From Bonus Hunter to Loyal Player: Which Strategy Wins in the Long Run?
What is a Bonus Hunter in Online Gambling?
A real bonus hunter needs no introduction – they are the kind of players roaming from one site to another in search of better bonuses and promotions. They are sometimes referred to as bonus abusers or grinders. But what do bonus hunters actually do?
These individuals create accounts with a single goal: to exploit available bonuses, make quick profits, and migrate to the next target. They don’t care about a casino’s long-term promises.
Types of Bonuses Bonus Hunters Target
Bonus hunters don’t go around claiming any offers they come across. They are strategic gamers who filter bonuses and promotions to find the most valuable offer to boost profit with minimum risk. Here are the main types of bonuses they go after:
No Deposit Bonuses
No deposit casino bonuses are highly targeted by hunters because they only require you to register and claim. While these offers are risk-free and profitable, you should expect high wagering requirements and multiple restricted games.
Welcome Packages & Reloads
Welcome offers are limited to new players. However, instead of using welcome offers to explore casino features and games, hunters use them for instant profits. This isn’t it. They also exploit reload bonuses related to slots, poker, blackjack, roulette, and baccarat, to keep the grind going.
Risks of Bonus Abuse and Account Bans
Abusing bonuses may sound fun and rewarding until you face the consequences. Here are the risks associated with bonus abuse in Canada:
- Permanent Account Bans: Casinos take bonus abuse seriously. They always close and blacklist all flagged accounts without notice.
- Freezing Winnings: Many operators will confiscate your winnings once they confirm that you’re abusing their bonuses, and you can’t report or do anything about it.
- Payment and Identity Verification Issues: Abusing bonuses can lead to issues with deposit and withdrawal. Some operators may require you to verify your identity when withdrawing winnings; failure to do so will result in payment blockage.
Free Spins on Popular Slots
Free spins are the commonly abused offers among Canadian bonus hunters. They are awarded as independent bonuses or part of the welcome package. Many players use them to gain an edge over the house, rather than exploring the game’s features. They target wager-free bonus spins on high volatility slots with the potential for big payouts.
What Defines a Loyal Casino Player?
When it comes to casino loyalty, it is not just about the number of times you play, but your consistent engagement and loyalty to a casino. This is what defines a loyal customer to an online casino. Based on our years of experience, these are the key traits of a loyal casino player:
- Frequent visits and a real money casino account
- Shows a strong affinity to one casino brand
- Regularly participate in VIP programs
- Has an emotional connection and enjoyment
- Accepts casino promotional offers via email, SMS, and app notifications
Pros and Cons of Bonus Hunting vs Loyalty
Here is a breakdown of the advantages and disadvantages of the casino bonus hunting vs. loyalty programs:
Pros and Cons of Bonus Hunting
Pros
- Playing bonus-packed slots can result in significant payouts, but these are temporary. Make sure the bonuses are big enough to boost your bankroll.
- You don’t need to be loyal to enjoy the full benefits of a casino – your freedom hunts the best deals.
- Bonus hunters enjoy minimal commitments and risk, so there is no need to stay loyal to a site with exaggerated future rewards.
Cons
- Bonus hunting is time-consuming, requiring you to track the latest offers, read the full bonus terms and conditions, and plan to complete wagering requirements.
- You risk getting your account limited if you cheat or violate the casino bonus rules and general T&Cs.
Pros and Cons for Loyalty Programs
Pros
- Staying loyal to an online casino rewards personalized customer support, tailored bonus rewards, and several other exclusive perks.
- Plenty of loyalty rewards are available, including redeemable comp points, cashback offers, and speedy cashouts.
- Loyalty programs provide easy planning for serious and long-term players. They have tied systems and comp points to retain players.
- Suits high rollers seeking bigger bet limits, special bets, and gifts.
Cons
- Relatively lower initial deposit to join and unlock rewards.
- The house still wins in the long run.
Which Strategy Offers Better Returns?
When comparing bonus hunting and loyalty rewards, we concluded that the answer depends on an individual’s preferences – either short-term or long-term profits.
| Bonus Factor | Casino Bonus Hunting | Loyalty Rewards |
| Instant gains | Has high potential for short-term returns to players. | Requires long-term commitment to profit. |
| Expected Value | Returns have a positive expected value casino bonus with optimal play. | Often have a negative expected value, meaning the house edge dominates. |
| Risk Management | Low risk when using no deposit and bonus-based strategies. | The risk is bigger because of consistent betting. |
| Limited Usage | Many bonuses are limited to one-time which means you can claim them only once. | Loyalty rewards grow with time, allowing you to reap bigger rewards. |
| Lifetime Profits | Bigger returns at the beginning, but short-term. | Less long-term returns unless you are a high roller. |
Tips to Maximize Your Bonus Strategy
Every casino player is seeking tips to maximize bonus strategy, but what does it take? Let’s take a look.
Multi-Tab Wagering – Bonus Hunting Tactic
With this bonus technique, you can play on multiple platforms or devices to speed up your betting process and requirements. You can capitalize on multiple offers simultaneously while reducing downtimes between plays. We recommend using a second monitor when using this tactic.
Bonus Calendar Planning – Bonus Hunting Tactic
This online casino bonus hunting strategy involves tracking all upcoming bonuses and promotional offers. It’s a great way to never miss out on high Expected Value (EV) promotions.
Stay Loyal – Tactic for Loyal Players
Staying loyal to one casino has many benefits, including access to exclusive perks, higher-tier rewards, and personal account managers. Ensure that the casino offers valuable and transparent rewards to its loyal members.
Determine the Game’s Expected Value (EV) – Tactic for Loyal Players
Knowing a game’s Expected Value (EV) is the first step to a successful loyalty program. This is a crucial aspect when selecting games that minimize losses when betting on slots.
Bonus Hunting in Canada – Legal & Practical Aspects
Hunting down, claiming, and maximizing casino bonuses is fun, but it requires you to understand the legal and practical side of it before committing to them.
While online casino gaming is legal in Canada, it is regulated at the provincial level. For instance, all operators in Ontario are regulated by the iGaming Ontario (iGO), which has strict rules for transparent gaming.
What practical aspects do you need to stay compliant when hunting down bonuses in Canada? Let’s simplify this for you:
- Read and understand all the bonus terms and conditions.
- Avoid the grave mistake of creating multiple accounts.
- Always keep a record of your betting history to avoid future mistakes.
- Stick to using verified online casino accounts and avoid fake ones.
- Avoid the habit of abusing casino bonuses and promotions.
