Casino bonus code entry mistakes to avoid when playing online

• Many bonuses require a bonus code, so you don’t want to miss out on the chance at free money.
• On the other hand, failing to enter a bonus code for a deposit will save you from having bonus funds you didn’t want.
• Be sure to enter the casino bonus code in the right place on the deposit page.

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You have just signed up at an online casino and you are ready to make your first deposit. You go to the cashier page and see a beautiful bonus offer that you would like to claim.

The only problem is, there is a bonus code listed, and it is not clear whether you should enter it when you register or when you make a deposit. Should you call customer service? Of course not.

Read on as I break down all the important things you need to know about entering casino bonus codes so you can avoid any potential issues.

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What Is a Casino Promo Code?

Online casinos use many different tools to encourage new players to sign up for their sites. One of those tools is the welcome bonus. This bonus typically matches a certain percentage of your first deposit.

So, if you deposited $100, the casino would match that with another $100, so you would start out with $200 to play with.

In most cases, you don’t have to do anything extra to claim this welcome bonus besides make the deposit. However, some casinos require you to enter a promo code or bonus code to activate the bonus. That is where you enter a specific code either when making your registration or when making the deposit.

The code might look something like THISISACODE123. You would enter this code in the appropriate space on the registration or deposit page. Doing so will activate your welcome bonus.

Promotional codes are not limited to welcome bonuses. They may also be required for other types of promotions, such as reload bonuses, game-specific bonuses, or free spins offers.

Additionally, geolocation sometimes requires a casino bonus code to authorize you to play.

Now that we’ve gone over what a casino promo code is, let’s talk about how important it is to enter the code.

Potential Consequences of Failing to Enter a Casino Promo Code

If you are asked to enter a bonus code and you fail to do so, the result will depend on the policy of the individual casino.

In some cases, no bonus will be applied to your deposit. In other words, you will make a deposit, but you will not receive the matching bonus that the casino normally offers new players.

This can obviously be a little disappointing. However, it is better than accepting a bonus you do not want or need.

Therefore, if you are aware of the bonus and you decide for whatever reason that you do not want to accept it, failing to enter the bonus code is actually a smart move.

On the other hand, many casinos promote “no-code” bonuses. In these cases, you will not see a casino bonus code displayed anywhere. The assumption here is that you want the bonus, so you do not need to take any special action to claim it.

If you are unsure whether to enter a bonus code or not, check the home page or the promotion page. If a current bonus offer does not require a code, they will likely advertise that fact proudly.

Failing to enter a required bonus code will generally result in your deposit being processed as a normal transaction without the benefit of the usual match bonus.

However, there is one exception to be aware of. Sometimes a bonus code will be required merely to qualify for the welcome bonus in the first place.

In this case, if you forget the bonus code, the casino will not consider your initial deposit to be a qualifying deposit for the welcome bonus. This means that even though you made a deposit, you will not be eligible to receive the matched welcome bonus.

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Therefore, if the welcome bonus is important to you (and let’s face it – who turns down free casino chips?), you had better make absolutely sure you know if a bonus code is required and that you enter it correctly.

This brings us to our next point.

Common Mistakes When Entering an Online Casino Promotion Code

Suppose you are aware of the bonus code and you want to take advantage of it. It would be unfortunate to make some kind of mistake when entering the code that prevents it from working properly.

What are some mistakes you should watch out for when entering a casino promo code? Here are a few examples:

• Typing error – This is the biggest mistake you can make. Maybe you get distracted by a phone call or your roommate knocking on the door. Before you know it, you’ve clicked the join button. The chances increase that you made a typo when entering the casino bonus code.
• Expired code – Some bonus codes have an expiration date. Perhaps you copied the code from a review site six months ago when you first became interested in the casino. But now you are finally ready to sign up and make your deposit, only to find that the code has expired.
• Code already used – Some casino bonus codes can only be used once. This might happen if you saw a positive review from someone in a forum and they provided the code they uses to get their bonus.
• Incorrect code – Maybe you found a coupon site that you thought was legitimate but turned out to be fake. Now you are trying to use a code that doesn’t really work.
• Case sensitivity – You carefully typed in all the characters in the proper sequence; unfortunately, you failed to notice that the code contained capital letters, and yours are all lowercase.
• Deposit page entry instead of registration – Most of the time you will be asked to enter the casino promo code when you make your first deposit. However, some casinos also require you to enter it when you register. Failure to know the correct place to enter the code could cause problems.

As you can see, there are several ways you could mess up the entry of a bonus code. Furthermore, the consequences of doing so will vary depending on the circumstances.

You could enter the wrong code and nothing untoward would happen. On the other hand, entering the wrong code for a welcome bonus could mean that you forfeit your eligibility to receive that bonus.

It is easy to understand why this can be such a frustrating experience. Therefore, when possible, it is always preferable to rely on automatic enrollment rather than requiring a bonus code.

Why Bonus Codes Exist

Before we move on, I wanted to touch on why bonus codes exist in the first place.

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They allow affiliate websites to offer exclusive bonuses. So, you might come across a listing for the best online casinos, and each option comes with its own unique promo code. If you end up signing up at one of those casinos through that affiliate website, you can enter the code during the registration process to qualify for the bonus.

Bonus codes also allow casinos to offer targeted promotions. For example, they might run a social media campaign offering a bonus with a specific code. Anyone who sees the ad on Facebook or Twitter and signs up would then enter that code during the registration process.

Those are the good types of bonus codes, but like I said earlier, there are times when fake coupon sites will provide bogus codes just to get people to sign up. That’s why it’s usually best to avoid using codes altogether if it makes the bonus award any less exciting.

Some sites will also provide codes that have already expired. Casinos often change their promotions frequently, so it can be hard keeping track of what’s current.

Where Do I Enter the Casino Promotion Code?

Okay, you have your bonus code all set to go. The next question becomes, where do you enter it?

Many casinos will require you to enter the code when you register, while others will expect you to enter it when you make your first deposit.

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Sometimes it can be confusing as to which spot is the correct one in which to enter the casino bonus code. If you do not enter it in the right place, the code will not be effective.

Fortunately, this is one of those rare instances in which it does not matter which thing you click first. Both the registration process and the deposit process will give you the opportunity to enter a bonus code.

The end result is the same whether you obtain the opportunity to enter the code before your account has been fully established or after your account has been fully established and you are ready to fund it.

Registering for an Account

To register for an account, simply click on the “Sign Up” or “Join” button on the home page.

You will be taken to a page like the one below.

Fill out the required information fields on this page. The amount of information requested may vary somewhat from one casino to another, but most will ask for your name, address, email address, and possibly your Social Security number.

At some point in this process—probably toward the bottom of the page—you will see a field labeled something like this:

Enter your bonus code in this box.

Once you have entered the code, you can go ahead and click on the button at the bottom of the page to complete the registration procedure.

Making Your Deposit

Alternatively, you can skip past the account registration step when you first click the Join Button. Instead of completing the account establishment procedure on the initial page, simply click on the icon for the cashier or banking.

This will bring you to the deposit page without first establishing your account. As long as you have already clicked the Join Button, your account will already exist. You can then proceed to fund it.

When you arrive on the deposit page, you will again be required to supply some or all of the same information you provided on the registration page. Fill in the blanks with the appropriate data.

Again, somewhere on this page you will see a space provided for a bonus code. Enter your code in this area and complete the deposit form.

It doesn’t matter which method you choose—both procedures will ultimately achieve the same goal. You will end up with an opportunity to enter the bonus code.

Whichever method you select, just be sure to enter the code somewhere on the registration/deposit page. If you fail to enter the code, you will forfeit your right to the bonus.

Dealing With Geolocation Issues

Geolocation is a technology employed by some states to verify that anyone attempting to access an online casino or online sportsbook is physically located within the state.

If the technology determines that you are not within the state, you will be blocked from entering the site.

However, some jurisdictions permit the use of a VPN (Virtual Private Network) to bypass geolocation restrictions and gain unauthorized access to the site.

This raises an interesting issue concerning bonus codes. Suppose you live in New York and you want to sign up at an online casino. However, you cannot access the site unless you use a VPN to mask your true location.

You establish an account at the casino from your home in New York City while concealing your actual location. Assuming this is permitted, would you be eligible to receive the welcome bonus?

Most casinos require new customers to enter a bonus code to receive the welcome bonus. The question here is this: Where do you enter the code?

One would think that if you are following the proper protocol for establishing the account (i.e., concealing your true location with the aid of a VPN), you would be required to enter the bonus code when you register for the account. But that is not necessarily the case.

It all depends on the policies and procedures of the individual casino. Read the terms and conditions of each casino before you attempt to sign up. Review their position regarding the use of VPNs and how that affects eligibility for the welcome bonus. Determine where the casino expects you to enter the bonus code.

The moral of this story is to educate yourself about the rules before you try to pull off a stunt like this.

By the way, using a VPN to conceal your true location and access an online casino from outside the state is illegal. Not only will it prevent the casino from verifying that you are legally entitled to access their site, but it also makes you vulnerable to identity theft. Stick to accessing casinos and sportsbooks from within the state. There are too many risks involved when you use a VPN to access an online gaming site from outside the state.

It’s a lot easier to just stick with legal state options, like the sites below if you haven’t yet given online gambling a try.

Avoid These Common Bonus Mistakes at Online Casinos

While entering a bonus code may seem straightforward, there are other more common bonus mistakes that you should be aware of. Check them out below.

Not Reading the Fine Print

Don’t just glance at the promotional material describing the bonus. Read all the terms and conditions associated with the bonus.

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Different bonuses have different requirements. You will want to know what you are getting into before you accept the offer.

For example, here is a partial list of some typical bonus conditions you are likely to encounter:

• Minimum deposit requirement – Some bonuses are offered on a percentage basis. For example, you may be offered a 100% match on your deposit, but only if your deposit exceeds a minimum threshold.
• Playthrough requirement – Once you accept the bonus, you will usually be required to wager a certain multiple of the amount of the bonus before you will be allowed to withdraw any associated winnings.
• Game weighting – Different games may contribute differently to fulfilling the playthrough requirement. Slots, for example, may carry 100% weight, whereas table games may carry only 20% weight.
• Expiration date – Bonuses do not last forever. Even if you accept a bonus, you will typically have only 30 days (for example) to complete the playthrough requirement. Otherwise, any winnings derived from the bonus funds will be forfeited.
• Restricted games – Certain games may be excluded entirely from counting toward fulfillment of the playthrough requirement.

These are just a few examples of the sort of details you should be looking for. Every bonus is different, so due diligence is required before you rush into accepting it.

If you are unfamiliar with bonus terminology, please read .

Misunderstanding Eligibility Rules

Each bonus offer will contain certain eligibility rules governing who is qualified to participate.

For instance:

• New players only – Some bonuses are available only to brand-new players who have never had an account with the casino before.
• Located in eligible state(s) – Other bonuses are available only to existing players. Nevertheless, they may be further restricted based on the player’s location. Only players located in one or more specified states may participate.
• Opt-in required – Yet other bonuses may be available to both new and existing players without regard to location. However, you must take affirmative action to opt-in to the bonus offer. You won’t automatically be included, even though you may be eligible.

Be sure to familiarize yourself with the eligibility rules before you accept a bonus. If you violate any of the eligibility guidelines, you risk forfeiting your entire account.

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That’s right. Losing your entire account balance, including any deposits you may have made and any winnings you may have achieved (other than the bonus itself). Ouch!

Worse yet, if the violation is deemed to be fraudulent activity, your account may be closed permanently and your IP address banned from further access to the site. Double ouch!

Don’t say I didn’t warn you.

Take the time to read the guidelines and keep a printed copy handy so you can refer back to it as needed.

It is generally wiser to limit yourself to bonuses offered to all players (whether new or existing) without requiring an opt-in. That way, you don’t have to second-guess your eligibility every time you make a deposit.

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Choosing the Wrong Bonus

Sure, that big fat juicy welcome bonus looks enticing, but is it the best deal for you? Maybe not.

Casinos offer a wide variety of bonus opportunities to their players. Some of them are tied to specific games. Others may only be available at certain times of the day or nights. Still, others may only be available on deposits within certain spending ranges.

Take some time to browse the casino’s entire menu of bonuses. Compare the terms and conditions and choose the offer that is the best fit for your style of play.

Ignoring the Small Print About Restricted Games

Most bonuses will have a list of restricted games. These are games that do not count toward fulfilling the playthrough requirement.

Or, if they do count toward satisfying the playthrough requirement, it will be at a reduced rate. For example, while slots may count 100%, jackpot slots may count only 5%.

And what about that game you love to play? You know, the one with the 98% payback? It just might be on the list. Yep, that game, too. Zero. Nada. Zilch.

Now, I am not suggesting you should ignore the restricted games list and assume any old game will do. Read the list carefully to determine which games will offer you the greatest chance of success.

I strongly recommend that you take the time to understand what you are getting into before you accept a bonus and attempt to clear the playthrough requirement.

More Tips for Remembering Your Casino Promotion Code

Do you ever forget where you parked your car in a parking garage? Does someone tell you to meet them someplace and five minutes later, you can’t remember the name of the street?

You are not alone. Memory lapses happen to the best of us.

Luckily, there are various techniques you can use to help overcome these shortcomings. To help you remember that bonus code, consider some of these memory enhancers.

Create a Bookmark

Whenever you run across a bonus opportunity online, immediately create a bookmark for it. Save the webpage containing the code someplace where you can easily retrieve it later.

This works especially well if it is a site you trust and use regularly. Then you will see the bookmark daily and the code will remain fresh in your mind.

Write It Down

When you see it, say it out loud. When you say it out loud, associate it with some other word or phrase.

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Every time you say the associated word or phrase thereafter, repeat the bonus code silently to yourself. Better yet, write the code and the association word or phrase on a 3×5 card and carry it in your wallet.

Psychiatrists call this mnemonic device. A mnemonic is a memory aid that helps you remember something else. A simple acronym like ROYGBIV (the colors of the rainbow) is an example of a common mnemonic.

Make up your own mnemonic that associates the bonus code with something else you are likely to think about when signing up for that casino.

An alternative approach is to write the bonus code and attach it to your computer monitor with a bright colored sticky note.

Use a Password Manager

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If you have trouble remembering passwords for your various accounts, you may already be using a password manager. These convenient utilities can also store bonus codes for you.

Simply copy the code from the website and paste it into your password vault. Now you will have instant access to the code whenever you need it.

Not only will a password manager remember your bonus codes for you, but many of them will also auto-populate the login forms when you return to a previously accessed site. Very convenient.

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Use a Macro Keyboard

A macro keyboard enables you to program certain key strokes. When you press a single key on your keyboard, the attached macro is activated.

For example, you can program one key to type your name, another to type your address, and still another to type your favorite bonus code. Instant entry without the necessity of manually keying the code.

I have to admit that some of these tips seem a bit excessive for dealing with a mere bonus code. After all, how hard is it to type eight characters?

Maybe I’m just picking on myself because I forgot where I parked my car this morning.

Still, if you have a poor memory for random strings of characters, these tips may prove helpful for you also.

Personally, I tend to remember the longer phrases, like , or . Those are much easier to deal with than a bunch of random characters.

Then again, maybe I would remember more bonus codes if I drove a Prius.

Avoid Bonus Codes at All Costs

Like I said earlier, it seems bonus codes exist for one of two reasons.

To begin, affiliates are given codes to offer exclusive bonuses to their readers. As for the casinos, I’m not quite sure why they offer codes. It seems like more of a hassle to deal with them.

Either way, my advice is to simply avoid bonus codes altogether.

Unless explicitly stated otherwise, you should not need to enter a bonus code to collect your welcome bonus. If you’re required to enter a bonus code, chances are the bonus isn’t worth it to begin with.

Take a look at the following screenshots from some of the top online casinos.

As you can see, there aren’t any bonus codes required to take advantage of their welcome bonuses. Just click the link to a specific casino if you’re interested in signing up and would like to do so without worrying about a bonus code.

If you do insist on using a bonus code, make sure you know how to clear your cache. Forgetting your login info or bonus code is an easy mistake to make if you have a lot of TABS open in one browser.

It’s better to avoid the confusion altogether by sticking with casinos that don’t require codes. For more on why I recommend these casinos over ones that do require codes, .

Making a Casino Deposit Without a Bonus Code

Let’s say you have decided not to use a bonus code. How do you make a deposit without that code getting in the way?

Assuming you have already registered your account (i.e., completed the “Sign Up–Join” process), you are now ready to fund your account.

Click on the icon for the cashier or banking.

This will bring you to the deposit page for the casino.

Fill in all the required fields with the appropriate information. This will include your payment method, bank account, credit card, or debit card information, along with the dollar amount you wish to deposit.

Somewhere on this page, you will see a reference to a bonus code. It might say something like this:

If there is no space provided for entering a code, and you do not see language to the effect that you have opted in to a particular bonus offer, chances are very good that a deposit at this time will mean you are declining any bonus.

Otherwise, if you have forgotten to enter a bonus code and believe it is necessary to receive the bonus, you should stop and think very carefully before clicking on the button at the bottom of the page to complete the transaction.

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Losing your entire deposit and any related winnings because you failed to enter the correct bonus code at the right time is a painful experience. Trust me on this.

Can I request a casino bonus retroactively?

No. You must request the bonus before you make the deposit. Some casinos will automatically enroll you in certain programs, such as tiered reward points based on the size of your deposit.

But a true bonus that grants you additional funds or free slot plays must be requested in advance.

How do I turn on auto respin on a slot machine?

Some slot games have an auto spin feature, which allows you to sit back and relax while the reels spin automatically for a predetermined length of time.

Unfortunately, there are no slots that offer an auto respin feature. Each respin requires you to push the button to respin just that one symbol or just that one reel.

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Are there any tips for choosing the right casino bonus?

Yes. Before you accept any bonus, read the fine print carefully to ensure you understand all the terms and conditions, particularly the playthrough requirement and the list of restricted games.

Additionally, consider your own playing preferences and choose a bonus that is suited to the types of games you enjoy playing.

Is it safe to share my bank account information with an online casino?

Absolutely. Reputable online casinos employ the latest encryption technology to protect your private information and guarantee its confidentiality.

Your bank account and credit card information are stored in encrypted format on secure servers accessible only to select casino officials.

The same technologies are relied upon by major financial institutions throughout the world and proven to be completely reliable.

If you are uncertain about the safety of providing your personal information to an internet casino, you should look for casinos that accept payments through trusted intermediaries like PayPal, Neteller, and Skrill.

Making your deposit or withdrawal through one of these third-party payment processors will further insulate your private banking information from disclosure to the casino.

Remember, reputable casinos have too much at stake to jeopardize the privacy of your sensitive data. Any employee found guilty of divulging proprietary information to unauthorized persons would be summarily dismissed and probably prosecuted under various state and federal statutes.

Follow these tips to stay safe while betting online.

Footnotes:

• Gross win percentages were obtained from the .
• Rating and ranking of casino websites is courtesy of .

J.W. Paine is one of the most experienced writers at GamblingSites.com. He's written for television and the printing press, and is an expert on legal betting topics.

Paine loves writing about casinos and studying new games thanks to his tight-knit group of friends