6 Things To Consider When Choosing A Slots Sign Up Bonus

Ziv Chen

Updated by Ziv Chen

Writer

Last Updated 11th Dec 2024, 09:30 AM

6 Things To Consider When Choosing A Slots Sign Up Bonus

Online slots are by far the most popular, and for many players, the most exciting game type featured at both online and land-based casinos. Typically the most substantial segment of online casino sites, online slots, are perfect for beginners and experts alike due to their simplistic click-and-spin nature. With numerous themes, features, and pay-lines available, there’s a slot game out there to suit everyone!

Playing slots for real money is undeniably one of the best options for gambling online. But to get started, you can test slots and understand which are the best for you. Plus, when you start signing up to new slot sites, you’ll want to capitalise on their slot welcome bonuses. These exciting deposit bonuses and other bonus funds will help boost your bankroll. And subject to each welcome bonus’ wagering requirements, you can soon cash out your bonus spins or other bonus offer.

To help you find the best online slots sign-up bonuses at real slots heavens out there, this handy Casinos.com welcome bonus guide runs through all aspects you need to consider when choosing a slots deposit bonus and even a no deposit bonus offer. Also, our team of casino experts recommend the best online slot machine casinos and the hottest casino bonuses available in the casino slot market. We consistently update our deposit offer guides with new and exciting promotions, so why not bookmark this page and visit us regularly for the latest slot-related casino bonuses?

Things To Consider When Playing Online Slots

Before we jump into considerations for casino slot bonuses, here’s a quick overview of the elements of a casino slot game that you should think about before spinning those reels. The only thing you don't have to worry about is whether slot machines are rigged. You can rest easy knowing that whichever title you choose will provide fair and random outcomes.

Theme

Being abundant at online casinos, slot games come in every theme imaginable. From underwater worlds to the pyramids of Ancient Egypt, you’ll easily be able to find a casino game in the genre of your choosing. Some casino titles in Ireland are even based on popular movies and TV shows, bringing the action from the silver screen straight to your desktop or mobile.

Design

Traditionally, slot machines had three reels and one, three, or five paylines. However, modern online casino games can boast multiple rows and columns, featuring anywhere from a single payline to 1,024 ways to win. The graphics, animations and sounds of casino games are also unique, with symbols and characters aligning with the theme and high-quality graphics created for the best user experience.

Mobile Capability

Nowadays, slot casino games are built using HTML5 technology, ensuring slot site titles are responsive and can be accessed interchangeably on both desktops and mobile devices. We only recommend the top online mobile slots, so by picking one of our highlighted slot sites, you will have access to a slots heaven on the go. So, whether you're playing regular online slots, slot tournaments or Drops and Wins, you'll be able to enjoy them at any time. 

Features

Modern video slots, from jackpot slots to bingo hybrid games, have a range of exciting in-game features that you can enjoy as you play your bonus bets and free spins winnings. These vary hugely, as no two casino games are quite the same! However, standard casino games bonus features include unlockable free slots spins, multipliers for added bonus winnings, and separate bonus bets. There are even mini-games and bonus rounds you can earn that lead to bigger and better prizes.

Betting Limits

Betting limits refer to the maximum and minimum amount a player can wager during a single spin. This can also affect the maximum bonus winnings you can expect to claim from one spin. You should also be aware that free slots spins often come with a limited maximum bet. In addition, most slots have a minimum bet of 10p per pay-line, but this isn’t always the case. Certain titles cater specifically to high rollers who can happily spend $20 per spin. Remember, be sure to only play on casino games you can afford or use a slot bonus when betting.

RTP

RTP, or 'Return to Player', refers to the average amount of money a slot pays back to players over an extended period and is expressed as a percentage. The average RTP for online slots is 96%, meaning that, for the most part, from every $100 wagered, $96 will be returned to players in winnings. As the outcome of every spin is random, one player can win huge amounts on a single spin, while another can have a streak of losing spins. That’s why the RTP is just a number for reference. There are more factors to consider, but as a rule, the higher the slot’s RTP, the better.

Volatility

Volatility refers to the frequency and size of wins a slot game pays out. Highly volatile slots give payouts less frequently, but when they do, the payouts are larger. Conversely, low volatility means payouts are smaller but more frequent. The best slot for you depends on the level of risk you’re willing to take. Will you go volatile or play it safe?

6 Things To Consider When Choosing A Sign-Up Bonus

Now that you know the basics to consider when playing online slots, it’s time to sign up, claim a juicy bonus and start spinning the reels! Here are a few things you’ll need to consider when choosing your slots sign-up bonus.

What Is A Slots Sign Up Bonus?

Sign-up bonuses, or new deposit offers, are promotions that many online casinos offer new players to thank them for joining. One type of slot sign up bonus available is free bonus spins, a popular option among bettors, that rewards you with a certain number of free spins on a single or different casino games. Similarly, deposit match bonuses are commonly found at online casinos, matching part or all of the value of your initial deposit. For example, if you deposit $10, you will get a $10 match bonus.

Remember that accompanying terms and conditions can impact the maximum amount you can win, and limit available games and the overall value of the bonus bet. Yet, regardless of which type of offer you choose, all slot bonuses will give you the chance to increase your bankroll and win big without investing too much of your own real money.

1. Bonus Type And Amount

The value of a slot sign up bonus is what usually draws players to the slot site. Yet, things are not black and white, as this value isn’t the amount you will necessarily get. It is essential to look at the type of casino slot bonus you’re claiming and understand how this works. For example, for any player claiming a 100% deposit match bonus of up to $100, the casino will double the player’s deposit with a bonus amount. So, to take full advantage of this offer, you should deposit $100, and the casino will credit your account with an additional $100 bonus, leaving you with a whopping $200 to wager on your favourite slots.

Free spins are slightly easier to understand as the casino will clearly state how many are on offer. However, be sure to check if there is a cap on your free spins winnings. Ideally, you want the maximum bonus for a minimal upfront investment.

2. Eligible Slots

Most slots sign up bonuses won’t allow you to redeem your welcome offer on a casino game of your choosing. Specifically, many sites do not permit the use of promotions on progressive jackpot titles. But worry not, as the slot selection is often inclusive of popular slots like all-time classics, or new titles online casinos are trying to promote.

It may be worthwhile using a slot bonus for a game you’ve never played before, as this allows you to try the game for free while still having the possibility to win. Remember, no casino bonus is identical, so if you are not interested in the eligible slots in a particular casino bonus, there are plenty of other promotions out there for you to sample.

3. Player Eligibility

Player eligibility is another crucial consideration – you don’t want to create an online account to discover the bonus is unavailable to you. Players from certain countries may be restricted from registering and depositing at certain online casinos, so always read the terms and conditions of bonuses carefully before signing up, as any player restrictions will be listed there.

Additionally, all slot sign up bonuses are exclusively reserved for new players. Existing players should take advantage of ongoing promotions or loyalty reward programmes, or join another online casino to claim its welcome offer.

4. Wagering Requirements

Playthrough or wagering requirements refer to the number of times you must wager the value of the slots bonus before it is available to withdraw. Wagering requirements and maximum bonus amounts are put in place to prevent players from taking advantage of welcome bonuses, and having cleared these requirements, only then will any winnings be converted into real money.

Most online casinos will show the wagering requirements as a multiplier. For example, 35x wagering requirements means the player must gamble the slot bonus value thirty five times over before they will be able to cash out any bonus winnings. So, if you claim a $100 bonus in this case, you will have to bet $3,500 ($100 x 35) before making a withdrawal.

The wagering requirements are arguably the most important consideration when choosing a slots sign-up bonus. If conditions are too challenging or you take longer than the allowed deposit offer claiming period, you will forfeit the entire value of your offer, so only claim promotions you know you can clear.

5. Other Terms And Conditions

The terms and conditions that accompany online slot sign up bonuses are nearly always long and detailed and often include limitations that will affect how you can use your welcome bonus. For example, many casino table games don’t contribute fully to the completion of the wagering requirements, while in many cases, wagers on live-dealer games don’t count at all.

Alternative terms and conditions may include time limits, such as clearing the bonus within 14 days. Also, a deposit match slot bonus will have a minimum deposit that needs to be met to be considered a qualifying deposit. What’s more, players using certain currencies or based in certain regions may not qualify for claiming the sign-up bonus. As such, you should read the terms and conditions through in their entirety before claiming any offer. All these terms are there becuase casinos want to stop online bonus abuse

6. Payment Methods

Finally, you’ll need to consider what payment platforms are eligible when claiming a slot bonus. Specifically for deposit bonuses, many online casinos will not permit the use of e-wallets, such as PayPal, Neteller or Skrill. In contrast, payment via debit or credit cards is more widely accepted. Always check the casino’s terms and conditions to make sure your preferred payment method is available.

Meet The Author

25 Years
Experience
Ziv Chen
Ziv Chen
Writer Writer

Ziv Chen has been working in the online gambling industry for over two decades in senior marketing and business development roles. Ziv writes about a wide range of topics including slot and table games, casino and sportsbook reviews, American sports news, betting odds and game predictions. Leading a life full of conflict, Ziv constantly struggles between his two greatest loves: American football and US soccer.

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