#1. Choosing A Bonus With Unreasonable Wagering Requirements
Wagering requirements dictate how many times you must wager your bonus amount before you can withdraw any winnings.
For example, a 20x wagering requirement on a $100 bonus means you must bet $2,000 to convert your bonus to real money you can withdraw. The higher the bonus wagering requirement is, the more difficult it is to turn the bonus into real money you can cash out.
What’s Considered as a Reasonable Wagering Requirement?
Wagering requirements vary from one casino to the next, but there are a few simple guidelines you can follow to determine if a particular bonus has a high or low wagering requirement:
- 10x – 35x: Very Good – These lower requirements are more achievable, and significantly increase your odds of converting a bonus to withdrawable cash.
- 35x – 45x: Reasonable/Average – This is the typical range for no deposit bonuses. These wagering requirements aren’t great but give you a reasonable chance of turning your bonus funds into real money.
- >45x: Too High/Difficult to Turn Over – Such high requirements are challenging, often resulting in you losing your bonus before meeting the conditions.
#2. Claiming A Bonus With Low Win Limits
Casinos invariably apply win limits to no deposit bonuses. These limits restrict how much of your bonus you can withdraw regardless of how much you win. So, if you claim a bonus with a $50 win limit and have $100 in your account after you’ve wagered the bonus, you’ll only be allowed to cash out $50.
You want to claim bonuses with fairly generous win limits to ensure you don’t wager your bonus in vain.
Win limits can vary a great deal from one casino to another, and we recommend you follow these guidelines when comparing different bonuses:
- $100 – is considered very good, allowing you to win significantly. This higher cap is the most enticing because knowing there’s a higher potential win is an attractive incentive.
- $50 – is reasonable or average, balancing both your satisfaction and the casino’s risk management effectively.
- $10 – is low, and can be potentially discouraging, particularly if you’re on the lookout for substantial rewards. While it minimizes casino risk, understandably, you might not feel engaged or incentivised to play.
#3. Wagering Your Bonus On Excluded Games
Wagering no deposit bonuses on excluded games is never a good idea if you want to withdraw your winnings. Why? Because casinos cancel withdrawals stemming from bonus funds wagered on excluded games.
So why won’t casinos allow you to use bonus funds on certain games? Well, it all comes down to restricting your chances of wagering your bonus.
If you play games with a low house-edge you’re far more likely to win. You can then use your winnings to play more and gradually clear your wagering requirement. This is why you generally can’t use your no deposit bonus on live dealer games and table games.
Similarly, casinos also exclude specific slots with high RTPs or volatility. If you were to hit a massive 5000x win multiplier when playing with your bonus you’d win a sum large enough to guarantee you’d have funds left in your bonus balance after clearing the wagering requirement.
#4. Wagering Your Bonus On The Wrong Games
Game weighting percentages determine how much of your bets contribute towards meeting wagering requirements. If a game is 100% weighted, an amount equivalent to your bet is deducted from the wagering requirement with every spin or hand you play. If you play a $10 spin, $10 is subtracted from your wagering requirement.
Slots are usually 100% weighted, while other games have weighting percentages ranging from 0% to 25%. Therefore, you should stick to slots to wager your bonus quickly and efficiently. See our guide to game weighting for more detailed information on game weighting percentages and how they affect your bonus.
#5. Placing Bets Above The Casino’s Bet Limit
Casinos enforce bet size limitations to manage risk and ensure fair play. These limits vary depending on the game and casino but are typically set to $5 per spin.
If you wager a bonus by placing bets exceeding the bet size, the casino will confiscate the bonus and cancel any withdrawals of funds derived from the wagered bonus.
Other Common No Deposit Bonus Mistakes
As already established, no deposit bonuses can be a great way to enjoy online casinos without risking your own money. However, many other mistakes can hinder your chances of maximising these offers.
Here are some of them:
Not Being Prepared for KYC
Casinos implement Know Your Customer verifications before processing withdrawals. Not having your identification and other necessary documents ready can delay or halt your withdrawal process.
Forgetting to Confirm the Quality and Reputation of the Casino
Not all casinos are trustworthy, this is why third-party audits take place and subpar casinos get blacklisted. It’s crucial to research and verify a casino’s reputation and reliability before claiming a bonus, to avoid scams and ensure a fair and safe gambling experience.
Claiming More Than One Bonus From The Same IP
Casinos typically restrict multiple bonuses from the same IP address. Violating this rule can result in forfeiture of your bonus and a potential banning from the site since this can be flagged up as bonus abuse.
Ignoring the Bonus Expiration Dates
Bonuses usually come with time limits, and perpetual rewards are rare. You must meet the T&Cs within the given timeframe. If not, the bonus expires, making your efforts pointless. Failing to use your bonus within the specified period can result in losing the bonus and any winnings derived from it.
Top Tip
To maximize your no deposit bonus, understanding all bonus terms is crucial. Our detailed expert guide to bonus terms and conditions covers everything you need to know and more, ensuring you make the most of your bonus effectively.