What is First Deposit Bonus?

A first deposit bonus is a welcome offer that matches or boosts the very first deposit a new player makes, adding bonus funds on top of the cash they pay in. It is usually the headline and largest deposit match inside a wider welcome package, quoted as a percentage up to a stated cap, such as "100% up to £200". Some operators split the welcome offer across several deposits, in which case the first deposit bonus is simply the first and often most generous instalment. Worked example: you deposit £100 under a 100%-up-to-£200 first deposit bonus and receive £100 in bonus funds, giving a £200 starting balance. If the bonus carries a 35x wagering requirement, you must stake £3,500 (100 x 35) before any bonus winnings can be withdrawn. Deposit the full £200 and you claim the maximum £200 match, but the playthrough rises to £7,000. A max-bet rule of £5 per spin and a 7-day expiry then define how hard the bonus is to clear. For players, the match percentage is the least important number; the wagering requirement, game contribution rates, max bet and expiry decide the real value, and breaching the max-bet rule can void all bonus winnings. For affiliates, the first deposit bonus is the primary conversion driver, so its true terms are worth surfacing honestly rather than just the headline figure. Never deposit more than you can afford simply to unlock a larger match. Compare with the welcome bonus, deposit match and reload bonus, and always check the wagering requirement first.