Understanding promotion terms and conditions

Most online casinos offer some sort of bonus for players as an incentive for joining, making a deposit, referring a friend, or reloading their account. But of course, nothing comes for free so there are some strings attached to any money that's offered under a promotional offer from an online casino, and these are the Promotional Terms and Conditions.

Players can typically read more details about them by clicking on a link to the Bonus/Promotional Terms and Conditions, but it's important to understand what players are likely to see listed and what everything means so they don't feel mislead. When you read Promotional Terms and Conditions, do so closely, and keep this guide in mind.

Here are the basic components of Promotional Terms and Conditions:

1. Cashable versus non-cashable (sticky) bonuses – outlined in the terms and conditions will be the type of bonus that is offered. A cashable bonus, means that once players have met the other terms and conditions, they can cash out any money that's in their account, including the amount of the bonus offered. A sticky bonus or non-cashable bonus allows players to withdraw their winnings, even those earned with the bonus; but the amount of the bonus money issued originally is deducted when a first withdrawal is made so players do not technically get the bonus money
2. Wagering requirements – with all bonuses, there will be wagering requirements listed. This means that before players can make their first withdrawal, they must wager a certain amount of money. Typically, wagering requirements are referred to not as a total monetary figure, but the number of times the total bonus and deposit (if eligible) must be played through. This is why wagering requirements are also referred to as playthrough requirements. For example, a casino that says their wagering requirements are 40x, requires that a player bet the deposit plus bonus money 40 times over before they can make this first withdrawal. An example of wagering requirement calculations are as follows: 40x wagering requirements + $100 deposit + $100 bonus = players must bet a total of $8000 on the eligible games before they're allowed to make a withdrawal
3. Eligible games – at most casinos, bonus wagering requirements limit the games that players are allowed to play when meeting the terms and conditions. Often players are limited to slot and specialty games on typical bonuses, excluding table games. This is something that players should always check on carefully, because if Blackjack is your game and that's all you're planning on playing, a bonus that limits you to slots probably isn't right for you. Also, while checking on the eligible games, players must see what happens if they play the games that aren't counted under the wagering requirements. Some casinos will void the bonus is players are playing other games before they've met the bonus terms and conditions
4. Minimum deposit/maximum withdrawal – in order to receive most bonuses, there is a minimum deposit that players must make. Additionally, there is often a maximum amount set for the total that can be withdrawn once the terms and conditions are met. Casinos might set a flat rate; i.e. only $500 of winnings can be withdrawn after playing with the bonus. Or, they might refer to the maximum by the number of times; stating that only 10x the original bonus amount (bonus of $100 = maximum withdrawal $1000) can be withdrawn
These are some of the most common terms and conditions applied to bonuses that players should be aware of; although, it's essential with every bonus to read through the documents carefully before claiming the bonus so they know exactly what to expect.