What is a welcome bonus?
Welcome bonus, or sign-up bonus, is a type of bonus given to new players or visitors to motivate them into signing up to the website and try some casino games. These are primarily the first type of bonuses that players get when they register for an account at the casino site.
It’s worth noting that welcome bonuses come in many shapes and sizes. Players may get a percentage bonus or some free spins. In rare cases called welcome packages, they might even get both. So, let’s explore the different types of welcome bonuses a player can get.
Types of welcome bonuses
Per cent bonus offer
The most common type of welcome bonus offer is the percentage bonus. It comes in the form of a percentage of the amount deposited by the player. For example, if a casino offers a 30% bonus and you add ₹100 to your account, your balance will be updated to ₹130. Most websites offer a 100% bonus which doubles the deposit amount.
Some casinos for instance, even offer bonus percentages as high as 200 and 300 too, but these don’t come without limitations and conditions. Such higher percentages usually have lower caps and players should check the terms and conditions clearly before signing up.
Match bonus offer
Slightly different from the percentage bonus offer, the match bonus is offered to players when the fund into
their casino account. The players will receive an offer to match whatever amount they deposit up to a certain percentage. For instance, if the site is offering a 100% match bonus up to ₹200, then the player will get an extra ₹200 if they deposit ₹200.
Players can use the match deposit bonus to play their favourite online casino games for real money. Usually, the deposit will be matched either fully or partially. Also, these bonuses also have caps, which means that the site can only match the deposit up to a certain figure. For instance, if the deposit match is up to ₹200, and you deposit ₹400, your bonus will only be matched up to ₹200, leaving you with ₹600 and not ₹800 you’ve imagined.
Staggered bonus
A staggered bonus is a way for operators to incentivize players to make bigger or more deposits. Some staggered bonuses may offer higher percentage bonuses or match bonuses on bigger deposits, while others may offer a continually decreasing percentage or match bonuses on consequent deposits.
Bonus cash and free spins
Some casinos go so far as to give bonus cash and free spins to new players. Operators may separately offer free money or free spins on certain games, or they might even combine them into one extremely attractive offer. However, this offer also comes at the price of some hidden limitations in the fine print.
Terms and conditions
Welcome bonuses are enticing offers, but these packages usually come with specific requirements to be met. These are usually reasonably player-friendly at the top online casinos, but at some places, these requirements are largely in favour of the house and there’s actually not much value on offer. Also, in some cases, you may only be able to use the bonus amount on certain games, and if you don’t want to play those games, then such a bonus isn’t really of much use to you.
So, it’s important for you to read the terms and conditions of a welcome bonus before claiming it. In particular, you should check what the wagering requirements are and what games are eligible. The wagering requirements are in place to prevent players from simply depositing, claiming a bonus, and then withdrawing it immediately. This ensures that the extra value is given only to genuine players.
A wagering requirement is basically a multiplier that represents the number of times you have to play through a bonus before you’re able to withdraw the winnings. For instance, if the wagering requirements are 30x the bonus and you claim ₹200, then you would need to wager a total of ₹6,000 before you’re able to withdraw your winnings. Many sites also include what are known as game weightings. This means that certain games only count toward a percentage of the wagering requirements.
How to find a top welcome bonus casino
Here are some tips to find the best online casino bonus.
Look out for the best bonuses
In the past few years, online casinos have become increasingly popular rivalling their land-based counterparts with their fruitful welcome bonuses. It goes without saying that virtual casinos offer a plethora of casino bonuses to their players. Sometimes, free spins may also be offered as a part of the welcome package. So, when choosing a bonus, don’t settle for the first one you find. Opt to look for more casino bonuses instead. Also, keep in mind that casinos always upgrade their bonuses from time to time. So, be on the lookout.
Check the bonus percentage
Prior to registering for an account at the site, you must compare the bonus match percentage offered by the site to other ones. Also, make sure you check the bonus amount you’ll receive once you deposit bonus.
Read the terms and conditions to know the wagering requirements
After getting a welcome bonus, you won’t be able to withdraw your winnings immediately. In most cases, you’ll have to meet the wagering requirements in order to withdraw the money, if you manage to win. So, make sure you read the terms and conditions first.
Find out how much the game of your choice contribute to the wagering requirements
Playing different casino games such as slots, baccarat, and blackjack will contribute to your wagering requirements. The thing is that all not all games will be able to contribute the same to the wagering requirements. So, check how much playing certain games will contribute to the requirements.
Try to play with your own money before the bonus
Some casinos will allow you to play with your own money. In some cases, you can win a large amount before you actually play with your bonus money. Moreover, some sites will allow you to withdraw your winnings without completing the wagering requirements. However, this will entirely depend on the casino you’ve chosen to play at.
Benefits of welcome bonuses
If you’re going to make a deposit at an online casino, then getting a bonus is obviously positive. You’re only playing with money that you were going to risk anyway, and you’re getting a bit more money to play. With the extra money to play with, you’ll have a better chance of winning at the games.
While you’ll experience a losing streak at some point, you could easily come out ahead with a little bit of luck on your side. Even if you end up losing, you’d get to play for longer than usual with the bonus amount.
How to decide if the welcome bonus is right for you
It’s worth noting that online casino bonuses are not for everyone. Novice and more casual players can be deterred by wagering requirements, which is why some online casinos now impose small wagering requirements.
High rollers and more experienced players often like to complete wagering requirement and if they were likely to bet that amount anyway, welcome bonuses can add significant value to their gameplay.
Either way, you should consider the following when deciding whether or not to accept the welcome bonus.
- The amount you have to deposit to unlock the bonus
- Are free spins offered on the games you want to play
- The wagering requirements and the time that is given to complete them
Conclusion
Casinos offer welcome bonuses to attract new players and to compete with their competitors. However, these bonuses are a huge boon to casino players that, if chosen wisely, can really improve their gambling experience. Just remember to check the terms and conditions to ensure you can use it on the games you enjoy playing.
Online casinos offer a welcome package to allow players to get a feel for the casino and its games without having to drop a load of cash. So, all new players who register for an account at the site are eligible for the bonus.
The validity of a welcome bonus varies from casino to casino. The validity period can be anywhere between 3 and 30 days depending on the casino of your choice.
Like other online casino bonuses, the welcome bonus is subject to wagering requirements by the casino. So, you need to complete the playthrough requirements before being able to withdraw the bonus amount.
A wagering requirement represents the number of times you need to play through a bonus before you are able to withdraw your winnings. Any winnings made using the welcome bonus whilst working towards your wagering requirements will be stored in a pending balance until you meet the wagering requirements.