Online casinos are like chocolate shops in Bruges or bakeries in Paris. They’re everywhere. When there are so many businesses clamouring for your attention, it’s the ones that offer something unique that usually draw the crowds. But casinos are essentially turn-key operations. They work with the same gaming providers and payment solutions. They offer the same compatibility and accessibility, and they are all licensed and secure. That’s where sign up bonuses come in. These promotions are what separate an online casino from the crowd. It’s the neon sign that beckons you inside the building, and it’s also one of the few areas where online casinos can be vastly different.
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What is a Casino Sign Up Bonus?
Although the exact terms and benefits that define a casino bonus can differ, the principle remains the same. These bonuses are used to attract new players to a casino. To collect the bonus, you just need to sign up and meet a few terms and conditions. Here are the most common online casino sign up bonuses:
Matched Deposit Bonus
These bonuses are the most common, as they benefit both the player and the casino. There are two key features of a matched deposit bonus: the percentage and the maximum. Let’s use the following as an example:
100% Matched Deposit Bonus up to £500 (min. £10)
The percentage (100%) indicates the size of the match. So, if you deposit £10, you get 100% more, which equates to another £10. If the percentage is 50%, you would get £5 extra. If it was 200%, you’d get another £20, and so on. The “up to” part of this promotion indicates the maximum payout. It doesn’t mean that the bonus is invalidated if you deposit more than £500. Rather, it means you will get a bonus of £500 if you deposit £500 or more. The “min. £10” references the minimum amount you must deposit to qualify for the bonus. The great thing about these bonuses is that they appeal to both casual gamblers and more frequent gamblers.
No Deposit Bonus
A no deposit bonus gives you a number of bonus credits or free spins as soon as you sign up. As the name suggests, you don’t need to deposit any real money. However, you will need to sign up, verify your account, and then add a valid debit card. These bonuses are usually much smaller than other promotions and typically limit you to payouts of just £5 to £20 or between 10 and 20 spins. No deposit bonuses, unlike matched deposit bonuses, don’t offer much to bigger spenders. Free is free, and no one is going to turn away £10, but if you typically deposit £1,000+ at a time, an offer of £10 isn’t going to do much to entice you. That’s actually one of the reasons that these bonuses aren’t so common. Not only can they be costly for the casino, but they usually attract casual players who aren’t as profitable.
Free Spins Bonus
Slot machines make up the majority of games in any online casino, so it’s no surprise that many bonuses are based on these games. A free spins bonus gives you a fixed number of spins to use on a certain slot machine or series of slots. The value of these spins is rarely mentioned in the main promotional materials, but you can find it in the bonus terms and conditions.
Higher Spender Bonus
If the no deposit bonus doesn’t appeal to you and you easily exceed the limits of the matched deposit bonus, you should look for a higher spender bonus. These bonuses are often just large matched deposit promotions. You’ll often be asked to deposit a larger amount than on a standard bonus and the percentage is usually lower, but the max payout is far greater. A higher spender bonus may look something like this:
50% Matched Deposit Bonus up to £2,000 (min. £50)
In some cases, the minimum deposit is the same as the standard bonus, but just because you can qualify doesn’t mean you should. Run some calculations beforehand to see which option returns the biggest bonus based on your intended deposit.
Welcome Package Bonus
A welcome package bonus is a combination of sign up bonuses, such as a matched deposit bonus that comes with a fixed number of free spins. It may also include a cashback bonus, although these are usually reserved for loyalty promotions.
What Do I Need to Know About Casino Sign Up Bonuses?
It doesn’t matter how generous a bonus seems on the surface. If the terms are overly demanding and strict, it’s next to worthless. What’s the point of 100 free spins if they all have a value of £0.01 and you’re limited to a maximum win of £10? Always check the terms and conditions before you opt in. The most important of these terms include:
Minimum Deposit
As noted in the above section on matched deposit bonuses, the minimum deposit is the lowest amount needed to qualify for the bonus. This term is usually the first one you’ll see, and it’s also the most important, as depositing less than this amount will invalidate the bonus offer. Some casinos fix their minimum deposit amounts to the site’s minimum deposit, so you’ll always be prompted to increase your deposit if you go too low. Others have a site-wide minimum of £10 and a bonus minimum of £20, so it’s easy to get caught out.
Wagering Requirement
Casinos don’t want you to collect a bonus and then instantly make a withdrawal, so they use wagering requirements to keep everything in check. Also known as a playthrough rate, a wagering requirement dictates how many times you must wager the bonus funds before they are converted into cash. If the amount is shown as 30x, for instance, it equates to a wager of £300 for a £10 bonus. The wagering requirement will typically apply to just the bonus but may also include the deposit amount. This is an important distinction, as it could double the amount you need to wager.
Payment Method Restrictions
Casinos occasionally place restrictions on deposits made using Skrill, Neteller, and Paysafecard, excluding players who use these methods from the sign up bonus. PayPal, ecoPayz, and other web wallets are also occasionally included on this list.
Win Limits
A win limit governs how much can be claimed with a single bonus. Any amount above this limit will be void. Withdrawal limits are also possible. Rather than limiting how much you can wager, these restrictions limit how much you can withdraw. If the withdrawal limit is £500, for instance, it’s still possible to win £1,000 and this amount will help you through the wagering period. But once that period is over, you’ll lose every penny above £500.
Time Limits
All bonuses must be collected and used within a specific time limit. The same applies to the wagering requirement. If you fail to complete the terms within this fixed period, the bonus will be invalidated. These limits are usually generous, giving you at least 24 hours to collect the bonus and anywhere from a week to a month to clear the wagering requirement.
Where Can I Find the Best Casino Sign Up Bonuses?
We have reviewed the UK’s best online casinos and if you read these reviews, you’ll find links to the latest sign up bonuses, including matched deposit offers, welcome package bonuses, and no deposit bonuses. Check the reviews, click the links, and start collecting some of those sign up bonuses today. Just remember to always review the terms and conditions before you opt in.
FAQs about Casino Sign Up Bonuses
Why Do Casinos Offer Sign Up Bonuses?
Casinos spend a lot of money attracting new players to their sites. Sign up bonuses are one of the ways they can reduce that cost. On the one hand, they’re spending more money. But at the same time, they could be spending less on clicks and leads, which means they’ll save in the long run. In this day and age, a new casino without a welcome bonus doesn’t stand a chance of attracting new players, so those costs are always going to be high.
What is the Best Bonus for Small Stake Players?
Small-stake players are often better off with no deposit bonuses, as well as 200% matched bonuses. These offer the highest returns.
What is the Best Bonus for Higher Spenders?
If a higher spender bonus is available, that’s usually the best option. If not, look for a matched deposit bonus, as it’s usually better suited to high-stakes players. You should also look for a casino that has a loyalty promotion, as it’ll reward you for wagering large sums of money over a prolonged period.
Can I Get a Sign Up Bonus Using PayPal?
It depends on the terms and conditions. Some sites include specific terms that prevent players from using web wallets like PayPal to collect bonuses. The easiest way to find out is to check the bonus terms and conditions and use CTRL + F (CMD + F on Mac) to search for “PayPal” or whatever other payment method you wish to use
