The Best UK Casino Welcome Bonus Guide
Looking for the best UK casino welcome bonus? Here, you can find our list of the best welcome bonus offers from UK casinos, how to get the most from your bonus money, and get a broader understanding of wagering requirements and bonus terms. Claim your welcome bonus today for the perfect online casino experience.
What is a Casino Welcome Bonus?
At Casino Legends, we believe in helping you have the best possible online gambling experience through the use of fair bonuses and promotions. Together with our extensive knowledge of casino bonus offerings in the UK, we believe that the right welcome offer can truly enhance your experience. A welcome bonus generally provides you with either bonus money, free spins, or a match on your deposit. In some cases, you may even receive all 3 of these offers within one extravagant welcome package.
What to Look Forward to With a Welcome Bonus
A welcome bonus assists in being able to play casino games without using your cash balance. By opting in for a welcome bonus, you can save your cash balance for real money wins later when you have already become accustomed to the different features in games, such as RTP and volatility.
#1 Online Casino with Welcome Match Bonus
32Red
incREDible Welcome Bonus
Get a 150% match on your first deposit as the perfect welcome to this favourite UK casino by signing up with 32Red and making a qualifying deposit of no more than £150. 32Red’s incREDible 150% match welcome bonus can be used on any of their plentiful casino games and will favourably be credited using their fair play bonus system, which ensures flexibility in how you want to use your bonus money. With this promotion, you get much more than you bargain for compared to how wagering requirements are usually set up for match welcome offers. With this welcome bonus, there is no limit as to how much money you can withdraw after winning, yet there is a reduced bet size until you finish the wagering requirements. Furthermore, this welcome offer stands out for providing you with a chance to withdraw cash even before finishing the wagering requirements. This will, however, cause you to forfeit the remaining bonus amount. After signing up and opting in for the welcome, simply navigate to “Show Balance Summary” on your profile to see the forfeit amount vs. what you can withdraw.
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You must be 18 years or older to visit the Casino. If you struggle with gambling addiction, we encourage you to seek support at BeGambleAware.
Understanding of Casino Welcome Bonus Offers
Casino welcome bonuses provide you with either a bonus match, bonus money, free spins, or more than one type of bonus in a welcome package. You will be presented with the offer before signing up to the casino, and you may be able to start winning real money as soon as the wagering requirements are met. Depending on the casino you are signing up to, you may be presented with a variety of options regarding your welcome offer. Generally, it is advised to make use of a match deposit bonus as you would have more freedom in how to use the credit.
Pros and Cons of Using a Welcome Bonus
Before opting for the best welcome bonus online casinos, it’s vital to consider the pros and cons regarding the bonus terms and general factors. See the table below for the most common pros and cons associated with welcome offers.
Pros
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The most lucrative start with an online gambling platform -
Get to know new games without using your real money casino balance
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Low qualifying requirements
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No large minimum deposits required to qualify
Cons
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Requires wagering requirements to be met before being able to withdraw winnings -
Limitations to supported games
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Wagering requirements need to be met before the bonus expires
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May require a specific payment method with the first deposit
How To Claim a Casino Welcome Bonus
If you have by now decided on an online casino to sign up to, the next step is to claim your welcome bonus for the most helpful start to winning real money in the long run. Although claiming your bonus is as simple as signing up, making a deposit, and choosing your bonus, we have put together the ultimate guide for you to follow when claiming your offer. Follow the steps below for a simplified process.
Decide on Your Welcome Bonus
By now, you should have an idea of the type of welcome bonus you want to opt in for and the casino you want to obtain it from. If you are looking for the perfect start with an online casino without having to adhere to excruciating wagering requirements, we recommend opting in for 32Red’s incREDible match bonus that provides you with a 150% deposit match with fair and transparent bonus terms, providing freedom of bonus use.
Join the Casino
The next step in claiming your welcome bonus is to sign up at the casino and go through the KYC process to verify your account and all provided personal details. After joining the online casino, you will be presented with an option to opt in for the welcome offer and navigate to the next step. It is advised to not simply join a casino only for their welcome offer but rather for their overall fairness, payout rates, and available games variety. Some online casinos are more generous with ongoing promotions for existing members, which would benefit you in the long run. After signing up, you may be asked for a promo code to enter (see next step).
Enter Applicable Promo Code
Promo codes are provided by different platforms to qualify for particular promotions, although welcome bonuses are not always part of promo code use. If the bonus requires you to enter a promo code, you can simply research Casino Legends review of the casino where the promo code may be available.
Make a Deposit
Welcome bonuses require deposits, and generally, you would be required to meet the minimum deposit requirements set out to qualify for the particular bonus. It is vital to consider that the bonus minimum deposit may be set at a higher rate than the casino’s general minimum deposit requirement. Most online casinos have a minimum deposit requirement of £10 and need to be made by eligible banking methods, which will be set out clearly in the bonus terms.
Claim the Bonus
After making the qualifying deposit, you will be presented with an option to claim/opt-in for the welcome offer. Simply select opt-in and claim your welcome bonus for the perfect start with the platform. It is vital to take a last look at your signup details and bonus terms in order to be sure you will be able to qualify for the bonus before opting in. Next, simply head to your account and look under “My Bonuses” or “Balance” to see whether the bonus has been activated.
Casino Legends: Our Online Casino Approval Criteria
At Casino Legends, we pride ourselves on giving you expert advice for the best possible online gambling experience. We recommend the most popular and trusted online casinos to you while unravelling all they have to offer and how you can benefit from signing up with them. With our due diligence in giving expert advice, the following approval criteria are carefully considered with each best casino recommended by us, helping you find your next favourite casino and the best welcome casino bonus in the UK.
User Experience and Navigation
User experience is one of the fundamental factors that provide a player with an overall positive experience due to easy navigation and a good website design. If an online casino doesn’t present itself well and is not easily navigated, we would point it out in our reviews. Navigation is vital for a positive experience as you will not be able to make fast withdrawals, find desired games easily, or opt in for bonuses efficiently. We thoroughly test user experience before reviewing a casino and provide you with all the most important details on what to expect.
Fast and Efficient Banking
Fast and efficient banking should always be considered before joining an online gambling platform. As a matter of fact, your chance of obtaining a lucrative casino welcome bonus depends on it, as some casinos may not provide you with a chance to opt in for a welcome bonus when using your preferred banking method. We clearly stipulate all available banking methods supported by each of our recommended online casinos and look into their deposit and withdrawal times for you to make an informed decision. Furthermore, we consider banking security from the casino, which includes encryption. Encryption is a critical security measure which protects the sensitive data you are sharing with the casino when making payments.
Varied Selection of Slot Games
A varied selection of slot games is vital, as it is a staple form of gaming for casino players and can be frequently played as part of promotions that provide free spins. As a matter of fact, some of the best slot welcome bonuses with no wagering are available from casinos that provide a good variety of games. We also look into the game providers whose games are part of the casino’s selection of slot games to ensure you are playing games from trusted providers and that you will be able to play games where you can get anything from small frequent wins to large jackpots.
Live Dealer Casino Games
If you are a fan of classic casino table and card games such as blackjack, roulette, poker, and baccarat, we want to ensure that you broaden your gaming experience with the thrill of live casino games. Live and real dealer games are the latest immersive technology in online gambling, where you play against a real live dealer as well as other players. We carefully look into the selection of live dealer games and game shows available from a casino before recommending them in our live dealer casino reviews. Furthermore, we also consider whether welcome bonuses are allowed to be used with their live titles in any way.
Customer Support
We consider customer support to be one of the most important factors to consider when signing up with an online casino. Any UK online casino worth its hype will present its members with various support channels such as a help centre, email address, and live video support. We look into all the best online casino’s customer support stats to see whether they have proven to be sufficient in addressing any issues their members may be facing. Some of the most frequent issues you may need support for include getting your account verified, declining transactions, and why bonuses are not showing.
Reputation
User reviews present you with a focus on what to expect from an online casino, which stands as the perfect way to determine whether they have a good reputation. We carefully study what members of the casino have to say about payout frequency and whether the casino is regularly tested for its security protocols, responsible gambling tools, and more.
Licencing, Regulations, and Fairness
Other than having a proven track record for payouts, an online casino has to be licenced and regulated by the appropriate authorities, which include either the UK Gambling Commission or Malta Gaming Authority. By being licenced and regulated, an online casino is required to frequently test their games and RNG (Random Number Generator) for fairness. Testing in the UK is usually done by third-party testing agencies such as eCOGRA.
Types of Welcome Bonuses to Choose From
Welcome bonuses come in many different forms and may include more than one type of offer as a welcome package. Below, you can find information on some of the most common types of welcome offers available from the best online casinos in the UK. We are determined to keep you updated on the latest trending bonuses. Be sure to read our full UK casino reviews to get a broader understanding of available bonuses and what to expect after opting in.
Match Deposit Bonuses
Match deposit bonuses are most commonly associated with welcome offers as they provide you with a significant amount of bonus money. The exact amount you receive would depend on your deposit. For example, 32Red provides UK players with a 150% match bonus on their first deposit; by depositing £10, you would receive £15, and £100 would provide a match bonus of £150, which would total to £150 in your bonus balance and £100 to your cash balance. Match deposit bonuses are great for experienced players looking to make hefty deposits to get as much bonus money as possible. Be sure to read bonus terms first in order to be aware of the maximum or minimum requirements of qualifying for the deposit.
Free Spin with Welcome Package
Free spins won’t easily be available by themselves as a welcome offer but rather added to a deposit welcome package that includes a match bonus and bonus money. The free spins that are obtainable through a welcome offer will provide you with the ability to play slot games free of charge and may be subject to use on specific slot titles, which may not include progressive jackpot slots. This is your perfect chance to gain more experience with highly volatile slots or slots with features you have not played with yet. Learn more about free spins offers and expert Casino Legends advice by following the link.
No Deposit Bonuses
Some online casinos do provide you with a chance to opt in for a welcome bonus without the need to make a deposit. This can be seen with a casino’s no-deposit welcome package, where you can receive free bonus money to use on specific game titles. In essence, these are free welcome bonuses with no deposits required that will have their own wagering requirements and may have limitations to the amount of bonus money or real money you can win back. Learn more about no-deposit bonuses and how to claim the perfect offer.
Non-Cashable Welcome Bonus
Non-cashable bonuses are less common in UK online casinos and provide you with the chance to win real money from the start while being able to cash out the cash balance but not the bonus balance. This means that any money you have won with the use of the bonus can be withdrawn, yet the bonus amount cannot be withdrawn. If you are not a fan of wagering requirements, this could provide you with fast winnings. It is, however, important to remember that non-cashable bonuses, “sticky bonuses”, provide you with less in the long run.
Common Welcome Bonus Terms and Conditions
All bonus offers from casinos are subject to terms and conditions that need to be met. These terms and conditions are always stipulated with the casino’s bonus terms and should be considered before opting in for the offer. By agreeing to the bonus terms, you are required to meet wagering requirements, use the bonus credit before it expires, and, in some cases, you will need to make a minimum deposit with a specific payment method to qualify. Find more details on the most important welcome bonus terms and conditions to consider below.
Wagering Requirements
Welcome bonus wagering requirements need to be met to withdraw any winnings you have obtained through playing with the credit. Generally, welcome bonus wagering requirements are set at x40. This would require you to wager 40x the bonus credit amount before being able to win real money. For example, if you receive a £150 bonus credit, you are required to wager another £1500 before being able to withdraw your wins. Wagering requirements are simply active to make it fair to both the casino and the player to have a decent chance of winning real money in the long run.
Bonus Expiration Date
Bonus credits always have specific expiration dates at which the bonus credit needs to be finished. Generally, you can find the expiration date of your welcome bonus in the bonus section on your casino profile. If you are making use of a welcome bonus, you could expect up to 7 days wherein the credit needs to be used, but this can differ among casinos. If credits are not used within the stipulated period of days, you will forfeit all winnings obtained through the bonus as well as the remaining credit.
Location
Some online casinos are only legally valuable to a few countries or states/regions, yet internationally available online casinos such as Unibet will provide different types of promotions for each region that it legally operates in. This means that you may not be able to opt in for a promotion which is not available in your region. When registering your account with a casino, you will automatically be offered the available welcome offer for your country. With Casino Legends being mainly set on providing details on UK-based online casinos, you can find all the most valuable UK exclusive welcome bonuses.
Excluded Members
Some online casinos may exempt you from being able to opt in for a welcome bonus if you have already signed up and used a welcome bonus from one of the casino’s sister sites. In some cases, you may also not be able to obtain a welcome bonus if you have previously been signed up with the same casino. If you are being excluded from getting a welcome bonus, view our Casino Legends bonus overviews and get in on the action.
Minimum Deposit
Minimum deposit amounts are generally set out in bonus terms and would require you to make a deposit of usually £10 or more to qualify for the promotion. As most welcome bonuses include a match on your deposit amount, the more you deposit, the more credit you will receive to use on casino games. With the minimum qualifying deposit amounts, you always need to consider the minimum amount you could withdraw after finishing the wagering requirements. Some online casinos, such as All British Casino, reduce the minimum withdrawal amount based on whether you have made a previous deposit or not.
Restrictions on Different Payment Methods
Many online casinos impose specific payment methods to be used to qualify for the welcome bonus. If you opt-in for the welcome bonus and use a different banking method, you may lose the chance to make use of the offer. For example, 32Red online casino requires you to make a deposit with a debit card to qualify for the offer.
UK Casino Welcome Bonuses FAQ
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Which online casino has the biggest welcome bonus?
Many UK online casinos offer welcome bonuses to their members and provide you with the perfect means to start your casino journey with free credit. Some of the most popular Casino Legends-approved casinos that provide welcome offers include Unibet, All British Casino, MrQ, and 32Red. View our casino reviews to see our top-rated casinos with welcome bonuses.
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Can I win real money with a welcome bonus?
Yes. Although welcome bonuses are tied to bonus terms, all you need to do is meet the wagering requirements to withdraw any winnings obtained through the bonus credit. Generally, welcome bonuses have wagering requirements of up to x50. This means you are required to re-wager up to 50x the initial bonus credit to be considered eligible for real money.
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Can welcome bonuses expire?
Any bonus credit you get from an online casino can expire. Welcome bonuses usually last up to 7 days, wherein you need to finish the wagering requirements, or else any winnings obtained through the credit would be lost. You will also forfeit the remaining bonus credit if you reach the expiry date.
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Are welcome bonuses only for new players?
Yes. Welcome bonuses are for new members of a casino to have a lucrative start on their journey with the platform. Existing members can, however, look forward to many other promotions where a deposit is required.