Casino Bonus Policies that Impact Your Odds

Casino Bonus Policies that Impact Your Odds

5 min

Bonus terms and conditions can often be tricky as they may have hidden clauses or strict criteria. However, this is not the only thing you should watch out for when claiming a casino bonus. There are also terms that can impact the odds of your gaming section. So, knowing what these are and how to spot them is crucial. Luckily, our experts will give you insights on how to do that to avoid involuntarily decreasing your odds!

Which Bonus Terms Affect Your Odds?

Bonus Term Does it affect the odds How it Affects
Turnover Percentage Yes Higher turnover percentages call for greater wagering, which lowers winning chances.
Restricted Games Yes It could be more difficult to meet requirements with fewer games or a lower contribution ratio.
Bonus Values Yes Low-value bonuses won’t let you apply strategies. More significant value bonuses will.
Maximum Bet Limit Yes The maximum stake for each spin or round may be restricted, affecting strategy and possible wins.
Expiry Date Yes Bonuses with sooner expiration dates can make it more difficult to achieve the requirements and reduce your chances of success.
Withdrawal Restrictions Yes Flexibility may be impacted by some bonus terms that prohibit or limit the withdrawal of funds

until a set number of requirements are satisfied.

Cashable/ Non-Cashable Yes Non-cashable bonuses only permit the withdrawal of profits; cashable bonuses allow the removal of bonus funds.

How to Calculate Your Expected Odds

To calculate the expected odds of your bonus, you must consider the bonus value, the return to the player rate, and the wagering requirement. First, you must multiply the wagering requirement with the bonus amount and with the house edge. After that, you must deduct the final result from the general bonus amount.

Example

Let’s say you claim an offer featuring a £100 bonus and 30x wagering requirement. That means that you must wager £30000 to be able to withdraw your funds. If the game’s house edge is 0.05%, then you should get the following expected value: EV= £100- (30x £100 x 0.05%) = -£50. This means that you should expect to lose at least half of your bonus.

How to Read Bonus Terms?

  1. Carefully read and comprehend the terms and conditions associated with each casino bonus.
  2. Check the entire amount you get after claiming the promotion is the bonus amount. Each casino bonus features a different set of benefits. Beginner UK gamblers usually opt for offers featuring a no deposit bonus. Generally, these promotions provide extra spins and are more suitable for players with little gaming experience.
  3. Take a look at the wagering requirement of your selected bonus. It determines the amount you must wager before withdrawing winnings. Bonuses with lower wagering requirements are generally more favourable, requiring less gameplay to unlock the bonus.
  4. Determine the gaming contributions, as each game specifies how much of the wagering requirements are satisfied each time you place a wager using your offer on that game.
  5. Check the time you have to complete the wagering requirements, as some offers expire after a specific period.

Should You Go for The Largest Bonus?

Pros Cons
More funds to play with Higher wagering requirements making it harder to withdraw
Longer playtime, allowing you to try out more games Shorter time limits to fulfil the wagering
Potential for bigger wins with larger bets Game restrictions may limit the games you can play
Allows you to explore multiple betting strategies Risk of losing bonus and winnings if requirements aren’t met
More permissive cashout limits

In most cases, it is advantageous to go for the bonus with the highest value. A bigger bonus allows you to place more bets, which increases your chance of claiming a significant generated value. Moreover, if you opt-in for a higher bonus, you have more bonus funds to use on various casino games and to browse the available titles. However, you should consider the promotional rules and the wagering requirements.

Why Wagering Conditions Are The Biggest Challange

Why Wagering Conditions are the Worst Culprit

Due to their effect on odds and gameplay, wagering terms are frequently regarded as the worst enemy. Before being eligible for withdrawals, players must wager the bonus sum several times. High wagering requirements can make it difficult to fulfil the requirements and can reduce the likelihood that bonus-generated value will turn into real funds.

Before taking a bonus, it’s essential to carefully review the wagering requirements to make sure they’re reasonable and practical for your playing style and financial situation.

Wagering on bonus, deposit or both?

It’s crucial to note if the wagering requirements apply to the bonus, the deposit, or both when figuring out the wagering requirements. Your odds and the amount of wagering necessary to achieve the requirements might be affected by the specific calculation method. Learn how the casino calculates wagers in order to receive the most accurate picture of your progress towards meeting the criteria.

Turnover percentage

The turnover percentage indicates the amount you must gamble in relation to the bonus or deposit. In order to meet the requirements and increase your chances of redeeming a significant generated value, higher turnover percentages necessitate more wagering. To maximize your chances of turning the bonus into real profits, you should select bonuses with lower turnover rates.

UK players should also consider no wagering promotions. Although they may impose a stricter cashout cap on your generated value, they are more versatile and may be more beneficial. Such offers may be individual, implying a reasonable minimum deposit, or part of a more complex welcome package.

Game contributions

Game contribution conditions outline the percentage of the wagering requirements satisfied each time you place a wager utilizing your offer on a particular game. For instance, a player must bet £300 to withdraw any gains from the £100 bonus with a 30x wagering requirement. Let’s assume that live dealer games only account for 10% of this offer, while slots have a much lower house edge of 0.05%.

You will have to wager 10 times as much (£300) on live casino games if you decide to use your bonus instead of playing slots. As a result, the genuine bonus value decreases as your odds of cashing your funds decrease.

Our Take

Understanding bonus policies is crucial for maximizing the gaming experience. When claiming an offer, it is important to balance the advantages and disadvantages and decide whether or not the promotion benefits you. Read the conditions carefully, calculate odds, evaluate pros/cons, and always review terms for fair play.

Before claiming any promotion, don’t forget to check the wagering requirement and other essential conditions, such as the maximum cashout or betting limits. Last but not least, set a budget and stick to it to avoid falling into unhealthy gambling patterns!

Authors
Adela Mariuta
AuthorAdela MariutaAuthor & Editor at CasinoAlpha

Adela enjoys exploring the industry in-depth and gathering insights to provide useful guides and casino reviews meant to help players throughout their online gambling journey. When she’s not venturing into the gambling universe, she likes taking long drives and listening to old-school tunes.

Elena Buzincu
ReviewerElena BuzincuSenior Author & Editor at CasinoAlpha

Elena is here to help players make their best gambling decisions. She already has a vast understanding of what gamblers are looking for and what this industry is about, but she knows there’s much more to discover. Maybe someday she will travel to Asia to learn about that unique gambling scene too.