Best Online Casino Welcome Bonus UK 2026
The UK welcome bonus market in 2026 is less about headline numbers and more about the fine print. Operators compete for attention with flashy banners, but the real value sits in wagering requirements, game weightings, and how quickly a casino actually lets you withdraw. This guide breaks down the strongest UK-facing welcome offers, explains how they work, and shows you how to read the terms like an editor, not a tourist.
Licensed UK casinos now operate under tighter advertising rules than ever before. That means the ‘free’ spins and ‘bonus’ cash you see on the homepage are never unconditional gifts. Every offer carries a cost: playthrough obligations, maximum win caps, and game restrictions that quietly determine whether the promotion is worth your deposit. By the end of this article, you will know exactly which welcome bonuses deserve a second look and which ones are better left ignored.
What Makes a UK Casino Welcome Bonus Worth Claiming in 2026
Not all welcome bonuses are created equal. A £200 matched deposit with a 50x wagering requirement can be mathematically worse than a £50 bonus with 20x wagering. The key is to measure the total playthrough burden against the size of the bonus. Think of the wagering requirement as the number of times you must cycle the bonus before it turns into real withdrawable cash. The lower that number, the less chance you have of burning your deposit on the way to clearing the bonus.
Game contribution is another silent killer. Most UK casinos count slot play at 100% toward wagering, but table games like blackjack and roulette often contribute only 10% or even 0%. If you plan to clear a bonus on live dealer games, read the contribution table before you deposit. A welcome offer that looks great for slots becomes a trap for blackjack players.
Maximum bet limits during bonus play also matter. Many casinos cap your stake at £5 per spin or hand while a bonus is active. Exceed that limit and the casino can void your bonus and any winnings. The rule exists to prevent bonus abuse, but it also makes high-roller strategy impossible. For most casual players, the £5 cap is manageable; for anyone wanting to bet bigger, it is a dealbreaker.
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Finally, check the expiry window. Welcome bonuses typically expire after 7 to 30 days. If you deposit on a Friday and only play on weekends, a seven-day expiry may be too short. The best UK welcome bonuses in 2026 give you at least 14 days to meet the wagering requirement without rushing your sessions.
How UK Casino Welcome Bonuses Actually Work
A welcome bonus is a marketing tool with a simple goal: get you to deposit and play. The casino gives you extra funds or free spins, but those extras are locked behind conditions. You must wager the bonus amount a certain number of times before you can withdraw any winnings derived from it. This is the core mechanism, and it has not changed much in a decade.
Most UK-facing casinos structure their welcome offer as a first-deposit match. You deposit £50, the casino adds £50 in bonus funds, and you start with £100. That sounds generous until you read the wagering requirement, typically 35x the bonus. In this example, £50 bonus × 35 = £1,750 in total bets before the bonus becomes real money. Some casinos include the deposit in the wagering calculation, making it 35x (£50 deposit + £50 bonus) = £3,500. That distinction can double your playthrough burden.
Free spins are often bundled with the match. A common package is 100 free spins on a specific slot, released over several days. Those spins usually carry the same wagering requirement as the bonus cash, and winnings from free spins are capped at a maximum, often between £20 and £100. If you hit a big win on your free spins, you will not keep the full amount. The cap applies even to jackpot wins.
No deposit bonuses are rarer but still exist as a way to attract new players without requiring a deposit. These are usually small, often 10 to 50 free spins or £5 to £10 in bonus cash. The wagering requirements are typically higher, and maximum cashouts are low, often £20 to £50. No deposit offers are great for testing a casino’s software, but they are not a path to real profit.
Comparison Table: Best UK Online Casino Welcome Bonuses for 2026
The table below lists ten reputable UK-licensed casinos with strong welcome offers. Because exact bonus amounts change frequently and vary by device, the table focuses on the bonus type each brand is known for, along with key terms that affect real value. Always check the casino’s promotion page for the current offer before depositing.
| Casino Brand | Welcome Bonus Type | Licence | Wagering Requirement | Game Contribution Notes | Standout Feature |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| bet365 Casino | Matched deposit welcome bonus | UKGC | Typically 20x bonus | Slots 100%; table games vary | Consistent terms, fast withdrawals |
| 888casino | Deposit match with free spins | UKGC | Usually 30x bonus | Slots 100%; blackjack low | Unique proprietary games |
| LeoVegas | Welcome package with matched deposit and free spins | UKGC | Typically 35x bonus | Slots 100%; live dealer excluded | Mobile-first experience |
| Betway Casino | Matched deposit welcome offer | UKGC | Usually 50x bonus | Slots 100%; table games 8-20% | Strong live casino suite |
| Casumo | Deposit match welcome bonus + free spins | UKGC | Typically 30x bonus | Slots 100%; table games low | Gamified adventure rewards |
| Mr Green | Welcome deposit bonus with free spins | UKGC | Usually 35x bonus | Slots 100%; table games excluded | Strong responsible gambling tools |
| PlayOJO | No-wagering free spins welcome offer | UKGC | None on free spin winnings | All winnings paid in cash | No wagering on free spins |
| Unibet Casino | Deposit match welcome offer | UKGC | Typically 25x bonus | Slots 100%; table games low | Wide game selection, sportsbook link |
| William Hill Casino | Matched deposit welcome bonus | UKGC | Usually 40x bonus | Slots 100%; table games varied | Established high-street brand |
| Grosvenor Casinos | Welcome deposit bonus for new players | UKGC | Typically 30x bonus | Slots 100%; table games moderate | Land-based casino tie-ins |
This table is a snapshot of the types of welcome offers each brand has traditionally offered. Wagering requirements are indicative and based on recent published terms; they may change. Always read the full terms on the casino’s website before you deposit. The ‘no-wagering’ offer at PlayOJO is notable because free spin winnings are paid as cash with no playthrough, which is rare in the UK market.
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No Deposit Welcome Bonuses: The Rarest and Most Misunderstood Offer
No deposit welcome bonuses are the unicorns of the casino world. They promise a taste of real play without asking for a deposit. In the UK, these offers are strictly limited and usually consist of a tiny number of free spins or a few pounds of bonus cash. The catch is that the wagering requirements are often over 50x, and the maximum you can withdraw from a no deposit bonus is capped at a low figure, frequently £20 or £50.
Casinos offer these because they know most players who claim a no deposit bonus will eventually deposit. The bonus is a loss leader. You get a small amount of free play, maybe hit a small win, and then face the choice: either leave with nothing or deposit to chase more. That is the business model, and it works.
If you are in the UK and want to try a no deposit welcome bonus, look for offers licensed by the UKGC with clear terms. Check the wagering requirement, the maximum cashout, and whether you need to make a deposit to claim the winnings. Some no deposit bonuses require a small verification deposit before withdrawal, even if the bonus itself was free. That is legal but annoying.
No deposit offers are useful for evaluating a casino’s software, game library, and mobile experience. They are not a realistic way to build a bankroll. Treat them as a free test drive, not a business opportunity.
Free Spins Welcome Bonuses and Slot-Specific Offers
Free spins dominate the UK welcome bonus landscape because slots are the most profitable game category for casinos. A typical welcome package includes 50 to 200 free spins on selected slots, often released in batches of 20 or 25 per day. Each batch usually expires after 24 hours, so you must log in daily to use them.
The value of free spins depends on three things: the slot they are on, the spin value, and the wagering requirement attached to winnings. Many casinos give free spins worth £0.10 each, which sounds small but adds up. If you get 100 free spins at £0.10, that is £10 in total spin value. Even if you hit a decent win, the wagering requirement on those winnings can be 35x or 45x, and the maximum cashout is often capped at £100.
Slots welcome offers also differ by casino. Some brands, like PlayOJO, have made no-wagering free spins their selling point. Others wrap free spins into a deposit match, which complicates the terms because you need to track which part of your play clears the bonus and which part clears the free spin winnings. In the UK, casinos are required to separate these clearly in the terms, but many players still misunderstand the rules.
If your goal is to play slots with a welcome bonus, compare the spin value and the wagering requirement. A smaller number of high-value spins with low wagering can be better than hundreds of low-value spins with 50x wagering. Do the math before you deposit.
Welcome Bonuses for Live Casino Players
Live casino welcome bonuses are the neglected stepchild of the UK market. Most welcome offers are designed for slots and exclude live dealer games entirely. If a casino does offer a live casino welcome bonus, it is usually a matched deposit with a separate wagering requirement, and the contribution of live games to clearing the bonus is often just 10% or even 0%.
For example, a £100 live casino bonus with a 35x wagering requirement means you must place £3,500 in live bets. If blackjack counts at 10%, you actually need £35,000 in total live stakes to clear the bonus. That is not a mistake in the terms; it is deliberate. Live casino games have a low house edge and skilled players can reduce the casino’s advantage, so operators discourage bonus play on those tables.
A few UK operators offer live casino-specific welcome offers, usually as cashback on losses rather than a traditional bonus. For instance, a casino might give 10% cashback on your first day’s live casino losses up to a maximum. Cashback is easier to understand because it is real money with no wagering requirement, but the refund is capped and applies only to net losses.
If you prefer live dealer games, your best welcome offer may be a general casino bonus that allows live games at a low contribution, or a cashback deal. Check the game weighting table before you deposit. A bonus that excludes live roulette entirely is worthless for your play style.
Mobile Casino Apps and Welcome Bonus Claiming
Most UK casinos now push their mobile app as the primary way to play. Welcome bonuses are often available on both desktop and mobile, but some operators offer exclusive mobile-only bonuses to encourage app downloads. These can be free spins with no deposit, extra deposit match percentage, or a small cash reward for installing the app and verifying your account.
Claiming a welcome bonus on mobile is generally identical to desktop: register, verify your identity, make the minimum deposit, and the bonus is credited automatically or via a bonus code. However, some mobile apps have a separate bonus section where you must manually opt in. Missing that step means you deposit without the bonus and cannot claim it retroactively.
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The best casino app welcome bonus in 2026 is one that does not force you to jump through hoops. A clean opt-in, clear terms available in-app, and no need to contact customer support. Mobile players should also check whether the bonus games are optimised for touchscreens and whether the wagering progress is displayed clearly. Some apps bury the wagering tracker deep in the settings, which is a red flag.
If you download a casino app solely for a welcome bonus, make sure the bonus is actually active on mobile. Some promotions are desktop-only, and the fine print will say ‘not available on mobile devices’ in the terms. Always read the full terms before you register.
How to Evaluate a Welcome Bonus Before You Deposit
Start with the wagering requirement, but do not stop there. The effective cost of a bonus is the product of the bonus amount, the wagering multiplier, and the game contribution rate. For a £100 bonus with 35x wagering and 100% slot contribution, you need £3,500 in slot play. If slots have an average RTP of 96%, the expected loss on £3,500 of play is £140. That means the £100 bonus is likely to be consumed by house edge before you clear it. In this scenario, the casino makes money even if you play perfectly.
This simple calculation is the most important information gain most players never do. Compare the expected loss from playthrough against the bonus size. If the expected loss exceeds the bonus, the offer has negative expected value for the player. This does not mean you cannot win; variance exists. But over many sessions, the maths is against you.
Also check the maximum bet limit, the expiry period, and the maximum cashout. A bonus with a low wagering requirement but a £20 maximum cashout is worse than a bonus with 35x wagering and no cap. Calculate the total playthrough needed and compare it to the potential reward.
Finally, read the excluded games list. Many slots are excluded from bonus play, including high-RTP games like Blood Suckers and Dead or Alive. If your favourite slot is excluded, the bonus is less useful. The same applies to progressive jackpot slots and live table games.
Slot Welcome Bonuses vs Table Game Bonuses
The UK market is heavily skewed toward slot bonuses. Casinos know that slots have a higher house edge than most table games, so they are happier to give you bonus funds for slots. A typical slot welcome bonus might have a 30x wagering requirement and 100% contribution from slots. That seems reasonable until you remember that slot RTP is often 95% to 96%, meaning the house keeps 4% to 5% of every bet over time.
Table game bonuses are much rarer. If you find a welcome offer that includes blackjack or roulette at 100% contribution, it is either a mistake or a very short-lived promotion. More often, table games contribute 10% or 20%, and some games like baccarat are excluded entirely. The reason is simple: skilled blackjack players can reduce the house edge to under 1%, and roulette with favourable rules can be close to 2.7%. Casinos do not want to give you free money that you can actually keep.
For players who only enjoy slots, the standard welcome bonus works well enough. For players who prefer table games, the best strategy is to claim a general casino bonus and use it on slots first, then switch to table games with your own funds after clearing the bonus. Or look for cashback offers that apply to table game losses.
Bonus Codes and Opt-In Pitfalls
Some UK casino welcome bonuses require a promo code. You enter the code during registration or in the cashier before making your first deposit. Miss the code and the bonus is lost. This is a common source of player complaints, especially when the code is hidden in the terms and conditions rather than displayed on the landing page.
Even without a code, many casinos require you to opt in to the welcome bonus. A checkbox during registration, a button in the promotions section, or an email confirmation. If you skip the opt-in, you can deposit and play without any bonus. The casino is under no obligation to credit it later, even if you contact support.
Before you deposit, take a screenshot of the promotion page and the terms. If a dispute arises, having evidence helps. The UKGC requires fair treatment, but proving you opted in correctly is your responsibility. Most casino support teams will credit a missed bonus if you ask quickly and have a valid case, but they are not required to if the fault was yours.
The Best Time to Claim a UK Welcome Bonus
Timing matters more than most players realise. Casinos update their welcome offers regularly, often tied to sporting events, holidays, or new game releases. The best time to claim a UK welcome bonus is usually during a major sports tournament or a new slot launch, because operators increase their acquisition budgets and sweeten the deal.
Christmas and New Year are prime times for enhanced welcome bonuses. UK casinos face intense competition during the festive season, so they add extra free spins, lower wagering, or bigger deposit matches. Summer is more mixed; some casinos run holiday promotions, but others keep offers standard.
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If you are not in a hurry, set a reminder for the first week of a new month. Many casinos refresh their promotions on the first, and sometimes the welcome offer improves for a limited period. Just remember that a bigger bonus usually comes with bigger wagering requirements, so compare the total cost, not just the advertised amount.
How to Compare Two Welcome Offers Side by Side
Take two hypothetical offers: Betway Casino gives £200 bonus with 40x wagering, 888casino gives £100 bonus with 20x wagering. The headline number favours Betway Casino, but the playthrough burden tells a different story. Betway Casino requires £8,000 in total bets; 888casino requires £2,000. If both have 96% RTP slots, the expected loss from playthrough is £320 at Betway Casino and £80 at 888casino. The smaller bonus is actually cheaper to clear and leaves more of your deposit intact.
This is why you should always calculate the total wagering amount before comparing bonuses. You do not need a spreadsheet; just multiply the bonus by the wagering requirement. If the casino includes the deposit in the wagering, add that too. Then compare the total required play. The lower that number, the better the bonus, all else being equal.
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Also factor in the game you want to play. If Casino A’s bonus can be cleared on your favourite slot but 888casino excludes it, the choice changes. Sometimes a slightly higher wagering requirement on a game you enjoy is better than a lower one on a game you hate.
The Hidden Costs: Wagering Requirements, Game Weightings, and Caps
Wagering requirements are the most visible cost, but game weightings are the hidden tax. UKGC regulations require casinos to state contribution percentages clearly, but many players skim past them. A game contributing 10% means you need ten times more play on that game to clear the same bonus. That is not a minor detail; it can turn a 30x bonus into an effective 300x burden for blackjack players.
Maximum cashout caps are another cost. A no deposit bonus with a £50 maximum cashout means you can only ever withdraw £50, even if your free spins hit a jackpot. This cap is designed to limit the casino’s liability. Some deposit bonuses also have caps, though it is less common for standard welcome offers. Always look for the phrase ‘maximum win from bonus’ or ‘maximum withdrawal from bonus funds’.
Expiry periods add time pressure. A seven-day expiry on a welcome bonus with 35x wagering requires aggressive daily play. If you are a casual player who deposits £50 and plays once a week, you will never clear the bonus before it expires. Choose bonuses with at least 14 days, preferably 30 days, if you are not a high-frequency player.
One further cost is the minimum deposit requirement. A bonus may be advertised as ‘up to £200 bonus’, but if the minimum deposit to qualify is £50, you need to commit £50 of your own money to get the maximum. Some casinos allow smaller qualifying deposits for smaller bonus amounts. Read the terms to find the minimum deposit for the bonus you want.
Payment Methods and Withdrawal Speed in UK Casinos
Welcome bonuses are only valuable if you can eventually withdraw your winnings. UK casinos offer a range of payment methods, including debit cards, e-wallets like PayPal and Skrill, bank transfers, and sometimes cryptocurrencies through offshore sites. For UKGC-licensed casinos, cryptocurrency is not allowed as a payment method, so you will not see Bitcoin deposits at legal UK casinos.
Withdrawal speed varies widely. E-wallets like PayPal and Skrill are usually the fastest, processing within 24 hours after the casino approves the withdrawal. Debit card withdrawals take 1-3 business days, and bank transfers can take up to 5 working days. Some casinos have a pending period where you can cancel the withdrawal; this is a common tactic to encourage reverse withdrawals and should be avoided if you have a gambling problem.
When clearing a welcome bonus, consider the payment method you plan to use for withdrawal. Some casinos exclude certain e-wallet deposits from bonus eligibility. For example, depositing with Skrill or Neteller may disqualify you from a welcome bonus at some operators. Always read the deposit method restrictions in the bonus terms. This is a classic trap that many players discover only after they have deposited.
| Payment Method | Typical Withdrawal Time (UKGC Casinos) | Bonus Eligibility Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Visa Debit | 1-3 business days | Usually eligible for all bonuses |
| Mastercard Debit | 1-3 business days | Usually eligible for all bonuses |
| PayPal | Within 24 hours | Eligible at most, but check terms |
| Skrill | Within 24 hours | Often excluded from welcome offers |
| Neteller | Within 24 hours | Occasionally excluded from bonuses |
| Bank Transfer | 2-5 business days | Usually eligible, slower withdrawal |
| Trustly | 1-3 business days | Eligible at many casinos |
The best UK casinos for welcome bonuses in 2026 offer instant withdrawals for verified e-wallet users and do not delay payments unnecessarily. Look for casinos with a clear, published withdrawal policy and a track record of paying within the advertised timeframe.
New Casino Welcome Offers vs Established Brands
New UK casinos often launch with aggressive welcome offers to attract players away from established brands. These offers may include larger deposit matches, more free spins, or lower wagering requirements. The trade-off is trust: a new casino may not have the same reputation for fair play and timely payouts as a brand like bet365 or William Hill.
Before claiming a welcome bonus at a new casino, check its UKGC licence number. The UKGC publishes a register of all licensed operators, and you can verify the licence in seconds. A new casino without a valid UKGC licence is operating illegally in the UK and should be avoided entirely. No bonus is worth the risk of playing at an unlicensed site.
Established brands may have less flashy welcome offers, but they compensate with reliability, faster withdrawals, and a track record of honouring bonuses. A smaller bonus at a trusted casino is often worth more than a larger bonus at a site that makes you fight for every withdrawal.
In 2026, the gap between new and established casino welcome offers is narrowing because the UKGC has tightened rules on bonus advertising. All licensed casinos, new or old, must present terms in a clear and transparent way. That levels the playing field, but the underlying risk of a new operator remains.
Legal Landscape: UKGC, GamStop, and Bonus Rules in 2026
Every casino welcome bonus offered to UK players must comply with the UK Gambling Commission’s Licence Conditions and Codes of Practice. The UKGC requires that all significant terms be presented clearly, not hidden in fine print. Bonuses must not be described as ‘free’ if they require a deposit, and all wagering requirements must be stated upfront.
GamStop is the UK’s self-exclusion scheme, and all UKGC-licensed casinos must participate. If you have self-excluded via GamStop, you will not be able to claim a welcome bonus at any licensed casino. Some offshore casinos operate outside GamStop and may target UK players, but those operators are not licensed by the UKGC and are illegal for UK residents. Avoid them.
The UKGC has also cracked down on ‘bonus abuse’ clauses that allow casinos to confiscate winnings without cause. The current rules require operators to act fairly and transparently when enforcing terms. However, disputes still occur, so always keep records of your bonus terms and wagering progress.
One upcoming change in 2026 is the potential introduction of affordability checks for high-depositing players. While this does not directly affect welcome bonuses, it may impact how much you can deposit in a short period, which could influence your ability to claim a large matched bonus. Stay informed through the UKGC website for updates.
Responsible Gambling and Welcome Bonus Reality Check
Casinos do not give away free money. The welcome bonus is a calculated acquisition cost, similar to a free trial at a gym. The casino expects to recoup the bonus and more through your future play. That does not make the bonus evil, but it does mean you should approach it with clear eyes.
Set a budget before you deposit. Decide how much you are willing to lose, and treat the bonus as a way to extend that budget, not a way to guarantee profit. If you are chasing a welcome bonus solely to ‘beat the casino’, stop. The house edge and wagering requirements are designed to protect the operator over time.
Use the deposit limits and reality checks available at every UKGC-licensed casino. Set a deposit limit, a loss limit, and a session time reminder. If you notice yourself chasing losses or depositing more than planned, take a break and consider self-exclusion via GamStop.
Remember, a welcome bonus is an entertainment product. It can make your first sessions more interesting and give you more playtime, but it does not change the fundamental odds. The expected value of any casino game is negative for the player, and no bonus can reverse that permanently.
Practical Questions About UK Welcome Bonuses
What is the best online casino welcome bonus in the UK for 2026?
The best welcome bonus depends on your game preference. For slot players, a no-wagering free spins offer like PlayOJO’s is hard to beat because winnings are paid as cash. For table game players, look for a deposit match with low wagering and table game contribution, but such offers are rare. Always compare the playthrough burden, not the headline amount.
Are no deposit casino welcome bonuses real in the UK?
Yes, but they are small and heavily restricted. UKGC-licensed casinos may offer no deposit free spins or a small bonus, typically worth £5 to £10. The wagering requirements are high, often 50x or more, and the maximum cashout is low, usually £20 to £50. They are for testing a casino, not for profit.
How do I claim a UK casino welcome bonus?
Register at a licensed casino, verify your identity, and make a qualifying deposit if required. Some bonuses require a promo code entered during registration or deposit. Check the promotion page for the exact steps. The bonus is usually credited instantly or within a few minutes, but free spins may be released daily.
Can I withdraw my welcome bonus immediately?
No. Bonus funds and winnings from free spins are locked until you complete the wagering requirement. For example, a £100 bonus with 35x wagering requires £3,500 in total bets before it becomes withdrawable cash. If you try to withdraw before clearing, the bonus and any winnings from it will be forfeited.
Which UK casino has the lowest wagering requirement on its welcome bonus?
Several casinos offer low or no wagering on select welcome elements. PlayOJO has no wagering on free spin winnings, and bet365 often has a relatively low 20x on its casino match. Unibet and Casumo also tend to keep wagering below 35x. Always check current terms, as requirements change frequently.
Do UK casino welcome bonuses expire?
Yes. Most welcome bonuses expire after 7 to 30 days from the date of issue. Free spins often expire even faster, sometimes within 24 hours of being credited. If you do not meet the wagering requirement within the expiry period, the bonus and any associated winnings are removed. Choose a bonus with a longer expiry if you are a casual player.
The UK welcome bonus landscape in 2026 rewards attention to detail. The best offer is not the biggest number on the banner; it is the one with the most transparent terms and the lowest total playthrough cost. Use the comparison table as a starting point, read the full terms for any casino you consider, and never deposit more than you can afford to lose.
| Casino / Operator | Bonus Type | Availability Note |
|---|---|---|
| Betway Casino | Welcome bonus | Current availability and terms must be verified on the official site |
| 888casino | Free spins | Current availability and terms must be verified on the official site |
| LeoVegas | Cashback | Current availability and terms must be verified on the official site |
| William Hill Casino | Reload bonus | Current availability and terms must be verified on the official site |
| Mr Green | Loyalty bonus | Current availability and terms must be verified on the official site |
| Casumo | Welcome bonus | Current availability and terms must be verified on the official site |
| Unibet Casino | Free spins | Current availability and terms must be verified on the official site |
| Grosvenor Casinos | Cashback | Current availability and terms must be verified on the official site |
| Betfred Casino | Reload bonus | Current availability and terms must be verified on the official site |
| Paddy Power Casino | Loyalty bonus | Current availability and terms must be verified on the official site |