Types of Casino Bonuses
I know that casino bonuses can sound confusing to new players, particularly when it comes to wagering requirements. I too was confused when I first started out.
I didn’t know how to claim casino bonuses, whether I could withdraw site credit, or what offers to look out for. It took a while, but I learned.
Now, to save you time, I’ve condensed everything I know about every type of casino bonus currently available in the US.
1. Deposit Match
Match bonuses double or sometimes even triple your starting deposit. For example, if you deposit $50, you’ll receive $50 worth of bonus credit.
The majority of online casino welcome bonus offers in the US are deposit matches. This helps distinguish them from reload bonuses that are worth a percentage of your deposit’s value.
You’ll often see these bonuses called 100% deposit match offers. The “100%” refers to the fact that your bonus is worth 100% of your deposit’s value, rather than an amount more commonly associated with reload offers, such as 25%.
2. No Deposit Bonuses
A no deposit casino bonus is exactly what it sounds like: a reward credited to your account without requiring you to add any funds first. While many of the best online casino promotions are unlocked by deposits, these offers are given for different reasons, such as simply creating an account.
For example, an online casino sign-up bonus is released once you’ve completed the registration process. In other words, you’re being rewarded for signing up to a new online casino.
However, keep in mind that no deposit bonuses still have wagering requirements. Additionally, to withdraw any winnings, you will usually need to make a small deposit to verify your payment method. The upside, of course, is that you have a good reason to do so.
3. Bonus Spins
Bonus spins allow you to play selected slots without spending a cent. The beauty of these bonuses is that spins are the same as real-money wagers. This means you’re playing for cash prizes.
In most cases, the money you win from bonus spins will be paid in site credit that can’t be withdrawn until you hit a playthrough target. The best casino bonus offers in this category pay prizes in cash that you can withdraw instantly.
Bonus spins have a set value (usually 10 cents or 20 cents) and can only be used on selected slot games.
4. Cashback Bonuses
A cashback casino bonus is essentially a refund on your bad luck, returning a percentage of your net losses over a specific period. Losses are a natural part of casino gaming, but these promotions act as a safety net to help you recoup some of those funds.
The refund is calculated on your net loss (total wagers – bonuses – wins), and in most cases, it is paid out weekly.
The reason cashback is arguably the best casino bonus is that rebates are often paid as site credit. Unlike standard bonuses, site credit usually has a 1x wagering requirement. This simply means you use it to play a game once, and anything you win becomes real cash you can withdraw.
5. Special Bonuses
Special bonuses are unique offers that fall outside the standard categories. Instead of being available year-round, these promotions are usually tied to specific celebrations or moments in time and include a mix of different casino bonuses.
While casinos can get creative with these, the two most consistent types you will encounter are Seasonal Bonuses and Birthday Bonuses.
Seasonal Bonuses
The lead-up to holidays and major cultural events is a good time for casino bonus hunters. The theme of these promotions matches the event.
For example, if it’s the festive period, a US casino operator might run a month-long Advent calendar promotion that gives away new bonuses every day.
Christmas, Easter, and Thanksgiving are the best times to collect seasonal bonuses. Every top-rated US casino has new offers during these times, so don’t be afraid to shop around for good sesonal deals. You can find the latest promotions for specific holidays here:
Birthday Bonuses
One of the perks you often get for climbing the ranks of an online casino’s loyalty program is a special online casino birthday bonus. In most cases, you’ll receive a few free spins or a reload bonus.
The best bonus online casino sites may also give you wager-free rewards, which means any prizes you win get paid in cash.
You must verify your identity to use legit US online casinos. Therefore, it’s not a good idea to lie about your date of birth just to get an instant bonus. Be truthful, and you’ll get a reward when the time comes.
Things to Watch for When Claiming a Casino Welcome Bonus
Welcome offers are the top online casino bonuses when it comes to one-off payments. That’s why online casino welcome bonuses are so important.
With so much potential out there, it’s important to understand how the best online casino welcome bonus offers work.
I’ve claimed thousands of dollars through these casino promotions, and you can do the same by following these tips:
1. Make Sure You’re a Newbie
You can only claim welcome bonuses if you’re a new customer. That means you haven’t previously created an account with any site connected to the casino.
The most common mistake I’ve seen people make is thinking they’re a new customer when they’ve already got a sportsbook account.
Let’s say you joined FanDuel Sportsbook in 2024. It’s now 2025, and you want to play some casino games. You can’t open a new account at FanDuel Casino and claim the welcome bonus because you’re already a customer.
So, if you’re trying to claim an online casino sign-up bonus, make sure you’re a completely new customer.
2. Does Your Deposit Qualify?
Deposits need to meet or exceed a minimum limit to qualify for bonuses. The best casino welcome bonus offers usually have a minimum deposit of $10, but there are low minimum deposit casinos in the US that only ask for $5.
You should also check that your chosen casino payment method is eligible. This is more of an issue in Europe than the US, but certain methods, like PayNearMe, may occasionally be excluded from bonus offers.
3. Play Through Your Bonus Like a Pro
Unless it’s a wager-free bonus, you’ll need to hit a casino playthrough target before you can request a withdrawal. These targets are always multiples of your bonus. For example, if you claim a $10 bonus with a 5x playthrough, you need to wager 5 x $10 ($50).
The most efficient way to hit playthrough targets is by playing popular online slots. Not only are betting rounds over sooner in slots than in other casino games, but 100% of your wager counts. That’s not the case for most casino table games.
The average contribution weighting - i.e., the percentage of a bet that goes towards your playthrough target – for table games is 10%. So, if you wager $1 on blackjack, only 10 cents goes towards your target.
The same $1 wager on a slot game clears $1 of your target, which is why pros play slots when they’re chasing bonuses.
4. Watch the Clock
All offers expire, even the very best casino bonus online. In most cases, you’ll have between seven and 14 days to hit your playthrough target.
Some top online casino bonuses have a 30-day playing period. Whatever the time limit, make sure you’ve hit your playthrough target before the bonus credits expire.
5. Don’t Game the System
This tip is one that very few people talk about, simply because they don’t know about it. I’ve been around the block more than once, which is why I never try to game the system.
By that, I mean you shouldn’t play in a way that’s either illegal or that contravenes a casino’s bonus terms. Illegal activities are things such as fraud (i.e., having multiple accounts), exploiting a casino’s software, and playing with money that isn’t yours.
Contravening a casino’s bonus terms is when your bets breach the rules. For example, betting on restricted games doesn’t contribute to your playthrough target. Another overlooked mistake is system betting.
Otherwise known as low-risk betting, these strategies are frowned on by online casinos. If you’re deemed to be using a low-risk strategy, such as covering over 90% of the board in roulette, your bonus will be revoked.