Welcome Bonus

The competitive online casino market offers valuable bonuses — if you know where to look and how to take advantage of the free stuff. To attract new players, online casinos offer a welcome bonus. Welcome bonuses may match the money you first deposit with a bonus of 100% or more, and throw in additional freebies.

Sometimes the welcome bonus package covers several deposits, not just one. There might even be a small no-deposit bonus. (Casinos award them just for signing up. They require no cash deposit.) Or they may throw in some free spins on a video slot.

We've done extensive research into casino security, reliability and customer service. We read the T&C, player complaints and casino responses. Beyond choosing the most reputable casinos, we look for the best bonuses. Those which give you the highest value for your deposit.

How to Claim a Welcome Bonus

To start, find an online casino that sounds like it will be fun, and that has a good reputation. We're talking about real money. For players who've been around the block, you need to find an online casino where you have never had an account.

Sign up for an account at the casino. Usually this is a quick process. At this point, you don't need to provide any bank details. If there's a no deposit bonus on offer like at 888 Casino, the casino will credit it automatically to your account after you're signed up.

Avoiding the Seduction of Free Slots

At this point, you might want to indulge yourself in some free slots, but we won't waste too much time on those. We're here to win real money, and we want to do it fast. Also bear in mind that some online casinos limit their welcome bonuses to just the 1st week from registration. So go over to the banking section and make a deposit.  For extra security with your transactions,  you can use an e-wallet like Skrill or Neteller, or a prepaid voucher like Paysafe – with these your personal banking details won't be exposed. Most welcome bonuses don't require a bonus code, but if one is required, then you would see it on the casino's promotion's page.

You should see your bonus cash, once the casino credits your deposit to your casino account. Usually, bonus money is kept separately from the real money you deposited. It will usually be in a "restricted funds", or "Bonus money" section of your casino account. While you can withdraw cash you deposited, casinos will not allow you to withdraw the 100 free chips you got in the bonus.

Most casinos allow you to use your welcome bonus at any game, while free spins are often limited to specific slots.

What You Need to Know About Online Casino Bonuses

Get beyond the numbers the casinos tease you with to get you to nibble on a welcome bonus. How much you get at first is important, but what's really matters is how much you keep. The following pertains to most online casino bonuses, not just for welcome offers.

Rate and Amount

Bonus size isn't everything, but it is a factor. The amount casinos advertise is the maximum possible, not a guarantee. Say the matching rate is 100% up to £200. If you put in £20, you will only get a £20 bonus. You will get only £200 even if you deposit £400. Align your deposits with the maximum, if you can afford it.

Wagering Requirements

The Wagering Requirement (WR), sometimes also known as the playthrough requirement, is how many times you must bet your money before you can withdraw it. It's typically a multiplier from 25x to 40x your bonus money, before you can withdraw your wins. So this affects the overall value of the bonus. Better to learn the WR in the T&C than to prematurely try to withdraw bonus winnings.

Sometimes wagering requirements apply not just to the bonus but also the deposit. Although it may appear lower, it is not really after you do the math.

Real Money vs. Bonus Money

Many casinos, in your account balance, separate your bonus money from the money you deposited. That lets you play the latter first, so you know where you stand. You have a clear path to withdraw your winnings. The bonus serves as a kind of reserve, available in case you don't win with your deposit money.

Game Contribution

How fast you meet your wagering requirements depends on which games you play. Slots usually contribute 100% to requirements, as do scratch cards. Table games contribute less because they involve an element of skill. Casinos like pure luck. Games involving skill contribute less to the WR: 40%, 20% or nothing at all. So check the contribution of your favorite games before making your initial deposit.

Time Limit

Welcome bonuses are typically valid for only a limited time. Some benefits expire hours after registration. Use 'em or Lose 'em. So get ready to start playing!