First Time Depositing Bonuses Explained

The online gambling market has come a long way and the competition is harsh among gambling operators. Each of them needs to make sure that players sign up with them and not their competitors and casino bonuses are the best way to ensure that. 

Read our article to find out more about the first deposit bonus, the most popular type of promotion found at online casinos. 

What are casino bonuses?

Online casinos are favored instead of the land-based ones because they offer their customers plenty of freebies and attractive promotions. This can greatly boost the bankroll and the fun, especially for new players who are just getting started.

As you browse the offers, you will find plenty of bonuses and promotions, from the rarest no deposit bonuses to low wagering promotions and free spins offers. The most popular and widely encounter ones remain however the first deposit bonuses which are available at any online casino worldwide.

What’s a first deposit bonus

In simple terms, the first deposit bonus is a special promotion offered by the casino operator only to new players who are just opening an account. This bonus becomes available when you sign up for an account and it consists of a certain percentage of bonus cash that you will get based on your first deposit.

For example, let’s say that you have just signed up with a new online casino and you are looking to claim a first deposit bonus when you make your first deposit. The specific online casino offers a first deposit bonus worth 100% of your first deposit, up to a maximum bonus of $200. 

This means that if you deposit $200 or less, you will receive the same amount of cash from the casino, practically doubling your balance from the start.

How to Claim a Deposit Bonus?

Generally, first deposit bonuses are very easy to claim. They are designed for beginners and new players so the whole process must be as user-friendly as possible. However, just in case, here is the general process explained step-by-step.

1. Pick a casino in our list and register an account 

2. Go to the Cashier section and selected your preferred payment method to make your first deposit.

3. Proceed with the forms presented there to complete the deposit

4. Generally, you will have an “opt-in” button or you will need to introduce a bonus code.

5. Complete the transaction and the money should become available to you instantly

That’s pretty much the whole process. Now you have to follow the wagering requirements for the specific bonus and complete them to reap the benefits of your new bonus.

What do you need to look after

Bonuses are great, especially first deposit ones that can give new players a head start, however, few things marketed as free are actually free. Here is where wagering requirements come into play because the casino needs a safety net also.

The operators can’t simply handle our bonuses without making sure that the players don’t just retrieve the bonus and move on to another casino to repeat the whole process. Wagering requirements are a safety measure to prevent that and they represent in simple manners the times you need to gamble the bonus before you can withdraw the wins.

In our example above, the casino was offering a 100% match up bonus for the first deposit of up to a maximum bonus of $200. Now let’s say that this bonus has 20x wagering requirements, meaning that you need to gamble $4000 before you can withdraw the wins from the bonus.

Wagering requirements may also include other conditions like specific games you need to play that are taken into consideration for bonus completion or certain time-frames in which you can complete all the requirements. 

Wagering requirements and various Terms and Conditions vary greatly from one online casino to another and even if at the first glance they all look attractive, not all the first deposit bonuses out there are worth claiming. 

Playthrough requirements may vary from just 3x or 5x to a staggering 66x or even more. If you are a high roller with unlimited time and budget on your hands, you can venture out and claim any promotion out there, however, for casual players, such high wagering requirements are simply unachievable.

We recommend beginners to stick to low wagering requirements first deposit bonuses, that are roughly around or under 20x.

Payment Methods and Minimum Deposits

Online casinos will have a couple of requirements when handling out first deposit bonuses. Firstly, not all payment methods will be eligible for bonuses and that’s why you need to check the T&Cs to see if there is any restriction on the use of any payment method.

Secondly, no matter what payment method you prefer, most first deposit bonuses will have a minimum deposit requirement, often very small, around $10 or $20. Keep in mind that any deposit made under that minimum requirement will make you ineligible for the bonus.

Final Thoughts

First deposit casino bonuses are great for both casino operators that get new clients and also for the new players that can increase their starting bankroll instantly. If you pick your first deposit bonus carefully, you can enjoy a great start at your favorite casino.

Make sure you check the T&Cs and that you claim a bonus knowing exactly what you are getting and what you will have to do.