Bonus Wagering Requirements

The best thing about playing at an online casino is the bonuses. You won’t get a $20,000 bonus for playing at any land-based casino. But, if you sign up with an online casino like Go Casino, you will get a $20,000 match bonus over the span of your first deposits for joining. It sounds like a great deal, but, as the saying goes, “there is no such thing as a free lunch.”

Online casino bonuses have wagering requirements, usually in the form of playthroughs. In other words, you must play through to a certain amount before you are allowed to withdraw the bonus. It gives you more wagering power as a gambler, but you won’t actually see the free bonus money until you have gambled up to that amount at the casino. It’s a way for the online gambling site to keep you coming back.

Most online casinos put a 15-30 multiplier (x) play through on a free bonus. For example, let’s say the casino is offering a $100 match bonus on a 15x play through. So, if you deposit $100, you will get a $100 match bonus if you play through to $3,000 ($100 deposit + $100 bonus x 15 = $3,000). It doesn’t matter if you win or lose your way to $3,000. It just matters that you have gambled that much at the casino. Bonus wagering requirements like this help weed out the bonus abusers who leave the casino for a new once they receive their bonus. Playthrough requirements commit players to keep gambling.

No-deposit bonuses have no minimum deposit but usually have a higher playthrough, such as 30x. That means you would have to bet all the way to $600 before withdrawing the $20 free no-deposit bonus. Some online gambling sites allow play on only certain games. Many no-deposit bonuses are not eligible on progressive jackpot slots because those are very popular. Other bonuses restrict you from playing certain games and may be limited to table games.

Basically, just read the terms and conditions for each bonus before you accept it. You always have the option of declining a bonus and it may sound ridiculous to refuse free money, but sometimes these bonuses aren’t as free as they first appear. Just like you read the terms and conditions before signing up with a car insurance or cell phone company, read the fine print with any bonus offer before accepting. If you don’t plan on gambling through to that amount, don’t accept the bonus.