Everyone loves a good casino bonus, right? One of the biggest advantages online casinos have over their brick-and-mortar counterparts is the abundance of bonuses and promotions. With numerous opportunities to earn extra rewards, it’s important to take advantage of these incentives to increase your long-term winnings.
While it can be difficult to meet the requirements, the extra funds allow you to extend your playing time. As a result, you have more opportunities to win. However, the offers available may not always be straightforward. Gambling sites often impose different conditions because they cannot afford to give away free cash without restrictions.
Imagine a scenario where a player has just won a large amount and also has an active bonus with certain wagering requirements. The player’s goal is to meet the remaining wagering requirements and cash out as much as possible.
In order to maximize your profits, it is important to understand how such promotions work. This is especially significant for welcome offers. In this article, we give you some tips and strategies for effective casino bonus wagering.
Most Common Types of Casino Bonuses
There may be different bonus options available, some of which are more lucrative than others. Gambling sites offer many incentives for their customers, such as the following:
- Standard bonus – This is the most common bonus that is automatically offered to all customers.
- High-roller bonus – If you plan to make a significant deposit, you can find more substantial bonuses designed specifically for high-rollers. However, they may have less favorable terms, so it is recommended that you research them carefully.
- Bonuses for certain games/sections – It’s not uncommon for casinos to provide different offers for live dealer sections or certain games.
- Welcome bonus – As a new player, you can receive a welcome bonus, which usually includes a bonus amount and free spins. This bonus package is sometimes spread across multiple deposits.
- No deposit bonus – The no deposit bonus allows you to get a bonus without making a deposit. This is a great way to try out different online casinos and their games without risking your own money.
- Special bonus – Existing players can take advantage of deposit bonuses, often associated with special events such as Christmas or Easter. The percentage of the bonus funds is usually lower than with the welcome bonus.
- Loyalty bonus – Loyalty bonuses are based on your playing behavior and can include free spins, bonus money, or even real money. As you play more, you accumulate loyalty points that can be redeemed for rewards. A great example of an online casino with an elaborate and welcoming loyalty program is DLX Casino.
- Cashback bonus – If luck is not on your side, don’t worry. With a cashback bonus, you can get a fixed percentage of your bets back into your account, giving you another chance to win.
You will also come across other types of bonuses that may be more or less beneficial. It is important that you research them in order to get the most out of your casino experience.
DLX Casino Loyalty Program
Casino Bonus Terms and Conditions to Consider
To make sure you fully understand any online casino bonus, it is critical to take the time to carefully study the terms and conditions. Usually, all online casino bonuses have certain terms and conditions, as gambling sites cannot just give you money without any conditions. In fact, in the early days of the online casino industry, many people took advantage of favorable terms, which has led to more stringent requirements today.
Listed below are the most important terms and conditions that you need to look into.
- Wagering requirements – Almost every online casino bonus comes with certain wagering requirements, meaning you must wager a certain amount of money before requesting a withdrawal. For example, a $500 bonus with a 50x requirement means you must wager $25,000 before you can withdraw. Sometimes the wagering requirements only apply to bonus funds, other times they apply to both the bonus and the deposit. This is an essential point, as in the latter case, the wagering requirement easily turns from $25,000 to $50,000, making it significantly harder to clear the bonus.
- Eligible deposits – If you’re going for a deposit bonus, make sure your deposit meets the offer conditions. Online casinos sometimes exclude individual deposit options, and there is always a minimum amount that must be deposited to get the bonus funds.
- Qualifying games – With most bonuses, you can’t play all the games before meeting the wagering requirements. Additionally, bets in different games may count differently for wagering purposes. Check which games are available to you and what portion of your bets will count.
- Maximum bets – Some online casino bonuses have limits on the maximum bet you can make before meeting the wagering requirements. Casinos tend to avoid cases where just a few bets are enough to clear the bonus.
- Expiration time – Most online casino bonuses expire after a certain period, so make sure you have time to wager them before that point. In most cases, you have at least a week, but there may be exceptions.
The conditions listed above are tied to almost every online casino bonus, and these are the most important factors to consider. However, there may be additional requirements, so be sure to read all the information carefully. If you have any questions, don’t hesitate to contact support.
Tips for Casino Bonus Wagering
If you want to take advantage of a nice bonus at an online casino, your goal is likely to wager it as quickly as possible. This will give you full access to the money offered by the bonus, allowing you to enjoy all its benefits. To help you achieve this goal, we’ve put together some tips on how to clear your casino bonus faster and with better odds.
These tips will help you meet the bonus wagering requirements, whether you are a newbie or a VIP player. What’s more, by following these guidelines, you will be able to distinguish between good and bad casino bonuses.
Choose Bonuses with Favorable Conditions
When choosing a casino bonus, it is important to pick one that is easy to wager. Once you find the right casino, consider all the bonuses offered and pick one that provides the most value and at the same time has friendly wagering requirements. Make sure you give preference to bonuses that offer the most value for your intended activity at the casino, as most bonuses cannot be combined with others.
Check Wagering Requirements
It is also critical to take the time to familiarize yourself with the terms and conditions related to the use of bonus money. Many players miss this crucial step, which can lead to disappointment and failure later on.
All casinos have certain rules regarding the use of bonus money, and one of the most important factors is the wagering requirement. Before you can withdraw the bonus money, you must wager it a certain number of times, usually between 30x and 50x the bonus amount. However, some casinos have much higher wagering requirements, which can make it almost impossible to withdraw the bonus money.
To make sure you can withdraw your bonus, you must understand the wagering requirements. The lower the wagering requirements, the better for you. For example, let’s say you received a $100 bonus with a wagering requirement of 40x. In that case, you need to wager $4,000 before you can withdraw. If the wagering requirement is 70x, you will need to wager $7,000 to get the same result.
It’s worth noting that some casinos may offer lucrative bonuses with lower wagering requirements, which can be an advantage for players. Always check the terms and conditions to make sure you understand the wagering requirements before you start using your bonus money. For example, at TTR Casino, you can get 50 free spins on your deposit with a 10x wagering requirement. This is a very favorable condition, so your chances of clearing the bonus will be strong.
TTR Casino Free Spins Offer
How to Calculate Wagering Requirements
Calculating wagering requirements is a principal step before taking advantage of a welcome bonus and making a first deposit. It is important to note that not all welcome bonuses are created equal, and understanding the wagering requirements can give players an advantage.
Consider the following examples:
Example 1
Suppose you get a 300% bonus of up to $300 with a wagering requirement of 40 times the bonus amount. You deposit $50, get the $150 bonus, and your starting balance becomes $200. You need to wager $6,000 (40 x $150) to cash out the bonus money.
Example 2
In this example, you get a 200% bonus of up to $100 with a wagering requirement of 100 times the bonus amount. You deposit $50, get the $100 bonus, and your starting balance becomes $150. To cash out the bonus money, you need to wager $10,000 (100 x $100), which is higher than in the previous example, despite the lower bonus amount.
There are two easy ways to find out the wagering requirements for the bonus:
- Read the bonus terms and conditions. A reputable online casino will have clear and concise terms and conditions that are easy to read.
- Contact customer service via live chat. They should be happy to answer any questions. If they are unclear or unwilling to share information, this can be a red flag, and you should consider looking for another casino.
It’s important to know that some online casinos can have wagering requirements of up to 100 or even 200 times the size of the bonus, making it nearly impossible to cash out the bonus money. Our recommendation is to avoid casinos with wagering requirements of more than 40-50 times the bonus amount.
Calculate if the Casino Bonus Is Profitable
Knowing the house edge of casino games allows us to anticipate our likely outcome after completing the bonus wagering requirements. This outcome can be calculated by subtracting the house edge from the betting amount and then subtracting that value from our initial balance + bonus.
For example, a casino offers a $500 bonus for a $100 deposit, but we must wager at least $10,000 before we can cash out. In this scenario, we can calculate our likely winnings when playing blackjack (which has a 0.4% house edge) as follows:
- Expected loss due to the house edge = $10,000 x 0.004 = $40
- Expected final balance = $100 deposit + $500 bonus – $40 = $560
- Expected net win = $560 – $100 deposit = $460
Choosing a Deposit Size to Claim a Casino Bonus
Once you have all the information you need about the bonus you’re about to receive, it’s time to strategize and make an informed decision before proceeding. The first decision you need to make concerns the amount you want to deposit. The goal is to choose a deposit amount that is within your financial means and will provide you with the best value while maximizing the free money available.
For example, if a 100% bonus of up to $100 is offered, then depositing $100 will give you the maximum amount possible. Any deposit beyond that amount will be excessive while depositing a smaller amount will result in you missing out on potential benefits. Nevertheless, it is important to make sure that the deposit amount you choose is comfortable for you and consistent with the best casino bankroll management practices.
While some welcome bonuses may be spread across multiple deposits, the first deposit usually gives the highest percentage bonus. For example, Surf Casino has a welcome package of four bonuses on your first deposits. Remember that you can only make one first deposit, so it is essential to do it right the first time.
Surf Casino Welcome Package
Picking the Right Games for Casino Bonus Wagering
When you decide which games to play, you have two options: prioritize entertainment or focus on the games with the best value. If you want to maximize your bonus expectations, it is best to choose games with a low house edge. A good indicator of this is the return to player (RTP), as a higher RTP means a lower house edge. Some casinos publish this information, so it’s easy to check. However, if the RTP is not readily available, there are general guidelines for popular game categories.
For slot machines, the difference can range from 2-3% to 10-15%, with progressive jackpot slots having the worst RTP. For roulette games with one zero, the house edge is 2.70% and for roulette games with two zeros, it is 5.26%. The RTP of blackjack games usually exceeds 98.5%, but they require strategic decisions to optimize payouts. Video poker can also have a high RTP, but it may not be included in casino promotions and also requires optimal strategy.
It is best to avoid games such as keno and scratch cards with a high house edge and instead choose table games and variations of poker, which are usually a good choice if the bonus terms allow it.
Another point to consider is focusing on games that count toward the bonus carryover requirement. Choose games that will help you meet the requirement in the most efficient way possible. If some games offer double points, give preference to those games to clear the bonus faster. Do not play any excluded games until you have cleared the bonus. If you can choose between games that offer different point values, choose the one where you have a better chance of winning. Once you’ve wagered your bonus, you can enjoy any game you like without having to worry about requirements.
Beware of Hidden Conditions
Keep in mind that some casinos may use different tactics to give themselves an advantage. Before you deposit your money, research them carefully.
First, check to see if there is a limit on the amount you can win with bonus money. If such a limit exists, assess how reasonable it is. For example, some casinos may only pay out up to $50 of bonus money, even if you played for $100. This is certainly a lousy deal. Also, carefully examine whether the wagering requirements apply only to the bonus money or to your real deposit as well. Some casinos require you to wager both bonus money and real money, which is not very beneficial. Naturally, it’s better if you only have to wager the bonus.
Track Your Bonus Wagering Progress
Usually, you can view the amount of money that has been wagered towards the bonus requirements. This information is indicated in the player’s account or right on the main screen next to your balance. Keep track of your bonus wagering progress, so you can better manage the funds and time available.
Don’t Cancel the Bonus After a Win
Most online casino bonuses given out today are sticky. This means that you will not be able to withdraw your winnings until you fulfill the wagering requirements. If you get a big win at the beginning, you will still have to clear the bonus amount in full. If you cancel the bonus before it is fully wagered, the bonus money will be wiped out along with all your winnings, and you will only have the original deposit amount left on your balance.
On the other hand, non-sticky bonuses do allow you to withdraw your winnings anytime, even if the bonus money remains on your balance. However, finding such bonuses at online casinos becomes more and more difficult over time.
Stick to Low Stakes
To minimize variance from the expected result in gambling, it is advisable to bet less on each round, as this increases the number of rounds played, resulting in a smoother short-term variance. For example, a coin flip may produce 10 heads and 0 tails after 10 flips, but after 1,000 times, it will likely produce a result closer to 500 heads and 500 tails.
However, there is a time factor to consider, as playing at lower stakes implies that it will take longer to meet the wagering requirements. This may not be desirable, especially when playing 5,000 rounds of roulette at a $1 stake to make a $30 profit. Consequently, the bet sizing should depend on a person’s tolerance for risk, the availability of free time, and the value they place on their productive time.
If you are a beginner, it is recommended to bet no more than 1% of your total bankroll on any round until you are confident and understand the game strategy.
Don’t Accept Bonuses You Don’t Like
You have the option to opt out of the casino bonus if you decide to do so. While many players take bonuses to extend their playing time and potentially increase their winnings if you don’t want to deal with the wagering requirements required to convert the bonus money into real money, giving up the bonus may be your best option. During the deposit process, you may be asked if you want to use the bonus, and you can always contact casino support to cancel the bonus before you start playing. Ultimately, the decision to accept or decline the casino bonus is up to you and your personal preferences.
Complete KYC If Required
In order to withdraw your online casino bonus, you may be required to go through the KYC process. You will have to provide government-issued identification and other necessary documents to prove your identity. Failure to complete the KYC procedure may result in your account being blocked or your withdrawal request being denied.
Before submitting documents to the online casino, make sure they are valid and in your name. Modern-day online casinos have advanced verification systems that can verify the authenticity of your documents. In addition, you should use a credit card or payment method in your name to avoid red marks on your account due to inconsistencies in your personal information.
Best Casino Bonus Wagering Strategies
If your goal is to clear a bonus offer when playing casino games, certain bonus wagering strategies can help you minimize your losses and eventually make a profit. The key is to focus on turning the odds in your favor, rather than trying to win big.
For starters, it’s important to understand that there are no proven “betting systems” that can guarantee success. Instead, it is best to play low-risk, low-variance games, such as blackjack, and use small bets to increase your chances of winning. In this way, you will be able to reduce the total amount of money you lose, which will ultimately allow you to withdraw more bonus funds.
Best Casino Games for Bonus Wagering
When you’re trying to wager a casino bonus, it’s important to choose the right games. If you want to maximize your chances of winning, blackjack is a great choice. If you play with the right basic strategy, the house edge can be reduced to 0.4%, and sometimes even less, depending on the rules of the game.
In addition to blackjack, several other games are also good choices. These include baccarat, craps, bonus Texas Hold’em, and video poker such as Jacks or Better or Deuces Wild. However, it’s better to avoid games with a high house edge, such as American Roulette and Caribbean Stud Poker.
Blackjack Bonus Wagering Strategy
When you’re trying to clear a casino bonus, the goal is to play a game with a low house edge, and blackjack is one of the best options. Here are some tips to help you maximize your chances of successfully wagering a bonus when playing blackjack.
Understand Basic Strategy
To minimize your house edge, you need to play using a basic blackjack strategy, which is a set of rules dictating the best decision for each possible hand. A basic strategy chart can be found on our site. Be sure to memorize it and use it every time you play.
Find the Right Table
Look for a blackjack table with a low minimum bet and favorable rules. The fewer decks used in the game, the better. Also, look for tables where the dealer bets a soft 17 and where players can double any two cards and split pairs.
Manage Your Bankroll
Managing your bankroll is important when playing at the casino, especially when getting a bonus. Set a budget for how much you are willing to spend and stick to it. If you lose the budgeted amount, don’t keep playing and risk more money.
Play at a Steady Pace
Casinos often set a time limit for bonuses, so play at a steady pace to maximize your chances of meeting the requirements. Don’t rush, but don’t take too many breaks between hands either.
Avoid Side Bets
Side bets in blackjack can be tempting, but they tend to have a higher house edge and are not recommended when trying to wager a bonus. Stick to the main bet and, once again, follow the basic strategy.
Roulette Bonus Wagering Strategy
When it comes to wagering bonuses on roulette, a common strategy is to bet equal amounts on red or black and ignore zero. This method allows you to meet wagering requirements quickly while minimizing the risk of losing your balance. On average, you can expect to lose 2.7% of your bets due to the presence of zeros. Alternatively, you can spread your bets over a dozen or three dozen, or even three columns. Placing bets on most of the numbers can also be a low-risk approach. However, it is worth noting that many online casinos exclude table games, such as roulette, from the list of games where you can wager bonuses, or they may reduce the contribution rate to 5%.
Slot Bonus Wagering Strategy
More often than not, slots are the only type of game where bets are fully counted for bonus wagering. There are strategies for slots that may increase your chances of successfully meeting the bonus wagering requirements and withdrawing your winnings.
- First, take a close look at the RTP and hidden data (volatility, wagering rating, and probability of triggering features). Needless to say, you should always prefer slots with a high RTP.
- The volatility you choose should depend on how high the bonus wagering requirement is. If you find a decent bonus with a low wagering requirement, prefer slots with low volatility. In these slots, your chances of losing will be lower, but you won’t win much either. If the wagering requirement is high, you will need to win big, otherwise, the mission will be almost impossible. Slots with high volatility are perfect for this purpose.
- Pick a bet that matches the volatility of the slot; the higher the volatility, the lower the bet. Keep in mind that online casinos may limit the maximum bet when a player has an active bonus. If your bet exceeds $3, be sure to read the terms and conditions regarding such restrictions.
- Finally, set the autoplay feature to the maximum value and relax. Keep in mind that some slots require action to trigger free spins or pressing a button during the “Pick me” feature. By following these steps, you can increase your chances of completing the bonus wagering requirements and potentially winning money at an online casino.
Choosing a Slot for Casino Bonus Wagering
To maximize your wagering amount, it is ideal to find a slot that contributes 100% to your wagering requirements and has a high RTP. However, it is important to consider the volatility of the slot as well. Slots with low volatility pay out more frequently but smaller amounts, while slots with high volatility pay out less frequently but with larger payouts.
When playing with a large amount of bonus money, you can choose slots with high volatility. However, it is essential not to empty your bankroll before the winning spin. This is especially true when wagering winnings from free spins, as the initial amount is often small. It’s also critical to make sure that the games you pick aren’t exempt or impaired for wagering purposes.
Here are some examples of low-volatility slots for bonus wagering:
And here are high-volatility slots for bonus wagering:
Other Games for Bonus Wagering
If blackjack is not your game, there are other options that can be good choices for bonus wagering. Here are some other games to consider.
Baccarat
Baccarat has a low house edge and is easy to play. Just bet on a player or banker. The hand with the highest score wins.
Craps
Craps has a low house edge if you stick to betting on the pass or no-pass line. Avoid more complicated bets, as they have a higher house edge.
Texas Hold’em Bonus
Texas Hold’em Bonus is a casino table game based on the popular game of poker. The goal of the game is to beat the dealer’s hand with the best five-card poker hand. This game has a low house edge and is easy to play.
Video Poker
Video poker machines include many games, such as Jacks or Better or Deuces Wild. With the right strategy, the house edge can be very low, and there is the added benefit of a potentially high-paying hand.
Wrong Choices for Bonus Wagering
When trying to clear a bonus, there are some games that are not recommended.
American Roulette
American roulette has a higher house edge than European roulette, so it is not the best choice when trying to wager the bonus.
Caribbean Stud Poker
Caribbean Stud Poker has a high house edge and is not recommended for playing with a bonus. Stick to games with a lower house edge and better odds of winning.
Slots
Slot machines have a high house edge and rely heavily on luck. However, as we have already mentioned, most often, only bets made in slots are fully counted for bonus wagering. So, most likely, you will still have to wager your bonus in slots. But if table games with a lower house edge are allowed under the same conditions, it is better to prefer them instead of slots.
Best Casino Bonus to Try a Wagering Strategy
Bonus wagering strategies are great in all but one way. Casinos adjust to these strategies and set bonus requirements to cover possible loopholes. These measures are aimed primarily against bonus abusers but they equally apply to regular players. You can see for yourself by calculating the expected profit for a particular welcome offer. In the vast majority of cases, it will be a negative value.
As a result, players have to get creative and look for bonuses that are easy to wager. Among these bonuses are prizes awarded to players as part of the weekly race at LTC Casino. Judge for yourself. Winnings are awarded as a bonus with a wager x3 for cash prizes and x10 for free spins. This is an absolutely feasible requirement that gives you an exceptionally high chance of clearing the bonus and withdrawing it along with your winnings.
All you have to do to get the bonus is play games from BGaming at LTC Casino. Given the current activity of players, you can expect a good prize even with a moderate betting size. All winnings received during the qualification process are immediately available for withdrawal without KYC or other requirements. Tournament prizes are also paid out anonymously and instantly as soon as you meet the wagering requirements.
LTC Casino BGaming Race
Casino Bonus Wagering Strategies FAQ
What is meant by a wagering requirement?
A wagering requirement is the number of times a player must wager the bonus amount before they can withdraw it as real money. For example, if a player receives a $100 bonus with a wagering requirement of x50, they need to wager $5,000 ($100 x 50) to convert the bonus into real money.
What does “play through” or “rollover” mean in online casinos?
“Play through” and “rollover” are alternative terms used to describe the wagering requirement for a casino bonus.
Why can’t I withdraw my bonus balance?
Players cannot withdraw their bonus balance until the wagering requirement is met. This is to ensure that players cannot simply withdraw bonus funds without playing and meeting the required wagering threshold.
How can I convert my bonus balance into real money?
Once the wagering requirement is met, any remaining bonus funds will be converted to real money that can be withdrawn.
How can I meet the wagering requirement of a casino bonus?
In order to meet the wagering requirement of a casino bonus, players must play eligible games and wager. Each qualifying bet made will contribute to the wagering requirement.
Are wagering requirements guaranteed to be completed?
No, since casino games are gambling, it is not possible to guarantee that the wagering requirement will be completed. While there are tips and strategies to increase your chances of meeting the wagering requirement, ultimately it all depends on your luck.
Do I need to wager the bonus amount or deposit + bonus?
It depends on the terms and conditions of the particular casino. Some casinos require players to wager only the bonus amount, while others require wagering the deposit and bonus amount. It is important to read the terms and conditions before playing to avoid confusion.
How can I check how much of the wagering requirement I have completed?
Some casinos offer the ability to check how much of the wagering requirement has been met in a player’s account. If this is not available, players can contact customer support for assistance.
Do all games contribute the same amount to the wagering requirement?
No, different games contribute different amounts toward wagering requirements. Most slots contribute 100%, meaning every $1 bet on a slot will contribute $1 to the wagering requirement. Other games may contribute less, such as 10%, which means that every $1 bet on those games will only contribute $0.10 to the wagering requirement.
Are there other important terms to know?
It is critical to read and understand all terms and conditions related to the bonus or casino offer to avoid confusion or loss of bonus funds. If any terms and conditions are unclear, players should contact support for clarification.