Online Casino Welcome Bonus
There is hardly any online casino in the US that doesn’t welcome new players with a special offer. Such bonuses are triggered when you make your first deposit, and the rewards might even extend to subsequent deposits.
The online casino welcome bonuses are perfect for any player type since they can be redeemed with a $10 or $20 minimum deposit. The bonus cap can exceed $1,000, and sometimes even $10,000. The trick is finding the right welcome bonus since each casino usually provides a varying match rate of your first deposit and up to different amounts.
And of course, you should weigh the casino bonus terms and conditions. If you play your cards right, you could be wagering with a welcome bonus at different online casinos we recommend whenever you fancy.
It is key to first understand how these offers work, and we help with that below.
- US Players Accepted
- Instant Payments
- Payout Speed: 0-5 days
Deposit / Withdraw:
+1
Promo code: OCC
$2000
Welcome bonus
Min Deposit: $25
- 300% Welcome bonus
- Up to $2000
- Deposit $25 - play with $100
★★★★★ 5/5
- US Players Accepted
- Instant Payments
- Payout Speed: 0-15 days
Deposit / Withdraw:
+8
Promo code: CAWELCOME100
$6000
+100 Free Spins
Min Deposit: $20
- 1st Deposit code: SS250
- 2nd Deposit code: SS100
- Same day payouts
★★★★★ 5/5
- US Players Accepted
- Instant Payments
- Payout Speed: Instant to 15 days
Deposit / Withdraw:
+10
Promo code: WILD250
$5000
Welcome bonus
Min Deposit: $20
- Promo code: WILD250
- Huge range of banking methods
- Multiple bet types
★★★★★ 5/5
- US Players Accepted
- Instant Payments
- Payout Speed: 0-15 days
Deposit / Withdraw:
+20
Code: BETCASINO
$3000
100% Bonus
Min Deposit: $25
- 500 online games
- Huge range of banking methods
- Fastest payouts
★★★★★ 5/5
- US Players Accepted
- Instant Payments
- Payout Speed: 0-10 days
Deposit / Withdraw:
+8
Code: CAS150
Promo code: CAWELCOME100
Promo code: WILD250
Promo code: WILD250
Promo code: WILD250
What is a Casino Welcome Bonus?
An online casino welcome bonus is an incentive placed by operators to attract new players. It can be anything from match bonuses and free spins to cashback and rakeback. Each operator has the discretion to optimize their offers toward their target customers.
One thing holds true no matter the offer. You can claim a welcome bonus once at each online casino, with a few extending the rewards up to the 3rd, 5th, or 10th deposit. Still, the first deposit bonus is usually the most significant.
The industry has settled to match bonuses as welcome offers. Most online casinos we have reviewed will boost your first deposit at a 100% rate. This means that if you deposit $10, you would get $10 as a bonus. The maximum bonus amount can be anywhere from $100 to $10,000.
If an offer is better than the standard 100% welcome bonus, you should be careful while reviewing the terms and conditions. These apply on all offers but tend to be harsher with higher match bonuses and no deposit promos. For instance, the bonus funds might not be cashable with a 400% match bonus.
Types of Welcome Bonuses at Online Casinos
Online casino welcome bonuses can be as diverse as the market you are in, and the US is a huge iGaming landscape. With thousands of operators vying for your attention, there is a welcome bonus for everyone.
Below, we touch upon the different types of welcome bonuses you are likely to encounter.
First deposit bonus
A first deposit is, in most cases, a match bonus. The exact rate will usually be 100% or over, and your real money funds will receive a boost up to a certain cap. In most cases, you will be able to claim a $10 deposit bonus and upwards of $1,000. Any deposit within this range will receive a percentage boost according to the promotional terms.
The standard first deposit match bonuses are available to use on online slots. You have hundreds of options at most online casinos, but such offers might not be ideal for table game enthusiasts. Thankfully, some online casinos provide a table game first deposit bonus, which can be wagered on the respective casino lobby. Keep in mind that the match rate and bonus cap are usually lower with these offers, like the playthrough contribution.
Overall, it is hard to fault first deposit bonuses. Unless you randomly claim one and have your real money funds locked by steep wagering requirements.
Welcome bonus
The welcome bonus is often used as a synonym for the first deposit bonus concept described above. The main difference is that it often also includes free spins in the offering.
You can even find a few operators on this page providing a 100% match bonus of up to $500 and 200 free spins on the side. The latter is only available for selected slots in most cases and comes with a minimum bet value.
Getting two offers for your first deposit is obviously a good thing, but don’t get overly excited about free spins. Even a large number, say 100 spins, might just translate to $10 free (100x$0.10 per spin). A low maximum winning cap often restricts their winnings, which is not usually the case with first deposit promos.
Ultimately, if there are two identical offers but the one also offers free spins, go for it.
Welcome package
A welcome package is the term used when online casinos provide new players with a bonus on more than just their first deposit. Such platforms can be great to sign-up for, as long as the welcome bonuses are worth your time.
Most welcome packages will start off with a very high match rate, and provide slightly less bonus value on the following deposits. The last one, however, tends to be generous and acts as a motivator to continue playing there. Free spins might be also included in casino welcome packages.
Here is an example:
- 1st Deposit: 200% match bonus up to $2,000 + 100 free spins
- 2nd Deposit: 100% match up to $1,000 + 50 free spins
- 3rd Deposit: 100% match up to $1,000 + 50 free spins
- 4th Deposit: 125% match up to $1,250 + 75 free spins
- 5th Deposit: 200% match bonus up to $2,000 + 100 free spins
Going all the way would mean a $7,250 bonus and 375 free spins. Although such deals can be great, an operator might offer better value through reload bonuses for returning users than 2nd or 3rd deposit welcome bonuses.
Cashback welcome bonus
A cashback welcome bonus works quite differently than deposit bonuses, and it is a route mostly experienced players search for.
Essentially, you are given a set time period within which you can wager real money, say 24 hours, or a single shot at your first deposit.
If things go south, the online casino will provide you with a cashback bonus. To qualify, you must have a balance lower than $1. The cashback welcome bonuses are usually less generous than first deposit bonuses, with rates set at 10 – 50% and rewards up to $500 or $1,000.
However, the great thing about using cashback for your first casino deposit is that you don’t tie your real money deposit to any restrictive terms or wagering requirements. You can begin playing, and if you win the money can be withdrawn. If you lose, you can contact the casino support team to request the bonus funds.
Cashback welcome bonuses are also more favorable in terms of wagering conditions than match offers.
Free spins welcome bonus
A free spin welcome bonus as a standalone offer is rare these days, but you might see a casino going all out with 500 or 1000 free spins on your first deposit.
Not the best bonus in our view, due to its restriction on specific slot machines.
High roller welcome bonus
Crypto welcome bonus
The last type of welcome bonus you’ll encounter is again similar to a match first deposit bonus. These offers cater to cryptocurrency players mostly and try to attract users by offering better value bonuses for deposits via Bitcoin or other altcoins.
In most cases, a crypto welcome bonus will add 25% higher value than the casino’s fiat deposit bonus.
How to Claim a Casino Welcome Bonus
Although the depth and volume of information provided on this page might have scared you, redeeming a welcome bonus is pretty straightforward. You’ll need to create a new account and make a deposit to play with a bonus. We take you through the process below:
Choose one of the listed operators. Our banners always highlight the welcome bonus at each operator, and you can tap to read our reviews for more details. If you cannot wait to begin, hit the play now button.
The above will take you to their official online casino homepage, where you can click to register. US players over 18 are accepted on these operators.
To complete the signup process, you’ll need to share some personal information with the casino. Things like your name, address, email, mobile, etc. These must be accurate to avoid any delays when trying to withdraw from the casino.
Some sites will ask you to enter a bonus code at this stage, or when making your first deposit. If we list a code enter it, since it ensures you get our exclusive welcome offers.
Now verify your new account through the phone message or email link and you are all set up.
Most online casinos will instantly take you to their cashier page after the above step. If not, you can manually navigate there and select one of the supported payment options. Now, you must deposit more than the minimum required amount for the welcome bonus. This is set at $20 in most cases. It would be smart to also not exceed the maximum bonus cap since the casino will not add a further bonus.
As soon as you are through with your real money deposit, the funds you transferred plus the applicable match bonus will show in your account. You can choose any of the supported games and begin playing. That’s a requirement since a first deposit bonus will lock your funds until you clear the wagering requirements.
Terms and Conditions Associated with These Offers
We mentioned terms and conditions several times throughout this page. If you’ve never redeemed a casino bonus before, you might be unsure of what we mean.
Essentially, these are the limitations and rules placed by the online casino for each bonus. They can be simple parameters that are easy to meet or predatory making it impossible to clear your bonus and cash out.
By understanding the main welcome bonus terms and noting the industry averages, we try to help you make educated gambling decisions.
✅ Wagering requirements – this percentage term highlights how many times you’ll need to play the bonus and, in some cases, deposit value before the bonus funds become cashable. The higher the bonus, the larger the amount you’ll need to wager. A 35x wagering requirement on the bonus funds is what we would call a fair term.
✅ Sticky bonuses – very generous match bonuses, exceeding 250%, are almost always sticky. This means that all bonus funds are voided when cashing out your real money deposit and all bonus winnings have been wagered. If possible, steer clear of non-cashable welcome bonuses.
✅ Qualifying games – a little search can help you find a range of bonuses, and even table or live casino offers. However, most welcome bonuses are exclusive to slots, keno, and scratch games. Failing to stick to the permitted games gives the casino the right to cancel your bonus.
✅ Playthrough percentage – wagering the bonus funds to cash out cannot be done on all games. In most cases, you can use the funds for slots play, which contributes 100% of your stakes towards the rollover. If you fancy other games, ensure they contribute and weigh if 5 – 10% contribution rates can realistically help you turnover bonus funds.
✅ Max bet – bonus clearing can be conducted within certain parameters. Your stakes cannot exceed $5 in most cases, which can affect the speed at which you can playthrough your bonus.
✅ Bonus codes – failing to use the corresponding bonus code can cost you some amazing bonuses.
✅ Time limits – most welcome bonuses can be redeemed within 24 hours to 30 days after you create your account. Ensure you are eligible and that you clear the bonus within the set time limit.
✅ Qualifying deposit – welcome bonuses come with a minimum and maximum cap. The most important thing is depositing over the minimum, or you forfeit the right to claim the welcome bonus. Depositing over the max bonus cap won’t cost you anything, but the casino won’t match funds over the set limit.
Tips for using a Casino Welcome Bonus
All terms and conditions highlighted above can be translated into tips you can employ when selecting a welcome bonus. We don’t want to repeat ourselves, so we instead summarize the main things to keep in mind before and when using a welcome bonus.
Don’t get overly excited by large bonuses or impressive match rates and fail to weigh the bonus terms and conditions.
After you identify the games you can use your bonus on, do some research to find the ones with the highest RTP and lowest risk.
Don’t bet over your standard wagers just because your balance is higher than usual. Treat bonus funds as real money and they might end up being such.
Using multiple deposit bonuses by signing up at different online casinos is an effective strategy. Might seem like a lot of work, but sites like ours make it very straightforward.
And lastly, don’t use the money you need for your responsibilities just to claim bigger casino bonuses. Keep gambling fun by playing responsibly.
Online Casino Welcome Bonuses Comparison
All offers listed above are unique and come with fair terms and conditions. Nonetheless, each of the listed operators provides alternative bonuses you can redeem after signing up. The most common is an improved crypto welcome bonus.
With over $40,000 in bonuses for your first deposits on the above brands, you should be getting an idea of the importance of using welcome bonus codes.
Conclusion
This page has laid the foundation for a great online gambling experience. Online casinos might be all over the place, but not all of them are created equal. And there is no better way to choose among the hundreds of online casino sites than their welcome offers.
Playing with more funds means increased winning chances. However, the list of decent online casinos is not too long, and we recommend redeeming a welcome bonus when you are able to commit a sizeable first deposit. Otherwise, you would be wasting the opportunity.
Ultimately, it’s up to you on how you want to go about playing with a casino welcome bonus. One thing to also stress out is that you should only gamble with money you can afford to spend.
