Casino Bonus Policy: The Complete Guide
Casino bonuses are a great way to attract new players and keep the old ones engaged. There are several types of bonuses, each with its own advantages and disadvantages.
And while every bonus is different, they all have one thing in common - they come with a set of wagering requirements and terms and conditions that you need to read carefully before claiming your chosen bonus.
So if you want to know what is bonus policy and why it’s important, just keep reading!
What Is a Casino Bonus?
Before we get into the terms and conditions, we have to know the basics first. So what is a casino bonus? A casino bonus is a good marketing tool casinos use to attract new players.
Bonuses are not usually limited to new gamblers - they can be offered to already existing players as well.
There are a few types of casino bonuses you’ll see around. Take a look at the table below for a more detailed explanation of each.
| Bonus Type | Bonus Explanation |
|---|---|
| Welcome Bonus | Offered to new players. The most common type is a deposit bonus, along with some free spins to a game chosen by the casino. |
| No Deposit Bonus | Awarded without you having to make a deposit. Usually, it will be limited to a maximum of $150 and will have tighter terms and conditions. |
| Deposit Bonus | Most commonly awarded at a first deposit. This bonus multiplies your deposit by 2, 3, 4 or even 5 times. |
| Free Spins Bonus | Most commonly part of a welcome bonus. Sometimes, it will be offered to existing players as an incentive to try out a certain video slot. |
| Reward Multiplier Bonus | This bonus is usually available for a limited amount of time. It will usually double or triple your winnings. |
| Loyalty Bonuses | Offered to long-time players as a way to reward their loyalty. The bonuses depend on the milestones set by the casino. |
| Referral Bonuses | Offered when you refer a friend to a casino. Your friend will have to first make a deposit for you to get the bonus. |
| High Roller Bonuses | Awarded to gamblers who make huge deposits. With these deposits, the casino will recognize you as a VIP and offer you exclusive goodies. |
While each bonus sounds awesome, you have to keep in mind that they’re all subjected to wagering requirements. You probably keep hearing about these wagering requirements, so let’s find out what they are.
What Are the Wagering Requirements?
A wagering requirement is the number of times you have to roll through a bonus before you’re able to cash out on any winnings. For example, you might be given a $20 casino bonus with 10x wagering requirements. This means you will have to bet $200 on any eligible games before you can withdraw the winnings to your bank account.
Why did we say eligible games? Because not every casino game will contribute to the wagering requirements. This differs from casino to casino, so make sure to check out the terms and conditions before.
Every penny you win while working to meet the wagering requirements will be held in a pending balance until the requirements are met. During this time, you will not be able to cash out on your winnings.
Wagering Requirements vs. Terms and Conditions
Some players are confused when they hear these terms together. Truth is, they’re intertwined. The wagering requirements are part of the terms and conditions. These terms and conditions are different for every casino. So don’t claim a bonus at a new casino thinking the conditions are the same everywhere.
However, there are some common things that usually every casino terms and conditions include. Here’s a list of the basic bonus policy explained:
- Casino bonuses can’t be instantly withdrawn. That would lead to bankruptcy for both the casino and the software providers, as they'd practically be giving out free money. This is where the wagering requirements come into play - you will have to spend a certain amount of money before being able to withdraw any winnings you’ve made while using the bonus.
- Casino bonuses aren’t available for all games. This should be obvious, but you’d be surprised to find out how many gamblers claim a bonus thinking they’d be able to play whatever game they want. In reality, casino bonuses apply only to certain games. Some casinos offer exclusive bonuses for slots, while others might include table games as well.
- You have to use your real information. When you sign up to a casino, we encourage you to use your actual information. Before being able to withdraw any money, you will have to go through a KYC (Know Your Customer) process so the casino knows you’re a real person and not someone trying to commit fraud.
- Don’t try to claim the same bonus multiple times. You might be tempted to use a VPN or create more accounts to claim the same bonus, especially if the bonus is very lucrative. We don’t recommend you doing that, as the casino will shortly find out and you will be banned.
- Casino bonuses have a preset maximum withdrawal amount. Some casinos might impose maximum withdrawal limits on their bonuses. So no matter how much you win, you will only be able to cash out on a certain amount.
What Are the General Bonus Terms and Conditions?
While reading through the specific conditions for a bonus, you might come across something that says “Bonus is subjected to general terms and conditions”. What does this mean? In short, the bonus should abide by the terms and conditions of the website itself.
The general terms and conditions of a website might include the following points:
- Privacy policy;
- Maximum deposit and withdrawal amounts;
- Time limits;
- Player’s rights and obligations;
- Casino’s rights and obligations.
Why You Should Read the Bonus Terms and Conditions
You shouldn’t claim a bonus thinking you were just offered free money by the casino. In fact, quite the opposite - casinos will go to great lengths to make sure that they won’t go bankrupt as a consequence of offering these bonuses. After all, casinos are businesses and the purpose of a business is to make money. Now that you know what is a bonus policy, it’s time to find out why you should read it.
- The wagering requirements might not be ideal. Every casino bonus comes with a set of wagering requirements. For example, you might not be willing to spend more than $50 on casino games. If you choose a $10 with 100x wagering requirements, you will have to spend $100.
- There might be time limits imposed. Time limits make things fair for both the casino and the gamblers. These time limits usually refer to the amount of time you have to meet your wagering requirements before your bonus expires. For example, you might want to take your time and meet these requirements in a month. If the bonus time limit is a week, it wouldn’t make much sense for you to claim it.
- There might be a maximum limit to winnings. The terms and conditions will almost always include a maximum amount that you can win. Just like the wagering requirements, these limits are set in place to protect the casino from losing money.
Final Thoughts on Casino Bonus Terms and Conditions
The terms and requirements are set in place to protect both the casino and its players from fraud or money laundering. Every casino bonus is subjected to these terms and conditions and there’s no way in which anyone can avoid them. We hope this article helped shed light on why these conditions exist and why they’re not unfair.
Casino Bonus Terms and Conditions FAQs
1. What is bonus policy?
A casino bonus policy is a set of limitations set in place for a specific casino bonus. These rules are needed to protect both the casino and the gamblers from fraud or money laundering.
2. Can you withdraw casino bonus?
Yes, you can definitely withdraw a casino bonus. However, you will have to meet some wagering requirements before you can do that.
3. What is a 20x playthrough requirement?
A 20x playthrough requirement means that you will only be able to withdraw your winnings after you wager the bonus amount 20 times.
4. Why is a bonus policy needed?
As our guide on bonus policy explained, these rules are meant to protect both parties involved. It will protect the casino from losing too much money and it will protect you, the player, from not being able to withdraw your winnings.