Bonus terms decide whether an offer is worth anything. A few minutes with a checklist can save hours of frustration later.
Key points
- Read the significant terms before accepting any bonus; you can usually decline it.
- Check wagering, game contributions, maximum bet rules, expiry and withdrawal limits.
- Your own deposited money shouldn’t be locked away by bonus conditions.
- The Competition and Markets Authority has acted against unfair online gambling terms in the past.
- If terms are unclear or seem unfair, ask the operator, keep records and use the complaints process.
Most disputes over casino bonuses come down to terms the player didn’t read or didn’t understand. Use this checklist before accepting an offer, and remember that you can always say no.
The checklist
- Wagering requirement: how much you must stake before withdrawing, and what it’s calculated on. In Great Britain it’s capped at 10 times the bonus; see our wagering guide.
- Game contributions: which games count towards wagering, and at what rate.
- Maximum bet: the largest stake allowed while the bonus is active.
- Expiry: how long you have to use the bonus and meet its conditions.
- Withdrawal limits: any cap on winnings from the bonus.
- Qualifying deposit: the minimum deposit and any payment methods that don’t qualify.
- Verification: documents you may need before withdrawing.
Useful tip
Take a screenshot of the offer and its terms when you accept. If a dispute arises later, you’ll have a record of what was promised.
Your deposit is your money
Bonus terms shouldn’t trap your own deposited money. Following action by the Competition and Markets Authority, major operators committed to changing terms that restricted players from withdrawing their own funds. If terms seem to stop you withdrawing your own deposit, question it.
Watch for unclear wording
Terms should be easy to find and understand. Be cautious of:
- Key conditions buried in long general terms rather than shown with the offer.
- Vague rules that let the operator decide what counts as a breach.
- Conditions that change depending on how you play, without clear explanation.
If you disagree
- Ask the operator to explain in writing.
- Use the complaints process, and keep copies of everything.
- Escalate to the operator’s independent dispute resolution service if needed; our licence guide explains how.
Keep perspective
Bonuses are marketing, designed to encourage more play. If an offer would lead you to spend more than you planned, the best choice is to decline it.
Questions answered
Can an operator change bonus terms after I accept?
Terms should be fair and clear at the time you accept. If an operator applies new conditions to a bonus you’ve already accepted, ask for an explanation and consider a complaint.
What does ‘bonus abuse’ mean in terms?
Operators use it to describe behaviour they say breaks the spirit of an offer, such as opening several accounts. Terms should explain clearly what isn’t allowed.
Why might winnings be cancelled?
Common reasons include breaking the maximum bet rule, playing excluded games or missing a deadline. Clear terms help you avoid these.
Do I have to take a bonus?
No. You can usually decline a bonus, and playing without one avoids bonus restrictions.
18+ only. This guide is general information for adults in Great Britain, not encouragement to gamble. Gambling involves risk; only gamble with money you can afford to lose. For free, confidential support, call the National Gambling Helpline on 0808 8020 133, 24 hours a day.