Reading the small print before you sign up
Every welcome offer has terms attached. This page covers what those terms usually mean and where to find them.
Start with the wagering requirement
This is usually written as a multiplier — how many times you need to bet through a bonus amount before any winnings from it can be withdrawn. It's set by each operator individually and is normally listed in the bonus terms page linked from the promotion itself, not buried in a general terms-of-service document.
A lower multiplier is generally easier to clear, but it's only one part of the picture — the other conditions below can matter just as much in practice.
Game weighting
Not every game contributes equally toward clearing a wagering requirement. Slots commonly count in full, while table games like blackjack or roulette often count at a much lower percentage, precisely because of their different odds. Check the weighting table before assuming a bonus works for the games you actually want to play.
Time limits
Most bonuses expire — anywhere from a few days to a few weeks — if the wagering requirement isn't met in time. Any bonus funds and related winnings are typically removed once the deadline passes, so it's worth checking the window before you start rather than partway through.
Maximum bet size while wagering
Many bonus terms cap how much you can stake per spin or per bet while a wagering requirement is active. Exceeding that cap can void the bonus entirely under some terms, so it's worth checking this figure specifically rather than assuming your usual stake is fine.
Maximum withdrawal from bonus winnings
Some offers — particularly free spins packages — cap how much you can actually withdraw from winnings generated by the bonus, regardless of how much you technically won. This figure is usually separate from any deposit or balance limits on the account itself.
A short checklist before claiming anything
- Find the specific bonus terms page for that offer — not just the general site terms.
- Note the wagering multiplier and which games count toward it, and at what weighting.
- Check the time limit for clearing the requirement.
- Check the maximum bet size allowed while the bonus is active.
- Check whether there's a cap on withdrawals from bonus winnings.
None of this is a reason to avoid welcome offers — it's simply what "reading the terms" means in practice, so the offer works the way you expect it to.