A bonus can be cancelled, along with everything you won with it, even after the wagering is done. The culprit is almost always one of four rules: the maximum bet per spin, the time limit to complete wagering, the win cap and excluded games. At the casinos in our selection that state it, the max bet ranges from €3 to €8 per spin, and 5 of the 9 casinos whose time limit we know give you 7 days or less to wager the bonus.
These rules live in the terms and conditions, rarely on the bonus banner. This guide goes through them one by one, using the figures from our reviews and the maths that shows what each rule means in practice.
Welcome bonus rules, casino by casino
This table lists the first-deposit bonus terms as recorded in our reviews, in the order of our ranking. “Not stated” means our review does not mention the rule, not that it doesn’t exist: check it in the casino’s terms. A casino that is paused drops out of the list automatically.
| Casino | Wagering | Time limit | Max bet | Win cap | Good to know |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Velobet | x30 (deposit + bonus) | 30 days | €5 | Not stated | Table games and live count far less; some high-RTP games excluded |
| Spin Million | x35 (deposit + bonus) | Not stated | €8 | Not stated | — |
| BetFury | x40 | 7 days to activate, 14 to wager | $10 | 1.2 × the bonus | — |
| Lussurio | x30 (deposit + bonus) | 14 days to activate, 7 to wager | Not stated | Not stated | Each deposit must be wagered 3 times before withdrawing |
| Unique Casino | x40 (bonus) | 10 days | Not stated | No cap | No bonus on Skrill and Paysafecard deposits; contribution varies by provider |
| HighSpin | x35 | 72 h to activate, valid 7 days | €5 | Not stated | Table games and roulette at 5%; Bonus Buy does not count |
| Party Spinz | x33 (bonus) | Not stated | Not stated | €1,000 on the first bonus | Switching game categories to get around wagering counts as abuse |
| WelleBet | x30 (deposit + bonus) | 7 days | €3 | Not stated | Each deposit must be wagered 3 times before withdrawing |
| CrownSlots | x40 | 7 days | Not stated | Not stated | — |
| Celsius | x40 | Not stated | €5 | Not stated | — |
| Go4Casino | x30 | 30 days | Not stated | Not stated | — |
| Spinaura | x40 (bonus) | 7 days | Not stated | 10 × the bonus | — |
Taken from the casinos’ terms and recorded in our reviews. Offers change: the casino’s terms at the time of deposit are what count.
Max bet: the rule people break without noticing
While a bonus is active, every spin is capped at a fixed amount, most often €5 in our selection. The rule targets players who would bet big for a quick hit with the casino’s money. It applies to every single spin, not to an average: one spin over the limit can be enough to void the bonus and its winnings, even days later when you ask to withdraw.
The usual traps: reopening a slot where you had set a higher stake before taking the bonus, doubling down at blackjack, or buying a bonus feature. A bonus buy often costs 100 times the stake: at a €1 stake the feature costs €100, far above the max bet. At HighSpin, Bonus Buy features don’t count towards wagering at all.
What the max bet and the time limit add up to
Together, the max bet and the time limit set a minimum pace. For a €100 deposit, betting the maximum allowed on every spin (the fastest possible case):
| Casino | Total to wager | Minimum spins | Per day |
|---|---|---|---|
| Velobet | €7,500 ((€100 + €150) × 30) | 1,500 spins at €5 | 50 spins a day for 30 days |
| WelleBet | €6,000 ((€100 + €100) × 30) | 2,000 spins at €3 | 286 spins a day for 7 days |
With similar wagering, the gap comes from the time limit and the max bet: 50 spins a day for 30 days at Velobet, against 286 spins a day for 7 days at WelleBet. At roughly one spin every 5 seconds, 286 spins is close to 24 minutes of play every single day. If you only play at weekends, a short time limit makes the bonus very hard to clear: you are better off playing without it.
Betting below the maximum, which is kinder to your balance, means even more spins. Our bonus calculator gives the total to wager and the expected average loss for any offer.
The time limit: wagering has a deadline
Each bonus must be wagered within a set period from activation. Once it expires, the remaining bonus and the related winnings are removed from your balance. Some casinos add an activation window too: at HighSpin, the bonus must be activated within 72 hours and then stays valid for 7 days.
With a welcome package spread over several deposits, the clock usually runs separately for each bonus. Don’t make the next deposit if you don’t have time to play through the bonus that comes with it: nothing forces you to take every step of the package.
The win cap: what you can actually withdraw
Some bonuses limit how much you can withdraw thanks to them. The cap is often a multiple of the bonus, and it applies to winnings that come from the bonus, not to your account as a whole.
| Casino | Cap | With a bonus of 100, maximum withdrawal… |
|---|---|---|
| BetFury | 1.2 × the bonus | $120 of bonus winnings |
| Spinaura | 10 × the bonus | €1,000 |
| Party Spinz | €1,000 on the first bonus | €1,000, whatever the bonus |
| Unique Casino | No cap | No bonus-related limit |
A low cap changes the maths: at 1.2 times the bonus, the best possible outcome is a small win, while the amount you must wager stays the same. A cap of 10 times the bonus only matters for very big wins. Don’t confuse it with daily, weekly or monthly withdrawal limits, which apply to all winnings, bonus or not, and which we list in every review.
Excluded games and wagering contribution
Not every game moves wagering forward at the same speed. Slots usually count at 100%. Table games, roulette and live games count far less, or not at all: at HighSpin, table games and roulette count for just 5%.
The maths: €1,000 bet on roulette
At a 5% contribution, €1,000 of roulette bets counts as only €50 of wagering. To clear €3,000 of wagering you would need to bet €60,000 on roulette, against €3,000 on a slot that counts at 100%.
Some casinos also exclude specific slots, usually high-RTP games or jackpot games, as Velobet does. Playing an excluded game doesn’t just waste time: some terms allow the bonus to be cancelled. The list is in the bonus terms; our RTP guide explains why these games are targeted.
Behaviour that gets a bonus cancelled
Multiple accounts
A welcome bonus is limited to one account per person, and often per household, IP address or payment method. Opening a second account to claim it again usually ends with the accounts closed and the winnings voided.
Strategies deemed abusive
Covering both sides at roulette, using a martingale or switching games to get around the rules: Party Spinz, for example, treats switching game categories to dodge wagering as bonus abuse.
An excluded deposit method
Some payment methods don’t qualify for the bonus: at Unique Casino, Skrill and Paysafecard deposits are excluded. Check before you deposit, not after.
Withdrawing before wagering is done
A withdrawal request during wagering often forfeits the bonus. Don’t confuse this with having to wager your deposit before withdrawing: Lussurio and WelleBet require each deposit to be wagered 3 times, an anti-money-laundering rule that applies even without a bonus.
These are also the reasons casinos give for refusing a payout. If that has already happened to you, our guide to a pending or declined casino withdrawal explains how to ask for the exact rule and challenge it.
When is it better to turn the bonus down?
- You play in short, spread-out sessions: a 7-day limit with a low max bet doesn’t work unless you play every day.
- You prefer table or live games: at a 5 to 10% contribution, wagering is out of reach.
- You usually stake more than the max bet: the risk of one wrong spin is real.
- The win cap is low: you still have to wager the full amount while the possible win is limited.
Another option is a bonus with no wagering at all. Spin Dynasty and Lucky Treasure Casino offer a no-wager welcome bonus, which makes most of the rules in this guide irrelevant. See our guide to no-wager casinos.
⚠️ A bonus is not money won
Bonus rules push you to play more, more often and for longer so you don’t “lose” the bonus before the deadline. That is no reason to deposit again or stay longer than planned. Set your budget before you play, use the deposit limits in your account, and let a bonus expire rather than chase it. If gambling is becoming hard to control, our responsible gambling page points you to help.
Checklist before accepting a bonus
- Note the max bet per spin and set your stakes below it
- Check the time limits to activate and to wager the bonus
- Work out the total to wager: bonus only, or deposit + bonus?
- Look for a win cap and compare it with the amount to wager
- Read each game category’s contribution and the list of excluded games
- Make sure your deposit method qualifies for the bonus
- Don’t buy bonus features or request a withdrawal during wagering
Frequently asked questions
What is the max bet rule on a casino bonus?
It is the highest stake you may place per spin or hand while a bonus is active. Among the casinos in our selection that state it, it ranges from €3 to €8, with €5 the most common value.
What happens if I go over the max bet?
Casino terms usually allow them to cancel the bonus and any winnings made with it, even for a single spin above the limit. Some casinos block stakes that are too high, others do not: don’t rely on the software to stop you.
What is a win cap on a bonus?
It is the most you can withdraw thanks to a bonus, often expressed as a multiple of the bonus (for example 10 times the bonus). Anything above it is removed from your balance when wagering is completed or when you withdraw.
Do table games count towards wagering?
Rarely at 100%. Slots usually count in full, while table games, roulette and live games count for a small share (5% at some casinos) or not at all. Check the contribution of each game category in the bonus terms.
Can I turn down a welcome bonus?
Yes, almost always: just leave the bonus unticked when you deposit, or ask support not to activate it. Without a bonus none of these rules apply, and your winnings can be withdrawn straight away once your account is verified.
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9 years of experience in the iGaming industry. Former analyst for two European operators, Thomas tests every casino with a real account and real wagers before any publication.
To compare two casinos’ terms side by side, use our casino comparison tool, or see our list of the best online casinos.
Gambling involves risks, including debt, isolation and addiction. Responsible gambling.