There are a lot of online casinos out there, each with their own signature style and theme and, when you’re picking which to sign up to, every factor matters.

After you’ve narrowed down the options through wagering, aesthetic, and safety, you might still be left with multiple brands to pick from. If so, it could be a struggle to find that last little detail that sways you either way. Our recommendation? Check out the welcome offer!

If you’re unsure how these specials work and want to know more, we’ve got you covered, with Return to Player’s guide to casino bonuses.

What is a Welcome Offer?

Let’s start with the basics; a welcome offer is something that casinos will offer to entice new players to sign up. The aim is to get you playing their games and it is an effective tactic, as many players specifically sign up for bonuses they like the look of. Generally, these offers fall into one of two categories; free credit or free spins. For the former, you will either receive a set value when you sign up, or the casino will match your first deposit up to a specific amount. The latter will give you several free spins, though these will typically be limited to a certain selection of slots rather than the whole library.

Wagering

Now, if you’ve read all of this and are thinking it sounds too good to be true, you would be right. There is a fairly big catch when it comes to casino bonuses, and it comes in the form of wagering. This is a multiplier applied to whatever bonus credit you’ve been given, and the value of this must be wagered in the casino before you can withdraw your winnings. Let’s have a look at an example; you sign up to an online casino that offers a £100 bonus with 20x wagering requirements. While you’ll get a fair amount to play around with, you’ll have to put in 20x that before you can reap the rewards, which, in this case, would stand at £2000.

While this might not sound great, there are reasons for wagering requirements, and most people end up wagering far more than they lose anyway. There are workarounds, though, such as opting for wager-free casinos or ones with a much lower requirement than usual. The trade-off is that the bonuses offered in these kinds of brands will probably be far less generous, as the lucrative nature of the offers is down to the fact that the player has to put back into the casino before they can take their winnings. In the end, it comes down to personal preference in terms of which you would prefer to choose.

Lifetime Offers and VIP Programs

While welcome bonuses are the most prominent in the business, casinos don’t stop offering you special deals just because you’re no longer a new user. After signing up, expect to see regular updates about their latest offers. Additionally, many casinos have something called VIP programs which are meant to reward their most loyal players. To qualify for these, you will have to meet a certain set of criteria, such as regular deposits or meeting a certain value threshold. In return, you will receive several perks from the brands, such as invitations to special events or personalised gifts. You’ll also get slot-based bonuses, so it could benefit your gameplay too. While this type of casino bonus will only apply to a small percentage of the user base, the benefits are very good.

List of Casinos

If you’re looking for a selection of great brands with even better welcome offers, we’ve compiled a quick list for you below:

• Kerching– With this offer, you’ll be able to enjoy 150 spins on three of the site’s most popular games; Da Vinci Diamonds, Cleopatra, and Wishwood. Additionally, they’ll match your first three deposits up to a total of £500. T&C’s apply.
• Temple Slots– You will receive 150 spins to use on four of their best games; Gonzo’s Quest, Finn and the Swirly Spin, Starburst and Aloha. There is also a bonus of up to £150 over your first three deposits. T&C’s apply.
• Bucky Bingo– You’ll get 70 spins on one of the most popular slot games of all time, Rainbow Riches, as well as a bonus of up to £20. T&C’s apply.
• Prospect Hall– You will be granted a bonus of up to £300 spread over your first three deposits, plus 100 spins on Starburst. T&C’s apply.

Visit the site for the full terms and conditions for each welcome offer, as well as any wagering requirements.