Losing is undoubtedly everyone’s least favorite aspect of gambling, but it is not as bad when a player knows they can get some of their lost money back. Many online casinos enable their customers to recover a percentage of their losses through so-called cashback bonuses. These bonuses encourage players to continue making deposits and to invest in real-money play at gaming sites.
While welcome and reload bonuses are appealing, cashbacks offer higher profitability over the long haul. They are especially attractive to high rollers, although low-stakes players can also benefit. Everyone loves the adrenaline rush while waiting for their lucky number to hit on roulette or for a winning combination to line up on a payline.
Like it or not, the reality is you will inevitably experience some losses when gambling online. There is no need to fret, however, because you can partially recoup them by playing at the reputable gaming sites we have shortlisted for you. Before we get there, let’s explain how cashback bonuses work and what terms and conditions casinos usually attach to them.
Cashback Bonuses and Their Common Terms
1Cashback Bonuses - Overview
Cashbacks are exactly what they sound like: they give players back a portion of the money they have lost to the casino. This type of promotion is normally percentage-based, meaning that the casino will reimburse you with a specific percentage of the deposits you have lost during the relevant day, week, or month. The exact percentages are casino-specific but usually range between 5% and 25%.
2Cashbacks May Come with Maximum Caps
Depending on the casino’s specific terms and conditions, there may be a cap on the maximum amount players can receive as cashback. Some casinos, however, do not impose such restrictions on their cashback promotions, so it all depends on the individual policies of your chosen gaming site. Likewise, there are usually requirements for the minimum cashback amount credited to players. If your losses do not meet these requirements, you will not receive the refund.
3Some Cashback Bonuses Require Promotional Codes
Depending on where you play, you may need to enter a valid promo code in the designated field when making a deposit to qualify for the cashback. That said, some gaming operators automatically grant cashback to all depositing customers, so promo codes are unnecessary.
4Beware of Cashbacks with Wagering Requirements
Always read the terms and conditions attached to the cashback offers that interest you. One thing to watch for is the rollover (also known as wagering requirements) that some casinos impose on their cashback incentives. In effect, such operators credit the cashback refund as bonus money, and you must wager that amount a specific number of times.
Only then can you release it into your real-money balance and withdraw it. That said, most online casinos prefer to remove the wagering requirements on their cashbacks to make them more appealing and keep their customers active. When this happens, the operator automatically adds the refund to your real-money balance, and you can withdraw it whenever you like.
5Cashbacks May Be Game-Specific
Reading the promotional terms and conditions is important for another reason. At some gambling sites, cashback applies only to losses incurred on specific games, such as slots or live dealer tables. If that is the case, you will not receive any refund for the money you lose while playing video poker, for example.
6Validity Periods of Cashback Bonuses
Validity is another factor to check before redeeming a cashback bonus. In some cases, the refunded credits stay active for only a short period, such as a week or a month. If you do not wager or withdraw the funds within the designated promotional period, the casino will automatically remove them from your account once they expire. This usually happens when a cashback bonus has wagering requirements attached to it.
7Cashbacks as Part of Loyalty Schemes
At some casinos, cashbacks are integrated into the operator’s loyalty program. In these cases, members receive a percentage of their losses back, but the exact percentages vary based on their loyalty status. The higher your VIP level, the larger the cashback you qualify for. On a side note, levels typically depend on your activity at the casino; the more you play, the more points you accumulate, and the faster you progress through the loyalty tiers.
8Cashbacks on Bets
Although rare in the online gambling industry, some casinos offer cashback on each bet customers place on qualifying games. Whether the wager wins or loses, players still receive a percentage of each bet back. A tracker is usually available so you can monitor how much free money you have accumulated so far. Players can collect their cashback and add it to their real-money balance.
An Example of How Cashback Bonuses Work
To clarify things further, here is an example of how percentage-based cashback bonuses work. Note that all promotional conditions listed below are purely hypothetical and for demonstration purposes only.
- A player tops up their balance with $100.
- The gaming site offers 10% back on the player’s losses.
- The promotional terms state that the cashback applies to net losses ranging from $20 to $2,000.
- The player loses $70 of the deposited amount.
- They are now eligible for a $7 cashback.
One important thing to remember is that the cashback offers typically exclude winnings and bonus wagers. They apply only to the net losses you suffer, that is, your bets minus your profits. For example:
- Suppose you generate $200 in winnings during the week.
- You then receive $50 in loyalty rewards or bonuses.
- You incur losses of $300 during the week.
- It follows that your net losses equal $300 – ($200 + $50) = $50.
- The casino offers a 10% cashback on your net losses.
- Therefore, you are eligible for a $5 cashback based on your weekly net losses of $50.
Pros and Cons of Cashback Bonuses
Pros of Cashback Bonuses
Cons of Cashback Bonuses
Like most things in life, cashback bonuses have advantages and disadvantages, although the former outweigh the latter. Players should carefully weigh the pros and cons before opting in for a cashback bonus at any online casino. Let’s examine the pros first.
- Pro #1 – Cashback offers are typically available on a consistent basis. Unlike welcome offers, which each player can redeem only once, cashback offers are usually available weekly or monthly. Some casinos even credit them automatically to eligible accounts, eliminating the need to opt in.
- Pro #2 – Cashback bonuses enable you to partially recoup your losses after a bad losing streak. All players hate blowing their session bankrolls within a short span, but this is where cashback bonuses come in handy. With their help, you can get back at least a portion of your losses. Even when you receive only 5% cashback, you still get a second chance to score some wins.
- Pro #3 – Cashback percentages may increase in proportion to your loyalty level and activity. Cashback percentages sometimes exceed 20% when players climb to higher levels of the loyalty ladder. This makes the bonus a perfect option for customers who play consistently, especially with larger amounts.
- Pro #4 – Cashback bonuses are very uncomplicated. Players are not required to do anything special to receive a cashback. More often than not, the only requirement is to opt in by ticking the designated box in the cashier while making a deposit. The casino will then automatically credit the respective percentage of your losses.
As appealing as they seem, cashback bonuses are not without their faults. This holds true for most online gambling bonuses, as casinos are rarely in the habit of giving away anything for free, especially money. Here are three drawbacks of cashback offers.
- Con #1 – Players often have to lose their entire deposit to become eligible. If you deposit $100, lose only $50, and cash out the remaining $50, you will not qualify for the cashback.
- Con #2 – Cashback offers sometimes come with wagering requirements. Some casinos require you to roll over the cashback amount a certain number of times to convert it into withdrawable cash. In such cases, the casino credits the cashback as bonus funds, so the money is locked in your bonus balance. You must meet the wagering requirements within the allotted time or the casino will remove the cashback from your account.
- Con #3 – There may be game restrictions in some cases. At some casinos, not all game types count toward earning cashback bonuses. Some gambling operators offer cashback only on losses incurred through slot play to prevent players from benefiting from favorable house edges.Some websites even disqualify slots with RTPs exceeding 97%, along with other games with low house edges like blackjack. Read the promotional terms and conditions carefully to see which games have made it to the list of exclusions. If you violate these rules, you may be disqualified from receiving the cashback.
Things to Consider When Choosing Cashback Online Casinos
1Intro
From everything discussed so far, it is clear that cashback is an appealing incentive. Nonetheless, the cashbacks available at some online casinos provide players with more value than others, largely because of their favorable terms and conditions. There are several aspects you should consider before opting for a cashback bonus.
2The Cashback Percentage
The cashback percentage the casino offers on your losses is one of the most important factors to consider. These percentages vary depending on where you play but usually fall between 5% and 25%. You should look for higher percentages only if the maximum cashback cap is high enough.
With that in mind, lower-percentage cashbacks are sometimes better than higher-percentage ones. This typically happens when high-percentage cashbacks have very low caps, in which case the maximum refund a player can claim is also very low.
3Check The Caps
Check the caps (if any) on the cashback bonuses, meaning the maximum amount you can receive as a refund on your losses. For example, imagine your online casino offers a 20% weekly cashback with a cap of only $100.
If you have a bad week and lose $500, the operator will refund you the maximum of $100 (20% of 500). If you were luckier and lost only $200, your cashback would be just $40. However, if your losses totaled $800, you would still receive only $100 instead of $160 because of the low maximum cap.
4Check The Wagering Terms
The list of eligible casino games and wager types is also important. If you enjoy live-dealer games like blackjack and baccarat, a cashback that applies only to slot losses will be useless to you. Ideally, the cashback should cover a healthy mix of game types to cater to all player preferences. Some betting sites feature both a sportsbook and an online casino and offer separate cashbacks for each product. You cannot use a sportsbook cashback in the casino section, and vice versa.
5Promotional Terms and Conditions
The promotional terms and conditions of the casino may not be exciting to read, but they contain every essential detail of the cashback on offer. The terms outline all the rules you must follow after you opt in for a given bonus. Remember, any violation of these terms will cause the casino to void your cashback. Reading the rules in advance will also help you spot any vague or predatory clauses that devalue the bonus.
6The Overall Reputation of The Casino
The overall reputation of the online casino offering the cashback is also worth researching. The first thing to check is who licenses and regulates the gaming site. Look for websites licensed by highly recognized regulatory bodies such as the Malta Gaming Authority (MGA), the UK Gambling Commission (UKGC), the Gibraltar Regulatory Authority (GRA), and the Alderney Gambling Control Commission (AGCC), among others. Additionally, research the background of your chosen casino to ensure it has no history of mistreating players.
Best Cashback Online Casinos
SuperCasinoSites presents a shortlist of six online casinos that offer attractive cashback incentives. Our reviewers have carefully researched and vetted all six recommendations to ensure they are safe and reputable. You can rest assured that the operators listed below are trustworthy and enjoy an excellent reputation in the industry. Without further ado, here are the six casinos we recommend for cashback bonuses.
PlayOJO
Videoslots
Yako Casino
Fun Casino
Vegas Hero
Hello CasinoPlayOJO
PlayOJO describes itself as the fairest casino in the UK, and this claim is far from an overstatement. The operator offers numerous benefits, from an intuitive design and a busy calendar filled with unique promotions to an excellent loyalty scheme that rewards active customers.
Players can easily navigate the website, which also hosts a comprehensive catalog of top-tier casino games from Blueprint, Microgaming, IGT, Thunderkick, Yggdrasil, and Play’n GO.
Regulated by the UK Gambling Commission and the Malta Gaming Authority, PlayOJO features the unique OJOplus incentive, which gives players money back on every wager they place. You can receive unlimited cash back with no restrictions, based on your level of activity.
PlayOJO refunds a percentage of each bet you place on games marked with the OJOplus icon. You receive the refund in cash with no strings attached and no wagering requirements. Players are free to withdraw the refund, use it for bets, or simply watch the free cash stack up in their balance.
Videoslots
Few gambling businesses can boast a selection of games as extensive as Videoslots. The casino operates under the regulations of multiple jurisdictions, including the United Kingdom, Sweden, Italy, Denmark, and Malta. Its portfolio contains more than 5,000 games, although availability may vary by jurisdiction because of software licensing restrictions.
Featuring titles from over 100 software providers, Videoslots guarantees hours of exhilarating entertainment. All depositing customers can also participate in the Weekend Booster, an ongoing incentive that gives your account a free cash boost each weekend.
You only need to play the classic and video slots on the website during the week. The cashback you earn on your bets is free of wagering requirements. Videoslots pays it out one week later, on Fridays. Customers can fund their real-money play with a wide array of banking options, some of which are available only in specific regions.
Yako Casino
Yako Casino offers a well-balanced collection of top-notch slots from renowned providers like IGT, Novomatic, NetEnt, Blueprint, and Microgaming. The operator does not limit itself to slots, though. Its instant-play platform also features blackjack, baccarat, video poker, roulette, and lotteries. A live casino with over 100 tables from Evolution Gaming and Pragmatic Play is likewise available.
At Yako Casino, players can earn extra cash by joining various ongoing tournaments. The operator also hosts monthly challenges where you can win additional rewards. Moreover, Yako Casino has built a stellar reputation among industry insiders and players. This comes as no surprise, given that it operates under the regulatory oversight of the Maltese and British gambling commissions.
Best of all, you can enjoy Yako Casino’s games and tournaments whenever and however you choose. The website is highly responsive and functions smoothly on any device, whether a laptop, smartphone, or tablet. Mobile and desktop players also benefit from a friendly customer support team in multiple languages. You can speak with a representative in Swedish, English, Finnish, or Norwegian.
Fun Casino
In operation since 2018, Fun Casino’s portfolio showcases some of the most compelling creations from major software studios such as NetEnt, Play’n GO, Microgaming, Elk Studios, Thunderkick, Big Time Gaming, WMS, and Bally. The platform features extensive gaming options, ranging from video slots and video poker to classic table games like roulette, blackjack, and casino-banked poker. Progressive jackpots like Grandspinn Super Pot, Major Millions, and Mega Moolah are also available.
Fun Casino is a trustworthy gaming site licensed by the British Gambling Commission and the Malta Gaming Authority. It also serves Swedish players under the regulations of Spelinspektionen (the Swedish Gambling Authority). Fully committed to transparency and security, the operator has its gaming portfolio regularly inspected by independent test houses to protect its stellar reputation and integrity.
All depositing players in the Fun Casino community receive a second chance if they encounter a bad beat. They can partially recover their losses through the cashback scheme built into the casino’s platform. The offer applies to lost deposits only, and players can choose to bet with the refund or withdraw it. Cashback is credited in cash with no wagering requirements or other restrictive conditions.
Vegas Hero
Live since 2017, Vegas Hero has steadily grown its loyal player base thanks to its fair and transparent policies. Its massive catalog, featuring more than 1,300 slots and table games, certainly helps. The library contains the best releases from leading software studios such as Quickspin, NetEnt, Play’n GO, iSoftBet, Yggdrasil, Wazdan, and Pragmatic Play.
Beyond game variety, Vegas Hero pampers players with lightning-fast payouts, generous promotions, and a secure gaming environment protected by SSL encryption. Customer support is equally impressive, with several contact options available (live chat, telephone, and email).
The casino enables customers to move money to and from their accounts via a range of reliable payment solutions, including ecoPayz, Trustly, Neteller, PayPal, Visa, and Skrill. Most of these banking options facilitate instant withdrawals starting at $20 or the currency equivalent.
Hello Casino
Players will be saying hello to this casino quite often once they discover its excellent selection of games from industry-leading providers such as Leander, Merkur, Big Time Gaming, Pragmatic Play, Microgaming, Playson, and Bally, among dozens of others. Here you can play hundreds of premium releases while enjoying the peace of mind that comes with a legitimate business.
Operated by White Hat Gaming Limited, Hello Casino holds licenses from the regulators of Great Britain and Malta. Players can have full confidence in the fairness of the games, as the entire portfolio undergoes regular audits by third-party testing agencies. Furthermore, the operator publishes all return percentages and updates them regularly.
There are various limited-time and ongoing promotions for players to claim. More importantly, the promotional terms are player-friendly, allowing you to extract more value from the available offers. Active members receive VIP treatment through a dedicated loyalty program that awards comp points for every real-money bet they place.