Online casinos are far from boring, and that begins with the welcome bonus. There are so many variations, and each online casino will try and one-up each other. This competition over players means you, the customer, will always be spoilt for choice.
Welcome and sign-up bonuses come in several different types, and no two casinos will offer the same bonus. To help new players understand what they are in for, we've identified the multiple types of welcome bonuses you are likely to find at online casinos in Canada.
Deposit Welcome Bonus
The deposit bonus is, by far, the most common welcome bonus you will find at online casinos. The deposit bonus is offered in two forms - a bonus amount from a minimum deposit and a match bonus. A regular deposit bonus would look something like this Deposit $500 and get $1000 bonus money. In this instance, any first deposit of a minimum of $500 would net the player a further $1000 in bonus money.
A match bonus is similar, but players have more control over how much they will deposit and how much reward they wish to achieve. A welcome match bonus would like the following 100% first deposit bonus up to $1000. That would mean to receive the maximum bonus money of $1000, the player would need to deposit $1000. In a match bonus, the casino is basically saying they will match whatever you deposit up to a certain amount.
The percentage can vary and often ranges from 25% up to a massive 200%. As with almost any casino bonus, there are specific wagering requirements associated with a deposit bonus. Deposit welcome bonuses sometimes come in installments too. The welcome bonus may be advertised as a $1000 welcome bonus but actually involves several rounds of deposits such as
1st deposit of 100% up to $500, the 2nd deposit of 50% up to $200, the 3rd deposit of 50% up to $200, and a final deposit of 25% up to $100 - totally a maximum bonus money amount of $1000. So how can a new casino player claim the entire bonus amount in this instance? Let’s walk through it
The 1st deposit of $500 will result in a 100% match bonus of $500. The 2nd deposit would need to be a minimum of $400 to claim the 50% match bonus up to $200. The same would apply to the 3rd deposit. The final deposit would need to be $400 to claim the full 25% match bonus up to $100.
Free Spins Welcome Bonus
Who doesn't like anything free? Online casinos know one of the most attractive ways to bring in new players is with free spins. There is literally only one free spin meaning - nothing more than turning the reels for free in a slot machine casino game. Not only are free spins a fantastic casino sign-up bonus, but they are a great way to try out a slot game without wagering any of your own money!
Free spins are always for slot games - hence spins - and will often be tied to only a few specific games. If your welcome bonus offer was for 100 free spins for 'Book of Dead', then you would not be able to use the free spins in any other slot game.
Many online casino welcome bonuses will provide free spins with a deposit - for example, 200 free spins on the first deposit or 150 free spins with a deposit of $500 or more. With a deposit, you'll receive some free spins in specific slot games. Winnings from free spins are even considered real money, ready to be withdrawn at your choosing or sometimes converted into bonus money that will be subject to a wagering requirement.
The most enticing of free spins welcome bonuses is the no deposit bonus - that's right! Some casinos will even offer free spins just for signing up for their casino. The best no deposit free spins welcome bonus will even have no wagering requirements, although that is quite rare.
Deposit Bonus + Free Spins Welcome Bonus
This is one of the best online casino sign-up bonuses players can hope for. A combination of both a 1st deposit bonus and free spins. Best of all, this casino bonus is extremely common. Online casinos will often add free spins to a deposit bonus or sometimes add them as an additional option upon a higher deposit.
Imagine the following 100% welcome bonus up to $1000 + 200 Free Spins in 'Book of Dead'. That means a deposit of $200 would net you an additional $200 in bonus money, plus 200 free spins in the slot game, 'Book of Dead'.
This type of welcome package will often be in the form of multiple deposit bonuses such as the first deposit of 100% up to $500, a 2nd 50% deposit bonus up to $250, and a final 25% deposit bonus up to $250 - the total maximum bonus amount being $1,000, plus your 200 free spins for 'Book of Dead', of course!