Casino Bonuses Made Simple – Casino.com

While there are some truly great offers to be had, you need to be careful when choosing one because there are some real duds out there, too. We have tested hundreds of bonuses and created this guide to help Canadian bonus hunters understand exactly what types of bonuses are available and how to tell a good deal from a bad one.

A casino bonus is simply a reward that online casinos give players. That added something could be money, cashback, or anything else of value, including free spins and loyalty rewards.  

Online casinos don’t offer bonuses because they are generous philanthropists. Instead, they offer bonuses because it is one of the most effective ways to attract new customers and retain existing ones.  

A good bonus is a win-win for both you and the casino—they get new players, and you get to boost your bankroll and play for longer. 

On one end of the spectrum, we have fair bonuses that users can easily convert into cash on hand. On the other end, we have unfair bonuses that look great on the surface, but are covertly designed to cost you money. It is obviously important to be able to tell a good deal from a bad deal. 

That’s where we come in. We’ll tell you more about how to spot the best casino bonuses a little later on. For now, let’s take a closer look at which promotions you should claim in the first place.

A lot of casino enthusiasts, especially beginners, judge a bonus solely based on its size. For instance, many would assume that a 100% match bonus up to $500 is better than a 50% match bonus up to $200. While size matters, it should never be your first consideration.

If you want to know whether a given bonus is worthwhile, you need to dive into the offer’s terms and conditions to learn the rules of the offer.

The first thing you should look at is something called wagering requirements. This refers to the number of times you must wager your bonus, and it varies from bonus to bonus. Offers with low wagering requirements are much easier to clear than bonuses with high wagering requirements. We will get further into wagering requirements and other common terms and conditions throughout this casino bonuses tutorial, so that you can quickly tell if a bonus is worth it or not.

Online casinos offer all sorts of bonus types to Canadian players. Once you understand the different varieties, you can then zero in on the types of bonuses that appeal to you the most. Let’s go over the ten most common bonuses found at Canadian online casinos.

Welcome Bonus

A welcome bonus is only available to new players. To claim one, you’ll need to open a new account and (usually) make your first deposit. Once you’ve done that, the bonus will be activated and applied to your account. Welcome bonuses typically come as deposit match offers, free spins, or a combination of both. However, you may also find welcome bonuses that offer things like cashback or risk-free play. We’ll tell you all about these bonus options below.

No-Deposit Bonus

Canadians love no-deposit bonuses. Why? Well, no-deposit bonuses don’t require any financial commitment from you—in most cases, sites that offer no-deposit casino bonuses will give you the bonus just for signing up! This is a great way to test a new site and try some of its games on the house’s dime. No-deposit bonuses are generally much smaller than other mainstream bonuses, and they tend to come with tougher T&Cs. Still, they can end up putting serious chunks of change in your pockets.

Free Spins

Free spins are also very popular and widely available in Canada. These promos involve casinos giving you free stakes on selected slot games, allowing you to spin the reels without wagering any of your hard-earned cash. Most times, a site that offers free spins will give them to you when you make a deposit, although they can also be claimed through no-deposit offers.

The thing with free spins is that any winnings you accumulate through your free spins are normally considered bonus cash, and as such are subject to wagering requirements. That said, more and more operators are offering no-wagering free spins these days. This means that your free spins winnings are yours to keep, no strings attached.

Deposit Match

Deposit match bonuses are among the most common types of bonuses at casinos in Canada. With these, the operator will match a certain percentage of your deposit. Let’s say you claim a 100% match bonus up to $100. This means that the online casino will 100% match your deposit up to a maximum of $100. So, if you deposit $50, you’ll receive an additional $50 in your bonus account. If you were to deposit $100 or more, you would earn the maximum bonus amount of $100.

Cashback

Canadians who claim cashback bonuses will earn a portion of their losses back. Cashback bonuses are standard features of many VIP and loyalty programs. It is usually issued daily, weekly, or monthly, providing players with ongoing value. You can think of it as a small insurance policy.

The downside to cashback as a featured bonus is that such an offer is predicated on losing. You only get the cashback bonus if you lose a certain amount during the bonus period. You must also consider whether the cashback is credited to your withdrawable balance or if it goes into your bonus account, which is subject to wagering requirements.

Risk-Free Play

Risk-free play bonuses are pretty rare but can be incredibly rewarding. With a risk-free play bonus, the casino will reimburse a percentage of your losses up to a certain amount that you may incur over the advertised bonus period. If it’s a 24-hour risk-free play period, then you’ll get a refund on any losses from your first 24 hours of play. The refund usually comes as bonus cash, but some risk-free play promos actually refund the money to your withdrawable balance.

Reload Bonus

Reload bonuses are very similar to welcome bonuses in that they typically offer valuable perks like bonus cash, free spins, or both. The most significant difference is that reload bonuses are available to all players, whereas welcome bonuses are only available to new players.

Reloads are designed to keep players coming back. All you need to do is claim one when you make a minimum deposit. The bonus is then automatically credited to your account and is ready for use. Many top sites allow players to claim reload bonuses over and over instead of just once.

VIP & Loyalty Rewards

VIP and loyalty rewards are among the most underrated types of bonuses. With these, players earn VIP and loyalty benefits like bonus cash, free spins, cashback, and rewards for reaching the next tier. Most sites automatically enroll players in their VIP and loyalty programs as soon as they open a new account. However, some VIP programs are invite-only.

The idea is that these schemes reward players for their play—the more you bet, the more valuable the rewards. Other benefits can include things like birthday bonuses, customized promotional offers, and big-ticket items like cars, vacations, and other VIP events.

High Roller Bonus

While a $100 bonus might look appealing to the average player, it won’t really appeal to a high roller who stakes hundreds (or even thousands) of dollars per round. Seeing how online casino operators go to great lengths to attract big bettors, it only makes sense that many sites offer high roller bonuses. Generally speaking, high roller bonuses offer much bigger rewards than the regular bonuses that are aimed at casual players, often upwards of $2,000.

Refer-A-Friend Bonus

Referral programs are a great way to earn stacks of cash. All you normally need to do is send a referral link to someone you know. If that person opens an account using that link and then proceeds to make a deposit and place a certain amount in wagers, the casino will reward you both handsomely. While most refer-a-friend programs place a cap on the number of successful referrals, some don’t.

When you make a deposit without claiming a bonus, those funds are yours and may be withdrawn at any time in accordance with the site’s withdrawal policy. Bonus cash works differently. For starters, when you receive bonus cash, it is placed in a special bonus account, which is separate from your regular account balance. You must then satisfy the bonus terms and conditions, including the wagering requirement, before you can cash out those funds.

Once you’ve done that, the casino will transfer the bonus funds from your bonus account to your regular account, where it may be withdrawn. Of course, you can also use that money to play casino games and win more.

This same concept applies to free spins bonuses: in most instances, any money you win from free spins goes straight into your bonus account. As such, that cash is subject to wagering requirements. You can only cash out your winnings once the rollover and all other T&Cs have been completed.

Each of the casinos below provides a generous and accessible welcome bonus handpicked by our team of experts. On top of that, we ensure that the overall casino experience lives up to our expectations. Our fair and multi-step review process ensures an impartial rating based on criteria we know are important to Canadian players:

Mafia Casino

Mafia Casino welcomes new Canadian players with a 300% match bonus up to $1,500, along with 200 free spins and 1 Bonus Crab game. The bonus applies to your first deposit, and the wager requirement is 35x (Deposit + Bonus) and 40x on free spins. The Bonus Crab adds a fun twist, giving you a shot at instant rewards.

The site features more than 8,000 casino games, including slots, jackpots, and live dealer tables from top studios like Play’n GO, NetEnt, and Evolution. Deposits and withdrawals are supported via Interac, debit cards, e-wallets, and cryptocurrency.

SupaBet

SupaBet offers a straightforward and reliable welcome bonus for new players — a 100% match up to $750 plus 200 free spins on your first deposit. To qualify, you’ll need to deposit at least $30, and wagering is set at 35x for bonus funds and 40x for free spin winnings.

The platform hosts thousands of games, including live dealer tables, jackpots, and crash games, all from leading software developers like Pragmatic Play and Microgaming. Payments are fast and secure, with Interac, credit cards, and e-wallets all available to Canadian players.

Dragonia

Dragonia invites new players with a 200% deposit bonus up to $5,000, and 300 free spin The minimum deposit is $30, and wagering requirements are 35x on bonus cash and 40x on spin winnings.

The casino’s library is packed with everything from popular online slots to live dealer tables and instant-win games. Dragonia accepts Canada-friendly banking methods like Interac, debit cards, and select crypto wallets, ensuring a smooth, flexible experience for all players.

BEONBET

BEONBET gives new players one of the largest welcome bonuses in Canada — a 200% bonus up to $4,500 plus 350 free spins, available with promo code G2H350. The offer applies to your first five deposits, and all bonus funds and spin winnings are subject to a dynamic wagering requirement, depending on which deposit you make.

The online casino features thousands of games from studios like Evolution and Pragmatic Play. Interac, credit cards, and crypto payments are supported, and withdrawals for verified accounts are often completed within 24 hours.

Magius

Perhaps the best magic trick at Magius casino is the 300% welcome bonus up to $2,000 and 200 free spins spread over two deposits. The terms include a 35x wagering requirement on both deposits and bonuses, while free spin winnings carry a 40x playthrough.

Players can explore a rich mix of slots, live tables, and jackpot games from world-class providers such as Play’n GO and Microgaming. The site’s licensing under Anjouan ensures secure operations and transparent terms, with Interac, Visa, and crypto all supported for fast and easy transactions.

GoldSpin Casino

Goldspin Casino offers Canadian players a premium welcome with a 100% bonus up to $2,250 plus 100 free spins. Minimum deposit is $15, and the wagering requirement is 35x on bonus funds and 40x on spins.

Behind its stylish gold-accented theme is a library of over 8,000 games, including live blackjack, roulette, and slots from major studios like NetEnt, Evolution, and Pragmatic Play. Goldspin supports Interac, crypto, and card payments, all processed quickly and securely.

OnlyWin Casino

Only Win has an impressive welcome bonus: a 375% match bonus up to $3,000 plus 300 free spins across your first deposits. However, the wagering requirement is 40x on all winnings.

With over 7,000 games to explore, players can enjoy everything from Megaways slots to live dealer tables, all optimized for desktop and mobile devices.

RoboCat Casino

RoboCat Casino greets new players with a flexible multi-deposit bonus of 300% up to $3,000 plus 300 free spins spread across three deposits. Bonus funds have a 35x wagering requirement, and spin winnings carry 40x before cashout.

The space cat-themed casino site features over 7,000 games from top casino software providers and  Canadian-friendly payments like Interac and crypto are accepted, with smooth, same-day processing for verified players.

24Casino

24Casino offers nonstop action with a generous welcome package worth up to $4,500 plus 350 free spins. The bonus is divided across multiple deposits, giving players plenty of chances to maximize their balance.

With more than 14,000 games, 24Casino ranks among the largest gaming libraries online. The site accepts Interac, debit cards, and crypto, and its VIP program rewards loyal members with cashback and exclusive support.

Spinbara Casino

Spinbara Casino gives new players a head start with a 200% welcome bonus up to $5,000 plus 300 free spins across their first two deposits. Minimum deposit is $30, and wagering terms are 35x on bonuses and 40x on free spins.

Its vast collection of 8,800+ games includes Megaways titles, jackpots, and HD live casino tables powered by Evolution and Microgaming. Interac, e-wallets, and crypto options are available for fast, reliable payments, and all operations are secured under the casino’s Anjouan license.

The process of claiming a casino bonus is usually quite simple. Before we walk you through the steps, you should know that some bonuses merely require you to opt in, while others require the use of a bonus code—this is just a string of letters and/or numbers that, when entered, automatically applies the bonus to your account. If a bonus requires a code, it will be easily available in the offer’s details on the site’s promotions page.

Now, let’s go through the steps. 

1. Choose an online casino: The first step toward claiming a bonus is choosing an online casino that offers the type of bonus you’re looking for. However, we suggest only playing at online casinos that have been tested and approved by our experts. Since we actually register, deposit, and claim bonuses at online casinos, you can trust that our reviews are completely impartial, honest, and accurate.
2. Sign up: Now that you have found a reliable online casino with a great bonus, you can open a new account. This should only take a minute or so to do, and it will require you to provide some basic personal details like your full name, DOB, and mobile number. Some sites will present you with your welcome bonus offer when you register.
3. Claim the bonus: If you didn’t claim the bonus during registration, you can either claim it when you make your first deposit or claim it in the site’s promotions section. If the bonus requires a bonus code, then you can enter it in the provided space. Don’t hesitate to contact the site’s support team if you have any trouble getting your bonus.
4. Deposit funds: Head to the cashier, select the Deposit option, and then choose your preferred payment option. You can then enter the deposit amount and submit it. The funds and claimed bonus should immediately appear in your account. 
5. Play games: Now it’s time to use your free spins and start chipping away at the wagering requirements. You will only have a certain amount of time to get it done, so make sure that you don’t wait too long.

As promised, we will now take a close look at the most important casino bonus terms and conditions. This will give you a better understanding of how these offers work and the challenges you could face when claiming one. While some of these T&Cs are more impactful than others, failing to satisfy even one requirement will result in your bonus offer being nullified.

Wagering Requirements: Commonly referred to as rollover or playthrough, wagering requirements refer to the number of times you must wager through a bonus amount before you can withdraw your winnings. Wagering requirements are the single most important aspect of a bonus. If it’s too high, your chances of successfully converting the bonus are reduced as the house edge does its thing.

If you get $100 in bonus cash, and it comes with a 40X wagering requirement, this means you are required to place $4,000 in bets before you can withdraw the bonus. Simply multiply the bonus amount by the wagering requirement to find out how much you need to stake.

Game Weightings: Not all bets contribute equally to wagering requirements. Typically, 100% of slot bets count toward the rollover. However, bets on table games like blackjack or roulette might only contribute 10% or 20%. It depends on the operator. You’ll also find that some games don’t count at all against the wagering requirement. This is why it’s so crucial to check out the game weightings in the offer’s T&Cs.

Bonus Expiry: All bonus offers eventually end. Not only do you need to concern yourself with how long the offer is available for, but you also need to consider the amount of time you have to satisfy wagering requirements and other conditions. If you don’t meet the wagering requirements in time, then the offer will be voided, and you’ll lose out.

Win Caps: Win caps refer to the maximum amount of money you can win and withdraw using a bonus. For example, a lot of free spins offers come with a win cap. It varies from site to site. If you win more than the win cap, then all of that extra money is simply forfeited.

Maximum Bets: When you are trying to meet the wagering requirement, your bet amounts will be capped. These bet caps often range between $5 and $10, although they can be higher or lower depending on the bonus. Understand that these caps don’t apply if you are using your own money – only when you’re actively engaged in an applicable bonus.

Eligible Games: Some bonuses may only be used on specific games. For example, the 100 free spins included in the Casino Days welcome bonus may only be used on the Gates of Olympus slot. If you claim a cash bonus, then you may discover that bets on table games or live dealer casino games don’t count. You can still play excluded games, but your bets won’t count toward the rollover. Always check the bonus T&Cs to find out which games are eligible.

Payment Method Restrictions: Did you know that some sites exclude specific payment methods from receiving bonuses? This is extremely important to know—the last thing you want to do is find out that the deposit you just made didn’t qualify for the bonus you were seeking. Of course, such a thing won’t take you by surprise if you pay close attention to the payment restrictions listed in the offer’s terms and conditions.

Promo Codes: This tutorial explained how some offers require a bonus code. If a bonus requires one, the code will be clearly displayed in the offer’s T&Cs. You can also find exclusive promo codes at gambling information sites like Casino.com. You can usually redeem a bonus code when you make a deposit or by entering it in the appropriate location in your account profile.

Canadian casino buffs look for different things when they claim bonuses. Some want cash, some want free spins, and some seek other perks like cashback. Below you’ll find the best bonuses in Canada, conveniently arranged by player type.

The Cautious First-Timer

Many beginners are hesitant to commit to playing at a real money casino. This is understandable, seeing how they may not be sure what they are doing. This is why no-deposit bonuses are the best for this group, like Big Boost Casino’s 50 no-deposit free spins. Remember that no-deposit bonuses don’t require any financial risk. They are designed to allow beginners to test the site and try some games for free while also offering a chance to win real money payouts.

The Slot Machine Fanatics

Slots are the most popular attractions at casinos. They don’t require any skill or strategy. It’s all about luck. If you are a slot jockey, then you’re likely best off claiming a free spins bonus. Look for low-wagering free spins deals that allow you to play as many titles as possible. Check out Gizbo Casino if you want to claim the biggest free spins bonus in Canada.

The Table Game Purist

Some folks simply prefer the thrill of table games like roulette, blackjack, and casino poker. If that’s you, then we suggest claiming a cash bonus provided table games aren’t excluded from the offer. Just remember that most table games only contribute a small portion of each bet toward the wagering requirement. Trip2VIP has up to $7K in bonus cash waiting for you to claim.

The High Roller

The average high roller will likely be disinterested in the average Canadian online casino bonus. $1,000 might seem like a lot to the average player, but it might represent a single bet or even a small portion of one to a high roller. This is why many operators offer special bonuses for players who commit large sums of money. High roller deals such as the one provided by LuckyKoala are tailored for players who aren’t easily impressed.

Live Casino Enthusiast

Unfortunately, finding live casino bonuses can be challenging, but they’re out there. Like table game purists, live casino buffs need to focus on game eligibility to ensure they can play their most beloved live games when they claim their bonus. Lucky Spin’s welcome bonus offers a 10% contribution for bets on live dealer games.

The Budget Bettor

You have to establish a budget before you gamble, and some people have tighter budgets than others. For those who prefer to remain in the realm of small stakes, we think that bonuses that include a mix of bonus cash and free spins are the best options. Cashed Casino’s welcome bonus does this while also adding cashback to the mix.

The Loyalty Program Collector

Loyalty programs offer loads of opportunities to earn cash and other benefits, including free spins, cashback, birthday bonuses, and retail items like luxury vacations, jewelry, and even cards. Loyalty program collectors can easily find loyalty rewards and VIP programs that enable them to continuously earn benefits based on the amount they wager. We urge loyalty program collectors to check out 10Bet.

The Cashback Lover

Well, the perfect bonus offer for a cashback lover is obvious. While cashback is seldom a part of welcome bonuses, there’s usually plenty of cashback available through regular promotions, loyalty schemes, and VIP programs. You can get daily cashback, weekly cashback, and monthly cashback at Casino Infinity.

When used properly, a bonus can be profitable and entertaining at the same time. However, there are a few pitfalls that you must avoid if you are to get the most out of your bonus offer. Before we get into the common mistakes and how to avoid them, we should first reiterate the importance of not just reading the terms and conditions but understanding them and following them to the letter. Now, let’s go over some of the most common bonus mistakes.

Trying to claim multiple bonuses at the same site: Some sites offer bonuses that can be used in conjunction with other bonuses. However, this is quite rare. Most sites only allow you to use one bonus at a time. If you try to claim another one while the original one is active, then it will be voided.

Depositing using an excluded payment option: You may find that an offer you are considering excludes certain payment methods. Simply put, you won’t get the bonus if you deposit using an excluded option. If the bonus excludes specific payment methods, they will be listed in the offer’s T&Cs.

Exceeding the maximum bet limit: Betting more than the bet limit won’t always cause a bonus to be nullified, but it’s been known to happen. In a best-case scenario, it just means you won’t contribute as much as you think to the wagering requirement. Worst case? The bonus is voided. The T&Cs will explain the consequences.

Withdrawing while engaged in a bonus: Most, but not all, bonus T&Cs state that you may not withdraw funds while actively involved in a bonus. The truth is that you usually can withdraw your money, but doing so will nullify the bonus.

Missing the bonus expiry window: As mentioned, all bonuses eventually come to an end. If you don’t claim it in time, it won’t be available anymore. Moreover, if you don’t satisfy the wagering requirements and other terms in the allotted timeframe, the bonus will go up in smoke.

Playing excluded games: You may think that each bet you place is contributing to the bonus wagering requirements, but that might not be the case. You see, bets on some games either don’t count or contribute a very small portion. Remember that part about game weightings? These excluded games are always itemized in the T&Cs. You can still play them. You can even win money. It’s just that those bets don’t count toward the wagering requirement.

Each and every casino bonus you see here at Casino.com has been thoroughly tested and rated by our iGaming experts. We view them from the perspective of the average Canadian casino buff because, well, we’re casino players ourselves. Alongside having decades of combined experience in the gambling industry, we’re also passionate about playing games online.

When reviewing casino bonuses, we look at a variety of factors, including ease of use, value, flexibility, wagering requirements, and various limitations such as payment exclusions and game restrictions. Just as we like to promote the positives, we also make a point of letting you know about any sneaky or unfair conditions.

In the end, we want to make sure that you get maximum value from your bonuses. We certainly don’t want you claiming unfair bonuses that are more likely to lose money than win money. This is why we created this guide. We want you to have the ability to separate the truly good bonuses from the worst ones.