Whether it’s bonus money, free casino spins or a hefty deposit match, welcome offers have become a standard in the world of the online casino.

Similar to loyalty clubs and VIP programs, a lot of players take bonuses for granted and don’t realise what a powerful opportunity it really gives them. In fact, a lot of players have no strategy at all when it comes to joining online casinos. That is perfectly fine, of course – sometimes all you really want to do is play the games and not bother so much about the money side of things. But if you’re in it to win it, as they say, then a strategy becomes vital to success.

I hate to be trite, but you know what they say – to fail to plan is to plan to fail.

Whether you’re a Google ‘I’m Feeling Lucky’ sort of person or the kind who reads reviews, it’s still a good idea to check out the site for the casino bonus on offer. Why? Casinos update bonuses faster than a review site can possibly keep up, and the terms and conditions associated with bonus vary from site to site.

If you’re playing for serious money, the aim of the game is to stay alive long enough to win big, and the bonus gives you an opportunity to do it without risking your own cash. Free spins are fun, and free casino credits are useful, but where you’re going to get the biggest bang for your buck is in the deposit match. Casinos are pretty good about offering at least a pound-for-pound match; some of them offer bigger bonuses and restrict the amounts. It’s all about balancing the percentage with the pound limit, because the more free money you get, the longer you can play.

If you’re fond of the free spins or you find that they work particularly well for you, don’t despair – plenty of sites offer a combination of all three.

A sole word of warning: check the wagering requirements before you accept a bonus. When you win you’re most likely going to lose a percentage to play through terms, but if they’re acceptable (fifty and under) you’re still going to come out ahead.

If you’re not sure where to start, head to our casino review page for the top picks!