Matthew Lomon

Real value beyond an eye-catching number. It’s so easy to see a 100% deposit match bonus up something like $3,000 and think, “Wow, that must be a good bonus because both numbers are so big.” Trust me, I’ve been there. What really matters – and makes a “good” bonus in my opinion – is being able to retrieve something of real value for your investment (time and money). If bonus funds have heavy gameplay limits or unreasonable playthrough requirements and turnaround times, that takes all the value out of it because now you’re playing games you don’t want to and doing it against the clock. I’ll leave it at this: a “good” bonus is a bonus that works for you.

I take a two-pronged approach to my casino and sportsbook reviews. The process always starts with a full-scale functionality test that sees me click every button – menu, banking, profile, customer support – in sight. I want to know, first and foremost, that the site or app I’m reviewing can perform all the basic functions effectively. This allows me to scope out the layout and design elements of each operator, which, at least in my opinion, can derail an iGaming experience if poor or overcomplicated. Once that’s settled, I move to prong two: gametime. This is where I play as many games as possible, studying mechanics, graphics, minimums and maximums, accessibility features, audio quality – you name it – so that I can form a genuine user-experience that will hopefully be of value to as many players as possible.

Falling in love with fancy words and big numbers while completely disregarding the terms and conditions (see my answer to the first question). Again, this is not a slight at all, it’s just a common mistake that I see and want to help players avoid. I know it seems like a waste of time, and certainly is annoying, but reading the fine print before signing up for a casino or sportsbook bonus can save you the huge headache of dealing with a frustrating promo. A quick trip to Bonus.com beforehand also helps – and all the work is already done for you! Either way, understanding the full picture of a bonus gives you a greater chance to find the right one for you.

For me, the only way to balance writing about gambling with promoting responsible play is by treating the two as inseparable. It might not always be through an explicit act like links to support networks or safer play resources, but as writers covering the industry, it is our responsibility to be more aware than the average person of the harms that may follow when gambling becomes more than a form of entertainment. Little tidbits and reminders to play within your limits or never chase losses are helpful, but it has to be a coordinated, genuine effort from the entire network to really be meaningful, and I think the team at Bonus.com (Catena, really) does that better than anyone.

Definitely vig (or vigorish?). If we’re being completely honest, vig sounds to me like the name for a knockoff e-reader. Jokes aside, it’s one I get a lot, and most of the time, it’s the first brush people have ever had with the term. That’s not a problem for any of us here, as we all know vig is the sportbook’s cut/built-in commission. I do also get asked about playthrough requirements a fair bit, even a sprinkle of teaser, but I think it’s just the term “vig” that throws people off. Who would’ve thought a three-letter word could be so vexing?