BONUS TERMS EXPLAINER · UPDATED 12 AUGUST 2026
Casino bonus terms: translate the headline into obligations
The largest headline is rarely the most useful number. Start with what you must deposit or spend, then trace wagering, exclusions, expiry and withdrawal limits.
Deposit is not wagering
The qualifying payment and the amount that must be staked are different obligations.
No wagering needs context
Free-spin winnings may be cash, but spin value, expiry, games and win caps still matter.
Read before opting in
A high headline value can be weaker than a smaller, clearer offer.
2026 RULE CHANGE
Bonus wagering is capped at ten times bonus funds
From 19 January 2026, UK licensees must not impose wagering requirements above 10x the bonus amount. Mixed-product incentives that combine different gambling products are also prohibited. The cap reduces extreme terms; it does not make every promotion good value.
UKGC LCCP Social Responsibility Code 5.1.1 ↗WORKED EXAMPLE
Turn the multiplier into required stakes
A £10 bonus with 10x wagering means £100 in qualifying stakes on the bonus funds. That arithmetic is not an expected return and says nothing about game contribution, stake caps or how long the process will take.
- Bonus amount × multiplier = required qualifying stakes
- Check which games contribute
- Check maximum stake while wagering
FREE SPINS
‘No wagering’ does not mean ‘no conditions’
When spin winnings do not need to be wagered, compare the value of each spin, eligible game, expiry, maximum convertible winnings and any deposit needed to unlock them. A page that repeats only the spin count hides the decision-relevant terms.
- Spin value
- Eligible slot
- Claim and use-by window
- Maximum winnings
- Payment-method exclusions
LOW-DEPOSIT OFFERS
Cashier minimum and bonus minimum are separate
A casino may accept a £5 deposit but require £10, £20 or more for a promotion. CasinoProof therefore labels the minimum funding route and the qualifying promotion amount separately; one should never be used as evidence for the other.
COMPARISON CHECKLIST
Six fields every bonus table should expose
A useful comparison lets a reader evaluate the obligation without opening several pages.
- Qualifying deposit or spend
- Bonus amount and format
- Wagering basis and multiplier
- Expiry and eligible games
- Maximum stake and maximum winnings
- Excluded payment methods and customer eligibility