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How does a first deposit casino bonus work?

A complete guide to the best casino welcome bonuses and how a first deposit bonus work.

Gambling at an online casino comes with a lot of benefits. One of them is you can claim big bonuses when you decide to make your first deposit into your online casino account. 

The first deposit bonus is one of the most popular types of rewards. It's a standard deal that can be found in almost every online casino in the world and US online casinos are no different. 

Let's look at some of the most exciting first deposit bonuses available.

Best First Deposit Bonuses

What is a first deposit casino bonus?

A first deposit bonus is bonus money a player gets after making their first deposit at a casino. You can take advantage of this deal as soon as you sign up. It usually comes in the form of a percentage-based bonus that gets bigger as your first deposit gets bigger.

For example, you have just signed up for an online casino and are ready to make your first deposit. At the casino, you can get a welcome bonus worth up to 100% of your first deposit, up to a maximum of $1000.

A 100% match bonus means that your starting balance will be doubled no matter how much money you put in. The most you can get from the online casino's first deposit bonus is $1000, no matter how much you put in.

Note that some deposit bonus offers come with a bonus code that you need to insert in the registration or deposit process. 

How to claim a first deposit bonus?

Claiming a first deposit bonus is a straightforward process. You can easily claim the first deposit bonus even if you've never played before. But to make things easier for you, we've put together a quick step-by-step guide on how to get a first deposit bonus:

  1. Choose an online casino from the list below and register your account.
  2. After signing up, log in to your account and head to the deposit section to fund your account.
  3. Choose a payment option from the list to make your first deposit.
  4. Provide the information required. If the bonus requires a deposit promo code, input it in the promo code box.
  5. After providing all the information, click on “deposit” to complete the transaction.
  6. Once your funds arrive in your casino account, the casino will award you the bonus money.
CasinoFirst Deposit Bonus OfferPromo Code
BetMGM Casino
$25 Freeplay®️ and 100% up to $1000 Deposit BonusSQORESPINS
 Borgata Casino
$20 Freeplay®️ + 100% up to $1000 Deposit BonusSPIXPLAY
 Caesars Palace Casino
100% up to $2,500 + 2500 Reward Credits®CASMIX2500
 Bet365 Casino
100% up to $1,000 Deposit BonusTALK1000
 Golden Nugget Casino
Deposit $5 & Get $50 in Casino CreditsNONE NEEDED
DraftKings Casino
Play $5, Get $50 in Instantly in Casino CreditsNONE NEEDED
 Party Casino
100% up to $500 + 100 Bonus SpinsPARTYSPIX
Playstar Casino
100% Deposit Match up to $500 + 500 Bonus SpinsNONE NEEDED

21+ Gambling problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER (NJ, PA, WV), or 1-800-270-7117 for confidential help (MI). 

What is the difference between a deposit bonus and a no-deposit bonus?

Welcome bonuses are used by online casinos as a way to get new customers. You'll have to simply sign-up to get the bonus. The first deposit bonus and no deposit bonus are two of the most popular sign-up bonuses. After you sign up at a casino, you might be able to get one of these from the casino. 

Let's look at the differences between these two bonuses.

No Deposit Bonus

Customers can get a no-deposit bonus just by signing up at the casino. This promotion is really meant to get people to start playing games with the money from the casino. This way, they won't have to worry about losing real money while learning the layout and rules of the casino. You have nothing to lose by using this promotion.

CasinoNo Deposit Bonus OfferPromo Code
BetMGM Casino
$25 Freeplay®️ + 100% up to $1500 Deposit BonusSQORECASINO
 Borgata Casino
$20 on sign-up + 100% up to $1000 Deposit BonusSQOREGATA

Gambling problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER (MI/NJ/PA/WV) or visit www.1800gambler.net (WV). 21+. Physically present in MI/NJ/PA/WV only. Eligibility restrictions apply. Void in ONT.

First Deposit Welcome Bonus

On the other hand, a first deposit bonus is a special kind of offer that requires a deposit before it can be claimed. If you put the amount specified into the casino's account before you start playing, the casino will give you the bonus offer amount. This is usually a set percentage of the number being multiplied by. The size and scope of the promotions that different casinos offer are very different.

Casino first deposit bonuses terms and conditions explained

Each first deposit bonus has clear terms and conditions. These terms and conditions state all the rules and restrictions that you need to know before you start playing.

But most players skip this phase because it's boring and takes a long time to read them. We've done the research for you so that you can get a summary of the most important things to look for in the first deposit terms and conditions:

Maximum and minimum limits

For first deposit match bonuses, you must always deposit at least a certain amount of money. If you put in at least a certain amount, you can get a bonus that is equal to what you put in. In addition, the minimum deposit you have to make to get the bonus varies depending on the casino. Let's say a casino's 100% first deposit match bonus requires a minimum deposit of $20. This means that you can only get a 100% match bonus if you put at least $20 into your account.

Besides, there is a limit to how much bonus you can get. The casino has set a limit on how much you can get as a bonus, you can't get more than that amount. 

For example, a casino might offer a bonus that matches a player's first deposit by 100%, up to a maximum of $250. So, the maximum amount of the first deposit bonus you can get is $250. If you put more than $250 into your account, you won't get a bonus on the extra money.

Validity period

The length of time the first deposit bonus is valid is another important condition to note. Almost all the first deposit bonuses have a time limit. The bonus will end if you don't use it or meet the wagering requirements in the given time period. 

Most first-deposit bonuses are only good for around 7 days. But the time frame can be longer or shorter than 7 days. You can find out the validity period of the bonus by reading the terms and conditions ahead of time.

Wagering requirements

When reading a casino's bonus terms and conditions, you may come across the phrase "wagering requirement." Casinos have wagering requirements for bonuses because they can't give away free money to every customer who makes a deposit. According to the rule, the user must bet an amount equal to X times the total value of the bonus.

For example, you deposit $100 in your casino account and get a 100% first deposit bonus up to $100. One hundred dollars is "real" money, and the other hundred dollars is bonus money. Before you can cash out any winnings from a $100 bonus, you have to bet 35 times that amount. It doesn't matter if you win or lose as much as it does that you bet.

Most of the time, you have to bet between 10 and 40 times the amount of the bonus. Some casinos don't follow this rule because they have lax rules or very strict rules, but these casinos are the exception and not the rule. If the wagering requirement is lower, you can clear it and get your bonus money faster.

FAQ

Do first deposit bonuses for casino play have minimum deposit limits?

Yes, most of the legal and licensed casinos have minimum deposit limits for first-deposit bonuses. The minimum deposit limit for the bonus can vary depending on the casino. Usually, the minimum deposit limit is between $5 and $30.

Can I make a withdrawal while my first deposit bonus is active?

At any moment after meeting the wagering conditions, you can request a withdrawal; however, if you request a withdrawal while the first deposit bonus is still active, any remaining bonus funds that have not yet been unlocked will be lost.