Lately, there has been a trend among casinos toward a more player-centric approach and the introduction of all kinds of advantages for players, so they have a fairer experience. One of the ways through which operators have put this into practice is by offering no wagering promotions.
There was a time, around the beginning of the 2000s, when casinos used to offer many such bonuses with free cash. But because there were too many players who profited from this, operators started introducing wagering requirements. They began with lower conditions and now worked their way up to 50x or even 60x wagering.
Because there are some operators that still care about their players and don’t want to put so much pressure on them, from time to time, you’ll find a no wagering casino. If you want to find out what this truly means and what these types of bonuses hide, continue reading.
What no wagering means
The meaning of a no wagering bonus is pretty straightforward. Basically, there is no playthrough, and you are able to keep what you win. Usually, you would redeem a bonus with either free spins or free bets, then check the T&Cs to see the wagering requirements. If the bonus is $100 and the rollover conditions are x40, then you’d have to play $100 x 40 = $4,000 to be able to withdraw the winnings.
When wagering applies only to the bonus amount, not the deposit too, the conditions are significantly more favorable. But some promotions require wagering both the bonus and the deposit. So, an offer like 100% up to $100 would give you $100 if you deposit the same amount. In total, you have $200 to wager. Using x40 again, the calculation would be $200 x 40 = 8,000.
Be careful of promotions that offer a lower rollover requirement to catch your attention, but then require you to wager the bonus and deposit as well. A no wager bonus, on the other hand, has much cleaner and more transparent T&Cs, because you withdraw directly what you win. Just make sure you’ve completed the KYC process beforehand.
What are the catches
No wagering promotions might seem really advantageous, right? And they are, but at the same time, there are a few aspects you need to know about that make you look at these promotions in a different light.
A no wager bonus doesn’t mean no terms and conditions. These offers still have a well-defined set of requirements that persist, and you must meet to withdraw real money. It might seem like there are no terms anymore, because the wagering requirements are usually the ones that you spend the most time on.
Besides this aspect, you also need to consider that online platforms may seek to protect their house edge by imposing other conditions. Each restriction is worth understanding before claiming any no wagering offer.
Maximum cashout cap
The no wagering promotion you’ve laid your eyes on has many benefits, sure. But before you actually start playing, it’s mandatory to read the T&Cs section. There, among other conditions, you’ll find one that relates to the maximum cashout cap.
While a welcome bonus, for example, might have a bigger maximum cashout because you need to deposit and the amounts are bigger overall, a no wagering promotion won’t have a maximum cashout that generous.
The operator already considers that it gave you a big benefit by removing the wagering, so they’ll lower the bar for the money that you can withdraw to protect themselves.
Eligible games
You know that to be able to withdraw real money from the bonuses you activate, you need to look carefully into what the eligible games are. You’ll also find these in the section for terms and conditions. If you decide to play other slots than the ones selected by the casino, you risk losing the bonus and the potential winnings.
Also, consider that the games the operator has chosen for the promotion might have lower RTPs. A lower RTP means a disadvantage for you, but a bigger house edge for them, which allows them to recover their money.
Maximum bet
Most offers include a condition stating the maximum bet you can use, usually to meet the wagering requirements. But in this case, considering there is no wagering, the maximum bet acts as a limit for you and the winnings you may get.
If you were used to $5 maximum bets on the regular offers you were claiming, the maximum bet might now be lower, such as $3. A $3 bet won’t bring you the same money as a $5 bet, which means the casino will have to offer you less money and keep more for themselves.
Bonus value cap
Finally, you’ll notice that if you look past the “no wagering” in the titles, the actual value of the bonuses is not that big. At least, casinos create most bonuses like this. As wagering is a really important topic for both players and operators, the latter have to be careful how they manage the removal of the rollover so that they stay winning.
Conclusions
If you see a promotion at a casino and it seems to be too advantageous, carefully look into it to see what the catches are, because there surely will be some. No casino will simply offer the chance to win real money that easily and in big amounts. Read the terms and conditions carefully, choose the best promotion for you, and limit your expectations when it comes to these bonuses so you don’t become disappointed.