This guide will teach you about:
- In one sentence: what a casino bonus really is
- Six main bonus types, side by side
- Wagering requirements, calculated in euros
- A simple way to determine if any offer is worth your time
- How to claim and clear a bonus in OlyBet step by step
A casino bonus is added value to your account from the operator. Whether you receive cash bonuses, bonus rounds or cashbacks, there are always terms for every casino bonus. This section deserves more attention because the big bonuses come with certain requirements.
Even a massive 500 EUR bonus is close to worthless if terms are horrible. However, a modest reward of 50 EUR is still a bonus if the conditions are manageable. In this article, we will show you how to calculate the values needed to evaluate your bonuses in a few minutes.
Casino Bonus Types
Every promotion you will ever see is a variation of one of six ideas. Master these and you will never again be surprised by anything on a promotions page.
| Type of bonus | What is it? | Typical wagering | The catch to look for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Welcome Bonus / Deposit Bonus | Operator matches part of your initial deposit, e.g. 100% up to 100 EUR | 30x – 40x, only on bonus or deposit + bonus | If the multiplier which quietly doubles the turnover catches your own money |
| FreeSpins | A number of spins on specified slots, at a set stake per spin | 30x – 35x on whatever the spins pay out | Spin value – 50 spins at 0.10 EUR is a very different gift from 50 spins at 1 EUR |
| No Deposit Bonus | A small credit or spin package just for signing up | Tight win caps and usually the highest multipliers on the market | Maximum cash out. If the cap is 50 EUR, winning 200 EUR is not much |
| Cashback | A percentage of your net losses over a given period | Often 1x or none at all – often the cleanest value going | Whether it’s withdrawable cash or bonus funds with their own terms |
| Reload Bonuses | A smaller deposit match for existing players, normally linked to certain weekdays | 25x – 40x | Minimum deposit and short claim period – miss the day, miss the offer |
| Loyalty/VIP rewards | Earning ongoing rewards through play: points, tiers and tailored offers | Varies by reward | What each level really unlocks and the value of your game |
A quick note about that cashback row, because it deserves one: Cashback is the rare promotion where the figure on the banner is close to the figure in your pocket thanks to the low or zero wagering. If you learn to spot only one kind of good offer, make it this one.
Wagering Requirements Demystified
This is the bit that pays for itself so let’s do it properly – with a calculator, not adjectives.
The wagering requirement is the amount you must bet before you can cash out the bonus money, or winnings from it. It is written as a multiplier: 30x, 35x, 40x.
We will consider a simple case. For example, if your bonus multiplier is 35x, then a bonus of 100 EUR means you need to wager 100 EUR x 35 = 3,500 EUR before you can cash out. The key word is “wager”. Yes you lose some, yes you gain some. Regardless of the swings, you need to complete 3,500 EUR turnover to go on.
But there is one more important detail: the multiplying of the deposit amount AND bonus. Same conditions above – 100 EUR deposit, 100 EUR bonus and 35x multiplier – you are gambling (100 + 100) x 35 = 7,000 EUR. T&C will double the requirement.
There are also three other numbers to note, in addition to the multipliers:
- Game weightings. You are expected to know game weightings from operators. For example, slots count 100 percent toward turnover, while table games count 10 percent. Therefore, if you are playing live roulette at 10% weighting this means that your effective requirement is 10 times the printed one.
- Maximum bet while playing. The maximum bet amount during the wagering period is generally 5 EUR or thereabouts. If you exceed this limit once, whether on purpose or not, then you can say goodbye to your bonus.
- The time limit. Operators usually set 7 to 30 days to complete turnover. If you don’t achieve the required turnover by then, you will lose all the bonus money.
But why do we need the requirements? Well, without them players would deposit, claim and withdraw instantly – and bonuses would disappear from the industry within a week.
How to Pick a Casino Bonus
Forget the ‘most wins’. Instead, weigh bonuses against four questions in the following order:
- What is the bonus multiple and which offers does it apply to? Bonus-only bonuses always win over deposit + bonus bonuses, every single time.
- What value do I produce when I gamble? A 35x requirement may seem fair if it covers 100 percent of your playtime with free spins, but that same 35x is a monstrous 350x multiplier when it’s only 10 percent of your gambling.
- What time frame do I have? Thirty days is good. But when deadlines are seven days, it becomes a chore.
- Is there a limit to the win? Particularly with no-deposit offers and spins. Win limits are not a deal breaker. But you do need to learn about them before you place wagers.
If you have all four in your favour, you can go ahead. Two negatives from the list above, make any bonuses worthless.
In our guide to casino odds, we’ll explain how odds work. Check out our article on the house edge ranking to learn what types of bets last longer as well.
How to Claim and Unlock a Bonus at OlyBet
The whole process from beginning to end:
- Open the offers page. Our main campaigns page has casino, live casino and sportsbook offers all in one place, so no need to waste your time looking for obscure codes.
- Check the terms first. All offers will display the multipliers, weightings, max bets and expiry dates up front. Take two minutes to review this information and save yourself hours of frustration.
- Opt in & deposit. After opting in and making your qualifying deposit, you’ll have the offer bonus credited directly to your account to enjoy.
- Play by the rules. You must play the right games and stay within the maximum bet limits, all while monitoring your betting requirements through your account dashboard.
- Withdraw. When everything is settled, withdraw. Simple enough, eh?
We want that clarity. OlyBet is a licensed casino and sportsbook operator in Estonia/Latvia and discloses all terms with transparency.
FAQs
What is a wager requirement?
This is the total amount that must be wagered before the bonus or any winnings from that bonus can be cashed out. It is quoted as a multiple of the bonus amount – sometimes the combined deposit and bonus amount, which doubles the real cost. Always check which basis applies before you claim.
What is 35x playthrough?
This means that the bonus amount has to be wagered thirty-five times. 35x bonus (100 EUR) = 3,500 EUR total wagers before cashing out. If the 35x is for deposit + bonus, the same deal requires a turnover of 7,000 EUR.
Can you cash out a casino bonus?
Not right away. The bonus funds are held in their own balance until the wagering requirement is met, after which they are converted into cash and can be withdrawn. Cashback is the big exception, often coming back as real money with little or no wagering attached.
Play Responsibly
Bonuses give you more time to play, but they don’t change the odds and they should never change your budget. Set deposit limits before you claim, treat every bonus as entertainment and not income, and walk away when it stops being fun.
OlyBet has a responsible gaming hub called OlySafe where one can set limits and take self-assessment tests, and find a guide on how to play responsibly.
Bottom Line
A casino bonus means more cash, but you’ve got to play by the rules. The best deals get you real value on games you already love. The real skill is being able to spot them, and now you have the full toolkit: six types and four key questions.
Make use of it.
