Best casino welcome bonuses UK

Best casino welcome bonuses UK

Welcome bonuses are often what makes one casino more appealing over another. It’s a bonus new players can claim that helps them get started at the casino with a boosted bankroll. However, we understand that as a new player, you might not know which bonus is the best, so we’re here to help you work that out.
By Lucy Wynne, Senior Casino Editor

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The best online casino welcome bonuses

The best online casino welcome bonuses

What are welcome bonuses?

What are welcome bonuses?
Welcome bonuses are offers that online casinos make to new players as an incentive to sign up.

There are multiple types of casino welcome bonus options, from deposit match bonuses to free spins and no deposit promotions.

Typically, for you to claim a bonus, you have to fulfil the requirements, such as registering, verifying your account and making the eligible deposit. Some casinos will provide a promo code to claim a welcome bonus.

You can find the bonuses on the promotion page, with the welcome bonus clearly visible. However, UK casinos will require you to verify your details before you can claim the bonus.

Typically, this automatically happens when you register with the casino. If the verification process doesn’t work, you must send in official documentation to verify your identity and proof of address. Then, you’ll be able to claim the welcome bonus.

The best casino welcome bonuses sites, reviewed

What online casino bonus types can I claim in the UK?

What online casino bonus types can I claim in the UK?

There are multiple types of sign-up offers, from a no deposit welcome offer to a free spins, deposit match, or cashback introductory offer.

No deposit

The most sought-after bonus is the free casino welcome bonus with no deposit required in the UK. This bonus is immediately available once players register at a casino, before they even deposit.

Typically, it’s a small bonus cash amount, but it can also be free spins. These bonuses will almost always have higher wagering requirements since you’re receiving them for free and you may require a deposit to withdraw the winnings.

However, some places will offer no-wagering no-deposit offers which are the best kind as there is nothing to risk, and whatever you win you keep.

No deposit
Free spins

Another standard welcome bonus is free spins. You can receive these as free spins no deposit bonuses, or after depositing a minimum amount. The number of free spins you can receive generally varies between five and 100, though it can be higher.

Spins given as part of a bonus typically have a specific slot they’re eligible for or a group of slots. They also have a set value, often around £0.10 per spin.

Free spins
Deposit match

This bonus is the most common type for new players at UK casinos. It gives a 100% bonus on your deposit. This offer means if you deposit £10, you will receive £10 in bonus cash and can play with £20 altogether.

This option has a maximum bonus amount, such as £100, and depositing higher than that will not give you more funds. Some casinos will even give you a higher matched deposit offer, such as 150% or 200%, while some may give 50%.

Deposit match
No wagering bonus

Another popular option, though it’s not commonly available, is a no-wagering offer. Typically, no wagering offers are free spins, with the free spins winnings having no wagering requirements. It can also be a bonus amount for you to use.

These bonuses allow you to keep what you win and the only catch attached may be a maximum win - which means you can’t earn over that amount and your earnings will be capped.

No wagering bonus
Cashback

Some casinos provide a certain percentage of cashback on your net losses’ - most often 10%. It’s often the losses you sustained in your first 24 hours of wagering at the casino. However, depending on the casino, it can also cover a specific day or play period. The cashback can have a rollover requirement, but this isn’t that common.

Cashback
Live casino bonuses

Live casino bonuses will often be the same as other welcome offers but offer free chips instead of spins. You use chips to play live dealer titles, and they’ll have a set value.

Live casino bonuses

What to watch out for when using welcome bonuses

What to watch out for when using welcome bonuses
Before claiming any welcome promotions, you must carefully read the terms and conditions.

Otherwise, the bonus amount and any winnings won could be void if you don’t follow the T&Cs correctly. The terms will cover requirements and conditions like the minimum deposit, wagering requirement, payment eligibility, maximum win, the validity period and wagering limits (such as max £5 per spin).

The minimum deposit to activate a welcome bonus is often between £5 and £30, with the average being £10. You should also look for payment restrictions, as operators frequently make Neteller and Skrill deposits invalid for claiming welcome bonuses.

You’ll also find a wagering requirement; this refers to how many times you have to wager the bonus amount to withdraw winnings. Most casinos will have 30x to 45x wagering requirements, but some will have lower or higher amounts.

The rollover (another name for the wagering requirement) can also be for both the bonus and deposit amounts. Always check how long the offer is active, as it can be anything between a few days, to a week, two weeks or a month.

If you don’t complete all the requirements within this period, you lose the bonus and its winnings. You should also check the wagering contributions. Some games will take 100% of the bet amount towards your wagering requirements, while others will take 20%, 10%, or 5%.

Further, most bonuses will have a maximum win attached such as £250; however, this can be as low as £20 at times so it’s always worth checking.

Lastly, watch out for wagering limits. This refers to the maximum bet you can make while the bonus is active. It’s typically £5, but it can differ depending on the operator.

How to get the most out of your casino welcome bonus

If you’re new to casino welcome bonuses, then we have a few tips you can use to get the most out of them:

Read the terms and conditions Read the terms and conditions
Never claim a bonus if you don’t know what the terms are; otherwise, you could be at risk of losing the offer and any winnings you may have made using it.
Don’t be impulsive Don’t be impulsive
Always consider whether you can satisfy all the bonus conditions. For example, if the bonus says you have three days to use it, but you can’t play in the next few days, then don’t claim it yet.
Don’t claim multiple bonuses Don’t claim multiple bonuses
It’s easy to miss, but most casinos state you can’t claim two bonuses at once. So, if a bonus is already active, claiming another bonus will void the active one.
Don’t withdraw too soon Don’t withdraw too soon
Carefully check that you’ve completed the wagering requirements, as withdrawing before then will void your bonus and winnings.
Carefully manage your bankroll Carefully manage your bankroll
When using a bonus, you may have to spend your real money before using bonus funds. Always ensure you don’t spend money you can’t afford to lose.

Pros and cons of welcome bonuses

While each welcome offer has specific pros and cons you should consider, there are also overall benefits and drawbacks. Knowing the different features of the casino will help you make an informed choice about whether to claim the bonus.
Learn more about what’s good and bad about sign up offers like the no deposit welcome bonus UK casinos sometimes provide.

Pros Pros Cons Cons
It boosts your bankroll for a time It can have high wagering requirements like 50x to 65x
No deposit offers are risk-free Some games aren’t eligible to play with bonus funds
You can try out new games with free spins You might need to deposit higher than the casino’s minimum limit to claim the bonus
Claiming a welcome bonus can enhance your loyalty rewards
No wagering offers let you keep what you win

Step-by-step guide for signing up to an online casino and using a welcome bonus

If you’ve assessed the bonus and decided to claim it but aren’t sure how to do so, check out the guide below:

  • Step 1

    Open the casino’s website and click on the ‘Sign Up’, ‘Register’ or ‘Join’ button.

    Step 1
  • Step 2

    Add a registered email and create a password for your casino account.

    Step 2
  • Step 3

    Fill in the necessary personal details, such as your name, address, date of birth and mobile number.

    Step 3
  • Step 4

    Complete any other required boxes, such as accepting the terms and choosing your country and currency.

    Step 4
  • Step 5

    Pass the verification checks or provide documentation to verify your identity.

    Step 5
  • Step 6

    Read the bonus terms and navigate to your account’s cashier.

    Step 6
  • Step 7

    Select the welcome bonus in the cashier and make the required deposit to claim the bonus.

    Step 7

Popular payment and withdrawal methods

While Neteller and Skrill are often invalid deposit methods, when you want to claim a bonus, there are many other options. Each has its own good and bad points, so check out what the best options are when claiming bonuses and withdrawing bonus winnings.

Visa/Mastercard Debit cards

The most common payment methods, though you sometimes need to use bank transfers to withdraw; which can take longer than other payment methods.

Visa/Mastercard
PayPal/MuchBetter/Skrill/Neteller E-wallets

Popular options with fast deposits and withdrawals, but sometimes this option is invalid for bonuses.

PayPal/MuchBetter/Skrill/Neteller
Paysafecard/AstroPay Pre-paid card

A good deposit option, though it has higher minimum deposit limits than other methods and doesn't usually allow withdrawals.

Paysafecard/AstroPay
Apple Pay/Google Pay Payment service

Mobile-only methods that are often ideal for claiming bonuses, though they can have some restrictions when withdrawing.

Apple Pay/Google Pay
Rapid Transfer/Instant Bank Transfer Online banking

Fast online bank transfers that allow almost instant withdrawals. It’s also the default withdrawal method on most UK sites.

Rapid Transfer/Instant Bank Transfer

How do we rate online casino sites?

When rating an online casino, we look at various aspects. You can also better understand what makes a casino reliable by examining the following casino features:

  • Licencing and safety

    We look for casinos with a UK Gambling Commission (UKGC) licence, and safety features like SSL encryption to make sure players’ data and funds are secure.

    Licencing and safety
  • Gaming selection

    There should be a wide selection of games, from slots and table games to instant win and live dealer titles.

    Gaming selection
  • Bonuses selection

    The operator should offer not only an excellent welcome bonus but also several other promotions for existing players.

    Bonuses selection
  • Promotion terms

    We evaluate the bonus terms to ensure the requirements are reasonable and that you can fulfil them.

    Promotion terms
  • Other Features

    Check what payment methods are available, whether there’s 24/7 customer support, a loyalty scheme and any other features to enhance your experience.

    Other Features
Legal situation with gambling in the UK Legal situation with gambling in the UK

The UKGC has specific regulations regarding gambling in the UK, especially regarding welcome bonuses. You have to be 18 to register at casinos, as the legal age to gamble in the UK is 18, and the casino must hold a UKGC licence. Operators have to let you have the choice to walk away from bonuses at any time.

Online casinos have to be clear about restrictions and what money you’re using to play; whether it’s your real money or the casino’s cash funds. Further, they can’t change the terms of the offer after you’ve already claimed it, and they must be careful in the language they use to advertise bonuses; so there’s no false advertisement and customers know what they’re signing up for.

Responsible gambling Responsible gambling

The most important thing to keep in mind while using a casino welcome bonus is responsible gambling. You must play to have fun, not to make money. There’s no guarantee you’ll win, so only spend funds that it won’t hurt you to lose.

Responsible gambling tools are one way you can keep in control such as: setting limits on your account for deposits, wagers, losses and session times. You can also keep track of how long you’re playing with reality checks or take breaks using self-exclusion or time-out periods. Furthermore, there are lots of responsible gambling charities at your disposal that can help if the tools aren’t working as well as you anticipate.

These charities are: GamCare, BeGambleAware, Gambling Helpline, Gordon Moody Association, Gamblers Anonymous, Bet Blocker and the National Gambling Clinic.

To learn more, visit our responsible gambling at casinos page which also offers resources and advice on where to seek help if needed.

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FAQs

  • It’s an offer the casino makes to new players, which will boost their bankroll and/or give them free spins to entice them to play there. The actions can include signing up, making a specific deposit, or using a promotion code and then playing your deposit to qualify for the bonus.

  • Most casinos require you to make the eligible deposit and opt-in for a welcome bonus in the cashier section. Others will need a promotion code, or you’ll receive it automatically after completing the required action, such as making your first deposit. Always check the offer’s T&Cs before signing up and making your initial deposit.

  • There are many different types, such as a no deposit offer, free spins, deposit match, cashback and wager-free options. You’ll have to check which option the casino offers, with some casinos even offering multiple options for different sections: casino, live casino, etc.

  • Wagering requirements state how many times you must bet the bonus funds or winnings before they become withdrawable. If you have a £10 bonus and 30x wagering requirements, then you have to wager £300 before you can withdraw any winnings.

  • Sometimes, however, there are usually restrictions on which games you can play. Free spins will typically be eligible on one selected slot. Other bonuses might qualify on more games, but you won’t be allowed to play some game types, like high RTP titles or jackpot slots or even live casino.