The Best Casino Bonuses – All You Need to Know
When players look for a new casino to join, they often get tempted by welcome offers. If one site offers a nice bonus but the next offers a perk that’s three times bigger, players tend to prefer the latter. But even though operators compete for attracting new customers by always offering more, the amount of a freebie shouldn’t be all you care about. There are many more things to take into consideration as we’ll explain in a bit. But, first, here are the top sites when bonuses are what you’re after:
| UK Casino | Rating | Welcome Offer | Bonus Percentage | Secure Link | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 888 |
5/5
|
£100 + 88 Free Spins 50x Playthrough in 90 Days | 100% | Play Here! | Full T&Cs apply. No Deposit Offer: New players with valid mobile number only • Claim in 48 hrs • 14 day expiry • Valid for selected games • Pre-1st deposit only: FS voucher winnings is uncapped, bonus wins & max redeemable amount for non-funded players capped at £100, excl. JP wins • Wager Bonus x1 - req. contributions vary by game • Bonus expires in 90 days • Deposit Offer: 1st time depositor at 888casino only • £20 min deposit • Claim in 48 hrs • Valid for selected games • Bonus wins capped at £500, excl. JP wins • Pre-1st deposit only: Bonus wins & max redeemable amount capped at £100, excl. JP wins • 30x wagering – req. vary by game • Bonus expires in 90 days • Payment method & country restrictions apply • Withdrawal terms, No Deposit Offer terms & Deposit Bonus Offer terms apply. |
| 32red |
4.9/5
|
150% up to£150 50x Playthrough in 7 Days | 100% | Play Here! | Full T&Cs apply. New accounts only. Min. £10 deposit, debit card only. Up to 50x wagering, game contributions vary, max stake applies. 7 day expiry. See full terms |
| Ladbrokes |
4.8/5
|
£30 | N/A | Play Here! | Full T&Cs apply. 18+. New Casino players only. Deposit required. Play £10+ on qualifying games. 40x wager reqs (Bonus only) on selected games. Accept Bonus within 14 days. Bonus valid for 30 days. Certain deposit types excluded. Player restrictions and T&Cs apply. BeGambleAware.org |
We’ve chosen those three operators after taking a good, long look at the sites catering to British customers. It goes without saying that we’ve only tested casino sites that are fully-regulated and hold all the necessary licences. Our select reputable operators are licensed by the UK Gambling Commission and by independent organisations. They don’t only offer a hefty bonus but also have very user-friendly conditions, such as validity and wagering requirements.
How Does the Bonus System Work?
If you’re new to online casinos, you probably just want to play your favourite games and don’t want to read through the tonnes of information at the sites. Yet, you probably are eager to lay your hands on a nice, juicy bonus. That’s alright, you can have your cake and eat it because we’re here to give you the gist of things. We’ll shed light on the whole process, focusing on the types of perks and what the fine print is about. We’ll also discuss the pros and cons of claiming a freebie. Finally, we’ll give you the name of the most generous operator.
Types of Bonuses
They are a special offer extended by online casinos to their customers and that’s why they aim to satisfy all kinds of player tastes. But what may be right for some doesn’t necessarily have to be the best option for others. Luckily, they come in all shapes and sizes. That’s why it’s a good idea to be aware of the different types before you make your decision.
There’s hardly anything better than getting money for free. And that’s exactly what this kind of freebie is about. Those are given to players so that they’d be able to explore the site and practise playing some games. All you have to do to claim them is sign up. Since you don’t need to share financial data, there are no strings attached.
- Allow you to try out games for free
- You don’t need to enter any bank info
- You don’t need to invest your own money
Once you’ve played for a while at a site and have decided that you like the game selection and the payouts, you’re ready to make a first deposit. All the reputable operators offer a welcome bonus, according to the terms of which you’ll get at least a 100% match. Quite often you’ll get an even better percentage.
- It increases your money for playing by 100% at least
- More play time means more chances to win
Sometimes, your second, third, and even fourth deposits may be rewarded by a varying match. The second deposit bonus is called a reload bonus, while if you get three or more deposits boosted, you’ll be receiving a welcome package. Some of those packages go up to £1500, so it definitely pays off to pick a site that would encourage not just your first deposit but the next few as well.
- Get rewarded for a few deposits, not just your first one
- Welcome packages usually load up your player account with over £1,000
Though these are not as impressive as welcome packages or as wide-spread as first deposit bonuses, bonuses for using a particular payment method should not be underestimated. These might be just what you need when you’re short for money to play with.
- Money transfer from eWallets is instant and in-game depositing is possible
- The smaller amount of the bonus means you’ll be able to play through it easier
- These don’t usually interfere with other promotions
Though some casinos only offer a welcome bonus, most of the respectable ones have special loyalty programmes for their regulars. After all, everyone likes being appreciated for their dedication. At the good casinos, you can expect to accumulate complimentary points, or comp points, for simply playing there. It’s the perfect scenario, because after some time, when your points have increased, you can exchange them for goodies, such as free spins, no deposit bonuses, or even cash them out. How cool is that? Not only are you playing a game you love and having a great time but you’re getting ‘paid’ to do it.
Similarly to loyalty programmes, promotional offers are a perk for those who have already taken advantage of their first deposit bonus. The best casino sites know that player satisfaction is key to not only staying in business but also thriving. That’s why they have special pages on which they post new offers regularly.
- These offers are interesting and unpredictable
- They keep players coming back for more
- Each new offer is another chance for hitting your sweet spot
It doesn’t take a genius to know that VIP members have got it good. They usually have a better time with just about anything that has to do with the casino experience. They benefit from shorter withdrawal periods, lower fees (where applicable), and wider betting limits. Moreover, they get exclusive opportunities, such as participation in private events and VIP rooms. Also, they can take part in raffles with awesome prises, such as cash, trips, and luxurious products. Though at some sites one could become a VIP member by personal invitation only, at others you can climb up the tiers of a loyalty programme and reach the VIP status. Now, that’s an incentive to play more to accumulate more points in order to move up the tiers and towards the coveted VIP membership.
We’ve listed the most common casino bonuses but that doesn’t mean we’ve mentioned all the available perks at online casinos. For example, some casinos offer free spins as part of their welcome deal. That would be particularly relevant to those interested in primarily playing slots. Now, if you like playing on your mobile, you might get a special perk for that. As far as the live dealer games are concerned, some casinos offer a special perk to use in their live casino. That’s just perfect because live games don’t normally hold much weight towards the wagering requirements. Make sure you check the terms and conditions because sometimes claiming a particular freebie might make you ineligible for claiming the general welcome bonus afterwards. But let’s look at other essential terms you should be aware of.
Important Info
We all hate the fine print but we’re bound by it anyway. Burying our heads in the sand wouldn’t make that pesky thing go away. If you’re planning on claiming a perk, it’s only right that you are aware of the basic terms. That’s why we’ll now have a look at those significant conditions that are attached to an offer.
Though you get extra money for free, you’ll be required to turn it over a certain number of times. A turnover of 30 times is great but many casinos insist on a playthrough of 50 and more. Beware the different wording as well. For example, an operator may require 30 times playthrough of the bonus and another may require 20 times turnover of the bonus and the deposit. Naturally, the conditions of the latter are harder on the player.
Time matters. You may be given a £1000 bonus but if you only have 24 hours to turn it over you wouldn’t be able to do it, no matter how hard you tried. Even if you get lucky with the very favourable 30 times playthrough requirement, it’s impossible to play through £30,000 in a day. That’s why you should check the validity period. Those usually range from a week to a month and very rarely go longer.
Casinos attribute different weight to the different games. Normally, slots and scratch cards contribute 100% to the wagering requirements while other games, such as roulette, blackjack, and baccarat, have considerably less weight. Also, live games usually have a poor weighting as well. Therefore, if you’re interested in playing, say, live roulette, only, you will have difficulties meeting the wagering requirements.
Well, those are the three main terms you need to be aware of. There are, however, other important things. For example, what the minimum deposit for claiming a bonus is or what the available payment methods are. Sometimes, a certain payment method might make you ineligible to get the reward. Also, some casinos forbid claiming on mobile devices.
The Perfect Deal
Your top choice when you want the best bonuses and playthrough conditions
Full T&Cs apply. No Deposit Offer: New players with valid mobile number only • Claim in 48 hrs • 14 day expiry • Valid for selected games • Pre-1st deposit only: FS voucher winnings is uncapped, bonus wins & max redeemable amount for non-funded players capped at £100, excl. JP wins • Wager Bonus x1 - req. contributions vary by game • Bonus expires in 90 days • Deposit Offer: 1st time depositor at 888casino only • £20 min deposit • Claim in 48 hrs • Valid for selected games • Bonus wins capped at £500, excl. JP wins • Pre-1st deposit only: Bonus wins & max redeemable amount capped at £100, excl. JP wins • 30x wagering – req. vary by game • Bonus expires in 90 days • Payment method & country restrictions apply • Withdrawal terms, No Deposit Offer terms & Deposit Bonus Offer terms apply.
By now, you might have got discouraged by the long and difficult process of picking the site with the best bonus. After all, that operator should be able to offer you a perk that is both of a good amount and the most favourable terms and conditions attached to it. It is not an easy task, no doubt. However, we’ve got great news for you. There is currently an operator that checks all the boxes. You want the perfect bonus with the perfect wagering requirements? You want ongoing casino promotions, not just a welcome bonus you can claim once? They’ve got it all. Here are some of the highlights of the casino site when bonuses are concerned:
- 88 Free Spins – a no deposit bonus to explore the games
- 100% match of your first deposit bonus, up to £100
- Turnover of 50 times in 90 days
- Regular promotions, including special live offers, on their Promotions page
That operator is none other but 888 Casino. A world-wide leader in gambling, 888 has over 25 million of users. They have also received awards. It goes without saying that they are a reputable casino, legal for Brits to play at. They hold an active licence from the UK Gambling Commission. Additionally, they are regularly tested by the third-party organisation eCOGRA. As you can see from the highlights above, their bonuses are truly tempting, not only with their amount but with the wagering requirements and their generous validity period. They also have a quite good game weight attribution. As if that wasn’t enough, they have a cool page with all their ongoing promotional offers. Now that’s a treat for the players!
Claiming a Bonus – Pros and Cons
Getting a bonus may be a great thing. It might give you the time you need to hit a progressive jackpot, for example. Or it might win you extra time to master a game that would later become the source of a winning streak for you. And it would definitely prolong the fun of playing.
Yet, its terms and conditions might make you reconsider. You can always opt out of receiving a perk or contact Customer Support to denounce it as soon as your account is credited. But let’s assume you do accept that bonus and play whatever games you choose, at whatever speed you like.
Even if you can’t meet the wagering requirements, you’d still have had a lot of fun playing the games longer. You’d only lose the winnings resulting from the perk. What’ll it be? It’s up to you. But if you play at our recommended casinos and you’ll have the best chance of fulfilling the requirements and walking away with all your profits.