Welcome bonuses are probably one of the best things about online gambling. Most Canadian online casinos offer generous bonuses for new players joining for the first time, giving everyone almost a countless number of opportunities to boost their gambling bankrolls time and time again.
Casino welcome bonuses come in different shapes and sizes but are usually related to the first deposit amount. A casino can match a part or the whole of the deposit a player makes after first joining, and sometimes they'll even go over 100%.
These welcome packages often contain many other perks players can look forward to, so joining a brand new casino is usually an exciting and entertaining experience overall.
As mentioned, for the most part, a welcome bonus offer will usually be tied to a player's first deposit. So, for example, a casino might offer a 100% cash boost for all new players making a deposit, so if they deposit C$10, they'll get started with C$20 in total. Players can use the bonus money for playing all sorts of games (with some restrictions), but it can't be withdrawn immediately, unlike real money.
When it comes to these cash offers, different casinos catering to Canadian players have various proposals in place. For example, some casinos might only match 50% of the first deposit, while others will go a step further and offer 200% or more. These different offers also usually come with additional terms and conditions, which is explained further in the text.
Free spins can also often be a part of a welcome bonus offer at an online casino. For example, in addition to the cash boost, a casino might issue 10, 20, or even more free spins for a particular slot or group of slots. These play just like real money spins, and whatever a player ends up winning is added to their bonus balance. So, essentially, free spins are just another part of the welcome bonus, but they don't have an exact value attached to them.
These days, most online casinos make it as easy as possible for new players to claim their welcome bonus offers. Usually, the bonus will trigger after they make the first deposit since most players prefer to play with the bonus. In these cases, should you choose to play without a bonus, you should immediately contact the support team before placing any bets and ask them to remove the extra.
In some instances, especially if it is a non-standard bonus offer that comes from a third-party affiliate site, players might need to use a unique welcome bonus code at some point. The code is inserted during the registration process, during the deposit, or when claiming the bonus. In any case, these codes are essential if you're trying to claim a special bonus because they give the casino a way to recognize the offer you want to receive.
Once a player receives a welcome bonus offer, the funds are usually immediately available for play; This means you can use the bonus funds in pretty much the same manner as your own money. However, there are some differences between actual cash and bonus money, as bonuses usually come with certain restrictions and requirements players must meet. Some of the most usual ones that Canadian players need to be mindful of include:
Bonus Terms
The term "wagering requirements" (or simply wagering) is closely connected to almost all casino bonuses, and welcome bonuses are no different. These describe the amount of play one needs to put in before bonus funds become eligible for a withdrawal.
For example, a C$100 welcome bonus with 35x wagering will become available for withdrawal once a player places a total of C$3,500 in bets on eligible games. As a result, withdrawing money before clearing wagering requirements can often forfeit the bonus.
Game contributions
Game contributions are closely linked to wagering requirements. Therefore, not all bets placed on all games will contribute to the same amount of wagering. For example, betting C$1 on most slots will usually clear C$1 from the wagering. However, betting C$1 on roulette may only contribute C$0.10 or not at all. Make sure to get informed about these before you start playing.
Restricted games
When a player receives a welcome bonus, they need to adhere to a set of rules enacted by a casino. Restricted games are usually listed somewhere in bonus terms and conditions and represent all the games you aren't allowed to play while using bonus funds. These can be some or all table games, specific slots with high RTPs, some progressive jackpot games.
While some Canadian casinos have measures where players are automatically prevented from playing any restricted games, this isn't always the case. That's why players should always be careful and read all the essential rules before starting playing. If you aren't clear about anything, reach out to customer support and ask them.
Maximum bet
For the most part, you'll have to stick to the maximum bet rule when playing with a welcome bonus; This denotes the highest amount a player can wager on any single slot spin, a hand in a card game, roulette spin and more. The usual amount is around CAD 5, but the exact number is always stated in the relevant terms and conditions.
Casinos attach the maximum bet rule to their welcome bonuses to prevent abuse by those players looking to take advantage of their promotions. Not having the maximum bet in place would open casinos to different manipulation attempts, which is the number one reason it exists. It isn't there to mess with honest players, and if you want to, you can usually talk to the support and state your case to have the maximum bet restriction manually removed.
When it comes to welcome bonuses available to players from Canada, there are usually two large categories to be aware of: sticky and non-sticky bonuses. Although it may not seem like a big difference to an inexperienced player, there is quite a bit of difference between the two, as the latter is much more player-friendly.
The clue is in the name, as sticky bonuses are the ones that are activated the moment you make the deposit and claim the bonus offer. The bonus money becomes mixed with your cash, and your entire bankroll is pretty much locked in until you meet wagering requirements or bust. Even if you happen to win while playing on your money, i.e. without effectively dipping into the bonus balance, you still can't make a withdrawal until the wagering is completed.
Non-sticky bonuses are much more favourable in this sense. The bonus money remains separate from your deposit, and anything you win while playing with your cash is effectively yours to keep and do as you like. So, for example, if you have C$100 in cash and C$100 in bonus, if you hit a big win while still playing with your original C$100, you'll be able to cash out everything apart from the bonus without having to meet the wagering.
Non-sticky bonuses are much better for players as the wagering only comes into play when you start playing with bonus funds. By this point, you'd be bust if there weren't for the bonus, so it is effectively a second chance you wouldn't have had otherwise.
The first and the most apparent advantage of a welcome bonus is all the extra cash you can get. By doubling your gambling bankroll right off the bat, for example, you'll get to play much longer. Doubling your deposit means you'll also get many more chances to get that one big bonus on slots and put yourself in a position to make a decent cashout.
Welcome bonuses are also good purely for entertainment purposes. Simply put, these will prolong your stay in a casino and give you more playtime; This is especially important for someone looking to have some fun and depositing a small amount of like C$10 or C$20. Playing with C$40 instead of C$20 can be quite a difference, especially given the fact that most slots require you to bet at least C$0.10 a spin.
Finally, there is also the challenge element to the whole thing. When you get a welcome bonus, your goal is to beat the wagering and cash out some profit. With this in play, you have an actual plan, and once you achieve it, you can stop and feel you've accomplished something. A gameplay plan is good for entertainment and helps with bankroll management and making more withdrawals instead of pushing too hard and losing.
Although it is hard to argue against bonus money in a casino, some downsides to welcoming bonus offer wagering requirements are the first and the most obvious. Once you claim the bonus, you won't be able to stop and cash out whenever you feel like it. Instead, you'll be locked in until wagering is cleared.
Wagering Requirements can be unsatisfying when you happen to hit a big win but can't withdraw the money but have to keep playing instead. Sometimes, this will turn out for the best, and you'll end up with even more money to cash out; sometimes, however, you'll end up giving it all back in the process; This isn't an ideal situation, but you have to accept a tradeoff if you want to play with a welcome bonus.
Sometimes there are also time limitations to consider. Most casinos catering to players from Canada are pretty reasonable in this regard. However, some will only give you a few days to meet bonus wagering requirements before the bonus expires; This creates a kind of pressure that most players would prefer to avoid.
Once you get the welcome bonus loaded onto your account, there are many ways to go about it. It is hard to go wrong because you'll need some luck by your side to get through the wagering requirements. That said, some strategies can help increase your chances of making the wagering and walking away with some extra cash.
First and foremost, there is no need to be too risk-averse when playing with bonus funds. Since there is no way to cash out any winnings until you make the wagering, you want to get to a position where turning over the initial amount thirty-five or forty times is realistic. For this, you'll need a solid win to keep you going.
So, playing slightly higher than you would usually when using bonus cash is probably the right way to go. Additionally, try to find slots that have a decent potential to produce these big wins. Playing on a game with low volatility may seem like a good approach, but wagering requirements are usually set up in such a way that you're very unlikely to get through them without a couple of big hits along the way.
Claiming a Welcome Bonus is often the first step a new player takes in their online gambling adventure. Suppose you have never claimed a bonus offer before. Then, there is no need to worry about getting it wrong. Follow these easy steps, and you will be signed up and playing your favourite casino games in no time.
We recommend spending time reading our in-depth casino reviews. We cover all of the most critical selection criteria for choosing a casino that will benefit you in the long run.
Take a moment to read through the terms and conditions for the bonus offer you are interested in claiming. Know what the wagering requirement is, what you must deposit, which games qualify and other pertinent facts before committing.
Once you’ve joined the casino, be sure to correctly trigger the bonus offer before making a deposit or playing any games. To activate your bonus, visit the Promotions tab from the casino lobby.
All bonuses will have set requirements that Players must meet before they can withdraw any winnings; This can include total wagering, minimum deposits and completing the offer within the promotional timeframe. Do this correctly to facilitate a speedy withdrawal.
| Casinos | Bonus | Min. Deposit | WR | Payment Methods | Claim Bonus |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 N1 Bet Casino | C$2,000 + 150 Free Spins LETSGO 19+ Only, ConnexOntario, T&C Apply. | C$30 | 50x (Bonus & Deposit) | 19+ Only, ConnexOntario, T&C Apply. | |
 Casino Mate | C$1,400 + 80 Free Spins 19+ Only, ConnexOntario, T&C Apply. | C$20 | 40x (Bonus & Deposit) | 19+ Only, ConnexOntario, T&C Apply. | |
 BlueChip Casino | C$1,000 + 50 Free Spins 19+ Only, ConnexOntario, T&C Apply. | C$20 | 50x (Bonus & Deposit) | 19+ Only, ConnexOntario, T&C Apply. | |
 Boom Casino | C$800 19+ Only, ConnexOntario, T&C Apply. | C$20 | 40x (Bonus & Deposit) | 19+ Only, ConnexOntario, T&C Apply. | |
 bet O bet Casino | C$750 19+ Only, ConnexOntario, T&C Apply. | C$13 | 25x (Bonus & Deposit) | 19+ Only, ConnexOntario, T&C Apply. |
The terms Welcome Bonus is a broad one that covers any promotional offers available at an online casino. In many instances, the best online casinos will bundle two or more of these bonus types together to offer new players an enticing bonus package. Here are the essential bonuses you will find online:
No Deposit Bonuses This bonus type offers players bonus credits to gamble with without an upfront deposit. Given the low risk that this type of bonus represents, online casinos enforce wagering requirements and often place a low maximum withdrawal limit on any winnings.
Cashback Bonuses The cashback bonus is an excellent way for active players to offset a portion of their losses as the casino will reimburse you a percentage of the money you leave at the tables. Cashback promotions are often ongoing promotions that players can claim weekly or monthly.
Deposit Match Bonus Deposit bonuses offer the most value for your money and are the most prolific offer type online. Here the casino will offer a percentage bonus based on the value of your first deposit. The match deposit bonus can generally range from 50% up to 500%, and while it has a wagering requirement does not limit the maximum withdrawal a player can make.
Free Spins Casinos will offer players a predetermined number of free games on selecting online and mobile slots. These free spins require no deposit to claim or play, but a wagering requirement is generally applied to the amount won from these spins.
NWR Bonuses Bonuses that come with no wagering requirement are very scarce as they allow the player to claim a bonus and make a withdrawal after placing only a single bet. Frequently this single bet must cover the total value of the bonus amount, and withdrawals are limited to minimal amounts.
Wagering requirements are also known as playthrough requirements. WR are part of the terms and conditions for a no deposit bonus. Wagering requirements are multiplier rules associated with the promotion. It indicates precisely how many times Players must rollover the bonus before they can withdraw any funds.
A $20 no deposit bonus subject to a 30X wagering requirement means that players must wager their bonus amount a total of 30 X ($600 in bets) before cashing out any payouts. Any attempt to withdraw without meeting the playthrough requirement will invalidate the bonus + payouts in the account.
The portion of the offer that is subjected to wagering requirements is usually indicated in the bonus terms and conditions. Wagering requirements can be applied to both deposit match bonuses and free spins bonuses, and in some cases, wagering requirements may also be applied to your deposit amount.
With so many bonus types on the market and the sheer number of polished casino sites on the internet, it can become overwhelming to choose the best offer and find a safe casino at the same time. Here are our top tips for finding the best of both worlds:
Welcome Bonus vs Ongoing Bonus Comparison - One of the benefits of playing at an online casino is a clear understanding of the Welcome Bonus you will receive as a new player. However, what comes after that is not always too apparent from the outset. The good news is that online casinos offer a wealth of entertaining promotions, reload bonuses, and giveaways for existing customers to enjoy. Here is a side by side comparison of welcome bonuses versus ongoing bonuses.
| Welcome Bonus | Ongoing Bonus |
|---|---|
| Exclusive To New Players | Extends Play Time |
| Lower-Risk Gambling | Try Multiple Bonus Types |
| Limits Financial Losses | Rewards Loyal Customers |
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A welcome bonus is a cash boost that casinos offer to new players on their first deposit. Usually, the welcome bonus will match the total amount or the percentage of your initial deposit.
Although things vary from one casino to another, making a deposit is all that it takes. You'll need to use a unique welcome bonus code to claim your offer in some instances.
This question is a bit complex to answer. If you want to have more fun and playtime, taking a welcome bonus is a good idea. However, taking a bonus usually also means that you won't withdraw money before meeting wagering requirements, so it boils down to what matters more to you.
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