Bonus Terms And Conditions Explained
Every casino bonus comes with terms and conditions, and they decide whether you can actually withdraw what you win. The key terms to check are the wagering requirement, bet limits, game restrictions, the maximum cash-out, the time limit and the deposit and withdrawal rules. This guide explains each one in plain language.
Bonuses make playing at South African online casinos more fun, and sites offer a wide variety of promotions to suit every kind of player. But a rich and varied offering can also be confusing, and it can lead to the wrong choice.
The only reliable way to be sure a bonus is right for you is to read the terms attached to it. Scrolling through fine print is no fun, but think of it as a “necessary evil” that can mean the difference between cashing out a win and walking away empty-handed. Be ready to check the terms every time you want to claim a bonus. If you are not sure which kind of offer you are looking at, start with our guide to the types of casino bonuses.
Where to Find the Bonus T&Cs on the Website
The footer of a casino website usually has General Terms and Conditions and Bonus Terms and Conditions as separate documents.
The Bonus T&Cs contain the important information about using the casino’s promotions. The General T&Cs govern how players use the site and cover a broad range of topics, including some rules that could apply to bonuses but are not always repeated on the bonus page.
The terms for a specific bonus, and a link to the full T&Cs, are usually on the same page as the advertised deal. At some casinos all the terms are easy to find in one place. At others you have to do some digging, so allow a few minutes before you opt in.
Wagering Requirements
Occasionally you will come across a wager-free promotion, but most casino bonuses have wagering requirements. Also called playthrough, a wagering requirement (WR) is a multiplier showing how many times you must wager the bonus amount before you can withdraw winnings that came from bonus funds or free spins.
Always check whether you need to wager only the bonus, or the deposit as well. If both count, an attractive-looking playthrough of 25x can turn out to be worse than a “higher” 35x that applies only to the bonus.
The maths is simple. Worked example (illustrative figures, not a real offer): you deposit R1,000 and receive a R1,000 match bonus.
- 25x on deposit plus bonus: R2,000 x 25 = R50,000 in bets.
- 35x on the bonus only: R1,000 x 35 = R35,000 in bets.
Not all games contribute to wagering equally. Most online slots count 100%, usually except for games with very high RTP. For video poker and table games, the average contribution is often between 10% and 25%, with Hold’em, Caribbean Stud and other poker variants going up to 50%. Some websites give table games zero or 5% contribution.
For a step-by-step method, see how to use a wagering requirements calculator. Some offers are also built differently, such as non-sticky bonuses, so check the terms of each type.
Bet Limits
It is hard to find an online casino that does not limit the maximum single bet while you play with bonus funds. This is done to prevent bonus abuse. Break the rule and you risk your winnings being voided, so check the limit before you start.
Example (illustrative figure): if the limit is R75 per bet, a single R100 bet would break the rule, even if you were winning at the time.
Game Restrictions
Some bonuses can be played on almost any online slot in the lobby. Others are valid only on specific titles. It is not unusual to see a free spins bonus that can only be used on one particular slot, so once again, do not skip the terms.
Some casinos also treat it as irregular play when you switch game types during a bonus, for instance starting with roulette and then moving to slots, or the other way round. If that rule exists, you will most likely find it in the General Bonus T&Cs.
Maximum Cash-Out
It would be great to keep every cent of your winnings, but with bonuses that is not always possible. With no deposit bonuses it never is, because they all have a maximum cash-out rule that lets you withdraw only a set amount of your winnings. Our guide to free spins and no deposit bonuses covers these offers in more detail.
With bonuses that require a deposit, many casinos do not put a ceiling on winnings after you complete the playthrough, but some do limit how much you can cash out. This should be clearly stated in the terms of the promotion, though at some casinos it is only mentioned in the general bonus policy.
Worked example (illustrative figures): you win R500 from free spins, but the maximum cash-out is R200. You can withdraw R200, and the other R300 is forfeited.
Expiry and Time Limits
Most bonuses expire. You are often given a set period to claim the bonus, and another to meet the wagering requirement. If time runs out, the bonus and any winnings from it can be removed from your account. The length of the period differs between casinos and between offers, so look for it in the terms before you accept, and plan your play to fit.
Free spins can have their own expiry too, so use them as soon as you can.
Minimum Deposit and Withdrawal Rules
Most deposit bonuses only apply if your deposit reaches a minimum amount, and that amount is stated in the terms. If you deposit less, you may not receive the bonus at all. If you want to keep the amount low, see our guide to R100 minimum deposit bonuses.
Withdrawal rules also matter. Casinos can require you to finish the wagering before any withdrawal, or to cancel the bonus if you withdraw early, in which case the bonus and its winnings may be lost. They may also limit which payment methods can be used, and ask you to verify your identity before paying out. Check these rules before you deposit.
Not every offer works the same way. A cashback bonus, for instance, has its own terms, so read them separately.
Read Before You Claim
At the risk of sounding stuffy, we want to stress again how important it is to read both the general and the specific bonus terms. Casino bonuses can add to your playing time, but only when you understand the rules attached to them. If the terms look unreasonable, you do not have to claim the offer.
18+ only. Gamble responsibly: SA Responsible Gambling Foundation counselling line 0800 006 008 (24/7).