Casino Welcome Bonus
The casino welcome bonus has become one of the most important elements of the online gambling experience. Any casino site worth its salt is highly aware of the power of a generous welcome offer, which is why in today’s casino landscape you’d be hard-pressed to find a site that doesn’t offer one. However, not all that glitters is gold; some bonuses are all fluff and no substance. In order to avoid the pitfalls of claiming a bonus that is not all it’s cracked up to be, players, especially new players, need to fully understand the ins and outs of the bonus concept.
Best Casino Welcome Bonus Offers
Licensed & Verified
Professionally Reviewed
- $1600 Welcome Bonus
- Exceptional Promotions
- Loyalty Rewards
+ 200 Bonus spins
- Fast Payments
- Over 2500 Games
- amazing Promotions
+ 275 Bonus spins
- All the latest games
- MGA and UKGC licenses
- Daily bonuses
- Over 1,000 Games
- No Maximum Win
- No Wagering Requirements
+ 250 Bonus spins
- Progressive welcome offer
- Weekly cashbacks
- Daily extra spins
- Easy 1 minute registration
- Good payment methods
- Fast deposits & withdrawals
+ 150 Bonus spins
- Amazing VIP rewards
- Great live experience
- Special 'classic' section
+ 250 Bonus spins
- Play new games first
- Full reward scheme
- Expert's Area & Pro Tips
+ 11 Bonus spins
- Great live section
- The top providers in the industry
- Established, strong brand
+ 260 Bonus spins
- Great welcome package
- Exclusive VIP club
- Unlockable daily deals
+ 100 Bonus spins
- Instant Deposit
- Great range of jackpots
- Instant Withdrawal
- Fast Cashouts
- Large Selection of Games
- Free Spins Tuesdays
- High Roller Bonus
- Refer a Friend Bonuses
- Numerous payment methods
+ 100 Bonus spins
- Popular payment options
- Daily promotions calendar
- Around the clock customer support
+ 50 Bonus spins
- 3000+ games
- Friday reload bonus
- Tournaments
+ 220 Bonus spins
- Premium live casino games
- VIPs Real Money Rewards
- Over 2,000 games in the library
+ 200 Bonus spins
- Duel Against Other Players
- Live Chat Support
- Loyalty Program
+ 200 Bonus spins
- Unique Loyalty Program
- American Theme
- Great Bonus Offer
Types of Casino Welcome Bonuses
The format of a casino welcome bonus is not set in stone. Each gambling site can put its own unique spin on the welcome offer to make it more appealing to new players. However, most operators combine different types of the best online casino bonuses to create a welcome package. The most common combination is a match deposit bonus plus a set number of free spins. Some sportsbooks also offer welcome bonuses for punters.
Match Deposit. The match deposit bonus is usually offered to players in conjunction with their first (and sometimes second and third) deposit. In this case, the casino is offering to credit your account with an amount of bonus cash that mirrors the amount of your real money deposit. For example, if the casino offers you a first deposit bonus of 100% up to $100, it means that the casino will match your deposit up to a maximum of $100. If you only choose to deposit $30, the casino will credit your account with an extra $30 of bonus cash. You don’t have to deposit the maximum amount (unless specified), but there is usually a minimum deposit requirement of $10 or $20.
The match deposit bonus can be offered in many different ways. Here are a few examples:
- 50% match deposit up to $400
- 100% match deposit up to $500
- 125% match deposit up to $200
- 200% match deposit up to $50
Free Spins. A free spins bonus is a slot game bonus. Some casinos offer free spins as a ‘Thank you!’ for signing up to the site (otherwise known as a no deposit bonus). However, it is more common to be offered free spins as a first deposit bonus. The number of free spins given as a bonus varies wildly from casino to casino.
You may be offered 10 free spins, or you may be offered 200. Each casino will set its own terms and conditions regarding how you are allowed to use your spins. You may be given free spins to use on a specific slot game, or you may be given free spins to use on any slot games that take your fancy. Most casinos will impose a time limit on the spins, wagering requirements, and a cap on winnings.
Cashback Bonus. Cashback bonuses allow you to claim back a percentage of your losses.
- In the past, this type of bonus was offered as reward for loyalty. However, recently we’ve seen a spate of casinos offer a cashback bonus as part of their welcome package.
- The amount of cashback that you’re offered can vary, but 15% is fairly standard. Once again, you will find that each casino has its own way of doing things.
- The cashback offer may only cover your first day of betting, or it may cover your first week. You may be required to spend a specific amount of money before you are eligible for cashback.
No Deposit Bonus. No deposit casino bonuses are a rare find. It is not common for a casino to give away something for nothing. If you are lucky enough to come across a ‘no strings attached’ bonus, you should grab it with both hands.
- The no deposit bonus can take the form of free spins, or it can take the form of bonus cash that you can use to play any game in the casino.
- You can win real money from a no deposit bonus, but you’ll need to read the terms and conditions carefully to check for any restrictions.
A welcome offer can also be valid for only a specific category of casino games. Such is the case, for example, with live casino bonuses which can only be used to play live dealer casino games.
T&C’s of Casino Welcome Offers
The casino welcome bonus is meant to give players the boost that they need to get started on the right foot. But as previously mentioned, not all bonuses are as good as they look on the outside. It is imperative that you read the terms and conditions for every single bonus. Sometimes, the small print will reveal that it is actually impossible to walk away with any winnings when you use the bonus. Here’s what you need to look for:
- Impossible wagering requirements
- Unmanageable time limits
- Unfair caps on winnings
- Limited game availability
- Country of residence restrictions
- Payment method restrictions
Wagering Requirements
Wagering requirements are common practice among casinos. Wagering requirements are put in place as a way of ensuring that players use the bonus to play games rather than just cashing out and walking away. In most cases, the wagering requirements are reasonable and manageable. However, anything above x45 is best avoided.
Let’s say, for example, that the wagering requirement attached to your $40 bonus is x20.
- In this case, you would need to use your bonus funds to place bets at least 20 time before you are allowed to cash out your winnings.
- In other words, you would need to keep betting any winnings made from your $40 bonus up to the amount of $800 (20 x 40 =800) before you can make a withdrawal.
- If you want to spare yourself all the hassle, we recommend that you check out our list of casinos with no wagering requirements.
Why Claim a Casino Welcome Bonus?
With all the possible restrictions attached to a bonus, it would be fair to question whether claiming a bonus is actually worth the bother. But don’t be put off by the small print. Restrictions are commonplace, and much of time are there to protect the casino from fraudulent behaviour rather than to stop you from cashing out your winnings. There are plenty of excellent gambling sites that offer legitimate bonuses.
A good casino welcome bonus will enhance your gaming experience in several ways.
- First of all, a good bonus will extend the amount of time that you can spend playing your favourite games.
- Secondly, a good bonus will give you the chance to learn how to play new games without you having to spend your hard-earned money in order to do so.
- Thirdly, a good bonus may help you work your way up a leader board or reach a new level within the casino.
Hopefully, you’ll walk away a winner, but there are never any guarantees.
Make the Most of Your Welcome Bonus
If you use your bonus wisely, you could end up on the path to glory. Here are our top tips for making the most of your casino welcome bonus:
- Always read the terms and conditions: We really can’t stress this enough! You need to be clear about the minimum and maximum deposit amounts, the wagering requirements, the game restrictions, and the time limits.
- Choose a welcome bonus that suits your gaming style: If slots are your jam, look for free spins, but if your heart is in live casino, keep searching for a welcome bonus that specifically caters to live casino players.
- Take note of the games that count towards wagering requirements: Casino games count towards the wagering requirement with different percentages, which means it may take longer to clear the requirements if you only stick one type of game. Slot games, for example, generally count 100%, but many table games and live casino games count for as little as 5%.
- Use your welcome bonus to learn new games: You may not win any money, but at least you’ll have a few new skills under your belt.
Claim your Casino Welcome Bonus
The first thing that you need to do is choose a reputable casino site. It is extremely important that your casino is licenced and regulated by an official gaming board, such as the UK Gambling Commission or the Malta Gaming Authority. Once you’ve chosen an excellent online casino, follow these steps:
- Sign up for an account – Follow the instructions and be prepared to submit documentation to verify your identity.
- Read the Welcome Bonus T&C’s – You may need to claim your bonus prior to making your deposit, or you may need to input a bonus code, or contact customer service.
- Head to the banking section of your account and select deposits.
- Choose your preferred payment method.
- Enter the amount that you would like to deposit.
- Claim your deposit if you haven’t already.
- Start playing games.
Without a shadow of doubt, searching for the best casino welcome bonus is worth the time and effort. A generous bonus will help give you the boost that you need to begin your casino journey with all guns blazing. Jump in with both feet, take a few risks, and have fun. Winning is just the cherry on the cake.
Best Casino Welcome Bonus – FAQ
- Can I win real money from a casino bonus?
Yes, it is possible to win real money at casinos when using a welcome bonus to play games. Just make sure you read and understand the T&C’s fully.
- Where do I find the best online casino welcome bonus?
We will always point you in the direction of the best welcome bonuses.
- Do I have to deposit the maximum amount to claim my bonus?
No, you don’t have to deposit the maximum amount unless specified otherwise. However, there is usually a minimum deposit amount that you will have to abide by.
- What happens if I do not fulfill the wagering requirements?
If you don’t fulfill the wagering requirements within the given time frame, you will not be able to withdraw any winnings made from the bonus.
- What is the fastest way to clear the wagering requirements?
The fastest way to clear the wagering requirements is by playing slot games. In most casinos, slot games count 100% towards the wagering.