In an effort to attract new customers, online casinos and bookmakers devise loyalty programs. Players registering on the site for the first time are awarded bonuses, often in the form of free spins on slot machines or additional funds deposited into their accounts. Bonus hunting is the exploitation of online casino promotional offers. This term refers to the situation where a site visitor registers solely to obtain extra funds and has no intention of becoming a regular customer.
The Essence and Origin of the Concept
Bonus hunting emerged simultaneously with online casinos. The term combines "bonus" and "hunting." Translated, it refers to the pursuit of bonuses.
In addition to "bonus hunter," English-speaking players often use the phrase "bonus abuser" to describe someone who exploits bonuses.
The complete definition of the concept is the use of promotional offers in an attempt to earn money. Bonus hunters are interested in receiving welcome packages at casinos and bookmakers. They are unconcerned about the possibility of their accounts being blocked. Often, such players use illegal or prohibited methods to obtain promotions.
Advantages and Disadvantages
Bonus hunting can be beneficial if one carefully weighs the pros and cons and considers the nuances of the wagering process. A client who has developed a personal strategy can:
- Receive bonuses on most casino sites.
- Fulfill wagering requirements with minimal investment.
- Withdraw the money earned and move on to the next platform.
This scheme works successfully if the offered welcome package is easy to wager. Often, the opposite situation occurs: the casino sets a high wagering requirement on bonus funds (e.g., x45 or higher), making any attempt to withdraw the funds futile.
Drawbacks of Bonus Hunting:
- Lack of stability.
- Experience in gambling is necessary.
- Wagering requirements are often inflated.
- Possibility of receiving a permanent ban for bonus hunting.
Nevertheless, it's still worth trying, as the player risks very little. They may lose their deposit, but the chances of making money are still significant.
Is Bonus Hunting Profitable Today?
Bookmakers and online casinos do not approve of hunting. Bonus programs are designed to attract new users and motivate them to stay on the platform for as long as possible. However, hunters leave the casino or bookmaker after fulfilling the wagering requirements. Operators incur losses and devise new ways to combat hunting. Now, bonus hunting is not as profitable as it used to be. However, a certain strategy can still yield profits.
What You'll Need:
- Initial capital. The reward amount usually depends on the size of the deposit.
- Document scans. Verification (identity verification) is required on the site to enable withdrawals.
- Email. Gmail, Mail, Yandex are preferred. Registration in most casinos and bookmakers is impossible without a personal email address.
- E-wallet. To speed up transactions, it's necessary to open an account with Skrill, WebMoney, etc. It's recommended to verify the wallet immediately.
- Registration and activation. You'll need to create an account at the casino or bookmaker's site. Then, choose the reward, read the wagering conditions, and activate it.
As a rule, rewards offered as part of welcome packages have an expiration date. Sufficient time should be allocated for comfortable wagering. Hurrying will lead to reckless spending or loss of the deposit.
To fulfill the wagering requirements, a specific amount must be deposited, and several bets must be placed. After that, the player can move on to the next platform or stay if the service has been profitable and enjoyable.
Types of Bonuses
Online casinos and bookmakers offer several types of promos that can benefit any user.
For Registration
Welcome bonuses often include:
| Name | Description |
|---|---|
| Deposit | Credited after the first deposit. The amount can be 500 rubles or 50,000. It depends on the generosity of the casino and the size of the player’s deposit. |
| No deposit | The client receives money or free spins after completing the account creation procedure. The condition for accruing rewards can also be installation of the application, subscription to the casino’s social networks, etc. |
Welcome bonuses help newcomers explore the world of gambling without significant investment. They are often sought after by hunters. Typically, they have a reduced wagering requirement and a relatively long wagering period.
For Deposits
All users who deposit the minimum amount specified in the promotion's rules receive this type of bonus, such as +100% to the deposit, which is credited to the account's additional balance. Withdrawal is also only available after fulfilling the wagering requirements.
Free Spins and Free Bets
Free spins for slot machines are often given out without a deposit. Usually, free spins are part of the casino's welcome program aimed at rewarding newcomers. Their use allows making bets and spinning the reels without spending one's own money.
A free bet is a complimentary wager. The bookmaker determines the conditions for using this bonus in the promotion's rules. It can be any sports events offered on the site or only a limited number of them. A free bet often can only be used for low-odds bets.
Free spins and free bets have a limited duration. Often, customers fail to use them. Before claiming such a bonus, it's necessary to ensure that the platform provides enough time for wagering.
Loyalty Programs
Loyalty programs for regular players are actively used on casino platforms and at bookmakers. Their essence lies in supporting customers with cashback, deposit bonuses, and birthday gifts. A loyalty program and bonus hunting are incompatible, as hunters rarely play on a platform until they are designated as regular users.
How Brands Combat Bonus Hunting
Reward hunters often violate the rules of casinos and bookmakers in their pursuit of maximizing profits from promotions. Sites create various obstacles to this end. For example, they devise systems to prevent multi-accounting, enabling them to thwart repeated registrations aimed at obtaining bonuses.
Platforms are increasingly using video verification instead of the usual document-based verification. This is an online procedure: the user's face is compared with the photo presented in their passport or driver's license. This method greatly hinders bonus hunters.
Some desperate hunters resort to using fake passports. Such actions are prosecuted by law.
Additionally, sites constantly improve the bonus acquisition and wagering system. They often introduce:
- Limits on bets with free bets and free spins.
- Increased wagering requirements.
- Shortened usage periods.
- Restrictions on payouts.
Most legitimate platforms meticulously examine a user's history when processing withdrawal requests. If anything suspicious is found, the entire amount may be forfeited.
How to Become a Bonus Hunter
To embark on the rewards hunt, one needs to have initial capital. $100 will suffice. It's important to remember that the maximum bonus amounts depend on the deposit size.
Registration
Creating an account takes up to five minutes. In the registration form fields, one needs to enter an email address, password, and check boxes—consent to receive newsletters and formal confirmation that the customer is over 18 years old. Then verification is required.
Documents need to be scanned and sent via email. Sometimes platforms support image upload in the Personal Account. Verification takes from 1 hour to several days. During this time, one can take advantage of the site's promotional offers and attempt to win.
Obtaining Bonuses
Each casino or bookmaker lays out rules for using promos. After studying them, one must fulfill the conditions for bonus accrual. This usually involves topping up the account. It's essential to ensure that the amount matches the minimum required.
On some platforms where there's a deposit bonus promotion, the promo expiration timer starts immediately after the deposit. Other sites require manual activation of bonuses in the Personal Account. This information is vital for planning the wagering process. If the offer has expired, the bonuses cannot be withdrawn.
Wagering and Withdrawal
Casinos and bookmakers do not restrict customers in using tactics, strategies, and other methods for wagering the received money for subsequent withdrawal. The essence is simple: make several bets for a specific amount. It depends on the wagering requirement. This is a coefficient specified in the terms of the promotion.
For example, if a user is entitled to bonus accruals of $100 with a x25 wagering requirement, they will need to wager $2,500. This is the amount that needs to be played through in slots to fulfill the requirement.
Bonus hunters often register on two bookmaker sites simultaneously to use free bets for bets on opposite outcomes. While this is not prohibited by the rules, free bets are rarely provided on different platforms for the same event.
Multi-Accounting
Creating duplicate accounts is prohibited, but bonus hunters often violate this rule. Multi-accounting allows one to receive free spins or additional funds after registering a profile. Often, other people's or fake documents are used for this purpose.
All this does not guarantee successful wagering and withdrawal of funds. And the risk of receiving a lifetime ban or even criminal charges for breaking the law is very real.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can bonus limits be tightened for a bonus hunter?
Yes, they can. Casino administration has the right to limit the limits for any user. Also, if there are suspicions of multi-accounting, payments may be suspended.
If documents are forged, will the deception go undetected?
Unlikely. Site security services detect duplicates based on network data, PC and phone information, and other personal characteristics of the customer.
Can someone link someone else's card to their account?
No, it's not possible. During the identity verification process, the name on the bank card and the customer's details are cross-checked. Verification will be rejected if they don't match.
Is it possible to restore an account after a ban?
The decision varies for each individual case. A customer will be given a second chance if they haven't been blacklisted by other platforms and have violated the rules for the first time.
Are there any restrictions on withdrawal after winning with a free bet?
Yes, there are. The threshold varies among different companies, but it's not possible to withdraw more than the deposited amount.
