Best online casino bonuses

Get a detailed look at the existing best online casino bonuses for both new account holders and registered players. Most online casino sites offer promotions to attract new customers and retain their existing players in the form of deposit bonuses, free spins, cashback and more. This webpage will also examine the wagering requirements related to the best online casino bonuses.

Top online casino bonuses

The online casino market is highly competitive, with many operators offering the same type of service. Potential new customers can differentiate casino products by looking at the available online casino bonus. For the best gaming experience, be sure to check out our pick of the best online casino offers available in the UK.

The best online casino bonuses come in the form of welcome offers and loyalty promotions for current players. Furthermore, they are achievable and transparent with no hidden rules.

Online casino sites are always looking to attract new customers and maintain the loyalty of existing customers. One method that can be used to meet this objective is through casino welcome offers and aiming to provide the best online casino bonuses for current players. These bonuses sit alongside a range of slots and table games in a brand’s casino and live casino.

The best online casino bonuses are generous in terms of value and the number of free spins. Many casino welcome offers feature free casino bets and spins on specific slots. There are wagering requirements attached to casino bonuses, which means that the qualifying deposit and free cash have to be staked a certain number of times before customers can withdraw any funds that have accrued from the bonuses.

How to claim the best online casino bonuses

When a player registers at online casino sites, the individual must specify a username and password. Casino registrations involve optional casino bonus codes. These promo and bonus codes activate casino welcome offers. The wagering requirements are met by betting on slots and table games which have different contributions to the turnover required to withdraw bonus funds.

Here is a step-by-step guide to claiming the best online casino offers:

Register With A Casino Operator

The first stage in claiming any of the best online casino bonuses is registration with the operator offering the bonus. This process involves specifying a unique username and password, filling in the required fields and entering any optional casino bonus codes.

New customers at online casino sites must confirm they are aged 18 or older and accept the site’s general Terms & Conditions. The password will generally require numbers, letters and special characters and have a minimum number of characters.

Login To A Casino Account

Registered casino players can only activate online casino offers after logging in to their casino account. This involves entering the correct username and password. There is a process to reset either if they have been forgotten or lost by following a link sent by email to the registered email account. In some cases, the operator will allocate a new password, but this can be changed. The login procedure is quick and seamless, taking just a few minutes.

Make A Qualifying Deposit

Some bonuses require a qualifying deposit to activate the offer. For example, for a 100% matched deposit bonus, the value of the bonus equates to the qualifying deposit. Whereas a 50% match deposit bonus means the value of the bonus is half the qualifying deposit.

Receive the Casino Bonus

New customers at online casino sites automatically receive the welcome bonus after making the qualifying deposit. Keep in mind that bonuses expire a number of days after they have been sent to an active new account. The bonus can come in the form of free bets and free spins on specific slots. Some bonuses are paid in stages and linked to the early deposits, not only the first deposit. The subsequent bonuses are for various amounts and not linked to different percentages of the qualifying deposit.

Meet the Wagering Requirements

Most of the best online casino bonuses have wagering requirements that form part of the specific Terms and Conditions. A bonus must be staked a number of times before a customer can withdraw any winnings from the bonus funds. Each type of slot or game has a contribution percentage, and some do not count for the purpose of the wagering requirements. The typical online casino offers wagering requirements of 40 times the bonus or 40 times the deposit and bonus.

Comply With the Specific and General Terms & Conditions

Online casino bonuses’ Terms and Conditions must be completely met before a customer can claim the bonus and withdraw the betting funds. If a player does not comply with the rules for claiming the bonus, it can be lost. The rules are monitored by the UK Gambling Commission (UKGC) to ensure they are fair and reasonable.

Have Access to the Bonus Funds

Casino players are allowed to withdraw their betting funds when all the conditions have been fulfilled. However, online casino offers have an expiry date, at which point any unused bonus funds are forfeited. A bonus generally expires seven or thirty days after the qualifying deposit or bonus funds have been credited to an account. Very few of the best online casino bonuses do not have an expiry date.

Types of Online Casino Bonuses

This page consists of the best online casino bonuses from reputable UK brands. There are a limited number of brands available that do not offer some kind of incentive for joining their platform. Essentially, a casino bonus comes in the form of matched deposits, and some will also include free spins, which must be used on specific slot games.

There are different Terms & Conditions for each type of bonus, such as the qualifying deposit, wagering requirements, and expiry date. Here, we will expand on the most common variations of online casino bonuses:

Welcome Bonuses

Most online casino sites offer new customers a welcome bonus in exchange for signing up to their platforms, such as a deposit bonus, no deposit bonus, free spins and cashback. Welcome bonuses are heavily promoted online and have a relatively long life, mostly being available for months (sometimes even up to a year).

Existing customers are not eligible for claiming casino welcome offers. The value of the bonus varies for each operator but is generally in the range of £50 to £200, but there are exceptions to this rule.

Deposit Bonuses

Deposit bonuses are the most common type of online casino bonuses. The value of the bonus is related to the qualifying deposit. There is a minimum and maximum deposit to qualify for the bonus. Most operators stipulate that the first deposit must be at least £10. There is no maximum initial deposit in many cases, but there is an upper limit to the bonus.

The most common of the best casino deposit bonuses is the 100% matched deposit bonus. The platform matches the full value of the qualifying deposit with the bonus. That means if a new casino customer transfers £100 into an active new account, the deposit bonus also has a value of £100. The best deposit offers are the 200% or more matched bonuses, but these are rare. A typical 100% matched deposit bonus provides an excellent incentive to register and fund an account and enjoy the best casino deposit bonuses.

No Deposit Bonuses

As the name suggests, the no deposit bonus is not dependent on a qualifying deposit. The bonus is not activated by the first deposit, which is not a condition of claiming the bonus. New customers have the option to enter casino bonus codes or promo codes during registration.

By default, the casino activates the bonus before the initial deposit. The value of the bonus is not related to any qualifying deposit, so they are amongst the best casino deposit bonuses.

Potential new customers see the benefits of these best casino deposit bonuses. No deposit bonuses are rare because the casino brand is not guaranteed an initial deposit and the placing of any bets. Indeed, a new customer may open several accounts that offer no deposit bonuses because there are no rules about an initial deposit. However, the downside is that the wagering requirements could be more restrictive and limit the value of the bonus.

Free Spins Bonuses

The free spins bonus is another relatively rare incentive to open an account and make a qualifying deposit. In fact, there are few bonuses that only offer free spins. The deposit and no deposit bonus can often include free spins in addition to their funds. Free spins are an extra perk that might persuade a casino player to register with a certain operator as opposed to a competitor.

Typical free spins bonuses offer between 20 to 100 free spins, which have a fixed value. In addition, these free spins are attached to a specific online slot or slots. New customers are usually credited with free spins for an established favourite and not a newly released title.

There are wagering requirements related to casino free spin bonuses which amount to the value being rolled over a number of times. Customers cannot withdraw funds from the bonus until these wagering requirements have been met. However, free spins are part of the best casino deposit bonuses.

Cashback Bonuses

Cashback bonuses are probably the least common of the online casino offers with bonuses and do not generally require a qualifying deposit. Instead, they are open to new customers taking advantage of cashback without adhering to any qualifying deposit Terms & Conditions and wagering requirements.

However, cashback is related to losses, which means customers must make a deposit and place bets to receive the cashback bonus after opening a new account and playing slots and table games.

A typical cashback bonus is a certain percentage of net losses over a specific period of time. So, a bookmaker may give customers a 10% refund of net losing bets in the first seven days of a new account. Cashback bonuses can be independent or part of a bonus package which includes deposit and no deposit bonuses and free spins. However, some slots and table games are disregarded when it comes to calculating net losses and the appropriate value of the returned cash.

Casino Bonus Codes

The best online casino bonuses across the full range of types described in this section use casino bonus codes. When a new customer opens an account, an affiliate may have driven traffic to the website. Bonus codes track an operator’s bonuses and are used to identify which new customers qualify for the welcome bonus. Casino bonus codes usually have up to eight characters, which can be a combination of numbers, letters or special characters.

During the registration process, there is an additional and optional field for entering a bonus code. This activates an online casino offer and ensures that the customer is credited with the bonus, as long as they have read and understood the specific and general Terms and Conditions. Casino promo codes serve the same purpose as bonus codes.

How to choose the best online casino bonuses

Casino bonuses are an important element of a casino’s business plan. A generous casino bonus may be offset by less value in the slots and table games. Most operators accept that they must have a casino welcome offer to attract potential new customers. The best online casino bonuses are part of a loyalty package which is designed to reduce the attraction of other competitors’ casino welcome offers.

Potential new customers are always on the lookout to migrate to brands that offer the best online casino bonuses. These can be complemented by generous loyalty bonuses but this is often not the case. In fact, the cost of a valuable casino bonus to the new player could be reduced value in the slots and table games. New players must consider many factors when they are looking to open a casino account.

We will now look at these factors and the importance of each in the signup decision when choosing a new online gambling platform with the best online casino offers and slots and table games.

Check out the Bonus Terms & Conditions

Each online casino bonus from operators located in the UK is subject to specific and generic Terms and Conditions. The following factors are relevant to the quality of these welcome offers and should be considered when you are looking to open a new casino account:

• Eligibility

Promotions are limited to one account per customer, which is identified by telephone number, IP address or credit or debit cards number. Some online casino bonuses are not valid when the new player makes the first deposit using an e-wallet, such as PayPal, Neteller and Moneybookers and more, while best pay by phone bill online casinos offer special bonuses for mobile users. Alternatively, deposits can be made using debit and credit cards and Bank Transfer.

• Minimum and Maximum Rules

A qualifying deposit is required to activate the casino welcome offer. There is a minimum deposit which typically is £10, and, in some cases, few operators will accept a minimum value of £5. But at times, a higher deposit may be required. There is a maximum bonus which is linked to the initial deposit. For example, when the bonus is a 100% matched bonus and the maximum bonus is £100, the qualifying deposit must have a value of £100 or more.

• Wagering Requirements

Most online casino bonuses are subject to wagering requirements which will be discussed later in this section of the casino welcome offers article. Stakes contribute to the wagering requirements at different percentage levels. For example, in some live casinos, betting makes a 0% contribution to the wagering requirements of a bonus. These contributions are part of the specific Terms & Conditions.

• Cancellation

If you cancel a casino bonus, any winnings and bonuses are forfeited and cannot be withdrawn. Once you embark on a casino promotional signup offer, there is very little to be gained from cancelling the bonus. Generally, a casino bonus expires after 30 days which provides a feasible time frame.

• Buy-In Rules

Some of the best online casino bonuses are subject to buy-in rules. Real cash and the bonus are combined to create the Casino Promotional Balance, which is subject to wagering requirements (mentioned above).

• Withdrawing Bonus Funds

You can take out bonus funds once you have achieved the wagering conditions and the bonus has not expired. Withdrawals are subject to minimum and maximum values.

• Other Bonuses

New customers are restricted to redeeming one bonus at any time. The welcome offer must be played through before customers can claim any other bonus on the platform.

• Fair Play

Bonuses must be fair for the operator and customer, and some aspects of fairness are strict considerations when registering a new casino account.

Check a Casino’s Wagering Requirements

Each casino bonus has a wagering multiplier which is the number of times a bonus must be turned over before a withdrawal is allowed. Some casino welcome offers apply the wagering requirements to the total of the deposit and bonus.

For example, if the wagering requirements are 40 times the total of the deposit and bonus and the deposit is £1200 and 100% matched, here are the rollover details:

Bonus Features	Bonus Details
Maximum qualifying deposit	£100
Maximum bonus	£100
Total of bonus and deposit	£200
Wagering requirement	40 times the deposit and bonus
Value of wagering requirement	£8,000

The percentage of the stake contributing to wagering requirements differs for each type of game. Here is an example of these percentages for a new customer casino bonus with a leading online gambling platform:

Game	Stake Contribution to Wagering Requirement
Slots	100%
Arcade and Scratchcards	100%
Roulette	50%
Card Games	50%
Sic Bo	50%
Blackjack	50%
Craps	5%
Video Poker	5%
Live Casino Games	0%

There are significant variances between the highest and lowest percentage contributions. In this example, if you like playing live casino games, craps or video poker, the welcome offer that applies these contribution percentages should be avoided. However, if you enjoy playing slots and arcade games, the bonus used in this illustration is suited to your gaming habits.

• Quality and Quantity of Games

The quality and quantity of games in an online casino are key elements which must be considered when picking the operator to sign up to. Depending on the platform, players can expect to find a vast range of slots and table games available, many of which includes established favourites and newly-released titles.

Some operators offer up to 500 games, while others can limit their product range to around 100 slot titles. These games are created by software providers who aim to provide innovative and unique features within these titles, especially video slots games. Take a peek at the best online casino bonuses found on this page.

• Table limits

Table limits determine the minimum and maximum unit stake, which varies from game to game. The slots minimum stake is low because these games can be played repeatedly with no break. Live casino games have relatively high limits due to the investment in infrastructure and interaction with the live dealers (and other players). The prize fund for any game is directly related to that game’s table limits. There is a slight correlation that those who like to play too low limits will accept a casino deposit that has a lesser value compared to others in the market.

Bonus Offer Duration

There is usually an expiry date for claiming the bonus after registering and working through the wagering requirements. For most promotions, expiration dates vary between seven to thirty days after the bonus was credited. If the casino welcome bonus’ wagering requirements is high, it is understandable that it may lose some of its appeal to players. A week or month is not a long time to turnover around £50. If you do not feel comfortable opening a new account to play slots and table games due to its bonus duration, there are other options.

Play on Credible Online Casinos

A reputable online casino will be licensed and regulated to offer its online casino services to gamers. The majority of the online casinos created in the country or allowed to be played in the UK are licensed by the UK Gambling Commission (UKGC) and Malta Gaming Authority (MGA). They are both well-established and trusted regulatory bodies, trusted by the general public and industry employees. Furthermore, this ensures that licensed platforms can offer the best online casino bonuses for new and registered players.

However, any casino licensed and regulated in Curacao should be approached with a bit of caution. The rules set and monitored by this regulatory body are not as selective as those with casinos licensed in the UK and Malta. The UKGC, in particular, requires strict compliance from sites that are promoting bookmakers with free bets and bonuses.

Check out what Games are Eligible for Bonuses

A typical online casino bonus can be in the form of £100 as a matched deposit plus 100 free spins. In many cases, there are no restrictions on the games that are eligible for bonuses. Players can use their deposit bonus as wagers on any slot or table game in the casino and live casino. Casino bettors can use the free money as they wish, as long as they meet the wagering requirements before the free bets expire. Any returns from the bonus do not include the stake.

However, the Terms and Conditions for some bonuses state that specific games do not count towards the bonus. For example, it could be that the bonus cannot be used on table games, such as Roulette, Blackjack and Baccarat in the live casino. Some bonuses are for slots only, and table games are not eligible. Other operators put a clause in the rules that say the bonus cannot be used on Sic Bo, Video Poker or Craps. Whatever the type of online casino bonus that the player wants to redeem, they must refer to the Terms and Conditions for game eligibility.

Online Casino Bonuses Wagering Requirements

Online casino bonuses are subject to wagering requirements that must be met within a specified timeframe. Now, this section will explain the wagering requirements in more detail with some information about how you can beat them but stay within the rules. Wagering requirements can be restrictive and negate the benefit of the bonus. However, they are achievable, so they do not entirely offset the benefits of most online casino bonuses and free spins.

What are wagering requirements?

Wagering requirements indicate how many times a bonus must be rolled over before a new customer can make a withdrawal of the bonus funds. They are clearly stated in the Bonus’ Terms & Conditions for deposit bonuses and no deposit bonuses. Wagering requirements are applied to cash bonuses and bonuses that come in the form of slots. Casino welcome offers that combine betting funds and slots may include wagering requirements for both elements of the bonus.

Regarding online bookmakers, the wagering requirements for a sports free bet are usually up to five times the bonus. Some sportsbook welcome offers state that the total of the qualifying deposit and bonus must be turned over before a sports bettor has access to the final amount. Similarly, online casino bonuses stipulate wagering requirements on the bonus or the bonus and deposit that activates the offer. Due to low-staking, casinos can state wagering requirements of up to 40 times the bonus (sometimes more).

How to Calculate Wagering Requirements

We gave an illustration of wagering requirements earlier in this article under the ‘Check a Casino’s Wagering Requirements’ section. That example was based on a bonus of up to £100 with no free spins. The following table displays how to calculate wagering requirements for an offer that features bonus funds and free spins:

Bonus Feature	Bonus Terms & Conditions
Minimum Qualifying Deposit	£10
Maximum Qualifying Deposit	£50
Type of Bonus	100% Matched Deposit Bonus
Wagering Requirements	40x (Bonus)
Minimum Wagering Requirements	£4,000
Maximum Wagering Requirements	£20,000
Number of Free Spins	100 Free Spins
Value of Each Free Spin	£0.10
Total Value of Free Spins	£10
Wagering Requirements	£4,000

Most online casino bonuses stipulate an end date for the offer. Typically, players will have 30 days to meet the wagering requirements. When the bonus expires, any unused bonus funds and free spins will be lost. Therefore, you should be familiar with the Terms & Conditions before claiming a bonus.

Wagering requirements can be significant for the maximum bonus and beyond the budget of some new members. However, there is the option to claim a smaller bonus which has reduced wagering requirements. As a new customer, you must decide if a casino welcome offer provides enough incentive to open an account and make the qualifying deposit. You can refer to this comparison site to weigh up the different operators’ casino bonus Terms and Conditions (both general and specific). These rules include the wagering requirements, which are used to calculate the qualifying bets.

How to Beat Wagering Requirements

Online casino bonus wagering requirements are the number of times the bonus money must be staked before you can withdraw bonus funds. The casino will implement them without exception. Wagering requirements are met by placing wagers on best online casino games. These games can be video slots or table games in the casino or live casino.

As we have illustrated, there is a simple calculation based on the bonus or the total of the deposit and bonus multiplied by the number of times the bonus must be staked. A £100 bonus with wagering requirements of 30 times the bonus equates to £3,000 in wagers (100 x 30). It is worth bearing in mind that wagering requirements are less for table games than slots.

Casinos claim that wagering requirements are in place to prevent money laundering and bonus abuse. You can join casinos that do not feature a welcome offer or opt out of any welcome sign up promotion that asks for you to meet wagering requirements. However, once you decide to claim the bonus, wagering requirements are unavoidable.

So you have to pick the right casino or forgo the bonus. In any case, it is important to work out what must be staked to withdraw funds and be aware of the expiry date. Wagering requirements are part and parcel of casino welcome offers. Calculating the stakes is crucial before you claim the bonus and make the qualifying deposit when it comes to deposit bonuses.

Pros and Cons of using Casino Bonuses

Below is our list of advantages and disadvantages for claiming online casino bonuses:

Pros	Cons
Free money to wager on casino slots and table games	Wagering requirements must be met
Free plays to gain experience on selected games	Unused bonus funds will be lost after the expiry date
Casino bonus codes activate the bonus	Not all games are eligible for the best online casino bonuses
Minimum and maximum qualifying deposits to suit a range of budgets
Free spins on new titles and established favorite video slots
Wagering requirements protect genuine customers from the negative effects of money laundering

The Best Online Casino Bonuses: Conclusion

The absence of an operator’s online casino bonus is rare. Casino welcome offers are designed to attract new players. They come in the form of bonus funds and free bets. Some bonuses require a qualifying deposit, and some do not. Bonus and promo codes are used to activate bonuses and track their progress.

The value of these bonuses is generally in the range of £10 to £200. Some bonuses include the element of free spins on selected slot games. Online casino bonuses are subject to wagering requirements which are included in the offer specific Terms & Conditions. Wagering requirements have to be met within a specified timeframe, which is usually 30 days.

Online casino bonuses compliment ongoing casino promotions for existing customers. However, some brands focus on the welcome offer and do not reward the loyalty of current players. Ongoing promotions include reload bonuses, cashback on net losses and free spins. The best casinos bring together a raft of bonuses for both new and current players.

Casino welcome offers are subjected to general and specific Terms & Conditions. Any operator licensed and regulated by the UKGC must comply with strict rules for free bets and bonuses. The offers must be transparent and not difficult to achieve before they expire. Wagering requirements are a part of online casino bonuses and cannot be ignored or avoided.

The online casino business is highly competitive and features well known and established brands, with new operators launching quite often. The latter are always on the lookout to attract new customers to replace dormant accounts and increase market share. Bonuses provide an incentive to open an account, deposit funds and place wagers with an online casino.

FAQ: Best online Casino Bonuses

Here are the answers to some common questions about online casino bonuses: