The terms and conditions are the most boring part of any casino bonus, and the part most people skip. They are also where a great offer and a bad one are told apart. You do not need a law degree: you need to know what to look for. This guide shows you the five points to find in under a minute.

1. Wagering Requirements

The most important term of all. Search the text for "wagering", "playthrough" or "rollover". You will find a number followed by an "x", such as 35x.

  • What it means: the total you have to bet before the bonus and its winnings become withdrawable.
  • What to look for: around 35x or lower is in line with the market. Above 50x is very hard to clear.
  • The trap: check whether it applies to the bonus only or to deposit plus bonus. The second can double the work. Our wagering requirements guide has worked examples.

2. Game Weighting

Not every game counts the same towards wagering. Look for a table called "game contribution" or "game weighting".

  • What it means: the share of each bet that counts towards the requirement.
  • Typical values:
    • Slots: usually 100%.
    • Table games (blackjack, roulette): often 5 to 10%.
    • Live casino: often 0 to 10%.
  • The trap: if you love blackjack and it counts at 10%, you will have to bet ten times as much as a slot player to clear the same bonus. Some high-RTP slots are excluded entirely; see what RTP is.

3. Time Limit

Bonuses expire. Look for "valid for", "expires" or "days to complete wagering".

  • What it means: how long you have to use the bonus and meet the requirement.
  • Typical values: deposit bonuses often give 14 to 30 days; free spins and no-deposit offers often only 3 to 7.
  • The trap: a huge bonus with a 7-day limit can be impossible to clear for someone who plays a couple of evenings a week.

4. Maximum Bet and Maximum Cashout

Two limits that cause the most nasty surprises.

  • Maximum bet: look for "maximum bet while a bonus is active". It is usually a fixed amount per spin or per bet. Going over it, even once, can cancel the bonus and everything you won with it.
  • Maximum cashout: common on free spins and no-deposit offers. Look for "maximum withdrawal" or "max cashout". If it is capped at $100 and you win $500, you can only withdraw $100.

5. Payment Methods That Do Not Qualify

Before your first deposit, check whether some methods are excluded from the promotion.

  • What to look for: sentences such as "deposits made with [method] are not eligible for this offer". Some casinos also set a minimum deposit per currency, or only count certain cryptocurrencies.
  • The trap: depositing with an excluded method or below the minimum usually means losing the bonus for good.

One More Thing: Your Country

The terms also list restricted countries. If yours is on the list, the casino can close your account and keep your balance, bonus or not. Check it before you register, every time.

In short: one minute spent on these points saves hours of frustration. We use the same checklist on every offer we list; you can read how in how we verify codes.