How Casino Bonuses Work
Casino bonuses are incentives to deposit or continue playing. Their headline value (e.g., “100% up to $200”) is almost never their real value. The actual benefit is determined by wagering requirements, game contribution rates, time limits, and maximum cashout caps. Understanding these terms before claiming any bonus allows you to calculate whether it is worth your time.
Wagering Requirements: The Core Term
A wagering requirement (also called playthrough) specifies how many times you must bet the bonus amount before you can withdraw winnings derived from it. A $100 bonus with a 30x wagering requirement means you must place $3,000 in total bets before the bonus converts to withdrawable cash.
The Effective Bonus Value Formula
Not all bonuses with the same wagering requirement are equal; the house edge of allowed games affects how much of your wagering requirement is likely to remain as cash at the end:
Effective Bonus Value = Bonus Amount ÷ Wagering × (1 − House Edge)
Example: $100 bonus, 30x wagering, played on blackjack (0.5% house edge):
$100 ÷ 30 = $3.33 expected remaining per spin iteration. Over 30x: $100 × (1 − 0.005)^30 = ~$86 expected value remaining.
The same bonus played on slots at 4% house edge: $100 × (1 − 0.04)^30 = ~$29 expected value remaining.
Game Contribution Rates
| Game Type | Typical Contribution | Effect on Effective Wagering |
|---|---|---|
| Slots | 100% | No adjustment; stated wagering is actual wagering |
| Live dealer games | 10% – 20% | 30x stated = 150x–300x effective for table games |
| Standard blackjack | 10% – 25% | 30x stated = 120x–300x effective |
| Video poker | 10% – 25% | 30x stated = 120x–300x effective |
| Excluded games | 0% | Bets do not count at all toward wagering |
Bonus Terms Checklist
- Wagering requirement: under 25x is good; over 50x should generally be avoided
- Game restrictions: check which games count and at what percentage
- Time limit: how many days to complete the wagering requirement
- Maximum bet: many bonuses restrict bet size to $5–$10 per spin while bonus is active
- Maximum cashout: some bonuses cap what you can withdraw regardless of winnings
- Eligible games: some bonuses are restricted to specific titles