Best Casino Bonuses of 2024 – Updated

Here is the section on online casino bonuses that lists the offers given by our Accredited Casinos. This list includes No deposit bonuses, welcome bonuses (AKA sign up bonuses [SUBs]), exclusive bonuses, reload bonuses, free spin bonuses, and loyalty programs. The most important thing to realise here is that you must read and understand the terms and conditions of every bonus you accept.

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WHAT IS A CASINO BONUS?

The online casino bonus is awarded to new online casino players to register an account and try out games without too much of a risk. When the industry was still young and with far fewer players, the online casino bonuses were more generous than they are today.

The idea was that a player would deposit some money and then receive an amount equal to, or sometimes more significant than, the amount initially deposited. This principle stayed the same, but the rules have changed because players soon realised that online casino bonuses opted for a very good chance of walking away with a profit.

However, as the industry expanded, more online casinos entered the market and as the presence of the industry increased, so did the number of online casino players. This led to greater opportunities for the players to hop from online casino to online casino, taking casinos’ bonuses and leaving with a profit. A situation that meant that the online casinos could no longer sustain the bonus concept on their current terms.

Today, players are required to wager a certain amount of bets (known as the wagering requirement) before they can cash out winnings made from an online casino bonus. For example, if a player deposits €100 and receives another €100 online casino bonus with a wagering requirement of 5x (5 times the deposit and online casino bonus), a total of €1,000 or more bets is required before cashout.

Types of Bonuses

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Below, we’re going to take a look at all of the different types of bonuses. While you can claim many of these bonuses in combination with one another, some can only be claimed individually. As such, it’s worth having an idea about how they all work.

Free Spins Bonus

Video slots – or online slots – have become increasingly popular in the last few years. Today, demand for these games is higher than ever, with players going in search of highly volatile machines that are capable of offering wins of up to 100,000X+ your stake!

Online casinos have taken notice of this trend, and that’s one of the reasons why, today, one of the most popular types of bonuses offered at casinos is free spins, also known as bonus spins or extra spins.

Free spins are designed to be used on a certain slot – or, in some instances, a range of slots from a specific game developer. These free spins allow you to spin through a particular game a certain number of times for free, without you needing to spend or risk any of your own money.

For example, if you were awarded 10 free spins for use on NetEnt’s Starburst slot, with these spins worth £1 each, you’d get 10 free spins worth £10 in total, with any winnings from the spins being added directly to your casino account balance.

Sometimes, free spins are awarded to players as part of a first deposit bonus, while in other situations, they can be distributed as part of a random one-off promotion or new-slot offer.

Whenever you claim free spins, it’s well worth taking time to look through the terms and conditions; for example, different free spins promos have different wagering requirements attached to your winnings and some terms state max free spins winnings. (Max free spins winnings refer to the maximum amount of money that you can win from the spins.)

Today, you’ll find tons of free spins bonuses available to claim – and here at Casinomeister, we’ve teamed up with some of the biggest names in the industry to bring you the best free spins promos – some of which you can find right here on this page at the top!

No-Deposit Bonus UK

A no-deposit bonus is perhaps the most popular type of bonus you’ll find offered at online casinos. While they’re quite a lot rarer than they used to be in the past, they can still be found if you look hard enough – and here at Casinomeister, you’ll notice that we’ve managed to compile a breakdown of some of the top no-deposit bonuses available to UK players.

So, what is a no-deposit bonus – and how do they differ from other types of casino bonuses?

Well, first of all, a no-deposit bonus doesn’t require you to make a deposit of your own, nor do you need to risk any of your own money to claim it. What this means is that you’re able to begin playing at an online casino (no-deposit bonuses are offered to new players as a way of incentivising them to join a new site) without risking any of your cash. Most no-deposit bonuses allow you to win real money, too!

So, what’s the catch? Well, for one, most casinos will cap the amount of money that you can win from a no-deposit bonus. For example, if a casino is offering a £10 no-deposit bonus, you may find that they cap the maximum amount you can win at £100. Anything over this amount will be forfeited.

You have to remember that, at the end of the day, casinos are businesses; they’re operating to make money, and they simply can’t afford to give out no-deposit bonuses to everyone. Because of this, there’s usually other terms and conditions attached too.

While no-deposit bonuses aren’t as common as they once were (due to smaller profit margins than before for online gambling operators), they can still be found – and you can find some UK-focused no-deposit bonuses right here on this page!

Deposit Bonus

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The Deposit Bonus is the most common category of online casino bonuses. It offers the player a percentage match on the first deposit into the player account made into the player account. The Deposit Bonus will normally be 100%, but it could be anything between 50% and 300%. 

The Deposit Bonus category comes in many different shapes and forms. Here you can read all about the most known types of Deposit Bonuses.

Welcome Bonus

The most common bonus of all online casino bonuses is the Welcome Bonus. This type of bonus comes in different shapes, though, since not all online casinos call it a Welcome Bonus. Some will also refer to it as their ‘Sign-up Bonus’ or ‘New Player Bonus. When an online casino offers a Welcome Bonus, it could be anything from a 10% to a 500% bonus. However, Welcome Bonuses are always a ‘percentage match’ bonus. Meaning that if an online casino offers a 50% Welcome Bonus and the player deposits €20, the casino will give 50%, so €10. If the Welcome Bonus is 300% and the deposit is €20, the player gets €60.

Match Bonus

A Match Bonus, as the name already implies, will match the deposit with a certain percentage of the total deposit. For example, A casino offers a 100% match bonus, up to €200. This means that the player will get 100% on any deposit amount made up to €200. Generally speaking, Match Bonuses are offered to new players who make their very first deposit at an online casino, but they can be applied to returning players as well. Essentially, a Match Bonus is free money – but of course, it relies very much on a player’s commitment. A player has to dedicate money to the online casino first, and then the online casino might offer them a matching bonus.

Cashback

Cashback isn’t normally offered to new players at an online casino (although there are some exceptions) as it’s normally used as part of a loyalty or VIP program. Cashback, as the name suggests, simply means that a casino refunds you, the player, a certain amount of money which correlates to the amount of money you wager/stake. Generally, casinos only offer cashback on losses, which means that if you win, you won’t be eligible for cashback.

For example, whenever you place a real money wager at an online casino offering cashback and lose, a small percentage of that wager will be added to your ‘cashback’ balance. Usually, most online casinos award you with cashback at the end of every week or month. Depending on the terms and conditions of the casino, you can either withdraw your cashback into your bank account or play with it as bonus funds.

It’s important to note that many casinos won’t offer cashback to all players; often, you’ll find that it’s only offered to players who’ve been playing at a site for a long period of time. It’s common for VIP or Loyalty programs to make up part of a cashback program, and sometimes the percentage of cashback you’re eligible to claim increases the more you play at the casino.

Reload Bonus

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We’ve already touched, briefly, on reload bonuses, but now we’re going to be talking about them in more depth, looking at what they are and how they work. So, what is a reload bonus? Well, in short, it’s much like a matched deposit bonus – except the percentage of the reload bonus is usually less than 100%.

Also worth noting is the fact that a reload bonus is generally only available to existing customers – that is, players who already hold an account at an online casino and are regular players. Sometimes, reload bonuses come with special terms and conditions; for example, they may be awarded to you if you deposit a certain amount of money within a given time frame, or they may be used as an incentive if you haven’t played for a while.

Assuming that most reload bonuses are delivered in the form of a 50% matched deposit bonus, this means that if you made a deposit of £50 and chose to claim a reload bonus, your account would be credited with £150.

As reload bonuses tend to be geared towards more active, regular players, the wagering requirements are often significantly lower than conventional matched deposit bonuses. For example, while many new-player matched deposit bonuses may have wagering requirements of around 40X, reload bonuses typically have wagering requirements of around 20X; this means it’s easier to convert your bonus funds into real, withdrawable cash, meaning you have a better chance of actually being able to make a withdrawal!

As UK online gambling regulation dictates that bonus funds must be separate from your cash balance, there’s really no reason not to claim a reload bonus when you’re offered one. First, you play with your cash balance; you can withdraw it right away if you manage to hit a nice win.

Only after you’ve used up your real money do you dip into the bonus funds, which is when the wagering requirements and other terms and conditions come into play. Before this point, you can do whatever you like with your cash balance – including using it on live dealer games and casino table games.

High Roller Bonus

High roller bonuses are a specific type of bonus geared towards players who plan to spend a significant amount of money at a casino upon their first deposit. As the name suggests, high roller bonuses are designed for players who are considered, by most, to be high roller players.

High roller bonuses tend to be more generous than other welcome bonus promotions; after all, casinos often rely on high rollers to make up a significant part of their overall revenue, so enticing new high rollers into joining their site and becoming a regular player is quite a key part of their overall strategy to ensuring profitability.

So, what exactly is a high roller bonus, and how does it differ from other, more conventional bonuses?

Well, a high roller bonus is typically given to new players on their 1st deposit and/or their subsequent deposits. Generally, a high roller bonus is a matched deposit bonus, although, unlike most matched deposit bonuses, a high roller bonus offers a much higher maximum bonus amount.

For example, if a casino is offering a 100% matched deposit bonus of up to £200 to normal players, they may offer a high roller bonus in the form of a 100% matched deposit bonus up to £2,000. The minimum deposit requirements are typically much higher to claim this bonus, sometimes as much as £500 or even £1,000.

You may also find that high roller bonuses also have lower wagering requirements. Other terms and conditions may also be designed to be slightly more friendly to players. For example, you may find that you’re able to play casino table games or live dealer games using a high roller bonus – so it’s not hard to see why they’re a popular choice among so-called whales; high-staking players at online casinos.

Daily Bonuses

Sometimes, casinos will offer what is known as daily bonuses; these are generally small promotions that are offered to all players, and they’re usually offered in exchange for the player completing a small action – often a deposit or wagering a certain amount of money.

For example, some online casinos run daily free spins promotions, where you’re awarded a small number of free spins – perhaps 20 spins – for depositing, say, £10. Some online casinos let you claim this daily bonus once, while others allow you to claim 20 free spins (in this example) for each £10 you deposit.

Because these daily bonuses are generally fairly easy to claim – and don’t usually require you to deposit much money to claim them – the value of the free spins isn’t usually much. For example, you may find the value of the free spins set at 10p or 20p. Still, they can be a nice way of claiming a casino bonus on a daily basis – and these types of bonuses are especially geared towards regular players, those who play on a regular basis.

Referral Bonuses

While almost all online casinos offer some kind of welcome bonus to new players, some sites go above and beyond that – choosing to reward players in another way once they’ve claimed the initial welcome bonus promotion. One of the ways this is achieved is through what’s called a referral bonus, which is offered by quite a few casinos today.

A referral bonus, as the name suggests, is a specific type of bonus that’s given to you if you manage to get a friend or someone you know to join the casino; if you get someone to successfully sign-up then you’ll get a special bonus, often a wager-free amount of money that can be used on your favourite games right away!

Today, claiming a referral bonus is relatively straightforward, and the process is pretty much the same across all os that offers it. The first thing you need to do is get a special sign-up link for your friend to use. They must create their account using this link, as it’s the only way that the casino will be able to tell that it was you that convinced the person to sign up.

Usually, there are two different types of referral bonuses that you’ll find offered at online casinos. The first is a fixed bonus amount; for example, if you refer one player, you may receive a bonus of £20.

Some casinos, however, also offer you a percentage type of bonus; for example, a casino may give you a 25% bonus – meaning that the amount of money your friend deposits on their first time – you’ll get 25% of that amount. For example, if you referred a friend and they made a deposit of £100, you’d get a £25 bonus credited to your account.

Today, finding referral bonuses tends to be quite easy; after all, online casinos are keener than ever before to convince new customers to join their site – and if you’re ever unsure as to whether or not a casino offers a referral bonus, simply reach out to the customer support team and ask!

VIP Bonuses

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If you’ve ever thought about what it means to be a VIP player at an online casino, then you may be wondering what type of perks you can expect to get as a VIP. First, let’s take a look at the three core ways in which you can actually become a VIP player:

  • Invitation: Invitation-only VIP programmes are the most common types of entry into a VIP scheme, and this format means that you’ll only be eligible to join the VIP scheme once a member from the VIP team or casino management team invites you to join.
  • The merit of Play: In many cases, this format is slightly more difficult to reach, and it requires you to be a very loyal player at an online casino. To reach a VIP programme in this way, you’ll need to frequently make deposits, play at high levels and be considered to be one of the site’s top-staking players.
  • Tier-Based Programs: The final way you’ll see used at certain online casinos is the tiered-based system. These are probably the second most common type of VIP entry system, and a casino will have a number of tiers in place; the more you play, the more points you earn, and you gradually work your way through these tiers.

Regardless of the route taken to become a VIP, once you reach VIP status, you’ll be able to enjoy a significant number of perks. For example, many VIPs are awarded exclusive bonuses – often free spins and matched deposit bonuses – and these bonuses tend to have much lower wagering requirements than conventional bonuses.

VIP players may also be able to benefit from other perks. This can include, for example, a dedicated VIP manager, faster deposits and withdrawals, higher withdrawal limits, access to exclusive games, and sometimes even physical gifts and rewards, including Rolex watches, cars – even holidays!

Mobile Bonuses

Mobile casino bonuses have surged in popularity in the last few years thanks to so many players are now choosing to play at online casinos from their mobile devices. Mobile bonuses aren’t exactly anything different than conventional bonuses – although, as the name suggests, they’re only available to players who sign-up and join a casino from their mobile device.

Some online casinos allow you to choose which bonus you’d like to claim, either their ‘normal’ bonus or a special mobile bonus. Other online casinos allow you to claim both. You may be able to claim a matched deposit bonus when you first join the casino from your desktop computer. Then, as an incentive to download their mobile casino app, casinos may also offer you a second bonus once you do so.

Other than the method in which you claim the bonus (i.e. needing to download a mobile casino app), the bonuses don’t tend to be very different. The terms and conditions are largely the same, the wagering requirements don’t differ much, and the games you can play the bonus funds on are usually the same.

How To Choose The Best Casino Bonuses

Poker Palace - a bonus here?

Today, choosing the best casino bonuses is easier than ever, thanks to the comprehensive work we do here at Casinomeister to bring UK players the best bonuses. Whether you’re looking for a 1st deposit bonus, a no-deposit bonus or free spins, we’ve got you covered.

On this page, not only will you see a list of the best casino bonus offers currently available, but you’ll also show you exactly what to look out for when claiming a bonus for yourself. And, to reiterate, all of the online casinos listed here on this page are UK-licensed and accepting players from the UK.

So, what exactly should you be looking for when choosing the best casino bonuses? Let’s take a look.

Total Bonus Amount

Arguably one of the first things that you should look at when deciding whether or not to claim a casino’s welcome bonus or other forms of bonus is the total bonus amount that you’re going to be receiving. This lets you instantly see how generous (or not) the bonus will be – and gives you a rough indication of what you can expect in terms of generosity. 

However, we should point out that there’s a couple of things to keep an eye on when looking at the total bonus amount. First of all, you need to consider the matched percentage of the bonus; for example, is the bonus a 100% matched deposit bonus, a 200% matched deposit bonus or something else?

Secondly, you need to consider how much money you need to deposit in order to claim the bonus. For example, if you claim a 100% matched deposit bonus of up to £200, you need to deposit £200 to claim the maximum potential of the bonus. Depositing less than this is acceptable – but you won’t be capitalising on the full potential of the bonus.

Some bonuses also come with other perks attached; for example, many deposit bonus offers include free spins, although sometimes these are only awarded when you make a deposit totalling a certain amount. Minimum deposit rules also often apply, so be sure to make sure you read through the full terms and conditions before signing up and claiming any bonus to make sure you know what you’re signing up for – and what you need to do in order to receive the full potential of the bonus.

Multi-Tier Deposits

Multi-tier deposit bonuses are quite a common format of casino bonuses, and while they’re not offered at every site, they’re well worth keeping an eye out for, as, when you do find them, they can be pretty profitable. So, what exactly is a multi-tier deposit, and how do they work?

Well, some welcome bonus promotions – minimum deposit restrictions apply; however – the casino doesn’t just offer you a matched deposit bonus on your first deposit. Some online casinos offer you matched deposit bonuses on your second, third and sometimes even fourth deposit – and this means you’re able to claim a casino bonus on multiple deposits.

For example, if, on your first deposit, you’re awarded a 100% matched deposit bonus up to £400, you may find that you’re able to claim a 50% matched deposit bonus up to £800 on your second deposit.

This means that not only are you getting a first deposit bonus, but you’re also getting a second deposit bonus and possibly even a third or a fourth! Thankfully it’s usually very easy to tell whether or not a casino offers multi-tier deposit bonus promotions as they’re aggressively advertised – and some of the casinos you’ll see advertised on this page indeed offer multi-level welcome bonus promotions.

Minimum Deposit Requirements

Minimum deposit requirements are a common part of online casino bonuses, and virtually every bonus in the world comes with some type of minimum deposit requirement. So, what is a minimum deposit requirement, and how does it affect the bonus you’re thinking of claiming?

In short, a minimum deposit requirement simply means that you need to make a minimum deposit to be eligible to claim one of the casino bonuses on offer. For example, if the casino was offering a 100% matched deposit bonus, they may stipulate in the terms and conditions that the minimum deposit to claim the bonus is, say, £20.

The actual minimum deposit limit in place depends largely on the size of the bonus you’re looking to claim as well as the casino you play at. For example, some online casinos set the minimum deposit for bonuses as the site’s minimum deposit limit; other casinos have a higher minimum deposit limit, especially when it comes to high-roller bonuses.

Generally speaking, a fair and common minimum deposit limit is around £10. Some of the bigger casino bonuses – especially those geared towards high roller players – can increase into the tens or even hundreds of pounds, but it’s very unusual.

Free Spins?

Free spins – also known as bonus spins – are a popular ‘add on’ too many casino bonuses, and they’re particularly common when it comes to new players claiming a first deposit bonus; however, you won’t find them offered with all first deposit bonus promotions, as only certain casinos run them.

So, why should you be on the lookout for free spins when you claim a free spins bonus? Well, arguably the biggest reason is the fact that claiming free spins significantly increases the value of the bonus you’re claiming. For example, if you claim a 100% matched deposit bonus on your 1st deposit, you may well find that the casino also credits your account with, say, 20 free spins to use on a selected video slot.

While these are common with 1st deposit bonus offers, they’re not exclusive to 1st deposit offers – and some casinos offer you no deposit free spins which are free spins you get as soon as you sign-up and join the casino.

At the top of this page, you’ll find many casino bonuses offers – including high roller bonuses – that offer free spins in addition to the main bonus. Hence, it’s well-worth taking a look, especially if you want to claim free spins alongside your first deposit bonus, as this is, generally, when the value of the free spins is higher.

Wagering Requirements

HULL , ENGLAND - MAY 04 2018 : Gambling machines blinking in the casino.

Ah, the dreaded wagering requirements. They’re something that is attached to almost every bonus.

While it’s true that wagering requirements are designed to make it harder for players to convert bonus funds into real, withdrawable cash, you’d be surprised at how easy it can be to actually complete the wagering requirements – especially if they’re somewhat low and you play the right games.

So, what exactly are wagering requirements? Well, in short, wagering requirements dictate the number of times that you need to wager the bonus funds before it becomes real, withdrawable cash. For example, if you claimed a 1st deposit bonus – let’s imagine it’s a 100% matched deposit bonus, worth £50 – and if the wagering requirements were 10X, then you’d need to wager a total of £500 before the bonus funds were transferred to real money. 

Unfortunately, most 1st deposit bonuses carry wagering requirements that are higher than this, and it’s not uncommon to see wagering requirements of 25X to 40X; some no-deposit bonus offers can even have wagering requirements as high as 75X!

Whether you need to wager 35X the bonus, or 50X, it’s also important you look at the games on which you can use the bonus funds.

Now, while wagering requirements are common with virtually all casino bonus offers, there are some casinos that offer what are known as wager-free bonuses; as the name suggests, these casino bonus promotions do not have any wagering requirements attached; so, any winnings that you manage to accumulate as a result of the bonus are yours to keep – they’re added directly to your cash balance.

We should also point out that in the UK, due to regulations imposed by the UKGC a couple of years ago, today, when you claim a casino bonus, the bonus funds are separate from cash funds. What this means is that your bonus money is separate from the real, withdrawable cash in your account.

The major benefit of this is that if you hit a nice win with your cash balance before you dip into your bonus funds, you’re able to withdraw; of course, you sacrifice the bonus funds in your account, but it means you’re able to withdraw right away without having to worry about completing any wagering requirements. This is known in the industry as a parachute bonus.

Acceptable Payment Methods

When you’re searching for your ideal casino bonus, there’s something you’ll likely notice as you browse through all of the different online casinos available. That is, most online casinos restrict various payment methods from being used to claim their 1st deposit and subsequent deposit bonuses.

For example, Skrill and Neteller deposits are almost always excluded from being used with bonus promotions – and if you do make a deposit using one of these two payment methods, you will likely be unable to claim the 1st deposit bonus you want to claim.

So, why is this? Why are both of these popular payment methods excluded from use at most online casinos?

It all comes down to fraud; while both Neteller and Skrill are perfectly safe to use (they’re both licensed and regulated in the UK, for example), they do not require much information from users to sign-up. What this means is that fraudsters can simply create multiple Skrill/Neteller accounts, keep on claiming the best casino bonuses and, often, cash out.

As casinos were losing millions of pounds from this every year, they simply decided to ban both of the payment methods from being used outright. It’s an annoyance, for sure, but thankfully there are many other payment methods that are accepted for use with bonus funds, and this means you shouldn’t have to worry too much about not finding the right payment method for you to use.

Game Restrictions

When you claim a bonus and read the terms and conditions, you’ll often notice that there’s a number of ‘game exclusions’ put in place by the casino in the section under wagering requirements. What this means is that when you’re playing with your bonus funds (remember, your cash money is always separate from cash funds), you can’t play certain games.

Or, if you do play any of the restricted games, then the bets you place will not count towards the wagering requirements. So, why is this important, and why do online casinos put this rule in place?

Well, firstly, it’s important because if all of the games you enjoy playing are excluded from being used when you claim a deposit bonus, then there’s simply not much point in claiming the bonus, regardless of whether it’s a first deposit bonus or a high roller reload.

And why do the casinos implement this rule? Well, it all comes down to the return to player percentage – the RTP as it’s better known. The RTP determines how much money a casino can expect to win – on average – from a game over a long period.

For example, if a game has an RTP of 97%, that means that, on average, for every £100 you wager through it, you’ll lose £3 – that’s the casino’s profit. While most video slots have an RTP in the region of 95-96%, some games have very high RTPs – even as high as 99% – which makes it very easy to beat the wagering requirements when playing these high RTP games.

Most casinos simply don’t allow you to play these games when using bonus funds to combat this. Also worth pointing out is the fact that most casinos also exclude progressive jackpot games, casino table games like Roulette and Blackjack, and live dealer games.

Max Free Spins Winnings/Bonus Winnings

If you claim a bonus – especially a no-deposit bonus – then you may find, buried in the terms and conditions, there’s a ‘max free spins winnings’ clause, for example – or a maximum cashout limit. Thankfully this is almost always reserved just for no-deposit bonuses, and it’s pretty rare to see them in use with conventional 1st deposit bonuses and reload offers – but some casinos do still implement them, so it’s worth keeping an eye open for.

So, if you see a term like ‘max free spins winnings £100’, what exactly does it mean? Well, it means what it says; the maximum amount of money you can win from the bonus is £100. 

This may sound like a pretty annoying term to have – after all; it would be pretty annoying to hit a massive win only to find out you can’t cash most of it out, right? But the reality is casinos, when it comes to no-deposit bonuses, are giving them away; they are taking a substantial financial risk as a result.

Due to bonus abusers and fraudsters, casinos have to limit their financial liability. That’s one of the reasons why you’ll almost always see max free spins winnings restrictions in the terms and conditions of any bonus you claim.

General Terms and Conditions

Whether you claim a 1st deposit bonus, a high roller bonus or another type of promotional offering at an online casino, you’ll always find that the bonus comes with a long list of other terms and conditions.

The vast majority of these terms and conditions are relatively straightforward, things you typically don’t need to worry about. However, there can occasionally be clauses that could catch you out if you weren’t otherwise familiar with them, and this can include bonuses being limited to one per household/IP, max free spins winnings and time-frames in which you must complete the wagering requirements.

We strongly recommend you read through the full terms and conditions of any bonus before claiming one. Doing so will help protect you from accidentally breaching any of the terms, which could, as a result, void your bonus and any winnings associated with it.

UK Bonus Codes 2021

In the past – particularly at US and Canadian-facing casinos – in order to be able to claim a bonus when joining a new casino (especially a 1st deposit bonus), you used to be required to enter a bonus code at the casino. This is simply a code you’re required to input when making your first deposit; if you don’t input this bonus code, you will not be eligible to claim a bonus.

Today, most online casinos have largely done away with bonus codes. Bonus codes are rarely used any longer, as most casinos prefer to automatically credit bonuses to player accounts instead. This is especially true at online casinos in the UK; in fact, we’d go as far as saying it’s pretty rare to find a casino that requires you to input a bonus code to claim a bonus.

However, there are some instances where bonus codes are used – and one of the most common situations where you’ll find yourself required to use a bonus code is when exclusive promos are sent to your email address. These usually aren’t 1st deposit bonus offers and are more designed for regular, loyal players.

However, some UK-facing online casinos still use bonus codes, despite the overall reduction we’ve seen in recent years – and if you find yourself given a bonus code, it’s important to look at the terms and conditions of how to use these bonus codes.

For example, most bonus codes can only be used once – and almost always, they need to be redeemed within a certain time. If you fail to do so, the bonus code simply won’t work when you come to try and use it.

How To Claim a Casino Bonus

While claiming a casino bonus – whether it be free spins, a matched deposit bonus, or a reload bonus is pretty easy today – some players feel slightly intimidated when it comes to claiming theirs – and that’s why, in the section below, we’re going to be taking a look at exactly what’s involved with claiming a bonus.

#1: Head to the casino website

The first thing you need to do is select the online casino you’d like to play at. This means you need to find an online casino that offers what you want; for example, does the casino offer a wide variety of games from varying software providers? Do they offer the payment methods you want? Do they even have the type of welcome bonus you’d like to claim?

It’s well worth taking some time to look around and find a casino that best suits your needs before jumping in and choosing the first casino you find. Here at Casinomeister, we work round-the-clock to review all casinos – new and old – bringing you the best and warning you which to stay away from

At the top of this page, you’ll find a breakdown of the top casinos, all of which offer a great selection of bonuses and promotions. When you see a casino, you like the look of, just hit the ‘Play Now’ button to be taken directly to the site!

#2: Sign-Up

Once you’ve chosen which online casino you’d like to join, the next step is to sign-up. Usually, this is a relatively hassle-free and simple process. All you need to do is select a username (or use your email address), set a password and enter some personal information.

In the UK, due to new online gambling regulations, you’re now required to provide proof of your identity before you’re able to begin depositing and playing with real money. Some online casinos can automatically carry out this process using data from the electoral roll, while some smaller casinos will require you to upload manual proof.

Once you’ve successfully signed up and confirmed your identity, you’ll be ready to proceed to the next step!

#3: Select Your Bonus

Once you’ve successfully joined a casino, the next step is to choose which bonus you’d like to claim. Most online casinos offer multiple welcome bonuses to new players. Some sites will offer a bonus that’s specifically designed to be played on live dealer games and casino table games. Other sites will offer a slots-specific welcome bonus.

Other casinos will offer different types of 1st deposit bonuses; for example, some sites will offer you free spins as part of their 1st deposit bonus, while others will run a special cashback promo.

Take some time to check out the ‘promotions’ page at the casino you’ve joined, and check out the various bonuses on offer. Once you’ve found one that you like the look of, proceed to the next step!

#4: Review the terms and conditions 

Before you claim a 1st deposit bonus and begin playing with it, it’s very important that you read through the terms and conditions; this is where you’ll find all of the various limitations of the bonus, and here you’ll find things like the wagering requirements, the maximum cash-out amount and the time-frame in which you have to complete the wagering requirements.

Thankfully, it’s really easy to find the terms and conditions of any bonuses – and wherever a casino advertises details of their 1st deposit bonus, they need to provide a link that takes you directly to their terms and conditions page.

We strongly recommend you don’t skip this step like many players do, as you want to make sure that you can use the bonus on the games you want to play. You also want to ensure that the wagering requirements aren’t overly high; as a general rule of thumb, anything under 40X is considered acceptable.

#5: Deposit

Once you’ve joined up at the online casino you’ve picked, and you’ve found a 1st deposit bonus you’re happy with, it’s time to make your deposit! Provided you’ve read through the terms and conditions; you’ll already know which payment methods can be used to make your deposit.

Please note that certain payment methods are usually excluded from being used to claim 1st deposit bonus offers. For example, you generally can’t use Neteller and Skrill to make a deposit – and you’ll usually be limited to debit and credit cards.

When making your deposit, make sure you either enter the bonus code required to claim the 1st deposit bonus or tick the box confirming that you want to claim the bonus. Once your deposit is successful, the bonus funds will be automatically credited to your account, and you can proceed until step five.

#6: Begin Playing

Once you see the bonus funds have been credited to your account, it’s time to begin playing your favourite games! Be sure to make sure that you’re able to play the games you want to play; check out which video slots and casino table games (where applicable) contribute towards the wagering requirements, and make sure you’re not playing any excluded games.

We should also note that if your funds haven’t been credited to your account (the bonus funds, that is), make sure you contact the customer support team before you begin playing with any of your real money. This will ensure that the casino can correct any issues ahead of time.

#7: Complete the wagering requirements and cash out!

If you’re lucky enough to beat the wagering requirements, then you’ll notice that the bonus funds are automatically converted into real money! This means the money will be added to your total account balance, at which point you’re able to do what you want with it – withdraw it, or continue to gamble!

When you’re ready to cash out, you simply need to head to the ‘cashier’ section, select which payment method you’d like to use and choose how much money you’d like to withdraw!

Deposit Bonuses & Percentages

If you choose to claim a deposit bonus at a casino, you’ll notice that they all come in various percentages. The percentage simply refers to the amount of money. So, for example, if an online casino was offering a 100% matched deposit bonus as part of their welcome bonus promotion, the amount of money you deposited would be matched by 100% by the casino.

Let’s imagine you made a deposit of £50 and claimed a 100% matched deposit bonus; your account would be credited with an additional £50, bringing your total account balance up to £100.

Similarly, if you claimed a 150% matched deposit bonus and deposited £50, the casino would give you £100, bringing your total account balance up to £150! Generally, most online casinos offer a 100% matched deposit bonus as part of their main welcome bonus offer, but some online casino bonuses can be worth more – it all depends on where you look and which casino you choose to play at.

While some online casinos do offer bigger bonuses – all the way up to 400% in some cases – be wary of sites that offer bonuses that look too good to be true. In most cases, they will be – and there’s a chance that the casino you’ll be playing at will not hold a valid online gambling license.

Always choose a casino that’s reputable and trustworthy – like the sites listed here on this page. Any casino you see recommended here at Casinomeister has undergone a stringent round of checks to ensure they’re fit for purpose. Any site on this page is suited for UK players as they all hold online gambling licenses from the UK’s Gambling Commission.

How To Choose The Best Casino Bonus Promotions

Suppose you’re a player living in the UK. In that case, you’ll be pleased to know that you have a great selection of bonuses and promotions to choose from – even though the UKGC has tightened things up quite a lot over the past years, making it more difficult for online casinos to operate profitably within the United Kingdom.

When it comes to finding online casinos with the best bonuses and promotions, there are two main ways of doing so. The first is to browse through all of the various UK-facing casinos online today and choose the one that you like the look of the most.

While this method allows you to make all of your own decisions, it’s incredibly time-consuming, and, to be honest, if you don’t know what you’re looking for, you could end up joining a site that’s not legit or has shady bonus terms and conditions.

The second way – and the one we strongly recommend – is to choose one of the casinos we recommend here at Casinomeister. Our team of online gambling experts work incredibly hard to review and test out all UK-facing casinos, and this allows us to only recommend you the best sites with the best bonuses and promotions.

If you scroll to the top of this page, you’ll see a list of our top and most highly recommended online casinos, all of which hold a valid online gambling license in the UK and all of which offer a solid welcome bonus offer to new customers.

If you see a casino that you like the look of from this list, then all you need to do is simply click the “Play Now” button, and you’ll be taken directly to the casino’s sign-up page.

What Is The Best Casino Bonus For New Players?

If you’re completely new to online gambling, then you may be wondering about the best casino bonuses to claim – and which you should choose when you join a new casino. The type of deposit bonus you claim – or no-deposit bonus or free spins – will determine your very first experience at the online casino you choose to join, so it’s well worth taking the time to make sure you’re choosing a bonus that’s suitable for you.

Generally speaking, we’d recommend new players to start with a no-deposit bonus. This is a type of bonus that doesn’t require you to deposit to claim it; instead, it’s usually offered to new players simply for signing up and registering an account.

For players who have a bit more experience in the online gambling world, you may want to consider choosing a matched deposit bonus. These are great when you’re depositing large sums of money as they can award you up to a 200% match – and the wagering requirements are usually a lot lower than those found attached to no-deposit bonuses.

Free spins are another good option – but ultimately, it all comes down to what you, as a player, want and what kind of games you’re looking to play.

Parachute Bonuses: What Are They?

In the last few years, we’ve seen several changes from the UK’s Gambling Commission when it comes to online gambling – and bonuses are one of the areas they’ve focused on quite a bit. For example, here a some of the terms and conditions the UKGC sets out on online gambling operators when it comes to 1st deposit bonuses and other promotions:

  • Significant terms and conditions must be included in the advert or headline unless the advert is so small that it is impossible to do so. If it isn’t possible to display these, they must be available on a webpage no more than one click away from the advert.
  • Significant terms and conditions should contain any key restrictions which may limit how long an offer is available or where a player must meet minimum wagering requirements. They should always be made clear and available to the player before and during play.
  • All marketing and advertising material should align with the LCCP section on marketing and the regulations outlined on our marketing and advertising page.
  • Marketing and advertising should be undertaken in a socially responsible manner and must comply with the UK Advertising Codes issued by the Committees of Advertising Practice (CAP) and administered by the Advertising Standards Authority (ASA).
  • All terms and conditions regarding bonuses should be available to players before they sign up and after play has started.

However, the UKGC has also made one other significant change – and that is the rule that bonus funds can no longer be combined with a player’s real, withdrawable balance.

You see, in the past, when you claimed a 1st deposit bonus or any other type of matched deposit bonus, your cash was combined with this bonus money. Only once you had completed the wagering requirements of the bonus would you be able to withdraw any of your money – and this caused many players to get quite confused.

As a result of this confusion, the UKGC determined that all UK-facing casinos should separate your bonus funds from your real money. This means that your bonus is what’s called a parachute bonus.

First, you use your real money when playing. This means that you can play any games you like, including live dealer games, casino table games and progressive jackpot video slots – while also staking as much as you want.

Only once you’ve used up your real money funds will you ‘dip’ into your bonus funds – and this is when the wagering requirements and various other terms and conditions come into play.

This is highly beneficial from a player’s point of view as it means you’re able to claim a 1st deposit bonus on a risk-free basis.

100% Casino Bonus UK

The standard casino bonus – welcome bonus – you’ll come across at the vast majority of new online casinos is the 100% matched deposit bonus, and this is, for many players, the best casino bonus. As the name suggests, a 100% matched deposit bonus essentially doubles your initial deposit – so, if you made a deposit of £50, the casino would credit your account with an additional £50, bringing your total account balance up to £100.

200% Casino Bonus UK

If you find a casino that offers a 200% matched deposit bonus – which will almost always be part of a welcome bonus – then the site will double your initial deposit. For example, if you were to make a deposit of £50, they would credit your account with an additional £100, bringing your total account balance up to £150!

300% Casino Bonus UK

While 300% matched deposit bonus offers are pretty hard to come by – especially in the UK – they can still be found, although they’re becoming rarer and rarer by the day. A 300% matched deposit bonus means a casino will triple the amount of money you deposit into your account – so, a £50 deposit would see the casino crediting your account with an additional £150!

400% Casino Bonus UK

400% matched deposit bonuses are very uncommon, and, as a UK player, they’re almost impossible to find – with the exception, usually, if you’re a high-roller player. Why are they so hard to find? Well, because the casino is giving away so much cash! For example, if you made a deposit of £50 and claimed a 400% matched deposit bonus, the site would credit your account with an additional £200!

Casino Bonus Terms and Conditions

Every online casino bonus you come across will carry a number of terms and conditions, and it’s important that you’re careful to follow these terms and conditions. Otherwise, your bonus funds may well become void.

Below, we’re going to take an in-depth look at some of the most common terms and conditions you’ll find it attached to welcome bonus offers and other types of casino bonuses, so you know what to look out for when claiming one of them for yourself.

Wagering Requirements

Wagering requirements are undoubtedly the most common type of term you’ll see attached to casino bonuses, and it’s actually really important that you have a good understanding of how wagering requirements work and how they impact the bonuses you choose to claim.

In short, wagering requirements dictate the number of times that you need to play through a bonus before the bonus funds are converted to real, withdrawable cash. For example, if you claim a £10 welcome bonus that has wagering requirements of 30X, you’d need to wager the bonus a total of 30 times before the funds are converted into money which you can actually withdraw.

While wagering requirements are relatively straightforward, you should also be aware that certain games contribute to the wagering requirements in different ways. For example, most video slots contribute 100% towards the wagering requirements; this means that for every £1 you spend on the slots, £1 will be knocked off the wagering requirements.

However, certain casino table games – take Roulette and Baccarat, for example – contribute a lot less. Playing Blackjack, for example, you may find that each £1 you spend only contributes, say, 10% towards the wagering requirements – and this is because these games have a much higher return to player percentages and are, generally speaking, seen as ‘easier to win on by players.

We should also point out that some games don’t contribute towards the wagering requirements at all. For example, progressive jackpot games generally don’t – although many online casinos simply don’t allow you to even play these games using bonus funds – so this is something you should always try to be aware of.

While wagering requirements are easier to understand than they were in the past, you should make sure you understand them. If you have questions – feel free to reach out to the casino’s customer support team, who’ll be happy to answer any questions or queries you may have.

Time-Frame

Almost all casino bonuses have what’s known as a time frame or time limit in which the wagering requirements and other terms and conditions must be completed. If the wagering requirements aren’t done by the time this time frame is up, then any bonus funds still in your account will be forfeited.

Thankfully, the vast majority of online casinos give you plenty of time to complete the wagering requirements, and it’s common to see bonuses active for as long as 30 days! The worst-case scenario, we’ve found, is usually 7 days – but some sites may have shorter time limits, so again, it’s always well-worth checking beforehand so you know exactly how long you have to complete the wagering requirements.

Minimum Deposit

Many casino bonuses – especially no-deposit bonuses and matched deposit bonuses – have a minimum deposit limit, and this simply means the minimum amount of money you need to fund your online casino account in order to be eligible to claim the bonus.

How big (or small) the minimum deposit varies quite a bit depending on which type of bonus you choose to claim. For example, it’s not uncommon for free spins bonuses to have a relatively low minimum deposit – say £5 or £10 – while matched deposit bonuses often have a slightly higher minimum deposit of, maybe, £20.

High roller bonuses also typically have a much higher minimum deposit, and, depending on the type of welcome bonus you choose to claim, you may find that the minimum deposit amount is as much as £500.

Thankfully it’s easy to find what the minimum deposit amount is for a specific bonus you’re looking to claim, and like everything else on this list, you’ll be able to find the information on the bonus’ terms and conditions page.

Validity

The validity of a bonus is quite important as it determines the specific games in which the bonus funds can actually be used. For example, if you claim a welcome bonus – usually a matched deposit bonus – then you’ll tend to find you can play almost all games, provided they’re not progressive jackpot slots or live dealer games.

However, if you choose to claim a no-deposit bonus, then there’s a pretty strong chance that the online casino bonus can only be used on certain pre-selected slots.

The same goes with free spins; if a casino is running a free spins promotion, there’s a pretty good chance that you can only play the free spins on certain video slots. In some circumstances, a casino may allow you to choose multiple slots from the same game developer, but still, you’re limited to playing a pre-selected variety of games.

Similarly, if you claim a welcome bonus that’s designed for live dealer games or casino table games, then you typically won’t be able to use the bonus funds on video slots or video pokies.

Before you claim a casino bonus be sure to spend some time looking at the terms and conditions; here is where you’ll find out all the information you need to know, and you’ll also be able to see the validity terms of the bonus are.

Maximum Bet

Many of the casino bonuses you’ll come across today come with what are known as maximum bet restrictions. As the name suggests, these terms and conditions limit the amount of money you’re able to spend per spin/hand while playing with bonus funds.

Thankfully, today, most online casinos located in the UK automatically prevent you from placing a bet that’s higher than the maximum limit allowed under the terms and conditions; if you attempt to do so, the casino software simply won’t let you place a bet.

However, this isn’t available at all online casinos, so you need to be very careful when placing bets to ensure that the amount of money you’re wagering/staking isn’t higher than the maximum allowed amount.

While the specific max bet you can place while playing with bonus funds varies, depending on the actual bonus you choose to claim, the vast majority of online casinos in the UK cap the max stake – while playing with bonus funds – at £5.

Maximum Cashout 

A maximum cashout limit – also known as a win limit – is something that’s applied to many no-deposit bonuses, although it’s pretty rare to see used in conjunction with conventional welcome bonus offers like matched deposit bonuses. A maximum cashout simply means that you’re limited on the amount of money that you can win from a bonus.

For example, if a casino is offering a £10 no-deposit bonus, you may find that the maximum win limit is £100. This means that any winnings above £10 would be forfeited.

It may sound like a relatively irritating rule, but it’s worth considering that no-deposit bonuses are given to players for free, and the casinos do actually take on some risk when offering them to players.

If you’re curious about whether or not there are any maximum win limits with the bonus you claim, you can always read through the bonus’ terms and conditions or contact the casino’s customer support team directly. 

One Bonus Per Household/IP

If you claim a welcome bonus, a no-deposit bonus, or virtually any other type of casino bonus, you’ll almost always notice that — buried deep within the terms and conditions — there’s something that says the bonus can only be claimed once by someone in the same household or those using the same IP address.

The reason behind this rule is relatively simple, and it all stems from the past when online casinos suffered significant financial losses as a result of bonus abuse. For example, people were signing up at a casino over and over again and claiming the same welcome bonus.

In order to try and cut this out, today, most online casinos only allow one person to claim a welcome bonus from the same household or IP address. If you’re unsure as to whether or not you or someone else in your house has already claimed a welcome bonus, it’s always best to contact the casino’s customer support team first.

Casino Bonuses & Payment Methods

While most online casinos allow you to make deposits and withdrawals in a variety of ways, some sites don’t allow you to use all payment methods to claim an online casino bonus. Below, we’re going to look at some of the most commonly excluded payment methods and why they’re excluded.

Deposit Method Exclusions

While most online casinos allow you to use debit and credit cards, PayPal and Bank Transfers to claim a welcome bonus or deposit bonus, most sites exclude Skrill and Neteller from being used.

While both of these payment methods are perfectly safe and reliable, they don’t require users to submit much in the way of verification. This means that these payment methods are an easy target for money launderers and fraudsters…

And this has, historically, cost online casinos quite a bit of money. Customers would create fake accounts at casinos and claim one of the casino bonuses; they would then do this time and time again, and it ended up costing the casinos quite a bit of money.

While you can almost always use Skrill and Neteller to make deposits and withdrawals, be aware that the vast majority of online casinos will not allow you to use them when it comes to claiming a casino bonus.

FAQs

How do I claim a casino bonus?

While each online casino will have a slightly different way of distributing their online casino bonuses, most sites tend to have a fairly similar framework – and thankfully, it’s never been easier to actually claim and begin playing with casino bonuses today.

Some online casinos require you to input bonus codes, although in the UK, this is pretty rare. Generally speaking, you simply need to complete an ‘action’ – i.e. making a deposit or playing a certain game. This means that the process is, by and large, automatic, so you don’t have to worry too much when it comes to claiming your online casino bonus.

Can I withdraw winnings from my casino bonus?

Yes! Provided you’ve met the wagering requirements and haven’t broken any of the other terms and conditions associated with the bonus; you’ll be able to withdraw any winnings from the casino bonus you choose to claim!

Please note, however, that certain no-deposit bonuses cannot be withdrawn. Thankfully, however, these bonuses are relatively uncommon in today’s day and age, and most UK casino bonus offers can be withdrawn, so you shouldn’t need to worry too much about this.

What is the best bonus to claim?

The question of what the best casino bonus is to claim is quite subjective – and it largely depends on what you’re actually looking for. For example, many players go searching specifically for no-deposit bonuses, deposits that don’t require you to deposit any of your own money in order to claim.

However, high roller players, for example, tend to not be interested in these types of bonuses instead of looking for special high roller bonuses. The best thing you can do if you’re looking for a no-deposit bonus, welcome bonus, or free spins offer is do your own research.

Spend some time looking at what casinos are offering, read through the terms and conditions, check the wagering requirements and be on the lookout for any max free spins winnings. This information will allow you to get a better picture of what kind of bonus is suitable for you.

What’s the difference between a VIP and a loyalty program?

Generally speaking, VIP programs are reserved for players who play regularly at a casino; this means that you need to usually meet certain requirements before you’re eligible to join the VIP program. Loyalty programs, on the other hand, tend to be something that anyone can join, usually from the moment you first set up and create your online casino account.

What is considered fair wagering requirements?

Wagering requirements can vary massively, and the wagering requirements attached to the bonus you claim will differ depending – largely – on the type of bonus you claim and the amount of bonus money you actually receive from the casino.

Generally speaking, wagering requirements vary between 25X-45X. No-deposit bonuses, however, for example, can have wagering requirements as high as 75X, while high roller bonuses or VIP bonuses can have wagering requirements as low as 2X.

As a general rule of thumb, a bonus with wagering requirements of 35X is considered fair; anything more can be a bit high.

How can I withdraw a bonus?

In order to be able to withdraw casino bonuses, the first thing that you need to do is make sure you’ve met all of the bonus terms and conditions; this includes wagering requirements, the most common of terms you’ll come across. If you have questions as to whether or not you’ve successfully completed the wagering requirements of a bonus, you can simply get in touch with the casino’s customer support team, who’ll be happy to help you out.

Once you’re sure you’ve met the terms and conditions of the bonus (this should be fairly apparent anyway, as the bonus will only appear in your cash balance once you’ve completed the wagering requirements), you’ll simply be able to make a withdrawal as normal. If there are any problems, the casino will contact you directly.

Where can I find the best casino bonus offers?

If you’re looking for the best deposit bonus, a no-deposit bonus of free spins offers, then you’re in the right place – and on this page, we’ve compiled a list of the top UK-based online casinos that are currently offering generous casino bonuses to players.

All you need to do is simply head to the top of this page, browse the list of our recommended online casinos and choose a deposit bonus or high roller bonus you like the look of. Once you’ve found one, simply click the button to be taken directly to the casino, where you’ll be able to claim the casino bonus offers and begin playing!

What is a no-deposit bonus?

A no-deposit bonus is one of the most popular formats of casino bonuses, and, as the name suggests, it’s a bonus that you can claim without needing to make a deposit. For example, some online casinos will offer a no-deposit bonus to new players; they may, for example, give you 10 free spins simply for signing up and registering a new account.

Other casinos may award a no-deposit bonus in the form of free cash; for example, new customers may receive a free £5 bonus upon registering and verifying their email address.

On this page, you’ll be able to view a breakdown of the top casino bonuses currently available to UK players, and all of the sites have been hand-picked and vetted by our team of online gambling experts.

What is a matched deposit bonus?

A matched deposit bonus is one of the most common types of deposit bonus offers you’ll find casinos offering, and it’s typically offered to new players; however, some casinos also offer deposit bonus offers to exist customers.

A matched deposit bonus simply means that a casino will match the amount of money you deposit into your account by a percentage – usually 100%. For example, a 100% matched deposit bonus means the casino will literally double your deposit.

What does a parachute bonus mean?

A parachute bonus simply means that your bonus funds are separate from your cash balance. In the past, when you claimed a casino bonus, the bonus funds and real money were combined into one; only once you’d completed the wagering requirements were you able to withdraw money.

Today, however, due to new regulations brought in from the UK’s Gambling Commission, it’s no longer possible for bonuses to be combined like this; your cash balance and your bonus funds must be separate so you can withdraw your cash balance at any time. This is what’s known as a parachute bonus.

CASINOMEISTER TIPS

What you are primarily interested in is finding out the wagering requirements and the allowed games. These two factors will probably make your decision for you, but whilst browsing through the T&C’s of a casino bonus, there are a couple of other things to look out for. You’ll need to know whether you are actually “eligible” to claim the bonus. How the bonus is credited to your online player account, and whether your location comes with any additional requirements. Also good to find out is if any maximum cashouts apply to the winnings from a bonus.

  • Claiming a bonus: When claiming an online casino bonus, you need to find out whether the bonus is credited automatically or whether it needs to be claimed by you. Some online casinos insist that once you signed up and made your first deposit, you either claim your bonus through a link on the website’s “Promotions” page, or you can email the online casino support team to request the bonus. Others simply credit your account with the bonus; though this may not happen immediately, the T&C’s will tell you.

In actual fact, claiming a casino bonus is a far better method for the player (be aware the casino often says that this must be done within 24-72 hours of registering at the casino). Why? Because you can deposit, play your own money and if you win, cash out without any restrictions. If you lose, then you can claim your bonus and have another go with the restrictions attached! With auto-credited bonuses, you are immediately subject to wagering requirements which can interfere with your ability to win.

  • Eligibility: When you check the T&C’s of an online casino bonus, watch out for restrictions or additional requirements for residents of certain countries. These often apply to some countries in the East and players from Denmark, Poland and Israel. Often, the bonus is still available to them but with higher wagering requirements largely due to the amount of “bonus abuse” that comes out of these countries.
  • Wagering requirements: For sure, you will be able to find some online casinos that still have some good deals. Most of the casinos, however, will ask you to wager at least 15 times the total of the deposit and casino bonus before you can withdraw. Combined with the game restrictions, the wagering requirements often make it difficult to win, so be very careful to read the T&C’s and understand these fully before you decide to deposit.
  • Maximum cashouts: A few online casinos, primarily those using RTG software, place a maximum cashout on any money won using the sign-up bonus. Typically this might be 10 times the amount of the casino bonus awarded, so before you go chasing that progressive jackpot, make sure you know if this rule applies. A similar principle is sometimes attached to promotions. In general, at reputable casinos, anyhow, this rule should be clear in the T&C’s of the casino bonus or promotion, but it’s another reason to make sure you fully understand them before you deposit!
  • Game restrictions: You can pretty much be sure that any game that includes 50/50 bets, or close approximations, will not be allowed when you are counting bets towards a wagering requirement. Consequently, games like Roulette, Blackjack, Sic Bo and Craps are almost always disallowed. A lot of online casinos also exclude Video Poker games (or allow them at an increased wagering requirement) largely because these games often offer high expected returns and can be used to the player’s advantage in bonus situations. You will also find a lot of bonuses are called “Slots Only” bonuses and consequently can only be wagered on slots that typically have a 90%-95% expected return.

BRYAN CONCLUSIONS & RECOMMENDATIONS

It is crucial that you understand and agree to the terms and conditions of any bonus that you accept. Most of the complaints that come through our arbitration service are bonus related; it would be safe to say that there are tens of thousands of players who have never complained because they realised after the fact that they did not understand or had never read the terms. Nothing in a casino is free – so whenever you see “free” being used, there are stipulations. It is important for you to understand that. 

If you win with a no deposit bonus, winnings will normally be capped out (limited). So don’t expect much from them. Free spins can have the same result.

SUBs will normally prohibit certain games and playing styles. Sometimes they will have wagering limits (for example, not more than €6 a spin) and always wagering requirements.

Reload bonuses can have less draconic terms since you, the player, is possibly being considered a regular customer – and so as time progresses, you will find yourself getting some better offers than SUBs.

The bottom line is that bonuses are not obligatory. You can play without them – but many players like having that extra cash to play around with. Good luck!

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