The most common casino bonus you can get is a reload bonus. This is simply another word for a deposit bonus. You deposit into your account, and the casino gives you something extra. It can be more money, free spins, or any other goodie from the casino. Have a look below for the best casino reload bonuses for UK players.
What Is a Casino Reload Bonus?
A casino reload bonus is any bonus you get for reloading your player account. You have to deposit into your account to claim the offer. Online casinos' most common deposit bonuses are match-up bonuses or free spins. Quite often, the casino will give you more money and some free spins, especially if this is the first time you have deposited.
Getting a Deposit Match-up Bonus
If the reload bonus you get is a match-up bonus, it simply means that you make a deposit, and the casino matches that deposited amount with a certain percentage. For example, you might get an offer for a 100% bonus of up to £100. In that case, you deposit £100, and the casino gives you £100 extra, leaving your account balance at £200. If you deposit £50, they give you £50. If you deposit £30, they give you £30, and so on. Then again, the percentage won't necessarily be 100%.
If you're a new player at a casino using your welcome bonus, you can expect at least a 100% bonus. But for ongoing casino promotions and bonus campaigns, anything from 25% upwards is considered a regular match-up bonus offer. Although some casinos offer a 200% bonus, 300% bonus, or even 500% bonus, these percentages are almost exclusively used for welcome bonuses. Standard deposit bonuses for registered and active players seldom exceed 100%.
Make a Deposit and Get Free Spins
Reload and deposit bonuses aren't always extra cash. Quite commonly, they'll give you free spins instead. Free spins allow you to play on a slot without spending your money, and you win your bonus. The value of the free spins might, in one way, be less than what you could have gotten value-wise from a match-up bonus, but for casual players, a free spins deposit offer is often better. The bonus offer is usually as simple as "deposit and get 100 free spins", meaning the only criterion is that you deposit. There will be a minimum amount you have to deposit, but as long as you're above that, you'll get to claim the spins. Depositing above the minimum amount won't give you more spins and, thus, is unnecessary.
In many ways, a free spins reload bonus is also more exciting than a match-up bonus. You never know how much you'll win from the spins, so it can end up being a huge bonus, but on the flip side, it can also be a tiny bonus. The chances of a big win will increase if you get a lot of free spins, and usually, with a reload bonus, you get a lot of spins. The exact number of free spins will vary. Anything between 50 and 150 spins is considered normal. Below 20 spins are mainly just for no deposit bonuses.
Claiming a Casino Reload Bonus
Claiming a casino reload bonus is a piece of cake. You'll most likely be notified that you have an active bonus offer via email or SMS. There is usually also some notification system when logged into your player account. Some casino bonuses require you to activate the offer by opting in, entering a promo code, or just checking a box confirming that you want to partake in the bonus. Then, all you have to do is head over to the deposit page.
A lot of casinos show active deposit bonuses on the deposit page. If you have multiple offers, you'll get to pick the one you want for this specific deposit. Any payment method limitations for activating the bonus are usually stated on this page. Then, you must complete your deposit, and the bonus will be added to your account. If you got extra cash as your bonus, it would be shown as bonus funds (unless you got a bonus without a wagering requirement attached). You can head to the specified slot and play your spins if you received free spins.
Withdrawing Your Casino Reload Bonus Winnings
If you've converted your bonus into real cash, or if there is no wagering requirement attached to the bonus offer, you can go ahead and request a withdrawal from your account. The withdrawal will be processed just like any other cashout request, but the casino might check how you used your bonus. This is why it's essential that you read the bonus terms before you start playing with any bonus funds. For example, your withdrawal may be denied if you've placed higher bets than the max bet that bonus money allows, likewise if you've played games that are not allowed or used betting systems.
However, if you're playing at a reputable casino, it will most likely not strictly enforce all the bonus terms. The exception is if it can see or suspect that you are deliberately trying to take advantage of the bonus by breaching the terms. But the casino will always retain the right to enforce all its terms if it wants to. Playing by its rules is the only way to guarantee you'll get your bonus winnings paid out.
Bonus Terms & Conditions
Reading the terms of a reload bonus is of utter importance. These are what determine if the bonus is good or not. Generally, some terms are a part of almost all bonuses, and below we've listed what you can expect.
- Minimum deposit:
You can expect the minimum deposit to be either £10 or £20. The minimum deposit amount to claim the bonus can be in the hundreds if it's a high-roller bonus. - Max bonus:
If it's a match-up bonus, there will be a max cap on how much extra you can get. This is typically anything from £25 to £500, but around £100 would be the most common max amount. - Wagering requirement:
If the wagering requirement is only for the bonus amount, then 35x is considered the industry standard. If the wagering requirement also includes your deposited amount, you can expect 30x as standard. - Max win cap:
Firstly, the best UK casinos don't have a cap on winnings. But some casinos do, and max winnings from bonuses would be considered normal – between £50 and £100 from free spins winnings and about 10x your bonus amount for match-ups. - Max bet:
A max bet allowed while playing with bonus funds is a general rule, usually set at £5 per bet. High roller bonuses might have higher max bet limits.
On top of the standard reload bonus terms listed above, you might also find a lot of other rules. Each casino can set its own rules, so reading the bonus terms is always encouraged. To make it easier for you, we at GoodLuckMate have also listed all the main bonus terms within each offer we've featured.
The Best Reload Casino Offers
Which deposit bonus offer is best depends on how you play. A high roller will always appreciate getting extra money through a match-up bonus instead of free spins. At the same time, a player looking to make a minimum deposit might prefer some free spins. The important thing is, as always, that you claim a bonus suitable for how you want to play and how much you wish to deposit. Never deposit more money than you had planned to claim a bigger bonus. Likewise, don't claim a bonus that won't allow you to play the games you want or with your preferred strategy.
Once you've identified the casino reload bonus you'd like, look at the list on this page to find the best bonus offer for you. Ensure that you check out the small print with the terms. If satisfied, you can head to the casino and enjoy getting extra goodies with your deposit. If you're already signed up at a casino, go to their promotions page and see if they have any active reload bonuses you can claim.
