Welcome Bonuses

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Welcome bonuses are incentives provided to new casino players. These are important marketing tools that often don't require an initial deposit. It's crucial to understand the type of bonus offered, and whether it's cashable or non-cashable. Cashable bonuses can be withdrawn after meeting certain wagering requirements.

- For new players only
- Both cashable and non-cashable bonuses apply
- Wagering requirements are set
- Rewards immediately after registration

Welcome Bonus

The Best Casinos

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225% up to €2,000

+100 Free Spins

  • YOJU is an online casino with 5000+ games for every taste
  • High-class games cater, providing fair RTP and payouts
  • The site has several convenient payments and accepts 7 cryptos
  • The support works 24/7, and you get clear answers fast
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400% up to €2,000

+120 Free Spins

  • Huge welcome bonus
  • Available sportsbook
  • A lot of games from different providers
  • Phone and email support 24/7

What is the Bonus?

A welcome reward is an incentive offered to new players by a casino. Sites typically reward players who open an account with them by giving either free spins, match deposits, cash-back bonuses, or a combination of these. New players can avail of the bonus by opening an account with the online casino and wagering real money.

Practically all casinos offer players in Ireland a sign-up bonus. It's a marketing tool that effectively lures new players to play real money casino games on their sites.

Players enjoy massive advantages when they avail of a welcome bonus since bonuses let them try and bankroll games for free. And given the numerous online casinos in Ireland, players will have plenty of welcome bonuses to choose from and enjoy.

Casino Sign Up Bonus

A casino sign-up bonus is a special type of welcome bonus. The majority of welcome reward require players to make an initial deposit before the welcome bonus can be availed. In contrast, a casino sign-up bonus, as its name implies, only requires players to register an account to avail of the bonus. There is no cash-out or deposits to be made.

Many also refer to the casino sign-up bonus as a no deposit simply because no deposit is required. A no-deposit bonus is a highly-sought after welcome deposit but is typically offered in small value or compared to the traditional casino bonus.

If you're looking for the best first Bonus offered by online real-money casinos in Ireland, then look no further. Our experts have reviewed the casinos offering the best bonuses for Irish players and came up with this list. Below are our top recommended bonuses in 2023 as reviewed by our team.

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225% up to €2,000

+100 Free Spins

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400% up to €2,000

+120 Free Spins

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100% up to £100

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250% up to €2000

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200% up to €4,000

+100 Free Spins

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100% up to $500

+300 Free Spins

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200% up to €1,000

+200 Free Spins

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100% up to €500

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100% up to €500

How to Find the Best Bonus

It's quite daunting for any player to find the best bonus especially since most online casinos offer them. Plus, welcome bonuses vary from one site to another, making it hard for anyone to compare them thoroughly. So, how can you find the best bonuses?

Reading Casino Reviews
Reading Casino Reviews

Real players are the best critics. Find reviews of players from Ireland to get authentic information about other people's experiences at the bonuses casinos. Be sure to use our list to start with the best right away.

Comparing Bonuses
Comparing Bonuses

When you are already well-versed in the best casino bonus type for your needs, then you should start comparing the online casinos’ bonus offerings. Each casino has its own offerings, use our list to see what's right for you.

Reviewing Terms and Conditions
Reviewing Terms and Conditions

Make sure to thoroughly read the T&C of the casino bonus before claiming it. Many times players end up experiencing unfavorable terms rather than getting a lucrative bonus offering. The opposite can happen too.

Security and Licenses
Security and Licenses

Players should also take the time to research the security and license information of the online casino. Is the casino licensed and where? Check the casino licence at the bottom of the casino’s main page. How does the casino protect players' information? Casinos with a good reputation should have digital encryption technology such as SSL (Secure Sockets Layer) and HTTPS in URL addresses.

Types of Bonuses

Online casinos offer various bonuses, which ends up confusing many players. It pays to know and understand the different types of bonuses so you can easily find the best casino bonus for your needs.

Deposit Bonus
Deposit Bonus

The deposit bonus, also known as the first deposit bonus, requires players to make an initial deposit to avail of the welcome bonus. Casinos impose a minimum deposit amount, and you only get to avail of the bonus when you meet the minimum deposit required. What players will get after the initial deposit will vary per casino.

Free Spins
Free Spins

Free spins are typically offered by Irish casinos as part of the welcome bonus package or as a stand-alone bonus. There are conditions with free spins bonus. For example, some casinos only allow free spins to be used on specific games, which usually are the casino’s latest or top-rated.

No-Deposit Bonus
No-Deposit Bonus

The no deposit bonus does not require the player to make any deposit. You only need to create an account with the site and verify your identity, and the casino gives you the bonus. Some sites may also offer free spins no deposit bonus or cash no deposit bonus ranging from €5 to €20.

Match Bonus
Match Bonus

It’s a welcome reward for a deposit, where casinos compensate your initial deposit by a certain percentage, i.e. you can instantly increase the money available in your account. The percentage can range from 100% to 500%. The match bonus is one of the most coveted online casino bonuses because the more a player deposits, the more he gets back, for example, if you deposit €500 and get a match bonus of 100%, you’ll get an additional €500 on your deposit.

100% Bonus
100% Bonus

Using the 100% bonus, here's how the match bonus works. For example, the site offers a 100% match bonus. If you deposit €100, then the casino will match it by 100% and give you € 100. This means you will have € 200 in your account.

200% Bonus
200% Bonus

The 200% match deposit bonus is even more lucrative. The casino, after all, will match your deposit by 200%. This means, if you make an initial deposit of € 100, then the casino will give you € 200. You will then have a total of € 300 in your account.

Reload Bonus
Reload Bonus

Reload bonus is typically offered to current players or those who already have an account and have played real-money casino games. Some sites, however, bundle the reload bonus with other welcome bonus types. For example, a match deposit bonus is offered to new players and a reload bonus for succeeding deposits made.

No-Wagering Bonus
No-Wagering Bonus

No wagering bonus is rarely offered but it does exist. The most common no-wagering bonus is free spins or no-wagering deposit bonuses. These are similar to the standard free spins and no deposit bonus except that it has no wagering requirements.

Mobile Casino Bonus
Mobile Casino Bonus

Some Irish casino sites offer a welcome bonus, especially for those playing on their mobile devices. If you're in the habit of playing in mobile casinos, then this bonus type suits you.

Cashable VS Non-Cashable Bonus

We already discussed the different kinds of bonuses offered by online sites. But there's another method of classifying bonuses.

Cashable Bonus

Cashable is one of the most basic kinds of bonuses. This is because players can withdraw their initial deposit and bonus as cash after meeting the wagering requirements.

Non-Cashable Bonus

The non-cashable bonus also referred to as the "sticky bonus" does not allow players to withdraw their bonus. Instead, players can only also cash out the bankroll minus the bonus after they have met the wagering requirements. This is why it is called a sticky bonus as the bonus sticks to the players' accounts and the casino site. Non-cashable bonuses tend to be bigger than cashable ones since the casino won't lose the bonus amount. The wagering requirements for non-cashable bonuses are also significantly higher.

How to Cash Out Bonus

Some Irish online casinos allow players to cash their bonus in real money as long as they meet the terms and conditions. Usually, players are required to meet the wagering requirements as well as the minimum withdrawal amount before the casino site lets them cash out their bonus. 

Many casinos also have a verification process for withdrawal requests and bonuses can only be cashed out after the casino’s verification and withdrawal submission.

Bonus Terms & Conditions

There are also other factors you must consider when comparing welcome bonuses. After all, there's more to bonuses than just the amount being offered. Below are the terms and conditions you need to review and understand before you sign-up for any bonus.

Game Weightings
Game Weightings

Game weightings are the percentage of the amount used towards fulfilling the wager limits. Usually, slot games have 100% game weightings, meaning video slots contribute 100% to your wager money. So if you use €100 on a video slot game, then the fill €100 is deducted from the wagering requirement.

Win Limits
Win Limits

Win limits are limits on how much you can win using the bonus. They vary on bonus type and per casino. For example, a no deposit bonus typically has a lower limit like a maximum win of €10 while, match deposit bonuses can go in the hundreds or even higher.

Time Limits
Time Limits

Time limits refer to the deadline before the bonus expires or is forfeited. For example, an online casino offering a welcome match deposit bonus has a 14-day time limit. This means you must use the bonus money within 14 days from the time the bonus amount was credited to your account or else it will expire and can no longer be used.

Game Restrictions
Game Restrictions

Game restrictions mean you can only use the bonus on certain titles or games. For example, the welcome bonus offers free spins for a particular slot title like the Book of Dead. You then can only use the free slots of Book of Dead and not on other slot titles or games.

Deposit Methods
Deposit Methods

Some deposit methods are used by the players not qualified for the casino welcome bonus offer. For example, when the casino excludes e-wallets from qualifying for the welcome bonus, and you used an e-wallet for your deposit, then you cannot avail of the bonus.

Players should also look at the wagering requirements when comparing welcome bonus offerings.

Welcome Bonus Wagering Requirement

Wagering requirements are the number of times players must bet their bonus money before they can withdraw money from their accounts. Wagering requirements come in multiple. For example, casinos may implement 30x, 35x, or 40x wagering requirements.

This is how it works.

For instance, an online casino site in Ireland may offer a 100% match bonus and you made the first deposit of €100. If the wagering requirement is 35x, then you need to bet €3500 before you can cash out.

Casinos also vary in their wagering requirements rules. Some casinos may impose the wagering requirement on the bonus money and the deposit separately. This means that players will have to wager their deposit money before getting the welcome money for bonus.

Pros and Cons

Here's a quick guide on the pros and cons of bonuses.

  • Lets you learn rules and practice game strategy without shelling out real cash.
  • Gives you more chances of playing and winning from your bankroll.
  • A great way of familiarizing yourself with a new online casino.
  • Many welcome bonuses have no wager requirements.
  • Some sites offer no deposit bonuses so you only need to register for an account.
  • Sometimes can lead to a cashable return.
  • Short time limits prevent you from using the full amount or value of the welcome bonus.
  • High wagering requirements limit you from cashing out your winnings.
  • Some sites offer limited titles or games where you can use the bonus.
Conclusion

The results of our research show that welcome bonuses are a powerful marketing tool used by online casinos to attract new players. They often provide a sign-up bonus that does not require an initial deposit. These bonuses can be either cash-out bonuses that allow players to withdraw after meeting wagering requirements, or they can be non-cash-out bonuses. Understanding the type of bonus, researching its terms and conditions, casino licenses and comparing offers from different casinos are key steps in getting the most out of these bonuses. Keep in mind that each bonus comes with special conditions, such as game weights, which must be considered in order to have a meaningful gaming experience.

Yes, bonuses are only for new players or those who just signed up for an account with online casinos. Active players, however, can still avail of other bonuses and promotions as sites offer incentives to those who continue to play at their casino.
Yes, the bonus expires as there are time limits on them. You must meet the wager requirements within the time limit specified in the terms and conditions.
Yes. Many online casinos will let you play progressive jackpot games using your bonus. This is because the winnings are paid using the pooled prize money from a large network, which limits the financial risk of the casino.