Look past the headline number
"Up to £100" or "200 free spins" is designed to grab your attention. What matters is how much of that value you can realistically keep.
Two bonuses with the same headline can be worlds apart. The difference is in the terms — and the most important term is the wagering requirement.
Check the wagering requirement
Wagering (or "playthrough") is how many times you must bet a bonus before you can withdraw winnings from it. A "£100 bonus with 35x wagering" means you'd need to place £3,500 of bets before cashing out. Lower is better — and our wagering guide breaks down the maths.
Rule of thumb
Anything up to 35x is reasonable for UK casinos. Above 50x, the bonus is rarely worth chasing.
The rules that catch people out
- Game weighting — slots usually count 100% toward wagering, but table games may count just 10% or not at all.
- Maximum bet — exceed the bet cap (often £5) while wagering and the casino can void your bonus.
- Time limits — many bonuses expire in 7–30 days. Miss the window and you lose it.
- Maximum win from spins — free-spin winnings are frequently capped (e.g. £50–£100).
- Eligible games — some titles are excluded entirely from bonus play.
Quick checklist before you claim
- Is the wagering 35x or lower?
- Do the games you actually play count toward it?
- Can you comfortably meet the time limit?
- Is the minimum deposit one you'd make anyway?
- Are winnings from spins capped — and is that cap fair?
If you're happy with all five, it's probably a fair offer. If not, you may be better off with a smaller bonus — or none at all.
Play it safe
Bonuses and gambling should always be fun, never a way to make money. Set limits before you play and take a break whenever you need to — see our Safer Gambling guide. 18+ · BeGambleAware.org