The bonus types you will see
Welcome bonus
A welcome bonus matches part of your first deposit. With a 100% match up to $200, a $100 deposit gives you $100 in bonus money, so you play with $200. The bonus comes with wagering, and often a maximum bet, until it is cleared.
No deposit bonus
A no deposit bonus gives you a small amount of bonus money or a few free spins when you register. It lets you try a casino without paying in, but winnings are usually capped, often at $50 to $100, and you must verify your ID before you can cash out. See no deposit bonuses.
Free spins
Free spins are set to one pokie at a fixed stake, often $0.10 or $0.20 a spin. One hundred spins at $0.10 is $10 of play, and the winnings usually carry wagering. More on free spins bonuses.
Cashback
Cashback returns a share of your net losses over a set period. At 10% on a $100 losing week you get $10 back. When cashback is paid as real money with no wagering, it is the simplest bonus for a beginner to value.
Refer-a-friend
Some casinos pay you a bonus when a friend you invite signs up and deposits. Treat it as a small extra, and only invite someone who already plays.
Which one suits a beginner
| Bonus | Best for | Watch out for |
|---|---|---|
| No deposit | Trying a casino without paying in | Low cash-out cap, ID check first |
| Cashback | Cushioning a losing session | Wagering on the cashback itself |
| Free spins | Pokie players on a small budget | Low stake per spin, wagering on winnings |
| Welcome match | Regular players with a set budget | High wagering, max bet, time limit |
A welcome match is worth more only when the wagering is low. At 96% RTP, each point of wagering costs about 4% of the bonus on average, so 25x is roughly where a bonus stops being worth anything.
The catches
- Wagering: 35x on a $100 bonus means $3,500 in bets before you can withdraw.
- Time limits: wagering often has to be done within 7 to 30 days, or the bonus and its winnings go.
- Game weighting: pokies usually count in full; table and live games may count 10% or not at all.
- Maximum bet: one spin above the limit, often $5, can void the bonus and its winnings.
Read the bonus terms before you deposit. Our guide to new casino terms explains each clause, and why a bonus fails covers what goes wrong.