How Does a Deposit Match Bonus Work?

Avatar for Robert Cohen Robert Cohen
2021-02-10
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Are you looking to make a deposit at an online casino but want to make sure you get your money’s worth? Then a lucrative deposit match bonus is what you need to be on the lookout for. With this type of bonus, the casino will literally give you money when you make a deposit. Intriguing? Learn all about it here!

One of many casino bonuses…

We love bonuses and even have a full page dedicated to the best casino bonuses and welcome bonuses for UK players here at Kabono. But casino bonuses come in many different shapes and sizes. A common type often given as welcome and reload offers is the deposit match bonus. Here we will dive into the world of this exciting bonus, so you’ll learn how to spot the best ones.

What is a deposit match bonus?

First things first; what is a deposit match bonus? This is simply a bonus that matches your deposit with a certain amount. The amount matched is dependent on two factors: the match percentage and the deposit range covered.

1. The match percentage

The most common deposit match bonus is a 100% match bonus. This means that the casino will give you exactly the same amount of money as you deposited. If you deposit £50, you’ll get £50 from the casino and have a total of £100 to play for. But you might meet other match percentages too.

Some casinos are more modest than others and only offer for example a 50% bonus. This means that you won’t be able to double your money, but they’ll give you an extra £25 on top of your £50 deposit. 50% might not sound like a lot, but remember that it is still “free money” to play for!

If you think the smaller match percentages sound boring, you might be more interested in casinos that have more of a “go hard or go home” attitude. These casinos can give match bonuses of 200%, 300% or even 500%! This means that a £50 deposit can result in a total of £300 to play for – thanks to a £250 bonus.

A casino’s match percentage of a bonus should always be clearly stated in their description and terms. But if a casino mostly advertises a “deposit match bonus” without specifying the percentage right away, you can be pretty sure it is a 100% match. 

2. The deposit range covered

Before you start dreaming about the thousands of pounds you will get for free from a casino, we have to mention the second factor of a match bonus: the deposit range covered. By that, we refer to the minimum deposit and maximum deposit amount covered by the bonus.

Most casino bonuses will require a minimum deposit of £10 or £20. This means that if you deposit less than this amount, you won’t be eligible for the bonus. And the same applies to a maximum amount. 

Most bonuses have a cap on how much you can claim from the casino. But where the minimum deposit amount normally is quite stable at £10 or £20 no matter which casino you visit, the maximum cap varies a lot. Some casinos only offer bonuses up to £25 or £50, while others match deposits of £100 or more.

How to find the best match deposit bonus for you

Since different online casinos will offer very different terms on their bonuses, it is important to not just opt for the first one you find. To find the best match deposit bonus for you, you need to think about the two factors discussed above in combination with your playing style and budget.

If you are a high roller that easily deposits £100 at a time and want a lot of extra money to play for, you should opt for a bonus that has a high cap as well as a high percentage. You should be awarded for your big deposit!

If you, on the other hand, want to just deposit £10 or less and test out a few games, it is essential to find an online casino that rewards smaller deposits. An ideal bonus would then be a high match percentage with a low cap so that you can get for example 200% extra on your £10 deposit.

Real Money vs Bonus Money

As we keep mentioning “free money” from the casino, we need to clarify the difference between real money and bonus money.

  • Real money is money that you have deposited to the casino – or won – that can be cashed out right away
  • Bonus money is money given by the casino to play through, but that is not possible to cash out right away

The small distinction between the two makes all the difference. The money you deposit can be withdrawn whenever you want (unless you have any wagering requirements attached). The money you get from the casino is not something you can get for free, withdraw, and spend on something completely different. This is money given by the casino to play their games, and only once you have spent the money and won a prize will it be yours to cash out and spend as you please.

Don’t forget about the terms and conditions attached

When accepting an online casino bonus, it is important to remember that like every online gambling game out there, there will always be some sort of terms and conditions attached. We’ve touched upon it with the minimum deposit and maximum deposit already, but we want to mention other terms too.

Most bonuses will come with a wagering requirement that needs to be met before you can cash out any winnings from the casino. Sometimes certain games are excluded from the bonus money or the wagering requirements. It might also be the case that certain payment methods are not eligible for the bonus.

A deposit match bonus is a lot of fun and can result in extra money to play for – but remember to always read the terms and conditions thoroughly before accepting!

Avatar for Robert Cohen
Author Robert Cohen

Robert is the Editor in Chief at Kabono.com. He has been working with online casinos for more than 10 years and has tested hundreds of different operators. Robert believes that gambling can and should be a fun activity, and is a strong promoter of responsible gambling. Read more about Robert Cohen.