Best Online Casino Bonuses in Pennsylvania 2023

What Are Casino Bonuses?

Casino bonuses are promotions players can claim on signup, as well as later on. Not only do they give you a financial cushion, but you can also try out new games. Keep in mind, though — even the best casino bonuses in Pennsylvania are not an excuse to play recklessly. Stay responsible and prioritize having fun.

Nevertheless, sites aren’t afraid to experiment and come up with exciting new formats. You’ll find them in many different shapes and sizes. However, they all share one common trait — providing tangible value to players, regardless of their experience level.

Can Only New Players Claim Bonuses in Pennsylvania?

Not at all — anyone can claim a bonus at PA online casinos. Casinos aren’t just in the business of getting new people to sign up. They also want to keep their existing player, especially high rollers. That’s why you won’t be left high and dry once you spend your welcome offer.

Why Do PA Online Casinos Offer Bonuses? 

There are several reasons why deposit bonuses in Pennsylvania exist in the first place:

1. Attracting new players: bonuses reward players for choosing the site.
2. Player retention: the core player base is the key to every successful casino.
3. Adventuring: you get a chance to try games you’d never thought of playing before.

No Deposit Bonus vs. Deposit Bonus: What’s Better?

Choosing between no deposit bonuses and deposit bonuses is something every player faces. However, there’s no definitive answer — it all depends on your personal preferences and goals. Let’s compare them and find what they’re used for.

No deposit bonuses are best suited for testing a site. Let’s say you want to try out a new casino, but don’t want to commit financially. These promos are the way to go. You can spend the money and use the opportunity to take a look around. If you like it, then make a deposit. If not, who cares?

On the other hand, a deposit bonus is best described as a boost at the start of your first real playing session. You can use it throughout the casino, but it’s also subject to wagering requirements and other restrictions.

The Gambla team prefers deposit bonuses, as they are often much more lucrative, don’t have strict limits, and can come with free spins. But we won’t refuse a good no deposit offer either!

Things to Know Before Claiming a Bonus 

Don’t get us wrong — casino bonuses in Pennsylvania are a great thing for having fun and getting a little financial boost. However, it’s not free money. Casinos have ways to make these giveaways worthwhile. Before you claim any promo or make a deposit, familiarize yourself with these tidbits and details about casino offers in general:

T&C

Every bonus has specific terms, you have to accept. Read the document carefully and don’t hesitate to step away if something seems unfair. Remember, by clicking accept, you relinquish your rights to legally prosecute the operator.

Minimum Deposit

Deposits under a certain threshold won’t trigger the bonus amount. Be careful to find out the exact amount so that you don’t lose the ability to claim a first-deposit bonus.

Expiration Date

Bonuses, unfortunately, don’t last forever. Take note of the date provided in the T&C and don’t leave everything for the last minute. When the deadline arrives, your bonus funds and free spins will be voided.

Bet Amount

Yes, casinos are aware that people will try to spend the entirety of a $100 bonus on a single bet. They don’t want to give out easy jackpots, so they’ll cap your bet amounts. Read these details in the T&C and calculate your strategy accordingly.

Bonus Codes

Sometimes, welcome bonuses in Pennsylvania come in the form of bonus codes. Casinos will publish them on social media or send an email. Enter it on signup, and you’ll get the perks immediately. Mind the minimum deposit, of course.

Can You Win Real Money with Casino Bonuses in Pennsylvania?

Unless the opposite is stated, casino bonuses let you win real money. But not all bonuses are the same. Deposit bonuses, for instance, are your best chance of winning anything. According to our research, they have 25% more favorable rollover requirements compared to no deposit offers.

In addition, win and bet limits are higher, and the casino will often throw in free spins for some trending slots. But don’t expect to get rich overnight — you’ll get more wiggle room to experiment and develop a playstyle you actually enjoy.

Reasons to Skip a Bonus 

It goes without saying that you shouldn’t just accept any PA casino bonus. The whole point is for the promo to fit your needs and playstyle. So, what makes some promos unsuitable for Pennsylvanians?

In a large majority of cases, it has something to do with the wagering requirements. If you have to play through the bonus too many times, it’s too big of a risk for it to be valuable. Short expiry dates are another common culprit. No one wants to feel rushed to spend the money ASAP. That’s why we’d advise you never to pick up an offer if it expires in less than 72 hours.

And we also can’t forget about betting & winnings restrictions, can we? It’s okay to be realistic and not expect to win much from a welcome bonus, but the playing field has to be fair. If your gameplay is capped, then you should definitely look for other welcome bonuses in Pennsylvania.

But, Gambla experts agree that efficiency might be the biggest villain here. Sometimes, you just want a good clean streamlined experience where you can keep what you win, with no strings attached.

Casino Bonuses in Pennsylvania: Pros & Cons 

As we mentioned previously, there’s a lot to gain from playing with casino promos. While some of them require a financial pledge, others will let you take a look around for free. But like always, there’s always a catch. So, before you pick a bonus and stick with it, consider the following:

Step-By-Step Guide on How to Claim a Bonus at PA Casinos

Haven’t claimed casino bonuses in Pennsylvania before? Not a problem! To safely claim any promo and use it the way you’d want to, follow these steps:

Step 1:

Pick a Pennsylvanian casino from the Gambla top list. Create an account and look for any opt-in promos at sign-up. These are exclusive deals for new players and allow you to capitalize on some bonus money and a couple of dozen free spins.

Step 2:

Now, go to the ‘Promotions’ section. Every PA casino has one, and it’s the place where they showcase all current offers. Take a good look around and make a shortlist of 2-3 promos. Then, open all of them in separate tabs and compare their details. Whichever one you choose, make sure you read the Terms & Conditions.

Step 3:

If it’s a deposit bonus, go to the Deposit section, pick a payment method, and deposit an amount equal to or above the minimum. As for no deposit bonuses, you can skip this step entirely.

Pro Tip: 

Always aim for value, i.e., the best ratio between the amount of money and the wagering requirements. Sometimes, it’s good to settle for a smaller amount and make it easy for yourself when withdrawing. Don’t be stubborn — it’s not just about the money.

Most Popular Types of Promos at PA Online Casinos

Even though they’re the most popular, deposit promos are just one type of casino bonus in Pennsylvania. In this section, we’ll take a look at some other common types and what it’s in it for you.

No Deposit Bonus

These offers are much smaller dollar-wise and have much stricter limits. For instance, some no deposit bonuses at PA online casinos will cap your max bets at a dime per reel, or something like that. Don’t view them as a way to win. Instead, think of them as an opportunity to test the casino. They can come in free chips, bonus money, or even free spins. And most importantly — there are no obligations whatsoever.

Example: Casino X offers all new players a $20 no deposit bonus. You just have to create an account, and you’ll get

Welcome Bonus

More often than not, welcome bonuses in Pennsylvania are some of the most lucrative promos. Their main purpose is to attract new players, so it’s no wonder they’re very lucrative. You’ll see them offered during signup. But if you’re not sure immediately, you can always come back and claim the promo before you make your first deposit. Be wary of large bonuses since they often come with large wagering requirements.

Reload Bonus

Also known as the ‘second-deposit bonus,’ this promo is offered to players who’ve already deposited funds into their account. It’s seen as an extension of the welcome bonus. Compared to its predecessor, a reload bonus is much smaller and often fairer overall. Some PA online casinos use them to ‘sweeten’ the sour taste left by the wagering requirements of the welcome bonus.

Cashback Bonus

What most of the other promo types have in common is that they all give you the rewards all at once. Even though most players prefer this, it’s a risky way to play. Despite the bet limits, people find ways to burn through the entire amount in no time. Cashback bonuses work differently, though. Instead of one lump sum, the casino will give you a certain percentage of your bets/losses every week.

VIP Programs & Loyalty Schemes 

VIP Programs work simply: all new players start at level one and advance up the ladder. The more you bet, the more loyalty points you’ll get. For the first few levels, it’s mostly better bonuses, bigger cashback, and free spins. The top tiers, however, offer crazy perks like a personal account manager, negotiable bonuses, birthday bundles, and invitations to live events.

Are Welcome Bonuses Better than Reload Bonuses?

Comparing welcome bonuses and reload bonuses is the quintessential ‘apples to oranges’ type of situation. They just serve different purposes and target different parts of the player’s journey. A welcome bonus is meant for newly registered players and is the reel to convince them to stay. Reload promos, on the other hand, serve to sweeten the deal and provide an additional layer of financial relief.

Numbers-wise, reload bonuses are about 50% less lucrative than traditional welcome bonuses. However, they have less strict conditions and higher limits. Why? Well, the casino knows you’re keen on playing, so the risk of you leaving has drastically decreased.

What Are the Wagering Requirements at PA Casinos?

Wagering requirements are the boogie-man of casino bonuses in Pennsylvania. Everyone hates them, and it’s almost impossible to avoid them. They’re a number (usually 25x and above) that, multiplied with your deposit, equals the minimum amount you have to wager before withdrawing any winnings.

Still not clear? No problem, let’s convert it into a simple example:

Bobby creates an account at Caesars and claims a $100 welcome bonus with a 100% match and 40x wagering requirements. Hypothetically, he gets lucky and wins a ~$2,000 mini jackpot on a slot game. Even though he won 20x his initial deposit, Bobby is unable to withdraw the money. He needs to fulfill the wagering-related condition, so he calculates how much he needs to wager:

40 (wagering requirement) x 100 (bonus amount) = 4,000 (how much Bobby needs to bet on casino games)

In our example, Bobby has to wager $4,000 before he’s eligible to request a withdrawal for any money stemming from the bonus. This requires additional strategizing, so you’d best be prepared to think about what to do with the winnings.

In addition, you’ll also have to plan for any losing streaks or unexpected small winnings. Slots are the best way to do this, mainly because of their repetitive nature and frequent swings. So just relax, keep track of how much you’ve turned over, and you’ll be fine.

Wagering Contributions 

Unfortunately, casinos don’t want you to run off with your winnings like a bandit. That’s why they’ve inserted another condition into the T&C — wagering contributions. They’re a way of effectively discriminating against more skills-oriented casino games. To better explain, let’s expand on our previous scenario a bit more:

Bobby has realized he needs to bet $4,000 if he wants a chance to make the bonus financially feasible. He loves playing live blackjack, but he’s seen that it only has a 5% bonus contribution rate. And because slots have a 100% rate, Bobby can sit back and relax with some new Playtech releases or classics.

In the example above, the 5% contribution rate means that for every dollar you bet, only five cents will count against the amount you have to wager. Why is this the case? As we said, blackjack, baccarat, and even roulette are much more prone to player influence than slots. This, of course, also results in a much higher payout rate.

Conclusion

PA casino bonuses are a successful marketing tactic used by online casinos to draw in new customers and keep their current ones. Depending on their interests and objectives, players have the option of choosing between no deposit bonuses and deposit bonuses. Before claiming any offer, players must, however, familiarize themselves with the terms and conditions, minimal deposits, expiration dates, and wagering requirements. Although Pennsylvania casinos provide bonuses, players should use prudence and steer clear of promotions that are inappropriate for their needs and playing preferences. Overall, casino bonuses are a pleasant way to explore new games, but it is crucial to exercise restraint and avoid playing carelessly.

Frequently Asked Questions about PA Casino Bonuses