Welcome bonus: how first-deposit offers work
The welcome bonus is the offer most casinos lead with. It goes by many names — sign-up bonus, sign up bonus, registration bonus, first deposit bonus or bonus on sign up — but the mechanics are similar everywhere. This page explains them with neutral numbers. It does not describe Playone's current offer; the operator sets and changes its own terms, and those are the ones that count.
The match bonus
Most welcome offers are a match bonus: the casino adds a percentage of your deposit as bonus money, up to a cap. Advertising usually phrases it as "100% up to" a certain amount. With a 100% match and a deposit of 20 units, you receive 20 units of bonus. Deposit more than the cap and the extra is not matched. A 50% match on the same deposit would add 10 units.
Welcome package across several deposits
A welcome package spreads the offer over the first few deposits — for example a match on the first, a smaller match on the second, free spins on the third. Each part usually has its own wagering and expiry. The total looks large in an advert, but you only receive each part if you make each deposit, so the headline figure assumes you keep paying in.
How to claim and the role of a promo code
How to claim depends on the operator. Some credit the offer automatically on the first deposit, some require an opt-in box in the cashier, and some ask for a promo code on registration or before payment. If a code is needed and you forget it, support may not be able to add the bonus afterwards. Our promo codes page explains where codes are typically entered.
The terms that matter most
- Wagering: the multiple you must stake, and whether it applies to the bonus alone or to bonus plus deposit. See wagering explained.
- Maximum bet: a cap per spin or hand while the bonus is active.
- Game contribution: slots often count fully, table and live games less or not at all.
- Expiry: days to complete the wagering before the bonus is removed.
- Payment exclusions: some e-wallets or vouchers may not qualify.
A worked example with neutral numbers
Say you deposit 50 units and receive a 50-unit match at 35x on the bonus. You must stake 1,750 units before the bonus converts. At an average slot return of 96%, staking that amount loses about 70 units on average — more than the bonus itself. That is why large wagering often makes a welcome bonus worth less than it looks. Lower multiples change the picture considerably.
Accept, or play without it?
If you want flexibility to withdraw at any time, playing without a bonus keeps your deposit as real money. If you accept one, set a deposit limit first and read the full terms. The bonus terms guide and the registration page cover the steps that come before any offer.