Want to start claiming bigger and better bonuses? That’s what this guide is for. You’ll find out how bonuses work so you’ll never be left scratching your head when reading T&Cs. You’ll also be able to distinguish between genuine offers and casino scams. Our guide makes it easy to pick your perfect promotions, whether you’re looking for a match bonus or a no-deposit offer. But if you’re ready to jump right in, check out our picks for the top casino bonus offers below.
Casino bonuses are rewards given to you at an online casino at different stages. The most common ones are welcome bonuses that you’ll get when you register and/or make a first deposit, reload bonuses, loyalty rewards, weekly offers and seasonal campaigns.
But why do online casinos offer bonuses? It’s simple. They know a bonus is a great incentive for players to deposit and keep playing for longer. But bonuses do give you extra chances to play using house money and even win real cash, so it’s a fair trade off. We wrote this guide so that you can claim bonus offers with more awareness and get the most out of them.
There are many different types of casino bonuses you might come across while playing at our recommended sites. Here’s a rundown of each type of offer you’ll see casinos advertise:
This is a casino’s top tool to attract new customers. There are two main kinds of welcome bonuses: the first is a no deposit bonus when you register, and the other is a bonus you’ll get on your 1st deposit (sometimes extending to subsequent deposits as well).
A cashback bonus gives you back some of the money that you lose during a particular period of time, like a week or a month. The casino will give you a percentage of your losses back in bonus credit, allowing you to re-boost your bankroll.
A deposit bonus is exactly what it says on the tin – it’s a bonus that requires you to make a deposit. Usually, the size of the bonus will depend on how much money you choose to deposit.
Some bonuses offer you free spins on a particular slot machine rather than awarding you with cash. Normally, you’ll collect your winnings from these spins as bonus funds that you can then spend on any other game in the casino.
No deposit bonuses give you money to play with in the casino without requiring you to put any of your own money at risk. You can sign up and accept the bonus, after which you’ll instantly see the bonus funds in your account.
A free chip bonus is a kind of no deposit bonus which appears as fixed cash in your account after you sign up and opt-in to this type of bonus. Free chip bonuses can be allocated to specific games but you typically have a lot more choice with selecting games.
In these promotions, the size of your bonus is based on how much you deposit. For instance, if a casino offers you a 100% match bonus of up to $100, you will get a bonus dollar for every dollar you deposit – up to a maximum of $100.
Reload bonuses are offered to existing players at a casino. To take advantage of these promotions, you will need to make a new deposit. Match bonuses, free spins, or other types of promotions can all be a part of a reload bonus.
These bonuses are offered to players who have been active members of an online casino. Often, a site will offer several kinds of loyalty or VIP promotions, with those in the high tiers of the rewards program getting the biggest and most lucrative bonuses.
Some casinos offer recurring bonuses that you can claim on a weekly or monthly basis. These offers may be the same every month, or could change on a regular basis with varying prizes. You can benefit and opt-in for these as often or infrequently as you like.
High-roller bonuses are offers designed for those who want to make larger deposits and play for higher stakes. These bonuses are often bigger and have more favorable terms as a reward for high rollers.
Do you have a friend who might want to join the casino you are playing at? If so, a refer-a-friend bonus is a great way to get them started. These offers give both you and your friend a reward when they sign up and make their first deposit.
Happy birthday! Many of our recommended sites offer bonuses as a special gift on your birthday. Usually, you won’t have to make a deposit or do anything special: the casino will simply give you the funds to enjoy, just like any other present.
These bonuses are designed to be used on a specific game in the casino. For instance, you may see a slots bonus, a roulette bonus, or a blackjack bonus. These bonuses usually offer better terms, or larger matches on the specific games than a general welcome or reload bonus would.
Some casinos will give you a special bonus if you sign up from a specific device. In particular, these promotions are common for mobile devices, allowing you to get a bonus if you make a deposit or register your account from your phone or tablet.
Sometimes, sites like ours have access to exclusive bonus offers you can’t get anywhere else. If we have exclusive promotions or codes, you can be sure we’ll tell you about them so that you can take full advantage!
These bonus offers are specifically tied to live dealer games that feature real human dealers using physical casino equipment over live streaming video. If you want to play these types of realistic online casino games, then these are the bonuses for you.
You might think that bonus offers are simple. Just claim the bonus and take some free cash. In reality, even the top casino bonuses come with terms and conditions that you must fulfill when taking advantage of these promotions.
It’s important that you understand how these terms work before you claim or accept a bonus offer. Here’s a look at a few of the most important areas you’ll want to be familiar with before you pick a bonus.
Some bonuses require you to make a deposit to claim them, while others don’t. For deposit bonuses, be aware that the size of your bonus will be relative to the deposit you make. For example, for a 100% match bonus, if you deposit $20, you will get $40 in bonus funds. With no deposit bonuses, you avoid the initial transaction but may still need to deposit later to meet wagering requirements.
Apart from the fact that some bonuses will only let you play specific games, casinos often place limits on how much you can bet per spin when using your bonus cash. For example, you might not be allowed to bet more than $5 per spin. The reason casinos do this is that it makes it harder for players to trigger max payouts by activating all paylines or hitting certain in-game features.
Wagering requirements tell you how much you need to bet before you can access your bonus winnings. This is usually expressed as a percentage of the bonus. For instance, a 30x wagering requirement on a $100 bonus, means you must bet $3,000 (30 x $100) before you can withdraw funds. Some games, especially table games, may contribute only a small portion towards meeting wagering requirements.
A match bonus will give you bonus funds based on the amount you deposit. For instance, a 50% match on a $200 bonus would award you with $100 in bonus money. Each bonus will typically match one deposit, though casinos will sometimes offer a series of matches for new players, covering your first few deposits.
Some promotions place limits on how much you can win while playing on a bonus. This is especially common for no deposit bonuses, and some match bonuses. This could be a multiplier – such as 10x your bonus amount, or a flat amount, such as $200. Many casinos exempt jackpot winnings from these caps, allowing you to still have a chance to win progressive jackpots while on a bonus.
Most casino bonus offers require you to meet their wagering terms within a set time. For instance, you may have 30 days to complete the wagering requirements from the time you accepted the bonus, or the bonus might be forfeited. Many no deposit bonuses feature shorter time limits. You must ensure you’re wagering at a pace that will fulfill bonus requirements before the time expires.
Various bonuses are designed to be claimed at different times. Welcome bonuses are offered to brand new players who have never played at a casino before. Reload and loyalty bonuses are for existing players, while certain other promotions are designed to attract you to return to a site you haven’t played at in a while.
If you want help calculating how to maximize your next casino bonus, we can help you out. Each match bonus is different and requires a different sized deposit to get the most bonus funds possible. The math is quite easy, and we’re happy to show you how to do it.
First, let’s use a simple example: a bonus that offers a 100% match of up to $500. If you wish to get the full $500 bonus, you will need to deposit 100% of that amount.
To calculate this, you must first convert the bonus percentage into a decimal format, with the final two digits of the percentage going after the decimal point. In other words, a 100% bonus becomes 1.00, or 1.
Now, take the maximum bonus amount and divide it by that number. In this case, that means you would divide $500 by 1, resulting in a deposit of $500 to get the maximum bonus.
Chances are that you didn’t need any help to figure that one out. But what about a trickier example? Let’s try a maximum bonus of $300, with a match percentage of 50%.
In this case, our decimal becomes .50 (remember, the decimal point always comes before the final two digits in the percentage). Dividing $300 by .5 gives us $600 – the amount we would need to deposit in order to secure the maximum bonus.
Every bonus is unique, and no one bonus is right for everyone. But there are a few things you should look for when deciding whether a promotional offer is right for you. Here are our top tips for deciding whether or not a casino bonus is worth claiming.
When it comes to wagering requirements, lower is always better: it’s easier to clear a 10x requirement than a 20x playthrough.
If you want to play blackjack, roulette, or any other game, it’s important to know that you’re allowed to play those without violating the rules of your bonus.
Any deposit you make to claim a bonus should be comfortably within your budget. Also make sure that the bonus you get is fair and valuable in proportion to your deposit.
Ideally, your bonus won’t have a maximum win limit at all, but if it does, you’ll want it to be as high as possible – and, hopefully, exempt any jackpots you might win while playing.
The higher the percentage on a match bonus, the more value you’ll be getting for every dollar you deposit into a site.
Be sure to check for any unusual terms that might impact you, such as restrictions on players from your country or betting rules that could void your bonus.
Accepting a welcome bonus is simple and easy, even if you haven’t done it before. You’ll just have to go through a few easy steps, and we’re happy to walk you through the entire process.
While the exact process might be slightly different from casino to casino, almost all sites use the same basic procedure for accepting bonuses. Here’s a quick rundown of how you can claim your first bonus offer.
First, choose one of our recommended casino bonuses. Click on one of our links to be taken directly to the casino, usually right to its signup page.
Next, register for your account by providing some basic information like your name, address, and email. Also pick a username and a password for the casino.
If you are claiming a no deposit bonus and we’ve provided you with a bonus code, you’ll want to enter it at this stage.
If a code isn’t required, the bonus funds should be in your account after registration. You may be asked to opt into a bonus offer before receiving your free funds.
If you wish to accept a deposit bonus, you’ll need to head over to the cashier section of the casino. From there, choose the deposit method that you’d like to use.
Provide the required deposit information, including the amount you would like to deposit. If a bonus code is required, you’ll also want to enter that here.
Finally, submit your deposit request. After the transaction is approved, you should see both your funds and the bonus money in your account in a matter of moments.
Today, casinos allow you to make deposits and withdrawals using a vast number of methods. That means that there will almost always be an option that works for you and the tools you have available. However, your bonus options may be very different depending on the deposit methods you choose, and casinos may not offer bonuses for all methods due to regulatory issues and corporate gambling policies. Here’s a breakdown of several of the most common banking options.
Most, if not all online casinos, will let you make deposits using credit and debit cards. However, they may not always be as useful when it comes to making withdrawals. Some issuing banks may also object to processing gambling payments using their cards.
Prepaid cards are a great way to deposit – but keep in mind not all casinos will let you use them for withdrawals. You may, however, be allowed to withdraw to an account linked to your card. The most commonly accepted prepaid card is Paysafecard.
E-Wallets are online pre-paid accounts used to store money to make instant transactions both online and offline. This makes them perfect for both deposits and withdrawals at online casinos. Common e-wallets include Skrill and PayPal. Bonus policies can vary between e-wallets: while some may carry special bonuses, other e-wallets may not be eligible for any promotions.
Bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies are becoming an increasingly popular method for deposits and withdrawals at casino sites. Due to very little regulation, they can be widely accepted at most sites without issue. Many casinos also offer cryptocurrency-specific bonus offers on deposits.
Bank transfers are one of the most trusted and also the oldest method of depositing money into your online casino account. There are also a number of different ways to choose from. Possible options include standard bank transfers, wire transfers, and using online banking systems. You can also use these transfers to withdraw your winnings.
Nowadays, most casinos offer bonuses throughout your time on their site. This starts with a welcome bonus, but will then include reload, loyalty, and VIP promotions designed to keep you loyal and reward you for sticking with that particular casino. Here’s a look at a timeline of the casino bonuses you can receive while playing at an online gambling site.
This is a free welcome bonus you’ll get just for signing up with the casino of your choice. And what’s more, no deposit is needed for this offer! The most common registration bonuses are free spins or free chips.
When you make your first deposit at an online casino, you’ll unlock a larger welcome bonus package. Your first deposit bonus will usually be a match bonus but can also include free spins.
Join a generous casino and your welcome package will keep going after your 1st deposit. The number of bonuses you’ll get will vary from casino to casino, but many keep going up till your 4th or 5th deposit!
These offers can happen on specific days of the week and could include prizes such as free spins, cashbacks, mobile bonuses, or reload bonuses. Weekly offers are a great way to try new games or simply get extra chances to win.
Many online casinos have an email program through which you’ll receive exclusive bonuses. While you can subscribe at any time, we recommended that you do so early on, so you don’t miss out on great offers.
These competitions usually happen monthly or bimonthly and will reward your constant play. Generally, tournaments will have a big prize pool which you’ll get a cut of depending on how far up the leaderboard you climb.
Loyalty schemes come in all shapes and sizes, but the same rules apply – the more you play and the deposit, the bigger the prizes. Many VIP programs have different tiers, and can be your gateway into exclusive offers and highroller bonuses.
As the name states, these offers happen around a special season in the year, such as Christmas, Easter, or even your birthday. These prizes can be vast and are up to the imagination of the casino team – but they’re usually very exciting!
At some casinos, you may need bonus codes to take advantage of their promotions. If that’s the case, we will typically provide the code for you and give you instructions on when and how to use it.
These codes are usually short combinations of words and numbers, often related to the nature of the bonus. For instance, a 100% match welcome bonus might have the code WELCOME100.
You will normally be asked to input your bonus code either when you register your account, or when you make a deposit, depending on the type of promotion. If you’re using one of our bonus codes, we’ll be sure to tell you where to type it in. If you’re still not sure, look for instructions on the casino site. The space for your bonus code should be clearly marked.
Bonus offers are common at both land-based and online casinos. However, the two types of casinos provide very different offers for their players. At brick-and-mortar casinos, players usually only get some free chips, match bets, or comp points that can be used for things like rooms or food. Typically, you’ll need to be a member of a VIP or loyalty program to get these rewards.
On the other hand, online casinos offer a much wider range of bonuses to all of their players. You can get money to try games for free and get a match bonus on every deposit you make. These bonuses are also larger and more lucrative than what most players can get from land-based casinos.
In addition, online casinos offer a wide variety of unique bonuses you won’t find at live resorts. From bonuses for using specific payment methods to promotions based on using apps or mobile devices or even special rewards on your birthday, online casinos blow away their land-based counterparts when it comes to bonus offers.
You should now have all the tools you need to find the best casino bonus for you. And to make your search easier, our team has also put together a recommended list of bonuses just for you to choose from. Our chosen casinos not only offer lucrative promotions but are also safe and trustworthy. Sign up with one of our top casinos today to get one of the best available bonuses and enjoy an exceptional, safe gaming experience.
An online casino bonus is a promotion given to players by a gambling website for various reasons – sometimes to welcome them as a new player or even to thank them for being loyal. These bonuses provide you with added money you can use to play games in the casino in addition to any funds you may have added to your account.
The process for claiming each bonus varies from casino to casino. Many of which are automatically credited after you click through to one of our top casinos. For instance, you may receive a no deposit bonus just by registering, while in other cases, you may need a bonus code, which we will provide for you ourselves and can use immediately.
There is no single bonus that is better than all the rest. Each of our best online casinos features excellent bonus offers. These bonuses will in turn vary in various factors like size or amount, how easy they are to play through or wagering requirements, and what games you can play.
Not all of them. Many casinos will continue to provide bonuses for players well after they become members of their site. You may encounter regular reload or weekly and monthly bonuses, as well as bonuses that give you more value when you make additional deposits. Other bonuses may also include loyalty and VIP promotions for regular players.
Bonus codes are short sets of words and numbers that some casinos use to identify which promotion you’d like to sign up for. Each casino usually has its own set of codes, while some don’t use them at all. If you need a code to sign up for a bonus, we will be sure to provide it for you.
The best way to avoid casino scams is to follow a few easy steps. Always make sure you sign up to reputable casinos, read terms and conditions carefully, and check out our recommended sites and bonuses to make sure you stay safe. Our team reviews each casino before it makes its way onto our top list to ensure its safety, security, and much more.
Yes, you can. Many bonus offers allow you the opportunity to win progressive jackpots while using the bonus to play. While some casino promotions cap how much you can win, progressive jackpots are more often than not, exempt from those caps.
The games allowed can vary depending on the bonus you choose while some bonuses, typically Welcome Bonuses, will state which games you can play your bonus on. It’s always important to read the terms and conditions carefully to know which games you may play while clearing your bonus. This is especially true for table games like roulette, blackjack, and craps.
When an online casino bonus is offered to you, you always have the option of declining it if you don’t wish to take it. You might want to reject a bonus if you’d rather play games that are not allowed on that promotion, or if you feel that it could be difficult to complete the wagering requirements or meet other terms and conditions.
