Who doesn't love getting more for their money? Online poker bonuses do just that. Whether it's deposit matches, no-deposit bonuses, free tournament tickets or freeroll entry, there are an array of different bonuses out there that will reward you in different ways.
But which one is best for you? The team here at PokerNewshassifted through them all to bring you only the very best online poker bonuses, so you can skip through the waffle and get straight down to taking advantage of the most lucrative bonuses.
As of 2026, real money online poker is legal only in a handful of States. Nevada, Delaware, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, West Virginia, and Michigan all offer legalized real money online poker - some of which even sharing liquidity, allowing players to compete cross-state against each another.
Which real money poker site is available for you to play will depend on which State you are in. The table below outlines which sites are available for you to play poker online with a sign-up bonus.
Note: Offers described on this page were available at the time of writing. We check bonuses regularly, but some may change before we get chance to update this page. Always check your eligibility to play and the terms and conditions of any offer before signing up.
The US is home to some of the most lucrative online poker welcome bonuses around, with multiple regulated operators fighting to attract new players. BetMGM, WSOP, and Borgata clearly lead the way for welcome bonuses, all offering generous deposit matches, while PokerStars and BetRivers remain highly competitive and consistently good value.
I'd recommend reading the terms to fully understand each promotion, but once you're happy it's definitely worth taking advantage of the strong bonuses available.
Best Online Poker Bonuses for Players in the UK & ROW
For players who reside outside of the USA, there are many online poker sites who offer a bonus just for signing up and making a deposit. Below are some of the safest and most trusted poker sites that are available in the UK, Canada and most other countries where online poker is legal and regulated.
Outside the US, poker bonuses are still packed with real value. PartyPoker in particular stands out as one of the most generous signup offers available in the UK and for players across the world. Elsewhere, GGPoker's welcome bonus includes large freeroll tickets, while the PokerStars' bonus will give your bankroll a significant boost from the outset.
Overall, there are lots of good bonuses available, so be sure to make the most of all the value that's on offer.
Online poker bonuses are available through many poker sites that offer real money games. A poker bonus is a reward given to people who sign up to play cash games or poker tournaments on a specific poker site. Poker bonuses exist to encourage people to play games and showcase the many things a poker room offers. Players can use these funds in various ways. There is a lot of competition between online poker sites, so being able to offer a substantial deposit match bonus or a free poker bonus helps online poker rooms stand out from the crowd.
Most poker sites offer a welcome bonus to new customers as a way of thanking them for their custom. A welcome bonus comes in many shapes and sizes, with some offering free cash, some awarding free tournament tickets or entries to poker freerolls, while other poker rooms allow you to play free poker without having to make an initial deposit.
The best US site for matched deposit bonuses is BetMGM Poker.
The best UK and ROW site for matched deposit bonuses is PartyPoker.
A match bonus is the most common offer you'll find through an online poker room. A first deposit poker bonus is triggered when you make your first deposit at one of the many online poker sites. You may see an offer at a poker site that reads 100% up to $600. This means the poker site will match your initial deposit amount 100% up to a maximum of $600. In this example, depositing $50 would see you receive a $50 bonus, whereas a $500 deposit would yield a $500 bonus. However, if you deposited $1,000, you would receive a maximum of a $600 welcome bonus.
You will have to note a few things surrounding a match bonus. These rules should be open on the site you visit, but it does help to see what is open:
How much do you have to deposit before you can qualify for the deposit bonus?
Is this good for a first deposit bonus, or can it work for multiple deposits?
What is the match rate? The rate is 100% in most cases, but it may be lower.
Bonus money usually has to be released once you have claimed them. Each poker room has different rules, but most reward you with points each time you play in real money poker tournaments or in a cash game. Once you have earned a predetermined number of poker points, a percentage of your deposit bonus is released into your playable account balance. Every poker room puts a time limit on how long you have to fully release your deposit bonus. Any unreleased deposit bonus when the time expires is forfeited.
BetMGM Poker Matched Deposit Bonus
BetMGM Poker offers a very strong matched deposit bonus as part of its wider welcome bonus, with an extra $75 included as well. You'll get 100% deposit match up to $1,000 simply by signing up to the operator and making your first deposit.
PartyPoker Matched Deposit Bonus
Similarly, PartyPoker is the standout site when it comes to a matched deposit poker bonus, with more offered compared to a lot of competitors. New players can get a 100% deposit match up to $1,000 when they signup and make a deposit.
No Deposit Bonus
The best USsite for no deposit bonuses is PartyPoker NJ.
The best UKand ROWsite for no deposit bonuses is 888poker.
No Deposit bonuses are rare in the modern online poker world, but they are fantastic if you can find one because they allow you to win real money without risking any of your own money. No deposit bonuses are always much smaller than a traditional deposit bonus, but that can be a great way to start building a poker bankroll for poker players on a tight budget.
888poker and PartyPoker have both been known to offer no-deposit bonuses to new players, though only in certain regions and during specific promotional periods. These sites are your best bets, but don't be too downhearted if there isn't one currently available. Click the links above to check. If there aren't any no-deposit bonuses in your region, both sites still offer very lucrative welcome bonuses that are worth taking advantage of!
In order to claim a no-deposit bonus, you simply register for an account and then collect the free money for poker play. You don't have to spend any money on the no-deposit bonus. You should review a few points surrounding how you can use your no-deposit bonus:
How much will you get out of your bonus? You might only get a few dollars.
What poker games can you participate in with your bonus? There may be limits on what games you can play.
How much can you win? You could be subject to a limit on how much you can win with your no-deposit bonus money.
Do you have to play through the bonus a few times? For example, you might get a $10 bonus with a 30x playthrough rate. That means you'd have to play through the value 30 times, meaning you have to bet $300 to withdraw anything. However, some no deposit bonuses allow you to play poker completely free.
No deposit poker bonuses sound too good to be true, but provided you find a regulated, trusted site (like the ones we promote on this page) they're completely legit.
That said, don't get too excited. No-deposit bonuses are very rare. If you are lucky enough to come across one, it's likely it won't be around forever so make sure you take advantage when you can!
The best US site for tournament tickets bonuses is Borgata Poker.
The best UK and ROWsite for tournament ticketsbonuses is Bet365 Poker.
A tournament ticket may be offered among first deposit poker bonuses. A ticket is a voucher that you can use to join a poker tournament. There are many rules to note for a ticket, including:
The value of the ticket
The type of tournament you can enter
The number of tickets you can get
The rules for these tournaments will vary by each site. It is possible that you could win a great deal of real money from a tournament, although this is all based on your skills and a good helping of luck. Some sites award tournament tickets gradually over the course of a week rather than just granting you 10-20 tournament tickets in one fell swoop.
Similarly, Bet365 Poker's tournament ticket bonus is also part of their welcome offer. You'll start with €300 redeemable bonus, where for every €5 in rake you pay, you'll be able to redeem €1 bonus up to the full amount. Running simultaneously, you can also participate in 'Missions.' There are 25 in total, some easy ones like simply changing your avatar, others more challenging such as win 10 Twister tournaments. But all will award you either tournament money (tickets) or free blind (tickets).
**Please note that opt-in is required for this bonus.
Reload Bonuses
The best US site for reload and existing customer bonuses is WSOP Online.
The best UK and ROWsite for reload and existing customer bonuses is PokerStars.
Reload bonuses are for poker players who are already customers at a poker site, and usually who have already taken advantage of a first deposit bonus. Reload bonuses are a reward for a poker player's loyalty to the site, although they are often offered during naturally quiet periods for the poker site or when there is a prestigious tournament series on the horizon.
Reload bonuses work in a similar way to a first deposit poker bonus. The poker site may offer you a 50% up to $250 reload bonus, meaning your deposit is matched 50% up to a $250 maximum. Almost every online poker site that offers reload bonuses makes those bonuses smaller than initial deposit bonuses, but they are worth taking advantage of not least because deposit bonus offers do not come around that often.
Make sure you regularly check your email for any player-specific bonus code from your chosen poker site because poker sites sometimes randomly select customers for a bonus.
WSOP Online Reload Bonus
WSOP Online intermittently offers a very generous reload bonus. This will typically be in the format of a 100% matched deposit bonus up to a specific amount. You'll have to first deposit and then stake real money, after which your bonus will then be credited in installments based on how much you subsequently wager.
PokerStars Reload Bonus
PokerStars' reload bonuses are very simple. At specific periods, existing customers can take advantage of a reload bonus (*though it might not always be available in all regions) such as a 100% matched deposit up to a certain amount. These generous offers are well worth it, effectively giving you an extra boost of funds for simply making a deposit.
VIP/Loyalty Rewards Bonus
The best US site for VIP and loyalty rewards bonuses is BetRivers Poker.
The best UKand ROWsite for VIP and loyalty rewards bonuses is GG Poker.
Online poker sites usually have a loyalty program, otherwise known as a VIP scheme, that rewards players for their loyalty. Players earn loyalty points by playing real money poker games, and the more points you collect, the higher up the VIP scheme you climb. Often poker site VIPs offer exclusive deposit bonuses, enter them into a free tournament with several thousand dollars in the prize pool, or allow them to exchange their points for cash prizes.
You would earn a VIP bonus based on one of these factors:
You might need to wager enough money in poker matches to qualify for the reward.
The value of your reward might be higher if you spend more money on the site.
People who complete more deposits on the site may also qualify for these extras.
It is worthwhile factoring in potential VIP bonuses and rewards when you are choosing where to play online poker.
BetRivers Poker VIP/Loyalty Rewards Bonus
We're big fans of what BetRivers are trying to do in poker - a site that aims to give back 100% of rake to its players. They offer other strong incentives throughout the year that reward loyal (existing) players. The main example is their rakeback program, which allows players to earn regular poker bonuses based on the amount of rake paid.
GG Poker VIP/Loyalty Rewards Bonus
GG Poker's Fish Buffet loyalty rewards is perhaps one of the most extensive and detailed rakeback rewards programs. With a host of different tiers and levels to reach, this loyalty program is a cut above the rest and gives existing players clear incentives and rewards them lucratively based on how much they stake. What's more, it was updated in 2026 to make it even better!
Referral Bonus
The best US site for referral bonuses is BetMGM Poker.
The best UKand ROWsite for referral bonuses is GG Poker.
A referral bonus or a refer-a-friend bonus is a reward for introducing a friend or family member to an online poker site. If you love where you play online poker, you can often refer a friend via a link or bonus code unique to you which grants your friend a welcome bonus, and you will receive a bonus when they create a new account, play at the cash tables, or enter a specific number of tournaments.
You can also utilize a referral bonus through some websites. A referral bonus works with a few steps:
You will send a link or bonus code to someone encouraging that person to sign up for a poker room.
The person will sign up for an account through your link.
The new member will deposit money and play on the site.
You will collect a reward based on how much the player deposits and how much that person spends.
BetMGM Poker Referral Bonus
BetMGM Poker offers one of the best referral bonuses around! Just send a friend a referral code, and once they signup, deposit and meet all the requirements, you'll both receive a $100 bonus. It's as simple as that.
GG Poker Referral Bonus
GG Poker's referral bonus is super simple. All you have to do is visit the 'My Promo' tab, go to 'Referral Bonus' and copy your personalized referral link. The friend you refer then needs to use this when registering. Once they do that, make a deposit and have their KYC details verified, you'll both receive a bonus. This varies depending on region, but in some case is $25 in bonus funds.
How to Find the Best Poker Bonuses
The simple answer to how to find the best poker bonuses is to regularly check PokerNews. Across the site, we give a whole host of the best, most worthwhile online poker bonuses that are 100% legit. Below is exactly where to find them.
While we do work with online poker sites and earn commission through our partnerships, we're intent on always being 100% transparent and honest. We don't just partner with any site. Each bonus provided is a genuine, legit promotion that has been verified and comes from a trusted, secure site. Furthermore, we will always rate sites based on genuine opinions and aren't swayed by any existing partnerships we have.
We regularly update this page to make sure it only reflects the very best poker bonuses in the industry. All the bonuses mentioned are from regulated, secure sites and the bonuses themselves are transparent and can be widely lucrative for players. We also do the same for each individual operator, with a dedicated bonus page that covers every single promotion they offer for the likes of PokerStars, GG Poker and PartyPoker.
News Articles
Operators often run short-term promotional bonuses that aren't going to be around for too long. If this is the case, or if a new, substantial bonus offer is announced by any of the main operators, we will of course cover it via our News coverage. Be sure to check out our latest news articles to see what gems come up in the form of new, juicy bonuses.
We have a strong relationship with many of the top online poker operators in the industry, and as such we often get exclusive bonuses that you won't be able to find anywhere else. We also run freerolls exclusive to PokerNews readers via the different poker sites. Check out our Club PokerNews page to find out more about these freerolls and where and how to register for them!
We acknowledge that intermittently checking back to our pages every so often isn't always going to be convenient, so we've made things even simpler. You can subscribe to PokerNews by providing your email in the box below. Don't worry, this doesn't come with relentless marketing emails that you don't want. You'll just receive information about the best industry bonuses and promotions, as well as our weekly newsletter that brings all the latest stories from the world of poker directly to your inbox.
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It's not just about the bonuses themselves, though. The site itself that offers it is almost as important as the bonus, as it's pointless having extra funds to play with if the gameplay, software and overall experience is horrible.
Below are several different factors that you should take into account when finding an online poker bonus.
Site software
Games and formats available
Stakes and variants available
Player liquidity (are there lots of players to fill tournaments and tables)
Welcome bonus available
Wagering requirements attached to the bonus
Existing player bonuses and loyalty rewards
Ensure that an online poker room offers your favorite game and does so at your stakes. It makes zero sense to join a poker site that only has Pot-Limit Omaha traffic at the $2/$4 tables when you play $0.25/$0.50. Look at the number of cash tables and tournaments running when you are usually available to play poker, and find another site if they are not up to scratch.
Now you can start looking at the various bonuses and promotions on offer. Remember that bigger is not always better regarding a deposit bonus. Choose a welcome bonus that you have a good chance of meeting the playthrough requirements during the allotted time. It is far better to claim a $200 welcome bonus that you have 100% chance of releasing than a $1,000 bonus that you have a snowball's chance in hell of getting your hands on.
What Are Bonus Playthrough Requirements and Why They Are Important?
Playthrough requirements, also known as wagering requirements, are restrictions an online poker site puts in place to prevent people from claiming a bonus and then immediately withdrawing it as cash. Online poker rooms would not be in business for very long if they gave away hundreds of dollars of welcome bonus payments to anyone creating a new account.
Playthrough requirements are clearly stated under the online poker rooms terms and conditions, and they vary wildly from site to site. Common rules include having to earn a specific number of poker points within a set time. These requirements ensure that your real money play provides some value to the poker site. Once the requirements are fulfilled and the bonus released into your playable account balance, it is yours to do with as you wish.
Playthrough Requirements are:
• restrictions imposed to ensure players don't just instantly withdraw funds as cash.
• standard across the industry, with almost all bonuses coming with wagering requirements.
• always included in the terms and conditions of any bonus.
Yes, poker bonuses are worth it. If you fully understand each bonus and know the requirements beforehand, online poker bonuses can be very useful and lucrative ways to boost your bankroll.
'If it seems too good to be true, it probably is.' We've all heard that saying, but it doesn't always apply to poker bonuses. Of course, sites will use all the superlatives under the sun to promote and embellish bonuses, but often they come with unrealistic wagering requirements or other stipulations that make the reality less promising.
That's why it's important to find the right poker site and the right type of bonus. If we promote a bonus on PokerNews, it's always going to be legit and we will be as transparent as we can do explain it so you know exactly what to expect.
Below are some pros and cons around each type of poker bonus.
Poker Bonuses Pros and Cons
Bonus Type
Pros
Cons
Deposit Match
✅ Get bonus additional funds ✅ Gives you more to play with ✅ Easy to claim and simple to understand ✅ No additional steps (you would make a deposit to play either way)
❌ Cannot instantly withdraw ❌ Must adhere to playthrough requirements
No-Deposit Bonus
✅ No-risk chance to win real money ✅ Opportunity to try new games/variants without spending a penny ✅ Can test out a site without committing any money
❌ Extremely rare to find ❌ Cannot instantly withdraw
Free Tournament Tickets
✅ Chance to try out new games, formats and variants ✅ Often lower playthrough requirements
❌ Sometimes released in stages ❌ Often can only be used for specific games or formats
VIP/Loyalty Rewards
✅ Get rewarded for playing your usual games ✅ Often very simple and easy to track progress ✅ Regular, weekly or monthly rewards ✅ Often can be lucrative and valuable
❌ Sometimes low value if at the lower rewards tier ❌ Can tend to favor high-volume or high-stakes players
Poker Bonus Codes
Online sites will sometimes offer poker bonuses that require bonus codes, usually for players signing up for the first time, but sometimes also for existing players. The poker bonus code is simply a mechanic for taking advantage of the various offers and promotions that an online poker site might make available.
Once you have found a poker bonus code, to use it you simply need to find the relevant field on the site in which to enter it and once you confirm, that should unlock your bonus automatically.
Note that not all poker bonuses require you to use a bonus code.
Are Online Poker Bonuses Legit?
Online poker bonuses are legit. They give you a chance to boost your funds on bonuses, try games for free with tournament tickets and also receive rewards for loyalty on a site. If you're playing on a reputable site, they will always payout as promised and you don't have to worry about things sounding too good to be true - just make sure you always read the terms!
So, what's the catch?
There's never any hidden catches with online poker bonuses. Any regulated site must be transparent in all offers they run, but poker bonuses aren't outright gifts. The terms attached to them will mean you will have to playthrough any winnings or bonus funds a set amount of times before withdrawal. They're still very much worth taking advantage of, though, are are definitely legit.
The key to online poker bonuses is making sure the site that offers them is a trusted, credible operator. If so, you've not got too much to worry about. That said, it's still important you read the terms and fully understand the bonus offer.
Finally, it's not all about the numbers! Just because one bonus offers more, other factors like software and gameplay are important to your poker experience as well. What's more, your not bedded to any one poker site - you can take advantage of multiple offers in one go!
Can I use poker bonuses to play real money games online?
Most of the time, your bonus money is not available to use for real money games until you have met the playthrough requirements. However, in some cases, like when awarded free money, you can use those funds to play cash games and tournaments.
What's a good poker bonus?
Poker players will have different views on what constitutes a good poker bonus depending on dozens of factors. It is important to choose a deposit bonus, or any bonus for that matter, that suits you. Look at the minimum and maximum deposit required, the wagering requirements, and how long you have to complete those requirements.
Do I always need a bonus code to claim an offer?
Not all poker rooms require a bonus code when you're claiming a bonus. You can automatically get a bonus off of most places. But others might require a bonus code that you can enter when funding your account.
Can I claim a signup bonus twice through the same site?
A sign-up bonus is a one-time offer for new customers to a poker site. You could still get a bonus from referring people to the site or by taking advantage of any reload bonuses offered.
What are the playthrough requirements for a bonus?
Playthrough requirements are rules in place that determine how much poker you must play before your bonus becomes available in your playable account balance.
What can I do if I didn't receive my bonus?
You can contact the customer support team of your poker site if you did not receive your bonus. Explain to the support team what happened and provide as much information as possible.
How do online poker bonuses work?
Online bonuses work by giving you a financial incentive to either make a first deposit at an online poker site or continue playing at one. They come in all different shapes and sizes.
What is the deposit bonus for PokerStars in 2026?
The most popular PokerStars welcome bonus in 2026 is a 100% up to $600 first deposit bonus. Use the bonus code "STARS600" when depositing to claim the bonus.
What is the GGPoker $600 bonus?
GGPoker offers new depositing customers a 100% up to $600 first deposit bonus.
How do you claim the free $20 at 888poker?
All you need to do is create your free 888poker account and 888poker will grant you $20 of free play.
What is the $88 free offer at 888poker?
888poker used to gift new players $88 worth of bonus play when they became an 888poker customer. However, this offer is no longer available.
Where can I play poker without any money?
Some online poker sites offer no-deposit bonuses, which makes them perfect for poker players on a budget. Alternatively, you can play with play money, a virtual currency with no monetary value.
Are online poker bonuses legit?
Yes, online poker bonuses are legit and will give you bonus funds, free tournament tickets or other rewards for signing up, depositing or playing on a site. There is no catch, but almost all bonuses will come with requirements regarding when you can withdraw funds and what you need to do to qualify for the promo.
How do I claim online poker bonuses?
To claim poker bonuses, simply signup through any of the PokerNews links on our pages. Clicking these links will take you directly to operators' pages, where you can then signup and claim all the best welcome bonuses on offer.
