DESPITE the fact that the term ‘reload bonus’ makes it sound like an unlocked level in a video game, it’s actually a very common term in the online casino space.
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The word ‘reload’ refers to getting extra stuff when topping up your casino account with additional funds, and these kinds of bonuses help you do just that. Reload bonuses are a step beyond the initial welcome bonus offer, allowing players to continue to gain additional value for repeat logins and deposits - something I take as a sign that casinos value their players.
After all, experience tells me a quality online casino will be committed to retaining players in the long-term, offering value and rewards in exchange for loyalty.
In this guide, I'll attempt to demystify reload bonuses, explain how they work and what to watch out for. I'll present the best reload bonuses available to UK players among the operators we have relationships with and give you the opportunity to take a look behind the curtain before choosing your next place to play.
Get 25 Free Spins and 100% matched deposit welcome bonus at Magic Red Casino
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What is a reload casino bonus?
A reload bonus is a casino bonus offered to players who have already made at least one deposit at the online casino. In my experience, it's a surefire way for these sites to entice and reward players for making continued deposits. These bonuses are always made up of bonus cash at the bare minimum, but they can be formulated in many ways, and there isn’t a strict rule in place that I've seen. Still, regardless of the maths, a reload bonus always offers the player a percentage of their real cash offer in extra free bonus funds.
For example, 100% up to £100 on your next deposit. That means if you deposit £20 you’ll get another £20 in bonus cash on top. One thing I've noticed consistently across online gambling venues is that reload bonuses will often come in smaller percentages, like 25%, 50%, or even 75% up to a maximum amount. While these can be tricky to work out, I think it's usually safe enough to trust that the online casino will do the correct maths for you - and that's certainly true of the casinos I've recommended above.
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My reviews of the best UK casinos with reload bonuses from our partners
1. Mr Vegas
- Reload bonus type: Cashback
- Reload bonus amount: Up to £300
- Bonus code: Not Required
- Payment methods: Visa/Mastercard, PayPal, Skrill, Neteller, PayViaPhone, Paysafe, ecoPayz, Trustly, WebMoney
The first thing that grabbed my attention when logging in to Mr Vegas was the sheer number of games on offer. The site is home to a whopping 7,000 titles, with the game’s section reading like a who’s who of leading industry developers. If you can not find the game you are looking for here, I would be amazed.
In addition to a huge game catalogue, some excellent bonuses are available, including the Rainbow Fridays reload bonus. This accumulates all of your bets throughout the week and, by using a complex calculation system, provides you with bonus funds to spend based on your spending.
I was also a fan of the ‘Wheel of Vegas’ bonus, which provides players with a chance to win one of three exclusive progressive jackpots.
| Pros |
|---|
| ✔️ Over 7,000 games to enjoy |
| ✔️ Big selection of payment methods |
| ✔️ Great bonuses for new and existing customers |
| Cons |
|---|
| ❌ No mobile app |
2. Duelz
- Reload bonus type: Cashback
- Reload bonus amount: 10% Cashback Weekly
- Bonus code: Not required
- Payment methods: Visa/Mastercard, Skrill, Neteller, Trustly, PayPal, Paysafecard, ecoPayz, MuchBetter
PartyCasino sign up offer: Get 50 FREE SPINS as reward when you deposit £10
If you want to play at a casino with a sense of adventure, I highly recommend Duelz. The site has a unique theme that instantly caught my attention. It takes its name very seriously, inviting players to a fantasy-themed casino with its own soundtrack as you scroll through the menus.
The site is more than just its unique appearance, though. It is home to over 1,500+ slots, as well as some superb bonuses. There is a weekly 10% cashback reload bonus that calculates your net spend and returns 10% of it to your account as a bonus fund every Friday.
I also want to shout out the site’s Reward Program, which is nicely tied into the casino’s theme. It allows players to complete quests and unlock treasure chests.
| Pros |
|---|
| ✔️ Unique theme and design |
| ✔️ Over 1,500 slots to enjoy |
| ✔️ Generous weekly cashback bonus |
| Cons |
|---|
| ❌ High minimum deposit compared to other casinos |
3. MrQ
- Reload bonus type: Free Spins
- Reload bonus amount: 10 free spins
- Bonus code: None needed
- Payment methods: Visa/Mastercard, PayPal, Pay by Phone, Bank Transfer
If, like me, you are not a fan of wagering requirements, MrQ should be one of the first names on your lists of casinos to visit. The site’s big selling point is that zero wagering requirements are attached to any of its bonuses. Players can claim a no-deposit welcome bonus, and 30 free spins with a £10 deposit.
Unfortunately, the lack of wagering requirements does come at a bit of a cost, with the bonuses not quite being as big as the ones at other top online casinos. Still, if you need a quick reload, just verify your mobile number and you'll get 10 spins.
Away from the bonuses, there are 900+ games to enjoy, and I was also a big fan of the site’s clean user interface, with very little visual clutter preventing me from finding what I was looking for.
| Pros |
|---|
| ✔️ Clean user interface and easy sign-up process |
| ✔️ No wagering requirements |
| ✔️ Mobile app available |
| Cons |
|---|
| ❌ Limited payment methods |
4. Winomania
- Reload bonus type: Free Spins
- Reload bonus amount: Up to 200
- Bonus code: Not required
- Payment methods: Visa/Mastercard, Skrill, PayPal, Neteller, Paysafecard, Neosurf, Trustly
If you are a fan of free spins, Winomania is the site for you. The site boasts a selection of excellent bonuses for existing customers, including a strong loyalty program and an array of tournaments. Players can also get up to 200 spins every day simply by making a deposit and playing on the site. My only issue with the site’s promotions is that the wagering requirements are a little high at 40x.
As well as strong bonuses, there is also over 800 games for players to enjoy. Leading developers like Pragmatic Play, Games Global and Play’n Go all chip in, with fan favourites like Big Bass Bonanza, Sugar Rush, and Mega Moolah all available.
| Pros |
|---|
| ✔️ Strong portfolio of games from leading industry developers |
| ✔️ Great mobile website |
| ✔️ Generous reload bonus worth up to 200 spins |
| Cons |
|---|
| ❌ High wagering requirements |
5. Magic Red
- Reload bonus type: Free Spins
- Reload bonus amount: Up to 50 Spins
- Bonus code: Not required
- Payment methods: Visa/Mastercard, PayPal, Skrill, MuchBetter, Trustly, Astropay, Paysafecard
Magic Red has been on the scene in the UK since 2014, and it is clear that it has learned how to keep its customers happy in that time. The site is home to over 1,000 games, all of which are perfectly optimised for desktop and mobile user. Personally, I’m a big fan of the casino’s mobile site. I was also impressed by the number of payment methods on the site, making it easy for me to log-in, deposit, and play in a matter of minutes.
As a regular player, I am a big fan of the Daily Spin Frenzy bonus. This allows players to get up to 50 spins every day for completing challenges. It is a great way of keeping you engaged and coming back for more.
| Pros |
|---|
| ✔️ Good range of payment methods |
| ✔️ Generous welcome bonus |
| ✔️ Strong live casino options |
| Cons |
|---|
| ❌ Limited customer support |
How do I get a casino reload bonus?
Reload bonuses, unlike deposit bonuses, aren’t always available. Every online casino is allowed to offer them at their discretion. As a result, I've come across reload bonuses that reappear once a week, once a month, or even every day.
The only way to know for sure whether a casino has a reload bonus is to shop around. I recommended a few top online casinos known for their quality reload bonuses in this article, so here's a few easy steps to go through once you choose one of them:
- Rely on my research and choose a safe and secure online casino
- Browse the ‘Promotions’ section of the site (or check out the featured offers I presented in this article)
- Activate your chosen reload bonus by depositing funds as per the promo instructions with your payment method of choice.
- Claim a percentage of your deposit as bonus cash (it can even be as high as 150%)
- Play games at the casino with your boosted balance
Your reload bonus can be activated in a few different ways. Usually by ‘opt in’ or by promo code. Either way, the online casino will guide you through the entire (very short, in my experience) process.
How to use a reload bonus at an online casino
In terms of functionality, there’s no real difference between a reload bonus and a welcome bonus. Once it’s up and running, there’s really very little left for you to do except play. The first thing you need to do is browse through the promo section on your favourite online casino site and choose your preferred reload bonus.
Make sure to read all the terms and conditions that come attached to the offer, to be absolutely certain that everything is just as it seems. The same page will also contain activation instructions. These are always very simple to follow, and the steps are usually completed in less than 60 seconds. One of the steps always involves making a deposit, as this is a key feature of a reload bonus.
The deposit process is identical to the one I went through when making my very first deposit with a given site. It’s generally instant and I saw the funds on my account balance immediately, along with the bonus cash triggered by the promo. From that moment on I was free to play any casino games with my increased balance, so long as the games fall within the remit of the reload bonus terms and conditions.
Why I love reload bonuses
The fact is, just because an online casino calls something a bonus, it doesn’t mean it’s necessarily a good idea for you to accept it. Not all bonuses offer great value, and that includes reload bonuses. The online casino needs to be safe and secure, and the bonus itself should come with fair terms that give players a decent chance at converting it to real cash.
However, if a reload bonus does meet all those conditions, I've found it suddenly becomes an offer that’s hard to refuse. After all, there's not much to hate about bonus cash, and here are some of the main things I appreciate about this form of bonus:
- Reload bonuses are designed to keep customers coming back for more, so they’re always very generous and built to reward.
- The main goal is for players to deposit again and play for longer sessions, meaning the bonus cash is meant to be big enough to last.
- Reload bonuses ripen with age, meaning the more you return to a casino the more generous the reload bonuses become.
- They give you more to spend for free - but watch out for wagering requirements!
- They let you try out a range of games - even those you’re on the fence about - without risking any of your own cash.
- They allow you to boost your profile at your new online casino by gathering loyalty points and climbing the ranks.
- One thing I find reload bonuses are best for is taking the plunge and trying out games with increased bet sizes thanks to an increased balance.
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What to look out for when using a reload bonus
If your thought reload bonuses were a simple matter of collecting free cash and making a fast withdrawal, then you’re in for something of a wakeup call.
There’s no such thing as a free lunch, and a few crucial elements should always be taken into consideration before you dive in and start spending that bonus cash.
- Wagering requirements - You’ll be hard-pressed to find a bonus that comes without wagering requirements. These are also called rollover requirements and playthrough requirements - so don’t get thrown off by terminology. Your focus should be on the figure attached to the requirement, which ideally should sit at 35x or less. At a push, you could accept a maximum 50x wagering requirement - but your goal really should be to seek out bonuses with the lowest rollover requirements possible.
- Wagering contribution table - Game weighting is a common restriction that comes hand in hand with bonus cash. You meet wagering requirements by betting with games, but not all games help you to complete wagering requirements at the same speed. As a general rule, slot games contribute at 100%, table games contribute at 10%, and all other games at 0% - but this can vary from site to site. There are also usually several games that are eliminated from use with bonus cash entirely.
- Match percentage - Your reload bonus will work similarly to the welcome offer you’ve probably already used up. While the welcome offer is usually always a 100% match bonus, reload bonuses tend to come in a little lower. It’s not uncommon to find a reload bonus for 75% or 50% up to £300, for example.
- Maximum bets and winning caps - Most casino bonuses come with limits. These limits stipulate the top end of the bet size, as well as the maximum amount you can win. While it might not seem so important initially, these are key indicators to determine the value of the bonus. If you can only win a little more than your deposit amount then it’s probably not worth the effort. Similarly, if your max bet is set too low, then your win potential is vastly diminished.
- Limited games - You might have a favourite slot you’re excited to play with your bonus cash, but you won’t necessarily be able to. More often than not, every bonus’s terms and conditions set out a number of games that are excluded from use with bonus cash. This is generally set out as a series of excluded slot titles, as well as table games like blackjack because they offer the player a vastly increased edge against the house.
Q&A session about UK reload bonuses
Here, I'll answer the most important questions UK players have about acquiring and using reload bonuses at online casinos.
1. What is the best reload bonus?
It’s hard to pin down a single casino with a great reload bonus. That’s because these types of promotions are rarely permanent fixtures. Other times the online casino might choose to reward specific casino member only, based on their loyalty and participation over a period of time. However, if the bonus restrictions are fair with regards to limitations and wagering requirements, then it doesn’t really matter which online casino is producing the offer. Stick to my recommended list of gambling sites to ensure a safe and secure online gambling experience.
Find more Easter casino bonuses for UK players.
2. How often can I claim a reload bonus?
Reload bonuses are always doled out at the discretion of the online casino. That means there’s no set number or frequency with which they’re doled out to players. What I can tell you is that online casinos tend to stick to a schedule. If you stick around long enough you’ll start to recognise a pattern, for example, Reload Tuesdays, where players can collect 75% up to £200 in bonus cash every week.
In summary, I'd advise you to check in with the promo page at your favourite online casino regularly to see if there’s anything you’re interested in available. As long as a reload bonus is available, you can continue to claim it. One thing you should be aware of is that online casinos only allow you to have one active bonus at a time. It means that even if there are two separate reload bonuses on offer, you won’t be able to run them concurrently.
3. Do casinos give reload bonuses automatically?
The short answer: not really. When it comes to a reload bonus, you always have to explicitly accept the offer. This is due to multiple reasons, not least because of the special terms and conditions that come attached to every offer. But the biggest reason is probably because a reload bonus inherently requires players to make a deposit, which is the main triggering feature, so they can never be automatically applied to your casino account.
The way you onboard a reload bonus will vary from casino to casino. The two most common methods are via an ‘opt-in’ feature or the application of a bonus code. Both methods are extremely simple and straightforward, and you only have to give the promotion page a quick scan to find out exactly what you should do.
The only times you’ll be awarded a bonus automatically is when they come with no strings attached. Many online casinos use these little gifts to keep players happy and engaged. For example, you might sometimes log in to your account to find a set of free spins without any wagering requirements waiting for you to play.
If you're interested in free spins, take a look at the best casinos with free spins offers.
4. Can I cash out a reload bonus?
Reload bonuses are designed to offer players the chance to turn the bonus cash into real, withdrawable cash winnings. The truth is, it can be a long - or even fruitless - journey towards that exciting payout. The only thing standing in your way is those pesky wagering requirements. Once you’ve activated your bonus, it will be locked from withdrawal. There’s no way to make withdrawals as soon as the bonus cash hits your account, and there are a few hoops to jump through first.
Even if you’ve made a pure cash deposit, you’ve got to turn it over at least once before you can withdraw it. While this might sound strange, it’s actually a very standard anti-money laundering requirement that’s found at every single licensed and regulated online casino.
But back to reload bonuses and how to turn them into real cash. There’s no magic formula to succeeding. You’ll need to focus on choosing the right games to play (for example, slots with an RTP above 96%), and reading all the fine print ahead of accepting the bonus. That actually brings me back to one of my earlier points, that you must really pay attention to the deposit bonus terms and conditions, which always stipulate your wagering target. If the rollover requirements are too high, then the attractiveness of the offer diminishes entirely, as your chances of cashing out become very small.
Remember to gamble responsibly
A responsible gambler is someone who:
- Establishes time and monetary limits before playing
- Only gambles with money they can afford to lose
- Never chase their losses
- Doesn’t gamble if they’re upset, angry, or depressed
- Gamcare – www.gamcare.org.uk
- Gamble Aware – www.gambleaware.org
Find our detailed guide on responsible gambling practices here.
For help with a gambling problem, call the National Gambling Helpline on 0808 8020 133 or go to www.gamstop.co.uk
