First Deposit Bonus – How Does It Work?

4 minutes
Online casinos are generally much more rewarding to play at than land-based casinos. This is primarily because they offer generous bonuses and promotions you can take advantage of to boost your bankroll and get more value for your money.
One of the most popular types of rewards is the first deposit bonus. It’s a standard offer available in nearly every online casino worldwide.
If you want to learn how it all works and what you need to know about first deposit bonuses, make sure to read our detailed page.
What Are First Deposit Bonuses?
Before we discuss more complex topics, let’s quickly determine what first deposit bonuses even are and why they give online casinos advantage over their land-based counterparts.
In simple terms, a first deposit bonus is a specific bonus amount you get in return for making the initial deposit into the casino. This offer is available right after you sign up and is usually depicted through a certain percentage of bonus money you get in return based on the size of your first deposit.
For example, you’ve just signed up with the online casino and want to make a deposit. The casino offers a first deposit bonus worth 100% of your first payment, up to a maximum bonus of $300.
If you deposit the maximum or less, you’ll get the same amount in bonus money, effectively doubling your bankroll from the start. If you deposit more than $300, you’ll still get just $300, as this is the maximum first deposit bonus the online casino offers.
Of course, not all bonuses are created equal. Some sites, like Verajohn, provide extensive bonus packages that extend beyond the initial deposit. This is something to definitely consider when deciding where to play online.
Why Online Casinos Offer First Deposit Bonuses
The answer to this question is straightforward. In the highly competitive online gambling landscape, sites use these bonus offers to attract new customers to sign up with them and not with one of their competitors.
From the casino’s standpoint, this makes perfect business sense. On average, they’ll earn more money from the player through the deposit, as most players end up losing the money they put into the casino.
Of course, this doesn’t mean that these bonuses come with any downsides or that they’re not worth your attention.
The key is to be smart with the bonus and know how to use it best. To do so, you need to understand how the bonus works. This brings us to the vital part of this page.
How to Claim a Deposit Bonus?
First deposit bonuses are straightforward, and you won’t have any trouble claiming them, even if you’re an absolute beginner. But, to make sure everything goes without a hitch, we’ve compiled a quick step-by-step guide on how to claim a first deposit bonus:
- Register with the online casino of your choice
- Go to the deposit section to make your first deposit.
- Proceed with the deposit using your preferred payment method.
- Make sure you’ve clicked the “opt-in” button, as first deposit bonuses aren’t automatic in most cases.
- Enter the required information when prompted, including the bonus code if the casino requires any.
- After you’ve filled in all of the information, complete the transaction.
- Once you’ve completed the previous step, the casino will add your bonus money instantly.
That’s pretty much all there is to it. Now you can put your funds to work and start playing your favorite games.
Key First Deposit Bonus T&Cs to Know
Terms and conditions are a critical aspect of every first deposit bonus. They set all of the essential limits you should be aware of before playing.
However, most players glance over this section, as it’s often long and uninteresting to read. That said, we’ve done the legwork to bring you summed up tips on what to look for when reading through the first deposit terms and conditions:
Wagering Requirements
The most important aspect of the terms and conditions you need to know of. Wagering requirements specify the number of times you need to play through your first deposit bonus before you can convert the bonus money into real cash.
Supported Games
In line with the first condition, not all games equally contribute towards the wagering requirements. For instance, slot games often contribute 100%, while table games like blackjack only contribute a fraction of this percentage.
Bonus Timeframe
Not only is the first deposit bonus available only for your first payment, but it’s also available for a predetermined period. After signing up, you often have a specific timeframe within which you can claim the offer. Moreover, you’ll also have a set timeframe during which you need to wager through the bonus money.
Finding the Best First Deposit Bonus
Now that you understand what first deposit bonuses are and how they work, it’s time for the next crucial step – finding the most favorable online casino first deposit bonus deals. To do so, you can read online reviews and shop around different online casinos.
Just remember the tips we’ve shared with you on this page, and you’re guaranteed a great time wagering with the first deposit bonus in your new casino.