Of course. Here is a comprehensive overview of the **slot bonuses available in 2018**, broken down by type and with key trends from that year.
2018 was a pivotal year for online slots and casino bonuses, marked by the rise of new mechanics and stricter regulations in some markets.
### Popular Types of Slot Bonuses in 2018
1. **Welcome/Deposit Match Bonuses:**
* **The Standard:** The most common offer. “Get a 100% match bonus up to $200” meant a $100 deposit became $200 to play with.
* **Sticky Trend:** These almost always came with **wagering requirements (playthrough)** of **35x to 50x** the bonus amount, often applied to the bonus only or (bonus + deposit). Slots usually contributed 100% to these requirements.
2. **Free Spins (No Deposit & Deposit):**
* **No Deposit Free Spins:** A huge player acquisition tool. Casinos offered **10-30 free spins** just for signing up, often with low max cashout limits (e.g., $100) and high wagering on winnings.
* **Deposit Free Spins:** “Deposit $20, get 50 Free Spins on *Book of Dead* or *Starburst*.” Game-specific spins were extremely popular.
3. **Reload Bonuses:**
* Offered to existing players on subsequent deposits (e.g., “Wednesday Reload: 50% bonus up to $100”). These were crucial for player retention.
4. **Cascading/Reaction Bonuses (The Big Trend):**
* This was a major innovation in 2018. Instead of one bonus, a deposit would trigger a **series of bonuses over several days**.
* **Example:** “Day 1: 100% match + 100 spins, Day 2: 50% match, Day 3: 20 spins, Day 4: Cashback.” This kept players engaged longer.
5. **Prize Drops & Free Spins Promotions:**
* Game providers like **Big Time Gaming (BTG)** and **NetEnt** ran network promotions. Players could win **shared prize pools, bonus rounds, or free spins** just by playing featured games like *Bonanza* or *Dead or Alive* during a set period.
6. **Tournaments & Leaderboards:**
* Online casinos hosted slot tournaments where players competed for a prize pool by accumulating points through spins. This added a competitive social layer.
7. **Cashback Offers:**
* Typically offered as a weekly “safety net,” returning 10-20% of losses as bonus cash or real money.
### Key Slot & Bonus Trends of 2018
* **Megaways™ Domination:** The **Big Time Gaming (BTG)** mechanic, popularized by *Bonanza* (2016), became ubiquitous in 2018. Many bonuses were specifically tied to new Megaways™ titles.
* **Cluster Pays & New Mechanics:** Games like *NetEnt’s Reactoonz* (cluster pays) gained massive popularity, moving beyond traditional paylines.
* **Buy-a-Bonus Feature:** This became a standard option in high-volatility slots (e.g., *Push Gaming* titles). Players could directly purchase the bonus round, which was often highlighted in promotions.
* **Stricter Regulations (UK & Europe):** The UK Gambling Commission began clamping down on “unfair” bonus terms. This led to more transparent wagering requirements and the decline of extremely harsh rules like max bet restrictions while using bonus funds.
* **The Rise of “Bonus Abuse” Teams:** Casinos became more vigilant in monitoring players who only chased bonuses without real play, leading to stricter terms and account verification.
### Notable Slot Games That Defined 2018 Bonuses
Many bonuses were tailored to these hit games:
* **Book of Dead** (Play’n GO): The successor to Book of Ra, a free spins magnet.
* **Bonanza** (Big Time Gaming): The Megaways™ flagship.
* **Dead or Alive 2** (NetEnt): Anticipated sequel, famous for high volatility and bonus potential.
* **Jammin’ Jars** (Push Gaming): A popular cluster pays game.
* **Reactoonz** (NetEnt): Quirky and engaging, often featured in promotions.
### Important Caveats & Player Advice (2018 Context)
1. **Always Read the T&Cs:** Wagering requirements, game weightings (some games contributed less than 100%), maximum bet limits (**often $5 or less while using bonus money**), and restricted games were critical.
2. **Expiry Dates:** Bonuses and free spins often expired within 1-7 days.
3. **Country Restrictions:** Bonuses were frequently not available to players from many countries (e.g., USA, Sweden, etc.).
**In summary, 2018 slot bonuses were a mix of traditional deposit matches and the innovative “cascading” packages, heavily promoted around the latest high-volatility, feature-rich games like Megaways™ slots. The regulatory environment was starting to shift towards greater player protection, influencing bonus terms significantly.**
