Before you claim a bonus, check these terms — it prevents most player frustration.
- Wagering requirement (e.g., 30×, 40×)
- Max cashout (some offers cap withdrawals)
- Eligible games (slots vs table games)
- Time limit (bonuses often expire)
Common types of casino bonuses
- Welcome / match bonus: the casino matches a percentage of your first deposit (e.g., a 100% match up to $500 turns a $200 deposit into $400 to play with).
- Free spins: a set number of spins on a specific slot, usually with their own separate wagering requirement on whatever you win.
- No-deposit bonus: a small amount of free credit just for signing up, no deposit required — usually capped at a low max cashout.
- Cashback: a percentage of net losses returned over a set period, sometimes with lighter wagering requirements than a match bonus.
- Reload bonus: a smaller match bonus offered on deposits after your first, aimed at existing players.
How wagering requirements actually work
A wagering requirement (also called a playthrough requirement) is the multiplier you need to bet — not win — before bonus funds or winnings become withdrawable. If a $50 bonus carries a 30× wagering requirement, you need to place $1,500 in total bets before that bonus money can be cashed out. Not every game contributes equally: slots typically count 100% toward the requirement, while table games like blackjack or roulette often count much less (sometimes 10-20%), because they carry a lower house edge.
This is the single most common source of bonus disappointment: players assume a bonus is "free money" without realizing how much betting volume is required to unlock it, or that their preferred games barely count toward clearing it.
Red flags in bonus terms
- A wagering requirement well above 40-50× with no clear time limit.
- A very low max cashout relative to the bonus size (e.g., a $200 bonus capped at $50 withdrawable).
- Vague terms that don't specify which games contribute to wagering, or by how much.
- Bonus expiry windows short enough that clearing the requirement is unrealistic (e.g., 24-48 hours on a large bonus).
A quick way to evaluate any offer
Before opting in, ask: what's the wagering multiplier, what's the max cashout, which games count and at what rate, and how long do I have to clear it? If you can't find clear answers to all four on the casino's promotions page, contact support before depositing — a legitimate offer should have terms you can find without digging.
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Wagering Requirements · Best Canadian Casinos · How We Rank Casinos · Responsible Gambling