Online casinos aggressively market their deposit bonuses, making it seem like they are handing out free money.
The reality is that these promotional funds are heavily restricted by a mechanism called a playthrough requirement.
How the Bonus Catch Actually Works
A wagering requirement is a multiplier that dictates exactly how much money you must bet before you can withdraw.
If the terms state 20x on both the deposit ($100) and bonus ($100), you must wager $4,000 in total.
- Low wagering requirements (under 30x) are considered the gold standard in the industry
- Many players prefer to decline bonuses entirely to avoid dealing with these restrictions
- You must clear the playthrough before you can withdraw even your own initial deposit in most cases
Understanding Game Contributions
You cannot simply grind out the requirement on games like Blackjack that have a 99.5% RTP.
Typically, video slots contribute 100%, meaning every dollar spent removes a dollar from your target.
| Activity | Contribution Rule | Note |
|---|
| Video Poker | 0% - 5% | House edge is too low for the casino to allow it |
| Progressive Slots | Usually Restricted | Check terms; often completely banned with active bonuses |
By playing low-risk slots, you can slowly grind through the mathematical requirement and emerge with a profit.