Given the variety of the latest casino bonuses, understanding how they work is a prerequisite to finding your ideal offer. To that end, we’ve explored the most popular options below:
Welcome Bonuses
Welcome bonuses are given to new players when joining a casino for the first time. They typically take the form of matched deposit bonuses, offering bonus funds based on the size of your deposit. The top casino bonuses also offer additional rewards, such as free spins or cashback, increasing the value of the promotion.
These welcome packages are typically the most generous bonuses available at a casino, but can come with restrictive T&Cs such as high wagering requirements.
- Great value for money;
- Can offer rewards across multiple deposits.
No Deposit Bonus
Many players consider no deposit promotions to be the top online casino bonuses available in Canada, as they give you rewards without any real money deposit. They’re almost exclusively given to new players and offer rewards such as free spins, bonus funds, or free bets.
When claiming no deposit bonuses, you are typically required to verify your account. We’ve found that these bonuses often have limiting T&Cs, such as low win caps and significant playthrough requirements.
- Offers rewards with no deposit required;
- Gives you the perfect way to experiment with new games;
- Ideal for beginners and low-budget players.
Free Spins
Free spins bonuses are promotions that let you play real money slot games without using your bankroll. They’re a great option for beginners, as they give access to popular slots in a low-risk environment. Free spins promotions can be given to new players via welcome bonuses, or existing players through reload bonuses and loyalty programmes.
Many free spins bonuses are limited to selected games, which restricts your options when using your rewards. However, to counter this limitation, they typically have more player-friendly T&Cs, such as lower turnover requirements and higher win caps.
- You can play popular slots without using your bankroll;
- Often have low wagering requirements.
Sweepstakes Bonuses
Sweepstakes sites often feature unique deposit bonuses that casino players can claim when purchasing virtual coins. In most sites, gold coins (GC) are used for free play, while sweeps coins (SC) can often be exchanged for real money prizes, depending on your jurisdiction.
Sweepstakes bonuses offer both GC and SC, giving you a choice of ways to enjoy your favourite casino games. These bonuses typically only require a small deposit, making them accessible to players of all bankroll sizes.
- They usually only require small deposits;
- Promotions give you both GC and SC.
The best sites have multiple promotional offers available to their existing players. To help you understand the rewards you can receive, let’s look at these offers in more detail:
Reload Bonuses
Reload bonuses are offered to existing players as an incentive to make an additional deposit. They typically offer matched deposits, but can also offer alternative rewards, such as free spins, cashback, or free bets.
While these promotions aren’t as valuable as welcome packages, they will increase the value of your deposit and help you increase your playing time. Additionally, many sites offer ongoing promotions that can be claimed multiple times, providing repeatable value for your money when funding your account.
- Offers a variety of reward types;
- Helps to boost your bankroll;
- Can be claimed multiple times.
Expert Tip
VIP Programme
A VIP or loyalty programme will give you rewards when you play real money games. You can earn points by playing casino games, which will move you through the levels of the programme and unlock rewards.
Some casinos will also allow you to exchange your points for prizes, such as free spins, cashback bonus offers, bonus funds, or even cash, giving you the flexibility to choose your preferred rewards.
- Rewarded for playing your favourite casino games;
- Access to perks like increased payment limits and support options.
Expert Tip
Cashback Promotions
Cashback promotions give you money back on your net deposit losses over a set period, giving you the freedom to play knowing that you’ll get some of your deposit back, even if you lose. Many players prefer cashback promotions because they don’t impose restrictions on the winnings. Plus, many cashback rewards have zero wagering requirements, allowing you to instantly cash out the money you receive.
- Often have zero wagering requirements;
- Act as a safety net when you lose.
Expert Tip
Daily/ Weekly/Monthly Promotions
Some of the best online casinos offer limited-time promotions that can only be claimed within a specific timeframe. For example, a site may offer a “Weekend Free Spins Bonus” which gives 100 free spins when you deposit €20 or more on Saturday or Sunday.
Other casinos will offer alternative promotions that reward you on a consistent basis, such as Daily Free Spins. These bonuses can be claimed once per day, giving you an incentive to log in and receive your prize.
- Available on a regular basis;
- Offers consistent value to existing players.
Expert Tip
Other Exclusive Casino Bonuses
Some casinos offer exclusive bonuses that aren’t readily available at other sites, such as:
Refer a Friend Promotion
Also known as referral bonuses, these promotions offer rewards for referring another person to join the casino using your unique code or link. To get your rewards from this casino offer, the referee must create an account, make a deposit, and play real money games.
Once they’ve completed the bonus requirements, both you and the referee will receive a bonus, usually containing bonus funds or free spins. These bonuses are a great option for low-budget players, as you don’t need to make additional deposits to claim your rewards.
- Multiple rewards;
- Do not require additional deposits.
Mobile Casino Bonuses
Some mobile-focused casinos will offer an exclusive mobile casino bonus that can be claimed when using the site’s dedicated app. Our research has shown that these promotions can take two forms: either a no deposit bonus or a matched deposit bonus.
The best mobile casinos will offer a small no deposit reward, such as free spins or bonus funds, as a reward for installing and logging into the app for the first time. Other sites will give you access to exclusive deposit bonuses that can only be claimed via the app.
- Rewards without making a deposit;
- Rewards are given just for playing on your mobile.
Birthday Bonus
Some casinos will offer you a birthday bonus each year. Like mobile casino promotions, these bonuses can take the form of either a no deposit or a deposit bonus.
We’ve found that the preferable option for most players is the no deposit bonus. These promotions will offer a small gift of bonus funds or free spins when you log in on your birthday. To receive your birthday bonus, your account must be fully verified.
- Get yearly rewards for being an active member;
- Makes you feel like a valued member of the casino.
Live Casino Bonus
Commonly found at live dealer casinos, these promotions can only be used on live casino table games. They typically take the form of a free bet that can be used on selected live dealer titles. For example, a site may offer €50 worth of free bets when you deposit €20 or more.
We’ve found that free bets cannot be split into lower denominations when you use them. For example, if you receive 10 €5 bets, you can only bet €5; you cannot make a €2, then a €3 bet. While they lack flexibility, these promotions tend to have lower playthrough requirements than other bonus offers.
- Great way to try new live casino games;
- Lower wagering requirements than standard bonuses.
How to Claim Bonuses at Online Casinos?
Claiming a casino bonus is easy to do, even if you’re a beginner. We’ve found that the process typically takes less than 5 minutes from start to finish, giving you quick access to your rewards.
How to Claim Bonuses
Check out our helpful guide below:
Processing Time:
2-3 min.
Devices:
Phone, desktop, tablet
1
Step
Choose a recommended bonus offer from our list of options.
2
Step
Visit the site and read the T&Cs of the promotion.
3
Step
Begin the registration process by entering your personal information, including your name, address, and date of birth.
4
Step
Enter any required bonus codes.
5
Step
Complete the verification process by submitting any required documentation.
6
Step
Go to the Cashier section and choose a deposit method.
7
Step
Enter your deposit amount, ensuring it meets the minimum requirements, and input any required promo codes and confirm the deposit.
8
Step
After the deposit has been processed, your bonus will be credited to your account.
Important Online Casino Offers Terms & Conditions
Even the best casino promotions come with terms and conditions that need to be followed when claiming and using your rewards. We always recommend that you read these terms before claiming any promotion, focusing on these key aspects:
Withdrawal Limits
Also known as the win cap or win limit, it limits the amount of money you can win from your bonus. Most online casinos offer a withdrawal limit of 5 times the bonus value. Any remaining bonus funds that exceed this limit once you have cleared the turnover requirements will be removed from your account, and the rest will be transferred to your real money balance.
Validity Period
The validity period of your bonus refers to the period during which it remains active. Once you create your account, you have a limited time (usually around 7 days) to claim your welcome bonus.
After receiving your bonus, you must use it and clear any outstanding wagering requirements before the expiration date, or it will be removed from your account. This expiration date can range from 24 hours for free spins bonuses to 90 days for matched deposit promotions.
Wagering Requirements
Often referred to as turnover or playthrough requirements, this condition outlines how much you need to use your bonus rewards before they become eligible for withdrawal. Most bonuses have playthrough requirements of 30-50x.
For example, if you claim a €25 bonus with 40x wagering requirements, you would need to play €10,000 worth of casino games before you can cash out your winnings. The lower these requirements are, the better your chances of converting your bonus to real money.
Minimum Deposit
These requirements indicate the minimum you must deposit to claim your bonus. Some casinos will set their bonus requirements higher than the site’s minimum deposit limit. For example, a site may allow deposits from as little as €10 but require a minimum deposit of €20 to claim the offer. The minimum deposit requirement for online casino promotions is usually between €10 to €20, although some sites may require larger deposits.
Restricted Games
Many casino promotions have restrictions on the games you can play. This is a common feature of free spins bonuses, which are typically limited to selected slot games. If you try to play a restricted game with an active bonus, you risk forfeiting your rewards. You can find a list of all eligible games in the T&Cs of your promotion.
Bonus Conditions Summary
The best online casino bonuses will have player-friendly terms and conditions. To help you understand them, we’ve created a table highlighting reasonable conditions for each factor:
| Bonus Condition |
Favourable Terms |
| Withdrawal Limits |
5x your bonus amount or higher |
| Validity Period |
7 days or longer for free spins, 30 days or longer for matched deposits |
| Wagering Requirements |
40x or lower |
| Minimum Deposit |
€10 or lower |
| Restricted Games |
No restrictions on games |
Wagering vs No Wagering Bonuses: What Is the Difference?
While many players think that the only difference between wagering and no wagering bonuses is the presence of playthrough requirements, there are a number of differences between them. To clarify the issue, we’ve created a helpful comparison table that you can find below:
| Criteria |
Wagering Bonus |
No Wagering Bonus |
| Wagering Requirements |
Must be cleared before withdrawing |
Not present |
| Transparency of Terms |
Some players may get confused by playthrough requirements |
Easy to understand |
| Ease of Withdrawal |
Turnover requirements must be met before withdrawal |
Can withdraw winnings immediately |
| Game Restrictions |
Typically no restrictions |
Often limited to specific games |
| Time Limits |
30 days or longer for most offers |
Often 7 days or shorter |
| Risk of Loss |
Bonuses are often lost while completing playthrough requirements |
Smaller due to a lack of turnover requirements |
| Control Over Funds |
You’re required to play with your funds before withdrawing |
You can choose to cash out your play with your bonus funds |
How to Calculate Bonus Wagering Requirements?
Calculating the amount you need to play to clear your bonus wagering requirements is easy. All you have to do is multiply your deposit value by the turnover requirements. Let’s work through an example together.
Let’s say you get a €10 bonus with 30x playthrough requirements. To calculate how much you need to wager, multiply your €10 bonus value by 30, which equals €300. This means that you need to play €300 worth of casino games before you can cash out your winnings.
You can adjust the calculation based on your bonus size and the casino’s wagering requirements; for example, if you receive a €25 bonus with a 30x turnover, simply multiply €25 by 30 to get your new value of €750.
Best Payment Methods for Casino Bonuses
The best online casino sites allow you to claim their bonuses and promotions with a variety of payment methods, such as debit cards, e-wallets, bank transfers, and prepaid cards. This gives you the flexibility to choose your preferred method of funding your account.
However, not all payment methods offer withdrawals, so check your casino’s Payments page for a full breakdown of the available banking options. Some of the most popular payment options we’ve found at online bonus casino sites include:
| Payment Method |
Eligible for Welcome Bonus Deposit |
Average Minimum Deposit (€) |
Average Bonus Withdrawal Speed |
| Visa |
Yes |
10 |
1-3 Days |
| Mastercard |
Yes |
10 |
1-3 Days |
| Bank Transfer |
Yes |
20 |
1-7 Days |
| Paypal |
Sometimes |
10 |
< 24 Hours |
| Skrill |
Sometimes |
10 |
< 24 Hours |
| Google Pay |
Sometimes |
10 |
N/A |
| Apple Pay |
Sometimes |
10 |
N/A |
| Bitcoin |
Yes |
25 |
< 12 Hours |
| Cash App |
Sometimes |
10 |
< 24 Hours |
| Paysafecard |
Sometimes |
10 |
N/A |
How to Withdraw Casino Bonus?
Cashing out your bonus winnings is a simple process, but things can get tricky due to playthrough requirements. To help you understand the steps required to cash out your casino bonus, we’ve created a helpful walkthrough that you can follow below:
- Use your casino bonus to play eligible real money games.
- Complete the wagering requirements.
- Go to the Cashier page.
- Select your withdrawal method and enter your withdrawal amount.
- Confirm the withdrawal.
We’ve found that most casinos require you to cash out your winnings using the same payment method that you used to deposit. If your deposit method does not support withdrawals, you can cash out via a bank transfer.
Reasons to Choose Casino Bonuses
Online casino promotions offer a number of benefits that make them an appealing option to both new and existing players, as they can:
- Increase Your Bankroll – Matched deposit bonuses are a common welcome bonus and are a great way to increase your starting bankroll. Many of the top casino promotions offer deposit matches of 100% or higher, essentially doubling your money before you start playing.
- Make Your Deposit Go Further – Casino promotions are the best way to increase the value of your deposit and let you play more real money games. Rewards such as free spins, bonus funds, and free bets give you more resources to play your favourite games, while promotions such as VIP programmes and cashback bonuses give you money back when you play real money games.
- Decrease Your Risk – Online casino promotions can decrease the risk of real money gaming, as they allow you to play games without spending your money. Using free spins or bonus funds is a great option for beginners who are new to real money casino games, as you can often cash out your starting bankroll after using your rewards.
- Offer a Chance to Try New Games – As free bonuses give you a way of playing real money games like blackjack without using your bankroll, they provide a great opportunity to try new games. Playing new games with bonus funds is the best way to try something different, and who knows, you may even find your new favourite game!
While claiming and using online casino bonuses is simple, it’s common for players to run into issues during the process. At Slotozilla, we’re committed to preventing these problems before they occur, so our experts have outlined the solutions to the most common issues players face when using casino bonuses.
| Bonus Issue |
Solution |
| Bonus activation error |
Check that you have met the minimum deposit requirements and entered the required bonus codes |
| Betting requirements not met |
Confirm the wagering requirements you need to hit, and continue playing until you have cleared them |
| Launching too early |
Make sure the bonus is fully activated and all requirements (such as deposit, bonus code, or waiting period) are met before starting to play or attempting to withdraw any winnings |
| Not all games are playable |
Read the T&Cs of your bonus to find a list of eligible games that you can play |
| Loss of bonus entitlement |
Your bonus will be removed if you do not use your rewards before the expiration date; check the validity period before playing so you don’t get caught out |
Casino Bonus Responsible Gambling Policies
Online casino promotions can act as a gateway to gambling issues. To mitigate the risks associated with using these bonuses, create a dedicated gambling budget and adhere to it.
We recommend using your casino’s responsible gaming tools, such as loss limits, deposit limits, and wagering limits, to better control your gameplay. If you feel like gambling is becoming a problem in your life, reach out to local support organisations, such as Gamblers Anonymous, for professional advice.