Online Casino Registration Bonus

Legal online casinos offer a real-money gambling experience combined with the convenience of mobile gaming. Many of the games seen on the floor of a land-based casino can be found at legal online casinos in the US.

New Jerseystands as the undisputed US leader in online casino gaming. Players in the Garden State enjoy access to some of the world’s best mobile casinos. The platforms include Golden Nugget Casino, DraftKings Casino, Caesars Online Casino, and many others.

The Different Kinds of Registration Bonuses. The first promotion that you’re likely to come across at the online casino sites is the welcome bonus. This is also known as the sign-up offer, as it is awarded to you when you first make a deposit at one of the online.

Delaware, West Virginia andPennsylvaniajoin New Jersey as US states offering legal online casinos.Michiganhas legislation in place to eventually operate mobile casinos. Players should see the launch of products in those states soon.

List Of States With Legal Online Casinos

StateStatusYear Launched
DelawareLive2013
New JerseyLive2013
PennsylvaniaLive2017
West VirginiaLive2020
MichiganLaunch pendingExpected 2021

Not in one of the above states? You can play at Sweepstakes Online Casinos for real cash prizes.

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You can also view our complete online casino guides toNew Jersey Online Casinos andPennsylvania Online Casinosfor more information.

The Best Online Casino Sites In The US

DraftKings Casino

DraftKings’ continued expansion into the US legal gambling industry includes the DraftKings Casino platform. DraftKings Casino debuted in New Jersey in December 2018, marking the company’s first foray into online casino gaming.

True to the brand, DraftKings Casino offers unique sports-themed versions of blackjack and roulette among its selection of games.

New players at DraftKings Casino can unlock a 20% deposit match bonus up to $500.

DraftKings Casino operates in New Jersey as a licensed partner of Resorts Digital Gaming. A Pennsylvania platform launched in May 2020, partnered with Hollywood Casino.

Check out our complete DraftKings Casino Review for more details and latest promo offers.

FanDuel Casino

Mirroring the efforts of DraftKings, FanDuel’s US legal gambling offerings include an online casino platform. FanDuel Casino launched in Pennsylvania in January 2020.

FanDuel Casino operates in Pennsylvania in partnership with Valley Forge Casino Resort. Immediately upon its debut, FanDuel Casino established itself as one of Pennsylvania’s most popular online casinos.

Table games at FanDuel Casino include blackjack and multiple versions of roulette. These games represent some of the platform’s most popular game choices.

New players are eligible for a $200 risk-free day upon registration.

FanDuel Casino also operates in New Jersey but does so under the name of Betfair Casino.

Unibet Casino

The Unibet brand established itself as a powerhouse in the international online gambling industry before moving into the US market. Unibet Casino launched in New Jersey in June 2019, as a license partner of Hard Rock Atlantic City.

Unibet launched a second online casino for Pennsylvania players in November 2019. Unibet Casino operates under the license of Mohegan Sun Pocono for the Pennsylvania platform.

The game selection at Unibet Casino includes progressiveslots, videopoker, and table games. Games like Micro Stakes Blackjack offer action for even the most conservative of bankrolls.

New players at Unibet Casino can unlock a 100% deposit match bonus up to $500, as well as a $10 sign-up bonus.

BetMGM

Formerly known as playMGM, the new and improved BetMGM platform debuted as a project from Roar Digital. Roar Digital operates as a joint company between MGM Resorts and GVC Holdings.

BetMGM online casino debuted in New Jersey in September 2019. The platform operates under the license of Borgata Hotel Casino, an MGM-owned retail property in Atlantic City.

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BetMGM, along with other casino skins under the Borgata license, hosts the biggest progressive slot jackpot among US online casinos. Known as “The Big One,” the jackpot links to a network of slots with jackpots that can reach over the $3 million mark.

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Sign-up bonuses at BetMGM include a 100% deposit match bonus up to $1,000.

Caesars Online Casino

Caesars Atlantic City stands as one of the most iconic properties on the East Coast. Caesars Online Casino offers an online gaming experience that lives up to the Caesars name.

Caesars Online Casino launched in New Jersey in 2013, operating under the Caesars Interactive license. The online platform offers one of the most robust slot selections available at any legal US online casino.

New players at Caesars Casino can take advantage of a $25 free sign-up bonus, as well as a 100% deposit match bonus up to $300.

A Pennsylvania version of Caesars Online Casino launched in April 2020, under the Harrah’s Philadelphia interactive gaming license.

PokerStars Casino

Poker players know the PokerStars brand as the world’s biggest online poker site.

PokerStars’ US operations include hybrid online casino and poker sites in both Pennsylvania and New Jersey. PokerStars Casino operates as a license partner of Mount Airy Casino Resort in Pennsylvania, and Resorts Digital in New Jersey.

The PokerStars Casino side of these platforms offers table games, video poker, and popular progressive jackpot slots like Divine Fortune.

Bonus offers for new players at PokerStars Casino include a $30 free play bonus on deposits of $20 or more.

Golden Nugget Casino

Golden Nugget’s online casino platform stands as the gold standard in the US mobile casino market. Golden Nugget Atlantic City launched the site in New Jersey in 2013.

The Golden Nugget mobile platform has stood as one of the most popular online casinos in the US for most of its existence.

Golden Nugget online casino offers an unparalleled game menu. The platform presents New Jersey players with more slots, video poker, and overall game options of any US legal online casino.

Sign-up offers at Golden Nugget online casino include a 100% deposit match bonus up to $1,000, and a $20 no-deposit bonus.

A second Golden Nugget online casino platform will eventually operate in Pennsylvania. Golden Nugget’s Pennsylvania launch is pending.

Tropicana Online Casino

One of the first online casinos to launch in New Jersey, Tropicana Online Casino debuted in the Garden State in November 2013. The platform is licensed to its parent property, Tropicana Atlantic City.

Games available at Tropicana Online Casino include many of the same selections enjoyed by players at Tropicana Atlantic City.

Tropicana Online Casino offers a unique “community jackpot” promotion. Anyone playing on the site at the time the jackpot hits could be eligible for a share of the prize.

Bonus offers at Tropicana Online Casino include a $25 sign-up bonus and a $100 rebate on losses for new players.

What Kind Of Bonuses Are Generally Available At Legal Online Casinos?

Risk-Free Day And Loss Rebate Bonuses

Several legal online casinos offer new players the chance at a rebate on losses for a short period after sign-up.

DraftKings Casino, for instance, presents new players with a $200 risk-free day offer. After making an initial deposit, players unlock a rebate on up to $200 in losses incurred during the first 24 hours playing on the site.

For example, a player signing up for an account at DraftKings Casino can deposit $200, and wager the $200 at the casino. If the player’s account is at $0 after a 24-hour period, DraftKings Casino will award a rebate of up to $200.

The rebate only applies to net losses on the first deposit. If a player deposits $200 and has a $150 balance after 24 hours, the rebate is $50. If the player’s balance is higher than $200 after the 24-hour period, no rebate applies.

Deposit Match Bonuses

At many online casinos, a player’s first deposit makes them eligible for bonus money matching a certain percentage of the deposit. These deposit match percentages can equal anywhere from 20% to 100% of the first deposit.

BetMGM offers a 100% deposit match bonus, up to $1,000. Using this offer, new players can make an initial deposit and earn 100% of the deposit in bonus money, up to $1,000.

Most deposit match bonuses require a certain amount of playthrough, or money wagered, to unlock the bonus. Playthrough requirements generally range from 20x to 30x the initial deposit amount.

No-Deposit Bonuses

Some online casino platforms award free betting credits just for registering for a new account.

Golden Nugget Casino is one platform offering such a bonus. New players start with $10 in free bets just for signing up with the site.

Types Of Games Available At Online Casinos In The US

Slots And Video Poker

Much like their land-based counterparts, virtually all online casinos present a game selection menu dominated byslots.

Many of the same slots enjoyed on the floor of retail casinos can be found at legal online casinos. These include five-reel multiway win slots and classic three-reel slots.

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New Jersey online casinoslike Golden Nugget Casino, Mohegan Sun Online Casino, and SugarHouse Casino offer hundreds of different slot variants. The library of slots at legal online casinos expands regularly.

Many different versions of video poker can be played at legal online casinos as well.

Progressive Jackpot Slots

Progressive jackpot slots offer some of the biggest potential payouts found at legal online casinos. These grand prizes can sometimes reach into seven-figure totals.

The Big One

The Big One network of slots offers the biggest progressive jackpot found at legal online casinos in the US. This series of slots, found at Borgata, BetMGM, and PartyCasino in New Jersey, all link to a progressive jackpot which sometimes goes over $3 million.

Divine Fortune

Divine Fortune finds a home at many legal online casinos in the US, and offers a grand jackpot that can reach above six figures.

Resorts Casino, Mohegan Sun, Caesars Casino Online, and many other platforms host the Divine Fortune progressive slot.

Table Games

Players looking for table games can find plenty of action at legal online casino sites. Blackjack, roulette, craps, baccarat, and Three Card Poker represent just some of the table games available on mobile casino platforms.

Live Dealer Games

Live dealer games offer the best of mobile gaming, combined with the live casino experience. These games allow online players to interact with a real-life dealer though live stream.

Human dealers oversee live dealer games from a physical table at a secure studio location. Live dealer versions of blackjack, roulette, baccarat, and other casino games can be found at many mobile casinos.

Sweepstakes Casino Sites

Players in New Jersey, Pennsylvania, West Virginia, and Delaware enjoy access to state-regulated online casinos.Michiganwill soon join the list of US states offering legal mobile casinos.

In other US states, sweepstakes casino platforms present the best opportunity for players to enjoy the online casino experience. Sweepstakes sites like Chumba Casino, LuckyLand Slots, and Funzpoints legally operate in virtually every US state except Washington.

See our comprehensiveGuide To Sweepstakes Casinos In The US.

How Sweepstakes Casinos Work

Platforms like Chumba Casino operate legally as sweepstakes sites. Sweepstakes games at Chumba Casino offer prizes in the form of “Sweeps Coins,” which can be redeemed for cash prizes.

This business model allows the games at Chumba Casino to legally operate as mini-sweepstakes games. Direct real-money deposits aren’t permitted at sweepstakes casino sites. But players can acquire and purchase Sweeps Coins in various other ways.

Chumba Casino operates play money games, using “Gold Coins” as currency, in addition to the Sweeps Coins Games.

Gold Coins packages are available for purchase and with some Gold Coins packages Chumba Casino awards an amount of Sweeps Coins as a gift. The Sweeps Coins can then be used in the sweepstakes casino games, and later redeemed for cash prizes.

Sweeps Coins can also be obtained for free, through mail-in and social media offers.

Sweepstakes casinos operate legally in 49 US states and Washington DC. Only Washington state outlaws sweepstakes casinos.

How Can I Gamble Online In The US?

iOS Mobile Devices

Nearly all legal US online casinos can be downloaded as mobile apps for iOS devices. These apps optimize the playing experience for the iOS device. They also offer the convenience of playing from anywhere within the borders of a legal online casino state.

Owners of an iOS device can find mobile casino apps at the App Store. Players located in New Jersey, Pennsylvania, and other states with legal online casinos can find all of these free apps available in those states.

Android Devices

Most legal online casinos are available as Android apps as well. Like their iOS counterparts, Android apps are free to download and present a gaming experience optimized for mobile devices.

Android apps can only be downloaded directly from an online casino website, as the Google Play store doesn’t allow for the download of real-money casino apps.

Desktop

The simplest way to access and play at a legal online casino is directly through a desktop browser. Playing on a desktop device doesn’t offer quite the same mobility as iOS or Android apps. But it allows players to enjoy full access to online casinos with no download required

Registering For An Account At A Legal Online Casino

On mobile devices and desktop browsers, new players can sign up at an online casino through a quick process.

At DraftKings Casino, for example, new players can click on the “Sign Up” button to start the registration process. A menu then appears where players can choose a username and provide a valid email address.

The next step requires documentation of first and last name, date of birth, residential address, and last four digits of a social security number.

After submitting this information, DraftKings Casino sends a mobile verification link through text message or email. Once that link is verified, players must download geolocation software that allows DraftKings Casino to verify that the player is within the borders of a state in which it legally operates.

With personal details and geolocation verified, new players can then navigate to the cashier, deposit funds, and begin playing.

What Deposit And Cashout Options Are Available At Legal Online Casinos?

ACH/eCheck

Virtually all legal online gambling sites accept ACH/eCheck as a method for both deposits and withdrawals.

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When used for deposits, this method drafts an electronic check (eCheck) from a player’s bank account, and pushes the check through an Automatic Clearing House (ACH). This clearing process happens instantaneously. If approved, the funds immediately become available for play at the online casino.

ACH/eCheck deposits are occasionally stopped by the issuing bank. They go through successfully around 80 percent of the time.

Debit/Credit Cards

Like ACH/eCheck, most online casinos accept debit and credit cards as a deposit method. This method can’t be used for withdrawals, however.

Debit and credit card deposits come with one of the highest rejection rates among all deposit options, but when successful immediately make funds available for play. Credit card deposits can sometimes carry cash advance fees from the issuing bank.

PayPal

Many mobile casino platforms accept PayPal as a method for both deposits and withdrawals. The deposit process takes a few extra steps compared to other methods. But PayPal deposits offer a nearly 100% acceptance rate.

Players with a valid US PayPal account can use this method at numerous legal online gambling sites.

Prepaid Cards

Prepaid cards are issued directly by an online casino, and function as a gift card that allows funds to be loaded on a player’s balance.

With this method, players can load a prepaid card with funds using ACH/eCheck, debit card, PayPal, and various other ways.

Casino Cage Deposit

Deposits and withdrawals can also be made directly at the casino cage of a retail property that operates an online casino.

At Golden Nugget Casino, for example, deposits and withdrawals for the online casino could be made by visiting the land-based Golden Nugget Atlantic City property.

The History Of Online Casinos In The US

US laws allow states to offer legal online casino gambling on an individual basis. Delaware became the first state to legalize online casinos in 2012, followed by New Jersey in 2013.

Online casinos debuted in both states in November 2013. Since then, New Jersey’s online casino industry developed into a robust market, with more than 20 different platforms available.

Pennsylvania became the next state to legalize online casinos, doing so in October 2017. Mobile casino platforms started to launch in the state in July 2019. West Virginia followed suit, legalizing online casinos in 2019. The first online casino launched in West Virginia in the summer of 2020.

Legal online casinos operate under the license of retail casinos. Gaming regulation agencies like thePennsylvania Gaming Control Board(PGCB) and theNew Jersey Division of Gaming Enforcement(DGE) oversee online casinos in their respective states. In West Virginia, the West Virginia Lottery Commission regulates all iGaming.

Players located within state borders in each legal online casino jurisdiction can access mobile casinos in those states.

Michigan will soon join the US mobile casino market. Michigan passed online gambling legislation in December 2019 and is in the process of finalizing regulations.

Legal Online Gambling Sites Versus Illegal Online Gambling Sites

State-regulated online casinos are owned by land-based properties, using licensing agreements with technology partners.

These partnerships allow for trusted gaming brands like DraftKings, FanDuel, and Betfair to operate legal online casinos in collaboration with legal retail casinos. Golden Nugget Atlantic City, for instance, operates Golden Nugget Casino, Betfair/FanDuel Casino, SugarHouse Online Casino, and BetAmerica in New Jersey.

This legal union of retail and online casinos ensures that players can enjoy secure legal online gambling. Playing at a state-regulated online casino offers the same level of safety as playing at a legal retail casino.

Other retail casino operators behind online platforms include Caesars Entertainment, Parx Casino, Resorts Digital Gaming, and Borgata.

These brands stand as some of the biggest and most trusted names in the legal gambling industry. They each operate online casinos with a keen interest in player safety. Players at legal online casinos can count on prompt payouts, fair games, and security of personal information.

Why Avoid Illegal Gambling Sites

Government agencies like the PGCB and DGE assure that state casino industries operate with transparency, accountability, and security of player funds and personal information. Depositing money at a legal online casino site offers players the security of knowing those funds can be withdrawn safely at any time.

Offshore or illegal gambling sites do not operate with this same obligation to player safety. These platforms aren’t regulated by any US governing body.

Depositing money on these sites can be a risky proposition, as illegal gambling sites have no obligation to allow for the withdrawal of funds.

Legal Online Casinos FAQ

Yes. Federal law allows states to individually determine their stances on legal online gambling.

New Jersey, West Virginia, Delaware, and Pennsylvania each allow for legal mobile casinos. Michigan will eventually join the list of US states with legal online casinos.

State regulatory agencies oversee all state-regulated, legal online casino platforms.

No. Only New Jersey, Delaware, West Virginia, and Pennsylvania currently offer legal online casinos. Michigan passed legislation to eventually launch legal online casinos.

Apart fromsweepstakes siteslike Chumba Casino, any platforms offering online gambling outside of these five states operate illegally.

How old do you have to be to play at legal online casinos in the US?

The legal minimum age for playing at an online casino is 21 in all states with legal mobile casinos. This age matches the minimum age for gambling at a retail casino in these states.

Yes. Nearly all legal online casinos are available as apps for iOS and Android mobile devices.

iOS users can find online casino apps in the App Store, while Android users can download the apps directly from an online casino’s website.

Players using mobile devices must be located within the borders of the state offering a legal gambling site when playing.

How do I deposit at legal online gambling sites?

Deposit options at legal online casinos include ACH/eCheck, PayPal, debit cards, credit cards, prepaid cards, and casino cage deposit.

Other ways to deposit include PayNearMe, wire transfer, and eWallets like Neteller and Skrill.

Yes. Legal online casinos are owned by retail casino brands like Golden Nugget Atlantic City and Caesars Entertainment. Player funds at legal online casinos are just as safe as they are when playing at a legal retail casino.

Secure withdrawal methods at legal online casinos include ACH/eCheck, prepaid cards, PayPal, eWallets, casino cage withdrawal and check by mail.

Some of these methods, like eWallet withdrawals, can involve fees.

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Is my personal information safe when I use online casino apps?

Yes. Legal mobile casinos use high-level encryption to ensure the security of customers’ personal and financial information.

Extra security measures, like two-step verification, can be added at player request.

Retail casino companies operate legal online casinos in collaboration with licensed technology partners.

Unibet Casino in New Jersey, for example, operates as a licensed partner of Hard Rock Atlantic City. New Jersey law permits retail casinos to operate multiple online platforms.

Do legal online casinos offer live dealer casino games?

Yes. Many legal online casinos offer live dealer versions of blackjack, roulette, and other table games.

Live dealer games feature a human dealer overseeing the game at a physical table. The dealer and the table are located in a secure studio.

There are all kinds of promotions on offer at the online casinos, and many of them can be extremely beneficial for players. Once you’ve made the decision to play at one of the sites, you may as well take advantage of the special deals on offer. In the majority of cases, these types of offers affords you some free cash to spend on your gaming. The welcome bonuses come in a range of packages, and it’s good to have an understanding of the differences between them all before you sign up to anything. It’s also handy to know how you can stretch your playing funds that little bit further, and then hopefully, you can turn it into a winning sum!

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The Different Kinds of Registration Bonuses

The first promotion that you’re likely to come across at the online casino sites is the welcome bonus. This is also known as the sign-up offer, as it is awarded to you when you first make a deposit at one of the online venues. These deals come in all shapes and sizes, and the wagering conditions attached to them vary just as much. As you would expect, the larger sums come with higher playthrough, and this is one of the main factors to consider when you’re making your choice. You can also get a number of other freebies too, so it’s worth shopping around a few of the websites to see what’s on offer.

The Match Deposit Welcome Bonus

In most situations, your welcome bonus takes the form of a match deposit deal. In this situation, the venue will equal every dollar that you pay in by a certain percentage.
In the majority of cases, this is for a one-off payment, which will be capped at a specified amount.
For instance, if the sign-up deal is set at 100% and you open your account with $100, you’ll have $200 to play with. In some casinos, the amount is spread over several payments, with a different match percentage being applied to each one.
This type of deal usually involves larger sums of cash being paid in when you enroll at an establishment, and they’ll have higher playthrough, as well.

Special Registration Deals for High-Rollers

There are often special promotions available for players who wish to open their casino accounts with a larger deposit.
Some of the online venues have high roller welcome packages, and these are set at different percentage rates. Initially, this kind of offer might not seem as inviting as the regular welcome bonus, but overall, this works out as the best deal.
For example, if you make an initial payment of $2,000 and the percentage is set at 50%, you will actually have $3,000 at your disposal. In the majority of cases, the wagering and playthrough conditions aren’t any higher, so if you intend to make a bigger deposit when you’re opening your account, you should take advantage of this kind of incentive.

A No-Deposit Reward for Registering

This kind of welcome bonus can be found in many of the online casinos, including some of the best and longest established ones, but on the whole, it is probably something to be avoided.
On the surface of things, it looks great. You are rewarded with a cash sum just for enrolling at the venue. However, these types of offers come with very strict conditions, and this isn’t only in terms of playthrough.
There will be limits on how much you can win too, and in the majority of cases, you’ll be excluded from receiving any of the larger jackpots, even if you’ve played the games and won.
For this reason, it may be better to go for a promotion that doesn’t have any such restrictions.

Alternative Possibilities for Welcome Bonuses

Each of the online venues likes to put their own spin on the welcome deals, and so you’ll find plenty of variations around when you search through all the offers. You may, for instance, receive an additional award when you first play one of the live dealer games or when you access the mobile casino for the first time. There are sometimes bigger bonus offers if you use a particular payment method, such as bitcoin, to make your first deposit. In all cases, you will need to read through the terms and conditions, just to be sure that you know the specific details before you make any firm decisions.

Regular Promotions and Special Offers

Once you have registered with an online casino, you’ll be able to get involved with the wide array of regular incentives that are available. These are usually located in a specific section of the website, and they change frequently, often on a daily basis. For this reason, as soon as you’re a member, it’s best to get into the habit of checking the promotions page of the site quite often. It’s easy to sign up for one of the bonus deals. In the majority of cases, you’ll just need to register your interest as you make a deposit to your account, and you’ll be eligible for the special offer.

Reload, Recurring and Periodic Bonuses

In a lot of ways, these are very similar to the welcome bonus as it involves the casino matching or adding to your deposit by a certain amount. The best part about these versions is that they aren’t restricted to new players. Instead, they are offered to the established membership, as part of the ongoing promotions. In this situation, when you make a deposit to your account, the venue will add some additional funds to your balance, effectively providing you with more cash to play with. These offers can be spread over several payments, with each one being matched, or they can be attached to a specific game. Naturally, there will be playthrough conditions for each of the separate deals, so these will need to be checked.

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One of the best types of casino deals are the free spins. These are generally part of a welcome package and accompany the sign-up bonus. Usually, they will be tied to a particular game and you will be awarded with some free online play on a designated slot. Occasionally, this kind of offer can be found amongst the more regular promotions, such as a daily or a weekly special. These are usually linked to one of the latest releases, and so it can be a good way to check out the newest titles without having to part with any of your own cash. Many of the games – particularly the slots – have additional features built into them, which can really boost your funds while you’re playing. These can be extra rounds or a gamble feature, in which you get the opportunity to double your winnings.


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Being Rewarded for Loyalty

Technically, this is also defined as a form of a bonus. Most of the leading online casinos has a loyalty program in place, and this gives you the opportunity to benefit from some additional rewards. Every time you play a game, you will accumulate comp points, and these will be exchanged for either cash, a special gift, or for some free credits. Although each of the sites adds its own touch, the general principal of the schemes remains the same. You’ll begin at the lowest level and work your way up through the tiers by collecting points. At certain stages, you’ll be rewarded for your progress with some special treats.

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The Higher Levels of the Loyalty Program

When you reach the upper tiers of the loyalty scheme, you are usually considered to be a VIP member. This elevated status provides you with a number of special privileges. Although these vary between the casinos, you’ll often be given your own account manager, and you’ll be entitled to expediated withdrawals, too. Other specials may include match bonuses, free gifts, or higher comp points as you play. In a few of the venues, the VIP membership isn’t attached to the loyalty program and is run as a separate scheme altogether. In this situation, you will have to be officially invited to join, and when you do, the perks will be significantly greater, with everything from gadgets to holidays on offer.

The Refer-a-Friend Bonus

The online casinos always wish to reward the members that introduce new players to their sites. Although the refer-a-friend bonus isn’t present in some casinos, it is considered to be a good marketing move for the gambling establishments that do include it. In most cases, in order to claim this bonus, a player must forward a special link to their friend, and this will be used to create a new account. Upon activation, a small award, such as a cash sum, some bonus credits, or some additional loyalty points will be added to the balance of the member who made the referral. It’s fairly common for the friend to receive an extra treat, as well.

Wagering Requirements and Playthrough Conditions

All of the promotions and bonuses have terms and conditions attached to them, and it is wise to check these before agreeing to participate in any of the special deals. The small print always includes information about the wagering requirements, as well as other relevant details, such as the games contributions and expiry date. It can be easy to fall foul of the playing stipulations as these vary considerably between the deals, and if you do, you will be in forfeit of the offer. As long as you’ve made yourself familiar with the specifics though, you won’t miss out on any of the incentives.

What are the Wagering Requirements of the Deal?

These are also known as the roll-over requirements or the turn-over rate, and the term refers to the specific conditions you have to fulfill before you can withdraw any of your winnings. The symbol for the wagering conditions will be written as a figure, such as 30x. To make the calculation, you have to multiply your deposit by that number. This will reveal the total amount that you will have to wager before any funds could be released to you. There is a lot of variation in these, so you will be able to choose one that suits your personal situation.

The Contribution Rates of the Games

Every wager will contribute a predetermined percentage to the completion of your wagering requirements. However, the contribution rates of the games aren’t usually equal. In most online casinos, slots will be set at 100%, and this is often the same for scratch cards and instant wins. The card and table games are usually given a lower percentage, but this differs considerably between the establishments. The same can be said for video poker and the live dealer versions. Some categories won’t contribute anything at all, and so these ones should definitely be avoided, at least until your playthrough stipulations have been met.

Points to Note about Accepting Bonuses

There are a few other things to take into account when you are choosing between the promotional deals. Once again, these conditions vary quite considerably, depending on the type of award and on the venue itself, and failure to adhere to them could result in you losing out. In the worst-case scenario, you will have to forfeit the bonus amount, along with any winnings that you may have accrued.

  • The Bonus Expiry Date – It is rare to find a bonus that doesn’t have an expiry date attached to it. In the majority of cases, these types of deals are only valid for a specific amount of time. This can be set at anything from a few days to a couple of months. If you haven’t met your wagering requirements within this period, the offer will be cancelled, and you’ll lose your funds.
  • Payment Limitations – At a few of the online casinos, you won’t be entitled to your welcome bonus if you use a particular payment method to open your account. It may be the case that if you sign up with one of the ewallets, such as Skrill or Neteller, you won’t qualify for the promotional offer. It’s worth making yourself aware of these specific details before you enroll.
  • Country Restrictions – Due to strict licensing regulations, it’s pretty standard for the welcome offers to be limited to specific locations (UK Gambling Commission is one of the strictest ones – see Gambling ads: free bets and bonuses). These types of limitations could apply to the whole bonus or just to part of it, like the free spins. Either way, you should check that you’re in a country that’s eligible for the promotional deals before you make any deposits to your account.
  • Bonus Registration – One of the other things to check is whether you need to opt into the promotion. In some casinos, you have to state that you will be participating in the offer, and if you fail to do so, you won’t receive the money. To be eligible for some of the deals, it is necessary to contact one of the customer service team, who will add the bonus to your account.

Turning down the Promotions

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It’s worth remembering that you aren’t obliged to accept any of the special offers, and this includes the welcome bonus. If the terms and conditions of a particular promotion aren’t favorable to you, you can simply turn it down, and you will still be able to enroll at the online casino. This is something that many players choose to do as they prefer to play without being subjected to any wagering conditions. Some of the better venues will present you with a cashback award if you don’t opt in to the sign-up deal. In this situation, a certain percentage of your deposit will be returned to you. This kind of offer still has some playthrough stipulations, but these are usually set at a lower amount.

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A Final Summary of the Bonuses

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There is such a huge range of bonuses and promotions available at the online casinos that it can be hard to know which of them provides the best value overall. In many ways, the decision depends on your initial deposit. If you intend to open your account with a larger sum, it’s best to look around for one of the high-roller offers. The only thing to be aware of in this situation is that the expiry date might be shorter, so you’ll need to meet your wagering conditions before the period finishes. If you think this will be difficult to achieve, you might be better to opt for the regular welcome bonus. Even so, it’s still possible to look out for a deal that provides you with free spins. These are often part of the enrolment package, and they can be very lucrative for new members. The key thing to remember when you are registering is to check the terms and conditions carefully. In particular, you’ll need to be aware of the playthrough requirements. As long as you are fully aware of what you are entering into, you’ll be able to maximize your free cash award and use it for some additional gaming!