Essential Online Casinos Terms & Conditions | May 2024
Casino companies use terms and conditions for promotional offers like deposit bonuses and free spins. Usually, any casino bonus offering "bonus money" comes with wagering requirements.
For example, most online casinos like to advertise welcome bonuses like deposit bonuses or free spins as “free money.” However, players should know about time limits, wagering requirements, or a minimum deposit associated with a bonus offer.
Many newcomers to online gambling may ignore or misinterpret the terms and conditions for their casino bonus. That leads to disgruntled players who believe they are losing money when, in reality, they might’ve failed to complete their wagering requirements to “unlock” their bonus money as withdrawable cash.
We’ll cover the basics of bonus terms and conditions, including some of the best deposit bonus offers, their restrictions, and the various casino bonuses available to first-time players.
What are the terms and conditions for online casinos?
A 100% deposit match is among the most standard casino bonuses in the U.S.-regulated iGaming industry. The deposit bonus comes with a player’s first deposit up to a designated amount.
Top-rated casino companies like bet365, BetMGM, and Caesars Palace Online Casino each offer new players a deposit bonus. Users must reside in a legal state (Connecticut, Delaware, Michigan, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, and West Virginia).
With a $10 minimum deposit, BetMGM offers a 100% deposit match up to $1,000 in casino bonus money. While bet365 offers the same bonus amount, Caesars Palace provides a welcome bonus worth up to $2,500. (New players may also receive a "no-deposit" casino bonus when registering for a new BetMGM and Caesars Palace account.)
First-time players at BetRivers and FanDuel can take advantage of a cash-back offer to receive a casino bonus from any net losses in their first 24 hours. FanDuel also offers 200 Bonus Spins to MI, NJ, and PA players.
These casino bonuses come with particular terms and conditions, like eligibility and wagering requirements, how to claim the offer, limits on participation, and more.
Casino Sign-up and Deposit Bonus offer claim tips
Before you sign up for a new account to play casino games with your casino bonus, you should be aware of the following:
- How long the promo lasts: (“Promotional Period”).
- Eligibility requirements: There should only be one account, players must be 21 and older, etc.
- How to claim your offer: Availability of the offer may last for three to 30 days, might only be valid at specific games, and requires a minimum amount for deposits. Players may also need to use a promo code to receive their bonus.
- Participation limits: Bonuses may only be eligible to one player account per household (confirmed through identity verification), from one welcome offer at a time.
- Wagering requirements: 1x playthrough, 15x playthrough, or game contributions (1x to 15x on slot games, 2x to 30x on video poker games, 5x to 75x on other casino games, except craps), time limits after activating a bonus (seven days, 14 days), opt-in to multiple bonus promotions, opting-out forfeits any bonus winnings along with the casino bonus.
- Order of funds used for wagering: Some promos may use a casino bonus or deposit match first, while others might use your cash balance before a bonus balance.
- Withdrawal limits: Players must make a minimum deposit (“qualifying deposit”) and complete the wagering requirements; otherwise, they forfeit their bonus and any associated winnings.
Casino Service and Site limits
Bonus Time Limits
Outside the Promotional Period, players must adhere to time limits associated with their bonus terms. Bonuses become available after creating a new account. For example, first-time players get three days to activate the $25 Casino Bonus at BetMGM.
At Caesars Palace, the $10 sign-up bonus is immediately available to players after registering. Then, players have seven days to complete the wagering requirements for the bonus.
A $1,000 deposit match might be available for 30 days after creating a new account. After activating the bonus, you might only get two weeks to complete its wagering requirements.
Wagering Requirements
Casinos generally require "playthroughs" for players to wager a specific amount (“play through”) before their bonus, and any winnings get automatically transferred to a cash balance available for withdrawal.
While a sign-up bonus or cash-back offer may come with a flat 1x playthrough amount, deposit matches typically require 15x or more. Some wagering requirements stipulate a flat fee for specific games, while others provide different contribution rates (100% for slots, 10% to 20% for table games).
For example, a $1 bet at slots may count as $1 toward your playthrough amount. That same bet may only count as $0.10 or $0.20 at blackjack, roulette, video poker, or other casino games.
Payment Options that aren't accepted
Casinos regulated in the U.S. don’t generally require a specific payment method for their bonuses and promos.
However, players must confirm their identities with documents like bank statements, a government-issued ID, and utility bills. The account holder must be the person who made the initial payment.
Deposit and No Deposit Bonuses
Casinos advertise a “no-deposit” bonus as the small bonus amount a player receives for signing up and registering a new account. These are promotional techniques to attract first-time players.
However, you may need to make a minimum deposit before any winnings attached to your “no-deposit” bonus become available as withdrawable cash.
While sign-up bonuses require a playthrough of 1x to 5x, deposit matches require higher playthrough amounts, ranging from 15x to 75x.
Although it’s rare, some sign-up bonuses may not require a playthrough amount—but players must complete their wagering requirements to receive a casino bonus via a deposit match and any winnings attached to it.
Taxes and Fees
Casino promotions don’t require any fees other than making a minimum deposit. The sole responsibility for taxes on bonus winnings, free spins, and zero-risk bets lies with players.
Free Spins and Cash Welcome offers
Cash welcome offers and free spins provide some of the best ways for new players to win real money at casinos. Players can utilize the low playthrough amounts (1x to 5x).
Free spins and cash welcome offers with a 1x wagering requirement at most slots or any casino game make for an exciting first-time experience at casino sites.
Restricted Games
Casinos may restrict particular games from eligibility per their bonus terms and conditions.
For example, BetMGM excludes dozens of slots with high return-to-player (RTP) averages from its deposit bonus offer. Caesars Palace excludes craps from their sign-up bonus and deposit match.
Other casinos may exclude games from a promo with free spins, while some might only allow free spins at one game.
Low-Risk Game restrictions
Low-risk games include titles with high RTPs and low house edges. Blackjack, for example, is well-known for having a casino advantage of less than one percent (99.50% RTP).
Video poker games may also have a low house edge, while roulette games offer a few bets with even-money payouts with odds ranging from 47.37% to 48.65%.
Casinos usually restrict games with high RTPs or bets that offer decent winning odds. It would be too easy for players to complete their wagering requirements, so casinos restrict those games by influencing players to wager on slots instead.
Prohibited Activities
Casino operators detail proper conduct expected from players, including applicable law and the protection of intellectual property rights. Here are some activities that players should NOT engage in after signing up and agreeing to use a casino site:
- Copy, distribute, or reproduce personal information or website content
- Participate in abusive, illegal, or unlawful activity
- Disclose information about the site or its services to third parties
- Distribute malicious content
- Reverse engineer or sabotage content or games
What happens if you don't follow a casino's terms and conditions?
With prior notice from players, casinos offer self-exclusion programs for those who feel they may have issues with online gaming.
However, the casino reserves the right to close a player’s account if they fail to follow the terms and conditions while also forfeiting any bonus and winnings.
Players on a self-exclusion list are also ineligible for most bonuses.
Game-Specific Bonus Terms and Conditions
- A deposit match casino bonus might only apply to slots, excluding games like Blood Suckers, Blood Suckers II, Guns N’ Roses, Jimi Hendrix, Monopoly MegaWays (as well as Poker and Sports)
- Various bonuses might only require a 1x playthrough, including sign-up bonuses and cash-back offers from $500 to $1,000; 1x to 5x playthrough requirements might apply to slots, video poker, and other games
- 15x playthrough requirements may only apply to eligible slots; there may also be a 30x wagering requirement for video poker and 75x on all other games
- Free spins might only apply to a specific slot game
- Game contributions may include 100% at slots and 10% to 20% at table games and might exclude live dealer games
Examples of Online Casino Terms and Conditions
In addition to the terms and conditions associated with bonuses, players must adhere to terms of use agreements upon registering a new account. These agreements include a privacy policy, game rules, and a player disconnection policy.
Terms of use also apply to iOS and Android mobile applications.
Per legal requirements, players can only wager at the casino in the state where they reside. For example, if you sign up for an NJ casino—you must use geolocation services to confirm your location in that jurisdiction.
Payments are final and non-refundable, and statements are available on your account dashboard.
Other terms of use include the conditions of participation, responsible gaming, and legal restrictions associated with game results, prizes, and withdrawals.
Casino Loyalty programs
Casino loyalty programs also require players to follow various terms and conditions. Players can earn loyalty points and tier credits as a bonus by tracking their status via their account dashboards.
While players must complete wagering requirements to receive their bonus as withdrawable cash, they can also earn benefits and rewards from their wagers. To receive a rewards card, players can submit a government-issued ID and link their card with another person at their account's address.
Players cannot sell or transfer their card or membership benefits to another person. Members may increase their tier status each year, but they may revert to a prior status after the completion of that year.
Different tier levels offer benefits like complimentary entertainment tickets, dining, free play bonuses, hotel stays, and more.
Uncommon Terms and Conditions a Casino may have
Minimum Deposit Amounts: Players must make a ‘qualifying deposit’ to become eligible for a bonus (i.e., a $10 minimum first-time deposit).
Wagering on specific games: Playthrough amounts, including free spins, might only apply to particular games.
Max Withdrawals and Max caps on games: Some bonuses restrict the bet amounts required to complete the wagering requirements, such as a maximum wager of $5 on slots or table games. Depending on the bonus, there may also be a withdrawal limit on the order of funds used for wagering.
Using multiple accounts: Bonuses may only be available to one player or account per household, and casinos might restrict players to only one account.
US States with Legal Online Casinos
Various online casino options exist in the following legal states, with more to come.
Michigan
Michigan has over a dozen legal online gaming options, including welcome bonuses and free spins.
MI online casino players get access to thousands of slots and table games alongside integrated sportsbooks, standalone mobile apps, and poker games like Omaha and Texas Hold’em.
New Jersey
NJ players can choose from nearly three dozen online gaming platforms offering thousands of slots and numerous table games.
Mobile apps are also available for iOS and Android users. Players can access poker games via the Multi-State Internet Gaming Agreement (MSIGA).
Pennsylvania
PA players get access to one of the best online gaming jurisdictions in the U.S. with nearly two dozen desktop platforms and mobile apps.
Top bonuses include 100% deposit match options up to $2,500, free spins, and cash-back offers for any net losses within your first 24 hours.
Poker is also available via cash tables and multi-table tournaments.
West Virginia
WV players can choose from about ten gaming platforms, including slots, table games, and video poker.
Like other legal jurisdictions, numerous jackpots reach six and seven figures. Welcome bonuses include casino credits, cash-back offers, free spins, and deposit matches.
Connecticut
Connecticut legalized iGaming in 2021, after MI, NJ, PA, and WV. Access remains limited to DraftKings and FanDuel, which maintain partnerships with in-state native tribes.
Despite reduced availability, CT players can choose from deposit matches and cash-back offers at two of the industry’s top companies.
Delaware
Delaware became the first state to legalize iGaming in 2012. However, the available options remain limited based on the state lottery’s partnerships, including 888 Holdings.
While bet365 and FanDuel provide casinos integrated with unique sportsbooks dedicated to horse racing, players in the Diamond State only get access to two in-state casinos and Bally’s.
How to find the best online casino apps
Head to your online casino of choice via the offers above
- Visit the homepage of one of our recommended casinos or search for its mobile app on the App Store or Google Play.
- Click ‘Sign-Up’ or ‘Register’ or download and install the app and open it.
- Enter your email and create a password.
- Follow the on-screen instructions to enter the required personal information (name, address, date of birth, mobile number, last four digits of your SSN, etc.).
- Enter a relevant promo code to receive your welcome bonus.
- View the terms and conditions of your bonus from your account dashboard.
Ways to use a casino's terms and conditions to gamble safely
Reading the terms and conditions of your bonus is essential for learning how to complete the wagering requirements. Like at land-based casinos, you’ll also need to follow the guidelines of casino etiquette when playing online.
Here are a few tips to make sure you have the best possible user experience:
- Try free demo play before making an actual deposit to learn how games work.
- Never gamble with money that you can’t afford to lose.
- Create a daily, weekly, or monthly budget for gambling online and stick to it.
- Wager in increments equal to 1% to 5% of your bankroll (i.e., if you’ve got a $100 bankroll, you can stick to $1 to $5 bets).
- Make a small deposit for a wagering requirement that’s easy to clear.
- Use your deposit match at high RTP slots with bonus games and free spins.
- Reach out to the casino via customer support with any concerns or questions.
- Remember to have fun and take a break if necessary.
Online Casinos Terms & Conditions FAQ
Want to learn more about casino terms and conditions and the best ways to play at your favorite establishment? Read these common questions and answers we've compiled below.
How are online casinos regulated?
iGaming is regulated similarly to brick-and-mortar casinos, with licensing, revenue reporting, and testing from third parties. In-state gaming agencies oversee casinos to ensure they offer fair games to players.
Who is eligible to claim an online casino bonus?
Per in-state laws, most casinos require players to be 21 and wager from a legal jurisdiction. For example, New Jersey players must wager online at casinos partnered with land-based operators. Bonuses are available to one player per household and are generally unavailable to casino employees.
What happens if an online casino won't payout?
Players must carefully read the terms and conditions to understand the bonus requirements. You will only receive a payout if you complete the wagering requirements attached to a bonus. If you have any questions, contact customer support or an in-state gaming enforcement agency.
Do Online Casinos Terms & Conditions cover all wagering requirements?
Yes, casinos detail the wagering requirements in the terms and conditions attached to any promo offered by casinos. From there, you can read about eligibility, participation, playthrough amounts for particular games, restrictions, and time limits.
Can I play any game I want at an Online Casino?
Yes, games like baccarat, blackjack, craps, roulette, and video poker are available to eligible players in legal jurisdictions. However, most bonuses exclude certain games like slots or table games. Check the terms and conditions of your bonus to learn more about the eligible games.