The online gambling industry in the U.S. has increased in size, attracting more players around the states to start playing on the leading platforms in the market. New casinos appear on a regular level looking for ways to draw in customers by providing special perks and benefits. Most of them focus on sign-up bonuses, alluring players to register for the casino and claim a starting offer.
Best Online Casino Sign-Up Bonuses
Sign-up bonuses are the perfect way to start your gambling adventure at online casinos, so it’s not strange if you’ll find many of them. They provide a certain advantage from the start and increase the overall winning possibilities.
What is a Casino Sign-up Bonus?
Once you sign up for a particular online casino, you will probably see a sign-up bonus. This is the initial offer you will consider when completing the registration process on the site of your choice. A specific amount is provided for players who register and complete the very first deposit, so you can get started from that.
Sign-up bonuses, also known as welcome bonuses, give you an edge and a significant portion of promo money to use on popular games. That’s why you should always claim them once you have such an opportunity.
Types of Sign-up Bonuses
If you’ve ever joined online casinos previously, you’ve probably seen all of the popular casino bonuses from their offer. Sign-up bonuses appear in multiple shapes and sizes, but you will typically see the following deals:
- No Deposit: No deposit bonus is an amount you receive after registration on the selected site. This offer usually consists of bonus money that you get without making any deposit.
- Free Spins: Free spins are free rounds available on specific slots, as decided by online casinos. You can use these spins without spending your money and enjoy popular games.
- First Deposit: Sign-up bonus is usually available on the first deposit. After you make a qualifying payment, an online casino will match your payment with a stated amount.
- Risk-Free Play: Risk-free play is an opportunity to place a risk-free bet and claim real money if you win. If you lose, you will receive a refund in bonus money.
The Best Casino Sign-Up Offers of 2024
U.S. players looking to claim the best sign-up offers in the market have plenty of options. Below are some of the top-rated online casino brands of 2024 that players should keep in mind.
BetMGM
A top-tier brand in the U.S. established in 2019. The platform is a joint venture of two popular brands - MGM Resorts International and Entain Holdings. The site is live in several states, including Michigan, West Virginia, New Jersey, and Pennsylvania. If you open your account on the platform, you will have access to a robust selection of games, including slots, table options, and live dealer games. BetMGM is known for generous sign-up bonuses, but other promotions are also worth your attention. Here you can enjoy Freerolls for casino poker, Mega Tuesdays, and The Daily $10K. To make deposits, you can choose from Visa, Mastercard, Rapid, and PayPal.
to claim your BetMGM Casino welcome bonus.
FanDuel Casino
A powerful gambling brand in the United States operated by a famous corporation, Flutter Entertainment. Players living in Michigan, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, and West Virginia can access the site and enjoy its wide variety of games. This includes slots, poker, and other exciting games. If you have already claimed an enticing sign-up bonus, you can check the list of available promotions and enjoy some of the best in the market. Included is a game of the week, free money, weekly promotions, refer-a-friend offers, and similar. The site is fully regulated in the country, and you have to be at least 21 to get started. Just make payments via Visa, Mastercard, or PayPal and give it a try.
to claim your FanDuel Casino welcome bonus.
Virgin Casino
Virgin Casino is a well-established platform, founded in 2014. The site is only available to New Jersey players, but users from other states can test the free version of the site and familiarize themselves with the main features of the platform. Virgin’s catalog of games consists of the best releases you will find in the market, such as slots, bingo, and table content.
Not only does the site have an outstanding sign-up bonus, but it also stands out with regular promotions, including Mighty Hours, $150 Harry & David gift cards, Virgin Adventures, Daily Free Games, Refer a Friend, and more. The casino is regulated by the local authority, New Jersey Division for Gaming Enforcement, and only players aged 21 or over are eligible. To get started with the first deposit, you can choose from different methods such as Visa, Mastercard, PayPal, and Rapid.
to claim your Virgin Casino welcome bonus.
Rivers Casino4Fun
A well-known casino offering a range of popular games such as slots, card games, Slingo, video poker, and table games. Rivers Casino4Fun is a place to enjoy other popular promotions such as daily free spins, daily credit refill, rewards program, free bingo, and more. When you make deposits, you can use PayPal, Mastercard, and Visa. Before you get started with this brand, you should know that Rivers Casino4Fun is a social casino. This means you can enjoy risk-free betting, but you can also buy virtual credits to improve your experience.
to claim your Rivers Casino4Fun welcome bonus.
Pulsz Casino
This is a popular sweepstakes casino in the United States, available to players across the country. While playing on the platform, you don’t have to risk money. Instead, you will be using credits known as Gold Coins to enjoy popular games. Pulsz features a selection of interesting games such as Megaways, new titles, epic games, and classics. The site adds regular promotions for its players, so you can claim free spins, VIP offers, and other deals. Deposits are possible via Visa, Mastercard, Trustly, and PayPal. To access Pulsz casino, you have to be at least 18 years old.
to claim your Pulsz Casino welcome bonus.
How to Choose the Best Casino Sign-up Bonus
Before picking the best casino sign-up bonus for yourself, you will want to know several things. Apart from taking care of personal preferences, you should also pay attention to other factors.
Sign-up bonuses are available in multiple shapes and sizes, and not all of them are equal. Each offer has some pros and cons, and you need to know what you will get and what you lose from each. Below you can check what are the most important factors attached to the bonus and pay attention to them before using sign-up offers:
- Wagering requirements
- Game contribution percentage
- Game restrictions
- Time restrictions
- Bonus amounts
How Do Casino Sign-up Bonuses Work?
Sign-up bonuses are available in different shapes and sizes, but they also work in different ways. For example, a no deposit bonus has completely different rules than a first deposit offer. The former does not require a deposit, while the latter makes it mandatory. Knowing how each of the bonuses works alongside their terms will help you along the way.
No Deposit
No deposit bonus is the most enticing offer you will find at online casinos. You can redeem it without a deposit and get access to your favorite games in no time. They are favored among players due to affordability and profitability. No deposit bonus is usually reserved for the new customers who only register for a casino and receive a certain amount to their accounts.
No deposit bonuses appear in different forms, so you can find anything from free cash, free play, free spins, and similar. Free casino money is the most typical no deposit offer you can expect from an online casino. Here you will get some money to enjoy top games from the provider’s selection. Sometimes, the selection will be limited only to slots, but it is worth using this offer.
Next, you can get an opportunity for free play, where the casino determines eligible games. It works in the same ways as free money, but the selection of games is more limited.
Also, you can claim some free spins with no deposit and use them for online slots. Free spins will be typically available for specific slots, as decided by the provider. Furthermore, players will have a time limit to use this offer.
Free Spins
Free spins are the most valuable bonuses you can find at online casinos. By claiming some of them, you get extra rounds to enjoy popular games from the brand’s selection. You can use them exclusively on online slots and get familiar with games and their rules.
When joining an online casino of your choice, you can find different types of free spins. Below you can see the most common offers:
- No-Deposit Spins on Sign up: They are available right after registration, and you don’t need to complete any deposit to your account.
- Free Spins for current players: To claim free spins, you don’t have to be a new player of a casino. Some providers tend to offer free spins for their existing users, so this is another opportunity to get some extra rounds on popular online slots. Like in the previous case, you don’t have to make any additional deposit to qualify.
- Free spins with deposit: Some online casinos also offer free spins after you make the first deposit on the site. Such offers are less popular among players, but they are still worth your attention. Sometimes, you will be able to claim free spins each time you make a deposit on the site. However, this will usually be followed by tough terms and conditions.
- No wagering free spins: No wagering free spins are also preferred among players. They could require a deposit or not, but they are very generous to players. Once you claim any winnings from these spins, you can keep everything without meeting wagering requirements.
First Deposit
The first deposit bonus is the most usual deal you will get when signing up for an online casino. It is an amount you receive after making the initial deposit, and it usually has the form of a match bonus. That said, you can expect a 100% up to $300 deal or anything between 100-200% of the first deposit at a deposit match casino.
For example, if you make a $50 deposit under the 100% match, you will have $100 to play with. However, if you decide on a higher deposit of $200, the amount you will have for playing purposes wouldn’t be $400 but $300. This is because the maximum amount this bonus can offer is up to $300.
While some online casinos provide modest first deposit bonuses, you can also find providers with more enticing deals, so make sure to shop around.
Risk-Free Play
When signing up for a certain casino, you will also have an opportunity to claim a risk-free play. In this case, you can place a bet and keep everything you win from it. However, if you lose a bet, the casino will return your bet in bonus money or free play. To get your bet refunded, you just need to contact customer support, and they will return the amount.
When using risk-free play and losing, you have to be aware of other requirements attached to this offer. A returned bet will usually be subject to strict wagering terms before you can cash out. That’s why you always need to read the terms and conditions and know what to expect.
How to Claim a Sign-Up Bonus at an Online Casino
Claiming a sign-up bonus at an online casino is relatively simple. To start with this process, you should know the coupon code and meet the minimum deposit requirement to get your amount. Below you can find a step-by-step guide with detailed instructions on how to claim various sign-up offers.
Explore
Before you even register for an online casino, you need to explore gambling sites and their offers. Each platform has different bonuses and promotions, so you should find the one which works the best for you. When searching for the best offer, you want to pay attention to both the bonus amount and its terms and conditions.
Register
Once you’ve found a perfect casino sign-up bonus for yourself, you can get started with the registration process. Head to the sign-up section and start filling in your personal information such as first name, last name, email, country, and similar. Confirm the details to finish the process.
Claim Your Sign-up Bonus
The next step in the claiming sign-up bonus includes making the first deposit before you can use it. Most casinos determine the minimum deposit you need to make before qualifying for its sign-up bonus. In addition, you may be required to use a bonus code to receive your extra amount. Knowing the requirements will make things easier, so make sure to read T&C in detail.
Ready to play!
Once you see a bonus amount on your balance, you can start using additional money for betting purposes. However, you need to know that bonus money is only available after you’ve spent money from your casino balance.
Who Can Claim a Sign-Up Bonus?
Before claiming any of the sign-up offers, you need to check the eligibility requirements for each of them. Online casinos will determine the minimum age to play on the site and use the bonus. That said, only players aged 21 or more are eligible for participation in gambling activities across the U.S. states.
Next, players should pay attention to their location as some bonuses only work in certain states. This means that you won’t be able to use the bonus if your current region is not eligible for an offer.
To claim the initial bonus, you have to be a new player on the site who has never made a deposit or registered an account. Most online casinos exclude their employees, directors, officers, and their family members from the opportunity to claim the bonus.
Additionally, players who have excluded themselves from playing for a certain period or who have requested a cool-off period won’t qualify for sign-up bonuses.
Eligibility requirements differ depending on the casino you play with. That’s why reading the terms and conditions plays the most important role before claiming such offers.
What to Look For When Claiming a Sign-up Bonus?
When looking for the best sign-up bonuses in the market, you need to pay attention to several things. First, online casinos usually set wagering requirements attached to bonus offers. This means that you won’t be able to get the most out of the bonus if you don’t meet these terms.
Wagering requirements are the most common strings attached to sign-up bonuses. They state how much real money you are required to play (wager) before you can cash out your bonus and potential winnings from it.
If you receive a real money bonus with a 20x wagering requirement, you need to play through your bonus amount 20x before getting the right for withdrawal. If you get some free spins as part of the sign-up bonus, you will also be required to meet wagering. However, the multiplier will only apply to your winnings claimed from free spins.
When claiming a bonus with a wagering requirement, you should also know if the requirement is only attached to the bonus amount or also to the deposit you made. If it covers both the deposit and bonus amount, then your job will be even harder.
You should also know how much every game from the casino selection contributes towards meeting playthrough conditions. As a rule, different games have different contributions towards wagering, and these details are usually transparent. Online casinos typically determine the contribution of a single game based on its return to player percentage. This is the amount you can expect to receive back from the wagered amount.
Online slots usually contribute 100% towards wagering, but some slots are excluded from contributing. Next, poker games have anything around 10-30% contribution, while baccarat, blackjack, and roulette usually don’t have any. If you cannot find the list with the percentage for every single game, just reach customer support, and they will help you.
Another thing to be aware of when using a sign-up bonus is a selection of games. Online casinos tend to limit the number of games that can be played with bonus money, and they will let you know this. Reading the terms and conditions is our ultimate recommendation for every player wishing to benefit from such attractive offers.
Advantages of a Sign-Up Bonus
Sign-up bonuses are among the best offers you can get at online casinos. They provide a certain advantage from the start and encourage customers to register and claim them. However, you should also know the following benefits of sign-up bonuses:
- A Great Start: Sign-up bonuses are a great way to start your gambling experience. You just need to register, make a qualifying deposit, and get your amount. They are perfect for new players who need more time to learn about games, their features, and available functions. By using bonuses, new players can extend their time at online casinos and become professional users.
- Opportunity to enjoy new games: Online casinos have tons of different games for any sort of player. They update the catalog on a regular level, providing more versatility to players. Once the casino adds a new game, it usually runs certain promotions allowing players to benefit even more.
- Real money opportunities: Not only does the sign-up bonus allow you to enjoy various casino games, but it also comes with real winning chances. While using bonus money and placing real money bets, you can easily earn some money and boost your bankroll. This means that sign-up bonuses enhance your winning potential and overall experience.
- Improving your skills: When you first claim a sign-up bonus on a selected casino, you can learn more about games thanks to the extra sessions you receive. This allows you to spend more time testing strategies, different functions, and features of games. Over time, you can hone your skills and become an expert gambler.
- Lower risk of losing your money: If you take an opportunity to claim a sign-up bonus, you will use extra money when wagering on your favorite titles. This means enjoying popular games without risking your hard-earned cash. Once you run out of the bonus money, you will be prompted to make a deposit to continue with the betting action.
Requirements Around Sign-up Bonuses
Sign-up bonuses at online casinos are never provided without any restrictions. That means you will always need to meet several accompanying things if you want to claim the bonus amount and play with extra money. Often, you will see requirements regarding the minimum first deposit, time limits to use the bonus, the maximum amount of the sign-up bonus, and similar. Below you can check more information about each of them.
Minimum Deposit
When you first register for a certain online casino, you will usually be required to make a qualifying deposit to claim a sign-up bonus. Each casino will determine the minimum deposit you need to make to receive your extra money. The first deposit sum starts from $5 and could go up to $50.
While players usually search for casinos with lower first deposit requirements, it is always great to see generous welcome packages costing as little as $10. Such offers are affordable to new users who are just testing the online casino waters for the first time.
Timeframe
Online casino sign-up bonuses are also subject to time limits. That means you can claim them only within a certain timeframe. The typical requirement is to make a minimum deposit within a certain period in order to qualify for the sign-up bonus. However, you can also be required to use the bonus within the specified timeframe after it appears on your balance.
Reading the terms and conditions is the first and the most important thing you need to do. Once you sign up for a certain gambling site, you need to get your bonus instantly and play it within a stated period. That’s why you should play only when you’re ready enough to commit your time and money to betting purposes.
The ultimate recommendation is to choose casino bonuses with longer validity. This includes anything from 15 to 30 days. However, most casinos will determine a 7-day expiration period for sign-up bonuses, which represents an additional limitation for players. Some sites will even have a one-day bonus period, so they will clear any unused bonus money after that period.
The Maximum Bonus Amount
Online casinos tend to impose another requirement attached to sign-up bonuses. They usually determine the maximum amount of the sign-up bonus you can get on the platform. If you see that a site offers a 200% match up to $500, that means that you won’t be able to get more than $500. All these terms and conditions are transparent enough, so getting to know the fine print is always important before signing up and qualifying for any of the offers.
Sign-Up Bonus Vs. Loyalty Bonuses
Sign-up bonuses have many common things with loyalty bonuses, but they also differ in the most important aspects.
Sign-up bonuses are available to new players who register for the first time on the site, while loyalty offers are reserved for existing players. Both sign-up bonuses and loyalty offers can consist of a matched deposit amount. However, the former offer will be available only once, while the latter will be accessible on a regular basis.
To get a sign-up bonus, you have to meet predetermined requirements set by an online casino. On the other hand, getting a loyalty bonus will usually depend on the casino’s decision to release some perks to their loyal players for reaching certain milestones or for an anniversary.
Sign-up bonuses are smaller than loyalty offers. While gambling sites offer only a limited amount of the starting bonus, they also provide enormous benefits to their loyal players to keep them interested in depositing more. While online casinos try to attract new users with sign-up offers, loyalty offers mean that casinos already have a certain customer base, so they are logically investing more in keeping them entertained.