Are online casino bonuses worth taking?
The headline is the least useful number
"100% up to $500" tells you the most you could receive, not what you're likely to keep. Bonus money normally has to be wagered a set number of times before it turns into cash you can withdraw. Until then it sits in a separate balance, and breaking a rule usually means losing both the bonus and anything won with it.
Five things to read before you opt in
- Wagering multiple. Is it 35x the bonus, or 35x the bonus plus the deposit? The second is much harder. A $100 bonus at 35x means $3,500 of bets; at 35x deposit plus bonus on a $100 deposit it's $7,000.
- Game weighting. Slots often count in full. Table games and live dealer games can count for a fraction or not at all.
- Time limit. Seven days to clear a large requirement pushes you to play faster and bigger than you planned.
- Maximum bet. Most terms cap your stake while a bonus is active. One bet over the cap can void the bonus.
- Withdrawal caps. Free spins and no-deposit offers often limit what you can cash out, however much you win.
Where you live changes the rules
In Great Britain, the Gambling Commission capped wagering requirements at 10 times the bonus from 19 January 2026. Offers aimed at other countries can be far higher; some of the international terms we've read ask for 35x or 50x. The same brand can run very different terms in different markets, so read the version for your country.
When skipping it makes sense
If you want to be able to withdraw whenever you like, or you mostly play blackjack or live tables, a bonus can get in the way. Playing with your own money keeps things simple: what's in your balance is yours. If you do take one, treat the bonus as extra playing time, not as money you've already won.
Related
18+ only. Gambling can be harmful. Set limits before you play, and see our responsible gambling guide if it stops being fun.