The Best Gambling Deals in the UK – 2023

The Different Types of Gambling Deals on Offer

One of the great things about online gambling deals is the sheer amount of choice. Want to back your favourite team in their run to lift the trophy? Perhaps you’d rather try your luck spinning the reels or have a good feeling about red or black. Whether you’re calling out ‘bingo’ or immersing yourself in live casino games, there’s an offer to suit everyone here at GamblingDeals.com. Let’s take a look!

How to Sign Up to a Gambling Site

Signing up to an online gambling site is typically a quick and easy process, with just a few simple steps involved.

Follow the process below to sign up and claim some great gambling deals for new customers:

1. Once you’ve found a gambling site with a welcome offer that suits you, click the ‘Claim Bonus’ button to click through to the site’s sign-up page;
2. Next, you’ll need to enter some basic details such as your name, address, date of birth, and email;
3. Choose a username and password for your account — you can use these details to log in across multiple devices;
4. You may need to provide a proof of identification and address to complete the registration, or you might be asked for this later when making a withdrawal;
5. Now you’re all signed up, it’s time to claim your bonus by either ticking the relevant box or entering a promo code. You’ll usually need to make a qualifying deposit to receive your gambling offer — head to the cashier page to add funds to your account;
6. You’re ready to get started with your new gambling site! Select a game or sportsbook to place your first wager and make use of your gambling deal.

How We Review the Best Gambling Offers

Here at GamblingDeals.com, our job is to provide you with a range of the best gambling offers on the market. To ensure we find the best deals, our expert team checks an exhaustive list of criteria when scouring different sites. Check out some of the most important features below.

Licensing

We only endorse gambling offers from casinos and bookmakers licensed by reputable bodies such as the UK Gambling Commission (UKGC) and Malta Gaming Authority (MGA). This ensures players receive an extra layer of protection — if casinos break regulation rules they could face financial penalties or be shut down completely. Licensing requirements are far-reaching and designed to keep players safe, and they include: SSL encryption on customer data and transactions to stop hackers in their tracks; regular audits from bodies like eCOGRA to ensure games are fair and pay out properly; available customer support; on-site time and budget management tools to help users keep control over their gambling; strict rules around how gambling deals are marketed; and more besides.

Bonus Amount

With any gambling deal, the first thing we’ll note is the bonus amount. Casino and betting bonuses vary considerably — you could be offered £100 bonus credit or a more modest £5 bet. Crucially, we check the terms and conditions carefully, as these can heavily influence the true value of the offer. Casinos might be offering a large bonus amount but with heavy restrictions on how much you can win, rendering the bonus far less valuable.

Wagering Requirements

A major condition that influences the true value of a bonus is the wagering requirement. You’ll often have to wager a certain amount before you can withdraw any bonus cash or resulting winnings. For example, to fulfil a 30x wagering requirement on a £20 bonus you’d need to wager an additional £600 (30 x £20) before withdrawing. As this can make it almost impossible to cash out a bonus, we favour offers with low or no wagering requirements where possible. Of course, you can also view bonuses with large wagering requirements as an opportunity to get to grips with a site without concerning yourself with potential winnings.

Time Limits

Time limits are another factor we consider when reviewing different gambling deals. You’ll usually have a limited number of days to use a bonus and fulfil the wagering requirements. We like to ensure players have enough time to enjoy a bonus without having to rush, so longer time limits of 30 days ore more are ideal. On the shorter end, you could be given just a few days to use a bonus — it’s important to check so you’re not caught out by a free bet expiring or your bonus funds and associated winnings disappearing when you’re close to clearing the wagering requirements.

Games and Market Restrictions

A generous bonus amount is just one side of the coin — our team is always quick to check the eligible games and markets attached to an offer so you can make a decision on whether it suits your interests. While it’s normal for slots bonuses to offer just a couple of eligible games, these will usually be popular fan favourites such as Starburst and Book of Dead. Game weighting is another factor we consider, with this applying to wagering requirements. Slots typically contribute 100% of wagers to the playthrough requirements, while blackjack and roulette tend to contribute as little as 10%; in short, the more games that contribute the full amount, or close to it, the better.

Site Design and User Experience

Although site design might not be a major priority for you when searching for the best gambling deals, we believe that ultimately a gambling offer is only as good as the site that hosts it. If it’s difficult to locate the gambling deals on offer, or if there are technical glitches that interrupt the claiming or playing of bonuses, this is legitimate cause for frustration and disappointment. We want to see well-designed sites in this part of our review, where it’s clear the punter has been thought about in every corner of the site. Easy-to-use layouts, filters and search functions, clear T&Cs, and fun, clean branding are all on the agenda here.

Mobile Capabilities

As well as the chance to land some wins on the slot reels, gambling offers give players the chance to get to know a site and see if it’s for them. Whether the mobile functionality is up to scratch is a key part of this. On our part, we favour gambling sites that offer downloadable native apps for both iOS and Android operating systems. Failing that, a gambling site will need to offer a smooth, optimised gaming experience via the mobile browser. After all, there’s no point claiming a pack of free spins for a mobile casino that’s no fun to use. Thankfully, there are loads of great online gambling deals available at sites with excellent mobile functionality.

Customer Support

An essential feature we assess when recommending the best betting sites is the level of customer support offered. Top-level sites will provide round-the-clock access to online chat facilities or even 24/7 telephone support. Responsive email communication is the bare minimum — any less than this and you have to question whether the site has its players’ interests at heart. 

Gambling Offer Terms and Conditions

When comparing gambling offers, it’s easy to be blinded by size. But bigger does not always equal better. We comb through the terms and conditions of every offer before we recommend it, painting an accurate picture of its true worth to our players. For example, a huge bonus may seem appealing at first, but a few strict stipulations later and the value has plummeted. Unfriendly terms like wagering requirements, winnings caps, and market or games restrictions can quickly destroy the quality of a gambling offer.

Of course, gambling sites are businesses and we don’t expect them to go out handing oodles of free cash to players — it’s about striking a balance. The best gambling deals come with simple and transparent terms so you can focus on enjoying your bonus.

Casino Gambling Offers

There are an excellent variety of online casino offers available to players at UK gambling sites, with each one offering exciting rewards on top games. Find out everything you need to know about the main types of casino bonuses below, as we discuss how each of them work and what the key features are.

With any gambling bonus, it’s important to play responsibly and see the offer primarily as a means to have fun and try out new games. Check out our responsible gambling tips along with a list of organisations that can help if you feel you need support.

Casino Sign-Up Offers

One of the reasons it’s beneficial to shop around before signing up with a new online casino is because of the array of casino sign-up offers to choose from. Also known as welcome bonuses, sign-up offers give players the chance to claim rewards such as free spins and bonus credit when they register with a new casino. They’re therefore a great way to kickstart your casino experience and try out some new games without staking as much of your own cash.

That said, most sign-up offers require players to make a qualifying deposit before they can claim any rewards. Another common stipulation is that players must fulfil wagering requirements before they can cash out. The amount of wagering required varies between different casinos, but the best casino sign-up offers are the ones that come with the least restrictive terms and conditions. 

Here’s an example of a typical sign-up offer you may come across:

• 100% Deposit Match up to £50 + 50 Free Spins on Starburst when you register and deposit £20 — 35x wagering requirements apply.

Another popular gambling offer is a no deposit bonus. This promotion offers rewards to players just for signing up with the casino, meaning you can jump into the action before you’ve even added funds to your account.

Here’s an example of a no deposit bonus that could be up for grabs when registering with a site:

• 10 Free Spins on Book of Dead when you sign up – no deposit required, 10x wagering requirement

Matched Deposit Bonuses

Matched deposit bonuses are readily available for new and existing players at UK casinos. With a matched deposit bonus, players receive bonus credit when they add funds to their account. These bonuses come in different percentages such as 50%, 100% and sometimes even 200%. A 100% deposit bonus effectively doubles your money meaning that if you deposit £20, you’ll receive an additional £20 to play with.

Many players find matched deposit bonuses more flexible than other rewards such as free spins, which may not give them the greatest choice of eligible games and bet amounts. However, some of the best casino sign-up bonuses offer players both free spins and a matched deposit as part of the same package — offering the best of both worlds.

Casino Gambling Cashback Offers

The best online casinos recognise the importance of offering gambling deals to existing as well as new players, and casino cashback offers are one way current players can earn rewards. With a cashback offer, players can recoup some of their wagers by receiving a percentage of their net losses back as withdrawable cash. 

This casino bonus is often rewarded daily, with the percentage of cashback sometimes increasing as players advance through a casino’s VIP ranks. Additionally, there are usually no wagering requirements attached to the cashback, so players are free to withdraw it as soon as it lands in their account.

All British Casino is one site well-known for its cashback gambling deals. Here, players receive 10% cashback on all their deposits, with their withdrawals deducted from the cashback total. This deal is available whenever the player’s balance is below £10.

Live Casino Deals

Gambling deals for live casino games are less common than promotions for other games such as slots. Generally speaking, live casino games are more expensive to run than static games like slots, and they’re somewhat more niche than the colourful games front-and-centre of most gambling sites.

Nevertheless, you can still find live casino offers at selected sites. These promotions usually come in the form of bonus credit to use on table games such as live roulette and live blackjack. Live casino deals give you the chance to try out different versions of these games and see if the pace of the game suits your playing style.

Live Casino Games at the Best Gambling Sites

Live casino games bring the atmosphere of a real life Vegas casino to your own home, by live streaming a real-time game hosted by a professional dealer straight to your screen. Operating from dedicated casino studios, the live dealer guides players through each round of the game, all the while commentating on the action and engaging with players, who may communicate with the dealer via live chat. Certain gambling operators specialise in live casino production. Evolution Gaming is considered one of the top dogs — it opened its first live casino studio back in 2006, and has progressed on to develop innovative game show-style titles like Monopoly Live and Dream Catcher in addition to its core offering of casino classics like live roulette and blackjack. 

Live Roulette

Live roulette is hosted by a real croupier with whom players can interact while placing their bets alongside other participants. There are many reasons to consider playing live roulette over a virtual RNG title — you’ll enjoy a realistic game played on authentic casino equipment, and by engaging with other players and the dealer, you can enjoy a more social experience in contrast to the often solitary nature of online gambling. However, there are downsides. The minimum bets are typically higher as the games cost the casinos more to run, and you’ll need to play with real money — there’s no demo or free play mode with live roulette. 

Live Blackjack

Before entering a live blackjack game, make sure you understand the rules in full — once you’re there and your hand has been dealt, you won’t have time to look up anything that’s unfamiliar. Most live blackjack games are based on the traditional game — unless you’re playing a more unique variant like Lightning Blackjack — so if you’ve previously put in some time on this classic card game, the transition to live blackjack should be pretty natural. 

To get involved, you’ll need to be registered at an online casino with live blackjack and have some funds in your account. Then, head to the library and pick the game that appeals most to you. Be mindful that each round of live blackjack is typically slower than a single-player RNG game, but this means you’ll have plenty of time to make your decisions and apply your strategy. At the best gambling sites, there are plenty of authentic live blackjack games to enjoy, each one delivering the atmosphere of a real casino. All our recommended online casinos with live dealer games are fully licensed and reputable sites so you can play with confidence. 

Live Game Shows

With the creativity of some of the best designers in the gambling industry, it’s always exciting to try out a live game show at an online casino. These games feature a live host to take you through the action, and the format usually revolves around spinning wheels or RNG games. Some of the most popular game shows are spun off from classic TV shows, often with an added casino twist. Operators such as Evolution Gaming have a whole host of titles that many people will recognise, including Deal or No Deal Live, Dream Catcher, and Football Studio. You’ll find live game shows available on all of the best gambling sites, so be sure to have a look through and see which takes your fancy if you’re looking for something a little different.

Bonus Codes

Some online casinos issue bonus codes, where players will receive a casino-based reward when they activate the code on-site. These codes are often used to unlock the casino’s welcome offer, and may come in the form of bonus funds, free spins, cashback offers, and more.

Online casinos might also issue bonus codes to existing customers. Like welcome bonus codes, these might reward you with a range of goodies such as free spins, matched deposits, and casino cashback deals. 

There are a few different ways you can get hold of bonus codes for existing players. You can look for them on a particular site’s gambling deals page, or sign up for bonus notifications from a casino app if one is available. Some casinos will email you with a bonus code, while others get creative and come up with unique ways to reward loyal customers. 

Scratchcards

Scratchcards are usually associated with physical lottery tickets, but they can also be enjoyed online. If you’re interested in playing online scratchcards, you’ll be able to find some specific bonus offers in this gambling format, including free tickets, boosted winnings, and scratchcard tournaments.

• Gala Spins gives new players who deposit and wager £10 a £30 scratchcard bonus to spend on a variety of popular scratchcards, including the site’s exclusive Magpie Jewel Swoop and Viking Riches Instant Win games. Several payment methods are excluded, and a 40x wagering requirement applies to the £30 bonus.

As with bonus codes, scratchcards can also be used to reward existing players. These sorts of offers might be sent to you via email or may pop up on the promotions page. Some online casinos and gambling sites are so fond of scratchcard offers that they’ll give you access to a free card every day. Here’s a current example:

Online Bingo Offers

At Gambling Deals we’re passionate about covering every facet of the online gambling world, and that extends to the ever-popular bingo. While it’s still a major fixture in many people’s lives at brick and mortar bingo halls, online bingo has been growing in popularity over the years and is now an extensive and varied industry in itself. Check out our dedicated bingo offers page for a detailed look at the best options available in 2023.

Online Slots Offers

Many gambling offers are aimed at slot games, and you’ll often find that casino welcome bonuses are only eligible for one or two selected slots. Gambling sites typically choose popular slots from top developers for these offers — for example, you’ll often see Starburst by NetEnt and Book of Dead by Play’n GO as the named options.

Slot game offers come in different forms — check out the most common types of bonuses below.

Free Spins Offers

Free spins give players the chance to spin the slot reels for free and still be in with a chance of winning real money. Players can pick up free spins in a variety of places, including welcome bonuses, promotions for existing players, and in-game bonus rounds.

As free spins don’t use any of your own funds, they’re risk-free. That said, there are often limitations on how much you can win, while the value of the free spin is usually set to the minimum bet on the game. Nevertheless, free spins offer a great way to get to grips with slot games and try out new titles.

Matched Deposit Slot Sites

Another popular slots bonus is the ubiquitous matched deposit. These gambling offers allow you to claim bonus credits when you add funds to your account. You could double your bankroll with a 100% bonus or claim even more with a lucrative but rare 200% bonus.

Each matched deposit offer will include a list of eligible slot games you can play using the bonus credit. All you’ll need to do once you’ve claimed the offer is try out one of these games and get the reels in motion. Slot deposit bonuses are often found in welcome bonuses for new slot sites and can also be offered to loyal casino players.

Offers for Specific Slot Games

Occasionally you’ll see free bet offers geared towards certain slots as a way to encourage players to give these titles a try. They differ from the usual sign-up or reload bonuses — which are also usually restricted to a specific slot — in that they’re valid for games not normally eligible for free spins. As such, gambling offers for specific slot games won’t stick around for long: some specials could run for as little as a day or a weekend. 

A common reason you’ll see a specific slot graced with its own bonus is because it’s a new release. Developers are always working hard on the latest and greatest games and they don’t want their work to go unnoticed, so free spins are a great way to get eyeballs on a new title and celebrate its launch. You might even see the offer extended to all the developer’s games.

Sportsbook Gambling Offers

Betting deals are readily available for UK players and work in a similar way to casino offers. Whether you’re betting with a dedicated sportsbook or with a site that offers both casino games and betting, there are plenty of ways to get more for your money.

Matched Deposit Betting Deals

Matched deposits are popular with sportsbook players as they give them flexibility. With bonus credit in your account, you can make a decision on where to place your bets and how much to wager at a time.

The terms and conditions attached to matched deposit betting deals vary widely across different betting sites, such as the wagering requirements and amount of time allowed to fulfil them. So, always be sure to read the relevant terms before claiming an offer.

Free Bets

Free bets are often dished out to existing players on high-profile sports events. They offer a great opportunity for players to take a risk-free punt on a market they may not normally bet on. The value of a free bet varies but £5, £10 and £20 free bets are the most common.

The flexibility of free bets also varies. For example, you may receive a free bet to wager on any market of a Premier League football match at the weekend, giving you the option to choose long or short odds. Alternatively, the sportsbook may issue you a free bet for one particular match or market.

A few of our favourite free bet offers currently up for grabs include Betfred’s £30 in free bets when you bet £10, a £10 free bet at Betiton when you bet £15, and a Bet £5 Get £20 offer at Ladbrokes. As you can see, the size of free bet you’ll get can vary a fair bit, with the barrier to entry typically sitting somewhere between £5 and £20. 

Typical T&Cs to watch out for here include: 

• Time limits, which could run from a few days to a month;
• Market restrictions, for example no accas or in-play bets;
• Minimum odds for both the qualifying bet and free bet, typically somewhere in the realm of 1/5 to 1/2. 

Wagering requirements play much less of a role with betting offers as they do for casino bonuses, although you may sometimes see requirements around the 1x to 5x mark. 

Betting Cashback Offers

Cashback offers for sports betting work in a similar way to casino cashback deals, but are less common. Sportsbooks are more likely to offer free bets or matched deposits than a recurring cashback scheme, but those that do pay the players a percentage of their losses back as withdrawable cash.

Bet Credits

Bet credits are essentially a type of free bet — this terminology is used to emphasise the fact you’ll be receiving a free token to place a bet with, as opposed to bonus money in your account. 

Many bookmakers offer bet credits as part of their welcome offers to new customers. For example, when registering and making your first deposit between £5 and £10 at Bet365, you can claim five times that value in free bet credits once you make a qualifying bet of the same amount. There are no wagering requirements attached to this particular offer — you’ll just need to ensure your original qualifying bet settles within 30 days of opting in to the promotion.

The option to use your bet credits will appear on your bet slip before placing a bet. You can even place a bet using a combination of bet credits and your own cash. If the bet wins, the winnings are given as withdrawable cash, but this doesn’t include the bet credit stake. All in all, bet credits offer a good opportunity to try out a new sportsbook and have a punt without risking your own cash.

Accumulators

An accumulator is a betting format popular with sports fans — instead of betting on a single outcome, you’ll place a bet on multiple outcomes at once. For your bet to win, you’ll need each segment or ‘leg’ of your bet to be successful. This type of bet is similar to a double or a treble — where you place two or three selections in one bet. Accumulators are simply any bet with four selections or more and are available on a range of sports from football to horse racing.

Naturally, accumulators usually offer higher payouts than single bets, as the bettor has to correctly predict four or more outcomes to win. This means that accumulators are generally a risky bet. However, they do offer punters who prefer to stick to smaller stakes the chance to win a larger amount than they ordinarily would on a single wager. What’s more, counting down the selections until they’re all successfully ticked off is a fun part of the process for many punters.

Let’s look at an example: Bet365 offered pre-match odds of 4/5 on Aston Villa to beat Everton in August 2022. A £1 bet on this selection would return £1.80 in total — £0.80 profit and your stake back. Many punters are happy with these returns when betting on the favourite. However, by adding some other selections with short odds together from the same weekend, bettors can create their own accumulator with odds above evens:

• Aston Villa to beat Everton – 4/5 
• Arsenal to beat Leicester – 8/15
• Liverpool to beat Crystal Palace – 2/11
• Celta Viga to beat Espanyol – 4/5 
• Barcelona to beat Rayo Vallecano – 2/9
• Total odds: 6.17/1
• 12% Accumulator Bonus
• £1 stake returns £8.02 including £0.86 bonus

With this five-fold acca, there’s now a larger profit up for grabs. But remember, it only takes one of these selections to come up short for the whole bet to lose.

Placing an accumulator bet is a straightforward process; simply add multiple selections to your betslip and choose the amount you’d like to bet. Certain markets won’t be compatible with each other, so you may need to revise your selections if the acca option doesn’t appear.

Acca Insurance

Like the sound of an accumulator but not sure you want to take the risk? Acca insurance could be the option for you. The bane of any sports punter’s betting experience is missing out on an accumulator because of one selection losing — particularly if the team you need to win concedes a last-minute goal!

With acca insurance, the sportsbook will return your stake as cash if just one of your selections loses. This gambling offer gives you the chance to go for a punt, safe in the knowledge you’ll avoid the disappointment of one selection losing.

Acca insurance is usually offered to existing punters to advertise a particular market. Generally, you’ll just need to go ahead and place the bet and the insurance will automatically apply. This Betfred promotion is a typical example:

• Place a 5+ Fold Football accumulator (odds per leg of 1/2 or greater) on selected leagues and if one leg lets you down we’ll refund your stake as CASH up to £10.

Here, you’ll note some of the terms and conditions involved in this offer — the odds of each selection will need to be 1/2 or above, while the maximum amount you’ll be refunded is £10. Usually, you’ll also need to place the bet before any of the matches in the selection kick off, and often there won’t be an option to cash out early.

Odds Boosts/Enhanced Odds

An Odds Boost is another popular gambling offer that gives you the chance to place a bet on a market where the payout has been increased. Enhanced odds are regularly available for both new and existing customers, so it’s well worth looking out for them. That said, it’s advisable to stick to betting on markets that you’re familiar with, regardless of the potential payouts.

Betfair’s Odds Boost promotion is an example of a promotion available to both new and existing customers — you can boost your odds on three horses any day with a My OddsBoost token. To pick up a token, you’ll just need to have placed a bet within the last 30 days.

Some odds boost promotions will be specifically aimed at new punters, offering them enhanced odds on their first bets. In this instance, it’s important to check whether winnings are paid as cash or as further free bets.

Once you’re signed up with a new betting site, you’ll likely have access to improved odds on a regular basis. When browsing the available markets on a given day, you’ll often see a list of odds boosts at the top of the page. These could take the form of a single bet, for example Fabinho to get a yellow card in Liverpool vs Arsenal increased from 2/1 to 5/1. Alternatively, you could get enhanced odds for a premade double, treble, or accumulator. 

Let’s check out an example. Bet365 offered the following odds boost in August 2022:

• Watford v Burnley
• 9/1 odds boosted to 11/1
• Match result will be Watford
• Over 9 corners in the Match for Both Teams Combined
• de Jesus Joao Pedro to Score Anytime in the Match

As lots of different betting sites offer this type of gambling offer, it may be worth shopping around to find different odds boosts for the same match. Here’s an offer from William Hill for the same match:

• Joao Pedro to score first 
• Was 9/2, now 7/1

The idea behind odds boosts is to offer extra incentives for punters to place a bet. Of course, it’s up to you whether the value of the enhanced odds is worth it — just remember to stick to betting with stakes that you’re comfortable with.

Best Sites for Slingo Offers

The most obvious place to start your search for the best Slingo offers online is, of course, the official Slingo.com website. This site offers a 100% matched deposit bonus of up to £50 on your first deposit of £10 or more, which you can enjoy on a huge range of almost 60 different online Slingo games, including Slingo Da Vinci Diamonds, Slingo Inca Trail, and Slingo Advance. 

There’s a downside to the offer on the official Slingo website that comes in the shape of 60x wagering requirements. While this isn’t particularly player-friendly, you can claim a similar welcome bonus at other SkillOnNet casinos every 72 hours, so you can try again on another site if you don’t complete the playthrough demands the first time around.

You can also find Slingo gambling deals at regular online casinos and gambling sites. At Ladbrokes, for example, you can claim £50 to spend on Slingo Rainbow Riches and other popular slots when you sign up, deposit, and bet £10. Plus, there’s a similar offer available at Foxy Bingo. At both these sites, the wagering requirements sit at 40x the bonus, which is a little on the high side of things.

Remember, too, that many sites offer a matched deposit bonus to welcome you on board as a new player. So long as a site features Slingo games and they aren’t excluded by the bonus T&Cs, you should be able to fire them up with matched deposit funds. Remember to browse our casino reviews to find the latest matched deposit welcome bonus offers and the best gambling offers online.

Online Slingo Offers

Online Slingo is an exciting game that blends elements of 75-ball bingo and slots. The game works by spinning the reel to reveal five numbers — if any of these numbers match those in your 5×5 bingo-style grid, they’ll get ticked off. Once you mark off a row of five numbers in any direction you’ll gain a Slingo and move one place up the prize board.

As Slingo has become increasingly popular in recent years, there are plenty of new sites offering bonuses to new players — check out some of the main types below.

Slingo Free Spins Offers

As spins of the Slingo reel work in a comparable way to slot games, casinos can grant players with similar free spins bonuses. These Slingo offers may come in the form of welcome packages or bonuses for current players. Free spins are often awarded following a deposit, but if you claim a no deposit bonus, you can jump into the action before adding funds into your account.

Slingo free spins give players the chance to work towards landing a Slingo and move up the prize ladder without staking their own cash. What’s more, if you’re unfamiliar with Slingo and keen to try it out, free spins are a great way to get started without having to bet real money.

Slingo Matched Deposit Bonuses

Slingo sites offer matched deposit bonuses to new and existing customers, allowing them to claim a percentage of bonus credit when they add funds to their account. Matched deposit bonuses typically offer a range of eligible games from top software developers, meaning Slingo could be included in the promotion as one of a number of games, or it could even be the main attraction.

Here’s an example of what could be on offer:

• 100% Deposit Match up to £100 when you deposit £20 or more – bonus eligible on Slingo Originals games, 20x wagering requirement applies

Gambling Bonus Terms and Conditions

Every gambling offer you’ll come across will come with certain terms and conditions attached. It’s important to familiarise yourself with the T&Cs of any offer before getting started so there aren’t any nasty surprises. What’s more, being aware of the stipulations is helpful for comparing different bonuses to get the best deal — bigger doesn’t always mean better!

Let’s take a look at some of the most common terms and conditions for betting bonuses and how they could affect you.

Wagering Requirements

One of the most prominent terms you’ll come across are wagering requirements. When new players claim a welcome offer from an online gambling site, they’ll usually need to wager their bonus amount a certain number of times before they can withdraw any resulting winnings.

High wagering requirements make it difficult to get your hands on a cash return from a bonus. Thankfully, bonuses on sports betting sites come with less restrictive wagering terms than those for casino games. In fact, punters can access plenty of betting deals with just 1x wagering required, making it easier to convert the bonus into real money.

With most gambling offers, you won’t be able to withdraw your bonus winnings straight away. Instead, there will usually be a wagering requirement to fulfil. Let’s say you’ve been given a matched deposit bonus of £100, with 20x wagering attached. This means you’ll have to wager a total of £2,000 before you’re eligible to withdraw anything you win using the bonus.

Market Restrictions

It would be great if every betting deal could be applied across all sports markets, but generally there will be restrictions on your free betting options. That said, bookmakers will typically offer gambling deals on popular markets, or they could even be tailored to your personal interests or an upcoming event.

The flexibility varies across different betting bonuses — for example, you could receive a free bet on a specific market, such as a particular Champions League match, or something broader, like any of the races at this year’s Cheltenham Festival.

Minimum Odds

Punters usually have to place free bets at minimum odds or higher, as stated in the relevant terms. For example, if the minimum odds are 1/2, you won’t be able to use your free bet on odds any shorter than that.

Free bets are often dished out as part of offers like ‘Bet £5, get a £5 free bet’. The reason bookmakers put minimum odds in place is because punters could otherwise play through their free bet on very short odds and reduce the overall risk to almost zero.

Time Limits

If you’re tempted to set your bonus funds or free spins aside to use later, be careful. There are usually strict expiry dates on such offers, so double check these to ensure you don’t accidentally exceed the deadline. There will usually be time limits on meeting wagering requirements too.

Minimum Deposits

With the exception of no deposit bonuses, you’ll almost always have to transfer over a minimum deposit to be eligible for a sign-up offer. It’s worth double-checking if there’s an additional, minimum qualifying bet you’ll also need to make.

Game Restrictions

The best gambling offers are often able to be utilised across a wide range of casino games or betting markets. That being said, some bonuses may be restricted to certain games or markets only. Free spins are a prime example, as they’re often limited to a small number of specific slots.

Payment Exclusions

New UK customers at some betting sites may not be able to access welcome bonuses if they make their first deposit through certain payment methods. It’s often the case that welcome bonuses are off-limits if you make your first transfer using Skrill or Neteller, so this is a crucial thing to check if you intend to bank with an e-wallet.

Game Weighting

One of the less obvious T&Cs to take note of is game weighting, and you’ll have to dig around in the full terms to find these at some sites — they’re often laid out on a separate page to the bonus terms, sometimes titled ‘general’, ‘standard’, or ‘promotional’ terms and conditions. 

Put simply, game weighting determines how much your bets on a specific game contribute to the wagering requirements of any active casino bonuses on your account. They’re put in place by the site to avoid players easily converting a bonus into cash through low-risk betting on games like blackjack and roulette. 

Let’s use Casumo’s T&Cs as a quick example:

• Slots (unless stated otherwise) – 100%
• Video poker – 10%
• Poker games – 10%
• Roulette – 10%
• Baccarat – 10%
• Blackjack – 10%
• All wheel game variants – 50%
• All other games – 100%

Imagine you’ve got a bonus with wagering requirements totalling £100. Every pound bet on slots will count fully towards this requirement. Choose to bet on something like roulette or blackjack, however, and each pound will only be worth 10%, or 10p. Essentially, that means you’d need to wager £1,000 on blackjack to meet the bonus wagering requirements. Many sites actually enforce 0% contribution on table games, which means any play on these titles won’t count towards your requirements at all — it’s certainly something worth considering when you’re weighing up different gambling bonuses, if you’ll excuse the pun.

Payment Methods at Online Gambling Sites

When it comes to selecting a payment method at new gambling sites, most online gambling sites will offer traditional deposit methods like debit card and bank transfer – credit cards are now banned for UK players. In addition, you will also be able to use e-wallets and pay by mobile casino sites depending on the online casino you sign up with. Cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin and Ethereum are increasingly being accepted at the best betting sites, too.

Let’s take a quick look at some of the most popular banking methods for players and punters in the UK.

Debit Cards

Using a debit card to deposit and withdraw funds is the go-to method for many punters. Benefits include their ubiquity — they’re available at virtually every casino site and most people have a Visa or Mastercard. Deposits with debit cards are also the safest bet when it comes to being eligible for gambling offers, and sites are secured with the latest encryption standards to protect your details. Drawbacks include comparably slower withdrawal times of up to seven days, although that could change with the new Visa Fast Funds service.

PayPal

PayPal is the most widely used e-wallet and is a trusted payment method for gambling sites and beyond. Players who opt to use PayPal often do so to avoid having to share sensitive bank details with the casino, while they also benefit from fast withdrawals of just 1–2 days — sometimes even quicker once the betting site processes the request. Deposits using e-wallets such as PayPal are not always eligible for gambling offers, so be sure to check the terms and conditions.

Boku

Boku is a pay by mobile billing option that is quick and easy to set up. All players need to provide is their phone number on the cashier page of the betting site — following SMS confirmation, the chosen deposit amount is then charged alongside their next phone bill payment or taken from their airtime credit. The drawbacks of using Boku are low deposit limits and the fact that it can’t be used to withdraw funds.

Paysafecard

Another payment option with excellent security is Paysafecard, a prepaid voucher you can purchase at a shop and then use to spend online. Each voucher comes with a unique 16-digit code, and this is all you’ll need to make a deposit at participating casinos. Cashing out your funds requires a My Paysafecard account, but withdrawals to Paysafecard aren’t supported at most sites.

Skrill

Skrill is another popular e-wallet for online casino players who prefer to not have to share their bank details when depositing and withdrawing funds. All you’ll need to do is create a Skrill account and then log in via your casino to get started with instant deposits and fast withdrawals. One drawback to Skrill is fees sometimes apply when moving money to and from your e-wallet account.

Neteller

Neteller tends to go hand-in-hand with fellow e-wallet Skrill — they’re owned by the same company — with many online casinos offering both of these payment options. Once again, Neteller users can make secure and fast payments without the need to share their bank details.

Trustly

An excellent option for players who prefer not to share bank details or create new accounts, Trustly acts as a banking intermediary to make fast and secure payments. To make a deposit or withdrawal, you’ll just need to select the amount before being redirected to log in to your bank via Trustly, who will handle the rest. As Trustly is built on Open Banking technology, it offers some of the fastest withdrawal speeds, sometimes as quick as half an hour.

Bank Transfer

There are plenty of benefits to keeping it old school with a bank transfer. They tend to come with the highest deposit and withdrawal limits, making them ideal for high rollers. On the downside, payments may take longer to process — a few days to a week.

Cryptocurrencies

Cryptocurrency and blockchain technology have found themselves increasingly in the limelight in recent years, so there’s a strong chance you’ve already heard of digital currencies like Bitcoin and Ethereum. It can seem a little complex at first, but there are several benefits when you transact with cryptocurrencies at gambling sites — which may make the learning curve worth it for some. First, you’ll need a crypto wallet. You can get mobile, desktop, and hardware wallets, each with a range of different features like 2FA to keep your funds safe, or Lightning Network support for faster transactions and lower fees. 

Once you’re all set up, payments and withdrawals settle quickly. Transactions with Bitcoin, for example, settle in around ten minutes, making it one of the fastest payment methods for both deposits and withdrawals. There’s also a high degree of transparency and security with cryptocurrencies — all transactions are recorded on public ledgers, and you can use these payment methods with a degree of anonymity. 

Of course, we’d be remiss if we didn’t mention the drawbacks. First off, buying crypto with regular old cash is subject to fees. There are also transaction fees, which — while they’re usually small and no more than £1–£2 per transaction — you can often avoid with other payment methods. Finally, cryptocurrency is volatile and often sees massive swings in value.

While support for cryptocurrency at online gambling sites isn’t widespread, it’s steadily increasing. Some sites are even specifically built around Bitcoin and crypto, while still offering the same great features as regular gambling sites. At a crypto casino, you’ll get a new customer offer, vast games libraries from top developers, plus a range of alternative payment methods. Meanwhile, bookies that accept crypto will give players in-play betting, best odds guaranteed, and a huge range of markets from football bets to the Grand National. 

AstroPay

One popular option for prepaid cards — along with Paysafecard — is AstroPay. Although it works much like any other prepaid card, affording the user a high level of privacy and security, it also comes with some additional features. Firstly, AstroPay also offers some e-wallet functionality, which means wider support for withdrawals via the service — that’s a huge advantage when compared to Paysafecard. If you’re holding a balance in your AstroPay account, you can withdraw the money back to your bank account or use it to top up a voucher. 

Secondly, AstroPay vouchers are virtual. That means there’s no need to visit a retail outlet to buy one and you can simply top up the virtual card online using your own money. Of course, you’ll need to register for an account to use the service, which is where some online gamblers may prefer Paysafecard. Deposits are instant and withdrawals are generally quick too, so if you like to use prepaid cards for online betting, AstroPay could be worth a look.

Responsible Gambling

Gambling is a form of entertainment, but it’s important to be responsible. There are warning signs that may indicate you’re developing problematic habits, including:

• Feeling angry or irritable if you can’t gamble
• Neglecting family, friends, and your job in favour of gambling
• Lying to family and friends about how much you gamble
• Feeling guilty or remorseful about your gambling

Support and help is available for anyone affected by problem gambling. BeGambleAware and GamCare both have resources available online and can point you towards treatment options. You can also call the National Gambling Helpline 24/7 on 0808 8020 133.

Here are some useful rules of thumb that can help keep gambling fun.

It’s good to give yourself a daily, weekly or monthly gambling budget and stick to it. Licensed UK gambling sites let you set deposit limits, which can be a useful way to manage your money. There will normally be a 24-hour period on removing these limits, to prevent rash decisions. 

Losing some of your stakes is part and parcel of the gambling experience and should be accepted in that spirit. Remember, gambling should be regarded as a fun pastime, rather than a serious way to make money – so you should resist the urge to chase your losses.

If your judgment is clouded, you’re more likely to make reckless wagers or spend beyond your means. That’s why it’s never a wise idea to place bets when you’re under the influence of alcohol or medication, or if you’re feeling emotionally fraught, stressed, or anxious. 

You’re more likely to make informed gambling decisions when you’re in your comfort zone. So, if you’re brand new to online blackjack, for example, it’s worth taking things slowly and perhaps playing a few free demo games before putting money on the line. Similarly, if you’ve never bet on American football before, it’s worth researching the NFL and getting to know the rules, teams, and betting markets properly before you place your first wager.

There are no guarantees with gambling, so it should never be seen as a potential income stream. Play safe by sticking to betting what you can afford and feel comfortable with losing in the name of having fun, rather than any expectation of a payout.

Where to Find Help

There are numerous charities and health organisations on hand that provide support to problem gamblers, people who are addicted, and others who are being affected by somebody else’s gambling habits. These organisations offer a range of services, from self-exclusion tools to counselling. 

• GamCare – GamCare is an independent UK charity. It offers guidance to anyone affected by negative gambling habits in England, Scotland, and Wales through its National Gambling Helpline. The helpline is available through phone or live chat 24/7, all year round. In Northern Ireland, GamCare also supports people through the Young People Gambling Support Service.
• GAMSTOP – GAMSTOP is a free self-exclusion programme that puts a block on any UK gambling websites and apps on your devices. You can choose to set up a minimum exclusion period of either six months, one year, or five years.
• Begambleaware.org – Begambleaware.org offers confidential advice and support to anyone who is worried about their own or somebody else’s gambling habits. Their website offers a range of different tips and suggestions, as well as a link to get in contact with GamCare’s National Gambling Helpline.
• National Problem Gambling Clinic – The NPGC works in partnership with The Northern Gambling Service, GamCare, and GambleAware to support people suffering with gambling addiction in England and Wales. Users of this service can access treatment from NHS-trained psychiatrists, clinical psychologists, and counselling psychologists.
• NHS – The NHS offers a range of advice for help with problem gambling on its website. If you need emotional support at any time, the NHS mental health crisis helpline is available 24/7 on 0800 0234 650.

Compare and Claim the Best UK Gambling Sites Offers and Bonuses

Now you’re up to speed with all the key features of online gambling bonuses, you can pick out a promotion that suits you and your gaming interests. With such a range of online casinos and gambling offers available, there’s truly something for everyone.

Use the tools and reviews on our site to compare different gambling deals — once you find one that’s right for you, click through to claim the offer and start playing all the best casino games!