A bonus offer often boils down to a single line: “100% up to €200 + 50 free spins”. That line says almost nothing about what the offer is really worth. The value of a bonus depends on its terms, which are split between the casino’s general terms and conditions and the terms specific to the promotion. This guide goes through the details to look for, in the order in which they usually appear.
The percentage and the cap
The percentage tells you what share of your deposit the casino adds as a bonus. The cap sets the maximum amount of that bonus. The two must be read together.
Take the fictional offer “100% up to €200”:
- with a deposit of €50, you receive a €50 bonus;
- with a deposit of €200, you receive a €200 bonus;
- with a deposit of €300, you still receive a €200 bonus, because the cap has been reached.
Depositing more than the cap therefore does not increase the bonus. Conversely, a high percentage combined with a low cap, for example 200% up to €50, only amounts to a small sum in absolute terms.
Which deposit qualifies, and the minimum deposit
Many welcome offers are spread over several deposits. The amount shown in large print, such as “up to €1,000”, is then the sum of the caps for each deposit, often with different percentages from one tier to the next. Check which deposit entitles you to what, and whether each tier must be activated within a specific period.
The minimum deposit is the amount below which no bonus is paid. A smaller deposit, even by a small margin, is usually treated as an ordinary deposit. Some offers also exclude certain payment methods, often some e-wallets: read this list before choosing how to deposit.
Free spins
Free spins are free rounds on one or more designated slot machines. Three points are worth checking:
- the value of each spin, which determines what the batch is worth: 50 spins at €0.10 represent €5 in stakes;
- the game on which they can be used and the time limit for using them, which is often short;
- how the winnings are treated: they are frequently credited as bonus funds and subject to their own wagering, sometimes with a specific cap.
The terms that govern play
Wagering
Wagering is the amount you must stake before you can withdraw. It is the condition that weighs most heavily on the value of a bonus. How it works, and the difference between a calculation based on the bonus alone or on the deposit plus the bonus, is explained in detail in the dedicated wagering guide, available in the guides section.
The maximum bet
While a bonus is active, most casinos limit the amount of each bet, for example to €5 per spin or per hand. Exceeding this limit, even once and even by accident, can be enough for the casino to cancel the bonus and any related winnings. Make a note of this amount before you play.
Game weighting
Not all games count equally towards wagering. Slots often count 100%, table games and live games much less, and some games are excluded. The list of excluded games is usually found in the terms of the promotion; playing one of them with an active bonus can also lead to the bonus being cancelled.
Validity and the winnings cap
An offer often has several time limits: one for activating it, one for using the free spins and one for completing the wagering. When they expire, the remaining bonus and any winnings derived from it are removed from your balance.
The winnings cap limits the amount you can withdraw thanks to the bonus. It can be a fixed amount or expressed as a multiple of the bonus. Fictional example: with a €100 bonus capped at 5 times its amount, withdrawable winnings are limited to €500. If you finish the wagering with a balance of €1,200, all or part of the excess is cancelled, depending on how the terms are worded. This cap greatly reduces the appeal of a bonus for anyone hoping for a large win.
Sticky or non-sticky bonuses, and the order in which funds are used
A so-called sticky bonus can never be withdrawn: you can play with it, but its amount is deducted from your balance when you withdraw. With a €100 bonus and a final balance of €400, you withdraw €300.
A non-sticky bonus keeps real money and bonus funds separate. You play with your deposit first; as long as the bonus has not been touched, you can usually give it up and withdraw your winnings without any wagering. If you lose your deposit, the bonus takes over, with its own terms.
The order in which the casino uses up funds therefore matters: real money first or bonus first. This point, rarely highlighted, changes what you can withdraw if you decide to stop part-way through. Also look for the rule that applies if you request a withdrawal while the bonus is active: in many cases, the request cancels the bonus.
A five-step reading method
- Find the percentage, the cap and the minimum deposit, then calculate the actual bonus for the amount you plan to deposit.
- Note the wagering, its calculation basis and the time allowed to complete it.
- Note the maximum bet and the list of excluded or weighted games.
- Check the winnings cap and whether or not the bonus is sticky.
- Keep a dated copy of the terms at the time you accept the offer.
Our bonuses page shows the wagering, maximum bet, validity and winnings cap for each offer we track, with the date of the last verification. How this data is collected is described in the methodology.