Casino welcome offers are governed by terms and conditions that are rarely read in full, and the headline figure — “100% up to £200” — tells you almost nothing about whether the bonus is realistically usable. A handful of clauses determine the real value. This guide explains each of them, with worked examples, so that comparing offers becomes a matter of arithmetic rather than marketing.
Wagering requirement
The wagering requirement (also called playthrough or rollover) is the multiple of the bonus — or the bonus plus deposit — that must be staked before winnings derived from the bonus can be withdrawn.
| Offer | Wagering basis | Requirement | Total stakes needed |
| £100 bonus | Bonus only | 35× | £3,500 |
| £100 bonus | Bonus only | 50× | £5,000 |
| £100 deposit + £100 bonus | Deposit + bonus | 35× | £7,000 |
| £50 bonus | Bonus only | 20× | £1,000 |
The “deposit plus bonus” basis doubles the effective requirement and is the single most important distinction to check. UK rules require the basis to be stated clearly.
A useful way to think about wagering: at 96% RTP, every £100 staked on a slot loses £4 in expectation. £3,500 of wagering therefore costs around £140 in expected losses — more than the £100 bonus. At 50× (£5,000), the expected cost is £200. The bonus has a negative expected value for the player in most realistic configurations; its appeal is the variance it introduces, not its expectation.
Game weighting (contribution)
Not all games count equally towards wagering. A typical contribution table:
| Game type | Contribution |
| Most slots | 100% |
| Selected high-RTP slots | 0–50% (often excluded) |
| Roulette | 10–20% |
| Blackjack | 5–10% |
| Baccarat | 0–10% |
| Live dealer games | 0–10% |
| Video poker | 0–10% |
Playing a 10%-weighted game means a £10 bet counts as £1 towards wagering. £3,500 of wagering on blackjack at 10% would require £35,000 of actual play. Table-game players should assume most casino bonuses are, in practice, slot bonuses.
Maximum bet while wagering
Most bonuses cap the stake per spin or hand while bonus funds are active — commonly £2 to £5, sometimes lower. Exceeding the cap, even by accident, is grounds for voiding the bonus and any winnings from it. This clause is enforced strictly and is the source of many complaints. Check the figure and set your stake below it before play begins.
Maximum win / maximum cashout
Some bonuses, particularly no-deposit bonuses and free spins, cap the amount that can be withdrawn from bonus winnings regardless of how much is won. A £10 no-deposit bonus with a £50 maximum cashout means that a £2,000 win converts to £50. Reload bonuses and deposit matches less commonly carry win caps, but check.
Expiry
Bonus funds and free spins expire — often within seven days of being credited, sometimes 30. Wagering not completed within the window is forfeited along with any bonus balance. A 35× requirement on £100 within seven days means £500 of play a day, which is not a casual commitment.
Sticky vs non-sticky (parachute) bonuses
This distinction matters more than most players realise.
- Sticky bonus: deposit and bonus are merged into one balance immediately. Everything is locked behind wagering. Winnings from your own deposit cannot be withdrawn until the requirement is met.
- Non-sticky bonus: you play with your deposit first. The bonus is only used once the deposit balance is gone. If you win with your own money and stop before touching the bonus, you can withdraw freely; the bonus is simply forfeited.
Non-sticky bonuses are significantly more favourable because they preserve the option to walk away with real-money winnings.
Other clauses
- Restricted payment methods: deposits via certain e-wallets often do not qualify.
- Minimum deposit: to trigger the bonus.
- Bonus abuse rules: patterns such as low-risk betting across both sides of a market, or repeatedly claiming bonuses across linked accounts, can void the offer.
- Free spins value: “50 free spins” at 10p per spin is £5 of play, usually with its own wagering on winnings.
A checklist for comparing offers
| Question | Favourable answer |
| Wagering basis? | Bonus only |
| Wagering multiple? | 20× or lower |
| Slot contribution? | 100%, with few exclusions |
| Max bet while wagering? | £5 or more |
| Max cashout? | None |
| Expiry? | 30 days or more |
| Sticky or non-sticky? | Non-sticky |
| Games you actually play included? | Yes |
The advertised bonus size is the least important number on that list.
Related reading on site: Casino Offers; “Casino Bonuses and Free Spins: How to Make the Most of Promotions”.
Bonuses do not change the house edge. Read the terms and never deposit more than planned to qualify.
