The importance of reading the bonus fine print

In the past two decades and a bit more, online casinos have taken the throne straight from land-based gaming joints. There are several reasons for this. The number and quality of games are certainly a breaking point, but what makes online casino sites distinct are bonuses and promotions.

Land-based casinos have relied on all kinds of comps to keep existing players happy. New players have rarely been treated to anything. As long as you keep spending money in a casino, there’s a chance you’ll get something for it. Things are different at online casinos. Both new and returning customers are treated to a wide range of top casino bonuses and promotions, all of which give you extra money to play with.

There’s just one problem – the fine print terms and conditions that are usually a pain to read.

What are bonus terms and conditions?

If you’re new to the online gaming industry, news flash – no bonus is ever free. Even if advertised that way—for which there are rules—you shouldn’t think of casino bonuses as free cash or spins. The reality is that they’re tied up to a lot of rules, and not following any of them will result in lost money and winnings.

If you check out the bonus lobby of casino sites such as https://www.bet777.es/, you’ll find numerous offers you shouldn’t miss. There’s a welcome bonus for new players and other types of offers that are too good to pass up. But, a casino bonus is as good as the terms. There’s no point in getting a large bonus amount if the terms are impossible to follow. We’re mainly talking about the wagering requirements which are the most important condition for you to complete.

The bonus terms and conditions are a set of rules you should follow to convert the bonus to real money. Yes, they’re written in the smallest possible font and they’re a boring read. But, if you miss any of the terms, you won’t get a second chance to claim your winnings.

The most important bonus T&Cs

As a set of rules, there’s no single rule to focus on when reading the bonus terms and conditions. In fact, there are several rules you should follow in order to withdraw successfully. Those include any betting rules, wagering requirements, and the period you have to complete them.

Wagering requirements

Here’s the most important bonus condition – the wagering requirements. This one stands out from the crowd as it shows you what you need to do before you can withdraw money. In short, you need to wager the bonus money (or deposit + bonus) a certain number of times before withdrawal.

This term is usually displayed on the banner for the bonus at most online gaming sites. If it’s not there, you’ll have to look at the general bonus terms. You’ll need to take a look at them anyway, so it’s not an issue.

So, for example, if you have a $100 bonus you need to wager 20 times, and you’ll need to spend $2,000 before you can withdraw your winnings. This only works when you make a deposit and applies to no-deposit bonuses too. You can claim that kind of bonus without a deposit, but to complete the wagering, you’ll need to deposit money later.

Period of completion

When wagering your bonus funds, you’ll only have a limited time to do so. Most casinos limit the completion period to 30 days. That might look like a long time, but if you’re budget-oriented and focused on responsible gambling, it can be a challenge.

Depending on the wagering requirements, you’ll need to spend hundreds or thousands of dollars to complete them. That’s not always in the plan of any player. High rollers may not have a problem with it, but for the casual player, it’s a bit too much.

Max. Bet

Casino sites will do anything to have you spend even more money while wagering the bonus. To do this, they limit the max. bet you can place while wagering your bonus funds. For example, it’s usually set at $5 for most deposit bonuses and free spins. That means you can’t abuse the bonus rules and bet the full amount at once so you’re done with it.

This has been a problem in the past, and casino sites quickly found the solution by limiting the maximum bet. Yes, you can bet more, but it won’t count toward the wagering. Since your goal is to complete the wagering ASAP, there’s no point in betting under the minimum or over the maximum.

Of course, it’s best when the terms allow higher bets such as $10 per spin or round. But, this rarely happens, with most casinos keeping the limit to $5.

Eligible games

The list of eligible games is another important bonus condition. In short, you will need to stick to the eligible games when you wager the bonus to claim your winnings in the end. At most casinos, all bets on slots count. They contribute 100% to the wagering requirements. If you play other games such as roulette or blackjack, they contribute 10% or 20%.

Live casino games often contribute small amounts too. These tech-advanced games offer an almost lifelike land-based casino experience, but you don’t need to take the trip there. While they’re fun, you’ll get the most out of slots when it comes to wagering requirements.1

Winnings cap

Some casino bonuses, such as free spins, have a cap on the possible winnings. Not many bonuses will give you the opportunity to hit stunning amounts of money with the extra funds. That puts progressive jackpots out of the way. Free spin offers are usually hit with a low cap on winnings, which essentially prevents you from winning millions with a bonus.

No casino site will make that kind of mistake, which is why it’s important to go through the terms. Make sure to pay special attention to this condition so you don’t celebrate a big win too early.