A casino welcome bonus is a great way for new players to check what an online casino has to offer. You’ll get extra cash or bonus spins to try out iconic games and even new releases, and you’ll be in the chance to win real money too.
And if you’re still starting out, we’ll also guide you through different welcome bonuses and how to claim them, how to calculate what your bonus is really worth, bonus terms you should look out for, and more.
Discover top welcome bonus casinos in our expert list below.
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A casino welcome bonus is a reward to new players who join an online casino. It is either given as a bonus upon creating a new account, or else as a deposit bonus.
An online casino sign up bonus is usually awarded as a free spins bonus on select slot games, but there are casinos which give a free cash bonus. On the other hand, you’ll have to make a deposit to claim a deposit casino bonus. However, the casino will usually boost your balance through a match bonus. This means that if you claim a 100% up to $100 bonus, the casino will double your initial amount. Note that you can also get free spins with a match bonus.
Our Expert Tip: While claiming an online casino bonus and spinning on slots and games can be lots of fun, you should keep track of your gambling habits and play responsibly.
Yes, there are many types of online casino welcome bonuses for you to choose from. In fact, you might want to start out with something less risky, such as a no deposit bonus.
Have a look at the most common casino bonuses you’ll come across as a new player below:
If you opt for a first deposit bonus, you’ll need to figure out if the amount you’re depositing is worth it for the bonus money you’re getting back. There are a number of factors which influence this, and we’ll go through them in an example below.
Bonus Example:
100% up to $200
| Max. Bonus Amount | $200 |
|---|---|
| Bonus Percentage | 100% |
| Minimum Deposit Amount | $10 |
| Wagering Requirements | x40 |
So, what does all this mean? If you deposit any amount from $10 (min. deposit) up to $200 (max. bonus amount), you’ll benefit from a 100% (bonus percentage) increase in bonus money. So for every $100 you deposit, you’ll get another $100 back in bonus money. But if you deposit $300, you’ll still get $200 back – because the maximum bonus amount is $200.
In our $100 up to $200 example, you’ll have a total of $200 in your account if you deposit $100. But we still need to account for the x40 wagering requirement. To cash out any winnings from your bonus money, you’ll need to play through your extra $100 x 40 times. This means you must bet a total of $4000 to clear the wagering requirements.
Based on our example above, whether you claim the welcome bonus or not is up to you. Still, we can offer a couple of expert tips on how to figure out if you’re being given a great deal or not.
Your bonus is worth it if:
If you’re new to the online gambling world and have never signed up for a casino offer before, you’ll need to find out how to claim one. Fortunately, it’s quite a simple process, and we also break it down step by step for you below:
Head over to our list of the best real money casinos, read our expert reviews, and take your pick. Remember to check the welcome bonus terms to ensure you’re getting a fair deal.
Click on the Sign Up button to create your account. Fill in the form, you’ll need to come up with a username and password and provide some other personal details.
Your chosen casino might need to verify your identity. If so, you’ll be asked to provide a copy of identification documents such as your passport.
If your offer is an online casino sign up bonus, the casino will credit it to your account automatically after you finalize the registration process.
If you’re opting for a first deposit bonus instead, you’ll have to add money to your casino account first. Go to the cashier and find your preferred casino deposit method from the list. Follow all the prompts to complete the payment. Your money will show up in your account within minutes if you go for an instant deposit method (for example, Paysafecard). Also, remember to enter any bonus code given by the casino at this stage.
You’re now ready to play! Have a look at the bonus terms again to confirm which slots and casino games you can use your offer on. You should also be clear on the wagering requirements, if there are any attached to your chosen offer. This is the amount of times you’ll need to play through the bonus for it to convert from bonus money to real cash.
The best casino welcome bonuses offer many advantages to players. But if you’re not convinced yet, have a look at what our casino experts think before claiming an offer:
If you’re unsure what type of gambling sites or games you enjoy, claiming a welcome bonus can help you understand what you’re after. And if you opt for one of our best casino sign up bonuses, you won’t even be risking any of your own cash to try a new casino.
Whether you claim a deposit or no deposit offer, you’ll still get extra cash or spins. This allows you to play for real. After you complete the wagering requirements, you’ll be able to cash out your winnings.
If you opt for a welcome bonus on registration, you’ll find your bonus waiting in your account! Online casinos usually credit sign up offers automatically. And if you go for a deposit bonus, all you need to do is enter the bonus code when prompted, while making a deposit to your account.
You should never claim a casino welcome bonus before going through all the terms and conditions. Still, we understand how daunting this might be for some players. The good news is that most bonus terms are the same, they just vary slightly from casino to casino.
Check out our table below to familiarize yourself with the most common terms you’ll find at online casinos:
Most welcome bonuses come with time limits, so make sure to check how long your offer is available for. While you don’t want to lose a great bonus, making bets isn’t something you should be rushed into. An acceptable timeframe in which to use your bonus is around 2 weeks or more.
Depending on the casino site, you won’t always be able to use your welcome bonus on just any online slot or casino game you like. You’ll usually find a list of eligible casino games that the site allows you to play your bonus on.
This is the maximum amount you can win from your casino bonus, and it’s an amount decided by the casino site itself. If you win more cash above this amount, you won’t be able to claim it – so make sure to look out for this term on your next real money slots game.
If you go for a casino deposit bonus, you’ll have to top up your account first. Online casinos always note down the minimum amount you can deposit to enjoy your welcome bonus, which is usually around $10.
This is the amount of times you’ll have to play through your bonus credit before you can withdraw any winnings. A great wagering requirement is usually around 35-40x, and a few casinos also have no bonus wagering requirements at all.
Online slots and other casino games contribute differently to the wagering requirements. While slots contribute 100% at most sites, other games like table games might only contribute 10%. Look for games that have a wagering contribution of 100% as this will help you clear the playthrough requirements faster.
While a generous casino welcome bonus is a very important factor when choosing a gambling site, it’s only the first step. A top casino site should provide you with value every step of the way on your online gambling journey.
Below you’ll find an overview of how we pick the best casinos from among the many that crop up every year. However, we also have a full review process for you to go through if you’re interested.
When gambling online, ensure that you sign up to a licensed casino. If a casino site is regulated by trusted authorities such as the UK Gambling Commission (UKGC) or the Malta Gaming Authority (MGA), it’s safe for you to gamble there and your money is protected. What’s more, you should also check for SSL encryption as this will secure the data sent to the casino.
Claiming a welcome bonus lets you test out a new casino, which means you’ll also get a peek at the game lobby. Even though you’ll only be able to play through your welcome bonus on specific slots or casino games, you can then enjoy thousands of other games by playing for real money. Top gambling sites feature the best online slots, progressive jackpots, table games, live dealer games and more from different top game providers.
While a casino welcome bonus gets you started on your journey, the best online casinos also have other bonus offers to keep you going. Whether you’re looking for a free spins bonus for that something extra, or prefer to get a cashback on a percentage of your losses, you’ll find something for all players. What’s more, you’ll always get a fair bonus from our suggested sites.
Our recommended online casinos feature different types of deposit methods depending on your needs. If you value privacy and minimal fees for example, look for a Paysafecard casino. If traditional payments are more your speed, you can always opt for a credit or debit card such as VISA.
As a new player, you might need help claiming your welcome bonus. Or maybe you’ve got questions about the bonus terms. Whatever it is, you should find a knowledgeable team ready to help you around the clock. You should also get the same experience whether you’re just starting out or a casino regular.
There are two main kinds of welcome bonuses: no deposit sign-up bonuses and first deposit bonuses. You can get a sign-up bonus simply for registering at a casino, which means that you won’t even have to make a real money deposit. A first deposit bonus is given when you make your first deposit, and it usually consists of a match bonus plus free spins.
This depends on the casino, and you’ll need to check the bonus terms and conditions for more details. Most casinos allow you to use the welcome bonus on slots and table games, for example, but exclude progressive jackpots. Also, there might be specific game titles indicated, especially if you’re given free spins.
Yes, you can. Still, make sure you’ve fulfilled the playthrough requirements before cashing out. This is the number of times you need to play through your bonus to change it into real money.
Welcome bonuses have many advantages. They allow you to test a new casino through extra cash and decide whether you’d like to continue playing there. It’s also an added opportunity to win real money. However, you also have the option to opt out of a welcome bonus.
Casinos offer welcome bonuses to attract new players and get them to register. Also, online casino sites usually make a profit from deposit bonuses since you’ll most likely win less money than your total deposit.
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