How to read casino bonuses?
The best way to understand bonuses and spot the good ones is to know what they are offering. When you see a bonus ad, you should be able to read it: what do you need to do to get it and what will it give you?
| Term | Explanation |
|---|---|
| Up to… | The maximum amount a casino will match or award for a bonus (e.g., ‘Up to $200’ means that’s the highest bonus you can receive). |
| Wagering requirement | How many times you need to bet the bonus amount before you can withdraw winnings. |
| Expiration date | The timeframe within which you must meet the bonus conditions. After this date, the bonus or winnings from it may disappear. |
| Game contribution | The percentage each type of game contributes toward meeting wagering requirements. |
| Withdrawal limit | The maximum amount of winnings you can cash out from a bonus offer. |
Good Bonuses vs. Bad Bonuses
Once you know what to look for, you can easily spot which bonuses to claim. I’ve come up with a simple table to help you visualize what good and bad bonuses consist of.
| Bonus T&C | Good Bonus | Bad Bonus |
|---|---|---|
| Wagering requirement | Low or Moderate (20x-30x) | Excessively high (50x or more) |
| Expiration date | Reasonable timeframe (30+ days) | Very short timeframe (7 days or less) |
| Game contribution | Clear and fair across various games | Restrictive, limited games count |
| Withdrawal limits | Clearly disclosed and fair | Hidden caps, unclear conditions |
| Transparency | Terms and conditions upfront | Complicated, hidden terms |
Valuable Casino Bonuses
A genuinely valuable bonus is one that truly benefits you. It has fair and realistic wagering requirements, clear and easy-to-understand terms, provides you with enough time to meet its conditions, and straightforward rules for cashing out winnings.
Good bonuses can be…
- welcome bonuses that have reasonable and achievable wagering requirements,
- free spins without sneaky limitations or hidden restrictions, and
- cashback bonuses that clearly show you what you’ll get back.
What you consider a “good bonus” depends on the type of person and player you are. But I’m sure we can all agree that the more transparent a bonus is, the better the deal.
How can I spot good deals?
To find good deals, read through reviews or head to the casino site and look for the terms and conditions. In the fine print, focus on the following sections:
- Is the wagering requirements realistically achievable within the given timeframe? In Canada, the average is x35, so anything above that, is high.
- Does the expiration time give you enough time to play through the bonus? If you have less than 7 days to clear the bonus, you’re more likely to fail.
- What are the contribution weights? Check if your preferred games contribute fully or partially. If you want to play Poker, but it contributes 2%, it’s not a good deal.
- What is the expected value? When comparing bonuses, it’s good to know how casino bonus EVs work. Learn to calculate the EV to know whether you’re getting any value.
- What are the withdrawal conditions? Look for any hidden withdrawal limits or complicated processes. There might be low max limits on any winnings from bonus money.
- How transparent is the site? Choose casinos that clearly disclose bonus terms upfront. If you cannot find them or they are hidden on purpose, the bonus is most likely not worth the headache.
The above points will help you find good bonuses, but keep in mind that even good ones can lead to risky behaviour. So, claim good bonuses, but always play within your limits.
Red Flags to Watch Out For
Simply put, an empty promise is a bad bonus. These bonuses are designed to look attractive but give you no value. They typically have hidden conditions or tough-to-achieve terms, such as:
- Extremely high wagering requirements make it difficult to ever cash out your winnings.
- Very short validity periods mean you barely have time to meet the conditions.
- Heavy game restrictions, with your favourite games contributing little or nothing to the wagering requirements.
- Hidden withdrawal limits or complicated rules tucked away deep in the fine print.
If you claim a bad bonus, don’t feel too bad about it. We’ve all been tempted by flashy “free” money banners and shiny ads. Casinos invest heavily in creating lucrative advertisements that want your money as fast as possible.
Before you claim a bonus, take a moment and look through the terms and conditions. Spotting a bad bonus is just as important as spotting a good one.
Test: Can you spot the good deals?
To help you read bonuses better, let’s go through some examples. Look at these bonuses and try to figure out which ones are worthy and which ones you should skip.
Bonus A:
A welcome bonus of 100% match up to $100. The wagering requirement is x10, and it has a 30-day expiry.
Explanation
Bonus A is a classic online casino bonus that most casinos offer. It's very straightforward, and with low wagering and a long expiration time, you will most likely clear the requirement. But you cannot see other terms, such as game restrictions or max bets.
Bonus B:
A welcome bonus of 200% match up to $100. Wagering requirement applies to deposit + bonus and is x200. The bonus has a 7-day expiration period.
Explanation
Bonus B is an example of a bad bonus. The wagering requirement is extremely high and applies to the bonus and your deposit. And to top it off, you only have a week to clear it. While this bonus doesn't show other details, based on this information, it's not worth it.
Bonus C:
A welcome bonus of 50 free spins for a specific slot game. Wagering requirement is x35. You cannot use the bonus on other games.
Explanation
Bonus C is a classic free spins bonus that can be used for a specific game. The game in question usually has an RTP of 96% with medium to high volatility, so you're unlikely to win much. While the wagering requirement is okay, it's difficult to win and bet enough to cashout.
Bonus D:
A welcome bonus of $5, no deposit required. Wagering requirement is x75. The bonus is added to your account balance as “virtual funds”.
Explanation
Bonus D is a no deposit bonus, so you're not losing any of your money. But you still need to sign up and provide the casino with your personal details, so is it worth it? The bonus isn't real money and is instead virtual funds that can only be used to play on the site.
As you can see, it’s difficult to determine whether a bonus is good from simply a couple of short lines. Even when the deal looks promising, the fine print might reveal annoying restrictions.
Quick Checklist
As you’ve learned by now, finding good deals isn’t as complicated as it might seem. Once you’ve mastered reading bonus ads and fine print, you can easily find the ones that provide real value.
Follow these simple rules and never have to deal with another worthless offer.
- Always read the full bonus terms and conditions.
- Calculate the effective wagering requirements and evaluate realistically if you can meet them.
- Use reputable casino review websites to check the legitimacy and fairness of bonuses.
And avoid casinos that…
- Promise exceptionally large amounts with unrealistic conditions.
- Lack transparency or clarity regarding terms.
- Change terms frequently or unexpectedly.
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