Bonus Terms and Conditions
There are some important factors to consider when comparing casino welcome bonuses, namely the terms and conditions commonly applied to them. Be sure to read the small print so you understand how valuable a bonus offer really is:
Wagering Requirements
Wagering requirements stipulate how many times you have to wager your bonus before you can withdraw your winnings as cash. For example, if you claim a £100 bonus with a 35x wagering requirement, you’ll have to wager £3,500 to convert your bonus into real money. Some casinos, however, include your initial deposit in the figure.
Let’s say you deposit £100 to claim a £100 bonus with a 35x wagering requirement. The sum, £200, would then be multiplied by 35, meaning your wagering requirements would be £7,000. As you can see, it’s very important to read the terms and conditions to make sure you’re aware of how your online casino will calculate your wagering requirements.
Of all the terms attached to match up bonuses, wagering requirements have the biggest impact on a bonus’s value when it comes to winning real money.
For high rollers, fulfilling wagering requirements within the allotted time might not be an issue, but casual players are generally unlikely to lift the withdrawal restrictions on their 100% matched deposit bonus wins. That being said, matched deposits are a great way to get to grips with a casino and its games without risking too much of your own cash.
Wagering requirements are typically tied to time limits as well, with their duration generally seeing a 30-day expiry on both your bonus and your bonus winnings. Details of this will be stated in the T&Cs.
Wagering Contribution
Different games are weighted differently when it comes to completing bonus wagering requirements. For example, while most video slots usually have a 100% contribution rate, games such as blackjack and roulette contribute only 10% to the wagering requirement target.
Some sites exclude certain titles from wagering contributions altogether, so be sure to check which games are included before you claim your bonus.
Payment Method Restrictions
Online casinos commonly exclude deposits made with e-wallets, such as PayPal, Neteller, and Skrill, from bonus eligibility.
This means you may have to use an alternative banking option for your first deposit to claim the bonus — check out the accepted payment methods beforehand to ensure they match up to your preferences.
Game Restrictions
At many top online casinos, you can use your 100% matched deposit bonus on any title in the games library, even live casino games. However, a few casinos exclude some games from bonus play, such as particular slot titles.
Maximum Win Limit
Casinos are usually fairly generous when it comes to 100% matched deposit deals — many will allow you to go without a winnings cap provided you complete the wagering requirements.
However, many sites will put a limit on the amount you can win with a bonus, with anything exceeding that limit being sent straight back to the house. These rules vary from site to site, so keep an eye out for this in the terms.
Time Limits
You’ll have a limited time to use your bonus funds and complete the wagering requirements. If you don’t manage it, your bonus and all associated winnings will expire and subsequently removed from your account.
Many of the best online casinos give players 30 days, but the time limits do differ from casino to casino.