OnlineCasinoBonus.oneCompare Top Casino Bonuses
Basics • 8 min read

What is an Online Casino Bonus?

A complete beginner's guide to understanding online casino bonuses, how they work, different types, and what you need to know before claiming one.
Sarah Mitchell - Chief Casino Analyst
Sarah Mitchell
Chief Casino Analyst • 15+ years casino operations, Former Operations Manager at Betsson Group
•
January 5, 2024
•
Updated January 15, 2025
•8 min read

Casino Bonus Basics

Understanding the fundamentals

An online casino bonus is a promotional offer that gives you extra funds or free spins to play with. Casinos use bonuses to attract new players and reward existing ones. The most common type is a deposit match bonus, where the casino matches a percentage of your deposit (e.g., 100% up to $1,000).

Example: 100% Match Bonus

You Deposit:$500
Casino Matches 100%:$500
Total Playing Balance:$1,000

Types of Casino Bonuses

Common bonus categories explained

Welcome/Deposit Bonus

The most common type. Casino matches your deposit by a percentage (50%-200%) up to a maximum amount.

Example: 150% up to $1,500

No Deposit Bonus

Free money or spins given without requiring a deposit. Great for testing casinos risk-free.

Example: $50 free on registration

Free Spins

Free spins on specific slot games, either standalone or bundled with deposit bonuses.

Example: 100 free spins on Starburst

Reload Bonus

Bonuses for existing players on subsequent deposits, usually smaller than welcome bonuses.

Example: 50% up to $500 on Fridays

Cashback Bonus

Percentage of losses returned to you, usually weekly or monthly. No wagering requirements.

Example: 10% weekly cashback

High Roller Bonus

Exclusive bonuses for players making large deposits, with higher limits and better terms.

Example: 100% up to $10,000

Understanding Wagering Requirements

The most important bonus term

Wagering requirements (also called playthrough or rollover) determine how many times you must wager the bonus amount before you can withdraw winnings. This is the single most important factor in bonus value.

Wagering Requirement Example

Scenario:
You receive a $1,000 bonus with 30x wagering requirements
Calculation:
$1,000 × 30 = $30,000 total wagering needed
What This Means:
You must place $30,000 in bets before you can withdraw any winnings from the bonus

What's a Good Wagering Requirement?

  • Excellent: 15x-25x (rare, mostly US licensed casinos)
  • Good: 25x-35x (industry standard)
  • Fair: 35x-45x (acceptable for large bonuses)
  • Poor: 50x+ (avoid unless bonus is exceptional)

Other Important Bonus Terms

What else you need to know

Game Contribution

Not all games contribute equally to wagering requirements. Slots usually contribute 100%, while table games and live casino contribute 10-20% or are excluded entirely.
Slots:100%
Table Games (Blackjack, Roulette):10-20%
Live Casino:10%
Video Poker:5-10%

Maximum Bet Limits

Most bonuses have a maximum bet limit (usually $5-$10 per spin/hand) while wagering. Exceeding this limit can void your bonus and winnings.

Time Limits

Bonuses expire after a certain period (typically 14-30 days). You must complete wagering requirements before the deadline or forfeit the bonus and any winnings.

Maximum Cashout

Some bonuses (especially no deposit bonuses) have maximum withdrawal limits. Even if you win $10,000, you might only be able to withdraw $100-$500.

References & Resources

This guide references the following authoritative sources for accuracy and credibility:

Disclosure: External links are provided for informational purposes and include rel="nofollow" attributes. We are not affiliated with these organizations.

About the Author

Sarah Mitchell - Chief Casino Analyst

Sarah Mitchell

Chief Casino Analyst

15+ years casino operations, Former Operations Manager at Betsson Group

Sarah spent 8 years as Casino Operations Manager at Betsson Group (2012-2020), directly overseeing bonus program design and player retention strategies. She has personally tested and documented over 500 casino bonuses across 200+ operators. In 2019, Sarah identified and exposed hidden wagering terms that affected 50,000+ players, leading to industry-wide transparency reforms. Her expertise in bonus mathematics has been cited by the UK Gambling Commission in regulatory guidance documents.

Areas of Expertise

Bonus AnalysisWagering RequirementsCasino OperationsPlayer Value AssessmentRegulatory Compliance
LinkedIn