Bonus terms explained: the glossary you need before you play
Bonus terms are often long and full of jargon. They are also where the important rules live and where a dispute about a payout is settled. This page is a glossary: what the most common terms mean and what to look for.
The key terms
| Term | What it means |
|---|---|
| Wagering requirement | How many times an amount must be staked before it can be withdrawn |
| Contribution | The share of a stake on a given game that counts towards wagering |
| Maximum bet | The largest stake per round allowed while the bonus is active |
| Expiry | The time you have to meet the requirement |
| Maximum cashout | The largest amount that can be withdrawn from bonus play |
| Excluded games | Games that do not count or cannot be played with bonus funds |
Amounts, percentages, requirements and deadlines are set by the operator and can change — the bonus terms on the operator's site are what apply.
The rule that costs players most
The maximum-bet rule is the one players break most often without knowing. If the terms cap stakes at 5 per round while a bonus is active, a single round at 6 can be enough for the operator to remove both bonus and winnings. The rule often applies to rounds played with your own money while the bonus is active, too.
Contribution: why table games count for little
Worked example: if slots count 100% and blackjack 10%, staking 100 on blackjack moves you only 10 towards the requirement. The reason is that table games have a lower house edge, and operators do not want wagering met cheaply. If you prefer table or live games, a bonus is almost always a poor fit.
Which money is used first
Many terms state whether your real money or bonus funds are used first. If real money goes first, you may be able to withdraw a win before the bonus activates. If bonus funds go first, everything is locked. Look for phrases such as "real money first" or "bonus funds".
Go to the offerKeep the version that applied
Terms change. Save a copy or screenshot of the terms in force when you accepted the bonus, with the date. If there is a disagreement, that is the version to point to — see complaints.