Mobile casino bonuses: the five types and the terms that decide their value
Casino apps offer five kinds of bonus: a welcome bonus on your first deposits, free spins, a no deposit bonus, cashback and loyalty rewards. Each one comes with terms, and the wagering requirement decides most of its value.
This page explains each type, works through the wagering maths and lists the casinos we rank with the welcome offer they state.
- Wagering example
- 35× on $100 = $3,500 in bets before a withdrawal
- Its average cost
- $140 at 96% RTP, the share a typical slot pays back
- Casinos we rank
- 1,096 with their stated welcome offer
- Android app
- 255 of 1,096 casinos tagged with one
- iPhone app
- 215 of 1,096 casinos tagged with one
Which mobile casino bonus is worth claiming?
The one with the lowest wagering you can clear on games you want to play. Size comes second.
Wagering is a cost: every bet you place to clear a bonus loses (100% − RTP) on average. At 96% RTP, $100 of bets costs $4. A $100 bonus with 35× wagering means $3,500 of bets, which costs about $140 on average, more than the bonus itself.
That is why a small bonus with low or no wagering can be worth more than a big one. Slots usually count 100% towards wagering; table, live and some instant games often count less or not at all.
- Bonus
- $100
- Wagering
- 35× the bonus
- Bets to place
- $3,500
- Average cost at 96% RTP
- $140
- Same bonus at 10×
- $1,000 in bets, about $40
- No wagering
- Nothing to clear
Source Example maths at 96% RTP. The casino's terms decide.
The five bonus types at mobile casinos
| Bonus type | How it works | The catch to check |
|---|---|---|
| Welcome bonus | A match on your first deposit or first few, often with free spins | Wagering on bonus or on bonus plus deposit |
| Free spins | A set number of spins on named slots, with or without a deposit | Wagering on winnings and a cap on what you keep |
| No deposit bonus | Spins or a small credit for registering | Highest wagering and the lowest cashout cap |
| Cashback | A share of your net losses back, weekly or monthly | Often low or no wagering; check the minimum loss |
| Loyalty and VIP | Points or tiers that earn spins, cashback or faster payouts | Rewards that depend on how much you bet |
Casinos we rank, with their stated welcome offer
The offer column shows each casino's welcome offer as it states it. Open the bonus terms on the casino's own site before you deposit.
| # | Casino | App and payment status | Welcome offer | Visit |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 01 | Curacao · since 2016 |
|
1,600 USD + 150 FS as stated by the casino | Read review |
| 02 | Dirección General de Juegos y Sorteos (DGJS) · since 2007 |
|
1,500 USD + 150 FS as stated by the casino | Read review |
| 03 | PAGCOR · since 2020 |
|
No offer listed for your region | Read review |
| 04 | Curacao · since 2020 |
|
2,000 EUR + 200 FS as stated by the casino | Read review |
| 05 | Curacao · since 2022 |
|
100 FS as stated by the casino | Read review |
| 06 | Curacao · since 2018 |
|
2,000 EUR + 350 FS as stated by the casino | Read review |
| 07 | Gibraltar Regulatory Authority · since 2000 |
|
No offer listed for your region | Read review |
| 08 | Anjouan License · since 2019 |
|
500 USD + 200 FS as stated by the casino | Read review |
| 09 | Curacao · since 2018 |
|
18,000 USD + 230 FS as stated by the casino | Read review |
| 10 | Curacao · since 2014 |
|
500 EUR + 200 FS as stated by the casino | Read review |
Listed in our data Not listed
18+ · New customers · T&Cs apply · gamblingtherapy.org. Offers can differ by country; the casino's terms decide.
Source App chips: the casino is tagged Android app or iPhone app in the casinos we list. Payment chips: deposit methods as stated by the casino. A grey chip means our data does not list it, not that the casino lacks it.
Bonus guides
- Welcome bonuses First-deposit offers worked through. Bonuses →
- Free spins bonuses What a batch of spins is worth after wagering. Bonuses →
- No deposit bonuses Free spins or credit for signing up. Bonuses →
- Wagering requirements How to read and price them. Guide →
- Bonus tips Habits that keep more of a bonus. Guide →
- Time-gated bonuses Bonuses released on a timer in the app. Guide →
Mobile casino bonuses: FAQ
What types of bonuses can I get in casino apps?
Welcome bonuses, free spins, no deposit bonuses, cashback and loyalty or VIP rewards. Some casinos add extras for app users, such as spins for installing the app.
Are casino app bonuses different from desktop bonuses?
Usually they are the same offer. Some casinos run app-only promotions, but the terms work the same way: read the wagering, the eligible games and the expiry.
How do I claim a bonus in a casino app?
Register or log in, then opt in on the deposit screen, tick the bonus box or enter the promo code before you pay. A bonus you did not select before the deposit is often lost.
Do I always need to deposit to get a bonus?
No. A no deposit bonus gives spins or a small credit for registering, but it usually carries the highest wagering and a low cap on what you can withdraw.
Can I withdraw bonus winnings?
Yes, after you meet the wagering requirement and any cap. Withdrawing before that usually cancels the bonus and the winnings from it.
What is a wagering requirement?
The amount you must bet before bonus money becomes withdrawable. 35× on a $100 bonus means $3,500 in bets. Our guide to wagering requirements shows how to price one.
Do all games count equally towards wagering?
No. Slots usually count 100%. Table and live dealer games often count less or not at all, and some high-RTP slots are excluded. The contribution table is in the bonus terms.
How do I get the most from a bonus?
Pick low wagering, play games that count fully, stay under the max bet and track the expiry. Choose an offer you can clear with the budget you planned to spend anyway.
What happens if I do not use a bonus in time?
The remaining bonus and any winnings tied to it are removed when it expires. The number of days is in the terms; check it before you claim.
Play only if you are 18+ and it stays fun
Casino play on a phone is quick to start and easy to continue. These four rules apply on every page of this site.
18+ only
Adults only, on every device
A phone is easy to hand to someone else. Lock the casino app or browser tab behind your device PIN or Face ID, and never save card details on a shared phone.
Speed
Short rounds add up
Crash and instant games settle a round in seconds. Set a time limit on the phone (Screen Time on iPhone, Digital Wellbeing on Android) as well as a deposit limit at the casino.
Limits
Use the casino's own tools
Look for deposit limits, time-outs and self-exclusion in the account menu, and set them before your first deposit, while it is easy.
Help
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