Experts Review Casino Low Wager Bonuses

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What’s a Low Wagering Casino Bonus?

A low wagering casino bonus is an online casino bonus with a low wagering requirement (please see above) attached. These are typically found within the 10x to 20x range. Anything above 20x is not considered a low wagering casino bonus as the playthrough requirement is not favourable to the player. 

Historically, online casinos have been known to advertise wagering requirements that exceed 60x but these are now luckily few and far between.

You can spot a low wagering casino bonus by looking at the key terms displayed under the bonus ad. Typical key terms might look something like this:

If key terms are not displayed under an online casino’s promotion, it’s an indicator that it’s not licensed. All licenced casinos are required to display key terms (unfortunately usually in really hard to read, tiny text) under all promotional material.

The Different Kinds of Low Wagering Casino Bonus

It’s easy to get confused with all the different bonuses floating around online casinos. The mainstays of the bonus world are Free Spins (Starburst, anyone?) and deposit bonuses are commonly found at online gambling establishments for players. We’re going to nail down exactly what these different bonuses are, and what they mean. 

• No deposit bonuses are bonuses that do not require a deposit
• Deposit bonuses are bonuses that do require a deposit
• Free Spins are gratuitous spins awarded by a casino across a game collection, or single video slot game
• Reward multipliers are offered to players that play within a certain period and give you more funds to play with. Reward multipliers can be found as high as 100x your wagering total.
• Referral bonuses are seen across a host of different platforms, especially ecommerce sites. Refer a friend to an online casino and receive a reward
• Non sticky bonus - this can come in the form of a deposit bonus or Free Spins, with Free Spins being the front runner. A non-sticky bonus is a bonus without a wagering requirement at all.

What is a Wagering Requirement?

A wagering requirement is the number of times a player is required to play through their bonus winnings before they can withdraw their funds. Typical wagering requirements range from between 20 times and 60 times (20x and 60x) and a low wager casino bonus is usually considered between 10x and 20x, plus your original deposit. 

Sometimes abbreviated to ‘wager req’, ‘wager reqs’, or called ‘playthrough’, at low wagering bonus casino, you have the opportunity to minimise potential stress caused by wagering requirements.

How to Calculate Wagering Requirement Amount 

To calculate the wagering requirement amount you will use a simple formula: (Wager Multiplier) x (Bonus + Deposit). The wagering requirement multiplier varies but it’s important to calculate the base (Bonus + Deposit) amount first.

Keep in mind that casinos may use a wagering requirement multiplier using just the deposit amount, or bonus amount, or both (or none, ie - wager-free).

For example, let’s use this offer: 100% deposit bonus for €10 deposit with a 20x wagering requirement (D+B).

This means you will get €10 bonus matching 100% of your €10 deposit, or have €20 to play with.

The wagering requirement is 20x so the calculation is: (Wager Multiplier of 20) x (€20). This amount equates to €400, meaning you will have to wager a total of €400 before you’re able to withdraw.

Wagering - More Things to Remember

A few more things to remember:

1. Both winning and losing bets contribute towards your wagering requirement.
2. Different games influence wagering contribution. Also called a ‘table weighting’.
3. Low wagering requirements casino bonuses are the next best bonus to aim for after a no wagering casino bonus.

Always remember: the lower the wagering requirement, the better the bonus.

Countries around the world are updating their guidance on fair terms and practices for online casino sites. Existing commissions discovered that existing wagering requirements are:

• Bonus terms and conditions are hard to understand
• Welcome bonus offers and wagering requirements may encourage excessive play

This is great news for players as it opened doors for more transparent terms and most importantly, fewer or lower wagering requirements.

Other key terms and conditions

Wagering requirements are probably the most important bonus term to be familiar with but there are other conditions you need to be aware of before taking part in a bonus:

• Time limits – attached to ensure players complete the wagering requirement in an allotted time frame. The longest time limit available is the most favourable choice for players. This provides you with the longest time in which to complete your wagering requirement. A short time limit could cause undue stress or negatively influence your gaming patterns, such as wagering on games you might not usually play, for example.
• Cash out limits – these are in place to safeguard the casino from a player signing up for a low wagering casino bonus offer, and take down a massive progressive (also known as jackpot) slot. While this is an extreme example, most cash out limits are specified amounts that relate to your bonus. Let’s say that you take part in a low wagering casino bonus with a bonus amount of €100.
• With a 5x cash out limit, this would mean that the maximum withdrawable amount is €500. If there’s one time you don’t want to have potentially massive winnings withheld is when you’re locked into a cash out limit clause in your T&Cs. The answer? Always go for a bonus without a cash out limit. That said, if there is a cash out limit, do not play progressive/jackpot slots.

The Pros and Cons of a Low Wagering Casino Bonus

There are a few considerations to take into account when you’re assessing if low wagering casino bonuses are the right choice for you.

Here’s the list of the advantages of a low wager casino bonus:

• Provides players the chance to enjoy a bonus without serious financial repercussions.
• You get greater exposure to slots you may not normally have played.
• You have the chance to try out new casinos, at a discount.
• Brings players an elevated RTP (return to player).

To keep this all objective, we do need to mention a disadvantage, too:

• You’re still required to complete a wagering requirement (as opposed to a non-sticky bonus).

You have to weigh the pros and cons yourself to determine whether this kind of bonus is the right one for you and your playstyle.

Low Wagering and Crypto Casinos

Crypto Casinos, i.e. casinos that accept cryptocurrencies rather than fiat payments, are responsible for some of the best casino bonus low wagering known to humankind. Modern by default, crypto casinos are a great place to seek out a low wagering casino bonus as these operators are really hot on attracting new players and also giving said players a sweet deal when it comes to low wagering bonuses.

Whether you already have a crypto wallet bursting at the seams with blockchain-based currency or are taking your first few steps into the world of crypto gambling, you’ll be met with a host of low wagering options. 

Summary

Casino bonuses are changing – and changing fast. Organisations that monitor the industry have seen an increase in problem gamblers raising concerns regarding wagering requirements. 

Luckily, recently casinos have adjusted their bonus terms and conditions to be more favourable to the player. Great news. But, if you’re a cynic, you could see this as a marketing ploy to appear more trustworthy to players. While it’s always important to remain vigilant regarding underhand techniques, the shift in attitude towards wagering requirements was generally considered to be one of genuine concern.

Always select low deposit casino sites, preferably with bonus terms that do not exceed a 20x wagering requirement. Also, always check cash out limits and time limits to confirm that you’re able to meet the requirements. Online gambling should be fun - let’s keep it this way.

Frequently Asked Questions