Your Guide To The Best Welcome Bonus Deals In South Africa
Discover how to extend your bankroll and increase your winning chances with an online casino welcome bonus. On this page, you’ll find everything you need to make the most of sign up offers and get the biggest bang for your bucks. Don’t kiss an offer goodbye. Keep reading to learn about wagering requirements, terms, types of welcome bonuses and more.
Table of Contents[]
- What A Welcome Bonus Is
- How Does A South African Casino Welcome Bonus Work?
- Know What Type Of Welcome You’re Getting
- The Pros And Cons Of The Welcome Bonus
- Know The Terms And Conditions
- Watch The Wagering Requirements, Please
- How To Claim Your South Africa Casino Welcome Bonus
- Alternative Bonuses To The Casino Welcome Bonus
- FAQ
What A Welcome Bonus Is
Welcome bonus – two magic words you’ve probably spent time searching for. So, you landed on the right page. These juicy dangling carrots can make or break your decision to sign up and deposit at online casinos.
Any South African casino worth its salt offers a welcome bonus to new players. At first glance, all sign up offers look awesome, but you need to do some homework. There are different types of offers, different strings attached and different deposit requirements.
But first, you need to find a casino that grabs your attention and is ready to sweeten the sign-up deal. That’s where we come in. We’ve put together a top list of the best South African casinos that offer new players a little something special.
Ready to grab your one time offer from one of the above operators? Hold your horses, you should read the small print first and get to grips with terms like wagering requirements, playthrough, contributing games and the like.
How Does A South African Casino Welcome Bonus Work?
Sign up bonuses (as they’re also called) offered by online casinos are great for new players. They offer a usually decent reward for giving the platform a try.
But before you grab the first cool offer you see; you need to understand how it works so that you understand exactly what you’re getting into.
An online casino welcome bonus is the casino’s way of saying “hey, there, beautiful player, thanks for signing up and making a deposit.” It’s the platform’s attempt at enticing new recruits, and the good news is that since the market is awash with top-notch online casinos for South Africans, you can expect to find loads of different offers out there.
The bonuses are a marketing cost, though. Casinos are there to make money and not give it away, after all. The gambling industry is highly competitive, with hundreds of online casinos all vying for your Rands. Offering an attractive welcome bonus is one way to encourage you to play on their platform.
It makes sense, doesn’t it? The casinos know that long-term, they’re more likely to win money off you than the other way around. So, it’s worth offering you something decent when you sign up and make your first deposit (or several deposits). It doesn’t mean there’s not much in it for you, though.
In fact, there’s a lot to be gained, as long as you know what you’re getting into.
Know What Type Of Welcome You’re Getting
Once you’ve picked a casino from our top list or gone through our in-depth reviews, it’s time to sign up at a site that tickles your fancy. There are a few South African casinos that offer no deposit bonuses – which means you can claim a small stash of bonus cash just for signing up. No deposit is needed. It’s usually a small amount of no more than R200 or so.
Once you do make a deposit, you’re likely to be offered the deposit/sign up/welcome bonus. These offers come in several guises.
Match Deposit Welcome Bonus
This offer is a number of credits equal to a defined percent of your first real money deposit. A good example is a “100% match deposit bonus up to R10,000.” This means if you deposit, let’s say R500, the casino will reward you with another R500, giving you a total of R1,000 to start your gaming journey with.Free Spins
Many a decent welcome bonus comes with a certain number of spins. They’re usually valid for certain slots only and can range anywhere from a handful to 100s of free spins spread out over several days.While you’d probably love to use your free spins on any slot at a casino, most likely you’ll be limited to specified titles. In most cases, free spins are offered on popular games like Book of Dead or Starburst, to name just two.The best South African casinos tend to offer a welcome bonus of extra funds and free spins, neatly tied together. Some even offer packages that consist of match deposit offers spread over your first 3 to 5 deposits.Cashable vs. Non-Cashable Welcome Bonus
It’s important to pay attention to which category a welcome bonus belongs:- Non-cashable bonus – this is a sticky bonus that you can spend on eligible games, but you won’t be able to keep any winnings you make playing with the bonus funds.
- Cashable bonus – you can keep your bonus winnings provided you meet the wagering requirements.
The Pros And Cons Of The Welcome Bonus
Before we get down to the nitty-gritty terms and conditions, let’s consider why you would or wouldn’t consider grabbing a casino’s welcome bonus.
- Bonus funds
- Free spins
- Try new games
- Multiple bonuses
- Less risk to your own cash
- Cashout limits
- Wagering requirements
- Validity period
Online casino sign up offers are a great way to get your hands on bonus cash to play your favourite games or try out new ones and get the feel for a casino, but as you can see, they do come with certain terms you’ll need to adhere to.
Know The Terms And Conditions
Before you’re quick to claim a bonus, read the t’s and c’s. It might sound tedious, but legit online casinos make these terms visible and easy to read through. They also differ from one platform to the next, which is why you should always read them before claiming an offer.
Every welcome bonus on our top list comes with terms and conditions, and while they won’t rule out some decent wins, they do limit what you can and can’t do when playing with your bonus funds or free spins.
Let’s look at the most common terms.
Restrictions On Payment Methods
Some casinos put restrictions on the payment methods that are eligible for a welcome bonus, most notably Skrill and Neteller. Make sure your preferred deposit option can help you grab the bonus cash before you even sign up at a casino.Minimum Deposit Requirement
Casinos may attach a minimum deposit amount required to trigger the welcome offer. The good news is that you can get great sign-up bonuses for as little as R100, often packaged with free spins, too.Limits On Winnings
There are some South African online casinos that limit the amount of money you can win when playing with the bonus. It may sound annoying, but it’s the operator’s way of protecting themselves from potentially huge losses on their side.The Expiration Date
A welcome bonus can’t last forever, which is why it comes with an expiration date by which you must cash in the bonus funds and meet the wagering requirements. Typically, signup bonuses are available during the first week after you register, while some can extend for as long as 30 days.The Betting Limit
All online casinos limit how much you can bet with your bonus. When playing with bonus cash, the maximum bet size is typically tied to your bonus value or deposit.For instance, the maximum bonus bet might be 10% of your deposit or a limit on how much you can bet per spin of the slot reels. Wager more, and you’ll end up breaching the terms and conditions, kissing goodbye to your winnings.Restrictions On Games
Casinos tend to specify which games you splash your free spins on. What’s more, not all games count towards those all-important wagering requirements, and not all games count equally, at that.Notably, most table games, as well as video poker titles, are off-limits, while some casinos also limit progressive jackpot slots. The quickest and easiest way to clear the playthrough requirements is to play slot games.Watch The Wagering Requirements, Please
The most common and important limitation attached to the welcome bonus is the wagering requirement. It’s how many times you need to wager the bonus before you can withdraw it, or any winnings made playing with the bonus funds.
On the bright side, both winning and losing rounds count toward a bonus’s wagering requirements. On the not so bright side, until you clear these playthrough requirements, the winnings are locked in your casino bonus balance.
The best way to explain it is with an example.
Claim A 100% Welcome Bonus Up To R2,000 – T’s And C’s Apply
Let’s say you claim a 100% welcome bonus up to R2,000 with a 25x wagering requirement attached. So, you decide to make a first deposit of R100 and the casino gives you another R100. That’s a total of R200 to play with.
Of course, nothing so good is completely free. The wagering requirement explains exactly how you must work towards clearing your bonus, and only then can you cash out any winnings from the bonus (we’re repeating ourselves because it’s that important!).
So, there’s that 25x wagering requirement. This means you need to wager your bonus 25x – that’s R2,500 you must bet to clear the bonus and cash out any winnings from it.
On the other hand, if the requirement is to wager both the welcome bonus funds and your deposit, that will be 25x R100 (deposit) + 25x R100 (bonus) = R5,000 playthrough.
You’ll usually have a timeframe in which to meet the wagering requirement, and not all games contribute 100% towards it. A typical example of casino game contributions is this:
- Slots, scratch cards and keno – 100%
- Poker games – 10% – 50%
- Table games – 0% – 25%
Wondering what happens if you fail to meet the wagering requirements? Well, the bonus funds and winnings simply disappear from your casino account.
The Lower The Wagering Requirement, The Better
We know you don’t want to wave goodbye to your bonus, which is why you want to find the best welcome bonus with the lowest possible wagering requirements.
Industry-standard is around 30x to 45x. Anything lower is almost hard to come by, while anything higher (and you will certainly find higher) makes redeeming those funds near impossible.
The whole idea of wagering requirements on a welcome bonus is so that online casinos attract new players but don’t lose out on heaps of money. It is business, after all.
How To Claim Your South Africa Casino Welcome Bonus
Now that you’ve gotten to grips with the terms and wagering requirements, along with different types of sign up offers, it’s probably time to sink your teeth into an enticing welcome bonus.
The good news is that it’s really easy, and usually takes a mere few minutes when you follow our step-by-step process.
- 1Pick a South African online casino from the top list on this page.
- 2Register an account by entering the necessary personal details and verifying your information.
- 3Log in and make a deposit – make sure you make the minimum deposit required to claim the welcome bonus.
- 4Enter a bonus code if necessary or contact customer support if the bonus doesn’t automatically appear in your casino account.
A Note On Bonus Codes
While most casinos automatically credit your account with welcome bonus funds and free spins, some require a bonus code to claim an offer. It’s a way of not forcing you to claim a bonus and meet wearing requirements, or perhaps some sites have special deals with certain casinos, just for their players.
You’ll usually find a space to enter the bonus code when you’re making your deposit at the casino. Codes may be used once per user (just the same as the welcome bonus) and may not be activated in other casinos.
Alternative Bonuses To The Casino Welcome Bonus
While the casino welcome bonus is usually the largest offer you’ll get at online casinos in South Africa, the fun doesn’t stop there. In fact, most casinos offer plenty of other bonuses and promotions to keep you playing on their platform.
| BONUS | EXPLANATION |
|---|---|
| Match Deposit Bonus | Given as a welcome bonus or to existing players and include a match of your deposit up to a certain percentage. |
| No Deposit Bonus | Bonus funds to play certain games, no deposit needed. Usually for new players. |
| Free Spins | Given when you deposit, as part of a welcome package or for special promotions to be used on certain slots. |
| Loyalty & VIP Bonus | Most casinos have rewards schemes where you collect bonus points to exchange for bonuses and cash. |
| Reload Bonus | Usually, a match deposit bonus is given when you refund your casino account. |
| Cashback | An incentive where a percentage of the amount you spend is paid back to your account for your losses. |
| High Roller Bonus | Exclusive bonuses given to big spenders. |
Is A Welcome Bonus Really Worth It?
It’s not really a cut and dry answer. It depends on all the different factors we’ve mentioned on this page. First off, always check those wagering requirements and the validity period, as well as which games contribute towards the playthrough.
If you feel that you’re more likely to lose your money, don’t claim the welcome bonus.
But a welcome bonus is (sort of) free funds and spins, which is why it’s usually the most attractive offer a casino has. We suggest that only once you’ve read the terms and conditions and understand the wagering requirements should you decide whether or not to scoop an offer.
On the whole, a welcome bonus is typically an excellent way to boost your initial bankroll and extend your game time, while getting a good feel for how a casino operates, its portfolio of games and even how the customer support and banking operate.
If you’re wondering why you should claim an offer from our recommended casinos, it’s because we put every site to the test to make sure it:
- Is licensed by a reputable authority like the UKGC or MGA and offers fair games and ultra-safe security measures.
- Has fair terms and uses honest practices.
- Uses a good variety of trustworthy payment methods making it easy for you to deposit and withdraw funds.
- Has reliable and easy-to-reach customer support agents who will help you if you have any welcome bonus queries.
- The offer – make sure you go for an offer that works for you. If you love slots, you’ll want free spins included in your welcome bonus package. We pick the best packages just for you.
- Fair wagering requirements are a must. We want you to be able to meet the wagering requirements and withdraw your bonus winnings.
Read the fine print carefully, weigh up the pros and cons and then, hey, why not spend a few ZARs and grab a generous welcome bonus from one of the casinos we recommend on this page.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions About A Welcome Bonus
It’s a specific offer for new players who sign up and make a deposit at South African online casinos. It usually comes in the form of bonus cash and free spins.
It varies from one online casino to the next, but you’ll typically need to register and make a certain minimum deposit. Some casinos require a bonus code to claim the offer.
This is the number of times you need to play through the bonus funds, your deposit or both before you can withdraw winnings from the bonus.
Yes, but there are more bonuses on offer for existing players – just be sure to read the small print of each offer.
Different games contribute differently to a welcome bonus wagering requirement, but slots are almost always the quickest way to play through the bonus.
Right here! We’ve put together a top list of the best online casinos and their welcome packages just for you.
Not right away. You’ll need to meet the wagering requirements within the specified timeframe first.
It varies from operator to operator, but with a welcome bonus, you can usually try out slots, table games and sometimes Live Casino games with little risk to your own cash.