The welcome bonus is the first offer you receive when you create a casino account and deposit. It is the oldest online casino bonus offered to new players and is still offered by online casinos as your first deposit bonus. However, this casino welcome bonus has taken different forms. As part of a welcome bonus package, for example, or in combination with free spins.
Online casino bonuses can be offered at any time, but there is only one that you will receive as a welcome offer. So for the welcome bonus, there is only one perfect time, right after you open your account and/or make your first deposit.
But as lovely as a welcome bonus may seem, usually by doubling your first deposit, it is essential to realise that there are always conditions attached. And one welcome bonus is not like another. So it’s worth reading through this page to find out all about the first casino bonus offered by an online casino.
How does the welcome bonus work?
No Australian online casino welcomes a player without a nice welcome bonus offer. Some are more attractive than others, but how does a welcome bonus work?
Let’s take a very standard welcome offer of 100% up to $100. All welcome bonuses do come close to this offer.
If this is the welcome bonus you are offered, you will receive 100% on top of your very first deposit, which simply means doubling your deposit.
As often stated, “up to $ 100” means that the maximum bonus money will be $100. So you can receive less than this $100, but not more.
The different welcome bonuses
Bonuses were not yet available when the first online casinos entered the market in 1994. As competition grew, the existing online casinos started thinking of ways to keep players away from the competition.
It was for this reason that welcome bonuses were created never to disappear. To this day, it is still the most popular casino bonus for new players. However, the form of this casino welcome bonus has taken new forms over time. Let’s go through them one by one:
Deposit bonus
When the welcome bonus is a deposit bonus, you receive the bonus money after making the minimum deposit. You will then receive a certain percentage extra on top of your first deposit.
Free Spins
If you receive free spins as part of a welcome bonus package, this is usually in combination with the deposit bonus. You will then receive bonus money and a predetermined number of free spins immediately after making your first deposit.
Cashback bonus
If you receive a cashback bonus as a welcome bonus, you can request a cashback bonus after making your first deposit. You will then receive back part of your lost balance. A cashback bonus is highly recommended in Australia.
How to choose the best one?
With several types of welcome bonuses available, you might ask yourself which is the best. We cannot give you the answer. This is because this choice is quite personal and every player is different.
However, we can point you in the right direction. The best welcome bonus depends on several aspects:
Which game of chance do you prefer?
First, it is important to ask yourself which game of chance you prefer. Do you prefer to play casino games, online slots, live casino games, or online bingo, or do you much prefer to place a sports bet? It could also be that poker is your preference, of course.
Which provider suits you?
After you have decided which game of chance you prefer, it is time to see which operator suits your needs. Read through extensive reviews, starting with the operator that best suits your preferred game of chance. Some casino sites offer all types of casino games should you really be stuck.
Which welcome bonus suits your playing habits?
You are one step closer to finding the best welcome bonus. You’ve found the provider that has the offer you’re looking for. After registering, it’s time to make use of the welcome bonus.
Should you have a choice here too, again look at what best suits your playing habits. A welcome bonus is general, but free spins are really linked to online pokies. A free bet leads you to a free sports bet, and a cash bonus becomes available only when your balance starts to run out.
Bonus Terms and Conditions
Some casino bonuses, such as a registration bonus, free spins, or a free bet may be free of wagering requirements, but this is usually not the case with the welcome bonus.
This means that when you take advantage of a welcome bonus, you need to pay close attention to the terms and conditions. The registration and minimum deposit are particularly concerning, as are the round-robin requirements.
Also called wagering requirements, they involve an X number. In this case, the X represents the number of times you have to wager the bonus amount to clear it. Once you have unlocked a bonus, it is converted to cash and you can cash out the amount.
The same applies to winnings from free spins. In most cases, Free Spins winnings are also subject to wagering requirements. So you can’t always cash out these winnings directly either.
Another thing to consider is the time limit attached to both the welcome bonus and the winnings from the free spins. These can expire over time and disappear into thin air. So check the wagering requirements and the time you have to use the bonuses and play them around.