What exactly is a Welcome Bonus?
It is important to understand how welcome bonuses, as well as other forms of casino bonuses, function. If you’ve gathered all of the details about a deposit bonus, you’ll know exactly what you’re getting, what you’re in for, how much they’re worth, and so on.
So, what exactly is a welcome bonus? Consider a welcome bonus to be an online casino’s way of saying “hello” to you and welcoming your first good deposit. Furthermore, since their inception, welcome bonuses have been a more-or-less obligatory component of any online casino. In fact, they are such a common concept in the online gambling society that you would be surprised if you opened an account with a new online casino and were not greeted by a welcome offer.
Casino operators use welcome incentives to greet you and draw new players by introducing enticing casino offers. It is not uncommon to see casinos vying to have the most lucrative incentives.
Welcome bonuses, also known as first deposit bonuses or sign-up bonuses, are gifts offered to new players as a welcome gift. In most situations, they serve to inspire players and allow them to return and play on their platform.
Why is a Welcome Bonus Beneficial?
If you are a new player just getting started in the online gambling universe or a seasoned player, welcome bonuses provided by casinos are always a great way to get welcomed to said casino brand.
Furthermore, creating a bankroll takes time and patience, which helps a lot if a casino is willing to offer you a good welcome bonus or perhaps a welcome pack to just get you started. These incentives will double or even tripled your initial investment, which can be a significant boost to your bankroll.
Different Kinds of Welcome Bonuses
A welcome bonus is a set number of credits equal to a certain percentage of your first good deposit. Although there are a few different forms of welcome bonuses, cash match deposit bonuses are by far the most common.
You will most likely come across an offer that says “XY sum free” when sifting through the vast offer of deposit incentives and online casinos. It is important to remember that the expression “free” does not necessarily imply that the incentive is free. What this means is that when you make a deposit, you will receive a certain percentage, most usually 100% up to a certain amount.
Furthermore, you can often come across a bonus deal that combines match deposit bonuses with a set number of spins. Depending on the operator, these spins can be true only for some slot games or for all of them. While the most popular bonus percentage is 100 percent, if the incentives are part of a welcome package, the percentages can vary from 50 percent to 200 percent or even 500 percent.
Another form of the bonus deal you can encounter after signing up at an online casino is welcome packages. Much, if not all, of the welcome packages available, are a set of welcome deals wrapped in a nice bow. The packages are usually made up of three deals for the first three deposits, but they may provide up to five discounts in one bundle.
A free play welcome bonus, which some casinos have, is an alternative. In this case, when you register, you will be given a set number of free credits that you must use within a certain time period.
On the other hand, don’t be shocked if you come across a casino that provides an additional incentive in addition to the welcome bonus if you want to use the payment option that they are attempting to encourage. Typically, this is an e-wallet charge, but these are not all that common.
Is the welcome bonus cashable or non-cashable?
Another difference between deposit incentives, regardless of their form, is the distinction between cashable and non-cashable bonuses. Whatever incentive deal you come across, it is important that you pay attention to the group to which it belongs.
A non-cashable bonus is often referred to as a sticky bonus. The name comes from the fact that you will be able to spend it by playing different games, but you will not be able to keep the money you win.
However, as you would expect, cashable incentives are a different story. If the incentive you’re thinking of claiming is cashable, you’ll be able to keep the money you win. However, before you do so, you must first meet certain conditions, the most important of which are the wagering specifications.
If it’s a welcome bonus or some form of bonus, they normally have their own set of wagering criteria. We make it a point to include this information with each bonus that we mention on our website. However, it is always recommended that you read the incentive Terms and Conditions in full since this is the only way to know exactly what to expect from the bonus deal.
Wagering conditions for incentives vary depending on the operator, but the most common ones range from x10 to x30. Even, don’t be surprised if you come across a bonus with, say, an x70 wagering criteria. Anything can happen, which is why the incentive Terms and Conditions are your best friend at all times.
Finally, there are a few casinos that give incentives with no wagering conditions. These incentives, however, are usually much smaller in size than those that do have wagering criteria. And – it bears repeating – it is best to review the Terms here as well, as fine print can reveal additional information you didn’t see at first glance.
Choosing the Most Appropriate Welcome Bonus
The key reason there are so many different bonus deals available is not only because there are so many different online casinos to choose from, but also because players have different preferences. When deciding on the best bonus for you, the most important thing to remember is to always read the fine print. Aside from that, there are a few other things you can always keep in mind.
Since there are so many online casinos and therefore incentives available nowadays, choosing the right casino with the best deals can be difficult at times. As a result, before looking at incentives, make sure to research each casino; don’t just go for the first one you see.
Before signing up with an online casino, you can find out the bonus percentage offered and compare it to that of other casinos. Another important factor to consider is the maximum amount that will be credited to you after you make a deposit, as well as the maximum bet you can place by using an active bonus.
But that isn’t it. Another important factor to consider when selecting casino incentives is the minimum deposit number. Make sure you are still mindful of this number in order to avoid unwanted surprises.
As previously mentioned, the incentive Terms and Conditions are the fine print of it all, so make sure you fully understand their significance. Never skip the bonus Terms because they include all of the required details, such as the wagering criteria that you must meet, which games relate to the wagering requirements, and how many days you have to meet them. In most cases, this eligibility is limited to 7 days, but it may be extended. Again, the general rule is: verify.
Making a Claim on a Casino Welcome Bonus
One of the most crucial steps in claiming a bonus is doing research and determining which casino is right for you. After that step is completed and a decision has been taken, the next step is to sign up.
Don’t forget to look at how the chosen casino manages promotions, as they can be accessed through bonus codes or automatically. Once you’ve found that out, you’ll need to go to the cashier section after you’ve created an account. After making the required minimum deposit, you will be able to claim the bonus by redeeming the bonus code. However, if no choice is available in the cashier area, you will most likely have to submit the code to the casino’s support team.
If the bonus is code-based, the bonus code should be shown prominently. If, on the other hand, the incentive is not redeemed with a code, it will normally be applied automatically. Nonetheless, you can be asked to contact help after the deposit has been made.
When it comes to welcome bonuses, the first deposit normally ranges between 10 and 25 credits, but this differs from casino to casino, which is just another reason why you should thoroughly read the bonus Terms and Conditions.
Finally, claiming a welcome bonus might be contingent on your current location, i.e. the bonus’s country restrictions. For example, if a bonus is available to players residing in the United Kingdom and you are a UK player, you should be fine (considering other parameters line up, too). If, on the other hand, the terms of a bonus explicitly state that players from Sweden will not be allowed to use said bonus money and you live in Sweden, you will have to move on to another online casino with another welcome bonus where Swedish players are approved and therefore be able to use the bonus money.
List of Welcome Deposit Bonuses for a Smooth Start at an Online Casino
The welcome bonus is how a casino recognizes your first good deposit, so make sure to claim yours and get started. The list of bonuses below is kept up to date, and the ones mentioned below are the most recent ones available. All of them have been handpicked for you, so take a few moments to search our welcome bonuses list and find the bonus deal that appeals to you the most.
