Welcome bonuses are popular and are often highly advertised. But what are they? Are they worth it? If you are new to online betting, the offerings in a welcome bonus might be confusing. It is important that you understand how a welcome bonus works before accepting it. These bonuses have terms and conditions that you should adhere to or risk losing the benefits. Besides, the mere terminologies used by bookmakers provide vital details that are key for your decision-making. Do not worry! This section will help shed some light on the matter.
- Welcome Bonus: Double up on your Bonus
When you make a deposit, the bookmaker will credit your account with the same amount of funds. The betting site will match your deposit to the tune of 100%. If you deposit 5000 KES, the bookmaker will credit your account with an additional 5000 KES, which brings your total account balance to 10,000 KES, which is twice your initial deposit. Some betting platforms might put an upper limit beyond which the bonus does not apply. You might see something like this: 100% bonus up to 15,000 KES. This means that 15,000 KES is the highest amount the bookmaker will credit to your account even if you deposit a larger amount.
- First Deposit Bonus: 100% bonus up to 35000 KES
Although the context of the offer is similar to the previous bonus, the betting site includes the percentage bonus and the maximum receivable amount in the headline.
- 100% bonus to the maximum of €100 (or equivalent in another currency)
Again, the context of the introductory offer is similar to the previous two. However, in this case, the account accommodates the use of multiple currencies. For example when you sign up at BetWinner, you’ll receive a welcome bonus worth up to €100, irrespective of the currency you will deposit your funds.
This means that you are entitled to a maximum of $2400 in bonuses as a new user. This bonus amount is spread across multiple weekly or/and monthly deposits. The bonus is credited in more than one stage and using different percentages. For example, you can receive a 100%, 50%, and 25% bonus across your first three deposits. Thus, if you deposit $1000 on three different occasions, you will receive bonuses worth $1000, $500, and $250. However, since you can only receive a maximum of $2400, subsequent bonus percentages will not apply if you deposit more than $2400.
- High Rollers First Deposit Bonus
This bonus is mainly meant for casino players who deposit and play big. Similar to other first deposit bonuses, this bonus is designated for first time players who make an unusually large initial deposit. To be considered, you must deposit a certain amount of money in one go, say $1000. The welcome bonus often ranges between 100% and 1000%.
- $1500 Deposit Bonus + 30 spins
Again, this bonus primarily targets casino players. Aside from a deposit bonus, you are also provided with spins, which you can use on slot games. You might be restricted from using the spins on specific games. The deposit bonus can be offered as a percentage to a given maximum, say $1500.
While not all welcome bonuses require you to use a promo code, using one might help you get an extra deposit bonus. Promo codes are tools you can use to claim your introductory offer.
All You Need to Know
You do not have to accept every welcome bonus extended to you by bookmakers. You must review the terms and conditions of the offer and access its suitability to you. It would help to explore parameters such as the wagering requirements, validity period, ability to withdraw, and how they are reflected in the balance section.
You cannot withdraw the welcome bonus in almost all cases. The bonus is only meant to help you generate winnings. In addition, you cannot withdraw winnings from the bonus unless you fulfil the wagering requirements. In many instances, you can only withdraw up to the total value of your initial deposit if the total account balance is at least double the bonus amount. Withdrawals will not go through if your remaining account balance is less than the bonus amount.
Some offers, particularly free bonuses and free spins, might have an extremely short validity period- say 1 hour after issuance, which might make them unsuitable for you. You should use the welcome bonus within the validity period or risk making the bonus and all its winning being revoked.
Although betting sites might offer you free bonuses, you may be unable to withdraw winnings from them until you make a deposit. Therefore, unless you intend to make a deposit, the requirement may not be favourable. In other instances, betting sites with welcome bonuses may not allow the release of winnings from free bonuses at all.
How does the bonus amount reflect in the balance section? You should know how to separate your deposits from the bonus amount or risk using your deposits unknowingly. Some platforms combine both amounts, while others separately display the deposit and bonuses. Mostly, you use the bonus amount before using your account deposit in wagering.
You do not always have to accept a welcome bonus. However, if you have accepted the bonus and start having second thoughts, you can always ask for it to be removed if you have not used it.
What are Wagering Requirements
Wagering requirements are the conditions that determine how you can use a bonus in bet placement and what must be fulfilled before you can withdraw winnings from the bonus. The wagering requirements stipulate the minimum odds per bet, the rollover requirements, and the eligible betting options and markets. For example, if you receive a Betway 500 KES bonus and the rollover requirement is 5× the bonus amount in accumulator bets, you will need a bet valued at 2500 KES (5 × 500) to meet the rollover requirements.
Be keen of additional rules such as only betting on accumulator bets with at least 3 selections with odds 1.4 or higher. Therefore, if you place a single bet or an accumulator bet with less than three selections having odds of 1.4 or higher, it will not contribute to meeting the wagering requirements. Wagering requirements vary for different welcome bonuses. Therefore, it is important to analyse the requirements to determine which suits you best. Bonuses with less restrictive wagering requirements and lower rollover requirements are preferable.
How to Claim Betting Sites Welcome Bonus
Once you have narrowed it down to your most preferred betting platform, claiming a welcome bonus is an easy and straightforward process. Here are the easy steps to follow.
- Sign up: The first step is to create an account with the platform. Fill in the required details in the registration form and accept the T&C before completing the registration process. You will also need to verify your payment method. Although not always, you may be required to provide a promo code during registration, which can help you qualify for extra bonuses.
- Make a Deposit: Since most welcome bonuses require you to make a first-time deposit, check the available payment methods and select your most preferred payment option on ake your initial deposit.
- Claim Your Bonus: Once you have made your initial deposit, you will automatically receive your bonus on some betting sites. In other cases, you will be provided with a bonus code that you can use to claim your bonus. If your bonus credit is not automatic, you may need to contact the support team.
- Use Your Bonus: Once the bonus has been credited and reflected on the account balance section, you can start using its bets.
While these steps may vary depending on the betting site you choose to sign up at, the process is often seamless. Also, the welcome bonus is only available for new users; hence, if you already have an account, do not sign up with a different username. Instead, check the available offers for continuing players, such as reload bonuses, daily/weekly offers, and cashback.
