The Bonus That Looks Too Good to Be True
A "100% up to £200 welcome bonus" sounds fantastic — but before you deposit, it's essential to understand exactly what you're signing up for. Online casino bonuses come with terms and conditions that significantly affect their real value. This guide breaks down the key things to examine before claiming any welcome offer.
Wagering Requirements: The Most Important Term
The wagering requirement (also called a playthrough requirement) tells you how many times you must bet your bonus (and sometimes your deposit) before withdrawing any winnings. This is the single most important figure in any bonus offer.
- Example: A £100 bonus with a 35x wagering requirement means you must wager £3,500 before cashing out.
- Industry standard wagering requirements range from 20x to 50x. Below 25x is considered player-friendly; above 40x makes a bonus very difficult to clear.
- Some casinos apply wagering to both the bonus and the deposit, which doubles the amount you must bet.
Game Contribution Rates
Not all games contribute equally toward clearing wagering requirements. Slots typically contribute 100%, but other games often contribute far less:
| Game Type | Typical Contribution |
|---|---|
| Slots | 100% |
| Video Poker | 10–20% |
| Blackjack | 5–10% |
| Roulette | 5–20% |
| Live Casino | 0–10% |
| Excluded games | 0% |
If you primarily play table games, a slots bonus may be almost worthless to you in practical terms.
Time Limits
Welcome bonuses don't last forever. Most come with a time limit of 7–30 days to use the bonus funds and complete wagering. Rushing to clear high wagering requirements within a tight window often leads to higher-stakes play and poor decision-making.
Maximum Bet Rules
Nearly all bonuses include a maximum bet clause — commonly £5 per spin while a bonus is active. Breaching this limit, even accidentally, can result in your bonus and any associated winnings being voided. Always check this limit before playing.
Maximum Withdrawal Cap
Some bonuses cap the amount you can withdraw from bonus winnings — for example, a maximum of £100 or 5x the bonus amount. If you hit a big win on a capped bonus, you may not be able to withdraw the full amount. Read this clause carefully.
How to Evaluate a Bonus: Quick Checklist
- What is the wagering requirement? (Lower is better)
- Does wagering apply to the deposit + bonus, or just the bonus?
- Which games contribute 100% toward wagering?
- How long do you have to clear the wagering?
- What is the maximum bet per spin?
- Is there a cap on bonus winnings you can withdraw?
- Are there any restricted games or software providers?
The Bottom Line
A welcome bonus is only as good as its terms. A smaller bonus with a 20x wagering requirement and no game restrictions is almost always more valuable than a larger bonus with a 50x requirement and extensive exclusions. Do the maths, read the fine print, and always gamble responsibly — bonus or no bonus.