Bonus terms explained: the nine clauses that decide what an offer is worth

Reading past the headline

A bonus headline is a sentence written by a marketing team. A bonus terms document is a contract written by a legal team. The two rarely say the same thing. Our wagering guide covers the single most important clause in that contract; this guide covers the other eight, because in our experience it is the clauses people have never heard of that cause the complaints we see most often.

For each clause we explain what it does, what a fair version looks like, what an unfair version looks like and what we found at the operators we review during our October 2026 terms audit.

1. What the wagering multiple applies to

Covered in depth in our wagering guide, but worth repeating because it is so often missed: a 35x multiple on the bonus alone and a 35x multiple on the bonus plus deposit are two completely different obligations. The fair version states clearly, next to the multiple, which it is. The unfair version puts the multiple in the headline and the “plus deposit” in a paragraph twenty lines down. ApexBet and Vertex both apply wagering to bonus plus deposit; both say so in the first paragraph of their terms, which is the right way to do it.

2. Maximum cashout

A maximum cashout clause caps how much you can withdraw from bonus winnings regardless of how much you win. It is standard on no-deposit offers (Lumina’s €20 no-deposit bonus caps at €100, Solstice’s mobile spins at €100), and in that context it is reasonable, because the operator is giving away money. On a deposit bonus, a maximum cashout is a red flag: it means that even after clearing wagering, a large win is partly confiscated. None of the deposit bonuses we currently list carries a maximum cashout.

3. Maximum bet while wagering

Most operators cap the stake per spin or hand while a bonus is active, typically at €4 or €5. The purpose is to stop players clearing wagering with a few huge bets. The fair version states the cap clearly and enforces it in the game client so you cannot accidentally exceed it. The unfair version states it only in the terms and voids the bonus silently if you cross it. NovaBet and Altura both block over-limit bets at the point of staking, which we consider best practice. One operator we tested allowed an over-limit bet and then voided the bonus; its review notes this.

4. Game contribution weights and exclusions

Slots usually count 100% towards wagering; tables and live games count far less or not at all. Some specific slots, often the highest RTP titles, are excluded entirely. The fair version is a single table on the bonus page. The unfair version is scattered across a general terms document and changed without notice. Altura and Solstice both publish a single table. Several operators required us to search a long general document; one listed exclusions only inside the game client.

5. Expiry

Every bonus must be wagered within a window, and the window matters as much as the multiple. A €200 bonus at 30x over 30 days is €200 of bets a day; the same over seven days is nearly €860 a day. The fair version gives at least 14 days for a deposit bonus and makes the deadline visible in your account. The unfair version gives seven days, starts the clock at credit rather than first use and shows the deadline nowhere. VelvetPlay’s 14-day window and Altura’s 21 days were the most generous we saw; all operators on our list display the deadline in the account area.

6. Payment method exclusions

E-wallet deposits are frequently excluded from welcome bonuses, and the exclusion is often mentioned only in the general terms. If you deposit by an excluded method, the bonus is simply not credited, and in some cases cannot be claimed afterwards. The fair version warns you at the cashier before the deposit is made. In our tests, Orbit Casino and Solstice showed a warning at the cashier; others did not, and one tester missed a bonus as a result.

7. Forfeiture and withdrawal during wagering

If you request a withdrawal while a bonus is active, the bonus and any winnings from it are usually forfeited. That is reasonable. What is not reasonable is forfeiting the original deposit, or treating a withdrawal request as a reason to void winnings earned from real money before the bonus was credited. Every operator we list returns the deposit; we check this with a live request during testing, and it is one of the things that would exclude an operator from the site if it failed.

8. Irregular play clauses

Almost every bonus document contains a clause allowing the operator to void a bonus for “irregular play” or “bonus abuse”. Some version of this is necessary, since it stops organised multi-accounting, but the fair version defines the behaviour it targets: betting patterns designed to exploit a specific game, use of multiple accounts, betting on both outcomes. The unfair version leaves it undefined, which gives the operator discretion to void any win it does not like. We read this clause closely and score operators down where it is open-ended.

9. Changes to terms

Finally, check whether the operator reserves the right to change the terms of a bonus you have already accepted. The fair version applies changes only to bonuses accepted after the change. The unfair version applies them retrospectively. All operators on our list currently apply changes prospectively, and we re-check this at every 90-day audit because it is exactly the sort of clause that changes quietly.

If you have read all nine clauses and can describe the offer accurately in one sentence (“€100 bonus, 35x on the bonus, slots only, €5 max bet, 14 days, no cap on cashout”), you understand it. If you cannot, do not take it. A bonus you do not understand is not a gift; it is a contract you have not read.

Frequently asked questions

Can I decline a bonus after it has been credited?

At most operators, yes, by contacting support before placing a bet. Once you have wagered with it, declining usually means forfeiting the bonus and its winnings.

What happens if the operator changes the terms mid-bonus?

A fair operator applies changes only to offers accepted after the change. If terms are changed retrospectively, that is grounds for a complaint to the regulator.

Are bonus terms the same on mobile?

They should be. In our testing, the terms were identical, but the mobile cashier at some operators showed fewer warnings about method exclusions.

Sources

• NovaBet bonus terms and conditions (NovaBet (fictional))
• Solstice promotional terms (Solstice (fictional))
• Licence conditions and codes of practice (2026 edition) (Example Gambling Commission)