Choosing the best online casino welcome bonus for you

One of the things online casinos are best known for these days are their welcome bonuses. Yes, they have fancy tech, flashy games and offer hours of great entertainment, but many of them put a lot of effort into their welcome bonuses, and for good reason.

Welcome bonuses are a tried and tested way of attracting thousands of new players, including people like you. They come in many forms, so if you want to find the absolute best choice for yourself, you need to learn what distinguishes these bonuses from one another and what their unique perks are.

Read on to find out more!

What is a welcome bonus?

A welcome bonus is a special offer that an online casino will give to new members upon registration. Welcome bonuses can be redeemed very quickly, usually on the same day as registration.

Once an account is verified and formally accepted, you will be able to redeem your casino welcome bonus. Depending on the online casino, you may be able to get your welcome bonus immediately upon registration, without the need to make a minimum deposit with your own cash.

The easiest way to find the best welcome bonuses is through a review site where an expert casino reviewer has collected all the best options into one place. Then, you’ll have a solid resource to check for updates, meaning newer and better bonuses to claim.

No deposit bonus

A no deposit bonus allows you to gain access to an online casino’s welcome bonus without making a deposit. This is a very special and highly coveted welcome bonus, because you will essentially receive the bonus free of charge.

At most online casinos, you need to make a minimum deposit to not only qualify for the welcome bonus but also to authenticate your account. As no deposit bonuses give you the reward upfront with little to no strings attached, they are very attractive.

Keep in mind that like with many welcome bonuses, a no deposit bonus does typically come with wagering requirements. These are rules that must be met in order to withdraw any winnings from the bonus. They also tend to specify which games can be played with the bonus, such as free slot spins.

Free spin bonuses

One of the most popular welcome bonuses around, free slot spin bonuses will reward you with a set number of free spins that you can use on specific slot games.

As you might expect, online casinos that either prioritise or exclusively deal in slot games are the sites and apps most likely to offer these bonuses. They can also be found at a wide range of online casinos that feature slots among other games, such as craps, roulette, poker or blackjack.

Cashback bonuses

Cashback bonuses work by acting as a sort of gambling insurance. In the event you lose a specific amount of cash as you gamble, a cashback bonus will give you a small percentage of your money back so that you can still have some juice flowing in your account.

They are a common welcome bonus and can be found at many online casinos, including slots-based ones.

Loyalty program and VIP bonuses

Though technically not always a welcome bonus, some online casinos will automatically register you into their VIP or loyalty program, which is a welcoming of sorts.

VIP programs are a great thing to sign up for if you plan on using an online casino daily, or at least regularly. They will provide you with many long-term benefits that can be redeemed as you rank up and climb the ladder of the program.

You level up your VIP account simply by playing games. The more time and wagers that are spent, the more experience points you will accrue. With each successive rank, you will gain access to better and better rewards. The rewards typically include free spins, gift cards, and in-game perks.

Some casinos that embrace tech innovations will have VIP rewards that are tied to exclusive partnerships, such as access to exclusive games provided by a premium software developer.

How to choose the best welcome bonuses

Some casinos offer multiple welcome bonuses, but many of them only allow you to pick one, so you need to pick wisely.

If you are a big fan of slots, you should definitely try to go for some free slot spins. If you prefer playing games that are riskier or more volatile, you might want to pick a cashback bonus instead. This applies not only to high stakes poker or roulette, but slot games too. Some of them have a RTP percentage or a volatility rating that is much riskier than others.

Things to keep in mind about welcome bonuses

Just about any welcome bonus is a great opportunity to take advantage of some free stuff, but there are a few things you need to know if you want to get the most out of them.

Many welcome bonuses come with an expiration date. Since they tend to be handed out upon registration, that will be the day when the countdown begins. Each casino will have different rules, but most of them will have their welcome bonuses expire after one or two weeks. After that, you will not be allowed to redeem anything at all, even if you abided by all the other wagering requirements.

Some welcome bonuses are tied to the payment method. This means you might have to read the fine print for welcome bonus terms and conditions. Some online casinos that offer cryptocurrency as a supported method will have bonuses that can only be cashed out as Bitcoin, Tether or Ethereum. It’s one of the ways online casinos are embracing the future of blockchain technology.

Lastly, you should be aware of any geographical restrictions that may be in effect. As online casinos can be played from just about anywhere, the odds are strong you will encounter an online casino based in another country, or even another continent. Make sure the bonuses will apply to your region before signing up.