An online casino bonus can be the deciding factor between choosing to put your money in a particular platform or walking on by. But how do you know that they really measure up?
I’ve scoured the furthest reaches of the internet to find the top new bonuses at online casinos. These deals don’t just promise large amounts, they have clear terms and are straightforward to use. You can consider this page as your complete bonus guide. Not only will it help you to judge how good a bonus is, it will help you get more from the sign up process.
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Everyone loves something for nothing but bonuses at casinos play several important roles. Most significantly, from the casino’s point of view at least, casino bonuses are designed to encourage players to sign up but they can also seriously enhance the playing experience:
James Bond makes it look easy but, in reality, learning the rules for casino games can be a bit of a head scratcher. Casino bonuses can give you some extra funds to use to practice your casino skills. Even relatively straightforward games like slots have their own personalities and features that it takes a while to pick up.
Casino bonuses also give you more funds and playing time to allow you to sample a casino to see if you like it. If you do, then you can stay but, if not, then you can move on without incurring a major loss.
Every casino player is unique but luckily there are many different types of bonus. Some are just for new players but there are also plenty of deals for returning players if you know where to look (or stick with me and I’ll keep you posted).
| Type of bonus | Definition | Pros | Cons |
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| Deposit match | An online casino deposit bonus gives you a percentage match on the amount of your first deposit. For example you might see an offer of 100% deposit match up to $100. If you’re lucky, you might even see 200% or more. |
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| No deposit bonus | Just as it sounds, a no deposit bonus is given to players without them needing to lay down any cash. They’re super popular as a result but are pretty rare. They might also come with some heavy conditions that limit how much you win. |
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| Free spins | One of the most popular casino bonuses, you’ll get a set number of free spins to spend on some reel classics. Each spin will typically have a set value, say 0.10 each. You might find that free spins are offered alongside another bonus as a juicy extra. For example, a new player bonus might give you a match of 100% on your first deposit plus 50 free spins. Usually these spins will have to be used on a specific game but these combo bonuses are great for giving you the funds to explore everything that a casino has to offer, from slots to table games. |
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| Cashback\ rakeback | This is a rarer casino bonus but can be tracked down if you know where to look. It gives you a certain percentage of your losses back again over a set period, generally a month. It’s often provided to VIP players who have reached a certain tier in the loyalty program. |
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| Loyalty bonuses | Many of the top casinos have loyalty or VIP programs which reward more frequent players. Each time you play you build up points which can unlock special one off or regular bonuses, like free spins or a larger rakeback rate. Reaching some of the higher VIP levels can also unlock other benefits, like priority support. |
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| Referral bonuses | Most casinos offer refer a friend bonuses for you to share some good fortune with a friend. You’ll need to download a code or send a link to your friend, who’ll use it to make a new account. When they sign up, and make a deposit, you’ll both receive a bonus, whether that’s free spins or free funds. |
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All bonuses come with their own terms and conditions which govern how they can be used. Wading through these is no one’s idea of a good time but it’s vital to understand how a bonus works and if there are any limits on how you can use it. Bonuses can differ by region too so you’ll need to check the specifics for your area.
These are the key portions of the terms and conditions to bear in mind while you’re claiming:
The amount a bonus gives you is the attention grabbing bit but, as with so many things in life, bigger does not mean better. In fact, a smaller bonus can be more attractive because the wagering requirements are easier to meet.
Most bonuses, especially deposit match deals, will require you to make a minimum initial deposit, for example $50. At the other end of the scale, you’ll find there’s a maximum ceiling to the amount of bonus you can receive too.
Some casinos may put a limit on the amount you can win from a bonus. For example, you might receive 200 free spins with a maximum value of 0.10 each, limiting your potential winnings.
The wagering requirements of a bonus tell you how many times you have to play through the bonus amount, or your deposit amount, before you can withdraw your winnings.
The average wagering requirement rate I see most frequently is 30x-50x. Let’s say that your casino bonus is a deposit match of 100% up to $100 with a wagering requirement of 30x. This would mean that you have to play through 30x$100 = $3000. You don’t need to add that much to play with, that’s just the amount you’ll have to turnover before you can release your winnings.
SportsGambler gold tip: You might want to consider only depositing half your planned bankroll initially upon joining a new site to make meeting the wagering requirements easier. Once you’ve made your first deposit, and triggered the bonus, you can add the other half and, although you won’t get a deposit match on this portion, you’ll have more chance of meeting the wagering limits.
There’s usually a time limit on claiming a bonus or meeting the wagering requirements, especially an online casino welcome offer. You’ll usually find that this is 14 to 30 days from the date of making your account.
Some bonuses only allow you to play certain games using your bonus. This is especially true of free spins bonuses, which can often only be used on a smaller selection of titles.
You might find that there are some general limits on bonuses that it’s important to be aware of:
Certain games make a different contribution towards meeting wagering requirements. Slots might count 100% whereas table games such as blackjack or baccarat may only count 10%-20% towards meeting the wagering requirements.
Some casino bonuses impose a limit on the maximum bet you can make in one go, e.g. 1% of your deposit amount.
There are now hundreds of online casinos, all offering a welcome bonus and a string of other deals. With all of that choice possible, it’s crucial to compare bonuses to find the ones that suit your playing preferences.
Considering your budget, your preferred games, and the level of wagering you feel comfortable taking on will all impact how well a bonus works for you. So, before you go any further in picking out a bonus, ask yourself these questions:
Before signing up, check whether your chosen bonus permits your preferred payment method. Some bonuses limit the payment methods you can use and won’t allow you to make a deposit with an e-wallet, for example.
Working out your budget is the first step you should take before investigating any of the bonuses here in more detail. Think about how much you’re happy to deposit and potentially lose.
If you’re a new player just seeking to test out the waters at a casino, then a low deposit minimum will be better for you. You could also consider opting for a no deposit bonus, such as 100 free spins, which provides a small amount of free play without the need to lay down any cash.
It’s best, especially if you’re a first-time player at casinos, to give yourself plenty of time to meet a bonus’ wagering requirements. This means you might benefit from a bonus with 30 days to meet its conditions rather than 12.
If you’re hoping to play a specific slot or casino game, you’ll want to make sure it’s included in the eligible titles.
One of the hallmarks of a good casino bonus is that it’s easy to claim. The procedure for claiming varies between platforms and depends on the bonus terms but the general process goes like this:
If you’re struggling to claim your bonus, maybe your promo code didn’t take or you haven’t received the free spins you were expecting, then the best thing to do is contact customer support.
At top casinos, customer support is available via email and live chat and should be able to help you out quickly and efficiently. You’ll also find FAQ sections that have information on common player issues.
Locating your bonus and using it are the first steps to a smooth casino experience but my tips can help you to get even more.
Christmas, Halloween and national holidays are popular times for new online casino offers to be released. Seasonal bonuses are especially connected with slots as casinos can showcase the very best festive or spooktacular titles.
There’s an increasing shift among casinos towards more social interaction. New promos are often advertised on a site’s Facebook, Instagram and X (formerly Twitter) pages so it’s a great idea to drop them a follow to see all of the latest opportunities.
Tapping figures into a spreadsheet or scribbling numbers into a notebook might not sound like the most exciting pastime in the world but it’s a good way to keep track of how close you are to hitting a bonus’ wagering requirements.
Before you break into your bonus funds you can access demo versions of many of the games at these casinos. This will give you an idea of how a game works, how the betting operates and how special features are triggered before you risk your cash.
Remember, if your bonus includes free spins they’ll generally have to be played in one go so you can’t mix and match them across titles.
Some online casino offers are broken up into multiple parts, for example a match on your first four deposits. If you think you’ll struggle to meet all of the wagering requirements then it might be better to claim the first deposit match only. Just make sure to check the terms and conditions to confirm you won’t lose out by only claiming the first part of the deal.
There are many different types of casino bonus but they all share the same goal - to attract new players and keep existing members coming back to the site. Hopefully you’ve now got a clear idea of how each type of bonus works, its pros and cons, and which one matches your playing personality. That should give you a straight shot to locating the best bonus from among our list, whether you’re a first timer looking for a bonus to help you over the threshold or you’re an experienced gamer looking for something fresh.
Be sure to always read through the terms and conditions of any bonus before claiming. Pay particular attention to the wagering requirements, any expiration date and time limits. You can check out my bonus reviews for more information too.
Yes, you can withdraw any winnings from a casino bonus once you’ve met the wagering requirements and any other specific terms and conditions. These details will be outlined in the terms and conditions, and I will summarize the key points in my bonus reviews.
Yes, you can win real money by claiming bonuses, but it’s not guaranteed. Any winnings can only be withdrawn after meeting the wagering requirements, so it's crucial to keep track of these while playing. Also, remember that most bonuses have an expiry date.
No, some casino bonuses are automatically activated when you create an account and don’t require a promo code. For instance, you might receive 120 free spins just by signing up or making a deposit. I’ll indicate whether a promo code is needed in my bonus reviews, so check them out for specific details.
Yes, all casino bonuses will have some form of wagering or playthrough requirement. These requirements vary between bonuses but are clearly detailed in my bonus reviews.
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