How casino bonuses actually work

A deposit bonus is only worth what its terms allow you to keep.

Wagering requirement: a 200% bonus with 40x wagering on a $100 deposit means $8,000 of turnover before withdrawal. On a 96% RTP slot that costs roughly $320 in expected value.

Max bet rules: most operators cap bets at $5 while a bonus is active. Break the cap once and the bonus and winnings are usually voided.

Game weighting: slots normally count 100%, live tables 10% or less. Clearing a bonus at the blackjack table takes ten times longer.

The short version: compare bonuses by effective cost, not by headline percentage.