How bonus terms work, what wagering costs and why the licence matters. Updated 18 October 2026.
★ Featured in GPWA Times — Issue 66A casino bonus is an offer of extra funds, free spins or cash back that comes with conditions. The headline number tells you little. What matters is the wagering requirement, which games count towards it, the maximum bet while a bonus is active, and any cap on winnings. These terms differ by operator and change often, so this page does not rank offers. It shows how to read them. For current terms on a partner, see its review in our casino reviews.
A wagering requirement is the number of times you must bet the bonus before withdrawing. The examples below are arithmetic, not offers.
| Wagering requirement | Bonus | Total bets before withdrawal |
|---|---|---|
| 10x | $100 | $1,000 |
| 20x | $100 | $2,000 |
| 40x | $100 | $4,000 |
Arithmetic only: bonus × multiplier. Some casinos apply the multiplier to bonus plus deposit, which makes the total larger, so read the exact wording.
What does it cost to clear? The expected loss on a stack of bets is roughly the amount wagered times the house edge. In a hypothetical example, $4,000 of bets on a game with a 2% edge has an expected loss of about $80, before any win or loss swings. That figure is an illustration, not a prediction for any game or casino.
Rules differ sharply by licence. The UK Gambling Commission decided to cap wagering requirements in promotional offers at 10 times, and the new conditions took effect on 19 January 2026 (UKGC; OLBG). That cap binds operators licensed in Great Britain. It does not bind other licences, so the same bonus can carry very different terms depending on where the casino is licensed. You can check a licence with our licence lookup tool.
| Type | How it works | What to check |
|---|---|---|
| Match bonus | The casino adds a percentage of your deposit | Wagering multiplier, game weighting, maximum bet, maximum win |
| Free spins | Spins on named slots, sometimes with a win cap | Which slot, value per spin, wagering on winnings |
| No-deposit offer | Credit or spins without a deposit | Win cap, wagering, verification before withdrawal. See our no-deposit guide |
| Rakeback or cashback | A share of bets or losses returned over time | Rate, how it is calculated, whether it is withdrawable. See rakeback explained |
Read the terms before you deposit. A bonus you cannot realistically clear is not extra value.
Do not chase a bonus. A bonus never changes the house edge, and it can push you to bet more than you planned. Set deposit limits first.
Verification can apply to bonus withdrawals. Casinos can ask you to verify identity before paying out. See what “No KYC” really means.
Check that online gambling is legal where you live. Crypto payments do not change local law. If gambling is causing you harm, BeGambleAware and GamCare offer free, confidential support.
An offer from a casino that gives extra funds, free spins or cash back, usually tied to terms such as wagering requirements, game restrictions, maximum bets and maximum win caps. The terms decide what the offer is worth.
The number of times you must bet the bonus (sometimes bonus plus deposit) before you can withdraw related winnings. A 40x requirement on a $100 bonus means $4,000 in total bets.
It depends on the licence. The UK Gambling Commission capped wagering requirements in promotional offers at 10 times from 19 January 2026. Operators under other licences are not bound by that cap.
Not necessarily. A larger headline percentage can come with stricter terms, so compare wagering, game weighting, maximum bet and maximum win rather than the headline figure.
Sometimes. Each operator sets its own rules and they change often, so read the terms on the operator’s site. Never treat a code you saw on a third-party page as current without checking.
Our partners’ current terms change, so we do not list figures here. Read each review before you decide.
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