Online casinos aggressively market their deposit bonuses, making it seem like they are handing out free money.

The reality is that these promotional funds are heavily restricted by a mechanism called a playthrough requirement.

How the Bonus Catch Actually Works

A wagering requirement is a multiplier that dictates exactly how much money you must bet before you can withdraw.

For example, if you receive a $100 bonus with a 30x requirement, you must place $3,000 worth of bets.

• The goal of the casino is for you to lose the bonus money before hitting the target
• Always check if the multiplier applies only to the bonus, or the deposit + bonus combined
• Understanding this math is crucial to determining if an offer is actually worth taking

Not All Casino Games Count Equally

Casinos are smart; they know which games have the lowest house edge, and they restrict them accordingly.

Live dealer games and high-RTP table games are frequently excluded from bonus wagering entirely (0% contribution).

Always read the fine print carefully, and never accept a bonus if the playthrough multiplier exceeds 50x.