What is a Casino Bonus?
A casino bonus is a way for a gambling site to reward new players and keep regular customers happy. A casino sign-up bonus is a gateway into a world of regular promotions: you open your account, make a deposit, and receive matched funds in return. Bonuses carry strict conditions which you must meet before you can claim any free cash.
With so much competition out there, the best casino websites need to keep hold of players. The best gambling sites enhance their casino sign-up offers with lots of ongoing deals that may include reload bonuses and bonus slot spins. As a savvy gambler, you must find the best casino sign-up offers and ongoing promotions to maximise the free money you can claim.
What are the best casino bonuses?
Winomania
LottoGo
Buzz Casino
Dream Vegas
Atlantic Spins
Pub Casino
Playsunny
King Casino
Lottomart Games
All British Casino
Types of Welcome Casino Bonuses
You can browse our casino reviews to find the hottest gambling sites with the best offers. Here are some of the most common casino deposit bonuses and welcome offers reserved for new players.
Casino Deposit Bonus
The casino deposit bonus is the most common type of welcome offer for new customers. The bonus casino matches your first GBP deposit (usually a 100% deposit bonus) with bonus funds. You may need to enter a promo code to get started.
You must then gamble your matched funds on eligible casino games within the declared time period. You’ll get to withdraw any winnings – plus your bonus cash – if you meet all the bonus terms and conditions.
Our recommended Deposit Bonus Casino: Winomania
PROS:
- Available to all new customers
- Minimum deposit match from £5-£10
- Wide range of eligible games
CONS:
- Wagering requirements can be prohibitive
- Max. stake limits may apply
No-Deposit Casino Bonus
It’s less common to find no-deposit bonus casinos. The bonus site awards you with a little free cash or free spins to play with at their casino. You won’t need any promo codes, and bonus credits are transferred straight to your gambling account. As with a casino welcome bonus, you may have to meet some wagering requirements before you release your winnings.
PROS:
- Low wagering requirements offered
- Perfect bonus for low-stakes gamblers
- Free spins sometimes included in the offer
- Good way to test out a bonus casino
CONS:
- Not widely available at online casinos
Cashback Bonus
The top cashback casinos let you claim back a part of your losses during your first week as a customer. Losses are normally defined as the total stake minus total winnings. Typically, you’ll receive losses back in the form of bonus funds, which you must wager several times over before being able to withdraw.
PROS:
- Risk-free gambling during your first week
- Available for new customers of all budgets
- Losses on all casino games are eligible
CONS:
- Quick turnaround on cashback terms
- High wagering requirements may apply
Low Wagering Casino Bonus
All casino bonuses come with wagering requirements. They are the rollover terms and conditions that are applied to your bonus funds. Many casinos impose a wagering requirement of around 30-50x. However, the best low wagering casinos give you a chance to access bonus cash without you breaking the bank. In fact, some casinos with no wagering bonuses.
Best for Low Wagering Sign-Up Casino Bonus: King Casino
PROS:
- Easy rollover requirements vs. a regular sign-up casino bonus
- Game contributions are fairly relaxed
- Bonus works for new promotions and retention bonuses
CONS:
- Max. deposit and win limits may apply
Free Spins
Many deposit match bonuses award free spins as part of the bargain. Make a deposit and earn a match bonus, then receive free spins to use on popular online slots. Your free spins casino bonus normally comes with rollover conditions applied. Plus, the maximum stakes and win on each spin will be limited. Always read the terms before you claim the welcome casino bonus.
Best for Free Spins Casino Bonus: Buzz Casino
PROS:
- Great for winning real money on top-name slots
- Offered as part of a regular casino welcome bonus
- Test out the latest slot releases with zero risk
CONS:
- High wagering requirements may apply
No-Deposit Free Spins
If you enjoy free spins, no-deposit offers are the perfect option. This type of casino offer isn’t that widely available, but it does give you a shot at trying out the hottest games with no risk. In addition, you’ll receive no-deposit free spins as part of a welcome bonus only. Don’t go looking for it in the list of retention bonuses at an online casino site.
PROS:
- Play top slots with no deposit required
- Try a betting system on the best slot releases
- Invest bonus wins in additional free spins offers
CONS:
- Not widely offered by UK casinos
Existing Casino Bonuses for Players
Your promotions journey doesn’t start and end with casino welcome offers. Often, the best casino bonuses are reserved for loyal customers. You can use bonuses on a range of casino games, including slots and roulette. However, always read the casino bonus terms before you decide to opt in.
We recommend signing up for email blasts where you can hear about the latest casino bonuses without having to constantly log in to your account.
Bonus Spins
Bonus spins are among the popular casino offers that both new and old customers can enjoy. The casino will run a ‘Game of the Week’ with a nominated online slot. You receive 50-200 free spins at a set stake, and a maximum win per spin will usually be applied. Your winnings can be released once you meet the wagering conditions.
Best Casino for Bonus Spins: Winomania
PROS:
- Earn bonus spins every day during the promotion
- Slots with large jackpots sometimes eligible
- Keep everything you win after rollover
CONS:
- Qualifying deposit may be required
- Max. stakes and wins apply
Reload Bonus
A reload bonus is a special casino offer tailored towards regular customers who have already cleared a welcome bonus. The casino awards you with a smaller deposit bonus (normally around 25-50% in bonus funds). You must clear the bonus funds by playing any of the games on the eligibility list. Some Game of the Week free spins offers require a reload first.
Best Casino for Reload Bonus: King Casino
PROS:
- Smaller budget limits & wagering requirements
- Forms part of a VIP casino bonus
- Earn free spins as part of your reload
CONS:
- Maximum deposit match usually 50%
Weekly Cashback
You can claim cashback on losses provided you meet the casino’s wagering terms. You won’t need to enter any promo codes, and wagering requirements are usually low.
For example, Winomania offers a tidy deal featuring 20% cashback on net losses during the week, with a tiny 1x wagering requirement applicable. VIP customers can claim even more cashback when playing their favourite slots and table games.
Best Casino for Weekly Cashback: Winomania
PROS:
- Earn a rebate on 20%+ on net losses
- Low wagering requirements usually apply
- Your choice of games & slots to play
CONS:
- Best cashback deals reserved for VIPs
- Deal only applicable to overall net losses
Leaderboard Tournaments
A tournament is a casino bonus that requires regular gameplay to earn points. The more points you earn, the higher up the leaderboard you climb. A prizepool is then divided among the top points scorers at the end of the tournament.
The beauty of these casino promotions is that you can bag yourself some cash by just hitting the top 200-300 finishers. However, the best payouts are usually reserved for those players who keep high, consistent gameplay during the promotion.
Best Casino for Tournaments: King Casino
PROS:
- Win free money by playing big-name slots
- Tournament prizepools can exceed £50,000
- No wagering requirements on winnings
CONS:
- Limited selection of eligible games & slots
- Lots of game time needed to top leaderboard
Cash Giveaways
Some casino bonus offers involve pure cash or spin giveaways. You may be awarded anywhere from £5+ in cash, often with no wagering requirements required. However, you may first have to bet on selected slots and table games from a nominated software provider. Always read the terms first, as these types of casino bonuses normally last only a few days.
Best Casino for Cash Giveaways: Atlantic Spins
PROS:
- Win free money by playing big-name slots
- Tournament prizepools can exceed £50,000
- No wagering requirements on winnings
CONS:
- Limited selection of eligible games & slots
- Lots of game time needed to top leaderboard
Drops & Wins Games
Many UK casinos incorporate Drops & Wins into their existing slots and table games. The features only appear in games by Pragmatic Play, which limits their availability somewhat. However, you often have a shot at winning a share of £2 million by playing eligible games. Daily Prize Drops randomly trigger during your regular gameplay, with the smallest prizes starting at around £10.
Best Casino for Drops & Wins: PlaySunny
PROS:
- £2M+ prizepool shared every month
- Play exclusive live casino game shows
- Daily Prize Drops & tournaments included
CONS:
- Reserved for Pragmatic Play games & slots only
- Bonus terms can be a little restrictive
Promotions by Email
Some casino bonuses are offered on an ad hoc basis via email. You can opt in to receive updates and a free casino bonus in your inbox. An online casino bonus can range from a small reload offer to free spins or cashback.
The key thing to note is that the deal is exclusive and can be a little more generous than a regular casino bonus. That’s what you get in return for sharing your email information with the online casino.
Best Casino for Email Promotions: Atlantic Spins
PROS:
- Receive ad hoc free spins & deposit match by email
- Lower wagering requirements may apply
- Casino bonuses change from day to day
CONS:
- Bonus size may be small compared to welcome bonuses
Bonus Wheel
A prize wheel is a fun way for online casinos to offer free spins or cash with an added gamification twist. You might be awarded one free spin a day or as part of a welcome casino bonus.
Simply spin the wheel to see how many spins you can claim. Free spins or cash stakes will be strictly limited, but it’s unlikely that wagering requirements will be imposed on the online casino bonus.
Best Casino for Bonus Wheel: Buzz Casino
PROS:
- Free spins or cash prizes for zero risk
- Guaranteed wheel spins running every day
- No wagering requirements on bonuses
CONS:
- Limited to 1-2 bonus wheel spins a day
- Free spins stakes might be restricted
VIP Club
You can join a loyalty club if your heart is set on playing at a casino regularly. You build up points for every GBP you spend on slots and other casino games. Points are then redeemed for pure cash or bonus money that you spend in the VIP shop.
Best Casino for VIP Promotions: Winomania
PROS:
- Free spins or cash prizes for zero risk
- Guaranteed wheel spins running every day
- No wagering requirements on bonuses
CONS:
- Limited to 1-2 bonus wheel spins a day
- Free spins stakes might be restricted
Are Casino Welcome Bonuses Worth It?
A casino bonus welcome offer carries many benefits, but they aren’t without their drawbacks. Let’s explore the pros and cons a little further:
Advantages:
- Free Bonus Funds: Claim matched funds equal to your deposit amount.
- Free Spins on Slots: Claim zero-risk free games on the latest slots.
- Earn No-Deposit Bonus Credits: Get bonus cash with low wagering requirements
- Claim Welcome Bonuses at Different Casinos: Sign up for accounts at multiple online casinos and spread the chance around
- Test the Software and Apps at Casinos: Use a welcome bonus to gauge the trustworthiness and usability of online casinos
Disadvantages:
- Wagering Requirements Apply: Some rollover terms can be extremely prohibitive
- Time Limits are Unrealistic: You may only have a few days to clear your bonus play
- Not All Casino Games are Eligible: Slots and casino games contribute different amounts
Key Things to Consider About Casino Offers
Whatever casino bonus you plump for, it’s important to understand every aspect of the offer. Here are some key things to consider about all casino bonuses.
Bonus Size
Not every welcome bonus or reload offer is created equal. One casino may offer 100% up to £500, while a rival gambling site offers 100 free spins with no deposit match bonus. Start by knowing how much you can afford to deposit and the amount you are realistically going to clear.
Wagering Requirements
Every casino welcome bonus carries a set of wagering requirements. This is the amount you must clear before qualifying for any free casino bonus funds.
For example, a casino bonus might impose a rollover requirement of 40x. That means you would have to gamble your matched bonus funds 40 times before you can withdraw. With a deposit match of £200, that would mean a total wagering requirement of £8,000 (40 x £200).
Game Contribution Rates
Casino bonuses carry different eligibility rates depending on what games you play. A casino with bonus spins, for example, will allow 100% of your slots gameplay to contribute to the overall total. However, a general deposit match bonus will allow you to play table games like roulette and blackjack too.
Game contribution rates differ from game to game. These are some typical eligibility levels for a standard casino bonus:
- Slots (non-progressive): 100%
- Roulette: 10-20 %
- Blackjack: 10-20%
- Video Poker: 10%
- Instant-Win/Scratchcards: 5%
- All other games: 0%
Max. Bet Amounts
It’s important to check the maximum bets and stakes with any bonus. Casino offers vary massively and you’ll be restricted to a certain amount for each wager.
For example, free spins on slots may be limited to 10p per game. In addition, you may be limited to winning £50 from each spin. Anything extra won’t count towards your bonus playthrough.
Time Limits
You’ll never have unlimited time within which to clear a casino bonus. The T&Cs display the amount of time you have to successfully clear a bonus. For instance, you may have 7 days to deposit and opt-in to a welcome bonus after opening an account. From there, you’ll have around 25-30 days to clear any bonus winnings.
Bonus Abuse
Online casinos come down hard on bonus abuse. This can take many forms, but generally, it relates to how you choose to clear bonus funds.
For example, you won’t be able to use zero edge strategy to clear bonus cash. In a game of European Roulette, for instance, you might put bets on Red and Black in the same spin simply to clear your bonus quicker. Moving from low-weight games like blackjack to high-weight games like online slots could also see your bonus voided.
Choosing the Best Casino Sign-Up Bonus For You
Whether you’re playing at Deposit Bonus Casinos or smaller-stakes gambling sites, you must choose the right promotion.
1 – Consider Your Gambling Budget
Welcome bonuses can be attractive, but always factor in your likely budget first. The best £5 deposit casinos are ideal if you are a casual gambler looking to double your money. However, you may be restricted to the maximum amount you can claim.
You may have more options at £10 deposit bonus casinos, however. Deposit £10 or more and you’ll have access to larger deposit bonuses, and maybe free spins to boot.
Best Casino for Deposits: LottoGo
2 – Check the Game Eligibility
With a casino bonus, UK players have a wide variety of options for clearing funds. Casino bonuses are perfect if you’re a slot player as most promotions count 100% of your slots play. However, if you love live casino games 0% of your gameplay may go towards a bonus clearance.
Best Casino for Game Variety: Winomania
3 – Read the Terms & Conditions
Whatever best casino bonus you pick, always read the game terms before you start playing. The casino displays all terms and conditions on its site so you can read them before opening an account. Here you’ll find details on eligibility rates, wagering terms, and expiry periods.
Best Casino for Bonus Wagering Conditions: Buzz Casino
How to Claim an Online Casino Bonus
Get started with a deposit bonus casino online today. Follow these easy steps to open your account, make a deposit, and claim your welcome bonus. We have used LottoGo for our example.
Step 1: Join the Casino
Visit the LottoGo website and click on the ‘Join Now’ button to begin the registration process.
Step 2: Create a New Login
Enter your email address and other personal details to complete the sign-up form. You must be 18 or over to create a new account.
Step 3: Make a First Deposit
Make a qualifying deposit by selecting your preferred payment method. You may also have to enter a promo code to claim the welcome bonus.
Step 4: Read the Terms & Conditions
Before submitting your registration form, read the T&Cs page to understand the rollover requirements and other restrictions.
Can You Withdraw a Casino Bonus?
You can withdraw bonus funds as long as you meet the wagering contribution requirements. That means making a min. deposit and wagering the bonus amount the required number of times (e.g. 40x) and doing it within the stated time limit.
The maximum cashout with new casino bonuses is clearly displayed on the Promotions page. For example, you might only be allowed to withdraw £500, regardless of how much you win with your bonus funds.
Final Thoughts: Casino Bonus UK Offers
Casino bonuses are great for earning and claiming free money from gambling sites. With a deposit bonus casino, UK players can play their favourite games and unlock free money with not much risk. Why not try Winomania today and see how a superb casino bonus can work for you?
Resources
UK Casino Bonuses FAQ
A casino bonus is a promotion designed to reward new and existing players. Bonus types range from deposit match offers to free spins and VIP membership. You can also earn bespoke bonuses if you are a high roller.
You must be a new account holder to claim any welcome casino offers. Complete the registration form, enter a promo code, and make a qualifying deposit to receive matched funds or free spins.
Casino bonuses are offered by gambling sites to attract new customers and keep them playing. Loyal customers are also rewarded with weekly promotions, cashback, and VIP Club membership.
Absolutely. You play with a free spins bonus or matched funds on specific games, but the money you win is very real. You can withdraw GBP into your account or use it to opt-in to other promotions at the deposit bonus casino.
Yes, you can unlock money from casino offers provided you meet the bonus wagering requirements. You’ll receive GBP in return for clearing bonus credits from casino promotions.
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