Internet casinos use incredibly lucrative promotional banners to attract new players to their sites.
Offers of ‘100% Match up to $500’ sound like an amazing way to boost your starting bankroll.
The Catch: Playthrough Requirements Explained
Casinos do not simply give away free money that you can immediately withdraw to your bank account.
This means you must bet the bonus amount a certain number of times before it converts to real cash.
- High wagering requirements make it almost impossible to keep your winnings
- Look for promotions with playthrough limits of 35x or lower
- Read the terms to see if your real money is locked until the bonus is cleared
Game Contributions and Max Bets
Not all games contribute equally towards clearing your promotional playthrough requirements.
Furthermore, there is usually a maximum bet limit (like $5 per spin) while a bonus is active.
| Game Family | Contribution to Playthrough | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Roulette | 10% | Takes 10x longer to clear |
| Jackpot Slots | 0% (Usually restricted) | Read the specific rules |
Educating yourself on the fine print is the only way to successfully turn a casino bonus into real, withdrawable profit.