There has never been a better time to be a casino player in the UK. There are loads of top operators providing players with a varied catalogue of slots and games.

Many of these will also offer players generous welcome bonuses to try to tempt them into signing up.

Which ones are worth paying attention to though? Let’s take a look at some of the best welcome bonuses available at best online casinos.

Our system for rating the best welcome bonuses for UK casino players

With so many welcome bonuses on the market, knowing which ones are worth taking advantage of can be tricky. We use the following criteria to determine which sign-up bonuses you should consider signing up for. 

Wagering requirements: One of the biggest factors determining the quality of a welcome bonus is its wagering requirements. Wagering requirements display the number of times you have to work through a bonus amount in order to claim any winnings from it. If a bonus has wagering requirements that are too high, then you will want to steer clear. 

Time restrictions: Similarly to wagering requirements, time restrictions can really make or break a welcome bonus. Most bonuses will have a set limit on how long a player is given to work through them. In most cases, this is reasonable, but some are not so much. For example, a bonus which asks you to meet a 50x wagering requirement in the space of three days is probably worth avoiding. 

Accepted payment methods: If you’re the kind of person that likes to use different payment methods, then you will probably find yourself locked out of a few welcome bonuses. While most casinos will allow players to claim their sign-up offers with the majority of methods, there are some that are much stricter than others and limit you to just one or two payment methods. You will want to find a bonus that accommodates your needs. 

Slot choice: The best welcome bonuses are the ones that give you a real taste of everything a casino has to offer. However, not all casinos adhere to this mentality, with some of them restricting the number of slots you can play. While this isn’t a huge problem if the selection is still big, some welcome bonuses may only allow you access to a handful of games. Promotional spins for a particular slot, along with a deposit bonus to explore, is a great combination, but when the bonus is specific to one or two slots, you may want to look elsewhere. Unless, of course, you love that slot, in which case, enjoy! 

Sign-up process: If you’re going to claim a welcome bonus, then you are going to need to sign-up for the casino first. You will want to find an operator that makes this as smooth as possible. Different casinos will have different registration processes and know your customer policies. Some will require simple checks like SMS validation or e-mail confirmation, while others may ask for proof of ID and address. 

How easy is the bonus to claim? As a casino customer, you want the process of claiming the bonus to be as easy as possible. Some casinos will require you to use a bonus code or to opt-in in your account settings, while others will just credit your account when you make your first deposit. We also factor in the size of the initial deposit when we are assessing online casino welcome bonuses. 

Since wagering requirements are often the most important factor, you can use our calculator to see how appealing the casino welcome bonus might be for you.

An in-depth look at the top casino bonuses for new UK players

1. talkSPORT BET

talkSPORT BET is one of the most vibrant casinos available to players in the UK. It is home to a host of different slots and has some of the best jackpots available for players. New players on the site can claim a generous welcome bonus of £50 in casino bonuses, as well as 100 free spins to be used on selected slots, once you wager £30.

ProsNice website design and themeRange of banking optionsBig welcome bonus

ConsLimited customer support options

2. Duelz

Duelz is an online casino that approaches promotions with a twist. The site is all about battling other players and earning points to unlock more features. It’s much more than just a gimmick though.

It is home to over 1,000 games from some of the industry’s most acclaimed developers. New players on the site can get their hands on a bonus of up to £100, as well as 100 spins to use on the iconic Play’n Go slot, Book of Dead.

ProsUnique bonuses and promotionsOver 1,000 slots from some of the industry’s top developers

ConsThe theme may not appeal to all bettors

3. MrQ

MrQ is one of the best casinos when it comes to promotion, as new players on the site can snag themselves 5 free spins on Starburst without making a deposit and then another 30 spins once you properly sign up using the code TALKSPORT35.

ProsHuge catalogue of games to enjoyZero wagering requirements!No-deposit bonus

ConsNo 24/7 customer support

4. Mr Vegas

When it comes to style and sophistication, there are few operators that can compete with Mr Vegas. The operator’s site is home to a huge selection of slots from developers like Play’n Go, NetEnt, and Pragmatic Play. It also boasts one of the best live casino selections on the net. 

Players at Mr Vegas can get their hands on a generous welcome deposit bonus of 100% up to £100, as well as some free spins to use on selected slots.

ProsGreat live casino selectionRegularly updated promotions for existing customers

ConsHigh wagering requirements

5. Dream Vegas

Dream Vegas dazzles new players with one of the best welcome bonuses around. Players can claim up to £300 on their first deposit, as well as up to 150 spins to use on popular NetEnt slots like Starburst and Gonzo’s Quest. It also has a regularly updated list of promotions for existing customers to enjoy.

ProsBig welcome depositGreat website theme

ConsA limited selection of video poker and instant-win games

6. Grosvenor Casinos

Grosvenor Casinos is one of the biggest casinos in the UK, both in-person and online. It boasts a welcome bonus of up to £30, and it also promises to match players’ bets of £20 if they visit one of its in-person venues.

The site is home to a big selection of games, with its live casino offerings being among the best in the UK. The site streams live from Grosvenor locations across the country, giving it a really authentic feeling.

ProsLinked to physical casino venuesExcellent live casino options

ConsSmall welcome bonus in comparison to other casinos

7. VoodooDreams

VoodooDreams is home to nearly 1,000 different slots from some of the industry’s best developers. You will find slots here from the likes of Pragmatic Play and NetEnt, as well a live casino section powered by Evolution. One issue with the site is a layout that can make it tricky to navigate. That said, there are plenty of customer support options if you get stuck. 

New customers can claim a 100% up to £50 as well as 50 free spins. Existing customers can also enjoy a selection of different promotions and tournaments.

ProsMassive selection of over 1,000 gamesGenerous welcome bonus with 50 free spins to enjoyGood customer support options are available

ConsSome website navigation issues

8. Magic Red

If it’s a stylish online casino experience you’re after, then Magic Red is the site for you. The casino is home to a big collection of slots and games, with established developers like Hacksaw Gaming and Play’n Go powering its catalogue. 

New customers to the site can boost their bankrolls by claiming 20 free spins on their first deposit.

ProsStylish website designGood customer support

ConsLower welcome bonus than some of its competitors

9. 32Red

32Red is an online casino that has been around for a very long time, and it has mastered the craft of entertaining online slot players. It offers brilliant customer support and is regularly adding to its collection of 350+ slots. New players can claim up to 150% on their first deposit up to £150.

ProsHome to over 300 slotsWell-established and trustworthy brandGenerous welcome bonus

ConsSome site navigation issues

10. 10bet

10bet may be a site that is focused on sports betting, but it also offers an excellent casino section. The slot catalogue here may not be as big as some of its competitors, but you can still sink your teeth into titles from the likes of Microgaming and Pragmatic Play, as well as land big jackpot wins in titles like Mega Moolah Atlantean Treasures. New customers on the site can claim a 50% bonus up to £50 and 50 free spins on top.

ProsEasy-to-use websiteMobile app available

ConsLimited slot collection compared to competitors

What is a casino welcome bonus?

A casino welcome bonus is a promotion that is designed to help incentivise new customers to sign-up for a casino. It provides players with a chance to test out what the casino has got to offer, while also making the operator look favourable to potential customers. These bonuses often consist of bonus funds or free spins. 

What are the benefits of using a sign-up bonus?

The most obvious benefit of using a welcome bonus is that it gives you bonus funds and/or spins to use at the casino. You are basically given the opportunity to play at the casino with its own funds. One of the other big benefits is that it gives you the chance to try stuff out at the casino without wagering your own money. Using bonus funds to try out slots and get used to what a casino has to offer is a really effective way of utilising them.

What are the different types of welcome bonuses?

There are several different types of welcome bonuses you might encounter. The following are the most popular: 

Deposit match bonuses

Deposit match bonuses are probably the most common type of bonus you will find, and they are often paired up with free spins. These bonuses reward players with bonus funds by matching their initial deposit up to a certain percentage. For example, if a welcome bonus offers players a deposit bonus of 50% on all deposits up to £200, and they deposit £200, they will get £100 in bonus funds. 

Free spin bonuses

Free spin bonuses are extremely popular with operators and players alike. These bonuses do as they say on the tin, giving players free spins to use. In some cases, these may be restricted to a specific slot, series of slots, or developer. 

No deposit bonuses

No deposit bonuses are a huge favourite among players. Similarly to free bets, these are bonuses that the casino gives you without you needing to deposit any money yourself. These don’t tend to be as big as other types of bonuses, for obvious reasons, but they can be a great way of sampling what an operator has in store for you. 

Cashback bonuses

Cashback bonuses tend to be more popular with bookies than casinos, but you can still find casinos that will offer them. These will offer players money back from their first few bets if they lose. For example, you may get 50% cash back up to £100 on losing bets for your first three deposits.

Claim your welcome bonus. 18+ BeGambleAware.org Please play responsibly.

How do I use my sign-up bonus?

Depending on the nature of the bonus, players are free to use them quite flexibly. Some bonuses may restrict the types of games you can play, but on the whole, you will have quite a lot of freedom to explore. The way you claim the bonus will vary from operator to operator, with some requiring you to opt-in and others requiring a bonus code. Be sure to check through the terms & conditions thoroughly before you sign-up. 

Can I cash out my sign-up bonus?

No. If you were hoping to just get a bonus into your account and then withdraw it, then you’re going to be out of luck. The vast majority of sign-up bonuses come with wagering requirements. These dictate the number of times you will have to work through a bonus amount before you can withdraw it. 

How do I find the best casino first deposit bonus for me?

You should analyse the way you like to play regarding game choice and money. If an operator has a promotion that only allows spins on specific slots, and you have to deposit an amount higher than you typically would to claim it, then this is probably not for you. Pay close attention to the terms & conditions of a bonus, as well as the games it provides access to and any restrictions in place. 

Which online casino has the highest welcome bonus?

Dream Vegas offers players an extremely generous welcome bonus of up to £300 on their first deposit. They also offer up to 150 spins to be used on selected slots. The number of spins, and the slots you can use them on, depends on the size of your first deposit.

Which casinos give you free play just for signing up?

MrQ casino has a free no-deposit bonus that can be claimed by players when they sign-up. This offer allows them to claim 5 free spins to be used on selected slots. Many of the other casinos we have listed also provide players with free spins as part of their welcome deposit.

What should I look out for in the welcome bonus terms and conditions?

In general, you will want to look for a welcome bonus with the most generous terms & conditions. Wagering requirements are one of the biggest things to pay attention to. These tell you how many times you need to work through a bonus in order to claim it. Restrictions regarding payment methods and games are also important and should be checked thoroughly. 

Casino welcome bonus dos and don’ts

DO make sure you claim the bonus: Okay, this one might seem obvious, but it is amazing how many times people sign up for an online casino and forget to claim the bonus. Whether it’s not entering a code or failing to click the opt-in option, there are plenty of reasons you might accidentally forget to claim the bonus, so be sure you have entered everything you need before signing up. 

DO read the terms & conditions: Make sure that you understand everything that you are signing up for. You don’t want any nasty surprises when it comes to wagering requirements or restrictions. 

DON’T sign up for a casino just because of a welcome bonus: Attractive welcome bonuses are great, but sometimes, they can be a little good to be true. If a welcome bonus seems a little too big, make sure you do some research, read the terms & conditions, and feel safe signing up the operator. We always recommend checking the licensing information of a casino. All UK casinos need to be licensed and regulated by the United Kingdom Gambling Commission. 

DON’T bet more than you can afford to lose: The same principle applies to the amount you’re betting. Do not chase a bonus if you can not afford it. If you could get a bonus for depositing more, but you can’t afford to do so, don’t claim the bonus. 

Are casino welcome bonuses worth it?

Yes! In the majority of cases, casino welcome bonuses are a great way of getting to know a new operator, sampling what it has to offer, and seeing what you can win. Welcome bonuses are almost always worth claiming when you sign up for a new casino.

Commercial content notice: Taking one of the casino offers featured in this article may result in a payment to talkSPORT. 18+. T&Cs apply. GambleAware.org

Remember to gamble responsibly

A responsible gambler is someone who:

Establishes time and monetary limits before playing

Only gambles with money they can afford to lose

Never chase their losses

Doesn’t gamble if they’re upset, angry or depressed

Gamcare – www.gamcare.org.uk

GambleAware – www.gambleaware.org

Find our detailed guide on responsible gambling practices here.

For help with a gambling problem, call the National Gambling Helpline on 0808 8020 133 or go to www.gamstop.co.uk to be excluded from all UK-regulated gambling websites.