What is an online casino bonus for new players?
A welcome bonus is often the first type of promotion that is given to a new player. Depending on where you are betting from or which online casino you pick, there are a variety of different forms of welcome bonuses and how much value they provide.
More often than not, these promotions require you to make a first deposit of a specific amount, usually around $10. The most common type of online casino sign-up bonus is a match deposit bonus, where your first deposit is matched by a certain percentage - 50%, 100%, 200%, and so on.
You might also be awarded a welcome package that can consist of several elements at
minimum deposit casinos, such as a match deposit bonus, bonus spins, and a casino credit bonus. Here’s a quick example of how this could look:
- 100% match deposit bonus, up to $1,000 + 50 bonus spins + $20 casino bonus credits
Once you have retrieved the casino bonus, you can put it to good use in whichever way you like. Of course, there might be a few terms and conditions to consider, such as restricted games and wagering requirements before you can withdraw your winnings. Plus you will have to remember to follow
responsible gambling
practices at all times to ensure that your gameplay doesn’t get out of hand.
Quick facts: Online casino sign-up bonus 101
- Online casino sign-up processes typically take up to five minutes to complete
- The average wagering requirement is 25x - 35x the bonus amount
- The most common welcome bonus is a match deposit offer
- There’s usually a minimum deposit of around $10 - $20
- Welcome packages often consist of a match deposit bonus and bonus spins
- Bonus spins can be locked to a specific title
- Expiration periods are usually between seven and 30 days
How do online casino welcome bonus offers work?
An online casino sign-up bonus can work in a variety of ways, depending on the casino and the precise bonus. But ultimately the casino operator has one thing in mind - to grab your attention enough that it makes you want to come back as a returning player.
A standard welcome bonus is often a deposit bonus that matches a percentage of your deposit up to a certain amount. Not sure how this would work? We’ll go through this step-by-step with an exmple below:
| Bonus terms and conditions | Example |
Using the above example, you must deposit a minimum of $10 into your casino balance to activate the promotion. Following this, the casino will then match the amount by 100%, up to $1,000. Let’s say you deposit $750, the casino will give you another $750 in bonus funds, boosting your balance to $1,500. To withdraw the funds, you must then wager the bonus amount through 30x.
Benefits of using an online casino welcome bonus
Whether you are looking to join a new online casino with real money games or a more established brand, there are plenty of advantages for claiming a welcome bonus.
- Test the waters:
If you’re not sure about a casino site, you can use the bonus to test the platform.
- Try new games:
Use your bonus funds as a way to try out some exciting new casino games without spending as much of your cash.
- Easy of use:
With these types of bonuses, you’re not bound to any one platform. What we mean by this is that if you aren’t impressed with what a brand has to offer, you can decide never to return.
- Easy to claim:
Welcome bonuses are often automatically added to your account, saving you effort and time at great
fast payout online casinos.
- Beginner-friendly:
If you’re new to the world of online gaming, you can get to grips with how online bonuses work.
Pros and cons of introductory offers
- Ease of claiming
- Test new casino games
- Reasonable time restrictions
How to claim an online casino sign-up bonus
An online casino welcome bonus is usually very straightforward to claim, requiring very little effort from you. Whether it’s an online casino no deposit bonus or a deposit bonus, the steps are very similar.
Follow our quick step-by-step guide to get you started:
🎲 Step 1: Select your preferred online casino
Here at Dimers, we review and recommend the
best online casinos, including minimum deposit casinos. Simply pick your favorite and browse the available welcome bonuses.
🖊️ Step 2: Register a new account
Join the online casino by completing the sign-up form. You will be asked to provide a few basic details including your name, address, email, and date of birth. Depending on the security in place, you might need to verify your contact number with a code sent via SMS.
🔑 Step 3: Input any promo codes
Not all online casinos require a promo code, so make sure to clarify whether one is needed or not. If required, there will be a designated field on the registration form. If you don’t need one, then you can completely ignore it and keep this box empty.
💳 Step 4: Make a first deposit
Next, head to the cashier page and make your first deposit. Select your preferred payment method and choose how much you would like to deposit. Ensure that you are meeting the minimum deposit requirement of your chosen bonus by checking the terms and conditions.
🎁 Step 5: Activate the bonus
Depending on the casino, the bonus will either be automatically applied to your account after making a deposit or you might need to manually claim the offer on the promotions page.
The best online casinos bonuses in 2025
Common types of online casino welcome bonuses
When you are selecting online casino bonuses and trying to figure out if they are worthwhile, it’s always worth understanding what the different types of bonuses are and how they work. Below we have outlined a few of the most popular welcome offers you will come across when joining online casinos.
1. Match deposit bonus
This type of welcome bonus is the most common promotion given to new players. These bonuses will match your bonus by a specific percentage and are capped at a certain amount. A match deposit bonus is usually targeted towards people who prefer to make an initial deposit to start playing.
2. Bonus spins
You are likely going to encounter a lot of bonus spins offers at most online casinos and especially at the
best no deposit casinos. These bonuses allow you to try out online slots without using your own money, they can also be assigned to specific slot titles to allow you to try out new releases.
3. No deposit bonus
These bonuses allow you to trigger a promotion without funding your account. It gives you the chance to try out the casino for free, so you can get familiar with the casino library and ongoing promotions.
4. Cashback
A cashback bonus will provide you with a rebate based on your gameplay. For example, you might be given 10% cashback on your net losses during your first week.
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Online casino sign-up bonus terms and conditions explained
Once you have found the perfect welcome bonus for you, you must consider whether or not it is worth the time and effort. This can be done by clarifying the terms and conditions of the offer. Every welcome bonus has a set of terms and conditions attached which you will need to meet before claiming the bonus or being able to withdraw your winnings.
Here’s a list of the standard terms and conditions that you are likely to encounter:
1. Eligibility
An online casino will usually enforce a rule that you must be a new customer who has recently signed up. Some casino brands will allow customers to claim an offer further down the line provided that they have not deposited any funds into their account or claimed a previous welcome bonus.
2. Minimum deposit
Before you can collect your welcome bonus, you will most likely need to make a deposit into your casino balance. The minimum amount is usually very low and between $10 - $20. But sometimes you might come across exceptionally low deposit requirements of just $5.
3. Location
Welcome bonuses can often change depending on where you are betting from. Regardless of whether or not the brand is operating in your area, the bonus might be different. For example, a deposit bonus might be 100% up to $250 in selected states but reduced to $100 in other states.
4. Expiry periods
Most sign-up bonuses are only valid within a certain timeframe. For example, you might only be able to claim the offer within the first 30 days. Once you have collected the bonus, you are usually given a specific number of days to use it too.
5. Wagering requirements
This bonus-related term dictates the number of times that you must wager the bonus funds before you can request a withdrawal. For instance, let’s say you claim a $100 sign-up bonus that has a 35x wagering requirement. You will need to wager $3,500 before you can cash out.
6. Payment option restrictions
Some online casinos will put restrictions on which payment methods you can use on your first deposit when claiming a welcome bonus. The most common restrictions are with e-wallets such as Skrill and Neteller.
Tips for maximizing your experience using an online casino sign-up bonus
Let’s explore a few tips for getting the most out of your welcome bonus at online casinos.
🔒 Join trustworthy online casinos
When you are playing online you need to know that your data is in safe hands. Make sure your chosen online casino utilizes advanced encryption technology, reliable payment methods, and so on. It might also be helpful to know that sites with a stricter verification process are often fast payout online casino sites.
💳 Don’t deposit excessively
Regardless of your budget, we recommend sticking with a lower amount for your first bonus. But let us explain why! Let’s say you have $500 available to use which you have put aside specifically for enjoying online casino games. If the welcome bonus is a 100% deposit bonus, up to $250, it makes sense to stick with $250 for now. This helps you manage your bankroll better and gives you a little extra cushion for your budget, just in case you need it.
📜 Check the terms and conditions
Ensure that you don’t abuse the welcome bonus rules by reading the terms and conditions thoroughly before claiming the promotion. If you don’t follow the rules appropriately, you could void the bonus or even get banned from the site.
Conclusion: Wrapping up our guide to welcome bonuses at online casinos
By now, you know everything there is to know about how welcome bonuses work at online casinos in the USA. We have covered what a welcome bonus is, how it works, and the different types of promotions you can find.
As you can see, they provide new players with a range of perks including the ability to try out new games, test new platforms out, and boost your bankroll without investing too much of your own money.
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Wagering: 3x
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27.5 SC FREE and 57.5K Gold Coins
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Wagering: 1x Bonus
What is an online casino bonus? FAQ
🤑 Can I win real money with a welcome bonus?
When you claim a welcome bonus and then play with the bonus funds, you can withdraw your winnings into your bank account. Just make sure you meet the wagering requirements first!
🎮 What games can I play with a welcome bonus?
You can usually play any of the casino games that are available at your chosen online casino. Having said this, there might be some game restrictions in place, so this is something you will need to check within the terms and conditions.
🎁 What is the best welcome bonus?
It’s hard to say which is the best sign-up bonus because it all comes down to personal preference. Higher rollers tend to prefer match deposit bonuses because they can inject a large amount of bonus credits into your balance, whereas casual players will often find value in most bonuses that are targeted at lower budgets.
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