I used to grab every casino bonus I saw. A big deposit match? Tons of free spins? Count me in. I never bothered to read the terms. And guess what? I ended up with locked winnings, canceled bonuses, and plenty of frustration.
Now, I read the fine print first, and I totally recommend you do the same. Read on to see how I do it.
These days, I stick to sites with clear terms, like Betpoint Online Casino if you’re in Italy. They’re regulated there, so the bonus terms are straightforward, and their Luna Park promotions actually make sense when you read the fine print. No nasty surprises hiding in paragraph 47 of the terms.
Why You Should Always Read the Terms
The first time I got burned was on a €200 bonus. I thought I could just cash out my winnings. Nope — hidden clauses meant I had to wager 40x first. I hadn’t even noticed that.
Since then, I learned this: the real deal is in the terms. An offer that looks great on the front page can be full of limits. If you skip the details, you risk wasting your time or losing what you won.
Top 6 Bonus Terms To Consider
1. Wagering Requirements — The First Thing I Check
This is the first line I look for now. You’ll see something like “x35” or “x40” attached to the promo.
That means you need to bet that many times the bonus (or deposit+bonus) before you can withdraw. For example:
€100 bonus with x35 means you need to wager €3,500 first.
If the wagering is too high (I usually skip anything over x40), it’s not worth it. It takes too long and eats into your balance. These days, I stick to offers with lower playthrough requirements.
2. Game Restrictions — Where You Can and Can’t Use It
Another trap I ran into: trying to use extra cash on blackjack. I later found out table games didn’t count toward wagering.
Slots usually count 100%. However, many casinos block table games or give them a low contribution (like 10%). Some even exclude certain slots.
Now, I check the list of eligible games right away. If my favorite slots aren’t on the list — or if too many are excluded — I skip that offer.
3. Time Limits That Can Trip You Up
One promo gave me just 7 days to meet the wagering. I thought that was plenty. Then life got busy. I didn’t finish it in time, and the offer expired — along with my winnings.
Now, I always check the time limit. I prefer offers that give at least 14 days, or even 30. If it’s too short, I don’t take it. There’s no point adding pressure to your play.
4. Max Bet Limits — Easy to Miss
Here’s one I didn’t even know about in the beginning: max bet while using bonus money.
Some terms say you can’t bet more than €5 per spin, or €3, or even €10. If you go over, the casino can void your reward.
I once played €10 spins without checking this — and lost the bonus. Now, I always adjust my bet size first to stay under the limit. Better safe than sorry.
5. Withdrawal Caps — The Sneakiest Clause
This one really annoyed me: I won €500 on free spins — but the terms capped the payout at €100. I hadn’t seen that part. The rest of my winnings were gone.
Now, I always look for payout caps. Some bonuses cap your withdrawal even if you win big. I skip these unless I’m just playing for fun. If I’m aiming for a solid payout, I want no cap.
6. Bonus Abuse Clauses — What You Should Avoid Doing
One time I tried splitting big bets and small bets to “game” the system. Bad idea. Many casinos have clauses that void your bonus if you try clever tricks.
Abuse rules cover stuff like:
- Betting max, then betting minimum
- Using low-risk strategies to meet wagering
- Trying to withdraw before finishing the bonus
Now, my rule is simple: play straight. Don’t overthink it. Casinos watch for patterns, and if they think you’re trying to cheat, you’ll lose your reward.
Reading terms gets easier with practice. If you want to compare different approaches to gaming, https://aviatoronlinebet.com/en-au/ offers alternative gaming formats where the rules tend to be more straightforward than complex casino bonuses.
How I Pick Good Bonuses Now
Here’s my quick checklist when I scan bonus terms:
- Wagering: x35 or less
- Time: at least 14 days
- Games: no weird restrictions
- Max bet: clear and reasonable (€5 or more)
- Withdrawal cap: none, or very high
If an offer checks these boxes, I’m in. If not, I pass.
Where do I find good ones? I usually check trusted casinos I’ve used before. They tend to have fairer terms. New sites with “huge” offers often hide nasty clauses.
Smart Bonus Hunting Beats the Fine Print
These days, I don’t fall for the flashy promo banners. I take 2–3 minutes to scan the terms. It’s worth it. I’ve saved myself a lot of wasted spins and missed winnings this way.
If you do the same, you’ll quickly spot which offers are fair — and which ones to skip.
