Welcome bonus: reading a first-deposit offer before you accept
The welcome bonus is the offer most casinos lead with, and the one new players are most likely to accept without reading. It usually matches part of your first deposit with bonus money, sometimes adds free spins, and sometimes spreads over several deposits as a package. The headline focuses on how much you can receive. The terms decide how much you must play to keep it. This page explains the usual structure in neutral terms. It does not advertise MyStake's welcome offer; the offer and terms that apply to you are shown by the operator when you register.
Common welcome structures
| Structure | What to check |
|---|---|
| Deposit match | The share matched, the ceiling and the wagering base |
| Package over several deposits | Separate terms and deadlines for each step |
| Bonus plus spins | Two sets of rules: one for the money, one for the spins |
| Sports welcome offer | Minimum odds and which bets count |
The three questions that matter
What is the wagering base? A requirement on deposit plus bonus doubles the play compared with the same multiple on the bonus alone. With a deposit of 100 and a matched bonus of 100, a requirement of 30 times deposit plus bonus means 6,000 in stakes.
Is your deposit locked? Many operators use your real money first and the bonus second, but lock both until wagering is done. A withdrawal request in the meantime can cancel the bonus — and with it any winnings.
What is the maximum stake? Most welcome offers cap the size of each bet while the bonus is active. One bet above the cap can be enough for the bonus and the winnings to be removed.
When declining is the better choice
A welcome bonus is worth considering when you planned to play a fair amount anyway, on games that count fully towards wagering, at stakes below the cap. It is usually a poor fit if you want to try a site with a small deposit and keep the option of withdrawing, if you prefer table or live games that count less, or if the deadline is short compared with how often you play. Most cashiers have a box or setting to decline a bonus before you deposit. Use it when the terms do not fit.
Check the licence before the bonus
A welcome bonus tells you nothing about who you are dealing with. Before registering, look at the licence the operator states at the bottom of its site and look it up in that regulator's public register. A licence from Curaçao or Malta is not a licence everywhere — whether playing with that operator is legal for you depends on the law where you live. Our MyStake review describes how to check.
A bonus and a budget
Decide how much you can afford to spend in a month before you see any offer. A bonus can extend play, but it does not make losses smaller, and a requirement that pushes you past your own limit is a cost, not a gift. Our responsible gambling page explains deposit limits, time-outs and where to find free support.