led to a noticeable increase in the amount of money spent on online gambling, while the amount spent in bricks and mortar casinos in city centres has stagnated or decreased.
In early 2020, the social distancing and lockdowns that were enforced to combat the coronavirus hit the high street casinos hard, forcing their closure for a long period, and only allowing them to reopen under restrictions on opening times and occupancy. This has led many regular casino goers to take their business online and gamble from home, with many not expected to return to bricks and mortar casinos, even when restrictions have been lifted.
Younger players are also joining online casinos. For many years, online casinos were looking for ways to attract a younger audience and have developed a wave of hybrid casino games that mix traditional slot machine and card game elements with graphics, game styles, and narratives often found in video games. The global pandemic has boosted the growth in popularity of online casinos, but it was growing before the outbreak of coronavirus and will continue to grow in its wake.
Why Do Casinos Offer Bonuses and What Are They?
The online casino market is incredibly competitive. There are many large casino groups that operate a range of online casinos, each with their own theme and style of games. Most online casinos offer a variety of bonuses and loyalty schemes to keep customers playing and get them interested in new games.
Many will offer bonus credits. It is important to note that bonus credits and money are not quite the same things. If a casino gave you a fifty-pound bonus, for example, you could not withdraw that credit and put it in your bank account. The money that the casinos credit your account with bonus schemes can only be used within the casino, but any winnings you generate with this free credit can be withdrawn. Bonus credit is free bets that you can use instead of your own cash to try and win at the tables and slot machines of an online casino.
Many casinos will also offer free spins of their slot machines as a bonus. These are a very common bonus to receive in casino loyalty schemes, and you may even receive free spins just for logging into your account regularly. These can be a cheap way to try a new slot machine and have just as much chance of winning as a paid spin.
Look For Reviews and Ratings to Find Reputable Online Casinos
The internet is a great tool to use for reviews. No matter what you are looking for, you can always find a range of honest reviews that can help you make an informed decision. Whether you are looking for a hotel, holiday, or a reputable online casino to use, you can find reviews that will help you make your choice.
Using this site you can look up the best online casinos within the UK. OnlineCasinos.co.uk tests, rates, and reviews all the biggest and best online casinos to find out which offer players the best deal and range of games. Their experts will help you to find the best online casino UK for you.
When you are looking for an online casino to use, keep an eye out for introductory bonuses that will help you to build your pot quickly. These are often deposit matching schemes, which will credit your account with free bet money with the amount you deposit. The minimum deposit to qualify for these bonuses is usually around fifty pounds, but the extra credit makes it worth the investment. Some online casinos will match subsequent deposits too, up to a higher value so make sure you read the small print, so you can maximise your free credit bonus when making deposits.
Use Early Bonus Offer to Try a Few Different Casinos
The sign-up offers that many online casinos have are a great way to give a casino a trial before you decide to make it your regular casino. When you are looking for offers and bonuses, look for a casino that will give you free bet credit or spins to use from the moment you create an account. You can use this to play games and explore the casino before you start spending your own money. If you find out you don’t enjoy the experience on offer, you can withdraw your initial deposit and move on to somewhere else.
Once you have found an online casino you enjoy, take some time to study the bonuses and loyalty schemes available. Look for ways you can use them to your advantage and to suit your playing style. If you don’t play slot machines then free spins will not be of much use or interest to you, so work towards free bet credit that you can use on poker and blackjack tables instead.
Online casinos can be a lot of fun, and a great way to relieve stress and get some excitement when you are stuck indoors. Finding great bonuses is a great way to start, as it gives you a chance to play games and learn without staking your own money. Good luck!
