Excluded games on a casino bonus: what happens if you play
Every bonus comes with games it does not cover. Some just count 0% towards wagering. Others are banned with a bonus active, and playing them can cost you the winnings. The difference is in one line of the terms.
By Gareth Llewellyn · Updated 14 October 2026
18+. Figures from each casino's own published terms, 14 October 2026.
- Counts 0% only
- time wasted
- Listed as abuse
- winnings at risk
- Your own cash, no bonus
- no rule
From UK bonus terms, 14 October 2026.
Excluded games on a casino bonus: two different rules
“Excluded” can mean either of those. The terms will tell you which.
- Counts 0%
- Betway lists Classic Blackjack, Baccarat, Craps, Red Dog and Sic Bo at 0% towards wagering on their £50 bonus, and calls these games “excluded games”.
- Not to be played
- Playing the game with a bonus active breaks the terms. Casumo and MrQ both list "wagering bonuses on excluded games" or "wagering on games excluded from the offer" as prohibited play.
Any Bonuses offered on the Website are not applicable to the Excluded Games. To view the most current list of Excluded Games, please refer to the dedicated page here.
Wagering on games excluded from the offer;
Which games UK casinos exclude from bonuses
The same kinds of games turn up again and again.
| Kind of game | Why it is excluded | Example from UK terms |
|---|---|---|
| Low house edge tables | Small amounts of each bet are lost, making a bonus easy to clear | Betway: All baccarat, craps, and Sic Bo are 0% |
| High-RTP slots | They return more than the average slot | Casumo: Slots 96.8% RTP or higher count 30% |
| Named slots | Features that can be accumulated and saved | Casumo: Castle Builder, Crystal Cavern, Golden Beauty |
| Jackpot slots | Single wins can be several times the bonus | LuckyMate: spin winnings on non-jackpot slots only |
| Video poker | Near break-even with good play | Betway: All Aces, Jacks or Better at 0% |
From each casino's UK bonus terms, 14 October 2026.
Casumo's list runs to dozens of slots, from Monsters Unchained and The Wish Master Megaways to several Slingo games. LuckyMate keeps its list on a separate page and says it may change over time.
Excluded games at UK casinos we review
Where each casino has its list and what is on the list.
| Casino | Where the list is | Examples |
|---|---|---|
| Casumo | General bonus terms 9.1.4 | Monsters Unchained, The Wish Master Megaways, several Slingo games |
| Betway, £50 bonus | Game contributions table | All baccarat, craps, Red Dog, Sic Bo |
| BetMGM | General bonus terms | Slingo Starburst, Epic Ape, Tutan's Treasure |
| LuckyMate | Separate Excluded Games page | Changes over time; check before playing |
| MrQ | Offer terms | No wagering, so exclusion only applies to the spins slot |
From each casino's UK terms, 14 October 2026.
BetMGM's list has 12 games at 0% towards its qualifying £10, including Slingo and video poker games. Betway places its exclusions with the weights in the same table, under the heading "excluded games".
Lists change. LuckyMate says so directly and makes checking them the responsibility of the player, meaning you should look again for each individual bonus, not just the first.
Why some slots are excluded: saved features
There are a few slots which let you build up a feature and come back to it later.
Games like Castle Builder or Crystal Cavern save your progress. Casumo's terms say using bonus money to build up a game's state, and then returning with real money to collect the payout, is considered abusive play.
The idea is that the bonus pays for the work, and your cash takes the reward. To counter this, the casino usually excludes these games or names the practice in their terms.
So if you really like a slot which has collectables, levels, or a meter that carries over, and you want to use a bonus, you must check the excluded list first.
What happens if you play an excluded game with a bonus
It depends which of the two rules applies.
- If it only counts 0%
Nothing is taken. Your bets just didn't move the wagering requirement.
- If it is prohibited
The casino can take away the bonus, and the winnings made from it.
- Your own deposit
Stays yours either way. UK guidance protects un-staked deposits.
- Ask for the term
UK guidance says casinos must name the term and explain the breach.
clearly specify all prohibited types or patterns of play, and do not reserve sole discretion
Because of this, the excluded list must be published in advance. Casinos can't decide after the fact that a game was off-limits.
How to avoid excluded games on a casino bonus
A minute before the first spin saves the argument later.
- Open the list
Look for "excluded games" or "restricted games" in the bonus terms, which are usually separate pages.
- Stick to the offer's slot
Welcome spins are tied to one game. Play bonus money on plain slots that count 100%.
- Avoid jackpots and buys
Jackpot slots and feature buys are usually excluded or capped.
- Cancel before switching
To play an excluded game, you need to forfeit the bonus. See how to forfeit a casino bonus.
Our game weighting guide covers games that count less, and low wagering slots lists slot offers that have fewer rules.
Excluded games questions
What are excluded games on a casino bonus?
What happens if I play an excluded game with a bonus?
Where do I find the excluded games list?
Why are some slots excluded from bonuses?
Can I play excluded games with my own money?
Which casino has the most excluded games?
Do excluded games apply to no-wagering free spins?
Can excluded games lists change?
Are jackpot slots excluded from bonuses?
Is baccarat an excluded game?
Written by
Gareth looks up the excluded games list behind every UK bonus he reviews, because it is the list players most often never open.
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