More on deposit bonuses
One of the main differences between land-based and online casinos (apart from the physical vs. virtual aspect) is that most online casinos will offer an abundance of bonuses. These are perks given by the casino to the player, often in the form of free spins, extra money, or another bonus type.
While it is possible to get these some of these perks for free, deposit bonuses are the most common. But there are many different versions of these bonuses, and they all come with different terms and conditions. Therefore, it is important to know what to look for.
On this page, we introduce you to the very best casino deposit bonuses at the moment. If you are new to online casino bonuses, we guide you through everything you need to know to get started.
There's a lot to choose from, so you can figure out which type of bonuses you should look for depending on your playing preferences. Once you feel ready to claim a bonus or two, you can check our recommendations at the top of this page to find the very best casino deposit bonus for you.
What are deposit bonuses?
Deposit bonuses are simply bonuses given in connection to a deposit. In order to play for real money at an online casino, you have to deposit funds to your casino account. If you can claim a bonus when doing your deposit, this is a deposit bonus.
In some ways, we can describe these bonuses as "bonuses that can be bought". That is because, by making a deposit in order to claim the bonus, you are sort of "paying for" the bonus.
From a more positive perspective, deposit bonuses can be great perks that you get in connection with a payment that you were going to make anyway. If your plan is to gamble with real money, but you can get some more bang for your buck, who are you to complain?
As long as the terms and conditions are straightforward and fair, a deposit bonus can be a very good thing.
A note on no deposit bonuses
The opposite of deposit bonuses are so-called no deposit bonuses. As you would think, these are bonuses that don't require a deposit in order to claim them. Instead, they are normally given automatically when you complete an action (such as completing your registration process or contacting customer support with a bonus code).
While these bonuses can be claimed "for free", there will normally still be other terms and conditions attached. As an active player at an online casino, you can expect to get a mix of no deposit- and deposit bonuses, but the latter are normally worth more.
How to claim a deposit bonus
At the top of this page, we have listed a selection of great deposit bonuses that are offered at the moment. Each comes with its own perks, so it is up to choose the one(s) you like the sound of the most. When you have your selection, you will need to do the following:
- Click to sign up at the casino
- Register an account and log in
- Open the cashier page and click to make a deposit
- Choose your deposit amount and payment method
- Confirm the deposit
Exactly how and where in the process you claim the bonus can differ slightly depending on the casino you sign up to. At some casinos, you have to opt-in for a welcome bonus when signing up. At other sites, you can opt-in for the bonus when or after you make your deposit. If there is no option to opt-in, you might be required to use a bonus code or write to customer support.
Different online casino deposit bonuses
"Deposit bonuses" can be seen as an umbrella term used to describe any bonus that requires a deposit in order to claim it. So if you are happy to deposit some real money, you can claim a lot of different perks – depending on what the casino site you have registered at offers. Let's look at some of the most common deposit bonuses given:
Deposit welcome bonus
One of the biggest and grandest bonuses you will ever get is the welcome bonus given on your first deposit(s). This can vary a lot from one casino to the next, but very often you will see an offer along the lines of "100% up to €100".
The percentage and maximum amount might be different, but the gist is the same. What this means is that when you make your deposit, the casino will match the amount you cash in, up to a certain amount.
If you, from the example above, deposit €50, it means that the casino will add another €50 to your account and you will have a total of €100 to spend. In other words, the bonus is directly connected to how much you deposit.
Other match and reload bonuses
It's not only new players that get match bonuses as described above. Many casinos also offer such bonuses to active players, often as a weekly or monthly deal. In other cases, this type of bonus is given to players who have not been active for a while, to "boost their bankroll" and get them playing again. This is called a reload bonus.
What is typical for these types of bonuses is that the percentage and/or maximum amount is normally not as high as it was with the welcome bonus. Instead, you might for example get 50% up to €50, 25%, or similar. Still, it is free money added by the casino, which can be really nice if you are planning to make a deposit anyway.
Free spins on deposit
A very popular type of casino bonus, especially for players who love slot games, is free spins. They are rounds given on a slot game, where you can play a certain number of spins for free while still having the chance to win real money.
These bonuses can actually be described as a deposit bonus too if the spins are given with the requirement that you have to make a deposit. You might for example get 50 free spins if you make a €10 deposit or similar.
Typical bonus terms and conditions
If you want to claim any of the bonuses described above or another type of deposit bonus, you will of course need to make a deposit. But there are also some other things to keep in mind that can determine whether you get the bonus or not, as every bonus will come with different terms and conditions.
Minimum deposit amount
A typical term related to deposit bonuses is the minimum amount you have to deposit in order to get the bonus. This can be everything from €10 to €20 or more, depending on the bonus. What this means is that if you deposit less than the minimum amount specified, you won't be able to get the bonus. Think of it as "the price" of the bonus.
Wagering requirement
In addition to the minimum deposit, you are normally met with another important number. The wagering requirement shows how many times you will need to wager (play) your bonus before any winnings can be withdrawn. Exactly what needs to be wagered can vary depending on the casino; it might be the amount you deposited, the bonus amount or the amount won. A wagering requirement might for example be 35 times your deposit, meaning you have to wager $350 if you deposit $100.
Bonus code
Sometimes you need to somehow opt-in for or claim the deposit bonus. This can often be done by clicking a button, but sometimes a specific bonus code is needed. This is a code that you have to include when you deposit (or sign up or tell customer support) in order for the bonus to be added to your account. If this is not included, you won't get the bonus.
Eligible games
Once you get a deposit bonus, it is not always that you can play it at just any game. Especially with free spins, you might get the bonus for a specific game or a selection of games. This means that in order to play using your free spins, money or similar, you have to play these games chosen by the casino.
The terms described above are just three of many conditions that might apply to your deposit bonus. It is therefore important to always read the T&Cs carefully to ensure you know how to claim and spend the bonus correctly.
In our bonus recommendations and casino reviews, you can learn more about the terms and conditions of the bonuses. Read these before signing up, to make sure you know how to claim and enjoy the bonus.
FAQ
What is a deposit bonus?
A deposit bonus is any type of casino bonus that is given in connection with a deposit. You have to deposit money ("pay") to get the bonus.
What are deposit free spins?
Free spins that are given after you make a deposit. The spins are free, but you have to make a deposit to claim them.
Do all bonuses require a bonus code?
No. While some casino bonuses require you to include a specific bonus code to get the bonus, this goes far from all. Many bonuses are added to your account automatically when you make an eligible deposit.