What Is a Welcome Bonus?
A welcome bonus is an offer given to new players when they sign up and make their first deposit at an online casino. It gives you extra funds to play with right from the start.
The most common format
The standard welcome bonus is a deposit match where the casino matches a percentage of your first deposit up to a set amount. A 100% match up to $200 means a $100 deposit gets you $100 in bonus funds on top, giving you $200 total. Some casinos split the offer across your first two or three deposits rather than one lump sum.
Free spins included
Many welcome packages combine a deposit match with free spins on specific slots. The spins are usually assigned to one particular game and credited in daily batches over several days after signup.
Key terms to check
Every welcome bonus has wagering requirements you must meet before withdrawing winnings. Typical requirements run 20x to 40x the bonus amount. Before claiming, check the minimum deposit required, which games count toward wagering, the time limit to clear it, and the maximum bet allowed while the bonus is active. These details determine whether the offer is worth taking.