Casino welcome bonuses

How a casino welcome bonus works

A casino welcome bonus matches a percentage of your first deposit with bonus money, up to a maximum amount. A 100% match up to 200 turns a deposit of 150 into 150 in cash plus 150 in bonus funds; a 50% match on the same deposit adds 75.

Some welcome offers in our list are spread over two, three or four deposits, sometimes with free spins added. Each stage can have its own minimum deposit, wagering and expiry, and the list shows the terms for the first stage or for the whole package, as the casino states them. A larger maximum only helps if you would deposit that much anyway.

Bonus-only versus deposit plus bonus wagering

Wagering on the bonus alone is calculated on the bonus amount, while wagering on deposit plus bonus (D+B) is calculated on both, which doubles the play-through on a 100% match. The multiple on its own does not tell you which welcome bonus is better.

Worked example for a deposit of 100 with a 100% match of 100, assuming slots with 96% RTP, which means a house edge of 4%:

• 10x bonus: 1,000 to wager, expected loss about 40, estimated value about 60.
• 10x deposit + bonus: 2,000 to wager, expected loss about 80, estimated value about 20.
• 30x bonus: 3,000 to wager, expected loss about 120, estimated value about −20.
• 30x deposit + bonus: 6,000 to wager, expected loss about 240, estimated value about −140.

On a 100% match, 10x D+B is as demanding as 20x on the bonus alone. A negative value means the average player uses up the bonus before the wagering is finished; it does not mean a certain loss of that amount. The wagering calculator handles both formulas, and the wagering requirements guide explains them step by step.

Sticky and non-sticky welcome bonuses

With a non-sticky bonus you play with your own deposit first and can withdraw winnings from it before the bonus is touched; with a sticky bonus the bonus amount itself can never be withdrawn and is removed when you cash out. At the same wagering, a non-sticky bonus is never worse for the player.

Take a deposit of 100 and a bonus of 100. With a non-sticky bonus, if your cash balance grows to 400 before you start using bonus funds, you can withdraw the 400 and give up the bonus. With a sticky bonus, cash and bonus are mixed from the start; if you finish the wagering with 300, the 100 bonus is deducted and you can withdraw 200.

What to check before you claim a welcome bonus

Beyond the match and the wagering, five terms decide whether a welcome bonus fits the way you play. The list shows each of them where the casino publishes it.

• Maximum bet: stakes above the max bet while the bonus is active can void the bonus and its winnings.
• Game weighting: table and live games often count for a fraction of their stake, or not at all.
• Expiry: the time you have to finish the wagering, from a few days to several weeks.
• Maximum cashout: some offers cap what you can withdraw from bonus winnings.
• Payment methods: some offers exclude deposits made with certain e-wallets or vouchers.

The licence sets limits too. Since 19 January 2026, casinos licensed by the UK Gambling Commission may not apply wagering of more than 10 times to bonus funds, and a welcome offer may no longer combine casino with betting or other products. You can check the licence of every casino in the list on our licence pages.

A welcome bonus is an incentive to deposit, so decide the amount before you see the offer. A deposit limit set at sign-up keeps that decision in place.

Frequently asked questions

What is a casino welcome bonus?

A casino welcome bonus is an offer for new players, usually a percentage match on the first deposit, sometimes with free spins or spread over several deposits. The bonus money comes with a wagering requirement, a maximum bet and an expiry date. Our list shows these terms for each offer, so you can compare them by value rather than by headline.

What is the difference between sticky and non-sticky bonuses?

A non-sticky bonus keeps your deposit and the bonus separate: you play with real money first and can withdraw winnings before using the bonus. A sticky bonus mixes both, and the bonus amount is deducted when you withdraw. At the same wagering, the non-sticky version gives you more chances to leave with money.

What does D+B wagering mean?

D+B stands for deposit plus bonus. The wagering multiple is applied to the sum of both, not just to the bonus. With a deposit of 100, a bonus of 100 and 30x D+B wagering, you must bet 6,000 before withdrawing, twice as much as with 30x on the bonus alone. Always check which formula the terms use.

Can I withdraw my deposit before finishing the wagering?

It depends on the bonus. With a non-sticky bonus you can usually withdraw your cash balance before bonus funds are used, which cancels the bonus. With a sticky bonus, a withdrawal before the wagering is complete normally forfeits the bonus and any winnings from it. The bonus terms describe exactly what happens.

Can I refuse a welcome bonus?

Yes, in most cases. If the bonus needs a code or an opt-in, simply skipping it means you play with cash only and without bonus restrictions. If it is credited automatically, ask support to remove it before you start playing. Playing without a bonus means no maximum bet, no game weighting and no wagering on withdrawals.

Sources: UK Gambling Commission: Gambling promotions to be safer and simpler, UK Gambling Commission: LCCP social responsibility code 5.1.1