Key points
- Most casino bonuses come with conditions; the headline amount is rarely what you can withdraw.
- Wagering basis (bonus only vs deposit plus bonus), game weighting, max bet, max cashout and expiry decide the real value.
- Because every casino game has a house edge, long wagering requirements usually cost more than the bonus is worth.
- In Ontario, only iGaming Ontario-listed sites are regulated, and public advertising of bonuses is prohibited under AGCO Standard 2.05.
How casino bonuses work
A bonus is promotional value credited to your account, usually as bonus funds or free spins, that you can only convert into withdrawable money after meeting the operator's conditions. The most common is the welcome deposit match, where the casino adds a percentage of your first deposit up to a cap. Others reward existing players, refund part of your losses, or are given without any deposit. Each type has its own guide.
| Bonus type | What you receive | Main catch to check |
|---|
| No deposit bonus | Small credit or spins on sign-up | Low max cashout, KYC before withdrawal |
| Free spins | Spins at a fixed stake on set slots | Wagering on winnings, max conversion |
| No wagering bonus | Winnings withdrawable without playthrough | Smaller size, caps, sticky bonus funds |
| Non-sticky bonus | Real money played first, bonus second | Withdrawing forfeits the bonus |
| Cashback bonus | Percentage of net losses returned | Paid as cash or as wagered bonus |
| Reload bonus | Match on later deposits | Same wagering rules as a welcome bonus |
| High roller bonus | Larger match for large deposits | Max bet and withdrawal limits |
| Exclusive bonus | Offer tied to a code or referral link | May not beat the public offer |
The terms that change a bonus's real value
- Wagering basis. A 35x requirement on the bonus alone is half the playthrough of 35x on deposit plus bonus. Always check which amount the multiplier applies to.
- Game weighting. Slots often count 100% toward wagering while table and live games may count 10% or nothing. Some games are excluded entirely.
- Max bet. Most terms cap each stake while a bonus is active. Breaking the cap can void winnings.
- Max cashout. Some bonuses, especially no deposit offers, limit how much you can ever withdraw from them.
- Expiry. Bonus funds and spins usually expire after a set number of days, and unfinished wagering is lost.
- Sticky vs non-sticky. A sticky bonus can never be withdrawn and is removed when you cash out. A non-sticky bonus lets you play your own money first.
- Excluded payment methods. Some operators do not award bonuses on deposits made with certain e-wallets.
- KYC before withdrawal. Expect to verify identity and address before the first withdrawal, and sometimes before any bonus winnings are paid.
Worked example (hypothetical numbers)
Suppose you deposit $100 and receive a 100% match of $100. The figures below are invented to show the arithmetic, not taken from any operator.
- At 35x the bonus, you must wager 35 × $100 = $3,500.
- At 35x deposit plus bonus, you must wager 35 × $200 = $7,000.
- If you play a slot with a theoretical return of 96%, the expected cost of wagering $3,500 is about 4% of $3,500, or $140. At $7,000 it is about $280.
- If you play blackjack weighted at 10%, each $10 bet counts as only $1, so $3,500 of required wagering would need $35,000 in actual bets.
In both versions the expected cost of the playthrough is higher than the $100 bonus. That is normal: wagering requirements are commonly set so that the player has a negative expectation. Short-term results vary widely, but the average favours the house.
How to read bonus terms
- Find the full bonus terms, not just the banner, and check the date they were last updated.
- Note the wagering multiplier and whether it applies to the bonus or to deposit plus bonus.
- Check the game weighting table and the list of excluded games.
- Write down the max bet, max cashout, minimum deposit and expiry.
- Check excluded payment methods and whether a bonus code or opt-in is needed.
- Read the general terms on verification and withdrawals, including any weekly limits.
Canadian context
Gambling in Canada is regulated province by province, so whether a bonus is offered to you legally depends on where you live. In Ontario, only the sites listed in the iGaming Ontario operator directory are regulated for Ontario players. Outside Ontario, regulated online gambling is generally offered through provincial lottery or gaming corporations, so check your province's official site. A casino licence from Curaçao, Anjouan, Malta or Kahnawake does not amount to permission from any province. The legal gambling age is 19 in most provinces and 18 in Alberta, Manitoba and Québec.
Ontario also restricts how bonuses are advertised. Under Standard 2.05 of the AGCO Registrar's Standards for Internet Gaming, public advertising of inducements, bonuses and credits is prohibited. Regulated operators may show offers once you are on their own site or app, and may send them by direct marketing only if you consented on the gaming site. Standard 2.06 requires all material conditions to be disclosed when an offer is first shown, and an offer may not be called free or risk-free if you have to risk your own money.
Play within limits
A bonus is a marketing cost for the casino, not a way to earn money. If you do play, set deposit and time limits in your account first, decline offers you do not need, and use self-exclusion if gambling stops being fun. The Responsible Gambling Council offers free information and support.
Sources
- AGCO — Important Information for Advertising and Marketing in Ontario's New iGaming Market — Standard 2.05 of the Registrar's Standards for Internet Gaming prohibits public advertising of inducements, bonuses and credits; offers may be shown on the operator's own site or app and sent by direct marketing only to players who consented on the gaming site. Standard 2.06 requires all material conditions to be disclosed and bars calling offers free if the player must risk their own money. (accessed 24 Oct 2026)
- iGaming Ontario — Operators (What Sites Are Regulated?) — iGaming Ontario's directory lists the sites of regulated operators contracted by iGO; the page states it is accurate as of 1 September 2026. (accessed 24 Oct 2026)
- Wikipedia — Online casino (bonus section) — Describes deposit-match welcome bonuses, wagering requirements set so the player usually has a negative expectation, game restrictions, cashback, no-deposit and sticky bonuses. (accessed 24 Oct 2026)
