Written By Heath Chesters
Don’t have time to read the full guide? Feel free to watch our video summary and see how you can claim an online casino bonus!
You must register at a casino site before you can claim a bonus. Why? In the UK, you can’t play without a verified account. If you already have an account and want to claim a bonus, simply log in.
It’s easy to register at a casino. You’ll need to enter your personal details and verify your account. Need more guidance? Check our step-by-step online casino registration guide for full details.
Before you accept any bonus – read the terms and conditions. This step is incredibly important. You’ll only get the most out of your bonus if you understand the terms..
In the UK, online casinos are required to display each offer’s terms by the Gambling Commission. Do not trust any bonuses without visible terms. Our guide to bonus terms explains everything you need to know.
“Wagering requirements are a key bonus term. But I think validity and game restrictions are just as important. You need to know how long you get to wager the bonus and whether you can play your preferred games.”
Now is the time to check whether you can claim a no deposit bonus. If such an offer is available – don’t forget to read the terms. Even if they don’t require a deposit, these bonuses will have wagering requirements, time limits, and other conditions attached.
You usually need to make your first deposit to claim a welcome bonus. There are often minimum deposit requirements in order to be eligible for the offer, so make sure you are over the threshold.
Most other bonuses also require a deposit. Unsure how to do that? Then check our online casino deposit guide.
“Never deposit without first confirming that you will get the bonus. You may need to opt in to the bonus before depositing. I’ve also found that online casinos often exclude certain payment methods from claiming bonuses.”
You may have the option to enter a bonus code. You will see this during registration, when depositing, or upon opening the banking page.
Always check the terms attached to the code – they may differ from the standard bonus T&Cs. Bonus codes also often have expiration dates, so you will often find out-of-date promo codes on the internet – double-check if the code is valid before confirming anything.
“It’s not always worth using bonus codes. I only add a bonus code if the terms are better than the standard offer. If the code unlocks extra benefits with fair terms – that’s the time I recommend using it.”
Once you’ve completed the deposit, your bonus will be automatically credited. It’s worth noting – some casinos will offer the option to claim the bonus when depositing. You will now see your cash and bonus balance reflected in your account.
Casinos offer various promotions and bonuses for regular players. Keep track of the promotions so you don’t miss out on any special offers. Remember – always check the promotional terms when deciding whether to claim any bonus.
Moving into the iGaming industry was a natural progression for Heath, initially focusing on sports betting content for major brands. Following a trip to Las Vegas, that interest evolved to embrace online casinos, using his journalism background to explore and study gambling and gaming in fascinating depth.