Online casino bonuses give players great incentives to create accounts at new casinos. There are tons of different bonuses available. Each one will provide some level of free money, free plays, free spins, or other casino perks.
The most common casino bonus is the no deposit bonus. This bonus gives players free cash simply for creating a new account. It’s only offered to first-time players. No deposit is required. Players will get a small amount of free cash just for signing up.
The deposit match bonus is also popular. This bonus will give you matched funds on your first deposit up to a certain amount. We’ll explain more how different bonuses work later. For now, just know that you could potentially get thousands of dollars in free cash.
Just be aware that casino bonuses are not totally free. Every single one has its own unique terms and conditions. These terms detail the playthrough or wagering requirements for each bonus. You can’t just sign up, get free money, and withdraw it. Casinos require that you make a set number of wagers first before withdrawals are allowed. We’ll explain these requirements in detail below.
Best Online Casino Bonus List
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Best Online Casino Bonuses in Legal US States
There are only a few US states with fully legal online casino gambling, They are New Jersey, Pennsylvania, and Delaware. Players located within these states can legally play at any of their online casinos.
At this time, Michigan and West Virginia are also in the process of launching legal online casinos. Expect this list to grow very soon.
In other US states, progress is generally slow on this topic. Some states have bills in progress, but the system moves slowly. For now, players outside the few states mentioned above can still legally play at sweepstakes casinos.
New Jersey Online Casino Bonuses
New Jersey launched its online casino industry in 2013. It was the second US state to legalize this practice. The state is home to many big name casinos. All are located in Atlantic City. Most of them also have online casinos. The biggest NJ online casinos are Golden Nugget, Tropicana, and Virgin.
The no deposit bonus is common at all NJ online casinos. Right now, new players who signup at the Golden Nugget can get $10 for free. New players at the Tropicana online casino are eligible to receive $25 as a no deposit bonus.
Deposit match bonuses are also popular at NJ online casinos. These will match you deposited funds up to a certain amount. Most NJ casinos offer 100% matches. The best deposit match bonus in NJ gives players up to $1500.
In New Jersey, gamblers must be at least 21 years old to legally gamble online. Players must also be located within NJ state lines. Players do not need to be NJ residents.
Pennsylvania Online Casino Bonuses
Pennsylvania launched its online casinos in 2019. The online casino gaming industry is still quite fresh in this state. Expect more PA online casinos to launch soon as the industry grows.
Pennsylvania also has multiple big name casino operators in the state. Many have physical casino locations in PA as well as PA online casinos. Hollywood Casino, owned by Penn National Gaming, as well as SugarHouse Casino, owned by Rush Street Interactive, have both.
Other online gambling brands can operate online casinos in PA but they must partner with physical casinos. Some of these options include DraftKings Casino, Unibet, and FanDuel Casino.
As the PA online gambling market is young, there are always tons of good bonus offers. The market is saturated with great casinos. These casinos must attract players using enticing bonus offers.
PA online casinos have great no deposit bonuses and deposit match bonuses for new players. In order to play at PA online casinos, you must be within PA state lines.
Michigan Online Casino Bonuses
The online casino gambling market in Michigan is one of the newest in the USA. This state just legalized online casino gambling and plans to launch the first sites in 2021.
Michigan also has a few physical casinos. These casinos are likely to launch their own online casinos. Once Michigan online casinos are operation, you’ll find tons of bonus offers. Check back here regularly for the latest info.
West Virginia Online Casino Bonuses
West Virginia’s online casino gambling market is even newer than Michigan’s. In 2021, West Virginia has plans in place to launch legal online casinos. Nothing has been launched yet. Check back here often for the latest updates.
Types of Online Casino Bonuses
Casino bonuses are offered at all legal US online casinos. These bonuses help casinos compete with each other for new players. There are two main types of casino bonuses. The first type is offered only to new players. The other type is offered to regular returning players.
Both types of bonuses can be found at any online casino. The difference lies in how much free cash is given. There are also other specific terms with every casino bonus offer.
Here you’ll find a broad list of bonuses that fit into each category:
First-Time Player Bonuses
- No Deposit Bonus
- Deposit Match Bonus
- No Lose Bonus
Regular Player Bonuses
- Reload Bonus
- Loyalty Program
- VIP / High Roller Bonus
- Tournaments & Leaderboards
- Special Promotions
Every casino bonus will have its own terms and conditions. Often, these terms include specific wagering requirements that must be met before bonus cash can be withdrawn. We’ll explain casino bonus terms in a bit more detail below. Be sure to always read casino bonus terms and conditions before accepting bonuses.
No Deposit Casino Bonuses
The no deposit bonus is one of the most widespread bonuses across all online casinos. It’s all commonly called the free play bonus. The concept for this one is simple. When new players sign up, the casino gives them a small amount of free cash. That cash can be used to gamble with some restrictions.
Most no deposit bonuses range in value from $10 to $30. When you create a brand new account at an online casino, you’ll get this cash in your account once registered. You must specifically accept the bonus to get the free cash. This offer is only given to first-time players with no other accounts at the specific casino.
No deposit bonuses have restrictions. You cannot just signup, get the cash, and withdraw it right away. Casinos require that you meet wagering requirements before you can withdraw bonus cash. Also called playthrough requirements, these restrictions force players to gamble with the bonus funds.
Most online casinos have relatively small wagering requirements. A one-time playthrough requirement means you only need to wager the bonus amount you received before it’s cleared. Some wagering requirements are larger multipliers, typically between 5x and 20x. For example, let’s say you get a $10 no deposit bonus with a 5x wagering requirement. That means you’ll have to wager $50 before you can withdraw the bonus cash.
Always read the bonus terms and conditions before accepting. They will explain the restrictions. Other common restrictions include caps on amounts you can win and time limits for clearing the bonus.
Deposit Match Casino Bonuses
The deposit match bonus is another one just for new players. This bonus will match deposited funds on your first deposit up to a certain amount. Here’s how it works:
- Say the deposit match bonus is a 100% match up to $500.
- You deposit $1000 for your first deposit.
- With the bonus, you end up with a total of $1500 in your account.
These bonuses also have terms and conditions. You’ll need to meet a wagering requirement in order to withdraw bonus funds. Be aware that certain casino game types offer more value for wagering requirements.
For example, slots are typically weighted at 100% for playthrough requirements. That means 100% of every dollar you bet on slots goes towards the requirement. Table games are always weighted lower, usually around 20%. You’ll need to play a lot more table games to satisfy the requirement since only 20% of every dollar bet goes towards it.
No Lose Casino Bonuses
This bonus is given to new players as a sort of risk-free first time bet. Players are eligible to get back any money they lose. There are restrictions here as well.
The no lose casino bonus usually has a time limit. That means it only applies for a couple days, or a couple hours. The no lose bonus is also always capped at a maximum dollar amount. Typically it’s no more than $100.
Let’s say you get a $100 no lose bonus with a 1 day time limit. That means you’re eligible to get back up to $100 of money that you lose during wagers, but only for 24 hours.
The catch here is that the money you get back after losing is seen as bonus funds. That means this money is subject to the terms of the bonus. It will often have wagering requirements.
Casino Loyalty Programs
Loyalty programs are familiar to experienced casino gamblers. All land-based casinos offer these programs to keep regular gamblers coming back. They offer perks like free food, free hotel rooms, and free drinks.
At online casinos, returning players are eligible for loyalty rewards based on how much they spend. Many of these programs have several tiers. Players can advance as they play and bet more often. This can result in better perks.
Online casinos with land-based partners typically share loyalty programs. That is, as long as they’re owned by the same company. That means you can earn loyalty rewards at your favorite casino both while online and in-person on the casino floor.
Leaderboard Casino Bonuses
Online casinos keep leaderboards for various games. These will track things like most wins in a set time period. Players who make it high up on the leaderboards are sometimes eligible for perks and bonuses.
Many casinos will host tournaments. Doing well in these events can also qualify players for special bonuses.
Special Casino Promotional Offers
Casinos offer a lot of different limited time promotions throughout a given year. These special bonuses often coincide with holidays or events. Sometimes they apply only to specific games or game types.
A common special offer is double loyalty points during a specific time period. Casinos will sometimes offer double loyalty points on a specific day of the week.
Limited time cashback offers are also common. These will give players a percentage of lost funds back during a specific time period.
Reload Bonuses at Online Casinos
The reload bonus is basically a deposit match bonus for returning players. It gives players extra bonus cash as they “reload” their accounts with more cash. They work exactly the same as deposit match bonuses. They will also have their own terms and conditions.
Online Casino Bonus Offers at Sweepstakes Casinos
Sweepstakes casinos get around state level gambling laws by exploiting a loophole in the law. They are not allowed to accept money for gameplay. They have devised clever ways to get around this while still providing a real casino experience.
At sweepstakes casinos, you don’t technically pay to play. Most of these casinos use a dual currency system. One type of currency is used for gameplay. The other type is used to redeem prizes. You cannot buy any of the currency used for prizes. When you buy gameplay coins, you can only get it as a “free gift”. You can also get the prize currency through playing casino games at the sweepstakes casino.
Sweepstakes casinos are legal in the USA. Some of the most popular and reputable US sweepstakes casinos include FunzPoints, Chumba Casino, and LuckyLand Slots.
All of these casinos offer bonuses to new players. When you create an account, you’re eligible to receive some of the casino’s coins or tokens for free. This is a sort of no deposit bonus.
Online Casino Deposit Options & Bonuses
To really take full advantage of online casino bonuses, you need to deposit your own money. Legal and regulated US casinos are totally safe to use. They are under constant supervision from state level regulatory agencies. If an online casino steps out of line, it risks losing its license. Casinos will never risk their licenses, especially since they can cost millions of dollars.
Online casinos provide a range of reputable deposit options:
- Visa, Mastercard, Discover, and American Express credit and debit cards
- Prepaid cards (Visa giftcards, casino branded cards, etc.)
- Cash deposited directly at the casino cage
- PayPal and other e-wallets like Skrill and Neteller
- Bank transfers (ACH, wires, direct pay, money orders, etc.)
- PayNearMe payments at local convenience stores
Choosing the Best Online Casino Bonus
There are tons of great casino bonuses out there for new and returning players. We’ve tried to make ourselves the best resource for all this information. You’ll find casino bonus lists, online casino lists, and much more broken up by state.
Just be aware that all casino bonuses have terms and conditions. We strongly recommend that you read this thoroughly before accepting any bonus offers. They will explain every restriction and playthrough requirement.
Casino Bonus FAQ
Are Online Casinos Safe?
Legal online casinos in the USA are completely safe. You have nothing to fear as long as you’re playing at a licensed casino. The casino license protects you. A legal casino must comply with all state level gambling laws to receive a license. That means adhering to safe and fair practices. Any online casino that break state laws will lose its license. Legal casinos will never risk it.
Can I Claim a Casino Bonus at Multiple Online Casinos?
You absolutely can! While you can’t make multiple accounts at the same casino, you can make individual accounts at multiple different casinos. This is a great way to try out all the online casino options available to you. It’s also a great way to maximize your bonus cash.
Do I Need to Provide ID Before I Cash Out Bonus Winnings?
This depends on the casino you’re playing at. Most will ask for some personally identifiable information when you create your account. That’s usually the last four digits of your social security number. Casinos also always ask for your date of birth. Some will ask for photos of government issued IDs, proof of address, or photos of a credit card you wish to use. All of this helps to protect players from fraud. Online casinos won’t ask for personal documents unless an issue arises.
Are Online Casino Games Fair?
At legal US online casinos, everything is 100% fair for all players. Legal online casinos publicly display the return-to-player (RTP) percentage of all games. This tells you on average how much money is paid out to players over a few million games. Slots range from 92% to 97% RTP – 97% is considered excellent for slots. Table games typically have the lowest house edge and a 99% RTP.
Also be aware that legal online casinos only offer reputable games. These games are also held to regulatory standards for fairness.
What is a Casino Bonus Playthrough?
Casino bonuses always have terms and conditions. One of the most common terms is a playthrough or wagering requirement. This prevents players from getting bonus cash and immediately withdrawing it.
Some bonuses have simple one-time playthrough requirements. For these, you only need to wager an amount equal to the bonus you received. Other bonuses have larger wagering requirements up to 20x. Read the terms and conditions carefully to determine the playthrough requirement for a casino bonus.
What are the Best Games for Clearing Casino Bonuses?
In general, slots are the best choice for clearing wagering requirements. That’s because slots are almost always weighted at 100%, meaning every dollar you wager goes towards the requirement. Table games will have the lowest weight because they have the lowest house edge. Table games usually have 20% weights. That means only 20% of every dollar you wager at a table game goes towards your wagering requirement.
What is Casino Bonus Abuse? How Do Casinos Define It?
Casinos will include broad language in their terms that prohibits “abuse” of casino bonuses. This broad language is used on purpose. It means that casinos have broad power to define bonus abuse. That said, typical bonus abuse is easy to define. The most common type of boys abuse is more than one account per household. This is outlawed because it lets players take advantage of welcome bonuses. Players also cannot play odd and even in roulette simultaneously in order to clear bonuses quickly.
Can I Win a Progressive Jackpot with a Casino Bonus?
This really comes down to the individual casino you’re playing at. Many casinos do allow progressive jackpot wins with bonus funds. That said, some casinos cap the amount you can win using bonus funds. Read the bonus terms and conditions to learn more about caps.