Online casinos are constantly introducing new and exciting casino bonuses to encourage new players to sign up and keep playing. However, knowing which casino welcome bonuses are truly valuable and which ones you can skip takes a bit of knowledge and experience.
That’s where we come in.
🥇 Our top-rated online casino bonus in August is at Borgata Casino . 🥇
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Best Casino Bonuses for Online Gambling August, 2024
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Generous welcome bonus
Wide range of banking options
$1,000 Deposit Match + $20 on the House
No deposit bonus
900+ casino games
25 Spins on Starburst + 200 Spins and 100% Deposit Match up to $100
🔥 Claimed by 38 people this week!
Live Casino Bonus
Deposit Match up to $1,000 + $25 on the House!
21+ | Terms and conditions apply
Suitable for mobile
100% up to $100 + Earn 100 Free Spins
200% Deposit Match up to $100
We created this page to help you understand difference between online casino bonuses. It truly does matter if casino offers no-deposit bonus, match bonus, cashback or free spins. Each type of casino bonus has its use and can influence your casino experience.
We’re going to show you what makes a great casino bonus, the key terms and conditions to look out for, and how to find your perfect US online casinos.
Top Casino Bonuses in August 2024
We asked our experts to pick their top three online casino bonuses, available now at US casinos. To sign-up and claim these casino bonuses, all you have to do is click on our sign-up button.
So, without further ado, these casinos have the best bonuses in August:
1. Borgata Casino: $1,000 Deposit Match + $20 on the House
Many of the best welcome bonuses combine multiple offers together, which is exactly what Borgata has done here. First up, you’ll get $20 in bonus cash as soon as you create your account, so you can start playing real money games right away.
Next, when you decide to make a deposit, Borgata will match it 100% up to $1,000, which is a really impressive upper limit. Even better, the wagering requirements are very reasonable. It’s just 1x on the no deposit $20 and 15x on your match bonus.
In short, the Borgata Casino bonus includes both a no-deposit bonus and a deposit match bonus. This allows you to first test the casino, for free, and if you like what you see, you can double your starting deposit. What is there not to love.
This offer really just ticks all the boxes, providing value for both lower-stakes and higher-stakes players without killing you on the turnover.
» Take a look at our detailed Borgata Casino review for more info.
💰 Casino bonus: $1,000 Deposit Match + $20 on the House
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2. Harrah’s Casino: 100% up to $100 + Earn 100 Free Spins
You might be noticing a pattern in our selections here. Again, we’re choosing a combination of two bonuses. This time it’s deposit match and free spins.
So what makes this offer from Harrah’s stand out? Two words: wagering requirements.
As you’ll read further down this page, wagering requirements have a huge impact on the overall value of a casino bonus. Harrah’s offer is good because its wagering requirement is just x4, as long as you are playing slots. Be aware that it’s 20x if you play on table games.
Put simply, this makes it a lot more likely that you’ll wind up withdrawing your winnings from this bonus. Say you claim $100 in bonus cash from both Borgata and Harrah’s. At Borgata, you’d need to place bets totaling $1,500 before you could withdraw any winnings. At Harrah’s, it would be just $400.
This bonus is the perfect illustration of why you need to read the terms and conditions of any bonus carefully to understand how truly valuable it is, and not go off the headline alone.
Oh, this wagering requirement is so big that I almost forgot about the second part. You also get 100 free spins to start off. Now, compared to low wagering requirement, it does seam meaningless, but it still allows you to try out couple of games for free, before you decide which one you are going to play.
» Read our detailed Harrah’s Casino review to find out more.
💰 Casino bonus: 100% up to $100 + Earn 100 Free Spins
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Online Casino Bonuses Key Facts
Check out the table below, comparing some of the main bonuses you’ll find out there.
| Type of Bonus | Match Bonus | Reload Bonus | No Deposit Bonus | Free Spins/ Free Bets | Cashback |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average value | $500 | Varies | $20 | Varies | $500 |
| Normally for | New players | Existing players | New players | New and existing players | New players |
| Available on mobile | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Promo code required | Depends on casino | Usually not | Depends on casino | Depends on casino | Depends on casino |
| Best for… | High rollers and higher volume players | Everyone | Lower stakes players and first-timers | Everyone | More conservative players |
Types of Casino Bonuses Explained
In case you haven’t noticed yet, casino bonuses come in all shapes and sizes. We’re running through all the most common types of offers in this section.
First, an important point. As a rule of thumb, any time a casino gives you rewards as part of a bonus, it doesn’t actually come in cash and you can’t withdraw it right away.
Instead, it comes in bonus cash or site credits which can only be used to play games. In order to withdraw it, you’ll need to fulfill various terms and conditions associated with the bonus, most notably wagering requirements. We cover the topic in detail in the section further down this page.
There are exceptional bonuses that involve you receiving actual cash, but they are rare.
Deposit Bonus / Match Bonus
A deposit bonus, also known as match bonus, is the most common type of welcome bonus offered by online casinos. It involves the casino matching some or all of your first deposit, up to a certain limit. On average, casinos tend to offer match bonuses worth around $500.
100% deposit bonuses are the most frequent offer, effectively meaning you get to start with double the bankroll. That said, you can also find offers that match a lower percentage, and in rare cases even a higher percentage – like a 200% or 300% deposit bonus.
The limits on deposit bonuses vary a lot depending on the casino and could be anywhere from $50 to $1,000. Since you need to actually deposit your own money to trigger the bonus, no deposit bonuses become more valuable the more you are prepared to spend upfront, and as such are often more attractive for high rollers.
Borgata Casino has a great match bonus for new players, worth 100% of your first deposit up to $1,000.
You also have casinos that have $5 minimum deposit. While $5 isn’t anything to write home about t’s enough to trigger their match bonus, allowing you to double or even triple your deposit, which is a pretty good.
Reload Bonus
A reload bonus is the same as a deposit match bonus, only applied to later deposits after you’ve already signed up. They are designed to encourage existing players to stay engaged with the casino, keep depositing money, and playing games.
Reload bonuses are generally less valuable than a deposit bonus as part of a welcome offer. They might have lower limits on the amount of bonus cash you can claim, or match a smaller amount of your deposit – like 50% or 20%.
Some welcome bonuses are multipart packages, meaning you’ll receive boosts on your first two or three deposits. Sometimes you’ll qualify for a reload bonus once a week or once a month.
No Deposit Bonus
With a no deposit bonus, you’ll receive a bonus totally free when you sign up, with no need to deposit anything beforehand. Effectively, the casino is inviting you to try out the games for free, in the hope you enjoy yourself and making a deposit later.
Imagine walking into a casino in Las Vegas, and a staff member hands you $5 in chips to play the slots. That’s a no deposit bonus.
Compared with a match bonus, you’ll receive considerably less bonus cash with a no deposit bonus. Normally, you’ll get something like $10 or $20 in site credits.
This means no deposit bonuses are arguably a more attractive offer for lower-stakes players, since $20 would represent a decent bankroll, and they may not want to deposit a lot of their own cash upfront anyway.
BetMGM offers one of the best no deposit casino bonus for new players: $25 free when you sign up using promo code WSNCASINO, with only a 1x wagering requirement.
Check out our detailed BetMGM Casino review to find out more.
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Cashback Bonus
A cashback bonus lets you claim back a percentage of your net losses over a certain period of time. An example would be a casino letting you claim 20% of your losses on a specific day, or even over the course of a week or month. Sometimes they are eligible for exclusive games only, like a blackjack cashback bonus or a craps cashback bonus.
A risk-free bonus is a similar concept. It normally appears as a welcome offer and means the casino will refund all of your net losses over a certain period of time – often the first 24 hours after you sign up.
Cashback offers are one of the few occasions where you can sometimes receive a bonus in real cash, rather than bonus cash.
This welcome offer from Virgin, where you can claim back $100 in cash when you lose 90% of your first deposit, is a good example.
Find out more about it in our Virgin Casino review.
Free Spin Bonus
A free spin is effectively a token to play a slot machine for free. Slots are the most popular game at online casinos, and casinos love to offer free spins as part of a variety of bonuses.
Often you’ll see free spins handed out along with a deposit bonus, as part of a welcome bonus package. Stardust Casino is an example of this, where you’ll get a 25 spins on Starburst + 200 spins and 100% deposit match up to $100.
Check out this promo offer and much more in our Stardust Casino review.
Ongoing Bonuses
By ongoing bonuses we mean any offers that casinos come up with for existing players, as distinct from welcome bonuses. Gambling sites often focus their efforts on welcome bonus packages especially, as attracting new players is a priority for them.
But ongoing offers can be just as important, keeping members engaged and invested in the casino and keeping overall interest in the site high.
You’ll find variations on all the offers we’ve already covered, like reload bonuses when you make additional deposits or regular free spins, often released once a week or once a month.
VIP Reward Programs
Reward programs are another way that casinos reward anyone who plays regularly. Normally, you’ll receive reward points every time you gamble real money on the site, which can then be cashed in for bonuses or other rewards.
Tiered reward programs let you rise through different levels as you accumulate points, unlocking new benefits along the way.
Some casinos – like BetMGM for instance – even let you get real-life benefits in the physical resort, like restaurant vouchers or free parking.
Black Friday Bonuses
Seasonal bonuses are a great opportunity to catch up on some extra betting opportunities during the Holidays. We have a comprehensive list of Black Friday Bonuses, so be sure to have a look at our top picks and offers for the Thanksgiving period.
How to Find the Best Casino Bonuses in August
Apart from heading to the sites themselves, your best bet for finding the best online casino bonuses available right now is to check out our reviews.
Our experts delve into every aspect of each casino they review, and always pay special attention to the bonuses on offer. We sift through the small print so you don’t have to, and explain exactly why we like a bonus or where we think it could be improved.
It’s also important to think about your own tendencies as a gambler and match them to the bonus.
Do you like using casino apps? Check them regularly for mobile-specific promos and offers.
Love slots above all else? It makes sense to look for a casino that hands out regular free spins.
Smaller stakes player and don’t want to spend too much? Get a no-deposit bonus to play for free.
Happy to deposit a good chunk of your own cash up front? Maximize your bankroll with a high limit deposit matching bonus.
The Benefits of Casino Bonuses
There are loads of benefits to casino bonuses. Here are our expert’s top reasons to get one:
- Boost your bankroll. One way or another, casino bonuses normally mean you get a bigger bankroll than you otherwise would have. It means more chances to play real money games, and more chances to win.
- Save money. Bonuses save you money in a variety of ways. Cashback bonuses let you reclaim some of your losses. No deposit bonuses let you play real money games without ever reaching for your credit card. Free spins can win you real money without spending a dime.
- Try out new games. Bonuses often open up doors for you that you simply might not otherwise go through. If you get a bonus for a specific type of game, like free spins on a new slot, chances are you’ll give it a go. It makes the whole experience more varied and interesting
- Bonuses are just a lot of fun. At the end of the day, we all play at online casinos for fun, and casino bonuses facilitate that.
The Drawbacks of Casino Bonuses
Our experts also have a couple of words of warning about casino bonuses. Here are our top disadvantages:
- If you have bonus money in your account, the casino normally obligates you to use that first before any regular money, and you won’t be able to withdraw any winnings until you complete (or fail to complete) the outstanding wagering requirements on your bonus. This is especially time-consuming with high-value bonuses, and ones with high turnover requirements.
- For some players, bonuses simply feel like too much hassle. It’s a lot easier to just deposit some of your own money, play some games, and then withdraw it again if you win. Casino bonuses complicate this.
- Complicated terms and conditions. It’s your responsibility to read and understand the T’s & C’s, but it’s true that plenty of casinos don’t make it easy.
The Wagering Requirements of Casino Bonuses
We’ve mentioned the importance of wagering requirements a few times already, and in this section we’re going to break down exactly why that is the case.
So what are wagering requirements? Basically, they are the set of conditions that need to be met before some bonus cash becomes regular cash that you can withdraw. You always need to gamble with bonus cash a certain number of times before you can cash out any winnings.
Wagering requirements (also referred to as turnover or playthrough) prevent people from signing up, claiming a bonus, and immediately withdrawing it for a profit – which is obviously not feasible from a casino’s perspective.
Let’s use the Borgata welcome bonus we talked about above as an example: a 100% match bonus, maxing out at $1,000 with wagering requirements of 15x.
If you claim the full $1,000, you’ll need to place bets totaling $15,000 ($1,000 x 15) before you can withdraw any winnings from the bonus. There is always a time limit built into wagering requirements too, which in this case is 14 days. If you haven’t cleared the requirements within that time, you’ll lose your bonus cash.
Let’s say you decide to deposit $200, which means you’ll receive an extra $200. In this case you’ll have to bet $3,000 in total before you can withdraw your winnings.
The average wagering requirements with welcome bonuses at online casinos is around 30x. You should probably avoid offers any larger than this.
Generally speaking, the two most important factors when choosing an online bonus are the size and the wagering requirements. You need to think about both of these in relation to how much or little you are likely to bet at the casino.
High rollers might be happy with trading off a fairly high turnover rate in exchange for a huge deposit boost, while micro-stakes players are more likely to prefer smaller sums with achievable turnover.
There are a couple of other aspects of wagering requirements to consider too.
The first is that, sometimes, the turnover applies to the bonus cash only, and other times it applies to the bonus cash + the value of your deposit. This is something you always need to check.
And finally, we need to mention something called weighted contributions. This refers to the idea that different games count differently to clearing your wagering requirements, more or less in line with their RTP.
The base rate of turnover (like 15x at Borgata) normally refers to when you play slots. If you decide to clear your bonus by playing games with a lower house edge – like blackjack for instance – it will count at a lower rate towards clearing the requirements, often 20%. Again, this is covered in the small print.
To finish off this section, we want to leave you with one thought: always read the terms and conditions of a bonus carefully before claiming it, and don’t be fooled by the headline alone.
The Different Games That Casino Bonuses Can Be Used For
Unless otherwise specified, casino bonuses can normally be used for any games at the casino. Some bonuses are specifically designed for a certain type of game, like free spins with slots for instance.
The exception is often with live dealer games, which can be exempt from using your bonus cash or site credits. But you can also find separate bonuses designed especially for live games.
If any games are not eligible for your bonus, they will be clearly stated in the terms and conditions. And remember, different games can count towards clearing your bonus at different rates.
Below are some of the games you can expect to play using your bonus cash:
- Slots
- Table Games
- Blackjack
- Roulette
- Keno
- Sic Bo
- 3 Card Poker
- Ultimate Texas Hold’em
- Video Poker
- Baccarat
- Craps
- Bingo Games
- Lottery Game
The Different Software Providers That Offer Casino Bonuses
Casino bonuses are not generally restricted by providers, and bonus offers don’t actually come from providers themselves. Instead, the casino (rather than the software provider) offers a bonus that can be used on the games hosted on the site.
Below is a list of some of the top software providers at online casinos in the US.
- NetEnt
- Evolution
- Ezugi
- Real-Time Gaming
- Habanero
- Red Tiger
- Playtech
- IGT
- Betsoft
- NextGen Gaming
The Different States That Casino Bonuses are Available in
For the most part, casino bonuses will be available wherever online gambling is legal, meaning if your state has legalized online casinos you’ll be able to claim a bonus.
It’s worth noting that even though lots of casinos are available in multiple states, sometimes the bonus offers vary state by state. Make sure you’re playing on the correct platform for whatever state you’re in, and check out the Promotions page to see what bonuses you qualify for.
You can play casino games in:
If you’re also interested in sports betting, then check out where sports betting is legal in the US.
The History of Casino Bonuses
Just like all other aspects of online casinos, casino bonuses have evolved over the last 20 years or more in response to factors like technology, the law, and the general increase in both players and casinos.
As a rule of thumb, the trend has been towards a wider variety of bonuses with more clearly defined terms and conditions attached.
In the US, the removal of PASPA by the Supreme Court in 2018 – effectively removing the federal ban on sports betting and online gambling and allowing each state to determine its own laws – was a game changer. Before that, the only option to gamble online in most of the US was at offshore casinos, which weren’t subject to US laws or regulations.
For bonuses, this meant a lot more uncertainty. These sites did offer casino bonuses, but since they are effectively unregulated there was nothing stopping them from offering unfair or unrealistic terms – or simply reneging on them after you win.
With legal and regulated sports betting, part of the remit of the various state Gaming Control Boards is to protect players from unfair or misleading bonuses and to ensure that any promotions offered by an online casino comply with the laws in the state.
The Future of Casino Bonuses
If we were betting fans (and, let’s face it, we are) our prediction would be that the future of casino bonuses in the US will keep trending towards more valuable offers, along with more transparency. This is for two important reasons:
- There are more casinos launching in the US than ever before, and more states are legalizing online gambling. This means increased competition for a finite pool of players, leading gambling sites to come up with more valuable offers to undercut each other.
- Gambling laws and regulations are getting more sophisticated, and people are moving away from offshore sites toward safer legal options. Legal sites are limited in the types of offers they can make and are subject to regulation to prevent them from taking advantage of customers. This means safer, fairer casino bonuses.
As you can probably tell, we’re excited to see where casino bonuses go from here. The world of online gambling is truly dynamic and has proved uniquely capable of evolving to meet the desires of gambling fans around the world.
In the meantime, there are already plenty of excellent casino bonuses up for grabs right now in the US. Click the links above on your favorite one to get started today.
Why You Should Trust Us
Online casinos are constantly coming up with new promos and bonuses, so staying on top of the best online casino bonuses in the US requires a fully dedicated team with years of experience in the field. This is where our team steps in to lend a helping hand. Here is how we do it:
- The WSN team has over 40 experts from both the sports and casino industries.
- We reviewed more than 30 online casinos to bring you the best online casino bonuses.
- Our team spends at least 12 hours over the course of one week analyzing and claiming bonuses for each individual casino, or longer if necessary, to fully test the casino bonus.
- All our testing is based on first-hand experience. We don’t rely on others’ opinions; we test everything ourselves.
- Not sure about playing at casino? We have the answer! WSN offers a detailed learning hub with over 40 guides and videos to teach you everything you need to know before you start claiming best casino bonuses.
- WSN’s Responsible Gambling Center features 10 articles and videos created by our responsible gambling experts to help you manage your spending and avoid common pitfalls.
- While we value and respect our experts opinions, we also want to hear what our readers think. Feel free to reach out and let us know.
How Do We Do It?
Our experts invest a minimum of 12 hours over a week for each review, testing every feature a casino has to offer, including casino bonuses. We provide them with at least $1,000 to use during their evaluation, ensuring they test everything from payment methods to casino game software. We leave no stone unturned and we grade everything using our BetEdge rathing methodology.
Once a review is published, we spend at least 2 hours per month updating it to ensure it is up-to-date. For our ‘best of’ pages, like our best online casino bonuses page, we spend at least 5 hours verifying every aspect of it and updating accordingly. But that isn’t all! Twice a year, we do a full review of all casino operators and our ‘best of’ pages to ensure they continue to meet our high standards and provide you with the most accurate information.
Everything is done in accordance to our editorial principles. Learn more about WSN editorial principles.
WSN’s Experts
Our team consists of over 40 experts from various iGaming industry backgrounds. They are the backbone of our operation, working tirelessly each month to bring you the best online casino promos.
Their expertise covers both the operational and user sides of the industry, so they know the ins and outs of what makes a good online casino bonus. We leverage this knowledge to ensure that every promotion we recommend is thoroughly vetted, providing you with only the best options.
WSN’s Learning Hub
In order to make the best possible decision, you need to learn a bit more about playing at a casino. This is where our dedicated learning hub section comes into play, with over 40 articles and videos that will teach you everything you need to know about betting.
Check out our learning hub before you start claiming the best online casino bonuses.
WSN’s Responsible Gambling Center
Playing at casinos, whether online or not, should be for fun. And just like everything else in life, it should be done in moderation. Knowing when to stop and walk away is crucial. Our two health and gambling experts, Daniel Umfleet and Pat Eichner, go to great lengths covering this topic and much more in our responsible gambling center.
Learn how to set limits, recognize warning signs, and find support resources to ensure a safe and enjoyable gaming experience. Visit WSN’s Responsible Gambling Center for more information and guidance.
We Value Your Feedback
Everything we do, we do for our readers. Therefore, it’s natural for us to include you in the process. Your opinions help us improve and provide better content and services. Share your thoughts and suggestions with us, and let us know how we can improve your experience. Together, we can make WSN even better for everyone.
You can leave your feedback on individual operators by visiting our review pages and expressing your experience by leaving thumbs up or down. If you want to send us a message, check out our contact page and send us a message.