So, you’ve spent hours researching the best iGaming sites, and you’re ready to sign up. Maybe you’re drawn to the promise of casino bonus funds through various no-deposit bonuses. Or perhaps the site’s incredible lineup of casino games has you reaching into your wallet to create an account and make the minimum deposit.
Pump the brakes. Have you taken a moment to understand online casinos’ terms and conditions? What payment options are supported? What wagering requirements you’ll have to meet?
Properly understanding online casino terms and conditions is vital to your success because they serve as guidelines for account rules and help maintain site security. They also prevent underage players from joining, regulate bonus usage, and ensure users understand what they’re getting themselves into when it comes to bonus funds, winnings, and loyalty programs.
Check out our thorough guide on online casino terms and conditions so you can make the most of your time when placing wagers online.
More on Online Casino Terms and Conditions
Explaining Terms and Conditions at Online Casinos
Bonus funds at online casinos don’t come without a catch—that’s where terms and conditions come into play. You’ll want to understand the withdrawal limits, time limits, wagering requirements, and minimum bet amounts to maintain your eligibility to withdraw real cash. If you don’t read the fine print, you might lose out on your valuable bonus funds.
More generally, terms and conditions also dictate how you can interact with online casinos. For instance, a platform might require players to use an existing deposit method to withdraw cash and set minimum/maximum withdrawal amounts. Online casino apps list acceptable payment methods like e-wallets, bank account transfers, and debit/credit cards, ensuring which ones are available for withdrawing bonus winnings.
But what details do real money online casinos collect from users, and how do they safeguard them? That’s where the casino’s privacy policy page comes into play with the terms and conditions. As a license requirement, real money gambling apps are required to display these pages for instant access.
Below, we discuss specific aspects of casino terms and conditions in further detail:
Wagering Requirements
When you look at the terms and conditions for a bonus, you may notice a wagering requirement that consists of a number followed by an “x.”
All online casino bonuses have wagering requirements attached to the specific games they apply to. Also known as play-through requirements, wagering requirements outline the minimum amount users must gamble from bonus winnings before they can withdraw any money. Attempting to make a premature withdrawal before the bonus terms are met might result in both the bonus and associated winnings becoming null and void.
Each bonus starts with the necessary deposit amount to claim the particular offer. Both the bonus and the wagering requirements are subject to change at the casino’s discretion and usually can’t be combined with another promotion. For example, sites like BetMGM and Borgata have separate welcome deposit and bonus amounts for poker, casino games, and sports betting. However, the rules only allow new users to choose one bonus to prevent bonus abuse.
In the case of receiving winnings from a bonus, how much do you have to gamble before the casino cashier grants a withdrawal? Imagine you’ve won $250 from a promotion, and the wagering requirements are 15x. In this case, you must be $3,750 before you can withdraw funds.
Only Certain Games Apply
Excited to play your favorite game with your casino bonus? Not so fast. Check the terms and conditions first, as some games will help you meet wagering requirements faster than others.
Online slots tend to count for 100% of the casino bonus requirements, making them a desirable choice. Table games like blackjack and roulette vary in satisfying the wagering requirements but tend to count for anywhere from 10% to 15%. Chances are your favorite live dealer casino and progressive jackpot games are ineligible for online casino bonuses. If you plan to play in tournaments like freeroll or multi-table, they are usually ineligible for bonuses.
If you get free slots spins as part of a general welcome package or another bonus, take note of what games they apply to. While free spins are usually limited to a select title, they tend to have low wagering requirements so you can withdraw your winnings faster.
Account Limits
Terms and conditions prevent users from having multiple accounts as this practice can lead to bonus and withdrawal abuse. T&Cs also require users to keep their accounts in good standing; if they fail to meet these stipulations, they’ll be unable to play due to suspension.
Additionally, the one-account limit helps prevent problem gambling by holding you accountable for any play or loss limits you set. And, if you are on the state’s self-exclusion list, you can’t cheat by having more than one account.
Online Casino Bonus Expirations
Before you claim a bonus or promotion for a game, you should understand the time limits. Generally speaking, any bonus funds you receive from a welcome offer have an expiration date. Additionally, most online casino apps give you a certain amount of time from opening your new account to claim a signup bonus.
For instance, a casino’s deposit match offer might expire 30 days after your account opening, meaning you have a month to double your initial deposit. As another example, an online casino might refund your first 24 hours, with the timeframe beginning as soon as you make your initial wager.
Eligibility
The eligibility rules don’t allow you to mix online casino bonuses. Mixing bonuses confuses the wagering requirements and can serve as a workaround for the withdrawal limits. It’s also illegal to play if you’re in a state in which the operator isn’t legally licensed.
To maintain their license requirements, legal virtual casinos only allow users who are 21 and older to create an account. State commissions won’t hesitate to revoke their licenses for this serious violation. Most iGaming sites use multi-factor authentication which includes photo identification and your social security number to prove that you’re eligible.
Tips for Following Terms and Conditions at Online Casinos
By now, you should see how crucial following the official casino rules and conditions is. If you lose your account privileges, you can’t make a bet and win anything, so please take the conditions seriously.
Remain in good standing by referring to these straightforward tips.
- Don’t share your account details with others
- Don’t accept a bonus at first glance. Research the play-through requirements.
- Don’t join if you have friends or family members affiliated with the casino.
- Always know the bonus expiration date before claiming it so you don’t waste it.
- Don’t try to trick the casino or permit minors to gamble.
FAQs About Terms and Conditions at Online Casinos
To help you recap the fundamentals of iGaming terms and conditions, our iGaming experts outline the most common questions and answers below.
How do online casino bonus terms and conditions work?
Virtual casinos have terms and conditions to ensure users keep their accounts in good standing and properly claim their bonus funds. Each bonus has minimum play-through requirements that must be met to qualify for withdrawals. Casinos also specify which games are eligible for bonuses and which players can legally use their services.
What happens if I don’t follow the online casino bonus terms and conditions?
You won’t be able to process or make any withdrawals. And depending on how severe the violation is, you might have to forfeit the bonus or possibly your account.
Does every online casino have wagering requirements?
All licensed, regulated online casinos certainly do. We recommend only dealing with licensed casinos for player safety and protection.
Why do online casinos have terms and conditions?
Online casinos have terms and conditions to help users keep their accounts in good standing. By following the official rules, you’re doing your part in maintaining the peace and making it pleasant for all users to game.
Can an online casino refuse to pay out?
The purpose of playing at only valid and licensed online casinos is to ensure you get paid what you rightfully deserve. In case of disputes, you can contact the casino’s customer support staff or take a claim to your state’s gaming commission.
