Discover the latest and best online casino bonuses for UK players and grab yourself a fantastic deal at some of the most-loved online casinos with our comprehensive guide for 2024. Learn all about the different types of bonus that gambling sites offer new players; from free spins and VIP offers, to casino cashback and reload bonuses. If you’re unsure which bonus you’d like to claim, read more below and see what type of bonus appeals to you most before claiming and signing up.
UK online casino bonus types explained
There are plenty of different types of casino bonus available at both online and mobile casinos in the UK. Below we outline the details and differences of each bonus and how it works, as well as provide a brief summary of the conditions that must be met when agreeing to a new promotion from a UK operator.
First deposit bonuses offer amazing value between 100%-500%
In simple terms, a first deposit bonus is a money-match promotion that gives new customers a bonus on their first cash spend.
These offers vary depending on the operator and each online casino will display a percentage of how much they will match your money by. The standard rate for this bonus is 100% match (double your money), but some UK casinos offer as much as up to 500% match bonus.
There are many different first deposit bonus options available to new customers, and finding the best one can sometimes be a minefield. With that said, there are many points to consider before you claim your bonus, such as:
- How much you want to spend.
- How much you want for free.
- Whether or not you want free spins on slots.
- Terms and conditions and wagering requirements attached to each bonus.
Regardless of whether you are an online casino newbie, or a seasoned gambler looking for a new site, first deposit casino bonuses will always be popular because it is the first ever bonus you will get at a new online casino.
No deposit bonuses are completely risk-free
A no-deposit bonus is a popular type of offer from a gambling site that is completely free. There is zero financial risk to players because they do not need to spend any money in order to play casino games like slots, roulette and blackjack.
No-deposit means there is no need to deposit cash in to your casino account to get a deal – simply signup and receive a free bonus.
At OnlineGaming4u, we have a team of bonus hunters, who are extremely keen on seeking out the best free offers at no deposit casinos and bringing them direct to you.
No deposit bonuses typically come in 2 forms:
- No deposit credit.
- No deposit free spins.
Some gambling providers give away both, but on a whole, it is typically one or the other.
Often this bonus type doesn’t hang around for long. These freebie no-deposit promotions fly out like hot cakes and are usually for a limited period of time, so grab them quick!
Casino offers that do not require a deposit are ideal for testing new casino sites, or as a great introduction to online gambling in general.
Additionally, some UK casinos provide new customers with a no deposit bonus in addition to a first deposit bonus. For example, a new player may be offered £10 no deposit bonus + 100% first deposit bonus up to £100.
This gives players the opportunity to play games for free using the no deposit bonus, then continue playing with further free money by using the first deposit offer.
There are many top casino brands in the UK that provide both these no-deposit bonus types for new players, and our team work tirelessly to list all the latest offers here on OnlineGaming4u.com.
Free spins bonuses – Spin for free and win
Free spins bonuses come in all shapes a sizes. This superb bonus is a fan-favourite with slot machine lovers and for that reason it is one of the most popular bonus types offered by gambling providers in the UK.
Free spin deals can be broken down in to 5 main categories:
- No deposit – Free spins with no deposit required provides each new player with a specific amount of free spins upon sign-up, in typical increments of 10, 20, 25, 50 and 100 free spins.
- First deposit – First deposit spins bonus offers usually provide more spins for free that are activated upon your first deposit.
- Reload – Reload free spins offer players a specific number of free spins on slots each time they make another cash deposit (or reload their account).
- Game-specific – Game-specific spins provide customers with a free spins bonus on a specific game, often chosen by the casino operator, such as 20 free spins on Starburst slot.
- Combination – Free spins are offered as part of a combination welcome package in conjunction with deposit-match bonuses, across one, two or even three of your first deposits.
Welcome bonuses – The pinnacle of the online gaming world
A welcome bonus is a free cash bonus given to new players as a welcome to the casino site.
Generally this type of bonus comes in 2 forms:
- Single first deposit match bonus.
- Welcome package offering multiple bonuses.
The most common welcome bonus is a one-off deal whereby new players can get double (100% match), or even triple (200% match) their money to play on their first deposit, such as deposit £100, get £100 free, or deposit £100, get £200 free.
A welcome bonus package from an online casino can also include multiple offers as a reward for signing up.
These packages are designed to keep you, the player, at one particular casino site instead of moving on and taking your money elsewhere after just one deposit.
What’s more, welcome packages can include anything from 2, 3, 4 or even 5 bonuses per account. These bonuses will match your respective deposit amounts by a specific percentage and may include free spins on slots so you can grab yourself an amazing welcome bonus or package.
Sign-up bonuses – Free offers just for signing up!
Sign-up bonuses are more common in the online sports betting world rather than the casino world.
However, they do crossover between products (iGaming + betting) and can provide different deals under the umbrella of a sign-up bonus.
In essence, this type of promotion gives new customers a bonus just for signing up, usually in the form of a cash injection to their account, to play with alongside their own cash deposit.
Although a sign-up bonus cannot be withdrawn as cash straight away, it can be used to bet or play games with, effectively doubling your play-money in a similar way to a first-deposit bonus.
With the majority of sign-up bonuses in the UK, there are wagering requirements attached that must be met before withdrawing any winnings. Additionally, if the deal is provided by an online sportsbook, there are usually terms on what minimum odds can bet on.
A signup bonus includes anything from a free matched bet to risk-free credit. To claim, simply complete the registration form at your chosen site and receive your bonus designed specifically for UK players.
Loyalty bonuses – Your loyalty is rewarded with spins and cash
A loyalty bonus is a type of casino bonus that rewards you for your loyalty.
Players are rewarded with additional bonuses for their loyalty for playing regularly at one particular casino site.
This bonus often comes in 1 of 2 forms:
- Loyalty deposit-match bonus – Gives you a percentage of credit free for your loyalty upon making an additional deposit.
- Loyalty reward points – Provides you with loyalty rewards points in to your account that can be accrued and exchanged for prizes or credit. An example of this type of bonus is 1 point earned for every £10 spend.
Loyalty casino bonuses are popular in the UK because of their mutually beneficial advantages to players and operators.
VIP and high-roller bonuses – Huge prestige offers
VIP casino bonuses are also known as high roller bonuses.
This type of bonus gives each player the chance to get a big money bonus for free as part of an exclusive promotion that is reserved for big spending players.
The most popular VIP bonus is one that is given out as a deposit-match bonus on large amounts with high minimum thresholds.
For example; deposit £1000, get £1000 free, giving you £2000 to play.
Furthermore, some online casinos will offer additional perks for VIP players, such as a VIP loyalty scheme, whereby regular big money deals can be claimed throughout the lifetime of your account.
In the UK, high-roller players are known as the whales of the gambling industry and gaining VIP status not only gets you bigger bonuses, but also gives you access to benefits like cashback, a personal account manager, prize draws, birthday freebies and free gifts.
A VIP bonus often has a high minimum spend that is larger than the default welcome bonus. Before looking to claim a VIP high-roller bonus, make sure you can meet the minimum spending requirements set out by the casino, which often varies between £500 and £1000.
Refer a friend bonuses – Get casino credit for introducing your mates
A refer-a-friend bonus is a type of bonus that gives you a free bonus for every friend your refer to the online casino you’re playing at.
This promotion is a great way to earn yourself some extra cash and boost your bankroll.
Often casinos and bingo sites provide these offers as an incentive for you invite your friends, whilst boosting player acqusition numbers with people you know.
Of course, there are terms and conditions attached to these bonuses, but this is a popular bonus-type in the UK because it has mutual benefits for both customers and gambling operators.
When you refer a friend, both you and your friend get some free cash to play with, and the provider gets a new customer. Everyone’s happy!
Deposit match bonuses are worth double your money!
A deposit match bonus is a type of bonus where your cash deposit is matched by the gambling operator.
Unlike a first deposit bonus, deposit-match bonuses can be awarded upon any deposit. Making both new and existing customer eligible.
Each deposit-match bonus comes with a percentage, referring to the amount your cash deposit will be matched by.
In the UK, the average percentage for new customers is 100%, meaning you will get £1 free for every £1 you spend.
Other typical percentages in deposit-match bonuses are 50% and 200%.
With any casino deposit-match offer, often the higher the percentage, the lower the maximum bonus available.
For example, 100% deposit match up to £200 free, or 500% deposit match up to £50 free.
When checking out the latest deposit match bonus, be sure to take note of the percentage on offer from the casino.
Reload bonuses – Giving existing players more value for money
A reload bonus is a type of promotion that caters for existing casino players.
Casino reload bonuses give you free bonus credit when you make another deposit and ‘reload’ your account with more money.
This type of bonus is popular because it is targeted at existing players of casinos, rather than new customers only.
Each casino provider in the UK has different rules in regards to the reload bonuses they offer. Some providers offer reloads weekly or monthly, whereas others have limited time periods.
Below are a few examples of reload bonuses:
- 50% reload every Tuesday.
- 100% reload bonus every weekend.
- 75% reload every 1st day of the month.
Reload percentage refers to how much your additional deposit will be matched by the casino site.
As you can see, reloads are a great way to boost your play balance and operate in a similar way as a loyalty bonus, in which they are ultimately designed to encourage you to keep playing.
Not all casino sites offer reload bonuses, so always check the promotions page of your chosen casino before signing up.
Casino cashback bonuses – money back on your wagers
A cashback bonus is one of the most popular bonus types in the UK and across the gambling industry.
Cashback sites are now mainstream, and many casino operators are venturing in to this field to meet demand and stand out from the competition.
Made famous by UK sites like Top Cashback, Quidco and Money Saving Expert, cashback is a great way to get a little something back on your spending at online casinos.
Cashback bonuses come in all shapes and sizes in online gambling. Below are the most popular cashback bonuses:
- Loyalty cashback
- Monthly cashback
- Net-loss cashback
Cashback at online casinos can vary from 1% through to 10% and gives players the chance to mitigate their losses on games like slots, blackjack, roulette and live dealer casino games.
Cashback bonuses are only available at selected online casinos and are often provided on net-losses only.
However, although the percentages of cashback offered by providers is often small, it is a great way to get better value for money or more game time for your cash, depending on which way you look at it.
A typical example of casino cashback is; 10% cashback gives you £0.10 back for every £10 you lose.
Exclusive casino bonuses as seen on TV (UK)
Online casino bonuses in the UK are often provided by gambling operators as part of an advertising campaign. Many players come to us and ask about casino bonuses that they have seen on TV. Therefore, our team is committed to bringing you these exclusive bonuses as seen on TV, from licensed and regulated casinos.
Ask for a casino bonus!
Like many other things, if you don’t ask you don’t get. And this has never been more true in online gambling.
If you ask your casino account manager or customer support, you may be pleasantly surprised.
Online casinos have a team of designated account managers that have the power to issue an exclusive bonus to customers, especially if you are a regular player.
Therefore, the more money you deposit, the more you play games, and the more bonuses you will be offered.
However, it is worth noting that many online casino operators automatically award exclusive bonuses for players that meet certain criteria, such as deposit thresholds per week.
In fact, in modern online gaming, many casino software providers offer casinos a multitude of backend tools to use, which are designed to improve player retention through automatic bonuses and rewards.
