Best Online Casino Welcome Bonus
How We Select Welcome Bonus
At Platinplay, our team gathers the best bonuses, compares them, and ten lists the ones that we find the best. The sign up bonuses listed in this guide are from licensed, reputable, and trusted UK casinos.
We made sure that the welcome bonuses mentioned here have –
✅Clear and lucid bonus Terms & Conditions
✅Fair and reasonable wagering requirements and bonus validity
✅Fair games from well-established software providers
✅Several deposit and withdrawal options for convenient transactions
✅Casinos hold a valid UKGC license, have a good reputation, and are reviewed by us
✅Casino offers easy access to various Responsible Gambling resources
We don’t recommend what we don’t review. Each of the casinos mentioned in this list has been reviewed thoroughly by our team. If you want to know more about a casino, you can check out the review.
What is a Casino Welcome Bonus?
Much like the name suggests, a welcome bonus is a bonus offered to new players who sign up at a casino. Often, it is also called a ‘registration bonus’ or a ‘sign up bonus.’ The whole point of a welcome bonus is to offer incentives to potential new players to sign up on the casino website.
If visit a few casino sites, you will notice that most of them offer a sign up bonus – be it a match deposit or some free spins. For players, this means they have a lot to choose from – so you can be picky.
To learn more about how a casino bonus works and how wagering requirements affect your winnings, check out our guide on Casino Bonuses.
Types of Welcome Bonuses
As you might’ve observed, almost all casinos offer a bonus when you sign up for their services. However, these bonuses can be very different from each other.
To help you compare the bonuses and pick the best one for you, we have compiled a list of different welcome bonuses that you might come across.
First Deposit Welcome Bonus
This is the most common type of welcome bonus that you will come across. Typically, you have to sign up and make a qualifying deposit to unlock the bonus funds.
For instance, Pub Casino offers 100% up to £100 and the minimum deposit to be eligible for this bonus is £10. This means if you deposit £10, the casino will give you £10 in bonus money.
No Deposit Welcome Bonus
This kind of bonus falls under the ‘no deposit bonus’ category, and these are very hard to come by. Much like the name suggests, all you have to do is sign up at the casino and claim the bonus – it can be bonus money, free cash, or free spins.
However, note that these bonuses may have a lot of T&Cs attached and high wagering requirements.
Learn more about how no deposit bonuses work and how to claim them.
Free Spins Welcome Bonus
Some casinos offer free spins as a welcome bonus instead of a typical match deposit bonus. These free spins can be used on select slots – so take note of the eligible games.
A good example would be PlayOJO’s welcome bonus. The casino offers 80 free spins (with no wagering requirements) if you deposit £10 or more.
No Wagering Welcome Bonus
You will also find online casinos that offer wager-free welcome bonuses. You have to place a minimum eligible deposit, claim the bonus, and use it – no need to worry about wagering requirements.
For example, MrQ Casino offers 30 Free Spins with no wagering requirements. To unlock this bonus, you have to make a deposit of £10.
| Newly opened casinos often tend to offer more lucrative welcome bonuses as they’re trying to establish a player base. While the bonus may seem attractive, we’d advise you to proceed with caution |
What to Look for in a Welcome Bonus?
Most online casinos offer a welcome bonus, so it is not that hard to find one (or many). So the important question is – which sign up bonus is best for you?
Now that you’re familiar with the bonus type, let’s look at a few things that you should be considering before you claim a registration bonus.
Here goes the checklist –
| Bonus Amount | As mentioned, there is no dearth of welcome bonuses as almost every casino offers them. So you can choose an amount that you’re comfortable with. |
| Terms & Conditions | Check if the bonus terms and conditions are clear and you have a clear understanding of what to expect from it. |
| Wagering Requirements | The lower the wagering requirements, the better. See if the sign up bonus has reasonable playthrough requirements that you can fulfill comfortably. |
| Time Limit | All bonuses come with an expiry date – be it days, weeks, or months. Determine if you can use the bonus within the time limit. |
| Eligible Payment Options | Sometimes, a bonus allows deposits from only a few select payment methods. |
| Min. & Max. Bets | Casino bonuses often state the least and the most amount that you can bet. See if you’re comfortable with the betting range and it suits your playstyle. |
| Maximum Win | There is a maximum limit on how much you can win from a casino bonus. See if you’re satisfied with this amount before claiming it. |
| Eligible Games | There’s little fun in claiming a bonus that cannot be used on your favourite games. Before claiming, check the eligible games. |
| Game Contributions | Not all games contribute equally to the bonus. To fulfill your wagering requirements faster, play the games that contribute the most. |
Even before you start the bonus hunt, you should double-check whether the online casino is licensed by UKGC or not.
If you feel like the casino is shady or has vague terms, it’s a red flag and you should steer clear of such casinos. You can skip this research by checking out the best casinos in the UK, which our experts have reviewed.
How to Claim Casino Welcome Bonus?
If you’ve spotted a welcome offer that you’d like to claim, then you’d want to know how to do it. Now, the exact process of claiming a bonus varies from one casino to another, so there’s no “fixed” way of doing it.
However, here’s a general rundown of what the process looks like –
- Read the T&Cs to understand how the bonus would work. Pay attention to wagering requirements, maximum wins, bonus validity, and how much you can withdraw.
- Sign up at the casino. Enter your basic details and verify your account.
- Opt-in for the promotion from the promotions or bonus page on the site. Sometimes, you might have to use a bonus code.
- Make an eligible deposit, if it’s a deposit bonus. Check the minimum qualifying deposit and fund your account.
- Fulfill the wagering requirements. See which games contribute the most towards the playthrough to complete the conditions faster.
- Cash out your winnings. Once the bonus funds are used up and the wagering requirements are fulfilled, you’ll be able to cash out your winnings.
Tips for Making the Most Out of Your Welcome Bonus
A welcome bonus can be fun and advantageous only if you win something from it. And to make sure your bonus is useful, our team has some tips for you –
- Look for complementary bonuses, like a reload bonus, cashback, or another deposit bonus to maximize your bankroll.
- Manage your time or create a strategic schedule so you fulfill the wagering requirements within the validity. For instance, if you have 90 free spins and the bonus is valid for 3 days, then use 30 spins a day.
- Don’t go overboard, claim only what you can use. Bonuses with bigger amounts are usually difficult to playthrough.
- If you’re a high roller, claim max amount possible. If it's a match deposit up to a certain amount, make sure you get the highest amount. This way, you will have more bankroll to play with.
Pros and Cons of Welcome Bonuses Casino
Just because a casino offers a bonus, doesn’t mean you should claim it. Whether a bonus is worth your bankroll and time, depends on the quality of the bonus and your gaming preferences.
That being said, we have put together a quick list of pros and cons to present a balanced argument.
| Here’s why you should go for it | Here’s why you can pass up |
| Gives you a bigger bankroll to start with | Risk of overspending |
| Potentially bigger wins with a bigger bankroll | The bonus might not be eligible for your favourite games |
| Explore casino without risking too much of your bankroll |
Conclusion
To sum up, a welcome bonus is an offer made to potential new players to encourage them to sign up. Most online casinos offer a welcome bonus, so you can find a variety of promotions with varying bonus amounts.
Consider bonus amount, wagering requirements, time limits, and eligible games before claiming a bonus.
Most importantly – sign up at a licensed and reputed casino. You can check our online casino reviews for suggestions.
FAQs
Can I claim a casino welcome bonus more than once?
No, casino welcome bonuses are typically for new players only. Once you've claimed the bonus, you won't be eligible for it again. However, some casinos offer a second deposit bonus or a reload bonus.
Are casino welcome offers worth it?
Yes, casino welcome offers can be a great way to boost your bankroll, but be sure to read the terms and conditions carefully. Consider factors like wagering requirements and game eligibility before claiming a bonus.
FAQs
A welcome bonus is an incentive offered by online casinos to new players when they sign up and make their first deposit. These bonuses typically come in the form of extra funds added to your account or free spins on slot games.
To claim your welcome bonus, you usually need to register for an account and make a qualifying deposit. Some casinos might also require you to enter a bonus code during the registration or deposit process. Be sure to check the specific instructions provided by the casino.
Yes, most welcome bonuses come with wagering requirements. This means you must wager the bonus amount a certain number of times before you can withdraw any winnings.
It depends on the casino’s terms and conditions. While some welcome bonuses can be used on any game, others might be restricted to specific games, such as slots or table games. Always check the terms and conditions to understand where you can use your bonus.