Wagering Requirements
We understand that T&Cs can be a bit of a drag, and quite possibly take away the fun of what should otherwise be an entertaining pastime. But, if there’s one set of rules you shouldn’t disregard, it’s most definitely the wagering requirements. Ignoring these guidelines could very well invalidate any potential winnings. Bet we’ve caught your attention now, huh?!
Also referred to as playthrough requirements, wagering requirements are characterized by a multiplier (such as 20x, 45x, or 60x,) within the bonus terms. The way it works is simple: before withdrawing the money, you’re required to use it to make as many bets possible until you reach the wagering target.
The following breakdown is an example to illustrate how bonus wagering works in terms of an instant casino bonus:
Example
Let’s say you’ve been credited a €10 bonus with a wagering requirement of 60x. This means you must bet the sum of €600 to convert the bonus to real, withdrawable money.
€10 bonus x a 60x wagering requirement = €600 to wager.
Once you’ve wagered €600, any remaining bonus funds will instantaneously be credited to your account balance. When playing with free spins, the wagering requirement is applicable to the winning amount.
As you can see, the target of €600 is a considerable amount of money – and it can be an even greater amount. Sometimes in the region of thousands of dollars. There are two possible outcomes when trying to achieve a bonus wagering requirement:
- Finishing your balance before you complete the wagering
- Successfully reaching the target with some leftover funds
The most common outcome is usually the first; you’ll probably burn through your funds much sooner than the wagering is completed. This outcome is obviously in the casino’s favor and ultimately the main reason why wagering requirements exist. Whenever a player wins and withdraws money from free bonus play, it’s at the casino’s expense. Thus, high wagering requirements are put in place to mitigate such losses.
Yet, despite the steep requirements, there will always be a handful of lucky players who not only manage to hit the target and complete the wagering requirements, but also have some remaining balance in their casino account. Such players would have managed what many players don’t – beat the casino odds – WHEW…Lucky them! They’re now able to make a withdrawal request, provided they follow a few remaining bonus rules.
Withdrawable Limit
To find out the maximum amount of money you can win and withdraw with any bonus, pay particular attention to this rule. On bonuses requiring a cash deposit, such limits are applied sporadically. But in the case of instant play bonuses which are free, the likelihood of a maximum cashout limit is high.
Many instant play no deposit bonus casinos have the cashout limit of approximately $100 or its equivalent in other currencies (whether fiat or crypto). The cashout rule is applied once a player fulfills the wagering requirement. It’s good to point out that any extra cash exceeding the limit in the account is lost and the rest is credited to the player’s bank account.
For instance, if the cashout limit is $100 and your total is $145 in your account once you’ve wagered, the casino will allow you to withdraw $100. This automatically means you’ll be forfeiting the remainder of $45.
Selected Games
If you plan on benefitting from a no deposit instant play bonus, the casino limits your game choice. You’re only allowed to utilize your bonus spins on specified slots. It’s quite common for a casino to link those spins to one particular slot game. Fortunately, it’s usually a renowned and beloved title like Starburst or Book of Dead. Moreover, there are even rules detailing a list of slots and other table games which prohibit you from placing bets with your bonus winnings.
That’s why we recommend that you check the list of games mentioned in the casino bonus T&Cs before even trying to fulfill your wagering requirements. Unfortunately, even if you unintentionally play any of the restricted games on this list, your winning balance will be depleted in its entirety. Don’t say we didn’t warn you!
Bonus Time Window
The majority of online casinos offer a small time window when it comes to instant bonus validity. The standard is a ‘use-by’ date of about 24 hours. The clock starts ticking once the no deposit free spins is claimed and it appears in your account.
You’re expected to successfully complete two things within these 24 hours:
- Exhaust the instant play bonus free spins
- Fulfill the wagering requirements
Failure to do these things before the deadline means you’re unable to withdraw your bonus winnings.