What is a Casino Bonus?

Online casino bonuses act as free credit in return for signing up or depositing money. These casino bonuses come in many forms and have different Terms and Conditions (T&Cs) attached to suit every player and bankroll. With some savvy tactics and know-how, you can use these promotions to your advantage.

Generally, online casino bonuses can be split into two camps:

• Free Promotions – These bonuses simply require players to open an account with the online casino. There is usually no need to deposit any money so the promotions are normally smaller than wager bonuses. However, they are useful for trialling new casinos or for beginner players that want risk-free fun.

• Wager Bonuses – These offer players considerably more free play without risking their bankroll which can make them a useful strategy when you’re wanting to play for longer or reach those larger jackpots. However, they do come with more detailed terms and conditions so it’s important that you’re clued up on the wagering requirements before making a deposit.

How to Claim a Casino Bonus Online

Claiming a casino bonus online is quick and easy to do. This means you can start playing your favorite casino game using free credit in minutes.

Follow these simple steps below to get signed up and access casino bonuses right away:

1. Find an online casino. Choose from our list of online casinos offering the best casino bonuses.

2. Sign up to your chosen casino. Enter the required personal information to register your account. You might be required to submit additional ID documents for additional security checks. This can take a few days to approve but you can still play and win in the meantime.

3. Choose your casino bonus. As you’re registering there will be options to select or enter the code of the bonus you want to use.

4. Review the terms and conditions. Ensure you can meet the deposit and wagering or playthrough requirements before depositing any money.

5. Choose your preferred banking method. Enter the amount of money you want to deposit and add it to your online wallet.

6. Start playing. Once done, you can now enjoy your favorite casino games!

7. Withdraw any winnings. Once you have met the casino bonus's wagering requirements you can continue playing or cash out any wins you might have made.

Types of Online Casino Bonuses

With so many casino bonuses available, it can be easy to fall into the trap of chasing every single promotion available. Simply put, some bonuses give better value to certain bankroll sizes or casino games than others.

Save your money and check out our list of the most popular casino bonuses. Our mini-guide will help you find the best promotions for your bankroll and preferred casino games:

Sign Up & Welcome Bonus

Welcome bonuses are only available to new players and can vary from $10 to $1000+ in free credit. When it comes to welcome bonuses, it’s important to compare the deposit and wagering requirements to your bankroll and betting style. Regular bettors will find more value in smaller bonuses with lower wagering requirements whereas the high rollers can meet the terms of the bigger welcome bonuses.

Reload Bonus

Reload bonuses are another type of loyalty bonus which can be used to continue gameplay and extend your bankroll the more that you play with a particular online casino. They can be used as an ongoing, weekly promotion or to reward high-rollers and loyal players.

Reload bonuses can differ from casino to casino so doing a bit of checking before you play can ensure you end up at the casino that will give the bonuses ideal for you. Perhaps you want a reload bonus that essentially works as a match bonus, or maybe you want one that rewards you for using a particular payment method. Whatever your betting needs, find a reload bonus that will work for your gameplay.

Deposit Bonus

Deposit bonuses are one of the most well-known bonus types available for the simple reason that players are rewarded for making a deposit on an online casino site. This can be great for new players wanting to test out a new game or a new casino, as well as for regular players looking to add more to their bankroll.

As always, make sure you read the fine print to ensure you get what you’re expecting. Some casinos will offer 100% match bonuses, some will give only a percentage. More often than not there will also be wagering requirements in play before you can withdraw any winnings so be clear on what you should be getting before you part with your hard-earned cash.

No Deposit Bonus

Whether you're a newbie to casino games or want to try a new casino, no deposit bonuses are perfect for players that want minimal commitment. Just sign up to the casino, add the bonus to your account, and you're ready to play!

As the name hints, no deposit is required from players but the amounts are usually small. No deposit bonuses rarely exceed £50. Some casinos will also place restrictions on which games qualify for no deposit bonuses; slots and new titles are the most common.

If this promotion sounds perfect for your gameplay style, we've found the top no deposit online casinos for 2024.

Free Spins Bonus

If you love giving slots a spin then this casino bonus was made for you. Casino sites give free spins on slots as a no deposit bonus to new sign-ups or as a weekly promotion to loyal bettors. Players must register with an online casino to redeem this bonus, and the bigger free spin offers will usually require a deposit too.

Free spins bonuses can only be played on slot games and some casinos will restrict them to specific titles. Casinos will usually add shorter expiry dates to free spins and set a maximum cashout value. Wagering requirements are also common with free spins so even if you win some money on this bonus, expect to wager more before you can make a withdrawal.

Despite these restrictions, free spins are useful for testing new titles and are an essential part of any strategy when it comes to learning how to win at slots. Discover more tips and tricks to use when spinning the reels with our guide to real money slots.

High Roller Bonus

To grab this bonus, you need a bank account and betting style worthy of a VIP. Online casinos bestow high roller bonuses on their 'whales' or 'cheetahs'; aka their biggest spenders. If you always bet the maximum limit, make hefty first deposits, and regularly hit the high stakes tables like it's nothing, then you are a high roller. Online casinos should give you bonuses that match your big spending.

High roller bonuses include bigger cashback or match bonuses, or even invitations to exclusive casino tables and events. LeoVegas' VIP scheme is lauded by players and our experts, with prizes and bonuses increasing in value depending on players' spending.

Match Bonus

Match bonuses are one of the most valuable promotions casino sites offer as they greatly increase your bankroll. They are available to both new and regular players and are simply the casino matching your initial deposit to a certain amount. For example, if you deposit $100 the casino will match this, meaning you can start playing with $200 in your online wallet.

However, match bonuses can have complex terms and conditions so we recommend you check these carefully before depositing any cash. Common terms include multiple deposits within a specified time frame, wagering requirements, minimum deposit limits, potential withdrawal caps, and restricted countries.

Loyalty Bonus

A loyalty bonus is given as a way of rewarding long-standing players. This can take the form of rewards, programs, points or in-game bonuses. Some casinos use a points system that adds up to prizes while some casinos simply gift this bonus if players have played for a certain amount of time or have a specific value of funds in their accounts.

Check the terms of your chosen online casino to see if and when you could be eligible for such rewards.

Cashback Bonus

For players that have already found an online casino they love, cashback bonuses offer a rare opportunity to receive forfeited cash. Essentially, a cashback bonus is a return of a percentage of lost bets across a specific time frame. Casino sites usually return 5-25% of a player's losses in cashback bonuses, which can make a big difference if you're on a cold streak.

Players looking to add cashback bonuses to their betting strategies should check the fine print. Some casinos require players to keep a minimum amount of cash in their account to qualify, and others place caps on winnings with this promotion. T&Cs aside, cashback bonuses can extend bankrolls and give regular bettors more chances win from real money online casinos.

How to Calculate a Casino Bonus

Many online casinos mention the phrase “up to 100%” or similar wording in their match bonuses and welcome offers. These promotions usually have a cap on the amount a player can deposit and still receive the free credit.

Let's say you select a 100% match bonus of up to £200:

• Player A deposits £50

• The casino matches it with another £50

• Player A now has £100 in their account.
  

• Player B deposits £300

• The casino will only match it up to £200

• Player B has £500 instead of the £600 they assumed they would get.

As the example shows, it always pays to check the terms of a casino bonus. However, there are plenty of tools available online that will do the hard work for you to make sure you don’t lose out.

Casino Bonus Deposit Requirements Explained

When it comes to bonuses, online casinos want to get the most value out of players. By attaching deposit requirements to their promotions, casino sites can better manage their cash flow and reduce their risk.

While it's impossible to avoid deposit requirements, a few smart choices will help you get more value out of casino bonuses:

1. Check the deposit type

First off, identify what type of deposit your chosen casino bonus requires. These are usually divided into three groups:

• No Deposit Required – The credit automatically enters a player’s account without any initial deposits. However, online casinos might require players to deposit before they can withdraw any winnings with this bonus.

• Single Deposit – Players make one deposit and receive a set bonus in return. These casino bonuses are usually smaller but easier to understand.

• Multi Deposit – The biggest bonuses have the most complicated deposit requirements. When it comes to four-figure bonuses, casinos will drip-feed these to players for weeks in return for multiple deposits that gradually increase in amount.

Compare these deposit requirements to your bankroll and the amount of time you spend gambling. Are there any bonuses outside of your budget? Which deposit requirements promise the most value for your gameplay?

2. Is it a 'normal' or 'sticky' bonus?

A 'normal' casino bonuses allow players to withdraw funds after the wagering requirement has been met, even any remaining credit from promotions.

On the other hand, when a casino offers a huge bonus, they may not allow you to simply withdraw any cash won. This is the sticky side of the bonus and while players should be careful around these, they shouldn’t avoid sticky bonuses altogether. Generally, they're bigger and can easily double or triple a bankroll. They do require bigger deposits though, and better suit players focused on long-term betting strategies.

3. Ensure your deposits adhere to the casino's special T&Cs.

Many online casinos are also aware of ‘bonus abuse’ and have systems in place to ensure that players are not finding loopholes in their bonuses. With this in mind, it’s essential to familiarize yourself with the bonus T&Cs to make sure you don’t end up on the wrong side of the casino.

Some online casinos automatically add promotions to a player's account and depending on the casino site, you may have to opt out of certain bonuses to avoid having your deposits qualifying for the wrong promotions.

Casino Bonus Wagering Requirements Explained

Almost all casino sites have wagering or playthrough requirements attached to their bonuses. Wagering requirements can come in several forms, but generally stipulate the amount of money a player must wager before they can withdraw any winnings from their casino bonus.

Wagering requirements vary between the types of bonuses a player accepts. However, players can generally break them down into two camps:

• Cash bonus – These promotions (i.e. welcome bonus or match bonus) require players to bet a specific multiplier before they can withdraw any winnings. A casino bonus with a 10x wagering requirement for instance means a player would have to wager the bonus amount 10 times over before they could cash out any jackpots.

• Free bonus – Offers like free spins or no deposit bonuses have wagering requirements but in different forms. Some casinos may require players to deposit cash in their account before they can withdraw winnings, others may place maximum cashout limits on these bonuses.

How to Calculate Wagering Requirements

Wagering requirements may sound complicated, but some basic math can quickly work out your minimum betting amount.

This formula works for most casino bonuses, including welcome or match promotions. Let's say you claim a 100% match bonus of £50, with a 30x wagering requirement. Using the equation above, you plug the numbers in [(£50) x (30)] and find you would have to wager £1,500 before you could withdraw any winnings from the casino.

Some online casinos will require players to include their initial deposit in the wagering requirements. We can still find our total bet amount for this sticky bonus, by including our first deposit in the formula above:

Using our earlier example, we find that by adding our bonus amount and initial deposit and then multiplying that by our wagering requirement, we'll have to wager £3,000.

Or: £50 + £50 = £100, £100 x 30 = £3,000.

If a casino bonus has more complicated stipulations, we recommend using a wagering requirement calculator. There are loads available online for free that can do the sums for you.

These amounts can be steep and although bets made using winnings can also contribute to the total amount, it’s important to be careful when selecting bonuses to ensure you don’t bet more than you intended.

What About No Wager Casinos?

No wager online gambling sites offer casino bonuses with few or no wagering requirements. Players may seek them out in the hopes of free bonuses, big jackpots, and zero conditions but there are certain factors to consider:

Now you know the basics, you're ready to bet. Check out our list of the best casino bonuses available and get playing straight away.

Casino Bonus Terminology Explained

With thousands of online casino bonuses available, it can be hard to decide whether a promotion is giving you the best value. This is where bonus T&Cs come into play.

T&Cs can help you distinguish between the bonuses that will simply extend your initial deposit and the promotions that will help give you an advantage over the online casino. Taking a few minutes to read a bonus's terms will also prevent you from missing crucial clauses that may void your bonus or make your winnings harder to withdraw.

Use our list below to unpack a casino bonus's terms and conditions. This will help you make the most of these freebies, and discover which bonus offers the best deal for your bankroll:

Tips for Choosing a Great Casino Bonus

The best way to use casino bonuses is through smarts. By understanding how online casino bonuses work, shopping around for the best deal and knowing what the T&Cs actually mean, players can spot tricks to make bonuses work more in their favor.

To give our players the upper hand, we've compiled a short guide to finding the best casino bonus for their playing needs:

1. Check Terms and Conditions.

This is where casino sites list their wagering requirements. Read these carefully and look for terms like time restrictions and minimum deposit requirements that will affect your total bet amount.

2. Compare Similar Bonuses

Can't decide between two promotions? Compare their wagering requirements, deposit amounts, and qualifying games.

3. Look at Wagering Contributions

Some online casinos prefer bettors to play certain games over others. To encourage this, they'll reduce the percentage of wager-specific games that contribute to the wagering requirements. Again, comparing casinos' T&Cs can help you find which gambling site offers the best bonus for your gameplay.

4. Choose Casinos with a High Payout Percentage

Give yourself the best chance of winning real money by playing with the casinos that dish out winnings most often. You can easily find this information in casino reviews and on the casino's site.

5. Be Flexible with Your Payment Method

Some online casinos will only give out bonuses for certain payment methods. Players should look for this info in the terms and conditions, else they risk losing their casino bonus or spending more on processing fees.