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Quick answer: A casino welcome bonus is extra money, free spins or cashback that an online casino gives new players, usually when they make their first deposit. The size of the bonus matters far less than its terms: the wagering requirement, which games count, the maximum bet, the time limit and any cap on winnings. A smaller bonus with fair terms is often worth more than a huge one you can never clear.
Our top welcome bonus
1win is our top-rated casino (9.9/10), and its 500% welcome package is spread over your first four deposits.
Claim the 1win bonus18+. T&Cs apply. Not available in every country. Use promo code Ultragambler when you sign up. Bonus terms vary by country.
How a casino welcome bonus works
Most welcome bonuses are a deposit match. If a casino offers 100% up to $200 and you deposit $100, you get $100 in bonus funds, so you play with $200. Before you can withdraw the bonus or any winnings from it, you usually have to bet a set amount, called the wagering requirement.
| Type | How it works | What to watch |
|---|---|---|
| Deposit match | The casino adds a percentage of your deposit, for example 100% or 200%. | The most common type. Check the wagering. |
| Free spins | A number of spins on chosen slots, often added to a deposit match. | Winnings from spins may carry their own wagering. |
| No-deposit bonus | A small bonus just for signing up. | Usually small, with strict wagering and a low cash-out cap. |
| Cashback bonus | A share of your losses is paid back. | Often the fairest type, because it only pays when you lose. |
| Multi-deposit package | The bonus is split over your first few deposits. | Read the terms for each stage. |
18+. T&Cs apply. Check that online gambling is legal where you live.
How do wagering requirements work?
A wagering requirement tells you how many times you must bet the bonus (or the bonus plus your deposit) before you can withdraw. Here’s what different terms mean for a $100 deposit with a $100 bonus:
| Wagering term | Amount it applies to | Total you must bet |
|---|---|---|
| 30x bonus | $100 bonus | $3,000 |
| 35x bonus | $100 bonus | $3,500 |
| 30x deposit + bonus | $200 | $6,000 |
| 40x deposit + bonus | $200 | $8,000 |
Now apply the house edge. If you clear $3,500 of wagering on slots with a 96% RTP, the expected cost is about 4% of $3,500, or $140, which is more than the $100 bonus. That’s why many big bonuses are worth less than they look. Lower wagering and higher-RTP slots improve your odds of finishing with something. Try any offer in our wagering requirement calculator.
What is a $100 bonus really worth after wagering?
We worked this out from first principles. Every bet you place to clear the wagering loses the house edge on average, so the rough value of a bonus is: bonus minus (total wagering x house edge). Here is a $100 bonus with 35x wagering on the bonus, played on 96% RTP slots:
- Total you must bet: 35 x $100 = $3,500.
- House edge: 100% minus 96% RTP = 4%.
- Expected cost of that betting: 4% x $3,500 = $140.
- Average value: $100 bonus minus $140 cost = minus $40. On average, this bonus costs you more than it gives.
| Wagering on a $100 bonus | Total to bet | Average value at 96% RTP | Average value at 97% RTP |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10x bonus | $1,000 | +$60 | +$70 |
| 20x bonus | $2,000 | +$20 | +$40 |
| 25x bonus | $2,500 | $0 | +$25 |
| 35x bonus | $3,500 | −$40 | −$5 |
| 40x bonus | $4,000 | −$60 | −$20 |
| 30x deposit + bonus ($200) | $6,000 | −$140 | −$80 |
At 96% RTP the break-even point is 25x the bonus, because 25 x 4% = 100% of the bonus. One extra point of RTP makes a big difference when wagering is high. If your game counts only 10% towards wagering, you have to bet ten times as much, so the cost rises tenfold. These are long-run averages: real sessions swing a lot, and a cap on winnings makes a bonus worth less again. Put your own offer into our wagering requirement calculator to see its value. Our casino bonus value ranking runs the welcome bonuses at the casinos we rate through 50,000 simulated players each.
Bonus terms to check before you claim
- Wagering requirement: lower is better. Check whether it applies to the bonus alone or to deposit plus bonus.
- Game contribution: slots usually count 100%, while table games and live casino often count much less or not at all.
- Maximum bet: many casinos limit your stake per spin or hand while a bonus is active. Breaking it can void your winnings.
- Time limit: bonuses and free spins expire, sometimes within days.
- Maximum cash-out: some bonuses cap how much you can win and withdraw.
- Minimum deposit: deposit too little and you won’t qualify. Some payment methods are excluded.
- Sticky or non-sticky: with a non-sticky bonus you play your own money first and can withdraw it if you win before touching the bonus. A sticky bonus can’t be withdrawn itself.
- Country restrictions: offers vary by country, and some countries are excluded entirely.
How do you choose the best casino welcome bonus?
- Start with the casino, not the bonus: pick a licensed site that pays out quickly. See our best payout casinos.
- Compare wagering, not headline percentages. A 100% bonus at 20x beats a 500% bonus at 60x.
- Prefer cashback or low-wagering offers if you mostly play for fun. Our casino cashback guide compares the best ones, and our no wagering casinos list shows which casinos ask for the least wagering.
- Make sure the games you enjoy actually count towards wagering.
- If the terms are hard to find or unclear, skip the bonus.
Our top welcome bonus: 1win’s 500% package
1win (9.9/10) offers a 500% welcome package spread over your first four deposits. It works differently from a standard deposit match: the bonus sits in a separate balance and moves to your real balance under release rules that vary by region, so check the terms in your account. Use promo code Ultragambler when you register. Full details are on our 1win promo code and bonus page. For more offers side by side, see our best casino bonus offers.
Tips to get the most from a welcome bonus
- Read the full bonus terms, not just the banner.
- Play eligible high-RTP, lower-volatility slots while wagering if you want the best chance of finishing.
- Stay under the maximum bet at all times.
- Track your progress in the bonus section of your account.
- You can usually decline a bonus. If the terms don’t suit you, play with your own money instead.
- Set a budget first. A bonus should never be a reason to deposit more than you planned.
How we checked this
- Wagering is set as a multiple of the bonus or of deposit plus bonus, and games count at different rates (slots usually 100%, table and live games less or nothing): Wizard of Odds and Casino Guru.
- Bonuses often come with a maximum bet, a time limit, a cap on winnings and a minimum deposit, and breaking the rules can cost you the bonus: Wizard of Odds and Casino Guru.
- 1win’s welcome package is up to 500% over the first four deposits: 1win bonus page and SportsBoom.
- Our maths: the bonus value table is our own calculation (bonus minus total wagering x house edge) at 96% and 97% RTP, including the 25x break-even point.
Last checked: 13 October 2026, when we worked out the value of a $100 bonus at different wagering levels ourselves and checked the other figures against at least two independent sources.
Casino welcome bonus FAQs
What is a casino welcome bonus?
An offer for new players, usually extra funds, free spins or cashback, given when you sign up or make your first deposit.
Can I withdraw a welcome bonus straight away?
Usually not. You normally have to meet the wagering requirement first. Cashback bonuses are often the exception, as they may be paid as real money.
What is a good wagering requirement?
On a 96% RTP slot, 25x the bonus is the break-even point. Below that, the bonus is worth something on average; above it, you expect to lose more than the bonus gives you. Lower is better, and on a 100% match, wagering on deposit plus bonus means twice as much betting as wagering on the bonus alone.
Are no-deposit bonuses worth it?
They’re a free way to try a casino, but they are usually small, with high wagering and a low cap on what you can withdraw.
Can I play live casino with bonus money?
Sometimes, but live and table games often count for little or nothing towards wagering. Check the game contribution table.
Is a bigger bonus always better?
No. A huge percentage with very high wagering or a low cash-out cap can be worth less than a modest bonus with fair terms.
Important: check your local laws before you play
Online gambling laws differ from country to country, and in some places it is restricted or not permitted at all. Check that online gambling is legal where you live and that the casino accepts players from your country. You must be 18 or older (or the legal gambling age in your country, if higher). Only gamble with money you can afford to lose.
