Key takeaways
- Every casino bonus comes with terms, and the wagering requirement matters more than the headline amount.
- Wagering is the total you must bet, not the total you must lose, but the house edge means each bet costs you a small amount on average.
- In the UK, new bonuses are capped at 10x wagering from 19 January 2026.
- Check game weighting, maximum bet, time limit and win caps before you opt in.
- You can decline a bonus and play with cash only, and it is often the better choice.
What a casino bonus is
A casino bonus is a promotion that gives you extra playing balance or free spins, usually in return for registering, making a deposit or playing regularly. The offer on the front page is the marketing. The value sits in the terms and conditions underneath it.
Most players meet bonuses first as a welcome offer. You can compare current ones on our promo codes page, and every operator we list at UK casinos, US casinos and Canadian casinos holds a licence in that region.
The main types of casino bonus
| Bonus type | How it works | Typical catch |
|---|---|---|
| Deposit match | The casino adds a percentage of your deposit, such as 100% up to £200 | Wagering requirement on the bonus |
| Free spins | A set number of spins on chosen slots at a fixed stake | Winnings may carry wagering and a cap |
| No-deposit bonus | A small amount of credit or spins without paying in | Low win caps, strict terms |
| Cashback | A share of net losses returned over a period | May be paid as bonus funds with wagering |
| Reload bonus | A deposit match for existing customers, often weekly | Same terms as a welcome match |
| Bonus bets or play credit (US) | Credit that stakes a bet but is not returned with winnings | Credit expires, often in 7 days |
How wagering requirements work
Wagering, also called playthrough in the US, is the amount you must stake before the bonus can turn into withdrawable cash. It is shown as a multiple. The multiple applies to the bonus, or in some offers to the bonus plus your deposit.
Wagering counts the total of all your bets, not your balance. If you stake £1 on a slot 100 times, you have wagered £100, whether you won or lost along the way.
Worked example: a UK bonus at 10x
Worked example: a high requirement
If you want to understand the 4% figure, read our guide to RTP and house edge.
The UK 10x wagering cap
From 19 January 2026, the UK Gambling Commission caps wagering requirements on new bonuses at 10x. Before the change, requirements of 35x and higher were common. A licensed UK casino can no longer attach a 35x requirement to a new welcome offer, which makes UK bonuses easier to clear than those in many other markets.
Two other UK rules affect how you play while a bonus is active. Online slot stakes are limited to £5 per spin, and to £2 per spin for players aged 18 to 24. These limits apply to all slot play, bonus or not, and they also stop you from clearing a bonus by placing very large spins.
Game weighting
Not every bet counts equally towards wagering. Casinos assign each game type a contribution percentage. If a game counts 10%, a £10 bet reduces your remaining requirement by only £1.
| Game type | Typical contribution |
|---|---|
| Slots | 100% |
| Scratch cards and instant wins | 10% to 50% |
| Roulette | 10% to 20% |
| Blackjack | 5% to 10% |
| Live casino | 0% to 10% |
These are typical ranges, not rules. The actual numbers are listed in each offer’s terms.
Worked example: game weighting
Other terms that change the value
- Time limit. Bonuses expire, commonly after 7 to 30 days. Unused funds and progress are lost.
- Win cap. Some free spins and no-deposit offers limit what you can withdraw, for example £100.
- Sticky or non-sticky. A sticky bonus cannot itself be withdrawn. A non-sticky bonus plays after your cash balance, so you keep a way out if you do not want the bonus terms.
- Excluded games. Certain slots, often high-RTP or high-volatility ones, are barred while a bonus is active.
- Payment methods. Some e-wallets can disqualify a deposit from a bonus.
- Minimum deposit. The headline amount often needs a minimum of £10 to £20 to trigger.
How to claim a bonus safely
- 1
Choose a licensed casino
Use a casino licensed in your region by the UK Gambling Commission, a US state regulator or a Canadian provincial regulator. Our lists only include licensed brands.
- 2
Read the full terms before you opt in
Find the wagering multiple, what it applies to, the game weighting, the time limit, the maximum bet and any win cap.
- 3
Do the maths
Multiply the wagering multiple by the amount it applies to. Then multiply the result by the house edge to estimate the cost of clearing it.
- 4
Decide whether to opt in
Many casinos let you decline the bonus at deposit. Playing with cash only avoids all restrictions.
- 5
Set a deposit limit first
A limit keeps spending in check while you chase a requirement. Our guide to responsible gambling tools shows how.
Signs of a poor offer
Be cautious when you see wagering on deposit plus bonus, a time limit of 72 hours or less, a tiny win cap on a large bonus, or terms that bar the games you actually want to play. A good offer is easy to read. If you cannot find the wagering requirement within a minute, move on to a different casino.
Frequently asked questions
What is a wagering requirement?
It is the amount you must bet before bonus funds, or winnings from them, can be withdrawn. It is written as a multiple, so 10x on a £50 bonus means £500 in total bets.
Is there a limit on wagering requirements in the UK?
Yes. Since 19 January 2026, new bonuses offered to UK customers by licensed operators can carry wagering requirements of no more than 10x the bonus amount.
Do all games count towards wagering?
No. Slots usually count 100%, while table games and live casino often count 10% or less, and some games are excluded entirely. The terms list the weighting for each game type.
What is the difference between a sticky and a non-sticky bonus?
A sticky bonus stays in your account and cannot be withdrawn, only the winnings can. A non-sticky bonus is used after your cash, so you can withdraw cash winnings if you forfeit the bonus before wagering it.
Can I lose my deposit while using a bonus?
Yes. A bonus does not protect your own money. Losses on a bonus balance are real, so only deposit an amount you are comfortable losing.
Are casino bonuses worth taking?
Sometimes. Low wagering, no win cap and a long time limit make a bonus worth more. High wagering and heavy restrictions usually make it worth less than it looks.
Try the calculators
About the author
Daniel WardFounder and Editor
Daniel Ward founded BettingSeeker and is responsible for everything published on it. He has spent his career in SEO and content for online betting and casino comparison sites, and today leads SEO for a portfolio of gambling comparison sites across several countries.
- Licensed betting and casino markets in the UK, US and Canada
- Bookmaker and online casino reviews
- Welcome offers and bonus terms