Bonus offers are promotions from online casinos that award players free cash to bet with or free spins. Every online casino will have special offers and promotions, such as deposit bonuses, welcome bonuses, and no-deposit bonuses.

Casino bonuses are a great way to boost your real money bankroll for free, and with a little bit of homework, you can find one that works for your budget and playing habits.

There are several types of casino bonuses offered to real money players. These generally apply to specific scenarios, like the first deposit. The purpose of bonuses is to reward players and encourage them to play. To withdraw your winnings from a bonus, you’ll need to meet the wagering requirements in the terms and conditions.

Here are the different types of online casino bonuses available:

• No-deposit bonus

If you're short of cash and want to access online bonuses, you can sign up for a no-deposit bonus, which will enable you to play for free. Once your total "winnings" have been calculated, you must keep playing to release the money. Typically, you'll have to "wager" the winnings a certain number of times. Clearing this type of bonus can be easy if you play online slots often.

• Welcome bonus

If you’re signing up to an online casino for the first time you may be able to claim a welcome bonus. A welcome bonus is a "match deposit" paid by the casino. If you deposit $100, and the casino matches it 100%, you can win back $100 free. You’ll need to wager the $100 first, usually 20-40 times, but most online slots contribute 100% towards the bonus amount.

• Leaderboard tournaments

Leaderboard slot tournaments give you the opportunity to play against other players for a cash prize. In a standard tournament, you might need to accumulate the most profit from 20 consecutive winning spins. Whoever gets the most "profit" wins the leaderboard. A real money jackpot will be spread out among the top finishers.

• High roller bonus

If you deposit a large amount of real money into your online casino account you can benefit from exclusive deals aimed towards high rollers. These have higher limits, allowing you to get more bonus funds for free. If a standard welcome bonus reaches $100, a high roller bonus can exceed $1,000!

• Reload bonus

If you’re a member of an online casino you’ll continue to receive regular bonus deals, often in the form of reload bonuses. These apply to the deposits made after claiming the welcome bonus. Reload deals are usually sent by email to registered players, or promoted on the casino website.

• Game-specific bonuses

New slots releases or special events often come with exclusive bonuses for one or more gaming options. For example, you could receive free spins for a selected online slot machine to try it before spending real money. Bonus funds can also be awarded for specific games.

• Device-specific bonuses

Nowadays, more players are enjoying their favorite slots on mobile devices. Casino operators often offer mobile-exclusive bonuses. These can only be claimed from a compatible smartphone or tablet on the site, or through the casino mobile app, if available.

• Percentage deposit bonuses

Percentage deposit bonuses are widely available at online casinos and give you extra funds to play with based on your deposit amount. In many cases, the percentage can reach 100% and even exceed that for big deposits. Casinos encourage you to make larger transactions to get the best bonus deals.

Wagering requirements, also known as playthrough rates, are included in the terms and conditions of most casino bonuses. Wagering requirements prevent players from withdrawing the bonus money and running away with it. Instead, the funds must be used to bet on eligible games until the requirement is met.

When it comes to slots, the wagering requirement is usually between 35 and 50 times the initial bonus. Other casino games generally have lower contributions or none at all.

For example, a 100% bonus of $100 with a 50x wagering requirement means that the player must bet a total of $5,000 before withdrawing their real money winnings. Normally, the wagering must be completed within 30 days.

Whether you’re looking for the best online slots welcome bonuses, a free sign-up slots bonus, or a deposit bonus, we've got you covered. Check out our list of the best online casinos to find an online slots bonus that ticks all your boxes.

If you're wondering how we find the best online slots bonuses, check out the yellow box below.