Almost every website we use these days has a section for terms and conditions. You can say that’s the equivalent of the game rules on the site. They may be called Terms of Use or Terms of Service, but they all mean the same: an agreement we enter before moving forward. Often we don’t even read this fine print before clicking to agree. We should, especially the terms and conditions at online casinos.
It is essential to know them because these are rules that involve our money. Each operator has rules about how to deposit and withdraw your money and things like gameplay and privacy. You will usually find terms and conditions somewhere at the bottom of a site’s landing page, and you can read them without signing up. We will explain what the most common T&Cs mean and why every good online casino player should know them.
List of Casino Terms and Conditions
Terms and Conditions are a casino’s way of informing you of their rules, so you will play for a while without taking advantage of them. You should be most aware of the sections that involve bonuses, games, and transaction methods. When you compare online casinos’ T&Cs, you’ll be able to make good choices about which sites to play and how to play them.
Below we listed the most standard casino terms and conditions and what they mean.
Wagering Requirements
One of the critical sections of T&Cs is the one that describes the wagering requirements for bonuses. Often called play-through requirements or “playthroughs,” they come with promotions to encourage you to play longer and not abuse the system.
Here’s how playthroughs work. To withdraw money, you must wager an amount “X times” the bonus amount and deposit amount. For example, if you deposit $1,000 on a 100% matching bonus offer, you will have $2,000 in your account.
If the wagering requirement is 30x the bonus and deposit, you need to bet 30 times that amount to be able to clear the bonus. Meaning you have to make a total of $60,000 (30 x 2,000) in wagers to withdraw your winnings.
It is crucial to note that the amount applied toward the play-through is not the same with every game. Slots bets usually count 100% toward the requirement, while table games may count just 25% or less. So if you are looking to cash out quickly our suggestion would be to stick with slot games.
Time Limits
Another requirement you may run into is a time limit to reach the bonus playthrough. Casinos often allow you a time frame to spend your playthrough, or the bonus is no longer active. These periods usually range from seven to 30 days.
You should know the time limit and weigh it according to how much you play. In other words, if you are someone who plays at the online casino only once or twice a week, the time to make your bonus requirement may be too short. In that case, the bonus may not be for you.
Things such as free spins may come with shorter time limits. Some casinos may offer a certain number of free spins per day, so you only have 24 hours to use them.
Withdrawal and Betting Limits
Online casinos often limit the size of bets you can make with bonus money or even limit the amount you can win from the bonus money. Sites usually express those caps as a percentage of the bonus amount. This is to keep people from hitting a big win after a few spins and blowing the requirement ASAP.
Additionally, there are usually limits on how much you can withdraw using a particular transaction method. You should be aware of these payout limits to keep your bonus in effect and take out what you want.
Deposit vs. No Deposit Bonuses
Sometimes a casino offers a no-deposit bonus, but keep in mind that these promos also have wagering requirements, game types, and time restrictions. These “gifts”, like free chips, free spins, and cashback deals, are money to play with, but not yours until you meet the requirements.
Make a note of the rules of these no deposit offers before accepting them. Their wagering requirements are easier to calculate because a deposit is not involved.
Game and Slot Terms and Conditions
There are Terms attached to specific games at some casinos. These also carry useful information, such as return to player (RTP) ratings that give you the theoretical chances of winning money.
There are also conditions for situations in which there are technical failures. For instance, if a real money online slot or table game locks up or loses connection during your game, what happens with your game balance? You need to know.
What are the risks of not understanding casino terms and conditions?
Learning about Terms and Conditions sometimes comes the hard way. You find out that you cannot withdraw all or sometimes any of your funds as a result of not meeting the requirements. The casino will usually tell you why, but it is better to know the terms before being disappointed. Here are some of the risks:
Why Can’t I Claim My Winnings?
You need to understand the play-though and wagering requirements. Even if you have played at the casino for a while, you still may not have reached the play-through requirements. The top real money online casinos give you a running total of your progress toward making requirements. They are displayed on the page after signing in or on your account page. Nevertheless, if you receive a bonus, the conditions will always be there.
Why Can’t I Cash Out All My Money?
You need to understand the casino’s payout limits. Even when you make the wagering requirements, you may be able to take out only a portion of your balance. That’s because of a payout limit in addition to the other requirements. Payment limits betting rules may be in separate sections of the Terms and Conditions, so make sure you understand all the fine print.
Why Are The Withdrawal Methods Different?
You need to understand the available payout methods. Sometimes you can’t request a payout to the same payment method you used to deposit. Plus, payout limits vary depending on the banking method. The max amounts may apply even if you claimed a bonus or not. There may also be minimums. Find the available payment methods and limits on the Banking, Cashiers, or T&C page.
Always Read The Casino Terms and Conditions!
Terms and Conditions play a vital role in every part of the game.
It’s easy to love online casino games and the fun of playing and winning. But you also want to collect winnings when they are due.
It is best if you play at legit online casinos as they typically have the best terms and conditions. Reputable sites clearly explain the rules in their T&Cs. And if there’s something you don’t understand, they should have excellent support staff that will explain everything to you.
Stay safe and informed out there!
