Bonus terms checklist
Bonus terms are long, and the important parts are rarely in the headline. A short checklist helps you find them quickly and decide if an offer is worth accepting, or whether to skip it.
Use the list below before you deposit. Each item says what to look for and why it matters. None of it makes an offer safer to play, since the games keep their house edge, but it removes unpleasant surprises.
Before you start
Open the full terms page for the offer, not only the promotional banner. Look for the date of the last update and for any general bonus policy that sits above the individual offer. If the terms are hard to find or contradict the banner, treat that as information about the operator.
Keep a copy of the terms, or a screenshot, from the day you accept. If the offer changes later, you will know which version applied to you.
The money terms
- Wagering requirement. How many times, and on what base: the bonus alone, or deposit plus bonus. Multiply it out. See wagering requirements explained.
- Maximum bet. The largest stake allowed while a bonus is active. It may be a fixed sum per spin or a share of the bonus. Exceeding it can cancel winnings.
- Maximum cashout. A cap on what you may withdraw from bonus winnings. Some offers have none, some cap at a multiple of the bonus.
- Minimum deposit. The smallest deposit that qualifies. A deposit just under it earns nothing.
- Bonus cap. The top amount a match offer will add.
Example: a 100% match with a 150 EUR cap gives at most 150 EUR in bonus funds. Depositing 300 EUR would not add 300 EUR, because the cap applies. The extra 150 EUR is simply your own funds.
Game and payment terms
- Game contribution. Which games count toward wagering and by how much. Slots may count in full, while table and live games often count less or not at all.
- Excluded games. Some slots, often those with a high return or a bonus-buy feature, can be barred while a bonus is active.
- Excluded payment methods. Deposits through some e-wallets or prepaid methods may not qualify. Find this out before you pay, because it is hard to fix afterwards. See our e-wallets guide.
- Bonus-buy and gamble features. Some terms forbid them during wagering.
Time and eligibility
- Expiry. How many days you have to claim the offer, and how many to complete wagering. A requirement of 4,000 EUR in bets over 7 days works out to about 571 EUR a day, which is a heavy pace for most budgets.
- Country limits. Some offers do not apply in every country. Casinos may also bar certain countries entirely. Never try to get around such rules, as winnings can be voided. See why casinos restrict countries.
- One per household. Many casinos allow one bonus per person, address, device or payment account. Multiple accounts breach the terms.
- Verification. Identity checks may be required before withdrawals. See KYC verification.
- Offer type. Whether the bonus is sticky. See sticky vs non-sticky bonuses.
Divide the total bets required by the number of days you have. If the daily figure is more than you would normally play, the offer does not suit your budget.
What happens if you cancel or break a rule
Look for the sentences that describe consequences. Can you cancel the bonus and keep your deposit? What happens to winnings made while the bonus was active? What does the casino do if it believes a rule was broken, and can it close the account?
Terms often give the casino wide discretion. That is one reason to follow the terms to the letter and to contact support in advance if something is unclear. Written answers are better than chat memory.
To see how verified bonuses are described on this site, the welcome bonuses list and our methodology page explain what we record and how.
When it is fine to skip an offer
If the maximum bet is lower than your usual stake, the requirement is large for your budget, or the terms are vague, skipping may be the better choice. A bonus is optional, and playing without one keeps the withdrawal rules simple.
Do not deposit more than planned to qualify for a bonus. Set limits first, and see responsible gambling for tools and help. 18+ only.
Frequently asked questions
Which bonus term is the most important?
The wagering requirement, taken together with its base amount and the expiry. These decide how much you must bet and how fast.
Why can some games be excluded?
Casinos limit games that carry lower risk to the operator or that would make wagering too easy to complete. The list is in the terms.
Do terms apply to winnings from a bonus?
Yes, in most cases. Winnings made with bonus funds follow the same wagering, caps and expiry as the bonus.
What if the terms are unclear?
Ask support before you accept, and keep the reply. If no clear answer comes, skipping the offer is reasonable.