Online casinos are notorious for using lucrative welcome bonuses to attract new players. Two types you’ll commonly find are 100% match bonuses and 200% match bonuses. But which one actually gives you more value for your money?
In this guide, we’ll compare the math behind each bonus type. You’ll discover how these offers really stack up in terms of overall value. Let’s weigh up the pros and cons so you can spot the best deal.
How Online Casino Welcome Bonuses Work
Before determining which percentage bonus is best, it helps to understand what Nine Win casino welcome bonuses are and how they work.
In short, these are rewards casinos give new sign-ups to encourage them to make a first deposit. The bonus money is added on top of the amount deposited up to a specified limit.
Key Features of Match Bonuses
All match bonuses have some universal traits:
- The bonus amount is a percentage match of your deposit
- There is an upper and lower limit on the bonus funds awarded
- You must wager the sum through a number of times before cashing out
- Bonuses expire after a set period if wagering isn’t completed
Now let’s explore the two main welcome bonus types starting with the simpler of the two.
Breaking Down 100% Match Bonuses
100% match bonuses do exactly what they say on the tin. When you deposit, the casino gives you a bonus equal to 100% of your outlay.
So if the minimum deposit to activate a 100% match is $20 and the upper bonus limit is $100, here is what you would receive at different deposit levels:
- Deposit $20, get $20 bonus
- Deposit $50, get $50 bonus
- Deposit $100, get $100 bonus
- Deposit $250, still only get $100 bonus
In this case, the maximum amount of bonus money you can earn is $100. You won’t receive any extra even if you add more than the $100 qualifying deposit.
Pros of 100% Match Bonuses
- Easy to understand
- Bonus value aligns clearly with deposit amount
Cons of 100% Match Bonuses
- Lower maximum bonus potential than 200% offers
Next, let’s look at how much more complex 200% welcome bonuses are.
What You Need To Know About 200% Casino Bonuses
200% match bonuses give you twice the value of your first deposit, up to an advertised limit. Using the same example limits above, here is what you would get:
- Deposit $20, get $40 bonus
- Deposit $50, get $100 bonus
- Deposit $100, get $200 bonus
- Deposit $250, still only get $200 bonus
So compared to a 100% match, you can potentially claim double the bonus money. But there is a catch with 200% rewards you need to be aware of.
Breaking Down Wagering Requirements
All casino bonuses come with wagering requirements, also known as playthrough requirements. This is the number of times you must bet the combined value of your deposit and bonus before making a withdrawal.
Most 100% match bonuses have wagering around 20x to 40x. But 200% offers can rise as high as 50x or even 70x.
Example:
- 100% match = 25x wagering
- 200% match = 50x wagering
Deposit $100, bet $2,500 on 100% bonus or $5,000 on 200% bonus before cashing out.
The higher playthrough makes 200% matches much harder to cashout profitably. So weigh up the requirements before claiming any huge bonus.
Pros of 200% Welcome Bonuses
- Bigger maximum bonus amount
Cons of 200% Welcome Bonuses
- Complex wagering requirements
- Harder to cashout bonus funds
Now let’s directly compare the value of each bonus type.
100% vs 200% New Player Casino Bonuses: Which is Mathematically Better?
We’ve explored how both bonus types work and their respective pros and cons. But on a purely mathematical basis, which welcome offer gives you the most value?
To find out, we’ll look at two example bonuses with fair playthrough rules.
| Bonus Type | Wagering Requirement |
| 100% match up to $500 | 30x |
| 200% match up to $500 | 45x |
We’ll also assume we deposit the maximum $500 to claim the full $500 bonus.
Here is how each bonus shakes out:
Walkthrough of 100% Match Up to $500
- Deposit $500
- Get $500 bonus
- Total bankroll = $1,000
- Must wager $15,000 before cashing out
Expected Value
- Deposit = $500
- Bonus = $500
- Requirement to Cash Bonus = $15,000
- You get to keep 100% of your deposit
- At 30x wagering, 16% of bonus should be cashable on average
Expected Cash Value
- Deposit = $500
- Bonus = $500 x 16% = $80
- Total Expected Value = $580
Walkthrough of 200% Match Up to $500
- Deposit $500
- Get $1,000 bonus
- Total bankroll = $1,500
- Must wager $22,500 before cashing out
Expected Value
- Deposit = $500
- Bonus = $1,000
- Requirement to Cash Bonus = $22,500
- You get to keep 100% of your deposit
- At 45x wagering, 10% of bonus should be cashable on average
Expected Cash Value
- Deposit = $500
- Bonus = $1,000 x 10% = $100
- Total Expected Value = $600
So while the 200% bonus offers a higher headline figure, the 100% match provides about $20 more expected value. This demonstrates why you should always read the fine print before grabbing the biggest bonus.
Which Type of Welcome Offer is Right For You?
While 100% match bonuses look better mathematically, bigger offers might suit some play styles better. Here is a quick comparison:
100% Match Bonus
Better for: Low stakes players, casual gamblers
Pros: Easy to understand, withdraw bonus faster
200% Match Bonus
Better for: High rollers, advantage players
Pros: Bigger bankroll, more comp points
Generally, advantage gamblers can negate the higher requirements on 200% bonuses with optimal play. But casual players are better off with the lower barrier to entry of 100% matches in most cases.
So consider your level of play and how much you intend to deposit when deciding which is the more valuable welcome bonus.
100% Matches Offer the Most Overall Value
While superficially less attractive than 200% deposit matches, 100% welcome bonuses tend to give players the best expected return. The headline figure may be smaller, but so are the all-important wagering rules.
Carefully study the playthrough rules before grabbing any new player offer. Sometimes less is more when it comes to casino bonuses. And with 100% matches, you’re more likely to take home real cash winnings.
