Five Things Worth Checking Before You Claim Any Bonus
You're going through the PROMOTIONS area of an online casino. As you scroll, you find a banner that says “Get $100 without making a deposit” or “50 casino spins for free.” And like clockwork, your hand moves to the CLAIM button.
But calm your horses. That promo you want to get has rules that govern it. But the thing is that most players don't read them as they're long and filled with numbers.
When you ignore bonus terms, you'd end up being confused about the offer or unable to withdraw a dime in winnings. That all changes today. Keep your eyes peeled as we run you through the 5 things you need to check out before clicking CLAIM on a first deposit bonus and other promotions at a casino.
The Wagering Number Changes Everything
Wagering requirements are part of bonuses you'd find at an online casino. This number says you'd need to wager a promo's value a select number of times before you can withdraw winnings made from the bonus.
Here's an example of how it works. You opt into a $200 deal with a 30x wagering number. It means you have to place bets worth $6,000 ($200 bonus times 30x wagering). It's only after you do this that you'd be able to cash out the promo and winnings made from it.
The problem is most players see “Get $50 free” and feel like they can cash out when they like. But that isn't the case. It's the wagering number that decides how easy or hard your cashing-out process will be.
For instance, a $100 deal with a 50x playthrough is harder to withdraw than a $30 promo with a 20x wagering demand. The smaller bonus is actually more worthwhile, as you can clear its playthrough in less time.
Not Every Game Will Help You Clear a Bonus
You activate a bonus and head to the lobby to play the games that you like. But at the end of the day, you realize your bets didn't count towards the wagering requirements. And sometimes, you could play games that add just 10% towards the playthrough.
So, why is this the case?
Most bonuses have a list of the games that count towards wagering numbers and those that don't. Slots are usually the only game category that'll count 100% towards this metric.
Table games such as blackjack and poker can add 10% or nothing. If you place a $100 bet on a poker game, only $10 or $0 will go towards the wagering requirement. This turns a promotion with a 30x playthrough into one with a 300x wagering requirement.
Before you claim a free casino spins no deposit or a first deposit bonus, check its T&Cs to see games that qualify and their wagering contributions. On sites like 1xCasino, this info is displayed clearly in the terms area. That way, you won't have that “had I known” moment after betting huge amounts.
There's a Limit on How Big Your Bet Can Be
You can't just bet any amount when you've got an active bonus. These promotions come with a max bet rule. It highlights the highest amount you can place as a wager per round. Go past this limit, and the online casino can void your bonus and winnings made from it.
The max bet on bonuses is usually set at $5 or $10. It doesn't matter if you've got $1,000 in winnings sitting in your account. You can't bet $10.01 or more on a play. Doing so breaks the rule, and you bear the consequence.
Some players try to bet big amounts by betting big amounts. You might think this is smart; on the surface, it is. But it's a surefire way to bid goodbye to your bonus and its winnings.
The Clock Is Ticking
Promotions have an in-built timer. It starts counting once the offer enters your account. Some bonuses expire after 7 days. However, you'll find variants that expire 14 or 30 days after activation.
If you don't make use of the bonus or complete its wagering demands during this period, the casino will remove it from your account.
Many players have been burned by the time limit. They get a bonus and use a small portion of it daily. One fateful morning, they log into their accounts and realize the bonus alongside its winnings is gone.
To avoid this scenario, check how long the bonus you want to claim will last for. Do this to be able to plan your play. Got your eyes on a deal with a validity period that's too short? Don't activate it because its value is great. Scout for another promotion that fits your schedule.
Your Winnings Might Have a Ceiling
You get that tasty promo and win $2,000 within your first few spins. Sounds great, eh? Not quite. You see, bonuses have what's called a withdrawal cap. This rule places a limiter on how much you can cash out from a bonus after meeting wagering requirements and other conditions.
If the withdrawal limit on that bonus is $50, that's all you're getting. The remaining $1,950? We hate to break it to you, but you aren't getting a cent of that. All of it goes back to the casino.
The withdrawal cap doesn't feel fair.
You meet the promotion's wagering requirements within its validity timeline. You played all the right games and didn't go a cent above the maximum bet. But with the cap in place, most of your winnings stay stuck with the casino. Urrgh.
Withdrawal limits pop up on free casino spins no deposit deals, and other no-risk offers. This is because the casino is giving you something for free. You aren't risking a cent for it. And since they're in business to make profits, they place a cap on how much you can withdraw.
It might seem a bit unfair. But you should've known all about it before you claimed the bonus and not after you hit that massive win.
A Bonus Is Only as Good as the Rules Surrounding It
Bonuses usually come with flashy numbers. It's the casino's way of luring more and more players to its platform. But you should know that these deals come with terms and conditions.
Going through these rules can seem boring. Just focus on the five metrics outlined in this guide; it takes just 5 to 10 minutes to read these crucial rules. Make this a habit and save yourself from picking deals that don't suit your needs.
