Playthrough and Wager Requirements for Casino Bonuses and Promotions

Nicola Davidson
Written by
Nicola Davidson on 1/23/2012

Online gambling sites are all about the promotions these days. Competition is fierce, economies are tight, getting new players to make a deposit isn’t the easiest thing for casino operators to accomplish anymore. The end result is a range of excellent opportunities for players, including no deposit bonuses and other beneficial free casino promotions.

The biggest problem with no deposit bonuses is that they have the largest of all wagering requirements set forth by the casino. If a player claims a $10 no deposit bonus, they may have to wager as much as $1,000 before they can claim any profit from it. Wagering requirements of 100x are about as high as it gets, but it’s not unheard of. For these types of bonuses, the lowest wagering requirements you are likely to come across at any online gambling site is about 40-50x playthrough.

What this means is that you have to play though the size of the bonus that many times over before it becomes yours to keep. Thus a $10 bonus with 45x wagering requirements would necessitate $450 in bets, while 100x wagering requirements would entail bets totaling $1,000.

It sounds impossible, but it’s not. It doesn’t mean you can strategically clear every no deposit bonus you claim, but with smart play and a little luck on your side, it can be done. The trick is to pay very close attention to the full terms of free casino promotions.

Take note of what games you can play at the online gambling site using the free credits. If slots are the only option, strategy won’t do you nearly as much good as luck. Then again, choosing the right slot machines – especially those with progressive jackpots and the highest amount of free spin bonuses – can pay off big with a single lucky spin of the reels. If you are able play table games, such as blackjack, make sure to use an optimal strategy for that game to ensure the highest possible chance of a prosperous run at the tables.

Also pay attention to how much of the bonus you can actually withdrawal, and what other requirements must be met before doing so. Don’t be put off by an online gambling site that insists on a player making one minimal deposit before a withdrawal can be requested. You will quickly learn that all casinos require at least one minimum deposit in order to verify a player’s identity, thwarting any attempt at underage gambling where real money play is concerned.

Some no deposit bonuses will pay out “profit only”, and may also cap the potential profit on the bonus. A common cap would be $200. Let’s say you start with a $10 no deposit bonus and by the time you finish the wagering requirements you have $160 in your account. When you attempt to withdrawal, the initial $10 bonus is removed leaving you with a $150 profit. If your bankroll were above the $200 cap, let’s say $560, you would only be allowed to keep $200 upon withdrawal. The rest would vanish once you request the payout. If you don’t withdrawal, you will get to keep playing with the full amount, but it would be pointless since the remainder will eventually disappear if ever you cash it out.

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Nicola Davidson

Senior Content Writer

2619 Articles

Highlights

Nicola Davidson is a content writer with a focus in online gaming. With over 15 years of experience in the industry, she has extensive expertise in casino games, sports betting as well as emerging trends that pop up in the iGaming sector. Content is more than just information. It’s about creating an engaging experience for players. Nicola perfects this by writing reviews of new slot releases, a guide to betting strategies or cutting-edge industry news.

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