If you are just getting started with online casinos, you may find the array of offers a bit overwhelming. The good news is that we're here to help. We will break down all the details about the various types of casino deposit bonuses so that you can make the best choice possible.
Welcome bonuses tend to be the most generous, but this doesn't necessarily mean they are always the best deal. It all depends on the terms and conditions attached as well as your playing style.
Once you get past the welcome offer, there are still many opportunities to benefit from extra value at an online casino, which we will explore today. Let's get right into it and look at the different types of deposit bonuses at your disposal.
Different Types of Casino Deposit Bonuses
Most bonuses fall into one of these categories, and sometimes casinos even create their own new categories, like a "Game of the Week" bonus, for example. These are some of the main types of promotions you will encounter while betting online.
1. Welcome Bonus
As the name suggests, this type of bonus is designed to attract new players to the casino. Most venues have one on hand, and they often provide the largest overall value over the first few deposits on the site.
Welcome bonuses usually come in one of three forms:
- Single-use: This is the simplest form of a welcome bonus. It gives you the bonus when you make your initial deposit on the site.
- First deposit: As the name implies, this type of welcome bonus applies to your first deposit on the site. However, it can provide more overall value since you may be able to receive match bonus rates on multiple deposits and still call it a welcome offer.
- Multi-use: In order to maximize the value of a welcome offer, some sites spread out the bonus over several deposits. This is especially common with no deposit or low-deposit bonuses.
Regardless of the specifics, almost every online casino in the world has a welcome offer of some sort, which brings us to our next topic: Are casino deposit bonuses rare? Absolutely not. They are commonplace and are provided by reputable establishments looking to earn your business.
When you see a welcome offer advertised, it isn’t some too-good-to-be-true scam. The promotion might have strings attached (as all bonuses do), but they aren't out to rip you off. They want you to win so you will stick around and gamble at their site.
The key to succeeding at online gambling is to find an establishment that you enjoy playing on and then take advantage of all the freebies they offer. There are lots of fish in the sea, and if you don't like one casino, you can bet that your competitors will be more than happy to take your action.
Deposit bonuses aren't going anywhere, and they tend to be quite liberal these days. Even high rollers can qualify for them in most cases. We have a comprehensive guide about if you're interested in learning more.
2. First Deposit Bonus
A first deposit bonus is pretty much what it sounds like. It is a reward for making your first deposit onto a gambling site. These types of offers are commonly found at poker rooms and sportsbooks as well as the .
Unlike some other types of bonuses that require a special casino deposit bonus code to unlock the reward, first deposit bonuses simply require your first deposit.
These tend to be large offers because the venue can consider multiple deposits as additional “first” deposits as long as you delete/uninstall the software and reinstall it, creating a new account. Of course, we advise against this “bonus whoring” strategy as it runs the risk of you forfeiting any winnings and possibly even having your account banned.
While it is tempting to claim plenty of small offers, the safest and smartest betting practice is to focus on the biggest welcome bonus you can find and then give yourself fully to that casino. If you try to play a few cents here and there across dozens of sites, none of those tiny bonuses will be worth much money after you pay the rake and the time and effort you put in to earn them.
Focusing on a single property allows you to master its nuances, earn valuable rewards points and more importantly, actually win money. The only thing worse than losing money is losing money and not even noticing that you did!
Playing on just one or two sites also makes it easier to keep track of your bankroll and gambling habits. Responsible gamblers always know how much they stand to lose when they sit down to play, and they stick to that predetermined amount.
by 2 Gaming Casinos – Best 2 by 2 Gaming Casino Sites (2023)If you’d like to learn more about how to utilize deposit bonuses when playing poker specifically, then be sure to check out our .
3. Reload Bonus
An online casino reload bonus is similar to the welcome reward in that it provides a matching bonus based on the amount of your deposit. The difference is that you get it on subsequent deposits, not just the first one.
Nowadays, top online gaming sites understand that responsible players like to clear their funds quickly, so they often offer a “lightning fast” or “instant” reload bonus. With these offers, the bonus hits your account as soon as you make the deposit instead of having to play through a certain amount of money to release it in increments. Naturally, the tradeoff is that instant reloads are usually smaller than standard reload bonuses.
In addition to instant and regular reload bonuses, casinos offer matched deposit bonuses throughout the year as well. These offers celebrate holidays, your anniversary date with the room, or for no reason at all except that the marketing manager felt like sending out a nice perk to her favorite customers.
Many casino directors truly care about the players at their venues and go out of their way to treat them well. By taking advantage of these deposit offers, you show the casino that you appreciate their efforts as well.
If you see a notice for a reload bonus in the casino newsletter, consider taking them up on it before the offer expires. After all, free casino chips are too good of a deal to pass up.
4. Cashback Bonus
Cashback is a type of incentive that online casinos use to lure new customers or retain existing ones. This type of bonus comes in many shapes and sizes. Sometimes cashback is offered as a flat percentage of your deposits, while other times it is tied to your net losses during gameplay.
One popular type of casino deposit bonus is called “cashback from nothing.” This means that you will receive a rebate on your bets even if you haven’t lost any money; you merely need to place a certain volume of wagers to quality for the offer. While you won’t get back 100% of your cash, any return on merely placing bets is impressive.
Cashback bonuses may apply sitewide, or they could be limited to particular games or genres. For instance, some casinos will offer weekend cashback on slot machine play, while others give it on table games or video poker.
Read the terms and conditions carefully to determine the specifics of these offers. Also, note that in nearly all cases, you must actively opt-in to the cashback promo rather than making a deposit and assuming you will automatically receive the benefit.
Be sure to read our detailed guide about to understand how this offer works and why it is so attractive to both players and online casinos.
5. Sticky Bonus
Some offers you aren't going to want to claim, but we'll include them anyway because sometimes they are your only option for getting a bonus on certain payment methods (more on this later). A sticky bonus is one that you can never withdraw; it is only used for extending your playing time should you hit a dry spell.
While it is nice to receive a deposit bonus with no restrictions, unfortunately, that level of generosity is no longer very common. Online casinos are businesses, and they need to make a profit to stay afloat. Offering highly favorable bonuses would put them out of business quickly.
For this reason, virtually all deposit bonuses come with strings attached, such as a maximum withdrawal amount. You cannot withdraw the bonus itself, though you can earn and withdraw any winnings above the original deposit once you meet the playthrough requirements. These are sometimes called "sticky" or "non-withdrawable" bonuses.
Even the best online casino deposit bonuses usually fall into this category. The good news is that even with playthrough requirements, you can still earn tons of real cash when taking advantage of these offers. The exact rules vary between each gaming site, but most share some common characteristics.
You can to learn everything about this interesting form of casino bonuses, including information about how they work, where to find them, and strategies for maximizing their potential value.
6. No Deposit Bonus
No deposit casino bonus offers are among the most sought-after perks in online gambling. They are exactly what they sound like – free offers given to new or existing customers without needing to make an initial deposit on the site.
There are two basic types of no deposit bonuses:
- Free Spins: Free spins no deposit bonuses are provided by online casinos to enable new players to test-drive one or more of their slot machines. Each free spin represents one turn on a slot reel with absolutely no cost to you. Of course, if you hit a jackpot, that’s yours to keep. Many no deposit free spins are restricted to specific slot machines chosen by the casino.
- Cash Bonus: A no deposit cash bonus provides new players with site credit that can be used to play any games for which credit wagering is accepted. For instance, you probably couldn’t use the free credit to redeem a paper white tiger at the, but you could almost certainly use it to try to catch one in a slot machine or while sitting in a meadow somewhere.
No deposit bonuses are great ways for online casinos to entice you to give their site a try. After all, everyone likes to get something for nothing. Plus, no deposit is required to take advantage of these offers, which means you have nothing to lose (other than perhaps some time).
We've all received the unsolicited sales pitch that begins, “This is a completely free product!” followed by numerous high pressure tactics to get us to buy something. While we remain ever vigilant to such schemes in other aspects of life, deep down inside, we all still kind of want to try the free sample. No deposit bonuses satisfy that curiosity without breaking the bank (yours or heirs').
7. Low Deposit Bonus
Online casinos often provide low deposit bonus offers for as little as $10 to $20. Despite the minimal financial commitment required, these offers can include very generous benefits.
Sometimes these are targeted at new players to encourage them to make another deposit following their welcome bonus, or they may be offered to existing customers who have not made a deposit in a while.
Many people don’t have several hundred dollars set aside for online casino play, so these small offers make gambling accessible to a broader audience. Everyone deserves the chance to potentially win big, regardless of his or her disposable income.
While it is true that the total free bonus chips you can get are usually fairly small, that’s better than nothing, and you’re guaranteed to have some action. Who knows? Lady Luck may dance with you and result in a big score despite the small buy-in.
8. Percentage-Based Bonus
Match deposit bonuses are one of the most common types of casino promotions. They provide a percentage of your deposit as free bonus money. For example, if you deposit $50 into your account and receive a 10% match bonus, you’ll get an additional $5 in free casino chips.
Many sites offer increasingly better match percentages on larger deposits. It is common to see 10% on the first $200 and then 20%, 50%, or even higher on larger amounts. Some online casinos feature matches as high as 100%, 200%, or even 400%. Always consider claiming these higher-percentage offers on smaller amounts rather than trying to max out the lower-percentage promos.
For example, let’s say that Casino A offers a 50% match on deposits up to $500, while Casino B awards a 100% match on deposits up to $250. All else being equal, Casino B is clearly the superior offer.
Here’s how much you would receive at each casino for deposits between $100 and $400:
Casino A
- $100 deposit → $50 bonus ($150 total)
- $200 deposit → $100 bonus ($300 total)
- $300 deposit → $150 bonus ($450 total)
- $400 deposit → $200 bonus ($600 total)
Casino B
- $100 deposit → $100 bonus ($200 total)
- $200 deposit → $200 bonus ($400 total)
- $300 deposit → $300 bonus ($600 total)
- $250 deposit → $250 bonus ($500 total)
As you can see, Casino B provides greater overall value until your deposits exceed $250 – and even then, Casino B is the better deal until you reach $400. Given the choice between the two casinos, Casino B’s lower, percentage-based offer makes Casino A’s promotion irrelevant.
Notice that in both examples, the player ends up with more money to gamble with. That’s the beauty of online casino deposit bonus match offers – the casino is paying part of (or all of!) your tab, allowing your bankroll to go further.
9. Loyalty / VIP Bonus
Loyalty and VIP programs are designed to reward players for their continued patronage. Such offers typically provide a modest percentage match on ongoing deposits, but they also include other perks like faster withdrawals, exclusive access to tournaments, account reviews, birthday gifts, and personalized service from an account representative.
Moving up the loyalty ladder often requires earning a set number of loyalty points per month. These points are generally awarded for each dollar wagered, usually on a game-specific basis. Slots and keno almost always earn at a rate of one point per dollar, while other games might only produce 0.25 to 0.5 points per bet dollar.
Casinos That Look Like Prisons (And 9 That Look Nicer Than Your House)Check your loyalty club page to see what games contribute and in what proportions.
VIP and loyalty programs are among the best online casino deposit bonus offers available to regular customers. You put in the work, so you might as well get rewarded for it.
10. Mobile Exclusive Bonus
Mobile devices have become an integral part of our daily lives, and online casinos know that many of us enjoy gambling on our smartphones and tablets. To encourage players to use mobile apps, many sites provide special bonuses exclusively for users of their smartphone software.
These offers tend to mirror traditional deposit bonuses, providing matched funds based on the size of the deposit.
However, the details sometimes differ, so be sure to review the terms and conditions for each individual offer.
If you already spend lots of time using your phone, you might as well get paid to do it. Find out more about risk shifting and other advantages of in our informative blog post.
How to Choose the Right Deposit Bonus
With so many different options available, it can be hard to pick the ideal offer for your situation. That’s why we put together five key factors you should ponder before accepting any bonus at an internet casino.
Wagering Requirements
Also known as playthrough, this term describes the number of times you must gamble the sum of your deposit, bonus, and often any winnings before you are permitted to withdraw cash from the site.
For instance, if a 30x wagering requirement is posted for a bonus, that means you must bet 30 times the total of your deposit and the bonus before you can withdraw the proceeds.
Let’s say that you deposit $100 and receive a $100 bonus with a 30x playthrough.
30 x ($100 + $100) = $9,000
This means that you must place a total of $9,000 in bets before the bonus becomes available for withdrawal. This condition is almost always divided into periods, usually 30 days or less, meaning that you must meet the minimum wagering threshold each day to remain in compliance.
Failure to do so results in forfeiture of the bonus and often even the winnings from non-prohibited games. Even when you fulfill the playthrough requirements, you often must have some cash balance remaining to clear the bonus itself.
For instance, you may be required to maintain a $50 balance in your account while meeting the 30x wagering conditions.
Game Contribution %
All wagers are not created equally when it comes to clearing a bonus. Most online casino deposit bonuses divide slot machine play and other games by assigning a percentage to each.
For instance, all bets on slots may be worth 100%, while table games and video poker only count 20%. Some casinos may differentiate further within each genre. Common examples include:
- Slots, Keno, Scratch Cards: 100%
- Bonus Poker: 20%
- European Roulette: 20%
- Craps: 0% (no contribution)
This means that a dollar wagered on a slot machine contributes the full amount to meeting playthrough requirements, but just $20 of every $100 bet on Bonus Poker actually counts toward clearing the bonus cash.
High-percentage games like slots and keno are often called bonus-friendly, while others are deemed hostile. This distinction arises because the same bet size will allow you to clear bonus cash faster on bonus-friendly games than hostile games.
Of course, some titles are prohibited for bonus play altogether. This is usually stated in the game title when browsning game lobbies.
Furthermore, some offers feature exemptions like “All games contribute 100%, up to $500 per day on slot machines.” In this example, if you wager $1,000 on slots in a day, only $500 of that plays towards your rollover requirement.
Time Restrictions
Most bonuses give you a month or less to meet all the playthrough conditions or lose the privilege. Of course, the best online casino deposit bonuses give you longer to complete them.
Additionally, some offers feature rolling totals. This means that as you bet, you gain access to subsequent tranches of your bonus cash. For example, you might be required to meet 10% of a $1,000 bonus every seven days in order to draw against the full award.
At the end of seven days, you can withdraw up to 10% of the total bonus, provided that you have fulfilled the conditions and have some non-bonus cash remaining in your account. Rolling bonuses give you a sense of immediate gratification, allowing you to start drawing against your prize practically right away.
Time restrictions may apply to the entire bonus or to incremental tranches drawn against a rolling offer.
Minimum Deposit Amount
Online casinos don’t spend money on these promotions out of the kindness of their digital robotic hearts. They expect to benefit from the deal in some fashion.
Requiring customers to deposit and gamble minimum amounts provides the house with an excellent opportunity to make a profit from deposit bonuses. After all, if 1,000 people each accept a $100 bonus and deposit at least $200 to do so, the casino will have at least $200,000 in new funds with which to pay its bills and turn a tidy profit into the bargain.
Chapter 3 of covers the math behind this concept in greater detail, but suffice to say that online casinos are businesses, and they need to make money to continue operating.
Offering lucrative deposit bonuses costs the site significant sums of capital, so they must have sufficient inflows to cover these expenses and generate profits for their shareholders.
Cashability of Bonus
The whole point of accepting an offer at an Internet casino is to eventually withdraw some cash. Therefore, you’ll want to pay close attention to the cashability of each bonus to ensure that you actually get to keep some of that sweet, sweet bonus money.
Ideally, you want to take a bonus that allows you to keep at least some of the free chips once you have met all the conditions, including any time and playthrough constraints.
Even if you cannot withdraw the entire bonus, you may be able to withdraw winnings above and beyond the amount of your deposit. For instance, if you deposit $100, receive a $100 bonus, and ultimately win $300, you might be able to withdraw the last $100 of your balance despite the fact that you cannot draw the original deposit and bonus combined. Check each offer’s T&C to determine whether any portion of the bonus itself is cashable.
What Is the Best Casino Deposit Bonus?
Ultimately, the best welcome bonus offer at one casino may not measure up to others at different sites. You may prefer a low minimum deposit to testing the waters at a new casino, while another site’s Match Play Friday promotional offer grabs your fancy.
Every player is unique, and each has his or her own preferences regarding game contributions, time constraints, and minimum deposits. Furthermore, some players prefer to stick with a single site and ascend the loyalty program ranks, while others seek constant adventure, jumping from one online casino to the next.
The important thing to remember is that all the major gaming sites listed on this site offer at least one competitive deposit bonus. Further, all of the top sites have been online and servicing American players for years, which is a notable feat due to the complex legal environment surrounding online gambling in the US.
Any of the would be a fine choice for your next gaming session, with plenty of bonus chip opportunities along the way.
How To Use Casino Deposit Bonuses Step-By-Step
Claiming your deposit bonus at an online casino is simple, requiring just a few minutes of your time. Once that is done, you can spend hours enjoying your favorite games and having fun. Here’s how to enter a bonus code at an online casino.
1. Sign Up At A Reputable Site
Use one of the quick links above to head to a top site. Look for a big banner announcing welcome bonuses and click the Join or Sign Up button to begin the registration process.
2. Create Your New Account
Enter your name, address, phone number, email address, and other personal data as requested. Be sure to enter it accurately, as follow-up communication may be sent to the email address or phone numbers provided.
3. Select A Deposit Amount And Payment Method
Upon successfully completing account setup, you will be taken to the cashier page. Select a deposit method, input the desired deposit amount, and enter any necessary payment information.
Don’t forget to enter the proper in the promo code field before submitting your transaction request.
4. Claim And Enjoy Your Bonus
The site will display a confirmation message indicating that the deposit was successful and the bonus applied. You can now browse the selection of games, choose one to play, and enjoy your extra casino chips.
Remember to review the terms and conditions associated with the offer to determine the playthrough requirements, allowed games list, and other vital parameters. Doing so will allow you to select optimal gaming strategies while working toward meeting the playthrough provisions and clearing your bonus cash.
Where Can I Find Promo Codes?
In addition to following the steps outlined above, there are several other ways you can obtain the right codes for you.
On The Casino Website
The easiest way to find a valid promo code is to look for it on the casino website. Most online gaming sites feature current offers prominently on their homepage.
Additionally, you can check out the casino’s promotions page or review the bottom footer of any site webpage to find a listing of all the active bonuses there. These usually include deposit offers, no deposit bonuses, loyalty promotions, and more.
Clicking any of these links will open a pop-up window or new webpage that details the offer, including any terms and conditions as well as the appropriate promo code to use.
Social Media Channels
Many online casinos maintain active social media presences, and they occasionally post about new offers and promo codes there. Following your favorite sites on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and TikTok is an easy way to stay abreast of the latest deals.
free play slots no downloadNewsletters
Most online casinos permit new and existing customers to sign up for newsletters. These may be emailed, texted, or both, delivering the latest offers directly to your mobile device.
Many players report receiving dedicated bonus codes via SMS or email. Even if you do not receive a unique offer, the general calls-to-action often provide good values.
Additionally, you can almost always use the same promo code mentioned in the newsletter on as many deposits as it will allow until it is replaced with a fresh offer.
Online Casino Review Sites
N natural search engine queries for phrases like “Bovada bonus code” or “Ignition Casino no deposit bonus” often lead researchers to sites like this one that review and rate internet gaming sites.
Such resources frequently publish lists of the best current offers and their corresponding promo codes. Additionally, you may discover details about upcoming promotions or special links that deliver elevated rewards.
Furthermore, online casino review sites provide valuable insights into the strengths and weaknesses of each offer, helping you to decide which ones align best with your personal preferences and gambling styles.
Deposit Bonus FAQs
How do I claim my casino deposit bonus?
Entering a bonus code when making a qualifying deposit is the easiest way to claim your offer. Alternatively, simply accepting a welcome bonus when downloading a new mobile app may provide the same effect.
Are casino deposit bonuses safe?
Yes, if you stick to the conditions and terms, bonuses are perfectly safe to claim. Failing to adhere to the rules can result in account termination and forfeiture of your winnings.
Which is the best offer for me?
That depends on many factors, including your preferred deposit method, game contribution percentages, and expiration dates. Refer to our list of the top ten types of offers above to select the category most conducive to your preferred gambling style.
Why can’t I withdraw my bonus?
Probably because you have not yet fulfilled the wagering requirements or stayed within the cash balance limits (if applicable). Another possibility is that the offer is only cashable upon meeting the playthrough provision and is otherwise a stake, meaning that you can withdraw only your winnings above and beyond the original deposit and bonus.
Can I clear a bonus on all games?
No. Online casinos differentiate between various game genres and slots by dividing them into different contribution percentages. For instance, while all bets on a slot might count for 100%, video poker play may only garner 20% of each wager. This list explains it in further detail.
A Final Word About Casino Deposit Bonuses
Whether you’re into online or , these offers provide an excellent way to boost your bankroll and potentially win big. Just be sure to read and understand all the related terms and conditions before accepting any bonus at an Internet casino. Doing so will enable you to avoid unpleasant surprises down the road.
Adam is a sports tipster and casino beat writer currently working for SportsHandle.com and GamingToday.com. His coverage of sports betting includes both the digital and retail spaces, and he focuses on topics related to betting services, operators, and technology companies.
Although his byline appears regularly in print and online media, his expertise also extends to radio appearances, both locally and nationally. …