Beginner’s Guide to Match Deposit Offers in Online Casinos

As you can see from the section above, there are many different versions of the match deposit bonus. One of its most popular versions is the reload bonus, commonly offered at many online casinos. But what is it exactly that separates it from a regular deposit match bonus? Match deposit bonuses as such are usually offered as welcome bonuses, meaning they are reserved for players who have just registered and are yet to make their first or first few deposits in the casino. While online casinos can offer match deposit bonuses as regular offers, this is not a common practice.

With reload offers, they cannot be used by newly registered users and are exclusive to players who have been using the casino for at least a few days. They are triggered by qualifying deposits on a specific day and, like welcome bonuses, give the player a match on their deposited amount. Another thing that can vary between both bonuses is the actual match percentage. From the casinos we’ve reviewed and featured on our website, we know that welcome match bonuses have higher percentages of 100% or more, while reload bonuses can have lower percentages between 25% and 75%. However, this is not a set rule and can vary between casinos and bonuses.

Even within this category of match casino bonuses, there can be some significant variations between the offers. Whether it’s a simple percentage match bonus, wager-free, or time-limited bonus, you can come across all of these versions at popular online casinos available to players worldwide. Let’s talk about the most popular versions you can find:

Percentage Match Bonuses

Percentage match bonuses are match deposit bonuses such as the welcome and reload offers we discussed in the previous section. With these bonuses, your deposit received a match percentage of 100% or more, depending on the offer.

Sticky vs. Non-Sticky Match Bonuses

Sticky and non-sticky bonuses are quite common in online casinos, but it’s common that casinos don’t specify what kind of bonus you are qualifying for – you need to do research yourself. Sticky bonuses mean you can withdraw the winnings you make with the bonus cash or free spins, which is usually the type of bonus you will encounter.

As for non-sticky bonuses, you can withdraw your winnings and the full bonus amount you receive from a casino. These are rarer casino bonuses and can usually have more complicated terms and conditions, as the casino allows you to withdraw more than usual.

Wager-Free Bonuses

One of the most sought-after match deposit bonuses, the bonuses free of wagering requirements are easiest to use. This is because you receive the bonus money, use it to play games in the lobby, and you get to keep whatever you win throughout that process. A no wagering offer certainly eliminates the big investment that comes with completing a rollover that can be 30x or 40x the entire amount you receive as a bonus.

Time-Limited Bonuses

Deposit match bonuses with time limitations are exclusive bonuses you can qualify for during a short timeframe. These bonuses may only be available for 24 hours, and in most cases, they will come with other limitations on the games you can play or the game provider you must focus on.

Once you start playing at online casinos, you will notice that there’s more to bonuses than the prize displayed front and centre. There is usually a whole section dedicated to details like the wagering requirements, restrictions, limitations, contributions, etc. These essential features can tell you whether a bonus is worth activating. While some are not that easy to understand, others are, and once we explain each one in greater detail, you will know how to make the most of each bonus you qualify for. Let’s discuss these features:

• Wagering requirements: The wagering requirements explain how many times you need to play with bonus cash and free spins before you can turn them from “bonus” money into real money that you can withdraw. The industry standard rollover is up to 40x, and at a bonus of £100, a 40x rollover will mean that you need to invest £100 x 40x = £4,000 before it would be possible for you to cash out.
• Payment method restrictions: Some casinos limit the payment methods you can use to make deposits that would be used to qualify for bonuses. Usually, e-wallets like Skrill or Neteller are banned from bonus qualification, but that’s not always the case. Unless a restriction is added in the details, you can use whatever method you want to make the deposit.
• Game restrictions: While some casinos limit the payment methods used, others limit the games you can play with the bonus cash or free spins. This is usually the case with bonuses funded or promoted by specific game providers wanting to promote some of their games. Some bonuses can only be used on a single game, while some can be used on a list of several games.
• Expiry frames: The expiry frame tells you how long you have to use the bonus once you activate it. With free spins, these frames are shorter and last only up to 24 hours, while with bonus cash, you can use the prize for up to 30 days, depending on the amount you win. If you don’t use the bonus and complete the rollover within the timeframe stated, it will become void.
• Game contributions: When using a bonus with a wagering requirement, you will also get a list of contributions for all types of games available in the lobby. This tells you how much each game contributes towards completing the rollover, which can be between no contribution and 100% contribution. Usually, slots are games with big contributions, while live dealer games don’t have any contribution at all.
• Max bets: When you play with a bonus, you might get a limitation on the amount you can use for a bet. This limitation can be handy if you want to avoid using the entire bonus amount on only a few bets, but the limits can be quite low in most cases. For bonuses with bonus cash or free spins, you might only be able to use up to £2 or £5 per bet, depending on the specific bonus.
• Max wins: Similar to what we mentioned about max bets, some bonuses limit the amount you can win when playing with your bonus cash or free spins. This limitation is common, but the exact amount depends on the max bonus you can win and the specific bonus you are activating.

Are you wondering what would be the best way to maximise the match deposit bonuses you decide to activate at your favourite online casinos? We have a few tips you should remember and use whenever you are playing with a bonus, regardless of whether it’s a match deposit or no deposit bonus. Here’s more:

• Understand the wagering requirements: Even the best online casino match bonus offers have rollovers that must be completed before the casino allows you to cash out, so it’s essential to check the bonus details and learn about the rollover. If it’s between 20x and 40x, it’s considered within industry standards and should be easy to complete. Anything above would require a substantial investment on your part.
• Check game contributions: Whenever you want to complete the rollover quickly, you should look into the game contribution rates set by the casino. Slots, except for jackpot slots, should contribute 100% toward the rollover, while live casino games don’t contribute at all. Table games can have varying contributions, so ensure you check the exact rates at the casino.
• Play high RTP games: For the biggest return rates, we recommend focusing on games with high RTPs. The RTP might be shared in the game details, but you can also visit the provider’s official website to learn more. Anything above 96% is considered the perfect RTP percentage for slots and video tables.
• Deposit optimal amounts: Check the bonus details to see the maximum percentage you can win with your deposit. If the bonus limits you to a 100% match up to £100, deposits over £100 will be unnecessary. You will get to keep whatever you deposit, but it’s still wise to stick to optimal amounts.
• Read bonus details: We’ve already mentioned this, but we want to emphasise it again and tell you that it’s of utmost importance to read the bonus details for each offer you come across. In the section above, you can see some essential features to look into, but we recommend reading everything at least a couple of times to ensure you know what you are getting into with your preferred match deposit bonus.
• Track progress: If you’re still using your bonus cash or free spins or even trying to complete the wagering requirements, it’s wise to keep track of your progress to know how close you are to meeting the deadline. Some casinos have a separate bonus balance that tells you the progress right away, but with some platforms, you will have to manually keep track of your progress.