What Is Bonus Hunting?
Bonus hunting is a strategy where players sign up at multiple online casinos to claim welcome bonuses, free spins, or other offers. The goal is to beat the system by clearing wagering requirements and cashing out profit before the bonus terms catch up with you.
In theory, it sounds great, but there’s a catch. Most casinos know what you’re doing, and their bonus terms are designed to make it very hard for you to walk away with a profit.
That doesn’t mean bonus hunting is a waste of time; it just means you need to be smarter about it.
Is Bonus Hunting Worth It?
The short answer is yes, if you know the risks and do it strategically.
Casinos use bonuses as a marketing tool. Bonuses are designed to keep you playing, not to hand out free money. If you’re not careful, bonus hunting can become a time and money sinkhole.
Here’s when bonus hunting works
- You carefully read and understand the T&Cs before claiming a bonus
- You stick to low-volatility slots with high RTP
- You’re prepared to meet the wagering requirements
- You don’t chase losses
Here’s when it fails
- You skip the fine print
- You don’t stick to the rules, like betting too much per spin
- You claim bonuses with huge wagering requirements
How to Bonus Hunt like a Pro: Step by Step
To make bonus hunting work, you need to approach it like a pro and read casino guides. Here are a few tips to get you started:
1. Pick the right bonus
Not all bonuses are created equal. A 200% bonus might look great until you see that it comes with 60x wagering on deposit + bonus, a 7-day expiry, and a $5 max bet rule.
Instead, search for:
- Bonuses with a low wagering requirement. 20x-35x is a good number.
- Non-sticky bonuses that let you withdraw real winnings
- Low or no withdrawal limits
- Decent time to meet the wagering requirements. 14-30 days is ideal, but most casinos limit it to seven days
Example:
- Casino 1: 100% bonus up to $100 with 30x wagering on the bonus only and a 14-day expiry.
- Casino 2: 200% bonus up to $1000 with 60x wagering on the bonus + deposit and a 7-day expiry.
Even though the bonus on the first casino is smaller, it is far better value.
2. Read the fine print carefully
Before you claim any bonus, go straight to the T&Cs. Look for the following terms to avoid the most common casino traps:
- Wagering Requirements: How many times do you need to bet the bonus?
- Max bet limits: How much can you bet per spin while playing with your bonus?
- Game contribution: Which games contribute towards the wagering requirement?
- Withdrawal limit Is there a withdrawal cap?
Example:
You pick a bonus with the following terms: Max bet during wagering: $4, excluded games include all progressive jackpots and live dealer games. A single spin on a progressive or a $5 bet could void all your winnings, even if you were 90% through the wagering requirement.
3. Choose the right games
Game selection is an important factor to consider when searching for the right bonus. Here’s what I typically search for:
- Low volatility slots
- High RTP games (96%+)
- Games that contribute 100% towards the wagering requirement
| Game | RTP | Why it’s a good pick |
|---|---|---|
| Blood Suckers | 98.0% | A classic pick. Very low variance and ideal for meeting the wagering. |
| Fruit Shop | 96.7% | Easy gameplay and bonus-friendly. |
| Jack Hammer 2 | 97.1% | Sticky wins and low volatility. |
| Starmania | 97.9% | Visually engaging and good for slow play. |
| Wild Wild Riches: Luck of the Irish | ~96.7% | Low volatility with frequent payouts during base game spins. |
Keep in mind that gambling is for entertainment purposes, so you should always go for games that you enjoy. With that being said, there are some games I try to avoid, at least to an extent, when my goal is to maximize my bonus:
- Live table games: These often contribute 10% or less towards the wagering
- High volatility slots: These burn quickly through the bankroll, making it hard to meet the wagering
- Progressive jackpots: These are usually excluded entirely from game contribution
| Game or Game Type | Why to avoid |
|---|---|
| Dead or Alive / Dead or Alive 2 | Extremely volatile |
| Bonanza Megaways | High risk, high variance |
| Book of Dead | Fun, but high volatiliyu |
| Any Progressive Jackpots | Often excluded entirely or contribute 0% |
| Live Dealer or Table Games | Typically contribute only 5–10% or are excluded |
4. Keep records
If you’re bonus hunting across multiple casinos, it’s a good idea to keep a track of:
- Which bonuses you have claimed
- Dates and deadlines
- Wagering progress
- Any withdrawals
- Which games you played
This helps avoid mistakes and ensures you don’t miss a wagering deadline or bonus conditions.
How Casinos Fight Bonus Hunters
Casinos know bonus hunting exists, and they, obviously, don’t like it. That’s why many casinos 1) use advanced software to detect patterns of “abuse”, and 2) enforce strict bonus terms, often with little room for mistakes. Another strategy casinos use is they combine the deposit and the bonus into one wallet to lock your funds.
Since casinos are a business that aims for profit, there’s nothing shady about these tactics. But as a player, it’s good to be aware and play smart.
Final Thoughts
Bonus hunting isn’t a guaranteed way to make money. It’s a grind that requires strategic thinking. Gambling should be seen as a source of entertainment, not a source of income. Keeping this in mind, there are some ways you can increase your chances with bonus hunting.
- Be patient and strategic: Go for expected value over excitement. A bonus isn’t necessarily good because it looks big.
- Learn about EV: Study how casino bonus EV works so you can easily calculate which wagers are worth taking.
- Understand the T&Cs and respect the rules: One mistake can ruin everything.
- Minimize variance: Your goal is to finish wagering the bonus with your bankroll intract, not hit the jackpot.
- You play for fun, not as a source of income
Lastly, it’s important to understand risk vs reward. All bonuses come with a risk, that’s how casinos craft them. But smart bonus hunters know where to find value:
- Non-sticky bonuses: Great for low-risk play.
- 100% contribution: High RTP slots with a 100% contribution can reduce the wagering burden.
- Wagering on bonus only: This can reduce the wagering significantly, compared to those where you need to wager bonus + deposit.
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