Online casinos allow playing from just about anywhere. This is a great way to kill some time in between things. It helps to know you can also potentially score a huge jackpot while doing so. But sometimes gambling fantasies are shattered on the rock of reality.
Surely enough, a savvy gambler tends to stick to a generally more realistic expectation. And yet sometimes those do get the better of you. Below let’s have a look at some of the expectations that may need to be tempered.
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Endless bonuses for free
Today’s casinos are all about bonuses. They call out to you from banners and pop-ups promising hundreds right now. All you need to do is make another deposit or take part in a promotion by playing specific pokies.
Sometimes you need to make a deposit using a specific method suggested by the gambling venue. Regardless of what you need to do, the initial impression is that the reward has no strings attached. At least you are not told about any straightaway.
Wagering is required in most cases
The thing you need to always keep in mind is that bonuses are rarely completely free of obligations on your part. If it’s cash, you need to wager the amount claimed a certain number of times. In the case of free spins, the wagering requirement usually applies to the winnings achieved with their help.
The wagering requirement for bonuses can go as high as x50. This means having claimed a bonus of A$100, you will need to wager A$5,000 to clear any resulting winnings.
It always makes sense to look for casinos where the wagering requirement is not that harsh. For instance, at Televega casino, which enjoys a lot of attention from Aussie gamblers, you get a welcome bonus that matches your deposit. The wagering requirement is just x40.
Other aspects that matter
There are other things you need to know before claiming that bonus. They are all listed in bonus terms, which you must read.
For instance, a common provision is that you cannot bet more than a certain amount while wagering your bonus. If you don’t fulfill the terms within the specified period (usually between a week and a month), the bonus and any resulting winnings will be lost.
So if you were hoping to claim a quick bonus, win big and withdraw your winnings on the same day… Well, that’s a bit far from the way things are in real game.
Putting in a cent and winning millions
Pokies are associated with quick and easy wins. One of the most common cases of expectations versus reality in online casinos has to do with investing little and winning big. Often players mistakenly believe that betting the minimum amount on a single reel will get them that jackpot eventually.
The truth is, betting the minimum is rarely going to get you anywhere. In fact, pokies are built to give you more winning potential only if you go beyond that minimum. Often you need to bet on at least three reels to win anything of significance.
Also, forget about 1 cent bets if you are after the big prize. That way of betting will never let you unlock all those money-winning features and rounds.
Playing on the go from anywhere
When online casinos advertise mobile gambling, they rarely mention one aspect. To enjoy a few rounds of your favorite game, you need to have an excellent internet connection. Those pokies are quite demanding due to advanced graphics and all the technology that goes in.
It sounds great being able to spin the reels while standing in line for coffee, boarding the plane, or while commuting to work. But keep in mind that if the signal is not good enough, you may not be able to enjoy smooth uninterrupted playing, through no fault of the casino or provider. With flash-based mobile versions taking over, you won’t find too many casinos that offer downloadable software.
Playing on the go sounds great, but do make sure your connection is good.
Still want in?
Of course, everything mentioned above is in no way a deal-breaker. Due to many casinos’ marketing efforts, you simply may end up hoping for things that simply aren’t there. Or not as good as they appeared at first sight.
It’s nice to be able to look at those promises through the lens of reality and measure your expectations. There are plenty of great online casinos where you can easily get a nice bonus and keep participating in generous promotions, not to mention the choice of games you are exposed to.
In conclusion
Knowledge is power. Hopefully, some of the things above will prove useful in making you a smarter gambler with more reasonable expectations.
Gambling is meant to be fun, but you still need to know your facts.
