Casino bonuses are one of the biggest selling points in online gambling, but the real story is always in the terms. Wagering requirements, game contributions and expiry windows. These are the details that determine whether a bonus is actually worth claiming. This glossary covers every term you need to know before you accept an offer.
1. Core Wagering Terms
Wagering Requirement (WR)
A wagering requirement is exactly what the name suggests, a set number explaining how many times you have to wager your bonus amount before you can make a withdrawal. For example, if the offer is 100% up to $200 with a 35x wagering requirement and you deposit $200, your total bonus balance becomes $400, meaning you'd need to wager $400 x 35 = $14,000 before any withdrawal is possible. Always check whether the multiplier applies to the bonus only or the combined deposit and bonus as this makes a significant difference.
Game Contribution
Not all games count equally toward your wagering requirement. Slots typically contribute 100%, meaning every $1 bet counts as a full $1 toward the playthrough. Table games like blackjack or roulette often contribute only 10%, and live casino is frequently excluded altogether. Always check the contribution table before deciding how you want to play through a bonus, otherwise you could end up wagering far more than expected.
Max Bet Rule
The max bet simply tells you what the maximum bet size is when wagering a bonus. If the max bet is $5, you will not be able to wager more than $5 per spin or hand. Exceeding this limit can result in your bonus being voided and any winnings forfeited, so keep an eye on your bet size throughout the entire playthrough.
Bonus Balance vs. Real Money Balance
A bonus is split into two parts. Using the earlier example of a 100% up to $200 offer, if you deposit $200, that becomes your real money balance, and the matched $200 is your bonus balance. The two are usually intertwined and neither portion is withdrawable until the wagering requirement has been fully met. Once cleared, the bonus funds are removed and only the remaining real money balance is yours to withdraw.
Max Winnings Cap
A max winnings cap applies to certain bonuses and is the highest amount you are able to withdraw from that offer. For example, a no deposit bonus might come with a $50 max win cap, meaning even if you run it up to $500, only $50 is yours to withdraw. Always check this before claiming, especially on free spin and no deposit offers.
2. Bonus Types
Welcome Bonus
The welcome offer is usually the most sought after and recognisable bonus type. It is more often than not the most valuable offer available on the site and can only be claimed once, right after you sign up. You typically see these as a deposit match and/or free spins, however a welcome offer can literally be any type of bonus, making it important to read the specific terms of each site.
No Deposit Bonus
A no deposit bonus does not require you to make a deposit in order to claim it. These are usually credited automatically on registration or via a bonus code, and tend to be small in value. They almost always come with wagering requirements and a max winnings cap, so while they are a good way to try a casino for free, the chances of withdrawing significant money from them are slim.
Free Spins
Free spins are given with a set value, for example $0.10 or $1 per spin, and are usually tied to one or more specific slots where they can be used. You cannot change the spin value. Winnings generated from free spins are typically added as bonus funds and subject to the same wagering requirements as a deposit match bonus, meaning they need to be played through before you can withdraw.
Reload Bonus
A reload bonus is a recurring bonus that existing players can claim multiple times, usually on a weekly or monthly basis. It typically comes in the form of a deposit match, though smaller than a welcome offer. Reload bonuses are a good indicator of how a casino treats its existing player base, as opposed to just focusing on attracting new ones.
Cashback Bonus
A cashback bonus refunds a percentage of your net losses over a set period, whether that is daily, weekly or monthly. For example, a 10% weekly cashback on $500 in losses would return $50 to your account. Cashback is generally one of the more player-friendly bonus types as it is often paid in real money with little to no wagering requirements attached, though this varies by casino. See our best cashback casinos for the strongest offers available.
Sticky Bonus
A sticky bonus means your entire balance is locked until the full wagering requirement has been met. Using a 100% up to $200 example, if you deposit $200 you start with $400 total. You cannot withdraw anything until the full playthrough on that $400 has been completed. Once wagering is met, the bonus funds are removed and only your remaining real money balance is yours to withdraw. Sticky bonuses tend to be larger in value, but the actual worth of any bonus always comes down to the wagering requirement attached to it.
Non-Sticky Bonus
A non-sticky bonus works differently. Using the same example, you deposit $200 and receive $200 in bonus funds for a total of $400. Your real money balance is played first, meaning you can withdraw at any point as long as your balance stays above $200. Once your balance drops below $200 and into the bonus funds, withdrawals are no longer possible until the wagering requirement has been fully cleared. Despite sticky bonuses often appearing more generous on the surface, non-sticky bonuses are many times the more desirable option as you retain access to your own money throughout.
3. Eligibility & Restrictions
Restricted Countries
Most regulated casinos have a list of countries from which they do not accept players. This can be due to the casino's own licensing restrictions, local gambling laws in that country, or jurisdiction conflicts between the two. It is always worth checking the terms and conditions before registering, as players from restricted countries are typically unable to claim bonuses or withdraw winnings even if they manage to create an account.
Payment Method Exclusions
Certain payment methods, most commonly e-wallets like Skrill and Neteller, are frequently excluded from bonus eligibility. This means that if you make a deposit using an excluded method, your deposit will go through as normal but you will not receive the bonus. Always check which payment methods qualify before depositing, as most casinos will not apply the bonus retroactively if you use the wrong one.
Minimum Deposit
A minimum deposit is the lowest amount you can deposit at a casino. If the minimum is $10, you need to deposit at least that amount for the transaction to go through. Bonus offers sometimes carry their own minimum deposit requirement as well, so it is worth checking the specific terms of the offer before depositing.
Bonus Code
A bonus code is a code used to activate a specific bonus offer. In some cases the casino will provide you with one directly on their site or promotions page, and in other cases you may find them through affiliate sites. Not all bonuses require a code though, as most of the time you can simply make a deposit straight from the site with the offer already attached. When a code is required, make sure to enter it before completing your deposit as most casinos will not apply it after the fact.
One Bonus Per Household / IP Address
Standard policy at most casinos is that only one account per player is allowed, which also extends to per household and per IP address. Attempting to claim the same bonus across multiple accounts is considered bonus abuse and will result in voided bonuses and withheld winnings. This applies even if the accounts belong to different people living at the same address.
4. Time Limits & Validity
Bonus Expiry
Checking the expiry of a bonus is crucial when choosing an offer. A bonus can be valid for anywhere from a few days to several weeks depending on the casino and the specific offer. If you do not complete the wagering requirement within the given timeframe, the bonus and any associated winnings are removed from your account. Short expiry windows on high wagering requirements are a common red flag worth watching out for.
Free Spin Expiry
Free spins can often carry a shorter expiry window than the bonus they come with, sometimes as little as 24 hours from the moment they are credited. On top of this, some casinos drip feed free spins over several days rather than crediting them all at once, meaning each batch may have its own individual expiry. Always check when your free spins are credited and how long you have to use them.
Pending Time
Pending time is the period between requesting a withdrawal and the casino actually processing it. During this window some casinos allow you to cancel the withdrawal and continue playing, which is worth being aware of. Pending times can range from a few hours to several business days depending on the casino and the payment method used.
5. Quick-Reference Table
| Term | What It Means |
|---|---|
| Wagering Requirement | How many times you must bet the bonus before withdrawing |
| Game Contribution | % of each bet that counts toward wagering (slots = 100%, table games often less) |
| Max Bet | Maximum stake allowed per spin/hand while a bonus is active (usually €5) |
| Max Winnings Cap | Maximum amount you can withdraw from a bonus offer |
| Welcome Bonus | First-deposit match offer for new players |
| No Deposit Bonus | Free funds or spins with no deposit needed |
| Free Spins | Spins on a specific slot with a fixed value per spin |
| Reload Bonus | Deposit match for existing players |
| Cashback | Refund of a % of net losses over a set period |
| Sticky Bonus | Bonus that cannot be withdrawn — only winnings from it can |
| Restricted Countries | Regions excluded from the bonus |
| Payment Method Exclusion | Certain deposit methods (e.g. Skrill) don’t qualify for bonus |
| Minimum Deposit | Smallest qualifying deposit to receive the bonus |
| Bonus Code | Promo code required to activate the offer |
| Bonus Expiry | Deadline to complete wagering before bonus is removed |
| Free Spin Expiry | Deadline to use free spins before they’re forfeited |
| Pending Time | Processing delay between withdrawal request and payout |
Final Word
Reading bonus terms is not the most exciting part of online gambling, but it is one of the most important. A bonus that looks generous on the surface can quickly lose its appeal once you factor in the wagering requirement, game contributions, max win caps and expiry windows. Before claiming any offer, run through the key terms covered in this glossary and make sure the bonus actually works in your favour. Our casino reviews break down the bonus terms for every operator we cover, so you always know what you are getting into before you sign up.
