Without a doubt, a new casino welcome bonus sets you off on your online gambling journey with a fatter bankroll. Since there are various offers available out there, you can pick and choose based on your personal preference.
Some players might prefer a deposit bonus offer over free spins and vice versa. What tickles your fancy is within easy reach at a casino on your desktop PC or mobile phone.
There is no need to shop around for deals; you can see our complete list of bonuses from trusted and licensed online casinos below.
What is a Casino Welcome Bonus?
A welcome bonus is exactly what it says on the tin. You are offered a bonus for simply signing up for a new account at an online casino.
Depending on the gaming operator you are signing up to, you may receive a match deposit bonus, free spins deals, cashback or a combo. The most popular type of bonus is the match deposit bonus, where the casino offers to match the amount deposited by a stipulated percentage.
This lump sum is by no means withdrawable. On the contrary, once you have snapped up a bonus, you are subject to the terms and conditions that come part and parcel with the offer. These may include wagering requirements, game exemptions, caps on winnings and maximum betting limitations.
What is the difference between a Welcome Bonus and a Sign-up Bonus?
A sign-up bonus also goes under the moniker no deposit bonus. A no deposit bonus is very rare to find. The casino usually throws in this bonus to all players who register for an account without requiring a deposit.
Players can use this bonus to play games and win real money. On the other hand, a welcome bonus always requires a deposit on the player’s player. Players who don’t take advantage of this offer and deposit without a bonus are usually unable to claim the welcome offer anywhere down the line.
Bear in mind that both offers are only available to all new registrants.
What is the Difference between the Welcome Bonus and First Deposit Bonus?
A first deposit bonus is a specific amount you get in return for making your first deposit at an online gaming operator. This deal is available as soon as you register for an account and usually deposits a percentage of bonus money that you get in return based on the size of your initial deposit.
If you deposit the maximum amount, you will receive the same amount in bonus money, effectively doubling your bankroll from the get-go.
There are no key differences between a Welcome Bonus and a First Deposit Bonus. Some casino operators might not offer match deposit bonuses. Instead, they might just offer free spins, depending on the size of your deposit.
Not all bonuses are created equally, so you should always weigh your options before opting for one.
How do Welcome Casino Bonuses Work?
Most casino welcome bonuses work by providing the player with more money on top of what they deposit. The amount of extra money given will depend on a variety of factors, namely, how much the player is depositing, how much the casino is willing to match said deposit and the maximum bonus amount.
For example, if the casino promises a 100% match deposit bonus of up to €100, and you deposit €100, you have a total of €200 to play the casino games.
As lovely as it sounds to receive such a sum, none of it is cashable. Instead, you would need to meet the wagering requirements attached to the bonus.
What types of Welcome Bonuses exist?
There are different types of welcome bonus offers that are ready to greet you when shopping for a new casino to join. These are best explained below:
- Match deposit bonus: Similar to the sign-up bonus, the casino offers to match the amount you wish to deposit by a percentage.
- Free spins: Instead of a match deposit bonus, the casino might grant players free spins on a qualifying slot game.
- Cashback deals: This is when a casino credits you a percentage of your net losses back to your account.
- Hybrid deal: Players receive a combination of match deposit bonuses and free spins.
While most offers will look the same, their value is usually based on the terms and conditions they come with. Please read those carefully.
Welcome Bonus with Free Spins
A firm player favourite, a welcome bonus with free spins is also known as a hybrid deal. It provides players with the best of both worlds: a match deposit bonus and some free spins on slots games chosen by the casino.
When it comes to hybrid deals, they often come with different wagering requirement amounts, so players must be careful. Free spins winnings usually incur a higher wagering requirement.
Popular slot games on which free spins are usually handed out on games such as Starburst, Finn and the Swirly Spin, Finn’s Tavern and Gonzo’s Quest by NetEnt and Book of Dead by Play ‘n GO. You might receive free spins on other online slot games as well.
Players should be mindful of the payout rate and the volatility of the slot games when shopping around for welcome bonuses with free spins.
Welcome Bonus with No Deposit
Sometimes though rarely, online casinos throw in no deposit bonuses to lure you in. This might happen before you even sign up. The gaming operator promises you a welcome bonus along with a no deposit offer.
Usually, the no deposit bonus is provided before you sign up and make your first deposit, just to get your foot in through the door. The no deposit bonus comes in the shape of free spins or a lump sum of money for you to spend as you please.
Similar to every other type of bonus available out there, no deposit bonuses come with wagering requirements unless otherwise stated. That means you cannot cash out any winnings, and you would have to wager the funds to meet them.
Once you are happy with your experience, there is still a welcome bonus waiting for you down the line, which you can happily snap up.
Match Deposit Welcome Bonus
A match deposit welcome bonus can be daunting to many newbies in the industry. They may not fathom how they work or may think the casino is throwing in free money with no strings attached.
As endearing as that thought sounds, online gambling sites are in the business to make money, so it’s unlikely for this to happen.
The gaming operator sets a minimum deposit threshold that players must meet to acquire the match deposit welcome bonus.
If there is a 100% match deposit bonus of up to €200 and the player makes a deposit of €200, the player will effectively receive €400 in total to play with.
The percentages will vary, but they all follow the same concept as follows:
25% Welcome Bonuses
Lower percentages are usually quite rare, especially since operators know that players want as much as possible from starters.
Lower percentages are mostly reserved for reload bonuses and not for sign-ups but some casinos might still choose to offer it from the beginning.
A 25% welcome bonus would work as follows. If you make a deposit of €100 and the casino is providing a 25% bonus up to €50, then you would receive €25 and a total of €125 to play with.
50% Welcome Bonuses
Similarly, it is pretty rare for gaming sites to provide low percentages. Although rare, these low percentages usually go hand-in-hand with fair terms and conditions, so lower wagering requirements and higher caps on winnings.
It does not mean in any way that you should avoid them but definitely look at the bigger picture before deciding.
To use the previous example, if you deposit €100 and the casino is giving away a 50% welcome bonus up to €50, you will receive €50 from the casino and a total of €150 to play with.
Of course, if you made a €200 deposit, you would still only receive €50 and not €100.
100% Welcome Bonuses
The 100 welcome bonus is one of the most popular casino bonuses available online. Let’s use a different scenario so that you can have a different take instead.
Let’s imagine you are receiving a 100% up to €500 and you are depositing €1,000. Some players might think that the casino should be matching the €1,000 deposited since it’s a 100% welcome bonus.
The maximum percentage threshold is what you need to pay attention to here. Since it clearly states it is up to €500, players making larger deposits will only receive €500 and, ultimately, €1,500 to play with.
200% Welcome Bonuses
A 200% welcome bonus is also rare as a gem, which is why it is more enticing for most players. It isn’t easy to come across an online casino that is willing to throw in such a generous welcome offer on top of your bonus.
Here’s how it works:
Say a casino is throwing in a 200% match deposit bonus up to €200. And you are making a deposit of €100.
This would mean that the gaming operator is giving you €200 in bonus cash, totally to €300 for you to play with. It is not bad at all!
Welcome Bonus with No Wagering
A welcome bonus with no wagering comes free from the shackles of playthroughs and thus by far the most lucrative offer.
No one likes to deal with the playthroughs as they are the bane of many players’ gaming experience. A bonus without any wagering requirements eliminates the problem entirely.
Whatever you win is yours to keep. You should still be mindful of other terms and conditions that might come with the bonus. You should never be negligent when it comes to the fine print since there may be caps on winnings and bets.
Overall, this could possibly be the most generous and player-friendly deal of them all.
How to Choose the Best Welcome Bonus?
It would be wise to read online reviews before jumping the gun and going after the first welcome bonus that comes your way. They not only present the welcome bonuses, but they also detail various other aspects.
In addition to highlighting the fine print, they will also detail the many games on offer, banking methods, other promotions, etc. You can ultimately make an informed decision after reading them.
Picking the best welcome bonus also depends on your personal preference. Some players might prefer a smaller percentage or just want to go all the way to 200% welcome bonuses. Others might prefer free spins deals over match deposit bonuses any day.
Finding one that combines the ideal bonus and their various entertainment options will lead to a satisfactory online casino experience.
Can you Withdraw Welcome Bonuses?
Yes and no. Welcome bonuses can become withdrawable if you meet the terms and conditions that come with them.
While it may look like you are receiving free money and spins, nothing in life is free. These bonuses come with strings attached, namely as wagering requirements. Also known as playthroughs, bonuses come with varying wagering requirement amounts attached. The amounts vary greatly.
As a general rule, the higher the wagering requirements, the less likely you are to convert bonus cash into real money.
Let’s use an example. Imagine that you are claiming a 100% match deposit bonus up to €100 and making a small deposit of €10. That would mean that you have a lump sum of €20 to play with.
If the bonus comes with a 10x wagering requirement, it would mean that you would need to bet your bonus 10x, or €200, before it is converted from bonus money to real cash.
You don’t have to keep a tally to see how you’re faring. If you succeed in converting it, you should be able to see this from your account. Some casinos also include the amount left to wager before your funds are converted into real money.
Once they are converted, the sky’s the limit. You can cash your winnings out. Of course, if the bonus comes with no wagering requirements, then you can cash out right away.
Are Casino Welcome Bonuses worth it?
If you do your homework, casino bonuses can definitely be worth your while. If you seek welcome bonuses with fair terms, play games with a higher payout percentage rate and have a game strategy in place, you might just convert your bonuses into real money.
If, on the other hand, you have your heart set on a specific casino, but the welcome bonus comes with high playthroughs, you might want to give it a miss. This is why it is essential that players are knowledgeable about the dealings of bonuses so that they can use this information to their best advantage.
Pros
- Give you a fatter bankroll
- You can play progressive jackpots
- Extend your gameplay
- Try your hand at numerous gaming options
Cons
- Any possible wagering requirements attached to a bonus
- Low caps on winnings
- Game exemptions
The Best New Casinos Welcome Bonuses
You don’t have to stop what you are doing and search high and low for a good deal. We have done all your research for you and come up with a list of legit, licensed and trustworthy online casinos with all the bells and whistles.
Check out our recommended list of casinos at the top of the page with superb welcome bonuses and get in on the action.
FAQs
Still feeling unsure how new welcome bonuses work? Go through our frequently asked questions below.
Casinos offer welcome bonuses as an incentive and to thank players for their patronage. While brick-and-mortar casinos might offer you free meals, online casinos offer tantalising bonuses to greet you. Most casinos offer a welcome bonus, making them ultra-competitive.
This would depend on the terms and conditions of the bonus you are claiming. In many cases, the bonuses can be used on online slot games. Very often, card and table games and live dealer games are omitted from the equation.
If they are, they usually contribute a minuscule percentage towards the wagering requirements.
The only way to convert your bonus cash into withdrawable real money is by meeting the playthroughs attached to the bonus. You should also make sure that you don’t break any of the other rules mentioned in the terms.
For example, if a bonus has a maximum betting of €5, don’t go placing a €10 bet as it would make your bonus void. Casinos definitely don’t like bonus abusers, so you must abide by the rules.
That would depend on your personal preference. The majority of online casino welcome bonuses come with a 100% deal. However, we have seen 200% bonuses and more.
It depends on what you are after. We always recommend reading the terms to weigh the value of the bonus better. If a bonus comes with high playthroughs, it is usually not worth it regardless of the size of bonus cash.
Sometimes smaller percentages have fairer terms, which might provide you with the best odds of converting bonus cash into real money.
Yes, most of them do. It is quite rare for casinos not to offer welcome bonuses as they need to stand out from the competition. Usually, when they don’t offer a welcome bonus, they offer other incentives such as cashback deals to make it worth the player’s time.
If you love playing a particular game or just want to tempt your luck at one of the many progressive jackpots out there, a welcome bonus sets you off with a fatter bankroll that extends your gameplay and time.
A welcome bonus also allows you to check out what the game operator has to offer and how it treats its players.
Again, that would depend on the casino you are thinking of signing up to. Very often, bonuses can only be played on online slot games. Card and table games, as well as live dealer games, are usually omitted from the equation.
Some casinos allow you to use your bonus on table games, but they would only contribute a tiny percentage towards the wagering requirements, which might not make it worth your while in the long run.