Welcome Bonuses: Best Casino Sign Up Bonuses 2022

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In this Welcome Bonus guide, you will find:

• What is a welcome bonus?
• What are the different types you can get?
• How do welcome bonuses work exactly?
• How can I choose the best offer?
• How do I claim a bonus as a new player?
• Wagering vs No Wagering welcome bonuses
• Restrictions and key terms
• John’s Top Welcome Offers
• Pros and Cons of a welcome bonus
• Summary
• Welcome Bonus FAQs

What is a Welcome Bonus?

A casino welcome bonus is a new player’s special invitation from an online casino to explore the site and check out their games collection. Depending on the offer, it can either boost your initial cash deposit several times over or give you free spins on some of their most popular slots games.

As a new player, you’ll mostly encounter a casino welcome bonus, or a signup bonus, which essentially means the same thing. Some casinos might use the term ‘signup bonus’ for no deposit bonus offers which are free to claim upon registration.

Casino Welcome Bonus

When you register at an online casino you like, as a new player, you’ll be rewarded with a casino welcome bonus. Only a few casinos come without a welcome offer, but the majority will have one that consists of a match bonus on its own or a match bonus + spins.

Each casino has its welcome bonus advertised on their homepage. It’s like their business card because it’s usually the first thing you see when you open the site. You can also find the best welcome bonuses here at JohnSlots, including some exclusive offers that you won’t even find on the casino’s site!

Claiming a welcome casino bonus, just like any other bonus, is simple. To trigger the reward, you have to make a deposit. The minimum deposit you have to make is predetermined by the casino and usually starts at £10.

Once you’ve made your deposit, you’ll see an extra amount of credits/cash in your bankroll depending on the percentage of the bonus and the size of your deposit. So, if you deposited £10 and the offer is 100% up to £100, you get a free £10 to play with, making £20 in total. Simple, right?

Sign Up Casino Bonus

Sometimes, a casino will have a stand-alone signup casino bonus for all new players which doesn’t require you to deposit. This means that all you have to do to claim the bonus is to sign up/register with the casino, without having to spend your cash to claim this offer. That’s why it’s called a signup bonus. To avoid confusion, casinos will usually specify that it’s a no deposit signup bonus.

A signup bonus can consist of free spins but it can also be a free cash bonus like £5 free or £10 free. The best part of this type of a signup bonus is that you are not required to make a deposit and get to play for free without spending any of your own cash.

However, you should always check the terms and conditions of such a bonus as it usually comes with certain constraints. These can include time limits, winning caps, wagering requirements, games restrictions etc.

Types of Welcome Bonuses

There are several types of offers to look out for when hunting for your next welcome bonus. Here are the most regular and not so common offers that you’ll find displayed at most UK online casinos:

Free Spins

Free spins offered as a casino welcome bonus are quite popular at UK online casinos. They can be claimed upon registration or with your first deposit. Either way, you’ll receive a batch of free spins to use on one or several slot games. If you don’t have to deposit, you could get 10 free spins or 20 free spins. However, if you make a small deposit, you could be looking at 50 free spins or even over 100 free spins! Casinos will always indicate which titles are available to play with the bonus.

The winnings from your free spins offer will be credited to your player account as bonus money or withdrawable cash. This depends on the type of free spins welcome offer you opted for.

No Deposit Bonus

The no deposit bonus offer is perhaps one of the most sought after among new casino players. It doesn’t require you to deposit any cash when claiming this type of casino bonus. This casino sign up bonus usually consists of free spins or bonus money, and all you have to do to claim it is to register with the casino. However, unless stated otherwise, before you can withdraw your winnings, you’ll have to fulfil the wagering requirements.

Match Bonuses

Match or deposit bonuses are the most common offers at online casinos. They come in many different forms and boost your initial deposit sum by a certain percentage. It can be anything from 100% up to 500% or more, depending on the casino. The match bonus funds will be credited to your player account separately from your real money deposit and act as a buffer once you’ve used up your real cash balance. Any winnings from your bonuses will first be credited to your account as bonus money and converted to real money after you fulfil the full wagering requirements.

100% Bonus

A 100% casino bonus is one of the most common deposit bonuses available to new players. It’s awarded to you as a welcome bonus on your first deposit. And, if you’re lucky, as a reload bonus when you return.

Whenever you claim your 100% bonus, it means that your first deposit will be doubled. For example, you found a casino that offers a welcome package of a 100% bonus up to £100.
In this case, you can deposit anything up to £100. Your minimum amount is set by the casino at £10.

Let’s say you choose to deposit £20 of your own money. What you get in return is an extra £20 in bonuses. Now you have £40 to play with.

200% Bonus

A 200% casino bonus is another popular deposit bonus, but slightly more generous than the 100% bonus. What it does is it triples your initial deposit.

Here’s a quick example of how a 200% bonus works. You want to claim a 200% up to £100 casino bonus and wish to deposit £50. In return, you are awarded £100 in bonus cash and have a total of £150 to play with.

300% Bonus

A 300% casino bonus is harder to come by. These are found at either well-established or brand-new casinos that want to attract new players.

To keep things simple, let’s use an easy example here. You want to claim a 300% up to £100 casino bonus by depositing £30. What you’ll receive is £90 in bonus and have a total of £120 to play.

Look out for a 300% casino bonus offered as a reload bonus to returning customers. It’s a great way to boost your bankroll. Sometimes a casino will award it to its returning customers or those who haven’t played for a long time.

400% Bonus

It’s rare to come across a casino in the UK that will offer a 400% casino bonus on your first deposit. It will most likely be a new online site looking for new players.

Having said that, the online competition is fierce, and it’s very likely we will see more and more offers like this. One thing to remember, though is that a big bonus doesn’t always mean a good deal. Often large bonuses come with unrealistic wagering requirements and other restrictions; thus, you should always check the bonus T&Cs upfront to keep your funds safe.

But if you do decide to claim it, you’ll be looking at five times more cash to play with. For example, you’ve come across a 400% up to £100 bonus deal and are ready to deposit £100. In return, you’ll get a £400 extra bonus and will have £500 to play with.

500% Bonus

This type of casino bonus is almost unheard of at UK casinos. But if you find a 500% up to £100 casino bonus, it means that if you deposit £20, you’ll receive £100 in bonus and a total of £120 to play with. Again, remember to check the bonus terms to avoid unpleasant surprises.

How do Welcome Bonuses Work?

With such a huge variety of welcome bonuses available online, it can get confusing trying to figure out how each of them works. So here’s the rundown of how to use one and make the most of it:

1. First of all, you’ll want to pick a casino with the best sign up offer for you and create a new account. Use our list to quickly find casinos with the most generous bonuses.
2. Now you’ll want to register and/or deposit to claim the welcome offer. Be sure to check your new account to see if the bonus has been added. It should be stored separately from your real money funds.
3. While you have fun playing eligible games with your deposit money first, the bonus cash sits in your casino account as a safety net in case you deplete your real cash.
4. If you win with your own money, you can forfeit the bonus. But if you’ve exhausted your own cash, the bonus money will give you a 2nd chance to win and continue playing for free!

How to Choose the Best Welcome Bonus

Choosing the best welcome bonus can be a minefield. But fear not, our expert casino team have gladly offered to share some of their all-time favourite tips for spotting the best gems:

• Decide on the type of bonus – this is one of the first things you’ll want to check when choosing the most suitable casino welcome bonus for you. If you are after playing slots, look for a bonus with free spins included in the offer. If you prefer playing table games, you’re better off looking for bonuses with bigger cash amounts and fewer free spins.
• Beware of the minimum deposit – the minimum deposit is another factor you’ll want to consider before claiming welcome bonuses. A low minimum deposit limit is perfect for new starters as it poses fewer risks. The lower the deposit, the less of your own money you’ll have to spend to claim your chosen bonus.
• Mind the wagering requirements – these can be exasperating for both new and seasoned players. Look for a casino signup bonus offer with wagering requirements as low as possible, ideally below 40x. Anything above 40x is considered to be too high.
• Take heed of the time limits – bonuses don’t last forever and knowing how long you’ve got left to wager your bonuses is important. Usually, you’ll have 7 days or longer, so it’s always worth looking for a welcome bonus with a more distant deadline.
• Watch for excluded payment methods – excluded payment methods can be a real con when claiming any welcome bonus. At some casinos, due to compliance regulations, players using e-wallets such as Skrill and Neteller can be exempt from receiving bonuses. In which case you’ll have to use alternative funding methods.
• Look at the games selection – Another way to choose the best casino welcome bonus is to see which games are eligible for the bonuses, especially those involving free spins. At most casinos, you’ll have a pre-selected list of specific slots you can play using your bonus cash or free spins. For example, Starburst and Book of Dead are some of the most frequently available slots to play with the signup bonuses.

How to Claim a Casino Welcome Bonus

There are a few simple steps you’ll need to be aware of when claiming your casino welcome offer. Here’s a quick checklist to see you right:

• Make sure you’re eligible:
  To be eligible, you have to be a new player; therefore you’ll need to pick a new casino you don’t already have an account with. You also have to be a UK player and 18 or over.
• Make sure you opt-in:
  Register an account and make sure you opt-in or enter a bonus code to prompt the bonuses if needed. Not all bonus offers are added automatically.
• Make sure you make the minimum deposit:
  To fund your new casino account and make your first deposit, be sure to use a payment method that’s not excluded from the welcome bonus offer. Don’t forget, if you’re from the UK, you can use your credit card.
• Make sure you play through your cash first:
  Use your real money first on eligible slots – if you don’t win and run out of real cash, you can then use the bonus as your buffer for the 2nd chance to win!

Wagering vs Wager-Free Welcome Offers

When searching for the best welcome bonuses, you’ll bump into two types of welcome bonuses – a bonus with wagering requirements and wager-free bonuses. The main difference between these two bonuses is the way the wins are paid into your player account.

Any wins from your bonuses with wagering will be paid in bonus money which you can withdraw after you’ve completed the wagering requirements.

But, any wins from the wager-free bonuses will be paid in real cash, which automatically makes it a much better offer. This type of bonus allows you to withdraw your winnings any time without having to worry about any hefty wagering requirements. We’ve searched high and low for the best wager-free offers that you can find right here!

Common Welcome Bonus Terms and Conditions

Every casino’s welcome bonuses come with terms and conditions which you should always read carefully before claiming the offer. Some of the most common bonus terms you’ll encounter include the following significant restrictions:

• Eligibility – you’ll have to be 18+ and a new player to claim the bonus.
• Geographical restrictions – only UK players can claim the offer.
• Offer limitations – one bonus offer per player.
• Bonus codes – sometimes you’ll need to use a special code to activate the bonus.
• Bonus expiration – always check the expiry date of your bonus cash and/or free spins.
• Minimum deposit – each casino has a different minimum amount of cash required to fund your account when depositing.
• Games restrictions – not all games count equally towards the wagering. Free spins are usually subject to specific slots preselected by the casino.
• Wagering requirements – each casino will indicate the amount of money you have to play through before you can withdraw your winnings.
• Max bonus cash out – a max sum you can win from your bonuses determined by the casino – any winnings over the threshold can’t be claimed
• Max bonus bet – the max amount you can bet at a time when using your bonuses.

John’s Top Welcome Bonus Recommendations

Here are John’s top picks for welcome offers at UK Casinos. Read the T&Cs and click on ‘Play Here’ to claim one of these fair & generous bonuses!

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Pros and Cons of Using a Welcome Bonus

Casino welcome bonuses are a great way to explore a new online casino and test out their games collection, but they do have a prickly side too. Here’s a quick comparison of the advantages and disadvantages of using a welcome bonus at an online casino:

PROS OF A CASINO WELCOME BONUS	CONS OF A CASINO WELCOME BONUS
Great way to test a new casino	Time restrictions
No deposit, no wagering requirements	High wagering requirements
Free extended gameplay	High minimum deposit
2nd chance to win	Not all games are eligible
Safety net if you lose with real cash deposit	Skrill and Neteller players excluded from bonuses

Discover the Best Casino Welcome Bonus at JohnSlots!

As a leading casino and slots comparison site, JohnSlots offers a wide variety of trusted online casinos with the best welcome bonuses available. We keep our content continually refreshed so you can enjoy only the most up to date information. Whether you wish to learn more about gambling via our helpful guides, play the latest slot releases or check out slots by theme, we’ve got you covered.

FAQ Section

In case you have any more burning queries on the topic, here are some more answers to the most commonly asked questions about casino welcome bonuses:

Why do casinos give away welcome bonuses?

The main reason why casinos give away welcome bonuses is to attract new players to their site, allowing them to explore and test some of their most popular online games.

Where can I use my welcome bonus?

Depending on the type of welcome bonus, you can use them on different slots and casino games. Bonus cash and free spins can be used on slots, but if you’re after table games, you’ll want to choose a bonus cash offer instead of spins.

Can I win real money from a welcome bonus?

Yes, but you will need to fulfil the full wagering requirements first before your bonus cash is transformed into real money. If you’re lucky to snatch a wager-free welcome offer, then the wins are paid in real cash.

Which is the best casino welcome bonus?

Some of the best casino welcome bonuses include no deposit bonuses, free spins and wager-free offers. Also, look for deals with low wagering requirements or low minimum deposits.

Do all casinos offer the sign up bonuses?

Unfortunately, not all casinos offer sign up bonuses. Check out our top list above to find the best casino welcome bonus offers available right now.

Why would I use the welcome bonus?

Welcome offers are a fun way to get bonus money to explore a new casino and test some of their best online games. Plus, you can also win real cash!

How do casinos make money on welcome bonuses?

Online casinos offer tempting bonuses upfront in the hope that new players will stick around after they’ve used up their welcome offer. The wagering requirements also help to ensure that players can’t just take their bonus money and disappear.

Can a Welcome Bonus be used on any game?

Unfortunately, not all games are eligible for welcome bonuses. Each casino will most likely indicate which games can be played using the welcome bonus. It’s also a good idea to check their general T&Cs to learn which games do not contribute or contribute less towards the wagering requirements.