Nothing attracts new online casino players more than the welcome bonus package. Players receive extra money in their account to play real money games for free. Keep reading to find the best welcome bonuses to play real money casino games at the best casinos online in the USA.

This page describes the basic concepts you’ll need to know to find the best US online casino bonuses. It’s more than just the size and match rate of a bonus offer. We teach the terms of use that are important for US players when evaluating bonuses. We also give a how-to guide for collecting online casino bonus cash.

Online Casino Bonuses: An Overview

Welcome bonuses are a popular feature offered by online casinos to attract new players. These bonuses are typically the largest bonus offers available and often have the best terms compared to other promotions.

• 1st Deposit Bonus: The way they work is straightforward: when a new player signs up and makes their first deposit, the casino will offer them a bonus in the form of free money or free spins on specific games.
• Welcome Bonus Package: Some online casinos offer a welcome bonus package that includes multiple bonuses. For example, a casino might offer a match bonus on the first deposit combined with a free spins bonus.
• Multiple Deposits: These bonuses can also be spread over several deposits, usually two or three. This means that the player will receive a bonus for each of their first few deposits, up to a certain maximum amount.
• Wagering Requirements: Terms of use apply to any bonuses. Wagering requirements are the amount of money that a player must bet to withdraw their bonus winnings. This is to prevent players from simply taking the bonus money and withdrawing it without playing any games.
• Max Cashout Terms: Max cashout terms sometimes apply, especially for free spin offers. Max cashout terms are how much amount that can be withdrawn from bonus winnings. “No max cashout” means no such terms apply, so you can cash out whatever you win.
• Best US Welcome Bonuses: Some online casinos have quite large welcome bonuses. For example, one famous online casino offers a welcome bonus package that is spread over the first nine payments.

Welcome Bonus Terminology Online Casino Players Should Know

TERM	DEFINITION
Bitcoin Bonus	A casino bonus given to players who deposit with Bitcoin.
Crypto Bonus	A casino bonus given to players who deposit with other cryptocurrencies.
Deposit Bonus	A bonus given to players who make a deposit into their casino account. A general term that include welcome bonuses and reload bonuses.
Free Spins	Free rounds of play on a slot machine.
Expiry	The date by which a bonus must be used before it becomes void.
Game Contribution	The percentage of a bet that counts towards meeting the wagering requirement. A 20% contribution means 20% of the bet counts towards rollover.
Minimum Deposit	The smallest amount of money a player can deposit to qualify for a bonus.
Maximum Bonus	The highest amount of bonus money a player can receive.
Match Percentage	The percentage of a player’s deposit that the casino will match as a bonus.
Max Cashout	The maximum amount of money a player can withdraw from a bonus.
Wagering/Playthrough Requirement	The number of times a player must bet the bonus amount before it can be withdrawn. Also called rollover.
Welcome Package	A bundle of bonuses offered to new players upon sign-up.

How to Receive a Casino Welcome Bonus

The welcome bonus process is the first interaction most players have with an online casino. If you’re a new player who doesn’t know how it works, read through the following guide to online casino welcome bonuses.

1. Pick an Online Casino: Read casino reviews to find the casino site that meets your needs. Welcome bonus info is included in good online casino reviews, so focus on welcome bonus amounts and terms of use.
2. Sign Up at the Casino: Next, register a player account at your chosen site. Create a username and password, then verify the account with the email link.
3. Log In and Visit Bonus Page: Next, log in to the site. Visit the bonuses page or the cashier page to access the welcome bonus.
4. Use the Bonus Code: Before making a deposit, make certain that you must use a bonus code to unlock the welcome bonus. If so, input the code to the suggested box.
5. Read Terms of Use: Read the terms and conditions associated with your bonus. Learn the wagering requirement, game contribution rules, and other terms of use.
6. Play For Real Money: Pick a game that helps you clear the wagering requirement. Play these games until the playthrough is complete.
7. Clear the Requirement: Track your progress towards clearing the requirement on the cashier page. Clear the requirement within any expiry terms.
8. Make a Withdrawal: Once you’ve cleared the playthrough requirement, make a withdrawal request. The wait for winnings takes between a few hours to a few days, depending on payment methods.

Welcome Bonuses Online Casino FAQ

What are online casino welcome bonuses?

Welcome bonuses are extra cash added to an online casino player’s account when they make a first deposit. They are a promotion tool to convince players to deposit that particular casino site and they work. Often, welcome bonuses include bonus money and free spin bonuses, which allow players a certain number of free spins on features online slots. Often, a welcome bonus package includes bonus cash on the first several deposits. The first 3, first 5, and first 9 deposits seem to be a popular choice.

Are online casino welcome bonuses worth it?

Yes, they are. Players might wonder if online casino welcome bonuses are worth the trouble because players might not have bonus winnings to withdraw once the promotion is over. It’s a risk and only lucky players end up with bonus money. That’s because welcome bonuses have terms of use called a “wagering requirement”. The terms call for the player to bet the bonus amount a certain number of times before they can withdraw the bonus money (or winnings).

What games can I play with an online casino welcome bonus?

Online slots are the most common type of game for welcome bonuses, but it varies wildly between online casinos. Some sites ban table games and video poker from the wagering requirement. Most others have terms of use called a “game contribution rate” (or similar term) that stipulates table games and video poker count towards the wagering requirement but at a much lower rate. For instance, a game contribution rate of 20% on blackjack would mean that blackjack clears the requirement, but only at a rate of 20 cents on the dollar.

If you want to play a game with a 100% contribution rate, your best bet is slots, online scratch cards, and keno. Everything else is likely to be at a lower contribution rate. At almost every casino, live dealer games and progressive slots are barred from clearing the wagering requirement.