The online casino industry is booming in the United States. With each passing year more and more states are opening their virtual doors to iGaming, meaning it’s never been easier to play a few hands of blackjack or find your favorite slot… and what accompanies legal casino games? A first deposit online casino bonus, for starters.
Legal online casinos know that you, the player, have options. They know that they need to do their part to keep you interested with lucrative promotional deals and other extras, or another casino will. Now, there’s a wealth of different offers available out there, which should you grab? That’s where we come in.
Let’s talk U.S. online casino promos from top to bottom, breaking down eligibility, how to read the terms and conditions, the top offers to look for, and the best promo codes available right now. From no-deposit offers to deposit casino bonuses, we give you the full breakdown on which offers are easy money, and which you may want to pass on.
Below, we’ve compiled all of the industry’s top online casino bonuses and listed them for your convenience. If one of the offers described below happens to catch your eye and is active in your state, click on the review link in the table and you’ll be redirected to a page containing the necessary links and/or promo codes to claim your bonus!
Before we delve a little deeper into promotional specifics, it’s important to point out that online casino gaming is legalized on a state-by-state basis. Available games, promotions, age requirements, etc., can vary by state. Unfortunately, you can only gamble online in select states that have specifically legalized online casino games. Right now you can claim lucrative bonuses in the following states:
If you’re not present in one of the above states, you won’t be able to play a real money online casino game or claim a casino bonus. Some casinos offer free-to-play demo versions of their games that can be used out of state, but real money play is geofenced. All players will need to download a plugin or enable geolocation services on their mobile device to prove their location before taking part. Another option is that you can play social casinos, which are usually legal and available in most states.
The positive news is that with each passing year more states join the list. While New Jersey existed on an iCasino island for several years, others are following in the Garden State’s footsteps. Pennsylvania opened for business in 2019, West Virginia followed in 2020, and Connecticut and Michigan in 2021. More will join, so stay tuned!
Best Online Casinos
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As the competition continues to grow within the legal online casino industry, brands have had no choice but to offer incentives as a way of attracting new patrons. Considering nearly every online operator worth its salt now offers a welcome bonus to its new customers, things can get a bit overwhelming when looking at the big picture.
For that reason, we decided to lay out our top choices when it comes to new-user bonuses. First, we’ll go over some of our favorite deposit bonus codes, and follow that up with our Top 5 no-deposit bonuses that are currently up for grabs.
Best Deposit Match Bonuses – Our Top Choices
The most common welcome promo offered by many online casino operators is a deposit welcome bonus. Brands will essentially lure in new customers by offering a promo on your first deposit, usually matched up to a certain percentage.
The terms and conditions behind each site’s deposit match will vary greatly, so it’s always extremely important to read them before sending in your hard-earned cash. We’ll cover all of the details regarding each of the Top 5 deposit match bonuses that cracked our list.
1. BetMGM Casino
$1,000 Deposit Match + $25 on the House – Bonus Code: USBETS
Coming up next on our list is none other than BetMGM Online Casino, one of the more prominent names in all of online gambling. BetMGM Casino’s deposit bonus is one of the larger matches we’ve seen, coming in at 100% up to $1,000. This offer is currently available to new users located in Michigan, New Jersey, and Pennsylvania. Bettors in West Virginia can get a 100% deposit match up to $2500 + $50 on the House + 50 Free Spins. What a deal! Remember to use the promo code USBETS to take advantage of this great offer.
As always, with an offer this sweet there will be a few stipulations. For starters, make sure you make an initial deposit of at least $10 within 30 days of account creation or the deposit match offer will expire. Once you’ve made that deposit and received your 100% match, you will need to meet the site’s 15x wagering requirement within 14 days of deposit in order to clear those funds for withdrawal. For every $1 in bonus funds acquired, you must wager $15 in the casino.
Your promo balance can be used on any casino games available on BetMGM, aside from roulette and baccarat. Those games will not count towards the 15x wagering requirement, however slots, video poker, craps, and blackjack will. Each game type does contribute differently towards the 15x rollover, which we’ve highlighted below:
Slots, Progressive Jackpot Slots, Virtual Games, and Scratch Cards: 100%
Caesars Palace Online Casino tops our list of the best deposit match bonuses in the industry, mainly because it offers the largest of its kind. Previous offers have included a 100% deposit match up to $1,250. Caesars Palace Online Casino is the hot new brand from the gambling behemoth, and their bonus is large to boot.
All offers come with some stipulations. For starters, previous bonuses have only been eligible for online slots and/or video poker. If players choose to play online slots, the 100% match carries a 1x wagering requirement. Alternatively, if the player chooses to play video poker to clear the playthrough requirement, it takes a decent 2x rollover. Other games (excluding craps) will require you wager 5x to meet the requirements to release the bonus.
The entire wagering requirement must be met within 7 days of the deposit or any bonus funds and winnings acquired from the promotion will be removed from the account.
Ocean Casino is somewhat of a sleeping giant in the iGaming world, mainly because it does not have a sportsbook to go along with its online casino offering. Despite this, Ocean Casino has managed to go toe-to-toe with some of the industry’s behemoths by offering a solid deposit match bonus worth $1,200 to all new players. There is no Ocean Casino promo code required, so feel free to click on the link above to claim yours today!
So here’s how this works – by registering for a new Ocean Casino account through our link, new players will have their first deposit matched 100%, up to $1200. So a $150 deposit will get a $150 bonus, but a $1,500 deposit will make out at a $1,200 bonus. Furthermore, each individual deposit comes with a 7-day window to complete the necessary wagering requirements or all funds and profits earned will unfortunately be removed from your account.
The deposit match offer at Ocean Casino does come with a fairly steep 25x rollover requirement, however, this can be met by playing slots, roulette, or table games. Keep in mind that while slot play will contribute 100% towards the rollover, both roulette and other table games will only count for 10%.
And remember, there is no Ocean Casino promo required – click on this link to claim yours today. Only available in New Jersey.
4. BetRivers Casino
100% Deposit Match up to $500 in Bonus Money (MI & NJ only; $250 in WV and PA) – no promo code required
Rounding out our list of the Top 5 best deposit match bonuses in the iCasino realm is another incredibly popular online operator in BetRivers Casino. Using the above link, all new players at BetRivers can claim a special deposit match, depending on which state you happen to be playing from:
Michigan: 100% match up to $500 (1x rollover)
New Jersey: 100% match up to $500 (1x rollover)
Pennsylvania: 100% match up to $250 (1x rollover)
West Virginia: 100% match up to $250 (1x rollover)
Get started by redeeming your offer today! After registering for a new BetRivers Casino account, simply deposit any amount and the site will match it up to the promotional cap listed above!
Within 48 hours, BetRivers will fuel your account with casino bonus cash that can be used on any games other than roulette and baccarat. Any winnings earned by betting the casino cash will be converted to real cash once the required rollover is met, and players can withdraw all of it once complete!
As described above, the wagering requirement will vary depending on where you are located. Michigan and New Jersey players can snag the largest deposit match offered by BetRivers at $500, which may seem low, but the play-through requirement is an unheard of 1x. Similarly, WV and PA-based users who claim the site’s $250 match will only need to roll it over at least 1x to clear the funds. This is by far the best play-through requirement out there.
If you reside in Michigan, New Jersey, West Virginia, or Pennsylvania, this offer is a must-snag! Click on this offer to get started and claim your deposit match bonus today.
While a deposit match is always a great way to start out at a new casino, no-deposit bonuses are arguably even better, because they do not require the user to fork over any of their own funds in order to play right away. With so many different offers currently available, we decided to break down all of them and rank the best ones.
Without further ado, here are our Top 4 best no-deposit online casino bonuses.
Similar to its counterpart BetMGM, Borgata Online Casino is offering all new players a juicy no-deposit bonus of $20 on the house! Simply create an account using the Borgata bonus code USB20 and you’ll have $20 waiting for you as soon as you log in!
The $20 is in addition to the site’s $1,000 deposit match promo, so feel free to take advantage of both by using bonus code USB20. The $20 no-deposit bonus will expire after 3 days, so use it fast! It can be used on regular slots or table games, just no jackpot slots. This offer is up for grabs in New Jersey and Pennsylvania.
Currently live and accepting action in four states (MI, NJ, PA, and WV), Golden Nugget Casino is handing out deposit matches to users in MI and NJ only. New users in both states can snag the deposit match to try out one of the leading online operators in the U.S.
Our list wraps up with 888 Casino’s no-deposit bonus, a $20 offer that can be claimed in addition to the site’s ongoing $500 deposit match promo. After creating an account, you’ll need to claim your $20 by communication. This means all players will need to respond to a verification email after registration, which will activate the bonus.
Players will have 60 days to wager their no-deposit bonus at least 30x over, which is an incredibly hefty wagering requirement. Per usual, slots will count towards 100% of the rollover, while video poker clocks in at 20%. Blackjack and roulette, as you might’ve guessed, only contribute a minuscule 10%. This offer is only available in New Jersey.
Online casino promo codes explained
How do you claim an online casino promotion? Many operators will ask the user to enter a special promo code or bonus code during sign up or when depositing. The promo code lets the casino know that we sent you, and in turn, they’ll hook you up with our USBets-specific offer. Using the wrong promo code, or going without one entirely (gasp) will cost you bonus money.
Online casino games are fun, and they’re the most fun when you’re playing with house money. Before you sign up for a new account be sure to check with us first to make sure you’ve got the right code and can claim the best offer.
Keep in mind that some online casinos will label these codes as ‘Promo Codes’, others will use ‘Bonus Codes’, and it’s possible you’ll see some other variants, too. For all intents and purposes, they mean the same thing. If there’s a blank field during sign up or when depositing with the cashier that mentions a code, slap ours in the box in you are good to go.
USBets casino promo codes will get you better offers
Now that you know why you need a casino promo code, you may be asking, why use a USBets code or click on a USBets link? To put it simply: we’ve got connections. With years of in-industry experience under our belt, we’ve built positive working relationships with the country’s top online casinos. In turn, they’ve hooked us up with the best available offers.
Using an exclusive USBets promo code or link will add more value to your online casino play than others. The offers available to the general public don’t stack up with our exclusive deals.
Identifying a good casino bonus
Welcome offers come in all shapes and sizes. There are bonus money offers, spins, deposit matches, ‘Second Chance’ plays, and much more, with figures ranging from $10 up to thousands being tossed around. So the big question is, how do you know a good welcome offer from a bad one? It’s really all about the details… and by details we mean wagering requirements.
Always read the terms & conditions
Before tackling a casino bonus, make sure you read the terms and conditions. It may seem tedious, but it’s an incredibly valuable part of the process. Generally speaking, the T&C will tell you if the offer is worth your time. Some offers may seem like an incredible opportunity on the outside, but when you dig in, the value just isn’t there. If you’ve got questions about a specific offer, refer to our USBets online casino reviews. We do the math for you, and break down all the T&Cs in terms anyone can easily understand.
All casino bonuses have some sort of wagering requirement attached to their offers. Without them, you could claim and bounce immediately with new funds. Casinos make money, but they can’t give away the store – so to speak. Before you can cash out your iCasino bonus, you’ll need to play some games. That’s where the wagering requirements come in.
Let’s say you’re about to sign up on a new casino and have narrowed it down to two options:
Casino 1: Offering new players a 100% up to $1,000 deposit match
Casino 2: Offering new players a 100% up to $250 deposit match
Which offer are you picking? It seems like a no brainer… $1,000 is bigger and better than $250, right? Not so fast, my friend. You have to check the terms and conditions and scope out the wagering requirements first. Keep an eye out for the playthrough rate, which should be listed clearly. The playthrough rate signifies how much you’ll need to wager before you can withdraw funds. If the playthrough rate is 10x, you will need to wager every dollar you took in bonuses 10 times before that money is yours to keep. Rates across the industry generally range from just 1x (a great offer!) up to 40x+ (not so great).
Therefore, in the above example, if the $250 match bonus has just a 1x playthrough, that promotion would be far more appealing than a $1,000 bonus with a 10x+ requirement. The smaller offer would be significantly easier to clear and take to the bank, while the larger would require you to wager tens of thousands to unlock. The devil is in the details, so it’s vital you make sure you check the wagering requirements!
That being said, just because an offer has higher requirements, doesn’t make it a bad value. Generally, online casino games have a much higher return rate than their retail counterparts. Where the average in-person slot game will only average around 88% return, most online slot games offer a 95% return on your money. It is fully up to you where you want to start. A $250 1x is quick and easy, where a $1000 10x will take more time, but may be worth more in the long run.
Look for qualified games restrictions
Once you’ve nailed down the wagering requirements and playthrough rate, look for qualified games. Some casinos restrict the games that you can play to clear a bonus. For example, an offer might have a 1x playthrough but it has to be cleared by playing slots. If you enjoy slots, that’s not a problem… but if you only really enjoy playing blackjack, baccarat, or other table games, that offer won’t be worth as much to you.
Sometimes casino apps will even restrict you to certain slot titles. They may typically provide a list of slots; if restricted, it will be the high ‘return to player‘ (RTP) machines that don’t qualify. Other times the casino may list various contribution percentages. In these sorts of scenarios it might have slots with a 100% contribution percentage, meaning $1 wagered at slots will count as $1 towards the clearance of the bonus. However, a game like blackjack might be at 20%… meaning for every $1 wagered at a blackjack table you will only clear $.20 of the bonus.
While the wagering requirements tell you how much you need to play, the qualified games tell you what you need to play.
Check the expiration date!
A welcome offer doesn’t last forever and knowing the expiration date will greatly inform your strategy. Generally speaking, users are given a specific window of time to clear a promo offer. Once it expires, any uncleared bonus is lost. Expiration dates typically range from as little as three days to as much as 90 days. The longer you have to clear the offer, the better.
With that being said, don’t let a shorter expiration date turn you away. These offers are still worthwhile… just make sure you have enough time to finish the requirements in time. In other words, if you don’t use it, you lose it.
Types of U.S. casino bonuses
Legal U.S. online casinos generally rely on a few different types of welcome offers. While at times you will see others, the following promotions are the most common. Keep in mind it may be possible to claim more than one at a time, too. Some may offer a welcome package combo that includes both a bonus money component, and a deposit offer. The best of both worlds.
No-deposit bonuses
We’ll start off with the best of the best. You simply can’t top a no-deposit bonus offer; these are promotions that you can take full advantage of without making a deposit. Yes, you read that correctly. Since no deposit is required, there’s no financial risk to the user. No deposit bonuses are typically pretty small, since the casino is literally passing out money from promotions; but what do you have to lose? These offers can typically net you between $10 and $30, which you can use to splash around and try out a few games. It will be a challenge to build a bankroll from, but it’s certainly worth the effort to try.
Like all welcome bonuses, these offers come with T&C so be sure to read them. This is a marketing tactic to get you to try their product, so the casino isn’t just going to toss you 30 bucks and let you withdraw it right away. You will need to fulfill the wagering requirements before the deal (and any winnings from using it) is withdraw-able… but again, it’s all on the house anyway.
When analyzing different sign-up offers, you can also compare which online casino has the fastest payouts. Usually, it takes about 72 hours, however some of the best casinos offer payouts even within 48 hours.
Casino deposit match offers
Deposit match bonuses are as advertised; you deposit some cash, the casino matches your deposit. Match offers are described with a percentage and a maximum cap on the deal. For example, a 100% up to $500 deposit match bonus means the casino will match all of your deposit (100%) up to a total of $500 and you will start out with a $1,000 bankroll. While you could still deposit more than $500, the match you receive would be capped at that amount.
Making a deposit will allow you to earn far more in bonuses than solely relying on other offers. Deposit match offers regularly balloon to over a thousand dollars, but as we’ve discussed, you’ll need to hit the tables before you can pull the money off the site.
If you’re ready to grind, a deposit match is right up your alley. Read the terms and conditions before depositing to make sure you’re not caught of guard by the requirements.
Cashback bonuses – claim a refund
Cashback casino bonuses are essentially a refund. After you sign up and make a deposit the casino will comp you a period of time where you can more or less gamble with less of a risk than you normally would have. Bally Casino is a good example. If you have lost money at the end of the time period, they’ll credit you with funds equal to the amount lost. Obviously, there is a limit to the potential refund, usually $100 – $500, but they’re still very valuable. Cashback offers aren’t found as regularly as the other promotions, but they’re definitely worthwhile.
Now, if you don’t start off hot and you do need the refund to bring you back to even – keep in mind that you will still need to satisfy the wagering requirement. Any bucks the casino credits you will need to be wagered through, but usually are only 1x. So once again… familiarize yourself with the terms and conditions.
Bonus slot spins
Bonus spins are rarely a focal point of a welcome offer, but more of an added cherry on top. To incentivize slots action, online casinos will regularly toss in some extra spins on one of their preferred machines.
It’s hard to assess the overall value from slot spins as your takeaway can vary greatly… but either way they’re a good time and should provide some enjoyment. That’s what it’s all about, right?
Mobile casino bonuses
Mobile casino bonuses are actually the same as a standard online casino offers. The majority of legal U.S. online casinos offer games through a web-browser based casino for use on a computer, plus a savvy casino app on both iOS and Android.
Once you claim a casino welcome bonus you can clear it while playing on any device, it all counts as the same offer. You can register via mobile and play on your computer, or vice versa. Play on the platform you prefer.
Clearing your bonus: Make a plan
Online casino bonuses can be hard to clear, but they’re not impossible. Finishing an offer can be extremely lucrative so it actually pays to approach it the right way. Here’s our advice on how to attack an online casino offer:
First up, read the terms and conditions! We may seem like a broken record here, but the importance of knowing every detail about the offer can’t be understated. Keep an eye out for the key points we discussed above: wagering requirements, restricted games, expiration dates, etc.
Next, carefully consider your game selection. All titles will have a specific Return to Player rate (RTP). The RTP determines how much cash you can expect to win back for each dollar you spend. For example, a high return slot may award 97%+. At 97%, if you wagered $100, on average, you can expect to win back $97 of it. Needless to say, the higher the RTP the better.
Finally, develop a plan. Once you know all of the bonus terms, the games you want to play, and the size of the bonus you’re going to be clearing, you can lay out a strategy. If you’re going to clear the bonus playing blackjack, you can estimate out how many hands you’ll need to play and at what stakes to complete it within the given time frame. If you are playing slots, pick the machine(s) that you’re going to focus on and how many spins it might take. Nailing down these sorts of details beforehand will greatly increase your chance of maximizing the offer.
Last but not least, have fun with it. Online casino games are a form of entertainment, enjoy them!
Online casino VIP rewards
Completely separate from the welcome bonus, many online casinos have developed a sophisticated rewards program. Some online casino VIP programs are tied to their brick-and-mortar setups like BetMGM and its MGM Rewards, while others are online-only. Either way, we highly recommend familiarizing yourself with any and all available benefits.
Generally speaking, the more you play, the more you stand to get back in value. Rewards programs often pay out in the form of room comps, show tickets, and other in-person benefits… but sometimes you can actually unlock valuable online casino bonuses. For example, you may be able to cash in rewards points in exchange for a special bonus. VIP bonuses will still need to be cleared, like all offers, but they will still contribute to your bottom line.
Online sportsbook bonuses
Many online casinos also offer sports betting services, opening the door for sportsbook bonuses. Some sites that offer both may allow you to claim a sports bonus and a casino bonus, some you may have to pick one or the other, and other sites may offer one comprehensive bonus that you can clear by playing multiple products. Regardless of how the offer is structured, if you’re interested in sports betting there are promos available. Check them out.
Online Casino Bonus FAQ
Below are some of the most common questions regarding online casino bonuses. If you happen to have any other concerns regarding a specific brand or bonus, try checking out the FAQ menu available on that operator’s app or website.
What are online casino bonuses?
Online casino bonuses are offers presented by casino operators as a way of drawing in new players. Nearly every brand will offer some sort of incentive to a new sign-up, whether it be a deposit match, no-deposit bonus, or ‘Second Chance’ wagering period.
How do online casino bonuses work?
Online casino bonuses work by giving new customers some extra bang for their buck as a way of saying thanks for registering with a new casino brand. While most casino bonuses appear to be ‘easy money’, they typically will require the player to give the casino some action before any funds can be withdrawn. For that reason, always read over the terms and wagering requirements.
Are online casino bonuses worth it?
Yes, these bonuses are always worth it if you are in search of some extra value to fund your play. Just make sure you check out the terms and conditions behind each and every bonus to ensure the offer is worth it to you.
Can you make money with online casino bonuses?
Yes, you absolutely can make money by taking advantage of these kinds of bonuses. Deposit match bonuses typically present the most lucrative opportunity for new players, however, they will almost always come with a strict set of wagering requirements.
Which online casino has the best bonus?
Right now, BetMGM Casino is offering the best new-user bonus in the iCasino industry. With the use of BetMGM Casino bonus code USBETS, all new registrants can claim a 100% deposit match bonus up to $1,000. This value is unmatched when compared to the rest of the competition.
Which online casino has the best no-deposit bonus?
BetMGM Casino is currently offering the industry’s best traditional no-deposit bonus, which consists of $25 in bonuses upon registration. Use the BetMGM Casino bonus code USBETS to claim yours today.
How do you claim a casino bonus?
Players can claim just about any active online casino bonus by entering a specific promo code or by clicking on a special link provided by the operator. After doing so, they will automatically qualify for the bonus once registered.
Nick began working in the iGaming industry in 2009 and has been an active member of the community ever since. He is a regular contributor for a number of publications including the USBets Network, RotoGrinders, and ScoresAndOdds.
Nick began working in the iGaming industry in 2009 and has been an active member of the community ever since. He is a regular contributor for a number of publications including the USBets Network, RotoGrinders, and ScoresAndOdds.
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