Casino Welcome Bonuses Explained
A casino welcome bonus is extra money offered by an online casino when you join. But how do casino bonuses actually work, and how can you get one?
The best casino bonuses offer real advantages to players. But they don’t all suit every player’s needs, so it’s worth knowing exactly what they involve before you claim one. Read on to find out more.
What Is a Welcome Bonus?
You could describe a welcome bonus as a “carrot” that entices new players to join a site and make a deposit. Welcome bonuses are designed to make new players feel special. You’ll usually get a match bonus, and often Free Spins are thrown in too, to keep you coming back.
Every welcome bonus has its own terms and conditions, and we can’t stress enough how important it is to read them carefully. A typical welcome bonus looks like this:
- 100% Match Bonus up to $500
- Minimum deposit: $20
- Wagering: 30x on bonus
This means that on your first deposit, the casino matches whatever you put in at 100%. So if you deposit $200, they’ll match it with a further $200. Before you can withdraw, you’ll need to bet through 30x the bonus amount, in this case, $200 x 30, which comes to $6,000 in total wagering.
Types of Welcome Bonuses
Not all welcome bonuses look the same. Here are the most common types you’ll come across:
- Match Bonus: the casino matches a percentage of your deposit, often 100% or more, up to a set maximum amount.
- Free Spins Bonus: you’re given a set number of spins on a specific slot, either as a standalone offer or alongside a match bonus.
- No Deposit Bonus: a small amount of bonus funds or spins credited to your account just for signing up, with no deposit required.
- Cashback Bonus: a percentage of your losses over a set period is returned to you, usually as bonus funds.
- Multi-Deposit Welcome Package: the bonus is spread across your first two, three or four deposits instead of being handed out all at once.
Welcome bonuses aren’t always a one-time offer. Some casino bonuses stretch across several deposits, and that works in your favour, since it makes your money go a lot further. It’s worth keeping an eye out for these multi-deposit offers.
Deposit bonuses boost the total amount in your account and let you play for longer.
Watch out for wagering requirements. If you don’t meet the stated wagering requirements, you could forfeit both your winnings and the bonus itself.
Before you start, check the casino’s accepted deposit methods. For example, deposits made with Neteller sometimes don’t qualify for the welcome package.
Online Casino Wagering Requirements Explained
Wagering requirements are a necessary evil when it comes to bonuses. Almost every casino attaches wagering requirements to their bonuses, mainly to stop players from claiming a bonus and withdrawing it immediately. Casinos use wagering requirements so that you roll your money over several times, usually somewhere between 30x and 40x, and occasionally as high as 60x.
Here’s a worked example. Say you claim a 100% match bonus up to $500, with 30x wagering on the bonus amount. You deposit $200, and the casino matches it with another $200 in bonus funds. To clear that bonus, you’d need to wager $200 x 30, which comes to $6,000 in total bets, before you can withdraw any winnings.
The lower the multiplier, the easier the bonus is to clear. A 20x wagering requirement is far more achievable than a 60x one, even if the headline bonus percentage looks similar.
Cashable and Non-Cashable Bonuses
The difference between these two bonus types is simple. Cashable bonuses let you withdraw the bonus amount itself once you’ve met the wagering requirement. Non-cashable bonuses simply give you longer playing time. Once you’ve met the wagering requirement on a non-cashable bonus, the bonus funds themselves are removed, but any winnings you made using them are usually yours to keep.
It’s worth checking which type you’re being offered before you claim it, since it changes what you can actually walk away with.
Can All Games Be Played Using the Welcome Bonus?
It’s important to know that there are restrictions on which games you can play with bonus funds, and how much each game contributes toward the wagering requirement. Generally, Slots, Scratch Cards and Keno contribute 100% toward wagering. Table games like Blackjack and Roulette usually contribute far less, sometimes as little as 5% to 10%, since they carry a lower house edge.
Game restrictions and contribution percentages are always listed in the casino’s bonus terms and conditions, so it’s worth checking the RTP and contribution rate of any game before you use it to clear a bonus.
Before You Accept a Casino Bonus
Before you accept a casino welcome bonus, make sure you’ve done the following:
Always Check the Following Before Accepting a Casino Bonus:
- Location restrictions
- Bonus codes
- Wagering requirements
- Accepted payment methods
- Withdrawal restrictions
- Game percentage contributions
- Read the terms and conditions carefully
Always check the bonus terms and conditions so you don’t get any unpleasant surprises down the line. Look out for restricted payment methods, wagering requirements and maximum bet limits while wagering the bonus.
Make sure you know how to claim the offer. Do you need to enter a bonus code before or after your first deposit, or is the bonus credited automatically? If you’re unsure, contact the support desk once you’ve registered your account. It’s also worth knowing what it takes to opt out of a bonus, always good to know upfront.
Tips on Cashing Out a Welcome Bonus
Before you cash out, know the casino’s withdrawal times and any pending periods, so you know roughly when you’ll receive your winnings after requesting a withdrawal.
It’s also worth budgeting your bonus play sensibly rather than chasing the full wagering requirement in one sitting. Our guide to responsible gambling covers practical tools to help you stay in control while working through a bonus.
Common Mistakes to Avoid With Welcome Bonuses
- Not reading the terms first: the headline bonus percentage rarely tells the whole story. Always check the wagering requirement and game restrictions before you deposit.
- Playing restricted games: using bonus funds on a game that doesn’t count toward wagering wastes your bets and delays your withdrawal.
- Betting above the maximum bet limit: many bonuses cap the maximum bet you can place while wagering. Going over this can void your bonus entirely.
- Letting the bonus expire: most welcome bonuses have a time limit. If you don’t clear the wagering requirement in time, you’ll lose the bonus and any winnings tied to it.
- Ignoring the withdrawal cap: some bonuses limit how much you can actually withdraw from bonus winnings, regardless of how much you win.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I have to use a welcome bonus?
No. Welcome bonuses are optional at most casinos. If you’d rather play with your own funds and skip the wagering requirement altogether, you can usually opt out during registration or when making your first deposit.
Can I lose my own deposit if I don’t clear the wagering requirement?
Generally, no. Failing to meet a wagering requirement usually only forfeits the bonus and any winnings made from it, not your original deposit. Always check the specific casino’s terms to be sure.
Why do some games not count toward wagering at all?
Games with a very low house edge, like certain Blackjack and Roulette variants, are often excluded or contribute a much smaller percentage. This stops players from using low-risk strategies to clear the bonus without any real risk to the casino.
Is a bigger bonus always better?
Not necessarily. A smaller bonus with fair wagering requirements and a reasonable time limit is often better value than a larger bonus with restrictive terms.
Should you wish to put your new bonus knowledge to the test, why not have a look at our Top 20 Casinos page? There, we’ve listed the casinos with the best bonuses. You can also learn how casino bonuses are structured and reviewed on our How We Review Casinos page, or read our SpinHub Casino Review for details of their welcome bonus.
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