Online casino sites attract new players by offering them extra bonus funds when they make their first deposit. Such an offer is referred to as a first deposit bonus. It is one of the most common bonuses that you will come across, and almost every casino offers one.
With so many online casinos offering first deposit bonuses, it can sometimes be difficult to choose one. Which first deposit bonus casino is really the best? Should I choose the biggest bonus? Or will a smaller deposit match give me better value? These are some of the questions we will answer in this article.
First deposit bonuses change quite often, so we make sure that our lists stay up to date. Use your bonus to play slots, table games, or live dealer casino.
These are the best online casino first deposit bonus offers available for new customers. They are rated high because they offer a great deposit match with fair wagering requirements.
Rank
Casino
First Deposit Bonus
1
Kakadu Casino
100% Deposit Bonus up to €500 + 150 Free Spins
2
Axe Casino
100% up to €600 + 100 Free Spins
3
Fight Club Casino
€400 Deposit Bonus + 100 Free Spins
4
Casino Planet
100% First Deposit Bonus up to €300
5
Nomini Casino
100% up to €500 + 100 Free Spins
6
Malina Casino
€500 First deposit Bonus + 200 Free Spins
7
Rabona Casino
100% Up to €500 + 200 Free Spins
Highest First Deposit Casino Bonus Offers
Not every first deposit casino bonus is worthwhile, and some casinos try to disguise a mediocre offer with some flashy numbers. Many players tend to focus on the total potential value of the bonus, but that figure doesn’t tell the full story.
The highest first deposit casino bonus offers are actually those that give you the best percentage match. Consider two first deposit bonus offers, both with a total potential value of $/€/£225. One is a deposit match of 50%, the other is a match of 200%. With the first, you need to deposit $/€/£150 to get the maximum bonus amount, but with the second you can get the max first deposit bonus with a deposit of just $/€/£75.
In our listings you will find high value first deposit bonuses. Some new casinos offer a high match, so that you get more bonus cash for a smaller deposit. We have even found some 500% first deposit bonus offers for you. Many of the offers have some extras as well, like free spins.
Different First Deposit Bonuses
When you look around at different casino sites, you will notice some distinct types of first deposit bonuses. They are all part of the casino’s welcome bonus on offer. These are all fairly easy to understand, so let’s take a quick look at the ones most commonly offered.
Deposit match
We have already discussed deposit match bonuses, but here we will go into a bit more detail. These offers depend on the amount of money the player deposits, and they are presented as a percentage. The bonus is awarded in casino credit, not in cash, so it cannot just be withdrawn. Here is an example:
100% match up to $/€/£100
In this simple example, however much cash you deposit up to the limit, the casino will give you the same again in casino credit. So, if you deposit $/€/£50, then you will have another 50 on top. The bonus is capped at $/€/£100, meaning that the maximum casino credit is 100. If you deposit more than $/€/£100, you will still only get 100 in casino credit.
With this type of first deposit bonus, the higher the match percentage the better. First deposit bonuses with a match of 200% or higher are great, especially for players who want to make a more modest deposit.
Free spins
Free spins for a first deposit are also widely available. Usually the casino decides which slot game the free spins are redeemable for. We like free spins because they can usually be claimed with just a minimum deposit. Free spins offers are also the most likely to be first deposit bonus no wagering offers.
Hybrid bonuses
Some of the best first deposit bonus casino sites offer hybrid bonuses, meaning a combination of a deposit match and free spins. A really generous hybrid bonus gives players a high percentage deposit match and a high number of free spins.
How to claim a First Deposit Bonus
Claiming a first deposit bonus is very simple. The hardest part is finding a good bonus. When you have identified the casino of your choice, here are the steps that you need to take to get the bonus:
Time Required: 5 minutes | Tools Required: Mobile or computer and internet | Funds Required: Minimum $/£/€ 5
Step 1
Register your new account
At the casino homepage, click on the button to create a new account, then fill in the form with some personal details. The casino will need this information to verify your identity at a later date, so be careful not to make any mistakes.
Step 2
Make a deposit
On the banking page, choose your preferred payment option and make a cash deposit. Check that the deposit satisfies the minimum to claim the bonus, and that your payment method supports bonuses.
Step 3
Enter the bonus code
Some casinos ask for a promo code to claim the first deposit bonus. Check the site to see if this is required.
Step 4
Start playing
The bonus should be automatically applied to your account, and then it’s time to start playing. Free spins are often handed out in bundles over the course of a few days.
How we select First Deposit Casino Bonuses
When we select our first deposit bonus casinos, we ask one fundamental question: is this a truly valuable offer? This doesn’t only mean cash value, we also consider how much extra playing time the bonus provides.
We also consider the terms and conditions for every first deposit casino bonus. We weigh the value of the offer against the T&Cs to decide if we can recommend it or not. For example, if a first deposit bonus has a very high deposit match, we believe it is worthwhile even if the wagering requirements are also high. This is because it gives players considerably more time on the games, even if the chances of cash winnings are reduced.
The next section of this article goes into more detail about terms, so please keep reading for a fuller explanation.
Terms & Conditions for a First Deposit Bonus
First deposit bonus offers are available exclusively to new account holders. Every bonus has its terms, but some first deposit bonus casinos have tougher terms than others. Before we start complaining about them, however, let’s try to understand why they are necessary. Here are the main reasons that casinos put restrictions on their bonuses:
To prevent money loss – if players could simply withdraw the first deposit bonus as cash, casinos would soon lose a lot of money.
To discourage bonus hunters – before T&Cs became so strict, some people moved from casino to casino just to use the bonus.
To comply with regulations – online casino licensing bodies and regulators set some of the terms for T&Cs.
To protect players – some of the conditions, such as putting a cap on the bonus amount, are there to discourage players from making irresponsible deposits.
Having said all this, there are occasions when the conditions on a bonus seem unfair. If we find a first deposit bonus with excessively high wagering, for example, we may discount it from our recommendations. Here are some of the most common T&Cs.
Wagering requirements
The number one way that casinos control their bonus losses is through wagering. This is the number of times you must play the bonus amount before any cash is yours to keep. Wagering averages at around 35x, but it is not unusual to see 50x or more.
For example, a bonus of $/€/£100 with 35x wagering: players must make 100×35 = $/€/£3500 worth of wagers to fulfil the requirements. Obviously this drastically reduces the chances of walking away from the bonus with any cash in the bank. When reading the T&Cs, pay attention to whether wagering applies to the bonus only, or if it is also applied to your own deposited cash.
Limits
When playing with your own money, there are not so many limitations to what you can do or how much you can win. This is not the case with bonuses. Here are some of the limits you will find:
Time limits – the bonus must be used in a short time-frame, or it becomes void.
Game limits – free spins are usually restricted to one or two slot games. Similarly, wagering requirements can only be fulfilled on a certain number of games – table games usually only count for a small percentage of wagering.
Spin value – for free spins, the casino usually sets the value of each spin low so that resultant wins are modest.
Win caps – for many offers, there is a maximum cap on how much a player can win, even if all other conditions are satisfied.
First Deposit Bonus FAQs
💡 How do I find the best first deposit casino bonus?
If you are looking for the best, you should look for a bonus with a high first deposit match and low wagering requirements.
💡 Can I find a first deposit bonus casino no wagering?
Yes, there are some casinos that have no wagering requirements for their first deposit bonus. These are usually free spins offers.
💡 Are first deposit bonuses worth it?
Yes, because they provide extra playing time for all players. Try out different games that you may not play with your own money, and get to know the casino site. If you are very lucky, you may also win some real money.
About the author
Beth RedmanEditor in Chiefbeth@mrcasinova.com
With over twelve years of experience, Beth brings a lot of knowledge in the field of gambling and always deals intensively with casinos reviews. She is responsible for most of the content that is written on MrCasinova.com and she also manages all MrCasinova.com contributors. Beth is native English and graduated with an MBA from Anglia Ruskin University.
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