A welcome bonus is a one-off offer a casino gives new customers when they open an account and make a first deposit or stake, usually as slot spins or extra bonus funds. In UK apps it can only be claimed once per customer, must be opted into, and any wagering attached to it is capped at 10 times the bonus.
A welcome bonus is for new customers only and is normally claimable once.
The common UK types are spins for a stake, spins for a deposit, and deposit matches.
You must be age and identity verified before you can use any bonus.
Since 19 January 2026, wagering is capped at 10x and offers can't mix betting with casino.
Value it in pounds: face value minus the expected cost of any wagering.
Who can claim
New customers, 18+, once
Common types
Spins for a stake or deposit; deposit match
Wagering cap
10x the bonus (from 19 January 2026)
Mixed products
Banned in one offer (from 19 January 2026)
Before use
Age and identity verification required
What a welcome bonus is
Casinos use a welcome bonus to attract sign-ups. The offer is tied to a first action on a new account, such as a first deposit or a first £10 of slot play, and it disappears once you've used it or the deadline passes.
It's sometimes called a sign-up bonus or new customer offer. Whatever the name, the substance is in the terms: the qualifying step, the reward, any playthrough, and the time allowed. Other bonus words are defined in our casino app glossary.
Types of welcome bonus in UK casino apps
Our five partners show the three formats you'll meet most often:
Welcome bonus formats with partner examples (18+, terms apply)
Format
Example
Qualifying step
Playthrough
Spins for a stake
Coral: 100 spins at 10p
Deposit and bet £10+ on slots
None on spin winnings
Daily spins for a stake
Ladbrokes: 50 spins a day for 10 days, up to 500
Deposit and spend £10+ on slots
None
Spins for a first deposit
PlayOJO: 80 spins at 10p on Big Bass Bonanza
First deposit of £10+
None; winnings paid in cash
Deposit match
Casumo: 50% up to £100
First deposit of £20+, opt in
10x the bonus within 7 days, £5 maximum bet
Deposit match
10bet: 100% up to £25
Choose the bonus at sign-up, deposit within 7 days
10x on slots within 3 days, £1,000 maximum bonus winnings
Two numbers matter: what the bonus is worth on paper, and what it costs to turn into cash. For spins, paper value is spins × spin value. For a match, it's the bonus amount. The cost of clearing any wagering is the total stake required multiplied by the house edge.
Take the 10bet example. A £25 deposit earns a £25 bonus, and 10x wagering means £250 of slot stakes. At a 96% RTP, that play has an expected cost of £10 (£250 × 4%), leaving an average of about £15 of value. Coral's 100 spins at 10p have a £10 face value with no wagering to clear, though the house edge still applies to the spins themselves.
These are averages. A short session can end well above or below them, and losses are likely over time on any casino game.
UK rules that apply to every welcome bonus
Verification first. Operators must check your age and identity before you deposit or gamble, including with a bonus. See age verification.
No mixed products. The same rule change banned offers that combine betting, casino, bingo or lottery. A sportsbook app's casino welcome bonus must stand alone; our page on the mixed product bonus ban has the detail.
Terms up front. Significant conditions must appear with the headline offer, and the full terms must be no more than one click away, under the Commission's code on other marketing requirements (opens in a new tab).
Opt-in only. Players must choose to join a promotion, and once you've opted in the operator can't vary the promotion (opens in a new tab) for you except to prevent fraud or similar unlawful behaviour.
Harm signals. Where an operator sees strong indicators of harm, marketing and new bonus take-up must stop.
One welcome bonus per person, and why Coral and Ladbrokes overlap
Welcome offers are limited to one per customer. Coral and Ladbrokes are both run by LC International Limited (Entain), so one person may not be able to hold new accounts at both. Our answer on why you can't open accounts at Coral and Ladbrokes explains the overlap.
Trying to claim twice through extra accounts breaks the terms of every UK operator and can lead to the bonus and its winnings being removed.
Welcome bonus checklist before you sign up
Decide on a budget first and use the deposit limit prompt that appears before your first deposit.
Read the full terms in the app, not just the banner.
Check whether your payment method is excluded from the offer.
Write down the deadline to claim, the expiry date and which games count.
Work out the face value and the expected cost of any wagering.
Opt in, then make the qualifying deposit or stake.
Minimum deposit: the smallest payment, which can differ from the bonus qualifying amount.
Welcome bonuses from our partner casino apps
The three offers shown below are all welcome bonuses based on slot spins, and none needs a promo code. They're for new customers aged 18+, and terms apply.
Coral Casino: after a deposit (certain types excluded), bet £10+ on slots for 100 free spins at 10p on selected games; accept within 48 hours, use within 7 days, no wagering on winnings. Neteller, PayPal, Paysafe, Skrill, prepaid cards and certain debit cards don't count. Available 1 October 2026 to 1 February 2027.
Ladbrokes Casino: deposit and spend £10+ on slots for 50 free spins a day over the first 10 days, 500 at most. They're 10p each on selected games, must be claimed by 23:59 each day and last 7 days, with no wagering. Prepaid cards, PayPal, Paysafe, Neteller, Skrill and Moneybookers deposits don't qualify.
PlayOJO: a first deposit of £10 or more brings 80 free spins on Big Bass Bonanza at 10p each, and winnings are paid in cash. Open to new UK customers outside Northern Ireland, not combinable with other offers, and claimed only through the designated offer link.
Coral and Ladbrokes are both run by LC International Limited (Entain). If you already hold an account with one Entain brand, you may not be able to open another; check the terms first.
Significant terms: 18+. New players only. Offer runs 01/10/2026 to 01/02/2027. Deposit (certain types excluded) and bet £10+ on slot games to get 100 free spins (selected games, £0.10 each, 48 hrs to accept, valid 7 days). No wagering on free spin winnings. Deposits by Neteller, PayPal, Paysafe, Skrill, prepaid cards and certain debit cards do not qualify. Restrictions and T&Cs apply. GamCare.org.uk
Read our Coral app reviewLicence: LC International Limited, Gambling Commission account 54743. Offer checked 5 October 2026.
Time limitClaim daily for 10 days; each batch valid 7 days
Worked valueUp to 500 spins at £0.10 (up to £50 in spins)
Significant terms: 18+. New customers only, from 14/11/25 until further notice. Certain deposit methods excluded. Deposit and spend £10+ on slots for 50 free spins a day during the first 10 days after first deposit and registration (max 500, £0.10 each, selected games, claim before 23:59 each day, valid 7 days). No wagering. Prepaid cards, PayPal, Paysafe, Neteller, Skrill and Moneybookers deposits do not qualify. Restrictions and T&Cs apply. GamCare.org.uk
Read our Ladbrokes app reviewLicence: LC International Limited, Gambling Commission account 54743. Offer checked 5 October 2026.
Significant terms: 18+. New UK customers (excluding Northern Ireland). First deposit only. Minimum deposit £10. 80 free spins on Big Bass Bonanza, £0.10 each. No wagering requirements; winnings paid in cash. Cannot be used with any other offer. Only available to players who arrive through the designated offer link. Full T&Cs apply. GamCare.org.uk
Read our PlayOJO app reviewLicence: Skill On Net Limited, Gambling Commission account 39326. Offer checked 5 October 2026.
18+. Every casino game has a built-in house edge, so over time you should expect to lose what you stake. Set a budget before you play and stop when it’s gone: safer gambling tools and support. Free, confidential help: National Gambling Helpline 0808 8020 133.
Frequently asked questions
What is a welcome bonus at a casino?
It's an offer reserved for new customers, triggered by a first deposit or first stake on a new account. In UK apps it usually takes the form of slot spins or a percentage match on the first deposit. You can claim it once, you must opt in, and you must be verified before using it. Our guide on how to claim a bonus in a casino app walks through the process.
Do I need a promo code for a welcome bonus?
Not with our partners: none of Coral, Ladbrokes, PlayOJO, Casumo or 10bet needs a code for its welcome offer. Some offers do need an opt-in, or a choice of bonus during sign-up, as 10bet's does. PlayOJO's offer is available only through its designated offer link. See are app-only bonuses real? for how app and website offers usually compare.
Can I use a welcome bonus on blackjack or roulette?
Spin offers can't be used on table games at all, because they're tied to named slots. Deposit match bonuses often exclude blackjack, roulette and live tables or count them for less towards wagering, so read the game rules in the terms. Our answer to can I use a bonus on live casino in the app? explains the usual restrictions.
Can I withdraw my deposit while a welcome bonus is active?
Yes. Gambling Commission guidance says you can withdraw your deposit balance at any time, even while a bonus is active, and wagering can't apply to your own money. Withdrawing may cancel the bonus itself, depending on the terms. Our withdrawal entry explains what happens once you ask for your money and how long it can take.
Why was I refused a welcome bonus?
Common reasons include using an excluded payment method, having held an account with the same operator or group before, missing the claim window, or not opting in. Coral and Ladbrokes share an operator, so one person may not get both offers. Operators must also stop new bonus take-up where they see strong signs of harm. Our answer on why a bonus was removed covers the rest.
Can a welcome bonus combine sports betting and casino?
No, not since 19 January 2026. The Gambling Commission banned incentives that include more than one type of gambling product, such as a bet that earns slot spins. A combined sportsbook and casino app can still offer a casino welcome bonus, but it must stand on its own. Our page on the mixed product bonus ban explains the rule.
We use no tracking cookies. We store one item in your browser to remember this notice. Casino sites may set their own cookies after you follow an advert link. Cookie policy
