Casino Bonuses
Most online casinos offer bonuses for players, which come in all shapes and sizes.
-
1
Established 2021Must be 21+ to play. T&Cs apply.PlayStar Club Loyalty ProgramDaily Rewards Playing Select Slot GamesAuthentic & Player Centered Themenot requiredPromo Code
The code required to claim this sign-up bonus (if any)
Bonus Wagering
The number of times you have to play through your bonus before you are able to withdraw any winnings
30xPayout Time
The average withdrawal processing time
1-2 Business DaysCasino Games
The total number of casino games available
430Jackpot Slots
The number of jackpot slot games available
3Live Casino Games
The number of live casino games available
19PlayStar is among the rising brands in New Jersey. Despite being a newer casino, its selection of games and authentic theme make it stand out in the crowd. The new PlaStar Club loyalty program makes playing games more rewarding. -
2
Established 2018Visit BetMGM.com for T&Cs. Must be 21+. MI, NJ, PA or WV only. Excludes Michigan Disassociated Persons. All promotions are subject to qualification and eligibility requirements. Rewards issued as non-withdrawable site credit, unless otherwise provided in the applicable Terms. Please Gamble Responsibly. Gambling Problem? 1-800-270-7117 for confidential help (MI), 1-800-GAMBLER (NJ, PA & WV).Brand Ambassadors such as Jamie FoxxMGM Rewards Redeemable at MGM ResortsExclusive Games & Live Dealer GamesGAMBLINGCOM100Promo Code
The code required to claim this sign-up bonus (if any)
Bonus Wagering
The number of times you have to play through your bonus before you are able to withdraw any winnings
15xPayout Time
The average withdrawal processing time
3-5 Business DaysCasino Games
The total number of casino games available
3034Jackpot Slots
The number of jackpot slot games available
33Live Casino Games
The number of live casino games available
16BetMGM belongs to the list of most recognized brands among the US gamblers. Its MGM Rewards loyalty program allows players to enjoy vast benefits when visiting MGM resorts.
-
3
Established 200121+ T&Cs apply.Exclusive Casino & Table Games'Digital Operator of the Year' 2018Regular Cash Rebate PromotionsGAMBLINGPromo Code
The code required to claim this sign-up bonus (if any)
Bonus Wagering
The number of times you have to play through your bonus before you are able to withdraw any winnings
30xPayout Time
The average withdrawal processing time
1 - 3 Business DaysCasino Games
The total number of casino games available
662Jackpot Slots
The number of jackpot slot games available
51Live Casino Games
The number of live casino games available
20Bet365 Casino offers a diverse range of classic table games, jackpot slots and live casino games all within an industry leading games lobby.
-
4
Established 2004Must be 21+ to participate. T&Cs apply.Official Betting Partner Of USA Today10x Bonus Wagering RequirementsShared Wallet With Online Sportsbooknot requiredPromo Code
The code required to claim this sign-up bonus (if any)
Bonus Wagering
The number of times you have to play through your bonus before you are able to withdraw any winnings
10xPayout Time
The average withdrawal processing time
3 - 5 Business DaysCasino Games
The total number of casino games available
467Jackpot Slots
The number of jackpot slot games available
9Live Casino Games
The number of live casino games available
2Double-hitting welcome deposit bonus that rewards new customers with a first wager match and free spins. It also has meetable requirements and excellent game weighting.
-
5
Established 2013Must be 21+ to participate. T&Cs apply.No Deposit Bonus AvailableCaesars Rewards Loyalty ProgramOne of the Most Recognized Brands in the USGAMBLINGC10Promo Code
The code required to claim this sign-up bonus (if any)
Bonus Wagering
The number of times you have to play through your bonus before you are able to withdraw any winnings
20xPayout Time
The average withdrawal processing time
3-5 Business DaysCasino Games
The total number of casino games available
1120Jackpot Slots
The number of jackpot slot games available
21Live Casino Games
The number of live casino games available
13Caesars casino is a legendary brand that has repeatedly appeared in Hollywood movies. As such, it's no wonder players can find big collection of slots and table games. On top of that, you're automatically a part of the Caesars Rewards program.
-
6
Established 2006Must be 21+ and present in NJ to participate. T&Cs apply.Big Game Library with Over 500 TitlesClimb Reward-Rich LeaderboardPlatform Features Numerous Popular Titlesnot requiredPromo Code
The code required to claim this sign-up bonus (if any)
Bonus Wagering
The number of times you have to play through your bonus before you are able to withdraw any winnings
30xPayout Time
The average withdrawal processing time
1-2 Business DaysCasino Games
The total number of casino games available
321Jackpot Slots
The number of jackpot slot games available
9Live Casino Games
The number of live casino games available
0Betway is a world-renown sports betting brand, but it also delivers a big game section. The brand has all the popular casino games in store, counting over 500 titles. Players will find all the popular titles in this online casino.
-
7
Established 2009Must be 21+ and present in NJ, PA, MI, or WV to participate. T&Cs apply.New Slots & Table Games Regularly Added'Operator of the Year' 2021Rapid Rewards Enters Players for a Big Prize Poolnot requiredPromo Code
The code required to claim this sign-up bonus (if any)
Bonus Wagering
The number of times you have to play through your bonus before you are able to withdraw any winnings
1xPayout Time
The average withdrawal processing time
3-5 Business DaysCasino Games
The total number of casino games available
421Jackpot Slots
The number of jackpot slot games available
18Live Casino Games
The number of live casino games available
19FanDuel is known as the DFS operator in numerous states. However, the brand also offers sportsbook and online casino. Crowned the 'Operator of the Year' in 2021 is proof that brand has everything an avid casino visitor needs.
-
8
Established 2018Must be 21+ to participate. T&Cs apply.betOcean Online Rewards ProgramGenerous Welcome BonusLive Chant Functionality AvailableWELCOME23Promo Code
The code required to claim this sign-up bonus (if any)
Bonus Wagering
The number of times you have to play through your bonus before you are able to withdraw any winnings
30xPayout Time
The average withdrawal processing time
1 - 10 Business DaysCasino Games
The total number of casino games available
868Jackpot Slots
The number of jackpot slot games available
21Live Casino Games
The number of live casino games available
14Ocean Online Casino has it all. Modernly designed lobby is a host to slots, tables, jackpots and live dealer games. The newly introduced betOcean loyalty program makes gaming more rewarding for returning players.
-
9
Established 2021Must be 21+ to participate. T&Cs applyExclusive Bally TitlesSpecial Perks for VIP Program MembersOfficial Partner of Cleveland Browns & Nashville Predatorsnot requiredPromo Code
The code required to claim this sign-up bonus (if any)
Bonus Wagering
The number of times you have to play through your bonus before you are able to withdraw any winnings
1xPayout Time
The average withdrawal processing time
3-5 Business DaysCasino Games
The total number of casino games available
305Jackpot Slots
The number of jackpot slot games available
3Live Casino Games
The number of live casino games available
9Bally Casino is a home to dozens of exclusive titles. Being a game provider as well offers creates a lot of room to offer games that you can only find in its online casino.
-
10
Established 2020Must be 21+ to participate. T&Cs apply.Daily Slots TournamentsiRush Rewards Loyalty Program'Operator of the Year' 2022 (Rush Street Interactive)CASINO500Promo Code
The code required to claim this sign-up bonus (if any)
Bonus Wagering
The number of times you have to play through your bonus before you are able to withdraw any winnings
10xPayout Time
The average withdrawal processing time
1 - 5 Business DaysCasino Games
The total number of casino games available
1388Jackpot Slots
The number of jackpot slot games available
83Live Casino Games
The number of live casino games available
13BetRivers casino is a host to plethora of slots and table games. Its loyalty program helps the brand stand out from the crowd.
-
11
Established 2020Must be 21+ to participate. T&Cs apply.Brand Ambassadors such as Shaquille O'NealWynn Rewards Redeemable in the Casino & Sportsbook SectionEvolution-Powered Live Dealer Sectionnot requiredPromo Code
The code required to claim this sign-up bonus (if any)
Bonus Wagering
The number of times you have to play through your bonus before you are able to withdraw any winnings
10xPayout Time
The average withdrawal processing time
3-5 Business DaysCasino Games
The total number of casino games available
691Jackpot Slots
The number of jackpot slot games available
14Live Casino Games
The number of live casino games available
6WynnBET is known for its popular Las Vegas Wynn Resorts properties. The operator lives up to its name with the range of available games.
-
12
Established 2012Must de 21+ to participate. T&Cs apply.DraftKings Exclusive Table Games'Digital Operator of the Year' 2019Official Partner of the NFL, NHL & NBAnot requiredPromo Code
The code required to claim this sign-up bonus (if any)
Bonus Wagering
The number of times you have to play through your bonus before you are able to withdraw any winnings
15xPayout Time
The average withdrawal processing time
3 - 5 Business DaysCasino Games
The total number of casino games available
1101Jackpot Slots
The number of jackpot slot games available
114Live Casino Games
The number of live casino games available
10DraftKings is another popular DFS operators with sportsbook and casino products. The casino offers wide range of slots and exclusive table games.
-
13
Established 2013Gambling Problem? For help call 1-800-GAMBLER. Must be 21+. NJ & PA only. New Customers Only. Please Gamble Responsibly. Visit BorgataOnline.com for T&Cs. All promotions are subject to qualification and eligibility requirements. Rewards issued as non-withdrawable site credit/bonus bets unless otherwise provided in the applicable terms Rewards subject to expiry.Borgata Online RewardsExclusive Slots, Jackpots & Table Games'Property of the Year' 2018GDCBONUSPromo Code
The code required to claim this sign-up bonus (if any)
Bonus Wagering
The number of times you have to play through your bonus before you are able to withdraw any winnings
15xPayout Time
The average withdrawal processing time
3-5 Business DaysCasino Games
The total number of casino games available
1200Jackpot Slots
The number of jackpot slot games available
9Live Casino Games
The number of live casino games available
10Borgata online casino features a big collection of exclusive titles. Rewards from loyalty programs can be used in both MGM and Borgata properties. Mistery Monday makes the experience on the platfrom more entertaining.
-
14
Established 1997Gambling Problem? For help call 1-800-GAMBLER. Must be 21+. NJ only. New Customers Only. Please Gamble Responsibly. Visit nj.partycasino.com for T&Cs. All promotions are subject to qualification and eligibility requirements. Rewards issued as non-withdrawable site credit/bonus bets unless otherwise provided in the applicable terms Rewards subject to expiry.Awarded ‘Casino of the Year’ 2017 & 2018Win Prizes in Daily Slots TournamentsOfficial Partner of F1 McLaren Racing TeamGDCPARTYPromo Code
The code required to claim this sign-up bonus (if any)
Bonus Wagering
The number of times you have to play through your bonus before you are able to withdraw any winnings
10xPayout Time
The average withdrawal processing time
3-5 Business DaysCasino Games
The total number of casino games available
1200Jackpot Slots
The number of jackpot slot games available
35Live Casino Games
The number of live casino games available
10Party Casino is a part of the multinational gaming group Entain. It offers a huge range of progressive jackpots and exclusive slots tournaments, with 24/7 support.
-
15
Established 201321+. T&C ApplyFamous Brand with Exclusive GamesDaily Promotions for Existing CustomersDaily Free Games to Win Free Spinsnot requiredPromo Code
The code required to claim this sign-up bonus (if any)
Bonus Wagering
The number of times you have to play through your bonus before you are able to withdraw any winnings
40xPayout Time
The average withdrawal processing time
3-5 business daysCasino Games
The total number of casino games available
260Jackpot Slots
The number of jackpot slot games available
1Live Casino Games
The number of live casino games available
4Virgin Casino was among the first brands to enter the US market. It's products run smoothly on all platforms and offer a broad selection of slots, bingo and free games.
-
16
Established 2018Must be 21+ to participate. T&Cs apply.'Land-Based Operator of the Year' 2020Rockin' Rewards Redeemable as Bonus CashGenerous First Deposit Welcome Bonusnot requiredPromo Code
The code required to claim this sign-up bonus (if any)
Bonus Wagering
The number of times you have to play through your bonus before you are able to withdraw any winnings
15xPayout Time
The average withdrawal processing time
3 - 5 Business DaysCasino Games
The total number of casino games available
844Jackpot Slots
The number of jackpot slot games available
51Live Casino Games
The number of live casino games available
25Hard Rock casino has all the games that an average casino players expects. On top of that, there's the Rockin' Rewards loyalty program for all those who want to get the highest value of playingo online casino games.
-
17
Established 2019Must be 21+ to participate. T&Cs apply.Game of the Week with Bonus SpinsWeekly Live Dealer Blackjack BoosterHand-Picked Selection of Casino GamesNJCASINO200Promo Code
The code required to claim this sign-up bonus (if any)
Bonus Wagering
The number of times you have to play through your bonus before you are able to withdraw any winnings
10xPayout Time
The average withdrawal processing time
1 -5 Business DaysCasino Games
The total number of casino games available
462Jackpot Slots
The number of jackpot slot games available
67Live Casino Games
The number of live casino games available
17Unibet is a brand with long-standing history in the iGaming industry. Winning the operator of the year award shows that players can find games with various themes in this online casino.
-
18
Established 201521+. T&Cs apply.Redeemable Resorts & Echelon Rewards"Daily Game Promotions on Select Slots "Unique Features like Gamble, SuperBet & Up Wildnot requiredPromo Code
The code required to claim this sign-up bonus (if any)
Bonus Wagering
The number of times you have to play through your bonus before you are able to withdraw any winnings
20xPayout Time
The average withdrawal processing time
3-5 Business DaysCasino Games
The total number of casino games available
953Jackpot Slots
The number of jackpot slot games available
35Live Casino Games
The number of live casino games available
20Resorts Casino features a loyalty program with plenty of benefits for its players. Among slots and jackpots, gamblers can find big selection of slingo and live dealer games. The gaming experience becomes better with platform's unique features.
-
19
Established 2013Must be 21+ to participate. T&Cs apply.Access to Caesars RewardsDaily Free Spins & JackpotHand-Picked Selection of Slots, Blackjack & Roulette Titlesnot requiredPromo Code
The code required to claim this sign-up bonus (if any)
Bonus Wagering
The number of times you have to play through your bonus before you are able to withdraw any winnings
20xPayout Time
The average withdrawal processing time
2-5 Business DaysCasino Games
The total number of casino games available
99Jackpot Slots
The number of jackpot slot games available
1Live Casino Games
The number of live casino games available
0Being under the Caesars Entertainment wing, the brand offers a robust platform that comes with all the essentials. The big plus is access to Caesars Rewards loyalty program.
-
20
Established 194821+. T&C Apply$10 Million Dollar Yearly RaceMulti-Tier Loyalty ProgramExclusive Golden Nugget Gamesnot requiredPromo Code
The code required to claim this sign-up bonus (if any)
Bonus Wagering
The number of times you have to play through your bonus before you are able to withdraw any winnings
10Payout Time
The average withdrawal processing time
instantCasino Games
The total number of casino games available
1281Jackpot Slots
The number of jackpot slot games available
39Live Casino Games
The number of live casino games available
20With over 70 years of experience, Golden Nugget offers everything a passionate gambler might need. Slots, jackpots, bonuses and loyalty program, it's all there alongside a big range of hotels and land-based casinos.
-
21
Established 1997Must be 21+ to participate. T&Cs apply.
Players Also Liked
Online Bonuses from Top Casinos
The world of online casino bonus offers can be a minefield. If you are new to online casinos, you’ll likely miss key aspects of what makes a good, and more importantly, a bad offer.
At Gambling.com we have a team of experts that spends time reviewing, assessing and then rating every casino bonus that’s currently online. We’ve got over 50 years combined experience and we are proud to say that we are one of, if not the, best in the business when it comes to guides on casino bonuses.
How We Review Casino Bonuses in United States
We’ve been able to create a process that allows us to work out which casino bonuses are worth having and which are worth avoiding. Our review process is not only extensive, but exhaustive as well.
Each online casino review starts with an overall look at the site itself. We want to make sure that the casino is safe and that, as a player, you’re able to get your money both in and out with ease.
We then move onto the bones of the casino. What makes the casino tick? What features and games are available? Only once we are happy with all of these factors do we then move on to bonus review.
We break down each bonus into the following areas:
- Type of bonus
- Amount of bonus money on offer
- Wagering requirements
- Game accessibility
- Additional products
- Value for money
Let’s start at the top of the list with the type of bonus.
A casino bonus can come in several variations. The most common is what is known as a deposit match. This is where the casino will match your deposit up to a certain percentage.
For example, a common offer is a 100% deposit match based on a player’s first deposit. This will also include a limit for both the maximum and the minimum a player must deposit to claim a bonus.
For example, a bonus is worth up to $100. With a 100% match, a $100 deposit would get an additional $100 in bonus money, creating a player balance of $200.
Generally, the higher the better here. We like casinos to offer as much money as possible, however, the deposit match is also a key area that we look at. A bonus that is worth $500 may look good, but if it’s a 10% deposit match, it means that the player would need to deposit $5,000 to trigger the full amount.
Other bonuses that are available include the likes of free spins and no deposit bonuses. These are usually lower value offers as they are easier to clear for the player.
The amount of bonus money offered is the next step in the process for us. As we have suggested, the higher the better, providing that the deposit match is fair. A lot of bonuses are around the $100 mark, but they do fluctuate.
Once the bonus has been identified, we then move onto the wagering requirements. This is a set of rules that are in place to prevent people from simply signing up, claiming the bonus cash and then leaving.
Wagering requirements are a bit of a minefield, and this is where our expertise comes in handy. Our team can pick through the bonus terms and conditions to find out exactly what you need to do to get your hands on the bonus money.
This is an area that can make or break a casino bonus. We’ve seen countless offers with thousands of “free” dollars on the table, only to have unrealistic wagering requirements make the whole offer pointless.
One thing that we will note here is that casinos are a lot more transparent about these terms than they ever used to be. You can find this info yourself, but we take the legwork out this for you and tell you what you need to know.
Just a few of the areas that we look at here include turnover requirements, deposit options, time to clear and game availability.
Game accessibility is the games that you can access and still clear your bonus. This is another important area that many players and even other reviews overlook.
What you will find is that some casino games are limited or even prohibited from clearing a bonus. Table games are often a good example of this, with many restricted in the amount that you wager contributing towards clearing the bonus.
Many players have taken casino bonuses with new accounts, set away playing their favorite game and then later realize that none of it contributed to clearing the bonus.
We make sure that you pick the right bonus for the games that you want to play. We also highlight the contribution that each game has for each bonus.
Following this, we are now looking at any additional products or offers that might be linked. This could be additional free spins, cash prizes, extended happy hours and even VIP treatment.
Basically, what makes this product even more lucrative than it already was?
The final part of our review process is working out if the bonus offers value for the money or if there are better alternatives. As we have stated, the biggest bonuses are not always the best value.
If you’ve no chance of claiming a $1,000 bonus or a good chance of claiming a $50 bonus, then for that player, the $50 bonus would offer better value. Only after we’ve worked through the full criteria of our review can we determine this.
Casino Bonus Guide: What they are and How to Claim Them
We’ve outlined what our goals are for each bonus, but there are several things that you can look at to work out if a casino bonus offers value to you.
One thing that we want to stress from the start is that not all bonuses are equal and while one might suit one player, it might not another. Before choosing a bonus, we encourage players to try to work out what might be feasible in terms of numbers that they could clear. A good starting point is knowing how much you might wager over a certain period of time.
If you are new to online casinos, then this is going to be tough. Our advice to you would be to start small with just about every section that we talk about below. Get what bonus you can, see how they work and then move onto a new online casino bonus when you’re armed with more info.
To make things easier for you, we’ve created a step-by-step guide on claiming casino bonuses.
Step 1 – Choosing the Offer
To kick things off, you’re going to need to choose your offer or at least the type of offer that you want to take. Most of the promotions you see will be deposit matches, meaning you get a bonus based on the amount of money that you deposit.
Bear in mind that the money you get from the bonus is just that: bonus money. This is not cash that can be withdrawn. At least, at this point, it’s not.
It’s also possible to take casinos up other offers that include a no deposit bonus or even free cash. These are not as common in today’s market, but not extinct.
You should treat these offers as a “try before you buy” promotion. The casino is giving you cash to come and play its games, but what you often find is that getting that money out is very tricky. Write this off as free money to try a new place, rather than a get-rich-quick scheme.
Step 2 – Check Wagering Requirements
You’ve found an offer that you like and now it’s time to see how feasible it is. The wagering requirement is the amount that the casino expects you to play to change your cash from bonus money to real money.
This will be represented as a multiplication of the amount that you deposit or the bonus you get. The higher the number is here, the harder it will be to clear. As a general rule, any wagering requirement of 35x or lower is deemed to be pretty good. Any higher should be avoided.
A key point to note here is whether the casino wants you to wager your deposit, your bonus, or both. It’s a common oversight that a lot of players make, looking simply for the figure instead of the terms that come with it.
Let’s run a quick example.
The offer is a 100% match up to $100. You deposit $100 and claim the full bonus, giving you $200 total. Assuming the wagering requirement for the offer is 30x your bonus, this would mean you need to wager $3,000 to clear it. Now, if the requirement was 30x your bonus and your deposit, all of a sudden you need to wager $6,000 to clear the bonus.
It’s an easy thing to miss but makes a massive difference in choosing a casino bonus.
Step 3 – Check Time Restrictions
You now need to be looking at how long you get to clear the bonus. This is the amount of time that you have to hit the wagering requirement (above) before the bonus will expire.
We want this to be as long as possible, for obvious reasons, but anywhere around the 30-day mark is standard. Some hover around 14 days, which is manageable. Lower than that and you want to be looking elsewhere.
You need to be careful with time restrictions. Some casinos will remove the bonus after your time is up, but some will remove the bonus and any winnings from the bonus money as well.
This ties in with both the offer and wagering section as certain timeframes will suit certain players. It helps to have a rough idea of how much you plan to play over a given period to allow you to make the best possible decision for a timeframe.
Step 4 – Free Spins Information
Additional offers are pretty common with bonuses, and free spins are about as common as they come. This is where the casino gives you a set amount of free spins to use on what is usually a predetermined online slot games within the casino.
These are a lucrative addition to the bonus package. We like them because more often than not, they come with no wagering requirements. This means that whatever you win, you keep as cash.
You do need to be careful with some offers as they may move winnings into your bonus balance. This will mean that you have to wager these winnings along with any bonus amount you’ve initially triggered from the signup bonus.
Obviously, the more the better here, but make sure you check the terms to see how they work before signing up.
RELATED: Be Sure To Check Out The Top New Jersey Slot Sites As Well As The Best Pennsylvania Online Slot Casinos
Step 5 – Deposit Requirements
It’s very common for certain payment methods to not be eligible to claim these types of offers. They usually come in the form of e-wallets such as PayPal and pre-paid cards.
There is a valid reason behind this. It’s because these payment methods can be used anonymously. This makes it very hard for the casino to track who has claimed and who has not. This then makes it highly exploitable.
Make sure that you check to see if the payment method you want to use is eligible to claim the bonus.
Summary
If you follow this process, then you’re going to be a great position to work out what the bonus entails and whether you’re able to clear it or not. This may seem like a lot of work, but it’s worth it and will save you both time and money in the long run.
Before we move on, we just wanted to quickly talk about why casinos offer bonuses and how they come up with them.
The reason as to why they offer them is nothing more than to lure people to use their casino over the next one. Let’s be honest, a lot of online casinos are very similar these days. In fact, some are identical, so it’s hard for a brand to stand out.
The bonus is one of those areas that they have full control over. It allows the casino to tailor an offer that they think will attract players, but also make it so that the player needs to put a little work in to get it.
As we’ve already stated, there is not one offer that is necessarily better than the other, but there are most definitely really bad offers. We will help you avoid the bad bonuses and give you all the info you need to decide which is best for you.
The Different Types of Casino Bonuses
Prepare to have you mind blown by the staggering range of casino bonuses that are on offer right now. Strap in!
- Sign Up/Welcome Bonus: This is the main bonus that players who are new to the casino get. This will be a one-time offer and is usually some sort of deposit match.
- 100% Match Bonus: A 100% match is where the casino essentially doubles your money. They will match your exact deposit amount 100%. For example, a $50 deposit will get a $50 bonus, giving you $100 in total
- 200% Bonus: This bonus will get you 200% on your deposit. If you were to deposit $100, the casino would give you $200 in bonus money, for a total of a $300 playable balance.
- 500% Bonus: A 500% bonus is about as big as you will find for a deposit match offer. This will get you 5x the amount of your deposit in bonus money. Not only are these offers rare, they often come with high wagering requirements, so aren’t actually all that lucrative.
- Free Spins: A free spins bonus is where the casino will give you several free spins to use on an online casino game that has been specified by that casino. The winnings can either be applied to your account as cash or they will be applied as a bonus with wagering requirements attached accordingly.
- No Deposit Bonuses: This promotion does not require any deposit and the casino will give you bonus money to use. You will need to wager through your bonus to withdraw it, although some casinos state that you cannot withdraw the bonus or any winnings attached to it.
- Cashback Bonus: The cashback bonus is essentially a refund or an offer where the casino will pay back any losses that you incur from playing their games. It’s essentially a bit of a free trial for the player, but they get to keep any winnings and refunds are paid in cash.
- Bonus Code Offers: These offers require a code that you need to enter to activate them. The majority of them are generic codes accessible to all, but some are codes that might be individual to each player. You enter the code to trigger the offer.
- Live Casino Bonus: These bonuses target games within the live casino sector. It means that when it comes to clear the bonus they will be heavily weighted towards games within the live casino.
- Mobile Casino Bonus: Mobile Casino bonuses are offers that you can either claim on your mobile or clear on your mobile. They do differ, so it’s important to note which games and which platforms are eligible to claim and clear.
- Low Wagering Bonus: A low wagering bonus will be marketed around the wagering requirements for that offer. We would classify any bonus under 30x your bonus amount to be a low wagering bonus. They aren’t always marketed as such, but they would fall into this category.
- No Wagering Bonus: A no wagering bonus is one that is applied to your account and has no wagering requirements. These are rare but are usually linked to free spins given that the money won can be used as cash instead of a bonus balance.
- VIP Bonus: A VIP offer is one that is exclusive to certain players. It’s almost always based on the amount you deposit or the amount that you play on a weekly/monthly basis. They are larger bonuses than you would usually find for a standard player.
- Loyalty Bonus: Loyalty bonuses reward players for an extended period with that casino. These can come in a manner of different setups, usually triggering after the player has played a certain number of hours or weeks/months/years with the casino.
- Referral Bonus: A referral bonus is one that comes on the back of a promotion from a friend or family member. A member of the casino will have a unique link and when they get people to sign up through their link the casino rewards them with a referral bonus as a thank you.
- High-Roller Bonus: The high roller bonuses are reserved for those playing high stakes or incredibly high volume. As a reward for doing so, the casino can provide bonuses that are usually tailored around the games that they play and are often much bigger than a standard welcome offer. The trade-off is that the clearing rates are much higher and can only be cleared playing high stakes.
- Deposit/Reload Bonuses: A casino deposit bonus or a reload bonus is one that is triggered after the initial welcome package has been taken. It could be based around a player’s second, third, fourth or even fifth deposit with the casino, working in much the same way a standard deposit bonus would.
- NetEnt Bonus: NetEnt is an online gambling games provider that allows casinos to set up offers based around its games. It means that when it comes to clearing the bonus, only games made and developed by NetEnt will count towards the wagering requirements.
- Playtech Bonus: As above, only with Playtech games.
- Microgaming Bonus: As above, only Microgaming games
- Play’n GO Bonus: As above, only with Play’n Go games
- Slot Bonuses: This offer will be based around online slots. These bonuses are usually only clearable via a slot game, with other games in the casino not counting toward any wagering requirements. Some offers will narrow this down further and only run the promo around a single slot.
- Blackjack Bonuses: The blackjack bonus is one that can only be cleared playing blackjack games. The casino may even limit the games that you can use the bonus money with to just blackjack. Given that many standard welcome bonuses omit blackjack from clearing the bonus, these are popular offers.
- Roulette Bonuses: Similar to above in that, only play on the roulette wheel will allow you to clear this specific bonus. You will need to check to see what games are eligible for the offer as sometimes not all roulette formats can clear each bonus.
- Poker Bonuses: Poker bonuses can only be claimed and cleared from poker games within the casino. This might include video poker, Caribbean Stud Poker and 5 Card Draw, as an example. It’s worth noting that these offers are not linked with a separate online poker room the brand may have and only poker games within the casino.
How to Claim an Online Casino Bonus
Here’s the process of claiming a casino offer. Please bear in mind here that each casino is different, and each bonus is different. However, there are several core similarities that we can work with here which should allow you some guidance.
Step 1 – Account Registration
You will need to open an account with the casino. This is a pretty straightforward process, however, it’s worth noting that as part of this process you are now required to verify your account as well.
Verification will mean that you have to prove both ID and address. This can be done by scanning or photographing documents such as passports, driving licenses and utility bills, to name just a few.
Step 2 – Locate the Bonus and Check the Terms
Once you are signed up it’s now time to see which bonus you want to claim.
Most casinos will only have one, but some have multiple and it’s highly likely if there is more than one, that you can only claim one. New online casinos are worth watching out for too as they can offer very strong bonuses to get new customers.
You should have done your research into the bonus before claiming, but it’s worth going over T’s and C’s again just to make sure. Finally, check if there is any bonus code needed as you can’t always enter these at a later date.
Step 3 – Trigger the Bonus
It’s now time to trigger your bonus funds, and if you’re claiming a deposit bonus, this will be based on your first deposit more often than not. Once you’ve made the minimum deposit the bonus should now be in your bonus account, which is usually separate from your main balance.
If you don’t see the bonus at this stage, do not play any games. It’s worth checking to make sure that you’ve ticked all the boxes to be eligible for the offer, and if so, contact customer support for more help. If you do play before the bonus has been triggered, then you may not be able to claim at a later date.
Step 4 – Clearing the Bonus
The hard work starts now. You need to meet the terms for the bonus and start clearing it as fast as you can. You should already have a plan of action about your process to best clear the bonus, so it’s now time to start implementing that.
Step 5 – Bonus Progress
Most casinos will allow you to track the progress of your bonus funds from your account. They aren’t always real-time, so make sure you take this into account.
The tracker will allow you to see how much of your bonus needs clearing and how long you have. You should be able to work out the amount you need to play from these two variables and the bonus wagering requirement for the bonus.
Why You Should Read the Bonus Offer Terms and Conditions
The majority of bonuses are pretty straightforward once you know what you are looking for. However, there are a couple of points that we wanted to highlight that we see lots of players miss.
The first one is that of the eligibility of different games. It’s very rare to get a bonus where all games can be played and then contribute towards clearing that bonus.
Most bonuses that we see will have a limited number of games attached. You can play any game for example at an online slots site, but the bets that you make won’t always contribute to clearing the bonus.
Another point to note is the contribution from each of these games. Rarely are all games equal, and some of them vary massively. For most general deposit bonuses, slots will usually contribute 100% towards clearing the bonus. It’s not uncommon to see table games such as blackjack, roulette and craps contribute much lower than this, somewhere around the 5% to 20% mark.
Just to break that down a little: A 100% contribution means that for every $1 wagered, $1 will contribute to clearing the bonus; a 20% contribution will mean that for every $5 wagered, $1 will contribute to clearing the bonus.
Finally, you need to be aware of the max bet to clear a bonus. Most offers put limits on the max single bet that will contribute to clearing the bonus.
For example, a casino bonus offer might have a cap of $5 per bet to clear. Any bets made over this mark will not count towards clearing.
Another caveat from this is that some bonuses will take the max bet if you go over and some will not count the bet at all. So, if the cap is $5 and you place a bet of $10, then some casinos will take the $5 from the $10 bet as part of the wagering and some will discount the entire $10 bet.
Which states have casino bonuses?
Currently there are only a handful of states where you can play online casino legally. We expect a number of states to allow casino wagering in the future but for now you can only play online in Connecticut, Delaware, Michigan, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, and West Virginia. Be sure to check out our bonuses pages that thoroughly analyze the offering in each state. You can take a look at the following:
FAQ
Do returning players get bonuses?
Returning players are not eligible for new player promotions. However, they may be eligible for online casino offers such as reload bonuses or even bonus spins winnings as part of the casino's promotion package.
What is a wagering requirement?
A wagering requirement is an amount that you need to wager through to turn your casino bonus funds into cash. This will be a multiple of either the deposit, the bonus or both.
What are non-matched deposit bonuses?
A non-matched deposit bonus will give you a fixed reward rather than a bonus. A non-matched bonus offer might include cash, bonus spins or prizes, such as gadgets, tech, holidays and even cars.
What are VIP and loyalty programs?
VIP and loyalty programs are designed to reward players for consistent play at the casino. The more hands you play the more points you earn. You can then turn these points into rewards such as cash, bonuses, bonus spins and a range of products. As you increase your VIP rating the rate you earn these points will increase. You will also open doors to other benefits such as concierge services, dedicated bonuses, an accounts manager and invitations to VIP events, as a small example.
What is the best type of bonus?
Deposit match bonuses are usually regarded as the best type of bonuses. However, you need to find one that has a high bonus and low wagering req for it to be considered the “best."
Can you use multiple bonuses?
Usually, you’re only able to claim a single bonus at one time. If there is more than one welcome bonus to choose from, you can only pick a single promo.
Can you cash out bonus bet winnings?
You can only cash out bonus bet winnings once you have met the wagering requirement for that bonus. This will be a set multiple of the bonus you have claimed from the casino.
What is playthrough?
Playthrough is a term used to reference the amount that you need to play before you can cash a bonus out. It is also known as wagering requirements or turnover for many bonuses.
Can I claim Bonuses on Mobile?
Yes, pretty much all bonuses are now eligible on mobile devices. You may also find that some bonus is mobile-specific, meaning you can only claim and clear them on mobile. It’s worth noting that some casinos do not have their full catalog of games on their mobile casino platform compared to their online platform. This may limit the games that you can use to clear the bonus.
Do new casinos offer better bonuses to attract players?
Not necessarily. The range of offers will vary from established brands to new casinos. You do get the odd new casino that will offer a very limited large casino bonus, but they often come with pretty poor wagering requirements, so they aren’t all that lucrative.
Are all payment methods eligible for casino bonuses?
No. Pretty much all casino bonuses will have certain payment methods that you cannot use to claim a bonus. Common ones include things like e-wallets, Bitcoin and pre-paid cards. The reason behind this is that these payment methods can all be used anonymously, meaning there are no verification processes needed. This means that manipulating offers and even claiming multiple offers through the same payment method is a lot easier
Contributors
Hi, I'm Michael Kates
"More than 30 years working in online gaming and sports journalism. I hope to explain the growing US online casino market to help those new to internet gambling have a better understanding."
- Online casinos
- Sports Betting
- Gaming legislation
Reviewer since August 2018
Select Location