Why Do Some Casinos Void Bonus Winnings?

How Casinos Justify Bonus Winnings

Casinos implement bonus terms and conditions to protect themselves from bonus abuse and ensure that promotions benefit genuine players. Understanding their policies can help you choose the right bonus for you.

Common Forms of Bonus Abuse

• Multiple Account Creation: Don’t attempt to claim bonuses by creating multiple accounts with bogus emails. Casinos combat this by monitoring for matching IP addresses and employing advanced fraud detection systems.
• Exploiting Game Restrictions: Players might engage in prohibited betting patterns or play restricted games to meet wagering requirements quickly. Engaging in such activities can lead to the forfeiture of bonus winnings.

Key Bonus Terms to Consider

• Wagering Requirements: This indicates how many times you must wager the bonus amount before withdrawing any winnings. For example, a $100 bonus with a 30x wagering requirement means you need to bet $3,000 to cash out.
• Game Contributions: Not all games contribute equally to wagering requirements. Slots might contribute 100%, while table games like blackjack might contribute less or be excluded entirely.
• Time Limits: Bonuses often come with expiration dates, requiring you to meet wagering requirements within a specified period, such as 14 days.
• Maximum Bet Limits: Some bonuses impose a cap on the amount you can bet per spin or hand while the bonus is active. Exceeding this limit can result in bonus forfeiture.

Best Practices to Protect Your Winnings

• Read the Terms and Conditions: Always review the bonus terms to understand the requirements and restrictions fully.
• Verify Eligible Games: Ensure the games you play contribute towards meeting the wagering requirements.
• Adhere to Betting Limits: Stay within the maximum bet limits specified in the bonus terms to prevent potential forfeiture of winnings.
• Avoid Multiple Accounts: Use only one account per casino to prevent violations of the terms and potential bans.

Hidden Bonus Terms That Catch Players Off-Guard

Online casino bonuses can be enticing, but hidden terms like short expiry dates and low game contribution percentages can catch players by surprise.

Expiry Dates That Make Bonuses Useless If Not Wagered in Time

Many players overlook the deadline to complete wagering requirements. Most bonuses come with an expiry date, typically between 7 and 30 days. Failing to meet the playthrough within this timeframe can result in the loss of the bonus and any associated winnings.

For instance, some casinos require players to activate and use bonuses within a specific period, such as three days to activate and seven days to complete wagering requirements.

Contribution Percentages—Some Games Barely Count Toward Wagering

Not all games contribute equally to wagering requirements. Slots often contribute 100%, while table games and card games may contribute significantly less, sometimes as low as 10% or even 0%.

For example, playing blackjack might only contribute 10% towards the wagering requirement, meaning you’d need to wager ten times more on blackjack than on slots to meet the same requirement.

Restricted Games That Void Winnings

Engaging in restricted games while a bonus is active can lead to the forfeiture of winnings. Casinos often exclude specific games, such as high-RTP slots, progressive jackpots, or low-house-edge games like blackjack and baccarat, from contributing to wagering requirements.

Key Takeaways

• Always read and understand the bonus terms and conditions before participating.
• Be mindful of bonus expiry dates to ensure sufficient time to meet wagering requirements.
• Check game contribution percentages to choose games that effectively help meet wagering requirements.
• Avoid playing restricted games with active bonuses to prevent potential forfeiture of winnings.

Differences Between Deposit + Bonus vs. Bonus-Only Wagering

Not all wagering requirements are the same. Some casinos apply them to both the deposit and the bonus, while others apply them only to the bonus amount.

For example, if you deposit $100 and receive a $100 bonus with a 40x wagering requirement:

• Bonus-Only Wagering: You must wager $4,000 (40 x $100) before withdrawing.
• Deposit + Bonus Wagering: You must wager $8,000 (40 x $200) before withdrawing.

Why Do Some Casinos Make It Nearly Impossible to Clear a Bonus?

Some casinos design bonuses to appear attractive but impose conditions that make them difficult to clear. These conditions may include:

• High wagering requirements (e.g., above 40x).
• Low maximum bet limits (e.g., $5 per spin), requiring numerous plays to meet the requirement.
• Restricting game contributions, where table games might only contribute 10% towards wagering.

These tactics can lead to players losing their balance before meeting the requirements or giving up out of frustration.