Online casino bonuses are legally binding contracts regulated by bodies like the UK Gambling Commission (UKGC) and the Malta Gaming Authority (MGA). According to the CMA (Competition & Markets Authority) principles on “Fair Play,” casinos must transparently display “Significant Conditions”—including wagering requirements and maximum withdrawal caps—within one click of the offer.
Update for 2026: As of January 2026, new UKGC protections have banned “mixed product” wagering (e.g., forcing players to wager sports winnings on slots), simplifying terms for players.
This comprehensive guide explains 30+ essential casino bonus terms, how bonuses actually work, common mistakes to avoid, and strategies to evaluate bonuses before claiming them. By the end, you’ll be able to navigate any casino bonus offer with confidence.
A bonus is free money or free spins that online casinos give to new or existing players to encourage them to sign up and play. These bonuses appear in your account as separate funds (bonus balance) from your real money (cash balance), and remain that way until specific conditions are met.
Key concept: Bonuses aren’t free money you can instantly withdraw—they come with conditions and requirements that must be completed before you can withdraw winnings generated from them.
To determine if a bonus is mathematically profitable, you must calculate the Expected Value (EV). A positive EV means the bonus is worth claiming; a negative EV suggests a statistical loss.
Calculation Example:
EV = 100 − (3000 × 0.039) = 100 − 117 = −$17
Verdict: This bonus has a negative EV of −$17. You are statistically likely to lose your deposit before clearing the bonus.
When you claim a casino bonus, it appears in your account with two distinct balances:
Bonus Balance: Shows the bonus funds available to play with. This amount is locked and cannot be withdrawn immediately (in most cases).
Cash Balance: Your real money that you deposited. This can usually be withdrawn anytime, even before meeting bonus requirements.
Example:
The wagering requirement (also called playthrough requirement or rollover) specifies how many times you must bet the bonus amount before you can withdraw any winnings generated from it.
Example – Deposit + Bonus:
Bonus-Only Wagering:
Bonus + Deposit Wagering:
Game contribution rate (also called contribution percentage) describes what percentage of your wager counts toward completing the wagering requirement.
Different games have different contribution rates because they offer different house edges:
Casinos offset lower house advantage with lower contributions to prevent players from exploiting low-edge games to ensure fairness.
| Game Type | Typical Contribution | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Slots | 100% | $100 wagered = $100 counts toward requirement |
| Video Poker | 50% | $100 wagered = $50 counts toward requirement |
| Blackjack | 10-20% | $100 wagered = $10-$20 counts toward requirement |
| Roulette | 10-25% | $100 wagered = $10-$25 counts toward requirement |
| Baccarat | 0% | $100 wagered = $0 counts (excluded) |
| Live Dealer | 0-10% | Often completely restricted or minimal contribution |
| Progressive Jackpots | 0% | Usually excluded entirely |
Scenario Comparison:
Player A: Plays Slots (100% contribution)
Player B: Plays Blackjack (20% contribution)
Some casinos exclude certain games entirely from bonus play:
Fully Restricted Games:
Partially Restricted Games:
Every casino bonus has an expiry date or validity period by which you must either claim or complete wagering requirements.
Typical Timeframes by Bonus Type:
| Bonus Type | Typical Validity |
|---|---|
| No Deposit Bonus | 24-48 hours |
| Welcome Bonus | 7-30 days from first deposit |
| Reload Bonus | 7-14 days from deposit |
| Free Spins | Varies (1-30 days) |
| VIP Bonus | Often 30+ days (if wagering incomplete) |
What Happens When Bonus Expires:
A maximum cashout (also called maximum win or cashout limit) is the highest amount you can withdraw from your bonus winnings.
Real-World Example: Casino offers: $100 bonus with 20x wagering and $500 maximum cashout
Scenario A:
Scenario B:
Impact Chart:
| Bonus Size | Max Cashout | Best Case | Worst Case |
|---|---|---|---|
| $20 bonus | $50 max | Win $50, withdraw $50 | Win $100, withdraw only $50 |
| $100 bonus | $200 max | Win $200, withdraw $200 | Win $500, withdraw only $200 |
| $250 bonus | Uncapped | Win $2,000, withdraw $2,000 | N/A |
A maximum bet (or stake limit) is the highest single bet you can place while using bonus funds.
Why Casinos Impose Maximum Bets:
Casinos want to prevent players from exploiting bonuses through high-risk strategies:
Real Example:
If you try: $20 bet, the wager won’t count
Impact: Must complete the requirement with a minimum $4,000 in total spins ($5 × 800 spins)
The most important bonus classification is sticky vs. non-sticky, which determines whether the bonus itself is withdrawable after you meet wagering requirements.
The bonus amount is “stuck” to your account. It can never be withdrawn; it is deducted from your balance when you request a payout.
How Sticky Bonuses Work:
Sticky Bonus Characteristics:
Sticky Example Calculation:
Your real money and bonus money are kept separate. You play with real money first. If you win, you can forfeit the bonus and withdraw cash immediately.
How Non-Sticky Bonuses Work:
Non-Sticky Bonus Characteristics:
Non-Sticky Example Calculation:
| Feature | Sticky | Non-Sticky |
|---|---|---|
| Bonus Withdrawable | ✗ No | ✓ Yes |
| Typical Wagering | 20x-35x | 35x-50x |
| Wagering Applies To | Deposit + Bonus (often) | Bonus Only (usually) |
| Total Wagers Needed | Often Higher | Often Lower |
| Total to Withdraw | Winnings Only | Bonus + Deposit + Winnings |
| Better For | Casual players | Profit seekers |
| Expected Value | Lower | Higher |
A match bonus means the casino matches a percentage of your deposit with bonus funds.
How Match Bonuses Work: The casino offers: “100% match bonus up to $500”
Calculation:
Common Match Percentages:
The Cap (Maximum Bonus):
Most match bonuses have a cap: “100% match up to $500”
What this means:
Real Examples:
| Offer | Your Deposit | Bonus Received | Total to Play |
|---|---|---|---|
| 100% up to $200 | $100 | $100 | $200 |
| 100% up to $200 | $250 | $200 (capped) | $450 |
| 200% up to $500 | $150 | $300 | $450 |
| 200% up to $500 | $300 | $500 (capped) | $800 |
A no-deposit bonus is free money or free spins credited to your account without requiring you to deposit any money first.
Characteristics:
Why Such Harsh Terms?
Casinos give free money to low-barrier entry, but they protect themselves with strict conditions because they’re giving away cash with zero investment from you.
Realistic Expectations:
A free spins bonus gives you complimentary spins on specific slot machines. Each spin has a monetary value (e.g., $0.10 per spin).
How Free Spins Work:
Free Spins Key Terms:
Spin Value: The amount each spin is worth. Higher values = better free spins.
Eligible Slots: Only specific games can be played. You can’t choose any slot.
Winnings Wagering: Usually, only your winnings need to be wagered, not the spin value itself.
Example:
Compared to Cash Bonuses:
Free spins are often less valuable than cash bonuses of equal amount because:
A bonus code (or promo code) is a combination of letters/numbers you enter to activate a specific bonus offer.
How Bonus Codes Work:
Variations:
These three terms are often used interchangeably, but they all mean the same thing: the number of times you must bet to complete bonus requirements.
They’re identical: A 30x rollover = 30x wagering requirement = 30x playthrough
Why multiple terms? Different casinos use different languages, but the concept is the same.
Casinos implement strict measures to prevent players from exploiting bonuses. Understanding these helps you avoid account suspension.
Prohibited Bonus Abuse Activities:
Multi-Accounting: Creating multiple accounts to claim the same bonus twice
Chip Dumping: Transferring chips/funds between accounts to exploit bonuses
Bonus Hunting: Taking bonuses from multiple casinos using similar strategies
Extreme Favorites Betting: Placing bets designed only to exploit bonuses (betting on massive favorites)
KYC Violations: Using fake identity information to claim bonuses
How Casinos Detect Abuse:
Forfeit means you lose the bonus, usually through:
When You Forfeit:
Basic Formula:
Total Wagers Needed = (Bonus + Deposit) × Wagering Multiplier
Step-by-Step Example:
Real Scenario – Compare Two Bonuses:
Bonus A:
Bonus B:
Analysis:
Casinos exclude specific “High RTP” games to prevent positive EV play. Below is a list of games typically excluded from wagering contributions due to their high return rates.
Commonly Excluded High-RTP Slots:
| Game Title | Provider | RTP % | Why it’s Excluded? |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mega Joker | NetEnt | 99.0% | Skill-based “Supermeter” mode lowers house edge to ~1%. |
| Book of 99 | Relax Gaming | 99.0% | Extremely low variance allows players to “grind” through wagering safely. |
| 1429 Uncharted Seas | Thunderkick | 98.6% | High RTP and frequent small wins make it a target for bonus clearing. |
| Blood Suckers | NetEnt | 98.0% | Famous for its high payout rate; often contributes 0% or is banned entirely. |
| Term | Definition |
|---|---|
| Max Bet Rule | A standard clause limiting bets (usually to €5/$5) while wagering a bonus. Exceeding this often leads to immediate confiscation of winnings under "Bonus Abuse" terms. |
| Game Weighting | The percentage a specific game type contributes to the wagering requirement (e.g., Slots: 100%, Blackjack: 10%, Roulette: 0%). |
| RTP (Return to Player) | The theoretical percentage of wagered money a slot pays back over millions of spins. High RTP games (97%+) are often excluded from bonuses. |
| Wagering Requirement | Also known as "Rollover" or "Playthrough," this is the multiple (e.g., 35x) of the bonus funds you must bet before they convert to withdrawable cash. |
| Bonus Balance | Account showing bonus funds only |
| Bonus Code | Promo code to activate bonus |
| Bonus Expiry | Deadline to use bonus |
| Bonus Only | Wager applies to bonus amount only |
| Bonus + Deposit | Wager applies to both amounts |
| Cashable Bonus | Bonus can be withdrawn (non-sticky) |
| Cashback | Percentage of losses returned |
| Contribution Rate | % of wager counting toward wagering |
| Free Spins | Complimentary slot spins |
| Game Eligibility | Which games count for wagering |
| Loyalty Points | Rewards for repeated play |
| Match Bonus | Casino matches your deposit |
| Maximum Cashout | Highest withdrawal from bonus |
| No Deposit Bonus | Free money without depositing |
| Non-Sticky Bonus | Bonus itself is withdrawable |
| Playthrough | Times you must bet to complete bonus |
| Promo Code | Same as bonus code |
| Reload Bonus | Bonus for subsequent deposits |
| Rollover | Old term for wagering requirement |
| Sticky Bonus | Bonus cannot be withdrawn |
| Time Limit | Duration bonus remains active |
| VIP Bonus | Exclusive rewards for high-value players |
Don’t claim bonuses blindly. Use this 6-step evaluation framework:
Use the formula: (Bonus + Deposit) × Multiplier = Total Wagers
Example:
Key question: “What’s the maximum I can realistically withdraw?”
Examples:
Red flag: Maximum cashout lower than bonus amount (very limiting)
Check for:
Green Flags (Bonus-Friendly Conditions):
Red Flags (Bonus Traps):
The Error: Playing games you like without checking contribution rates, which often have 0% or 10% contribution.
Real Scenario: You love blackjack (10% contribution) but claim a bonus. To complete $2,000 wagering requirement:
The Fix: Before claiming, check if your preferred games are available at 100% contribution. If not, consider skipping the bonus.
The Error: Winning big and assuming you can withdraw everything.
Real Story: You claim a $50 no-deposit bonus with $150 max cashout. You win $600 total. You can only withdraw $150, losing $450 in winnings.
The Fix: Always note maximum cashout before playing. Adjust expectations accordingly.
The Error: Claiming a bonus and playing casually, only to have it expire before completing wagering.
Real Scenario: The 30-day bonus expires. You’ve wagered only $3,000 of $6,000 required. Bonus disappears, taking any winnings with it.
The Fix: Calculate completion timeline upfront. If you can’t finish in the available time, skip the bonus.
The Error: Claiming a sticky bonus without realizing you can’t withdraw the bonus itself, only winnings.
Real Impact: Sticky bonus requires deposit + bonus wagering, while non-sticky requires only bonus wagering.
The Fix: Always verify if the bonus is sticky or non-sticky before comparing different offers.
Best bonus features:
Strategy: Only claim bonuses that likely generate profit after wagering.
Best bonus features:
Expectation: These are low-reward bonuses—focus on casino evaluation, not profit.
A reload bonus is offered to existing players on subsequent deposits (second, third deposit, etc.). It works similarly to welcome bonuses but is often more generous.
How Reload Bonuses Work:
Key Difference from Welcome Bonus:
Example:
Strategy: Check reload bonus terms—they’re sometimes better value than welcome bonuses.
Before claiming any bonus, use this checklist:
Understanding casino bonus terms transforms you from a passive player who accepts whatever the casino offers into an informed player who strategically selects bonuses.
Key Takeaways:
Disclaimer: The contents on Times Of Casino are intended for informational and educational purposes only and does not constitute personalized, legal, financial, or professional advice. Opinions reflect research available at the time of publication and may change as the industry evolves. Times Of Casino accepts no responsibility for losses incurred from reliance on this content. Readers should conduct their own research and consult qualified professionals before engaging with Casino or any associated services.
Why Trust Times Of Casino: All products and services featured on this page have been independently reviewed and evaluated by our team of experts to provide you with accurate and reliable information. Learn how we rate.
See less
