Casino bonus terms explained: a UK offer read line by line
Every UK bonus comes with a short line of key terms and a longer set of full terms. The short line holds most of what decides the value. Here is a real one taken apart, then every term you will meet, in plain English.
By Gareth Llewellyn · Updated 14 October 2026
18+. Figures from each casino's own published terms, 14 October 2026.
- Wagering and its base
- key terms
- Max bet
- key terms
- Expiry
- key terms
- Game weighting
- full terms
- Payment exclusions
- full terms
UK ad rules require the significant terms beside the offer.
Casino bonus terms explained: one real UK offer
Key terms of Casumo’s welcome offer, phrase by phrase.
- 18+. New customers only.
- Only for those 18 and older opening a first account. Existing customers cannot take the offer.
- Opt-in required.
- You must choose the offer, typically before making your first deposit.
- 50% Deposit Bonus up to £100 on first deposit.
- The casino adds half your deposit as bonus money, to a max of £100. With a £200 deposit, you'd get the full £100.
- Min deposit £20.
- With a smaller deposit, no bonus is given.
- 10x wagering on bonus amount.
- The bonus money must be bet 10x. So, with a £10 bonus, you must bet £100.
- Max Bet/Spin €5 or local equivalent.
- No single bet can be more than about £4 while the bonus is being bet through.
- Bonus valid for 7 days.
- The bonus money must be wagered within a week. If not, it is forfeited.
- T&Cs apply.
- Game weighting and other restrictions are detailed in the full terms.
Together, the terms state: deposit £20, get £10, bet £100 within 7 days at up to €5 a spin. Our Casumo review compares the offer.
Every casino bonus term, in plain English
The terms you will meet in UK bonus offers, and where we go into each one.
| Term | What it means | More |
|---|---|---|
| Wagering requirement | How much you must bet before bonus money can be withdrawn. | Wagering explained |
| Base | Bonus, deposit+bonus, or winnings. | Deposit and bonus wagering |
| Game weighting | How much of each bet counts towards wagering. | Game weighting |
| Max bet | The largest bet allowed while the bonus is active. | Max bet rule |
| Expiry | Deadlines to qualify, use the spins and finish wagering. | Bonus expiry |
| Excluded games | Games that count 0% or may not be played with a bonus. | Excluded games |
| Max cashout | The most bonus or spin winnings that can become cash. | LuckyMate: £100 |
| Qualifying bet | Your own money you must play to unlock an offer. | BetMGM: £10, once |
| Deposit match | A bonus worked out as a percentage of your deposit. | Deposit match |
| Payment exclusions | Deposit methods that do not qualify. | Excluded methods |
| Opt-in | You must choose the offer before or while depositing. | Bonus not credited |
| Bonus balance | Where bonus money and its winnings are situated. | Bonus vs real money |
Four more UK bonus terms explained
Key terms lines from four other casinos we review, with the line that matters most.
- LuckyMate
- "Min. £10 first deposit with code MATE50 by Visa, Mastercard, Google Pay or Apple Pay. £10 in slot bets within 7 days. 1x wagering, £100 max cashout." The line to notice: the £100 max cashout on spin winnings.
- BetMGM
- "Opt in, deposit £10+ and wager 1x on casino games within 7 days of registering. Contributions vary." The line to notice: contributions vary, meaning live and table games count 0% towards the £10.
- Midnite
- "Code BETGETCASINO. Deposit £20+, wager £20+ on eligible games within 14 days of sign-up." The line to notice: eligible games, so not every game counts towards the £20.
- bet365
- "New, fully verified customers. Min. £10 in lifetime deposits. Claim within 30 days of registering. paysafecard deposits excluded." The line to notice: fully verified, so the offer waits for your ID checks.
Red flags in casino bonus terms
Wording that makes you read twice, based on what the UK fair terms guidance warns against.
- "Sole discretion"
A term that allows the casino to retroactively decide what constitutes abuse. Warning in the UK guidance states that casinos must specify what constitutes prohibited play.
- A worked example that disagrees
Betway's £50 terms say 10x, then work an example at 50x. Go by the multiple that fits UK law, and ask support if unsure.
- A multiple above 10x
Banned for UK players since 19 January 2026. The page is out of date and/or not specifically related to the UK.
- Wagering on the deposit
Legal, but it can increase the bets. See deposit and bonus wagering.
- Fees on your own deposit
Pub Casino charges a 5% fee to withdraw a deposit that you have not played. Check before you pay in.
What sits in the general bonus terms
Most casinos have one set of rules for every offer, linked from each offer's terms. These are the sections to find.
| Section | What it covers | Example from UK terms |
|---|---|---|
| Max bet | Largest bet while bonus money is active | Casumo 6.4: €5 max bet per spin. Feature buys included. |
| Game weighting | What each game counts towards wagering | Casumo 9.1.4: slots 100%, roulette and blackjack 10% |
| One bonus at a time | Which bonus is wagered first | BetMGM 4.7: wagering progresses one bonus at a time |
| Withdrawing early | What a withdrawal does to the bonus | LuckyMate 3.3: bonus and winnings forfeited |
| Abuse | Play the casino treats as a breach | Casumo: single bets of 20% of the bonus or more |
| Balances | Which money is used first | LuckyMate 3.2: cash balance always used first |
From each casino's UK general bonus terms, 14 October 2026.
Offer terms typically state “T&Cs apply” or “General Bonus Terms apply” and link to those. When the two differ, the terms of the offer take precedence. For example, Casumo’s general terms state wagering requirements start from 10x the deposit and bonus, while the welcome offer states the requirements start from 10x the bonus.
What UK rules say casino bonus terms must do
UK guidance on fair terms sets limits on what a casino can write.
clearly specify all prohibited types or patterns of play, and do not reserve sole discretion
a full explanation of the breach of the relevant Promotional Play Restriction, including the specific terms breached
In simple terms, a casino must state in clear and precise terms what constitutes breaking a bonus condition. It cannot keep a general catch-all right to decide at its discretion. If it confiscates your winnings, it must state which term you broke.
These principles are tied to the Gambling Commission’s licence conditions. Since 19 January 2026, its rules cap wagering requirements at 10x and ban welcome offers that combine casino and betting products.
How to read casino bonus terms in five minutes
In this order, the important lines come first.
- Key terms
Wagering, base, max bet, and time limits.
- Game weighting
What’s the percentage for the games you play?
- Payment and eligibility
Deposit method, where you are located, any code.
- Caps
Max cashout for bonus or spin winnings.
- General bonus terms
Abuse rules and hidden limits for all offers.
Then run the numbers in the wagering calculator. If it all sounds like too much, offers with no wagering have the shortest terms: see low wagering casinos.
Bonus terms questions
What are significant terms on a casino bonus?
What does T&Cs apply mean?
What does opt-in required mean?
What does max cashout mean on a bonus?
Can a casino change bonus terms after I opt in?
What does fully verified mean in bonus terms?
What does contributions vary mean?
Are casino bonus terms legally binding?
Where do I find a casino's general bonus terms?
Which is more important, offer terms or general terms?
Written by
Gareth goes over key terms for each UK bonus he reviews. So each line on this site is backed by the casino's own wording.
Play safe
18+. Gambling should stay fun. If you’re spending more than you can afford, or if it’s affecting your life in any other way, you can block all UK casinos instantly with GAMSTOP or call the National Gambling Helpline free on 0808 8020 133, any time.
You can set a limit on how much you deposit before you play. More info on our Responsible Gambling page.