One of the best things about opening an account at a new slot site is the welcome bonus. Here at Slot Sites our reviews always highlight the bonuses on offer because they do make a difference to your experience. After all, most of them include some sort of deposit bonus, giving you extra money or free spins to play your favourite slot games.

But in the excitement of getting your new account and all those great new games you can play, it is easy to forget that in many slot sites, you don’t get your bonuses automatically, and if you don’t claim them quickly, you might not get them at all.

So, to avoid throwing away extra money, here’s our guide to claiming welcome bonuses and what you should do with them.

Types of welcome bonuses

• Deposit bonus: The most common type of bonus found at slot sites is the deposit bonus, which is usually expressed as a percentage along with a maximum amount the bonus can be. For instance, a site may offer a 100% up to £500 deposit bonus. This means that whatever your first deposit into your account, you will get 100% of that amount as a bonus, with a maximum amount of £500.
• Free spins: The other common welcome bonus for slot sites is the free spin. In its simplest form, that means you get to play a specific slot game for free a certain number of times, and if you win the money goes into your gaming account. They are usually the high jackpot machines to make it an exciting and valued bonus, so you have a chance to win big.
• No deposit bonus: Just like the deposit bonus, this bonus gives you an extra monetary value to play with, but here you don’t have to make a deposit with your own money to get it. Instead, when you sign up, a specific amount is automatically placed in your account, usually £5-20.
• Reload bonus: This works like a deposit bonus, but applies to your second and sometimes even third deposit, giving you a reward for keeping playing after the initial bonus has been played through. They will usually be a lower percentage than the deposit bonus, and have a lower maximum amount too, but they work in exactly the same way.

Claiming your welcome bonuses

How bonuses work do vary between slot sites, however, the core fundamentals are generally the same and there are some things that apply universally.

• You must be a new player: You only get welcome bonuses if you are new to the site, so make sure you haven’t got an old account there before getting started.
• Verification: For most sites today, you will need to verify your ID before you can claim your welcome bonuses, so make sure you have everything you need to do so before opening the account.
• Check for any opt-ins: Some sites will require you to opt in to receive those nice welcome bonuses, so make sure you check the box or enter a promo code as required.

Meeting the terms and conditions

Every bonus comes with terms and conditions, usually to prevent you from simply claiming the bonus and withdrawing the extra money. After all, the slot sites offer these bonuses to get you playing.

• Wagering requirements: For deposit bonuses, you will have something called a wagering requirement that must be completed before you can withdraw any money from your account. This is expressed as a multiplier of the amount of deposit bonus you received. As an example, if the terms of a slot site say the wagering requirement is 30 times the deposit, and you got £100 as a bonus, then you must wager at least £3,000 before you can make a withdrawal. In some rare cases, the wagering requirements multiplier is applicable to the deposit bonus + your deposit amount.
• Verify your bonus: Free spin bonuses only apply to specific games, and for most slot sites, are usually provided over time, giving you 5 or 10 spins per day to use. So, make sure you make a note and use those spins as they appear for you. Winnings from these spins may have some wagering requirements too, so check the terms and make sure you comply with everything before you try and withdraw your winnings.
• Check your restrictions: The terms often limit the games that count towards free spins and wagering requirements and also include a time limit. Pay close attention to these, and follow the instructions to make sure you complete the bonus wager requirement. On some sites, roulette bets do not count towards the wagering requirements.

Summary

1. Act quickly: Claim your bonus soon after signing up, as some slot sites require immediate action, such as opting in or entering a promo code.
2. Verify your ID: Ensure your account is verified with proper identification to avoid delays in accessing bonuses or withdrawing winnings.
3. Read terms carefully: Understand wagering requirements, eligible games, and time limits to maximise your bonus and meet all conditions for withdrawal.
4. Use bonuses strategically: Prioritise bonuses with lower wagering requirements over larger ones that may be harder to clear effectively.
5. Track free spins: Keep an eye on free spins as they are often released incrementally. Use them promptly and in compliance with the terms to avoid missing out.