Casino Bonus Terms and Conditions Explained
Online casinos offer a wide range of bonuses and promotions to attract new players and keep existing ones happy. However, those bonuses always come with specific terms and conditions, and players must always adhere to them while playing on the platform. Otherwise, they risk losing both the bonus funds and any winnings derived from them.
Although everyone seems to have gotten used to accepting these T&Cs without reading them, you shouldn't. Sure, they may look confusing to an average player or a beginner. However, you must read them thoroughly to understand what's going on.
Not only should you read these casino bonus terms and conditions, but you should also review them frequently when modifications are made. That ensures that none of the applied changes could negatively impact your gaming experience.
With this guide, we will help you get a better understanding of the terms and conditions attached to casino bonuses. We have broken everything down below, so keep reading to learn what to look out for.
Wagering requirements
The wagering requirements are the element of online casino bonuses that influences playing with a bonus the most. The term applies to how many times you must wager real money before your bonus money becomes withdrawable. It is stated as a multiplier applied to the bonus amount or the sum of the deposit and bonus.
It is clear why online casinos set wagering requirements. Online casinos are businesses made to make money, even though you could receive some free money with no risk involved. Yet, giving out free cash and spins without any restrictions wouldn't be a smart move.
Game contributions
The wagering requirements associated with bonuses have often been abused by players who discovered they could satisfy the requirement by playing low-house-edge casino games. They might stake enough money to release their earnings using low-risk tactics before running out of funds.
As you can expect, operators quickly noticed this tactic and reacted accordingly. They imposed limitations on which games might be used to fulfill the wagering requirements. With the changes, online slots and video poker games often still contribute 100%. The rest of the games, however, have much lower contributions.
To be sure, we advise you to always check the wagering contribution table available at every gambling site. There might even be some online slots restricted from bonus play.
EXAMPLE:
Let's say you need to wager $100 to cash out your bonus winnings.
- If you play an online slot with a 100% wagering contribution and place $10 bets per spin, you'll need 10 spins (10 x $10 = $100) to meet the rollover.
- If you play a blackjack variant with a 10% wagering contribution and place $10 bets per round, you'll need 100 rounds (100 x $1 because that's the 10% contribution of every $10 stake) to meet the rollover.
Time limits
Most bonuses and promotions have expiration dates. The term "time limit" typically refers to how long a player has to use bonus money or meet the playthrough requirements. If you miss this deadline, you will forfeit your bonuses and any possible winnings.
Online casinos give players a set amount of time to bet their bonus money before it expires and is no longer valid. You should have 7 to 14 days to put your welcome bonus to use.
As for the time limit on meeting the wagering requirements, it's typically longer. The industry average is about 30 days.
EXAMPLE:
There may be a 100% match bonus up to $100 + 20 free spins.
- The time you have to use the match bonus can be 7 days, while the expiration date on the free spins can be 24 hours. This means that you have seven days to use up the bonus funds and 24 hours to use the free spins.
- The time limit on meeting the wagering requirement can be 30 days for both. So, you'll have 30 days to clear your bonus before everything becomes void.
Minimum and maximum limits
There may be a maximum limit placed on the total winnings from a casino bonus. This will be stated clearly in the bonus terms and is intended to prevent new players from signing up and winning the jackpot with a bonus offer.
One of the terms that players seem to neglect the most is the withdrawal cap. They are unaware of it until they request a withdrawal and have their winnings reduced.
These are the most common minimum and maximum limits to consider when claiming casino bonuses:
- Minimum deposit necessary for qualifying for a bonus
- Maximum bonus amount you can get
- Maximum number of free spins you can get
- Maximum bet amount allowed while playing with an active bonus
- Maximum amount of money you can withdraw from bonus play
Allowed games
Each bonus deal is different, and it all depends on the casino operator. Before claiming any of the available bonuses, remember to check which games you are allowed to play. Casinos clearly state which games you can play to meet the rollover requirements and which ones you cannot.
Keep in mind that understanding online casino bonus rules will certainly make for a more positive experience. Always check the terms and conditions section before playing to know what you're getting into.
Certain casino games don't count toward the wagering requirements if a bonus deal comes with game restrictions.
Allowed payment methods
Many casinos limit their deposit incentives to specific payment methods. Skrill and Neteller are two popular e-wallets that are the main culprits. Players who utilize these ways to fund their accounts sometimes cannot claim deposit bonuses.
There are times when PaysafeCard appears on the list of prohibited payment methods, too. There are no rules, really, as each casino sets out these T&Cs individually.
Sometimes, using a specific method imposes extra fees on operators. So, they try to demotivate members to use them. Other times, there may be legal restrictions, and so on. In any case, our advice remains the same – carefully read the terms and conditions to avoid any issues with your bonus.
Geographical restrictions
Not every casino incentive will be accessible to players from every country. If you use a VPN to hide your internet activity, you should be well aware of this. Typically, an online casino will take your IP address and only provide promotions for the region it thinks you are playing from.
When claiming a casino promotion, it's typically advisable to use your actual location to prevent any possible problems down the road.
EXAMPLE:
A leading casino present in several markets may have all of these welcome bonuses for players based in different jurisdictions.
- £5 playing chip upon signup for UK players
- AU$20 upon registration for Australian members
- 10 free spins for Swedish players
- No signup bonus for German users
Cashable vs. non-cashable bonuses
A non-cashable or so-called sticky bonus cannot be withdrawn, but a cash bonus can be once you have met the minimum wagering requirements. Cashable bonuses count toward the wagering requirements and can be cashed out with your winnings.
On the other hand, non-cashable bonuses cannot be cashed out as part of the winnings. They stay with the casino, which is why they're also known as sticky bonuses.
