Top Casino Bonuses in South Africa
Casino bonuses are the first to hit your eye whenever you visit an online casino. Of course, not all of them are created equal. Find out more about bonus types, bonus terms, wagering requirements, and everything else there is to know about casino bonuses in South Africa!
Casino bonuses are not only the first thing South African casinos push into our faces - they are what many of us are looking for. After all, a good bonus:
- Will let you learn and explore without risking your money
- Extend your bankroll, giving you more playtime
- If you are lucky, it will also give you opportunities to win big!
As you probably know, not all casino bonuses are created equal. All of them have their own perks and benefits - and some downsides, and shortcomings, too. Let's dive into the world of casinos & bonuses for a while and learn as much as we can about them.
No-Deposit Casino Bonuses
No-deposit bonuses are the best! It's all in the name: they are a bonus that you get without even having to make a real money deposit! This is certainly one of their best features. No-deposit bonuses are usually either in cash or in free spins or free chips. As such, their usage and limitations are also different.
Here are some no-deposit casino bonuses that you can claim today:
R250 no-deposit bonus
- R250 free bonus
- Coupon code TEST-SPRINGBOK
- Maximum payout of R500
- Terms and conditions apply
R350 no-deposit bonus
- R350 free chip
- Coupon code NEW350
- Good for Slots & Keno Only
- Terms and conditions apply
50 free spins
- 50 free spins for new players
- Coupon code BEGINNERS-LUCK
- Good for Plentiful Treasure
- Terms and conditions apply
How to Use Different No-Deposit Bonuses?
- No-deposit cash bonuses can be used on any game unless the bonus terms say otherwise.
- No-deposit free spins can usually be used on specific games or the games of certain providers.
- No-deposit free chips can be used on table games or live dealer games
The Downsides of No-Deposit Bonuses
Free money? Yes, no-deposit bonuses are a lot like free cash that you play with. Casinos usually offer you a first no-deposit bonus as a way to "test-drive" their games before diving in. But if you win, things change immediately. The Springbok no-deposit bonus code we mentioned earlier comes with a payout limit of R500.
Let's take a look at what you need to keep in mind about no-deposit casino bonuses:
- Game limits: No-deposit free spins and free chips can be used on specific game types or individual games
- Time limits: No-deposit bonuses must be used in a set (usually short) time, after which they are lost
- Limited winnings: The winnings you can get from no-deposit bonuses are limited to specific amounts
- Wagering requirements apply to any winnings you get using your no-deposit bonus
- Deposit requirements: Even if you won from a no-deposit bonus, the casino usually requires you to deposit allowing you to cash out.
Welcome Bonuses
When the time comes for you to start playing for real money at South African casinos, you are in for a treat! Every one of them has a welcome offer for you! Welcome bonuses are like the welcome drink you get when you go to a high-profile club: they are meant to get you into the mood and give you a head start for the fun that's about to begin!
Welcome bonuses are optional. If you don't want them, you're under no obligation to accept them! Usually, you need to opt in by clicking a link or typing in a casino bonus code. Sometimes, in turn, you need to opt out by contacting the casino's customer support.
Casino Bonuses and Welcome Packages for New Players
Depending on the casino you choose, you may get a single welcome bonus for your first deposit or a package consisting of multiple deposit matches, free spins, and similar goodies. Here are the casinos with the best welcome packages in South Africa:
Up to R12,000 + 35 Free Spins
Yebo Casino has a hefty welcome package for its new players, starting with a no-deposit bonus that you can use to test-drive the casino and learn its inner workings:
- An R350 free chip with no deposit required
- Total deposit matches up to R12,000 on your first three deposits
- 35 free spins on Mariachi 5 online slot
- Weekly cashbacks
- Daily rebates
Up to R11,500 on 3 deposits
Springbok Casino also has a nice welcome package for you. It comes with freebies, deposit matches, and other goodies:
- A R250 no-deposit bonus to test drive the casino
- Total deposit matches up to R11,500 on your first three deposits
- Monthly specials and bonuses
- Cashbacks after deposits
- Slot Tournaments
Up to R10,000 + 50 free spins
New players at Thunderbolt can get a taste of the video slots with a pack of free spins. And the best things only begin after that:
- 50 no-deposit free spins on the Plentiful Treasure slot
- Total deposit matches up to R10,000 on your first three deposits
- R2500 free bonus after completing the third deposit
- Monthly no-deposit bonuses
- Attractive offers every week
Casino Bonuses for Deposits and Reloads
When you play, you can't expect to win all the time. So, at one point, you'll want to refill your wallet with cash. And you guessed it: casinos like to reward you for this. Reload bonuses are the casinos' way to do just that. They are the most common casino bonuses available today, and they often come with extra perks and benefits.
Depending on the casino you play at, you may get a variety of rewards for topping up your wallet:
- Simple deposit matches, usually up to 100%
- Deposit matches and free spins if you deposit on specific days or using certain payment methods
- Comp points or VIP points that you can later exchange for various prizes and bigger benefits in the long run
- Cashbacks based on the amounts you deposit or those you spend
Our favourite reload bonuses in April 2024:
Happy Hour each day at ZAR Casino
Deposit R100 during happy hours and get 100 free spins on the Game of the Day
Saturdays at African Grand
Deposit on Saturdays and get 90%, up to R10,000 on your deposits!
Daily bonus at Punt Casino
Each day brings a new bonus at Punt Casino. Collect them all!
Lucky 7 Bonus at Springbok
Deposit on the 7th, get 100% up to R777 at Springbok Casino!
Daily rebates at Yebo Casino
Get back 15% of your funds, up to R5,000, every day of the week!
Phuza Thursday at Thunderbolt
Deposit at least R350 on Thursdays, get 150% + 50 free spins! (specific players only)
Free Spins
Free spins are the bonuses we are all looking for. They are the holy grail of online casinos - they give you the opportunity to play without spending, and hopefully win.
You can get free spins from:
- No-deposit bonuses
- Deposit or reload bonuses
- Special offers or promotions
Free chips are not very different from free spins. But where the former refers to free rounds on slot machines, the latter is usually good for free rounds on table games, card games, or live dealer games.
Cashbacks
Cashbacks are the casinos' way to thank you for your business. They are exactly what their name suggests: you get back part of the money you spend playing at an online casino. Or better said, part of the money you lose.
Not all casinos offer you cashbacks, and some of them only offer them once you reach a certain VIP level.
South African Online Casinos that Offer Cashbacks
15% Daily at Punt Casino
For every deposit you make without claiming a bonus, you get 15% back on your losses.
25% at Springbok Casino
Claim a 25% cashback for every deposit where you don't claim a bonus. T&Cs apply!
25% at Thunderbolt
25% cashback for ALL deposits without bonuses attached. T&Cs apply!
Loyalty and VIP Programs
If you plan on becoming a long-term casino player, you should check out the loyalty and/or VIP programs run by South African online casinos. These programs reward you for your activity at the casino - how much you deposit and how much you play in a month.
The casino loyalty programs are tiered. The higher your level, the better and more benefits you'll get. These can include:
- Extra cashbacks each month
- Faster withdrawals
- Higher withdrawal limits
Depending on the casino, reaching a high enough tier in the loyalty scheme grants you a VIP status. This is reserved for a select few players and involves:
- Bigger bonuses and larger cashbacks
- Priority support and often a personal account manager
- Exclusive tournaments, events, or raffles
South African Online Casinos with a VIP Program
Casino Bonuses: Terms and Wagering Requirements
While they sound like it, casino bonuses are not free money. While they may seem like presents you get from casinos, they are not - you are expected to do something in return. That's it - you are expected to play. But this is something that you would do anyway, right?
When you claim a casino bonus, you agree to the terms and conditions set by the casino. The money you get as a bonus or the money you win using it is not real money but bonus money. This means that you can't withdraw it to your account - at least not until you complete the wagering requirements.
Bonus Funds
Your casino account has two separate wallets - one for the real money, and another one for your bonus funds. When you play, casinos usually use the real money first and continue with the bonus money when it runs out. That is unless it's a no-deposit bonus.
You can turn bonus funds into real money by completing the wagering requirements first.
Wagering Requirements That Apply to Casino Bonuses
If you look at the terms of a casino bonus, you'll see a part that tells you how many times you need to play through the bonus in order to "clear" it. These is what we call "wagering requirements". In the case of no-deposit bonuses and free spins, these requirements apply to the winnings you get from using them. Let's see an example.
Let's say your first deposit at Thunderbolt Casino is R1,000. If you use the coupon code FLASHMATCH1, the casino matches your deposit in a proportion of 100%, which means that you'll get R1,000 in bonus funds. The general Terms of Thunderbolt Casino state that the wagering requirements for a deposit bonus are 30 times the deposit + bonus amount. This means that, in this case, you'll need to play through (30 times R2,000) R60,000 in order to turn your bonus money into real money.
The requirements can be completed on any game (unless otherwise stated in the casino's Terms), but different game types count in different proportions toward your goal. In the above example, you can only complete the wagering requirements on 7 Stud Poker, Bingo games, European Slot Poker, Keno, Pai Gow Poker, Scratch Cards and all Slots. At other casinos, for example, slots count 100% toward the requirement, but table games and other games only 10%, for example, or 10 cents for a rand.
Terms and Conditions
Other terms and conditions that typically apply to online casino bonuses:
- Withdrawals: If you try to withdraw before completing the wagering requirements, any bonus or winnings generated from them are forfeited.
- Cashout limits: Usually for no-deposit bonuses, the winnings that you can cash out are limited.
- Excluded games: Depending on the casino, if you play excluded games before completing the wagering requirements, they will either not count toward them or they can void your bonuses and winnings.
- Time limits: You only have a limited time to complete the wagering requirements, after which the bonus and any winnings are void. This changes from one casino to the other and is stated in the casino's Terms.
- Betting limits: Casinos usually limit the maximum bet you can place for completing the wagering requirements. At Thunderbolt, the limit is R100.
- Deposit requirements: Deposit bonuses, especially if they are not the usual ones for the casino, typically have a minimum amount specified (e.g. R1,000). Also, to cash out the winnings from no-deposit bonuses, most casinos ask for a deposit first.
All these terms, conditions, and requirements are all listed in the casinos' Terms and Conditions. Before you opt-in, make sure to read and understand the section that refers to bonuses to avoid any surprises.
Sounds convincing? Check out the best online casino bonuses that you can redeem in South Africa today. Make sure to read and understand the terms and conditions that apply to the casino you're about to redeem. And most importantly, make sure you use it responsibly and within your means! After all, casinos are supposed to be fun, right?
Casino Bonuses FAQ
What types of casino bonuses are available in South Africa?
In South African online casinos, you can find various types of bonuses, including welcome bonuses, no-deposit bonuses, deposit bonuses, free spins, cashback bonuses, and of course loyalty rewards.
What is a casino welcome bonus?
A welcome bonus is a promotional offer provided to new players when they sign up at an online casino. It often includes a combination of bonus funds and free spins.
What is a no-deposit bonus?
A no-deposit bonus is a type of bonus that allows players to receive bonus funds or free spins without having to make any deposit. It's a great way for players to try out a casino's games without risking their own money. However, there are often terms and conditions attached to withdrawing any money won using these types of bonuses.
How do real money deposit bonuses work in South African casinos?
Deposit bonuses are betting bonuses that are awarded to players when they deposit into their casino account. These bonuses often match a percentage of the deposit amount, providing players with extra funds to play with.
What are free spins?
Free spins are a type of bonus that allows players to spin the reels of a slot machine without using their own money. In many instances, they are awarded as part of a welcome bonus or as a standalone promotion. They are also sometimes a special feature built into popular online slot games.
What is a cashback bonus?
A cashback bonus is a type of bonus that refunds a percentage of a player's losses over a certain period. It's a way for casinos to reward players for their loyalty and to help mitigate losses.
How do loyalty rewards work?
Loyalty rewards are casino bonuses or perks that are given to players based on their level of activity and loyalty to the casino. These rewards can include bonus funds, free spins, VIP treatment, and more.
Are there any terms and conditions associated with casino bonuses in South Africa?
Yes, ALL casino bonuses come with terms and conditions that outline the rules and requirements for using the bonus. These may include wagering requirements, minimum deposit amounts, maximum bet limits, and even game restrictions. Players need to read and understand the terms and conditions before claiming a bonus, as it is important to understand how they impact your withdrawal and wagering options.