Casino Bonuses and Wagering Requirements Explained

Online casinos often advertise bonuses, from free spins to matched deposits. They can look generous, but they always come with conditions. The most important one is the wagering requirement. This page explains how bonuses work and what to look out for.

Common types of bonuses

• Deposit bonus: the casino adds a percentage of your deposit as bonus money.
• Free spins: a number of spins on a specific slot without paying for each spin.
• No-deposit bonus: a small bonus without making a deposit, usually with strict conditions.
• Cashback: a percentage of your losses returned, often as bonus money.

Rules on bonuses differ by country. In some regulated markets, bonuses are restricted or banned for certain groups of players.

What are wagering requirements?

A wagering requirement tells you how many times you must bet the bonus (or bonus plus deposit) before you can withdraw winnings from it. For example, a bonus of 50 with a 30x wagering requirement means you must place bets worth 1,500 in total before the bonus money becomes withdrawable.

Because every bet has a house edge, wagering large amounts means you are likely to lose part or all of the bonus along the way.

Other conditions to check

• Game weighting: slots often count fully towards wagering, while table games may count for only a small percentage or not at all.
• Time limits: you may have only a few days to complete the requirement.
• Maximum bet: while a bonus is active, there is often a limit on how much you may bet per round.
• Maximum win: some bonuses limit how much you can win from them.
• Excluded games: certain games may not be playable with bonus money.

Is a bonus worth it?

A bonus does not change the house edge of the games. It can give you more playing time, but it rarely makes money for the player. Read the terms carefully before accepting, and remember you are usually free to decline a bonus. See how the house edge works in RTP and house edge.

Play responsibly

Do not deposit more than you planned just to unlock a bonus. Set your deposit limits before you play. More tips are in responsible gambling. Gambling is for adults (18+) only.