Casino Bonuses & Wagering Requirements Explained

Bonuses are how casinos compete, and the fine print is how they protect their margin. Understanding four terms lets you compare any offer in under a minute.

The four bonus types

Deposit match — the casino adds a percentage of your deposit as bonus funds (100% up to $200 means deposit $200, play with $400). Free spins — a fixed number of spins on a named slot, usually at a low stake; winnings are converted to bonus funds. No-deposit bonus — a small amount of bonus cash or spins for registering; heavily restricted. Cashback — a percentage of net losses over a period returned as cash or bonus; the most transparent type because there is often no wagering attached.

Wagering requirements

Wagering (also called playthrough or rollover) is the total amount you must bet before bonus funds become withdrawable. A $100 bonus at 30× means $3,000 in bets. Crucially, check whether the multiplier applies to the bonus only or to bonus + deposit — the latter doubles the requirement.

Game weighting and max bet

Slots typically contribute 100% toward wagering; live dealer and table games often contribute 10% or are excluded. Most bonuses also cap the maximum stake per spin or hand while the bonus is active (commonly $5), and breaking that cap voids the bonus.

A quick worked example

Offer A: 100% up to $100, 35× on bonus, 7 days. Offer B: 50% up to $100, 15× on bonus, 30 days. On a $100 deposit, A requires $3,500 of play in a week; B requires $750 in a month. For most players B is the better offer despite the smaller headline.

Our rule of thumb

Under 25× on the bonus only, with a max bet of $5 or more and a 14-day window, is a fair offer. Above 40×, or with the multiplier applied to your deposit as well, treat the bonus as marketing rather than value.