What is a Match Casino Bonus?

Matched Deposit Bonus Deals: The Basics
So what exactly is a match deposit bonus? This matched deposit bonus type of casino promotion is offered by many online casino sites. New players who sign up for a new account can get a big boost on their deposit, with the amount depending on the specific terms and conditions.
Let’s give an example of how a matched deposit bonus works. A site offers 100% boosts up to £100 for those who join up. The customer will have to deposit £100 of their own funds in order to get the £100 deposit boost. That gives them a total of £200 to use.
Different types deposit match bonuses are also offered at online casino sites. Welcome bonuses are up for grabs to new players, but existing customers can also get a variety of reload bonuses and cashback bonuses as rewards for their loyalty as well.
Casino Deposit Match: Key Terms and Conditions
UK players need to be aware that all casino deals such as a match deposit bonus will have specific terms and conditions that need to be met. These are normally in place to protect the casino site from sustaining large losses from the promotions they run.
But just because an online casino match deposit offer has terms and conditions to meet, this does not mean that the offer is not worth taking. Players do need to make sure that they read the small print carefully so they know what they are signing up for. Time limits are common for various types deposit match. Often set at a week, casino players will have to make sure that they use a casino bonus before it expires and then disappears. In short: use it or lose it.
Many sites that offer a casino match bonus will also impose a maximum win limit as well. This means that UK players who scoop a big jackpot on a slot game by using their free spins, for example, will not necessarily receive the full amount in their account. They will instead only be given the amount of money that is dictated by the max win cap.
Casino Match Bonus Wagering Requirements
The most important thing to look for in the terms and conditions of a deposit match bonus is the wagering requirements.
Bonus money is normally subject to wagering. This means that players must wager it a certain number of times to unlock it.
Before the wagering requirements have been met and before any winnings can be withdrawn, players will see the bonus funds in a separate section of their account. Generally speaking, the higher the wagering figure that has been set by the online casino, the harder it will be for players to meet them.
Wagering requirements can also have their own terms and conditions attached at a minimum amount deposit casino. For example, not all games will contribute the full 100% to the wagering requirements.
Slots normally do, but live dealer games often do not. Players will also often need to stick to a maximum bet when meeting wagering requirements. Staking more will mean the bet does not contribute to the wagering requirements either.
How to Find Deposit Match Casino Offers in the UK
With so many different deposit match offers out there, players can be forgiven for feeling a little lost when searching for them.
Here are our top tips to follow to find the best deposit match casino offers in the UK:
- Check Out Casino Forums: Industry insiders often post about the latest deposit match bonuses on casino forums. Bookmarking some of the most common casino forums and checking them on a regular basis is, therefore a good idea for anyone who wants to find a deposit match casino offer.
- Use Review Websites: Similarly, another handy resource can be review websites. Casino users will often post about deposit match deals on them.
- Visit Casino Websites: Players can find out about a match bonus casino by visiting the site itself. Casinos will highlight their best offers to get players to commit to signing up for an account.
- Do an Online Search: A simple internet search can also find top offers too. It is worth spending a few minutes seeing what is out there.
- Sign up for Email Newsletters: Offers will come directly into your inbox.
- Reach Out to Customer Support: Simply asking a site for their best match deposit bonus can also help UK players to get a fantastic deal.
How Does a Deposit Match Casino Work? Simple Step-by-Step Guide
Players who are unfamiliar with how to claim deposit match bonuses might not know exactly what they need to do to get up and running with a new online casino account:
How it works: As the name suggests, a cashable deposit match means players get a boost on the amount of money they choose to add to their account at the online casino. It is often the case that a 100% deposit boost is up for grabs, but it can be higher or lower as well.
Bonus code: Players might also need to enter a promo code or a bonus code to get this type of welcome bonus. This normally needs to be entered during the registration process. Failing to add a code if it is needed means that the player will not get the deposit boost.
Types of Deposit Match Bonuses Offered at UK Online Casinos
One thing that can be confusing for UK players is the fact there are lots of different types of deposit match bonuses that can be offered by online casino sites.
Each type has its own pros and cons, with players needing to decide for themselves exactly which of them is the best to go for to suit their own specific needs.
Here are the most common deposit match deals being offered at UK online casinos:
100% Match Deposit
Most of the time, the welcome bonus that is on the table at UK online casinos gives new customers a chance to double their money via a deposit match promotion. If a player is happy to deposit £100 into their new account, for example, the online casino will double it. That means £100 of the player’s own money plus £100 of bonus funds. That leaves a total of £200 for the player to use on various casino games.
200% Match Deposit
In rare cases, a casino 200 deposit match promotion might even stretch all the way up to 200%. In this example, a new UK customer who is willing to sign up and deposit £100 via the cashier would be given an extra £200 to play with, resulting in a total of £300 in their account. However, it is worth pointing out that bigger match deposit bonuses normally have higher wagering requirements that must be met before any of the bonus funds will become available to be withdrawn.
300% Match Deposit
If a site is particularly generous, they might even put a 300% match deposit on the table to try to attract more new users. When this happens, players can triple their initial deposit into the account. A deposit of £100 would therefore see the online casino site give out a further £300 in bonus money to provide a total of £400 in their account. While a 300% match deposit bonus does not happen very often, it is worth keeping an eye out for them as when they do arise, they are very popular.
400% Match Deposit
Even rarer but still not impossible to find is a 400% match deposit bonus, which allows players to quadruple their deposit. Anyone who signs up for an account and makes a deposit of £100 in their account will get a total of £500 to play with due to the £400 of bonus funds. As such a high amount of bonus money has been given out, players will probably find the terms and conditions include a very high wagering requirement that must be met for these deposit match bonuses.
500% Match Deposit
The creme de la creme, when it comes to match bonus offers, sees an amazing 500% deposit bonus put up for grabs. As the name suggests, this involves a 500% boost on the initial deposit. Adding £100 of funds would put the casino in another £500. Players who get a 500% match deposit will therefore have a total of £600 to use.
Match Bonus Casino: Key Pros and Cons to Know About
Like other types of casino bonuses, like free spins, there are plenty of advantages and disadvantages to taking match bonus offers, so after examining those you can learn how match deposit bonus works.
Players will need to think about which of them will likely affect them the most, but for many, the pros will outweigh any cons.
Here are some of the key pros and cons to know about using a match bonus casino:
Bankroll: Having a bonus boost gives players more cash to splash
Test: Chance to try out sites and games with bonus money rather than real cash
Time: More money to spend on online casino games means more time and fun
Boost: Increased chances of landing a big win thanks to the bonus money
T&Cs: The small print of the terms is likely to include wagering requirements
Time: Spending more time using up all the bonus money is not for everyone
Requirements: Strict eligibility criteria must be met when claiming bonuses
Other Types of Deposit Match Bonus for UK Players to Look For
Along with a casino match bonus, UK players will notice a variety of other different deals that are up for grabs at casino sites. These tend to cater for existing players rather than new users who will be more likely to be attracted by a large welcome bonus to claim:
- High Roller: Those who have plenty of cash to spend at the online casino are often described as being a high roller. This category of UK players tends to be given special perks such as access to a dedicated account manager who will look after absolutely everything that they might need.
- Reload Bonus: It is not just the first deposit that a player makes that might be boosted by the casino. Reload bonuses see further boosts given to the deposits that a player makes. A reload bonus is seen as a good way for casino sites to reward the loyalty of their customers who play there.
- Cashback Bonus: Another type of bonus sees cashback awarded. This is usually in the form of a proportion of a player’s losses being returned. For example, if a site has a 20% cashback offer and a player loses £50 in a specified period of time, they will be given £10 back into their account.
- Free Spins Bonus: Many sites give out free spins to players regularly too. This gives them a chance to try out a game with no risk involved. However, winnings from free spins can be capped by casino sites.
Games to Play at Online Casino Match Deposit
People joining sites to play online casino games will be confronted with a wide array of different titles to pick from.
Some sites have thousands of games at all British casino, such as online slots to pick from, so it can be almost impossible to know where to start.
- Online Slots: These days, slots make up the vast majority of the games that are available to play at most online casinos in the UK. There are all types of slots, such as branded games based on movies, TV shows and even rock bands. Slot games are popular due to the fact they offer an opportunity for players to land a life-changing win from a single small-stakes spin of the reels.
- Table Games: While slots dominate online casinos nowadays, many UK players still prefer more old-school options. Blackjack, craps and roulette are examples of popular table games that can be found at casino sites.
- Live Casino Games: One of the key developments in the world of online casinos in recent years has been the arrival of live dealers. There are live dealer games based on everything from roulette to relevant game.
- Other Games: Bingo, video poker, and scratch cards are also available.
Game-specific Bonuses at UK Online Casino Sites
Some sites catering for UK players might also offer a range of game-specific bonuses:
Bonuses for slots: With slot games so popular, it makes sense that special bonuses for players who like to spin the reels might be available. Free spins are a common example of bonuses for slots that are offered by online casinos in the UK.
Bonuses for live games: With the popularity of live dealer games still rising at a rapid rate, bonuses to use in these special rooms are being made available as well. Some sites are encouraging players to try out live dealer rooms for games such as blackjack and roulette for the first time, which is why the bonuses are becoming much more common.
Best Gaming Developers for Casinos with Deposit Match Bonuses in UK
UK casino sites typically have games from various studios and developers available to play. At the best online casinos, there is even the chance to filter the library by the game provider, making it easy for people to find their favourite titles.
We have picked out some of the leading gaming developers in the industry for players to keep their eyes out for:
- Microgaming: A true pioneer, Microgaming invented and launched the world’s first true online casino software almost 20 years ago. Hit games to have come out of the Microgaming stable include Mega Moolah, which is famous for regularly turning its players into new millionaires.
- NetEnt: This Swedish studio has a superb hit rate, with Starburst among the most famous slot games to have been released by the firm to date. NetEnt is also the company behind the popular Gonzo’s Quest game.
- IGT: Triple Diamond, Cleopatra, Davinci Diamonds, Golden Goddess and Pharaoh’s Fortune are among the best IGT slot machine games out there right now.
- Novomatic: Hits like Lord of the Ocean have come from the Austrian firm.
- Quickspin: Video slots are a particular area of strength for Quickspin.
- Playtech: The popular Age of the Gods series comes from Playtech.
Best Payment Methods When Claiming a Deposit Match Bonus
Casino cashiers tend to have a broad range of payment methods for UK players to pick from. Each has its pros and cons, but players need to be aware that not all of them will qualify to claim deposit match bonuses, with e-wallets normally in this category.
Payment Methods |
Description |
Debit card (for example, Visa) |
After a change to local laws a few years ago, credit cards can no longer be used to make deposits at online casinos in the UK. However, debit cards from Visa and MasterCard are still accepted, and these are ubiquitous methods. |
Trustly |
This Swedish fintech company allows its users to pay from an online bank account without the use of a card or app, which is very handy. |
Skrill |
One of the top e-wallets in the world, UK players find withdrawing winnings via Skrill to be one of the best online payment methods. |
PayPal |
This ubiquitous e-wallet has millions of users. However, using PayPal to add funds when signing up for online casino accounts may mean players do not qualify to get a bonus. |
Pay by phone (Google Pay, Apple Pay, Samsung Pay) |
With playing games on mobile becoming a lot more popular, paying by phone is now common. Apps like Google Pay and Apple Pay make it seamless, and some online casinos even let users deposit via their phone bill too. |
How To Cash Out a Match Deposit Bonus
Once a player has met any wagering requirements from a match deposit bonus and is ready to withdraw winnings, they need to head back to the cashier at their chosen casino. Here, they can pick from several different payment methods to get their cash.
Some sites do require players to withdraw winnings via the same payment method that they used to make a deposit. This is to help protect them from money laundering.
When this is the case, a player who makes a deposit using their Visa debit card will need to withdraw winnings through the same option rather than using an E-wallet such as Skrill.
However, E-wallets are the fastest method for cashing out a deposit match bonus, usually paying out within a few hours, while bank transfers can take as long as a week.
Licensing and Regulation of Deposit Match Casino Bonus in UK
UK players can be assured that every single online casino that we feature on our site is completely licensed and fully regulated, so it is legal to use for games such as slots.
In order to legally operate in the UK, casinos must have a licence from the country’s regulatory body, the Gambling Commission. Details of their licences should be clearly displayed at the bottom of the online casino site.
If a site does not seem to note it has a licence from the Gambling Commission, it might not be safe or legal to use in the UK.
All our featured online casinos are also honest and transparent when it comes to payments, so players should have no issues withdrawing winnings bonus from their accounts.
Conclusion
To sum up, match casino bonuses are a fantastic option for UK players who want to boost their bankroll, therefore increasing their chances of being able to win.
However, it is important that players do not skip reading the terms and conditions, as the small print is likely to dictate whether or not such deals constitute good value.
For instance, match casino bonuses that have very high wagering requirements are likely to be quite difficult for players to complete.
This means that a large amount of time could be spent on meeting the wagering requirements only for players to end up not being able to turn any of the bonus funds they are awarded into real withdrawable cash.
In order to make the most out of deposit match bonuses at UK online casino sites, we recommend gambling responsibly and using the top bonuses that are available now.