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
This rule specifies the total volume of bets you need to place before the bonus money converts into real cash.
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
Understanding Game Contributions
You cannot simply grind out the requirement on games like Blackjack that have a 99.5% RTP.
Live dealer games and high-RTP table games are frequently excluded from bonus wagering entirely (0% contribution).
| Activity | Contribution Rule | Note |
|---|
| Video Poker | 0% - 5% | House edge is too low for the casino to allow it |
| Progressive Slots | Usually Restricted | Check terms; often completely banned with active bonuses |
By playing low-risk slots, you can slowly grind through the mathematical requirement and emerge with a profit.