Online casinos aggressively market their deposit bonuses, making it seem like they are handing out free money.
To prevent instant bankruptcy, casinos protect these bonuses using strict rules known as wagering requirements.
How the Bonus Catch Actually Works
It is essentially a mathematical hurdle you must clear before the casino allows you to cash out your winnings.
If the terms state 20x on both the deposit ($100) and bonus ($100), you must wager $4,000 in total.
- Low wagering requirements (under 30x) are considered the gold standard in the industry
- Many players prefer to decline bonuses entirely to avoid dealing with these restrictions
- You must clear the playthrough before you can withdraw even your own initial deposit in most cases
Game Weighting and Restrictions
To make things even more complicated, not every game on the platform contributes 100% towards the requirement.
Live dealer games and high-RTP table games are frequently excluded from bonus wagering entirely (0% contribution).
| Game Type | Weighting % | Recommendation |
|---|---|---|
| Live Casino | 0% | Avoid completely while bonus is active |
| Scratch Cards | 100% | Excellent option for clearing funds |
The secret to beating these requirements is to find low-volatility slots that pay out small amounts frequently.