We break down the types of bonuses, wagering requirements and hidden traps. Everything you need to know before activating any offer.
Bonuses are the main marketing tool of online casinos. They attract new players and retain existing ones. For the casino it is an investment in acquiring a customer. For the player it is a chance to play with extra funds, but with certain conditions.
The key rule: there is no such thing as free money. Every bonus comes with conditions that you need to understand before activating it.
The most common type. Provided on the first deposit (sometimes on the first 2-4 deposits).
Example: "100% up to $500" means the casino will double your deposit up to $500. Deposit $200 and you get another $200 in bonus funds.
Provided upon registration without depositing funds. Usually a small amount ($5-25) or free spins (10-50 spins).
Free spins on specific slots. They may be part of a welcome package or a separate promotion. Winnings from free spins are usually credited as bonus funds with wagering requirements.
A return of part of the funds lost over a certain period. Usually 5-15% of net losses. Some casinos credit cashback with no wagering requirements - this is one of the most favorable types of bonuses.
A bonus on repeat deposits for existing players. Usually more modest than the welcome bonus (25-50%), but available regularly.
A cumulative system where you earn points for real play. Points are exchanged for bonuses, cashback or real funds. High VIP tiers grant personalized terms and higher limits.
This is the main parameter of any bonus. The wagering requirement determines how many times you need to wager the bonus amount (or bonus + deposit) before withdrawing.
Example: a $100 bonus with a 35x wagering requirement means you need to place bets totaling $3,500 ($100 × 35) before you can withdraw the bonus funds and the winnings from them.
| Wagering | Rating | Comment |
|---|---|---|
| 1x - 15x | Excellent | Rare, usually with cashback |
| 20x - 30x | Good | Realistically achievable with normal play |
| 35x - 40x | Average | The industry standard |
| 45x - 50x | Poor | Hard to meet, a high risk of losses |
| 50x+ | Avoid | Mathematically unfavorable for the player |
How many days you have to meet the wagering requirements. If you do not make it in time, the bonus and the winnings from it are canceled.
While a bonus is active there is usually a limit on the bet size - typically €5 per spin/round. Exceeding it can lead to the bonus and winnings being canceled.
Many bonuses (especially no deposit ones) cap the maximum amount you can withdraw. For example, "winnings up to $100" means that even if you win $500, you can only withdraw $100.
Not all games count equally toward wagering:
| Game type | Typical contribution |
|---|---|
| Slots | 100% |
| Scratch cards, keno | 100% |
| Roulette | 10-20% |
| Blackjack | 5-10% |
| Video poker | 5-10% |
| Live casino | 5-10% |
| Baccarat | 0-5% |
This means: to wager $3,500 on blackjack with a 10% contribution, you need to place bets totaling $35,000.
Some games are completely excluded from wagering. Often these are high-RTP slots (Blood Suckers, Mega Joker) and progressive jackpots. Bets on these games do not count, and sometimes even lead to confiscation of the bonus.
| ☐ | Wagering of 40x or lower |
| ☐ | Wagering period - at least 14 days |
| ☐ | No cap (or a high cap) on the maximum withdrawal |
| ☐ | Slots contribute 100% |
| ☐ | Maximum bet €5+ |
| ☐ | Your favorite games are not excluded |
| ☐ | Wagering is calculated from the bonus, not from "bonus + deposit" |
Not always. Here are a few scenarios:
| Situation | Recommendation |
|---|---|
| You are a beginner and want to try | Take a no deposit bonus for testing |
| You play slots and understand the terms | A welcome bonus with wagering up to 35x is a reasonable choice |
| You play table games | A bonus is often unfavorable due to the low game contribution. Look for cashback |
| You plan to withdraw right away | Decline the bonus - it will tie your funds to the wagering requirements |
| You are a high roller (VIP) | Request personalized terms - they are usually more favorable than the standard ones |
Casino bonuses are marketing, not charity. They can be a useful tool if you understand the conditions. But a bonus with bad conditions is worse than no bonus at all.
Before activating any bonus, always read the full terms and evaluate them against our checklist. If the conditions are not transparent, that is a signal to look for another casino.
All online casinos in our reviews are checked for the transparency of their bonus conditions as part of our methodology.
