It’s always exciting looking for and finding a new online casino to try out, with the opportunity to explore a fresh library of games. And joining a new casino often means you’ll be eligible for a welcome bonus.
A welcome bonus is a freebie that’s granted exclusively to new players. As the competition between online casinos is so fierce, there are often very generous welcome offers in place to attract new players.
But with so many types of welcome bonuses available, which one should you choose? In this guide, we’ll explain what’s included with each bonus, any pitfalls to look out for, and how to pick the welcome bonus that’s right for you.
Different Types of Welcome Bonus
There are many casino bonuses out there, with casinos lining up to offer the best deal to new recruits. Lots of players opt to register with multiple casinos to take advantage of the full range of bonuses, with the very best offers usually reserved for new players.
But there are multiple different types of welcome bonuses, and some may suit you more than others. Below, you’ll find a breakdown of the most common welcome bonuses and how they work.
No Deposit Bonuses
One of the rarest but most searched for types of promotion, no deposit bonuses are typically only ever offered in welcome packages. As the name suggests, no deposit is required for the player to receive the bonus. This may seem too good to be true, but there are no catches involved: sign up to the casino, and when your account is live, you’ll be able to claim the no deposit bonus.
The no deposit bonus is often given as bonus credit to your account; this can’t be withdrawn and must be used to wager on games. You may also receive free spins; this may be in addition to the bonus cash.
There’s no question that a no deposit bonus offers the chance for players to explore different games and try them out completely free. Playing with a no deposit bonus doesn’t cost anything. However, it’s also important to note that the withdrawal cap is often lower, and there may be tough wagering requirements to satisfy. This means that although you really will be playing for free, you’ll only ever be able to withdraw a small sum from the bonus games.
Match Deposit Bonuses
In contrast to a no deposit bonus, casinos also offer match deposit bonuses. These are special promotions that are only triggered when players deposit a qualifying amount. Every match deposit bonus will have its own terms, but it’s common for the requirement level to be set at £10-£20 (or the equivalent in your local currency)
The bonus is typically expressed as a percentage of the deposit. For example, a £20 deposit with a 100% match deposit means that the player will pay in £20, and the casino will add a further £20 to the account. Some match deposits can feature very generous amounts of up to 200%-300%.
It’s also possible to find tiered match deposits. Such casino promotions pay out multiple bonuses, often for the first, second, and third deposits. These are typically set at different levels, with different qualifying values for each.
As you’re paying in some of your own funds, the withdrawal cap for a match deposit bonus is often set higher than a no deposit bonus. However, it’s essential to consider how much you’re paying compared to the total bonus winnings you can withdraw.
Free Spins
Free spins are a very common part of a welcome bonus and are also frequently offered as part of other promotions. They may be awarded either on their own or together with a bonus cash value.
If the bonus includes a large number of free spins, you may not receive them all at once. It’s common for casinos to release them in batches; this is an advantage as it gives you time to play them all before the time limit expires.
The terms and conditions of the free spins will specify the value of each turn. Just like other types of bonuses, free spins are usually subject to wagering requirements.
Free spins are a simple and easy way to enjoy a casino bonus, but you should still check the terms and conditions. Casinos may often specify what games the free spins can be played on, and in some cases you may receive free spins for a specific slot game.
Cashback Bonuses
A cashback bonus is a slightly different type of offer, but one that’s equally as valuable. Instead of crediting bonus funds at the start, a cashback bonus pays out if you’re on a losing streak.
The terms of a cashback bonus will specify the timescale, but it’s typically one week. If you have lost money over the whole week, a cashback bonus will give you a percentage of your losses back. Most often, it will be credited as bonus cash, which is subject to wagering requirements, or sometimes, it’s credited as real cash that can be withdrawn instantly.
High Roller Bonuses
Although online casino promotions are open to all budgets, there’s always an upper limit for offers such as deposit match bonuses. If you’re a high roller planning to spend large sums, this ceiling may be slightly low.
A high roller bonus works in the same way as other bonuses but allows much larger deposits and has higher limits. Some of the terms may be more generous, such as matching a higher percentage for a deposit bonus. Players will have to deposit a certain sum to qualify for the high roller bonus.
Exclusive Bonuses
Not all bonuses will be widely available; players have to be in the right place to get the very best deals.
This means it’s a good idea to sign up on sites such as CasinoGrounds, as it’s possible to get special offers you won’t find anywhere else. These exclusive bonuses can typically be claimed by clicking a link on the site or entering a bonus code when registering.
