Online casinos aggressively market their deposit bonuses, making it seem like they are handing out free money.
The reality is that these promotional funds are heavily restricted by a mechanism called a playthrough requirement.
How the Bonus Catch Actually Works
It is essentially a mathematical hurdle you must clear before the casino allows you to cash out your winnings.
A $50 bonus with a 40x playthrough means you must wager a total of $2,000 before making a withdrawal.
- The goal of the casino is for you to lose the bonus money before hitting the target
- Always check if the multiplier applies only to the bonus, or the deposit + bonus combined
- Understanding this math is crucial to determining if an offer is actually worth taking
Understanding Game Contributions
You cannot simply grind out the requirement on games like Blackjack that have a 99.5% RTP.
However, playing roulette might only contribute 10%, meaning a $10 bet only counts as $1 towards the playthrough.
| Activity | Contribution Rule | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Video Poker | 0% – 5% | House edge is too low for the casino to allow it |
| Progressive Slots | Usually Restricted | Check terms; often completely banned with active bonuses |
By playing low-risk slots, you can slowly grind through the mathematical requirement and emerge with a profit.