For casual gamblers social media is indeed the number one source to influence gambler to play but for those regular like me I think bonuses and promotion gives the motivation to keep playing.
Without a doubt things are like that, I am also a very frequent player, but in reality what I can't stand so much is having so much patience, patience for me is something that is quickly Exhausted and since bonuses are now so conditional and I don't like it, because there are many requirements and that is achieved with patience, perhaps bonuses and contests are for less volatile people who really Enjoy being there, I am a fan of quick results.