Best online casino bonuses in 2024
What is a casino bonus?
The most characteristic feature of any casino in the industry today is online casino bonuses. In case you consider visiting a virtual casino, this aspect will prominently be portrayed somewhere on the site displaying the vast majority of bonuses offered. Therefore, what is a casino bonus? It is an incentive to attract new players to join the casino and maintain the already existing ones by merely rewarding them.
Casino bonuses come in different forms such as additional bonus funds, free bets on casino games (such as free spins on slots), initiatives and gifts such as smartphones on special occasions like birthdays. However, these rewards are earned once a player meets certain conditions which could either be making a minimum deposit, participating in a particular game or referring a friend.
Types of online casino bonuses
Despite luring new players to join a particular casino and keeping the existing ones, casino bonuses make online betting fun to play. Therefore, online casinos have designed different types of bonuses suited for different kinds of players.
Each type of bonus cash varies in terms of the amount offered, financial commitment by the player and requirements required to qualify for the bonus. With so many casino bonuses floating around, it can be very messy and confusing for any new player. For this reason, we have discussed the various casino bonuses in detail to help one understand better.
Welcome bonus
The first casino bonus any new player will come across when looking to register at an online casino is the welcome bonus. First and foremost the casino welcome bonus is designed to attract new casino customers to the casino site. With so much competition in the online casino industry at present, the welcome bonus is the casino's primary chance to lure in new casino customers.
Just about all casino operators will have a welcome bonus of some form, it could be a bonus funds reward or deposit bonus free spins to play on the casino's online slot machines and games. The welcome bonus is one of the best casino bonuses which can represent good value for money for new casino players to take advantage of.
No deposit bonus
The no-deposit bonus has become very popular in recent times. The unique feature of the specific bonus is that players do not have to deposit any amount to win it. Although the amount is usually small or a few free spins, players essentially get bonus funds to try the casino games with (or deposit the bonus funds to contribute the free spins to check out the slots).
A no-deposit bonus mainly targets new casino customers joining an online casino. It offers them a chance to try out new casino games without depositing money. However, it is essential to note that the wagering requirement for this type of bonus is usually very high. This includes making a qualifying deposit before cashing out on any bonus winnings made as a result of the free bet.
Additionally, apart from the wagering requirements, there are game restrictions for a no-deposit casino bonus. It is highly unlikely to find the no-deposit bonuses attached to blackjack or poker games.
The non-sticky bonuses have also become very popular in recent years. It lowers risks with no need to wager, yet the promise of high rewards is very encouraging.
Learn more about No Deposit BonusesFirst deposit bonus
The first deposit bonus is a primary component of the casino sign-up bonus for new players signing up for the first time at an online casino. By making an initial minimum deposit to a player’s account, the operator will reward you with a casino bonus usually given as a percentage match and the maximum amount offered. Unlike the no-deposit bonuses, the deposit bonus offers players a relatively high amount.
For instance, an online casino offers a 50% bonus of up to £100. To claim this bonus a player decides to make a first minimum deposit worth £100 to his account. The operator will credit his account with an additional £50 bringing the total amount to £150. In case the player deposited, say £150, the player would only earn £100 since the maximum limit on the bonus is £100.
Besides the percentage deposit bonus, an additional reward accompanies the deal such as bonus spins on a particular game. Players must bear in mind the wagering requirements must be met before enjoying this bonus.
During regular casino play, you can encounter the following types of First Deposit Bonuses:
- 100% Match Deposit Bonus: Commonly referred to as a match deposit bonus, it is the most typical first deposit bonus offered to new casino customers in most online casinos. This means, that for any amount deposited, you will receive a deposit match based on the maximum offer.
- 200% Match Deposit Bonus: Although less common than the 100% deposit match bonus, the 200% bonus is generally a good offer that may come as a second or third deposit bonus. Any online casino with such an offer means it pays twice the amount deposited by a player. In other words, it’s twice what a match bonus would give you.
- 300% Match Deposit Bonus: This type of bonus is quite rare to come across in the UK. In case an online casino decides to run it, very high wagering requirements usually accompany it. This means that gamblers get thrice the amount of money they deposit, which would significantly boost their bankroll.
- 500% Match Deposit Bonus: If you thought 300% was the highest online bonus, you are wrong! The 500% bonus is the highest offer yet among online casinos, however, extremely rare. In most cases, it is often reserved for high rollers who deposit vast sums of cash into the casino in one go.
Free spins
A growing trend for an online casino bonus is free spins or bonus spin offers. Free spins are a popular bonus that allows you to play online casino slots even without depositing. They are mostly linked to online slot games and are usually offered at a specific value ranging from 25-100 free spins. Unlike regular bonuses which can be used on any game (often even in the live casino section), free spins can only be used on slots.
Both new players and existing ones can wager free spins depending on a particular casino. In most instances, the welcome bonus package includes either no deposit free spins or free spins as parts of deposit bonuses, for example, a new casino customer will receive 10 free spins on Starburst upon registering at the casino, or free spins after making a qualifying deposit, for example, gamblers can receive a 100% deposit match bonus up to £200 plus 25 free spins.
Most free spins carry wagering requirements with them which include an expiry period, game restrictions, slot rollover requirements and withdrawal limit. Any free spin winnings can either be added as bonus funds or real money depending on the specific operator.
Learn more about Free Spin BonusesLoyalty bonus
Another very common example of an online casino bonus is the loyalty bonus. Gamblers earn a loyalty bonus for being loyal to a particular operator for an extended period. How do loyalty programs work? The program is usually a standard aspect of most online casinos which is entered automatically upon registration.
The program classifies players according to different statuses depending on how often you wager on the site. Therefore, the more you bet, the higher your status becomes hence better bonus offers. Each bet translates to a point depending on the operator for example 1 point is equivalent to a £10 bet on slot games.
Cashback
Quite similar to a loyalty bonus, cashback is a new trend in the online casino industry that involves players recovering a fraction of their lost bets. This deal entails refunding between 5-20% of funds lost when betting or depositing large sums.
For instance, a player participates in a promo run by an operator which includes a 10% cashback up to £100. If £100 was staked and at the end of the day the player’s account reads £10, you could earn £9 as cashback.
Cashback bonuses may be offered together with other bonuses such as the welcome bonus or as an independent offer. Make sure to read the terms and conditions to find out exactly when you’re eligible for them.
Reload bonus
Online casinos grant the reload bonus to players when they make a qualifying minimum deposit into their online casino accounts. Reload bonuses usually vary between 10%-100% on the amount of the deposit.
This type of bonus varies from one virtual casino to the other. A casino might have a daily, weekly or monthly reload bonus where players can deposit an amount of money and receive free bonus credit from the casino.
The welcome bonus is another avenue for casinos to offer a reload bonus, especially for new players. In other cases, a reload bonus can simply be issued for using a specific payment option.
Live casino bonus
All of the best online casino sites now have a live casino section where players have the opportunity to play table games such as roulette or blackjack against a live dealer. The popularity of live casino games has caused many gambling sites to create bonus offers tailored solely for players who prefer live casino games.
The type of casino bonus offers for live casino players are usually cashback bonus deals, reload bonuses or tournament games where players climb the leaderboard for a chance of winning the prize pool.
Learn more about Live Casino BonusesSeasonal casino bonuses
The online betting industry is increasingly becoming competitive with each passing day with thousands of new online casinos opening up. Most operators will not only rely on the typical bonuses, but additional seasonal offers to stay relevant.
Some of these seasonal offers include giving players bonus spins when they make a qualifying deposit. Others include monthly reload bonuses, bonuses for specific casino games, payment method bonuses and bonuses for special occasions, such as birthdays, Easter, Valentine's and Christmas. Keep in mind that these often have a very short time period to keep the bonus valid. (such as 3 days).
150% on first purchase - Get Up To GC 57,500 & SC 27.5 FREE
How to claim different casino bonuses
Joining the best casino in the world does not matter if you have no idea how to claim the available casino bonuses on the platform. Every online casino has a standard procedure on how to claim any bonus depending on what the bonus is.
Usually, the steps to acquiring the casino bonus are generally easy unless the operator is not a genuine one. In such a case, you will always find the process very complicated. During certain occasions, players may need to contact the support team to request activation.
How to claim your first deposit bonus
- ESTIMATED TIME REQUIRED
- 00:10
- what you will need
- Our Guide, internet access, payment method, personal details and money
- EQUIPMENT REQUIRED
- PC, Smartphone or Tablet
How to claim your free spins
How to claim a casino bonus for existing customers
Apart from the welcome bonus, all other casino bonus offers are available for existing customers to participate in. Existing players can claim any casino bonuses available to them (including a match or free spins) by visiting the dedicated bonus section on the site.
The gambler can then proceed to select a suitable bonus and opt-in. The bonus could be a daily, weekly or monthly offer depending on a specific casino. Depending on the bonus regulations, an existing player may be required to make a minimum deposit. Upon adhering to the procedure, a player may proceed to play on select casino (Like Aussie Play) games to meet the wagering requirements.
Top 5 online casino bonus offers
1. 888 Casino
2. PokerStars Casino
3. Bonus Boss
4. Rialto Casino
5. PlayGrand
Different bonus conditions to consider
As enticing as they may appear, online casino bonuses have different conditions and restrictions players need to abide by in order to withdraw the bonus. A typical condition is the playthrough requirements. It refers to the number of times you have to wager the bonus before withdrawing any money. In most cases, it ranges between 10 and 50 times.
Players need to ensure that they have placed cash stakes on casino games that count towards the wagering requirements; otherwise, the bonus will be cancelled. Additionally, some operators only allow specific banking methods to be used for deposits. Otherwise, any withdrawals are forfeited. Remember – when in doubt, read the terms and conditions thoroughly!
Bonus limits
Online gambling sites are cautious about the number of bonuses they offer. Thus bonus limits are set; otherwise, there would be no casinos in operation. When it comes to deposit bonuses, it is not possible to get an infinite amount of money as most players might think.
Most gamblers focus on the percentage part without reading the rest of the bonus statement. Regardless of the amount of money the player deposits, a casino bonus will only offer a certain amount (up to the maximu bonus amount).
Take, for instance, a welcome bonus that offers a 100% match up to £250. If a punter deposits £100 the casino will credit his account with £100 extra. However, in case a deposit of £200 is made, the casino will credit the player's account with £250.
The max bonus conversion to real funds also needs to be taken into account as it is often limited to a certain amount as well.
Wagering requirements
As previously mentioned, most casino bonuses need to be wagered a certain number of times before any winnings from the bonus can be withdrawn. Although a majority of players view this as a way to deny them the bonus, it is beneficial to the operator. This strategy protects the virtual casino from fraudsters whose aim is to acquire the bonus and leave without making any payments.
The wagering requirement is usually a multiplier with the highest reaching up to 50x. The higher the wagering requirements, the more difficult it is to withdraw the bonus. For example, if a player earns £50 as a bonus with a 20x wagering requirement means that he will have to stake £1000 on select casino games before cashing out any proceeds.
Remember that bonus funds are separate from cash funds, and sometimes only bonus funds count towards the wagering requirement. It is imperative to note that some online gambling sites will only allow a player to withdraw a portion of the bonus money even after the wagering requirements have been met. In such cases, the full bonus amount cannot be withdrawn.
Wagering contributions
Wagering contributions vary by game and that is one of the most overlooked aspects of casino bonuses. Put simply, different games contribute differently to the wagering requirements. Often expressed as a percentage, it indicates how wagers on particular games count towards completing the wagering requirements.
In most cases, depending on a particular online casino, chance-based casino games like slots and lottery tickets might contribute 100%. On the other hand, skill-based games such as blackjack might only count for 25% of the wagering contribution. Generally, casino games that have a higher RTP (return to player) have a smaller contribution percentage.
For this reason, wagering your bonus on some popular slots such as Starburst will complete the wagering contribution faster than betting on live dealer games or table games. The contribution percentage varies from one operator to another. Therefore, players should do a thorough investigation before making any commitments.
Payment methods
Check that your chosen payment method is eligible for the bonus as certain methods of payment such as E-wallets like Skrill or Neteller may not be valid for your qualifying deposit in a bonus offer.
Debit cards are usually always accepted, while PayPal varies and most other banking options are usually excluded. The best online casino bonuses will be triggered when you deposit your own money into an account which will then be topped up by bonus money once certain criteria are met.
If you choose one of the best online casinos, you should be able to choose from a wide array of deposit methods.
Your best bet is to use a debit card for your initial deposit and then switch to an alternative payment method for subsequent deposits.
Eligible games
Many online casino sites allow bonus funds to be played only on predetermined casino games. Check which games are eligible for the bonus and which of them count 100% towards the wagering requirement. A Free spins bonus may only be valid for selected games, while deposit bonuses tend to allow you to play the bonus funds on any casino game you wish.
What to look for in a casino welcome package?
Since you have learned about the welcome bonus, how can you choose the best UK casinos for you? Most importantly, you should discover a casino that has your favoured sort of casino games.
Look for the welcome offer
Now it's time to check the genuine welcome reward offer that the casino bonus offers. For the most part, observe the % match sum and limit point sum the mobile casino bonus has inferred. Welcome offers tend to change now and then so you should ensure you get the most recent rewards.
Check what terms and conditions apply to the requirements
Try to read the terms and conditions of the bonus and don’t imagine that you can withdraw the money immediately. As clarified beforehand, the vast majority of the welcome rewards have strict wagering requirements, so it’s essential to know precisely the measure of betting that is required and what is the betting commitment from your favoured games.
Every one of these subtle elements is continuously accessible inside the T&C of every given bonus, if not, sit down and talk with a help specialist if available.
The vast majority of casino bonus offers will have a point of confinement of how much the casino will coordinate. Ensure that you make a point to peruse the unique terms these sorts of bonuses have a tendency to have a bit higher wagering rates than the typical rewards.
Terms and conditions might be very boring, but when it comes to deposit casino bonuses, they tend to be brief and very much worth reading.
Percentage rate first deposit bonus
In some cases, a casino can offer another percentage rather than a known 100% match store reward. You can discover a casino that provides half or significantly more than 100%, such as 150% or 300%. It implies you can get an extra half deposit coordinated on the second store or some other continuous store.
So when you deposit £100, the gambling club will add £50 to your ledger upon the deposit. Concerning other rates which are all more than 100%, the system is the same. So make a point to know precisely what you are getting on the first deposit.
How do I know I can trust the bonus of a casino?
In an era where cybercrime is rampant, gamblers should be careful when enrolling for any online casino promotional bonus offer. Unfortunately, rogue casinos will offer attractive bonuses to reward themselves instead of you, the client.
To verify whether a bonus is valid or not, you need to ensure it is licensed and regulated by a credible jurisdiction. In this case, the casino needs to hold a license from the United Kingdom Gambling Commission.
Research widely by checking out customer reviews and user opinions regarding the reputation of a particular fair online casino. Although legitimate casinos also receive negative reviews, make sure the positives outweigh the negative ones.
Genuine online casinos undergo regular audits by credible organizations such as eCOGRA. They perform audits on the randomness of games, payment methods and bonuses offered. Players need to locate their logo, which is usually displayed on the casino’s landing page.
Furthermore, the quality of software providers will tell you a lot about the online casino’s reputation. If the software providers are well-known and highly regarded, it is highly likely the casino is legitimate. Audit organizations for fairness and legality also investigate the software providers.
One final note – While pretty much every casino uses cookies, that’s not necessarily a bad thing in and of itself. Look into what cookies are used and how. Many sites only use them to store your login details on your computer so that you can log in more easily.
Why do casinos offer first deposit promotions?
The exponential growth of the gambling industry over the years is mind-blowing. With new sites developing daily, it is increasingly difficult, especially for amateur players to choose an online casino. Today, casinos have developed new trends to make the decision easier for gamblers through the introduction of first deposit promotions.
The first deposit promo is a common practice used by all operators to stimulate a player to deposit cash at the casino further. Besides that, it provides players with extra bonus cash to use to discover their favourite casino games. Casinos are filled with numerous games with new ones introduced daily. It is quite a challenging task to try out all of them with insufficient funds, and that’s where the first deposit bonus can into play.
Especially for beginners, the first deposit promotion reduces the risk of losing vast sums of cash. The perfect gambling experience does not just win but to win more than you lose, therefore with an extra bankroll, players do not have to fear the risk of losing money.
7 Tips for the best casino bonus
The amount of money a player is required to wager at the casino before withdrawing the winnings constitutes the wagering requirements. When selecting a casino bonus, always pick the one with lower playthrough requirements.
Consider choosing the bonus that is accompanied by free spins to increase your chances of winning and discovering different games available on the casino’s platform. Even when limited to just one game, free spins are still a great deal.
Casino bonuses usually come with expiry periods ranging between 24 hours to 9 months. Choose one with a realistic period to allow you sufficient time to play through the bonus.
Prior to selecting a bonus, make sure the games available have a high wagering contribution. Check whether there are games with 100% contribution such as slot games rather than Blackjack whose RTP is low.
Often overlooked, online casinos limit cashouts to an absolute value. A good bonus should have a very high maximum limit to encourage players to wager further.
Select a bonus with a relatively reasonable requirement or no deposit bonus entirely. Some operators demand high deposits, yet the bonus amount is too small.
Whether to play a bonus or not should be based upon a player's discretion. The best casinos offer players the alternative of opting out entirely.
Online casino promotions to avoid
Players are easily carried away by the brightly flashing banners that display promos with huge bonuses that are way too good to be true. Be very careful, Smash Mouth lied to you when they sang about how all that glitter is gold.
The best casino bonuses are not always about how large the bonus amount is but how potentially profitable is it in the long run.
Such lucrative promotions are usually broken down into segments that require players to make unreasonably high deposits to claim them. Furthermore, too-good-to-be-real deals are usually kicks of a dying horse. It is a red flag for an online casino that is on the verge of shutting down due to huge losses.
5 Common mistakes to avoid when using a casino bonus
Online casino bonuses FAQ
What is the difference between a no deposit and a first deposit bonus?
A no-deposit bonus is awarded to online gamblers without them having to wager any real money. To get the bonus you just need to sign-up with the operator and the bonus funds are credited instantly upon qualifying.
The bonus purposely lures amateur players to join the casino site to try out the available casino games on its platform. Players usually take advantage of this bonus at new casinos until they find one that best suits them.
On the other hand, the first deposit bonus, which is more popular, requires one to make an initial payment before claiming the bonus funds. Unlike the latter, the deposit bonus funds are usually higher and are aimed at newly registered gamblers in an online casino. While a no-deposit bonus might give you only 5 or 10 free spins, a deposit bonus could give you 50-100 free spins.
What are bonus codes?
There are most likely no online casinos that don’t offer any significant promos and rewards. However, these bonus offers do vary from one casino to another, and it’s continuously shrewd to explore what sort of arrangements you can get at a specific casino. Other casinos will throw in additional rewards to your account once you’ve made a particular deposit.
The method for activating these bonus funds or free spins is usually by typing or pasting a unique bonus code into a special bonus box. Such a code may be obtained from several places, such as the casino website or various review sites like our own. Always read the review closely, as sometimes we can offer you special codes that you won’t find anywhere else! Who can say no to some bonus money or spins?
What are wagering requirements?
Wagering requirements are the total you should bet/wager to discharge your extra rewards into your Main Balance. With most bonus funds or free spins, you won’t have the capacity to make withdrawals at all until the point that you have finished wagering the entire bonus funds the required amount of times.
For example, on the off chance that you have £10 bonus funds with 50x prerequisites, you should stake an aggregate of £500 so that the first bonus funds expire and will go towards your main balance. This will then allow you to withdraw those bonus funds just like you would any other winnings.
The games you play will count towards wagering, or in other words, the betting necessities of the online casino bonus. The sort of games you choose to play will directly contribute an alternate % towards wagering requirements.
For instance, when a player stakes £1 on Slots, It should be evident that £1 will fall off your Wagering Requirement (betting prerequisite). If they stake £1 on Roulette, however, a sum will be cut from your specific wagering requirement. When a blend of wagers set in roulette covers at least 67% of the board, it won’t tally towards the bonus wagering requirement.
Remember that bonus funds are separate from cash funds, and sometimes only bonus funds count towards the wagering requirement.
Can you use a first deposit bonus more than once?
No. Players can only use the first-time deposit bonus once after which it ceases to exist for them. It’s impractical from a business perspective to continue to allow players to have free spins and generate winnings indefinitely; otherwise, the online gambling site would go bankrupt.
If, for example, the casino gave you 100 bonus spins every time you deposit, they would either not be able to make any profits or would need to limit how much you win from said bonus spins, neither of which is ideal. Even more so, all online casinos prohibit the use of the first deposit bonus in case of a household, IP address, email address or credit/debit card number that has been credited before.
Once the player receives the bonus funds, it is usually valid for a particular time before it expires. Instant withdrawal is not permitted before you adhere to the required regulations which differ depending on a specific casino.
Can you withdraw your casino bonus?
Numerous online gambling platforms have terms, for example, the money deposited being played preceding utilizing bonus cash or that rewards from the award are cashable, yet the reward can be evacuated upon withdrawal requests. At that point, there is a little circumstance with wagering prerequisites.
A betting necessity is a multiplier that consolidates the things a player needs to play a reward preceding the withdrawal of assets. Thus, when you are furnished with £20 in bonus money with a 5x betting prerequisite, you are required to perform £100 on any game the gambling club has chosen before you withdraw the assets. It is only an illustration. Most betting prerequisites begin from 30x.
Can I win real money by using a free spin bonus?
Free Spins can of course be turned into real money as long as all of the terms and conditions of the casino bonus are fulfilled. In many cases, both free spin winnings and spin winnings will be capped at a specified amount. Free spin bonuses will also have certain wagering requirements and time limits.
Once all the bonus conditions have been met any free spins winnings can be withdrawn as real money. The best casino bonuses will have terms and conditions that should not restrict players too much or make it difficult for them to withdraw.
Do I qualify for a deposit bonus if I make my qualifying deposit using PayPal as a payment method?
It all depends on the online gambling site that you are registering with. Although PayPal is recognised as a method of depositing funds at many online casinos, in many cases, qualifying for a deposit bonus may require players to make their initial minimum deposit with a more traditional payment method such as a debit card.
However, some online casinos will give unique casino bonuses for players using PayPal as a method of depositing funds. Always the bonus terms and conditions before making any real money deposits.