First Deposit Bonus

How a First Deposit Bonus Works

You’re usually required to opt in when you register your account, and the bonus is applied following a successful deposit.

These offers vary by site: you could receive a deposit match, boosting your bankroll; or you could receive a large bundle of free spins to get you going on the slots. The only eligibility requirement is that you don’t already hold an account with the casino.

Casinos offer these bonuses to attract new players to their site and sway them from joining the competition. They may try to stand out by offering eye-watering numbers of spins or hefty matched deposits, or you could snag a bonus with player-friendly terms and conditions to make a cash return more likely. 

First deposit bonuses are often the largest you’ll get during your time at a casino site, so it’s worth searching for the ideal offer — continue reading and we’ll demystify the differences between some deals you may encounter.

100% First Deposit Bonuses

When you claim a 100% first deposit bonus, the casino matches your deposit up to a certain amount. Say you see an offer of 100% up to £200 — deposit £200 and you’ll receive an extra £200 in bonus funds, giving you £400 to play with in total. 

100% first deposit bonuses are a ubiquitous offer seen at many UK online casinos, and they’re favoured by players who want their bankroll to last longer. Here are a few of our recommended casinos which offer a 100% match on your first deposit. 

Best First Deposit Bonuses with No Wagering

Any confusion surrounding wagering requirements is eliminated when you claim one of our recommended no wagering bonuses. While you’d normally have to meet wagering requirements to withdraw any bonus cash, these offers have no such restrictions — any winnings are yours to keep and can be immediately cashed out. 

As a result, the bonuses are typically much smaller in size: around £10–£20. But that doesn’t mean they’re not worthwhile. After all, would you rather claim a £100 bonus you can never cash out, or a £10 bonus where a real money return is significantly more likely?

How to Claim a First Deposit Bonus

Luckily, claiming a first deposit bonus is simple. Follow our step-by-step guide below and you’ll be up and running in no time.

1. Compare first deposit bonus casinos
   Browse our list of top online casinos and new player bonuses. Our review team has selected the cream of the crop so all you have to do is choose one that suits you. All our recommendations are fully licensed and trustworthy so you can play with confidence.
2. Click through and sign up
   Click the link on GamblingDeals.com and you’ll be taken to the casino site. Enter the required details and complete any ID verification steps. If the bonus requires a promo code, now’s the time to enter it. It’s also a good idea to read the terms and conditions in full at this stage.
3. Make your first deposit
   Navigate to the cashier section to make your first deposit. Make sure you meet the minimum deposit amount and use a valid payment method or you won’t be able to claim the bonus. Most payment methods offer instant deposits, but e-wallets are often excluded from the offer — Visa and Mastercard debit cards are a safe bet. 
4. Browse games and play
   Once the deposit is in your account, the bonus will be credited. Double-check the T&Cs for included games and wagering requirements, and then take your pick — many bonuses can be used on blackjack, slots, roulette, video poker, and more.

Terms and Conditions

While we always suggest you take advantage of a welcome bonus when you sign up at a new casino, you should always read the terms and conditions before accepting any bonus. You’ll need a solid understanding of the following rules if you want to convert your bonus into real money that can be withdrawn.

Wagering Requirements

Wagering requirements exist to prevent players making a quick buck at the casino’s expense. Unless you’ve claimed a coveted no wagering bonus, you’ll need to stake the value of the bonus a certain number of times before any resulting winnings can be withdrawn. 

Say the bonus is worth £50 and there are 40x wagering requirements — you’ll need to wager £2,000 of your own cash before the winnings can be withdrawn. For free spins, the requirements are usually applied to any resulting wins.

Wagering Contribution

When it comes to meeting the wagering requirements, not all games are created equal. While most slots will count 100% towards the requirements, games with a low house edge such as blackjack may only count around 10%. That means for every £100 wagered on blackjack, only £10 will count towards the wagering requirements of the bonus. This term is often called game weighting, and you should check the T&Cs for a full list — it could be hard to meet the requirements if you pick a game with a low weighting.

Payment Method Restrictions

Before you make your first deposit, it’s essential you check for any excluded payment methods. Make a deposit with one of these and you won’t be able to claim the bonus. Typical methods to watch out for are e-wallets like Neteller and Skrill, or prepaid cards like Paysafecard. Although they’re not always excluded, you may have to choose another option such as a debit card. 

Game Restrictions

Always check which games your first deposit bonus can be used on before you claim the offer, otherwise you could be left disappointed. Free spins will usually only be eligible for one or two slots titles, while bonus credit from a deposit match will offer a wider choice. Live casino games are usually excluded — look for a specific live casino bonus if you’d like to play them.

Maximum Win Limit

Win limits determine the maximum amount you can win from a bonus. For example, 50 free spins might come with a win limit of £100 and anything over this amount is forfeited. Although it might seem frustrating when a large payout is curbed by a win limit, you should view your session as a success if you do hit it.

Time Limits

Every welcome bonus package, whether it’s a matched deposit or bonus spins, must be used in a specific time frame laid out in the T&Cs. You’ll need to meet the wagering requirements within this time too — fail to do so and you’ll lose any unused portion and winnings. Time limits could run from as short as 24 hours up to a full month.

Games to Play Using Your Bonus Funds

When it comes time to use your first deposit bonus, you’ll want to first check the T&Cs for eligible games and respective game weightings. Although bonus credit can usually be used on most table games at a first deposit bonus casino, games like blackjack and roulette may contribute less towards wagering requirements, making them harder to meet. For that reason, many players like to use their first deposit bonus on slots, as these games mostly count 100% towards wagering requirements.

If your first deposit bonus takes the form of free spins, they can likely only be used on certain titles. Here are a few that are frequently seen as part of a free spins deal:

• Starburst – a space-themed classic slot from NetEnt
• Rich Wilde and the Book of Dead – a hugely popular Ancient Egyptian slot from Play’n GO
• Blood Suckers – NetEnt’s vampire-themed five-reel slot
• Big Bass Bonanza – a deep sea adventure from Pragmatic Play
• Cleopatra – an Ancient Egyptian slot from IGT with an RTP of 95.7%

References

United Kingdom Gambling Commission (UKGC) – The licensing and regulatory body for gambling establishments and sites in the UK.

GamCare – An organisation dedicated to providing information and support on all topics relating to safer gambling.

Betting and Gaming Council – The standards body for the gambling and gaming industry.