Bingo bonuses offer the promise of extended playtime and the possibility of turning those bonus funds into real cash. But in order to successfully navigate them you need to understand the terms, conditions, and other intricacies of these offers. The onlinebingo.co.uk guide to bingo bonuses is here to help you maximise those bingo funds.
The definition of a bingo bonus
For the purpose of this category, bingo bonuses are:
One-time deals for new players, triggered by a real money first deposit.
They are not:
- No deposit - No up-front payment, but may later require a deposit to withdraw winnings.
- Reload - Available to existing players only.
- Free bingo sites, games or rooms - Without pay-to-play options.
You may also see them referred to welcome, first-deposit or sign-up offers.
How much will I get?
It is common to see the same promotion listed in different ways. Even the
UK’s best bingo sites usually use a mixture of percentages, pounds and
‘play with’ promises to promote what you’ll get when you deposit.Here’s an example of how an offer of £50 bonus cash with a £10 first deposit could be displayed:
- 500% - £10 deposit + £50 (10 x 500%) = £60 total
- Deposit £10, Play with £60 - £10 deposit + £50 = £60 total
- 5 x Deposit - £10 deposit + £50 (10 x 5) = £60 total
- £50 Free - £10 deposit + £50 = £60 total
In all cases, the player’s original deposit returns the same outcome.
When will I receive my bonus?
Most bingo sites credit your account with bonuses immediately after you make the minimum qualifying deposit. However, there are instances where you may need to spend or wager your real cash to trigger the bonus. To do this you will need to either buy bingo tickets or play slot games.We strongly recommend that you read the promotion’s terms and conditions in full before you sign up to
any of our new bingo sites.
The deal with wagering and winnings
A site gave you £50 free and you won £100 in your first bingo game, all for just a ten-pound deposit - easy!Not quite. Your winnings are probably tied to complex wagering and withdrawal rules, preventing you from claiming what you won straight away.
Wagering requirements dictate that you must re-wager your winnings multiple times before you can withdraw them. These requirements are common in the gambling industry, and affect promotions in bingo, slots, casinos, and sportsbooks. For a comprehensive understanding of wagering requirements, have a read of our detailed guide on the topic.
When can I withdraw?
Depending on which site you visit, you may lose part or all of your bonus cash if you make a withdrawal before you meet the wagering requirements.
There might be a cap on the amount you can withdraw as real money. For example, Dragonfish sites restrict slot bonus withdrawals to £400 plus the initial deposit's value.Even for smaller withdrawals, you'll need to meet the minimum withdrawal limit, regardless of whether the funds consist of real money, successfully wagered bonus funds, or a combination of both. Always read the terms and conditions or refer to our reviews for clarification.
Split bingo bonuses and free spins
Many bingo sites now offer split welcome bonuses that can be used across various game types. These packages typically involve a percentage split, favouring either bingo or slots play, and may include additional free spins on specific slot titles. Each part of the split bonus often has its own wagering rules, detailed in the promotion's terms and conditions.Here’s an example:
- Offer: 300%, split 60/40 between bingo and slots
- Deposit / Total Bonus £10 / £30
- Bingo Split: £18 (60% of £30) - 4x wagering
- Slot Split: £12 (40% of £12) - 25x wagering
Split bonuses allow you to try a greater range of games than a bonus which rewards just bingo or slots.When
free spins are included in UK promotions, it is the winnings from the spins to which the wagering is applied.
Top-up deals and tiered bingo welcome offers
Some bingo sites opt for tiered welcome offers that extend benefits over multiple deposits, rather than limiting rewards to your first deposit. These packaged promotions usually consist of an overall bonus amount that must be claimed in two or more stages. To unlock the full bonus value, you must meet the specific requirements of each stage.Here’s an example of a tiered reward for new players, advertised collectively as 175% Bonus + 100 free spins.
- First deposit: 100% bingo match + 50 free spins
- Second deposit: 50% bingo match + 25 free spins
- Third deposit: 25% bingo match + 25 free spins
You would have to make three separate £10 deposits to become eligible for the full amount.
Surprisingly, a seemingly lesser offer of "150% bonus + 50 free spins" at a different site may offer better value, requiring only a single £10 deposit to claim.It's worth noting that the UK Gambling Commission has intensified its scrutiny of multi-deposit bonuses, ensuring that brands prioritise the first deposit element in new player promotions.
Free bet tax and the rise of no wagering deals
The "free bet tax" was introduced in 2016 for UK gambling operators. This 15% general betting duty means that bingo and casino sites are taxed on the free money they offer to players. To get around this, brands started offering rewards such as bingo tickets instead of bonuses, no wagering requirements and paying winnings in real cash.When MrQ launched in 2018, it offered users something entirely different, a new site, new platform and absolutely no wagering requirements - ever. Other sites followed suit including PlayOJO on the popular Playtech platform, which also offers no wagering ever.Though these offers are rare, we believe that no wagering bingo offers represent the fairest and most transparent type of promotion. We hope to see the continued adoption of such campaigns, providing players with straightforward and honest incentives to enjoy their bingo experience.
Our Verdict
Bingo bonuses come with a host of terms and conditions that can impact your gaming experience. By having a solid understanding of these bonuses, how they're presented, their wagering requirements and withdrawal limitations, you can make a decision as to which one is best for you. Keep an eye out for no wagering deals, which offer a more straightforward path to reaping gaming rewards.