What is a casino welcome bonus?

A welcome bonus is an incentive offered by online casinos to attract new players. Typically granted upon signing up and making a first deposit, these bonuses can vary in terms of size and type. They often come in the form of a deposit match, free spins, or a combination of the two. Welcome bonuses are designed to enhance initial playtime and supply extra value. However, they usually come with often strict wagering requirements that must be met before you can withdraw any winnings.

Spin Casino

Spin Casino, powered by Microgaming, is our highest-rated online casino – and for good reason. There are numerous reasons, ranging from its carefully-curated games library, competitive loyalty program, mobile compatibility, hassle-free payment methods, and high 98% win rate. To top it off, Spin Casino has a generous $1,000 deposit match bonus for Canadian players.

Jackpot City

Aside from a generous $1,600 casino welcome bonus, Jackpot City excels in all areas. It boasts 600+ premium games, including the renowned Mega Moolah, is mobile-friendly, provides 24/7 customer support via live chat or a toll-free number, and has a VIP program that rewards loyal players. This well-rounded approach explains why Jackpot City, around 1998, continues to thrive.

ZetCasino

With its mobile optimization, large collection of payment methods, and diverse 7,000+ games selection, ZetCasino has many notable features in its favour. The platform is also celebrated – particularly by us – for its bonuses and promotions. The welcome offer takes the headlines, but it also offers weekly promotions and a VIP program that includes everything from cashback deals to a personal account manager.

Lucky Ones

Offering one of the best online casino welcome bonus deals in terms of numbers, Lucky Ones takes it to the next level with its promotions. Weekly offers such as deposit matches help get more bang for your buck, and its VIP program provides extra incentive to play. Throw in a bumper 5,500+ games and excellent mobile support, and there’s no surprise Lucky Ones has found a place in our top 5.

JustCasino

JustCasino provides one of the most generous online casino welcome bonus packages we’ve maybe ever come across. While this is enough to tempt you through their virtual doors, the platform delivers plenty to ensure you stick around. This includes an enviable selection of over 9,500 gaming options, along with a dedicated app which demonstrates JustCasino’s commitment to mobile gaming.

How to claim your welcome bonus

Online casinos want to make it easy for you to receive your welcome bonus. However, if you’re still unsure, we’ve compiled the standard process into five simple steps.

• 1
  Choose a casino: Find an online casino which provides an attractive welcome bonus. Read the terms to understand both the bonus structure and requirements.
• 2
  Create an account: Complete the registration form with your personal information. Ensure all information is accurate to avoid issues later when verifying your account.
• 3
  Make a qualifying deposit: Deposit at least the minimum required to activate the welcome bonus. Again, check the terms and conditions to see the minimum/maximum amount.
• 4
  Enter a promo code: During registration or making your initial deposit, you may be requested to enter a specific promo code associated with the welcome bonus.
• 5
  Claim the bonus: Usually, the bonus is automatically added to your account right after depositing. If not, give it time or contact customer support for help with activation.

Types of welcome bonuses

You typically won’t see a welcome bonus offer at one casino that’s identical to another. This variety adds to the excitement, but it’s good to be aware of the different types you’ll come across so you can ensure you pick the right one for your gaming needs.

• Match deposit bonus

  

  With a match deposit bonus, casinos match the percentage of your initial deposit. This is usually at 100%, sometimes higher, and effectively doubles your playing funds. For example, a $50 deposit with a 100% match deposit sees you receive $100 in total.

• Free spins

  

  This welcome promotion rewards you with free spins on specific slot games. As a result, you can hit the spin button for ‘free’ and may even find yourself winning a cheeky payout. The best casino welcome bonus packages often combine deposit matches and free spins.

• Tiered deposit bonus

  

  A tiered deposit bonus is structured to reward players across their initial deposits with varying match percentages. As an example, the first deposit might receive a 100% match, the second 75%, and the third 50%. This encourages you to make multiple deposits over a short time to maximize the bonus.

• No deposit bonus

  

  A no-deposit welcome bonus rewards you free spins or a modest amount of betting credit simply for registering. No financial commitment is required. This makes it ideal if you’re new to gambling and want to wager at a casino for the first time without using real money.

• Cashback bonus

  

  Think of a cashback welcome bonus as something of a safety net. That’s because it refunds a percentage of any losses incurred during a set initial period, such as the first week. For instance, if your net losses were $100 but you had a 20% cashback bonus, you’d receive $20 back.

Common T&Cs attached to welcome bonuses

Welcome bonuses are enticing. They also come with specific terms and conditions. Understanding these rules is crucial to not just maximize the benefits, but also avoid misunderstandings. Below are common T&Cs attached to welcome bonuses.

• Wagering requirements: Casino bonuses typically come with wagering requirements. This dictates how many times you must bet the bonus amount before any winnings can be withdrawn.
• Minimum deposit: To qualify for a welcome bonus, a minimum deposit is often required. This amount varies by casino but must be met to activate the bonus. Fail to do so, and you’ll forfeit the bonus offer.
• Game restrictions: Welcome bonuses may be restricted to certain games. Free spins are typically only valid for specific slot games for instance, while bonus funds might not be usable on games with a low house edge, such as roulette or blackjack.
• Expiration date: Bonuses tend to have an expiration date. This means you can only use the bonus within a specific timeframe. This can range from a few days to a month or more depending on the casino, after which the bonus becomes invalid if not used.

What are wagering requirements and how do they work?

Wagering requirements are common conditions set by casinos on bonuses they provide. It prevents immediate withdrawals of the bonus funds and any winnings. These requirements specify how many times the bonus amount must be wagered before it can be withdrawn.

For example, a $50 bonus with a 40x wagering requirement means you must wager $2,000 ($50 x 40) in total before it’s possible to cash out any remaining funds or winnings generated from the bonus.

Tips for maximizing your welcome bonus

Maximizing your welcome bonus isn’t only about improving your potential winnings – it also enhances the gaming experience. Here are key strategies to make the most out of your welcome offer.

• Read the T&Cs carefully, understand all requirements and restrictions, and avoid any surprises.
• Choose the right games. Only play casino games that contribute the most towards fulfilling wagering requirements.
• Calculate optimal bet sizes. Balance meeting wagering requirements and managing your bankroll effectively.
• Don’t rush! Use the bonus within the given time, yes, but don’t hurry through games and risk unnecessary losses.
• Regularly check how much you’ve wagered to track your remaining requirements – and adjust your strategy accordingly.

How we rate casinos which offer welcome bonuses

We look into various factors when we rate online casinos and determine the best welcome bonuses. The bonus value is a primary focus, but we also judge the fairness of terms, variety of games available, user experience, and more.

1

Background & safety check

Background & safety check

Safety and security are at the top of our list, with our team conducting a background and safety check before anything else. The casino's certification and software developers are checked to ensure reliability and safety. Encryption is also looked over for maximum security when it comes to payment. If these background and safety measures check out, the team moves on to the next stage.

2

Deposit funds & contact customer support

Deposit funds & contact customer support

Our experts take good care of testing out the casino's deposit systems, this is especially important when it comes to progressive jackpots. The team makes a real money deposit to check how smoothly the process goes, while also checking the range of available payment methods. Once all this checks out, our team contacts customer support to evaluate their response quality.

3

Play games & cash out winnings

Play games & cash out winnings

Our team is also responsible for trying out all the available games that the site offers, including progressive jackpots. We then move on to checking mobile compatibility, ensuring that mobile users will have a full & smooth experience. After everything is checked out in the real money casino, the remaining balance is drawn out to test the withdrawal process.

Baccarat

Bingo

Sic Bo

Slots

Sports

Video Poker

Casino rated & on our approved list

Casino rated & on our approved list

Once the team has tried and tested all these factors, they discuss which sites they liked and disliked. A group decision is made on which progressive jackpot casinos go on our approved list, regularly updating them to ensure all information is correct.

9.5