Welcome bonus: the contract you sign with your first deposit
The welcome bonus is the most visible promotion and the most misunderstood. It comes with the first deposit and usually boosts the balance, but carries rules that decide whether you will ever withdraw anything. Read them one by one before ticking the box.
The five conditions that matter
- Minimum deposit — below it the offer does not trigger.
- Wagering — how many times the bonus (or bonus plus deposit) must be staked.
- Deadline — days to finish; afterwards bonus and winnings expire.
- Maximum bet — per-spin limit while the bonus is active; exceeding it can void winnings.
- Eligible games — which titles count, and at what percentage.
Bonus-only or bonus-plus-deposit
The difference is huge. Deposit 100, receive a 100 bonus at 30× wagering: on the bonus alone you must wager 3,000; on bonus plus deposit, 6,000. On a 96% RTP game the expected loss doubles from 120 to 240. Amounts below are in units of your account currency and are illustrative only.
Choosing a game for the welcome bonus
This is where our focus comes in. A game that counts 100% with a high RTP in your version cuts the expected cost. Volatility shapes the path: high for players who accept losing the bonus for a shot at a big balance, low for those who prefer to finish with something. Each page in the catalogue tells you what to check in the help screen.
When to say no
- You plan to withdraw soon — your real balance may be tied to the bonus.
- The deadline is too short for how often you play.
- The max bet is below your usual stake.
- Your favourite game counts little or nothing.
Local rules can change the offer
Some countries restrict welcome bonuses — for instance by banning their conversion to cash at licensed operators. What you see depends on where your account is registered.
A worked decision
Suppose the offer is a 100% match up to 100 at 35× bonus-only wagering, with a 7-day deadline and a max bet of 5 (all illustrative). You would need 3,500 in stakes within a week. At a 0.50 stake that is 7,000 spins — several hours of play every day. On a 96% RTP slot the expected loss is 140, more than the bonus. Unless you were planning that much play anyway, the honest answer is to decline and keep your deposit free of conditions.