Why bonus terms exist
Casino bonuses are not free money — they are a marketing cost the operator needs to recover. Bonus terms define the conditions under which promotional funds can become real withdrawable cash. Ignoring them is the single most common reason players lose winnings they genuinely earned.
The five clauses that matter
1. Wagering requirement
The most important figure. It tells you how many times you must bet the bonus (and sometimes the deposit) before withdrawal is permitted. A full breakdown with examples is in our wagering requirements guide.
2. Game restrictions and contribution rates
| Game type | Typical contribution to wagering |
|---|---|
| Slots (most) | 100% |
| Live dealer games | 0–10% |
| Blackjack / Roulette | 5–20% |
| Excluded games | 0% (bets don’t count) |
Playing an excluded or low-contribution game while a bonus is active wastes turnover and can, in some cases, void the bonus entirely.
3. Maximum bet per spin/hand
Almost every bonus includes a maximum stake clause — commonly between $3 and $5 per round while the bonus is active. Breaching it is treated as a terms violation and operators routinely void winnings without warning.
4. Time limits
Bonuses expire. The countdown typically starts the moment the bonus is credited, not when you first use it. Common windows are 7, 14, or 30 days. Free spin rounds within the offer may have an even shorter deadline — sometimes 24 hours.
5. Maximum win cap
Many bonuses cap total winnings at a fixed amount (e.g. $100 or 10× the bonus value) regardless of your actual result. Wins above the cap are removed before withdrawal is processed.
A quick checklist before claiming
- Is the wagering requirement clearly stated?
- Which games are eligible or excluded?
- What is the maximum bet while the bonus is active?
- How many days do I have to clear the requirements?
- Is there a maximum cashout on winnings?
- Does my intended payment method qualify? (see payment methods guide)
Spotting fair versus predatory terms
Reasonable signals: wagering below x35, 30+ day expiry, no max win cap or a cap above 20× bonus, clear game list.
Warning signals: wagering above x60, 7-day or shorter expiry, max win under 5× bonus, vague “at our discretion” language on void conditions.
A bonus with genuinely good terms is rare but exists. Cross-reference offers from operators on our casinos page where we highlight key term metrics alongside each rating.