Bonus terms: the clauses that cost the most
Bonus terms are long and few people read them in full. This guide by Mariela Briceño gathers the clauses that most often end in disputes, so you know where to look. Amounts, percentages and deadlines are set by the operator and change; the current ones are in each promotion's terms.
Go to the offerThe key clauses
| Clause | What it usually says | Why it matters |
|---|---|---|
| Max bet | Stake limit per spin while a bonus is active | Breaking it can void winnings |
| Excluded games | Titles that do not count or are forbidden | Playing them can void the bonus |
| Cash-out cap | Maximum withdrawable from a bonus | Limits large wins |
| Balance order | Real or bonus money used first | Changes what you lose if you cancel |
| Forfeiting | What happens if you give up the bonus | You may lose bonus winnings |
Balance order
If the operator uses your real money first and bonus money second, cancelling costs little. If it is the other way round, or both balances are mixed, a cancellation can take winnings with it.
Prohibited play
Many terms forbid sharp changes in stake size, playing only bonus-buy features or betting both sides of one outcome. Even if you would not do it on purpose, it helps to know these rules exist.
Keep a copy
Screenshot the terms on the day you activate a bonus. If they change and a disagreement arises, that is your evidence. The complaints page explains how to raise one.
Read the general terms too
Bonus terms sit on top of the operator's general terms and conditions, which cover verification, dormant accounts and how disputes are handled. A clause there can affect your bonus as much as the promotion's own rules, so skim the general terms at least once when you open an account.
Frequently asked questions
What is the max bet with a bonus?
Can I cancel a bonus?
Can terms change?
What if a clause is unclear?
Bonus terms in short
Find the max bet, excluded games, cash-out cap, balance order and forfeiting rules. Those five clauses decide whether a bonus suits you.