When you sign up at an online casino, the excitement begins with claiming bonus offers when you make your deposit.
While I could write an article that simply compares bonus offers between different online casinos that accept USA customers, offers change regularly.
So, I decided it would be more helpful to make a guide to the different policies which govern online casino bonuses at some of the websites where you might choose to gamble.
Policies can change as well, but hopefully, the information I share with you in this article will remain current for some time.
Why Are Bonus Policies Important?
Online casino bonus policies are important because they impact your customer experience as well as the value of the bonuses you are claiming.
Here are a few of the ways in which bonus policies matter:
- Rollover requirements can range significantly from one website to the next.
When rollover requirements are high, you need to achieve more turnover before you can make a withdrawal. But when rollover requirements are relatively low, you can claim the value of the bonus much sooner, risking less of your own money along the way. - Bonus policies sometimes stipulate which regions you can and cannot claim bonuses from.
- Another aspect of casino bonus policies involves what activities count toward meeting your rollover requirement.
Even as a US customer, you may travel outside the USA sometimes, so these policies may be important to you or not depending on your habits.
For example, on some websites, the only games you can play that count toward meeting the rollover requirement are slots. Others are broader, and allow you to play a wider variety of games to meet your requirement.
Bonus abuse policies determine which behaviours a website will punish you for, and what form said punishments will take. Some sites are more strict than others.
Now that you know some reasons why bonus policies are important, let’s take a look at the different policies for some of our recommended online casinos. Clicking on any of these names will take you directly to the site in case you would like to go and check them out.
Bovada
Whether you are into online casino games, sports betting or both, you almost certainly at least know the name Bovada.
Bovada is one of the most popular websites for gamblers in the USA and features Real Time Gaming casino games. The minimum deposit is just $25, and there are well over 100 different slots to enjoy along with table games such as roulette and craps.
Bonus Policies at Bovada Casino
Let’s see what the bonus terms are at Bovada, starting with the terms which pertain to rollover and withdrawals.
Rollover Requirements
In the terms of service, it states:
“Unless otherwise stated in the particular rules applicable to individual Activities, Games or Bonus promotions, any bonus funds that are credited to your Account (whether as a result of a prize, promotion, redemption or any other reason) shall be subject to rollover requirements before such bonus funds (and any associated winnings from such bonus funds) can be withdrawn. Unless otherwise stated in the bonus terms, no deposit bonuses under $100 will have a maximum cashout amount of $125, and no deposit bonuses over $100 will have a max cashout equal to 1X the bonus.”
The most pertinent information in this paragraph is:
- The maximum cash-out for no-deposit bonuses under $100 is $125
- The maximum cash-out for no-deposit bonuses over $100 is equal to 1X the bonus
Again, this term is specifically for no-deposit bonuses, not regular deposit bonuses.
As to how high the rollover requirements are, that depends on which bonus offer you accept. So, we will look at a specific example so you can get a feel for the type or rollover you can expect at Bovada.
Abuse of Bonuses
Online casinos need to protect themselves from bonus abuse. From the same terms of service page on Bovada:
“Bonus abuse may be defined as (but not restricted to) clients cashing out for the purpose of re-depositing, depositing on top of an existing balance, or referring new accounts that they are using themselves.”
You will find that this is pretty average in terms of bonus abuse policies, and a close match for the terms at other online casinos.
Bonus Example at Bovada Casino: $3,000 Casino Welcome Bonus
As mentioned, let’s now take a look at a specific promotion which is available at Bovada as of the time of this writing so you can see how rollover requirements work at this site.
With this bonus, you can get a 100% match up to $1,000 on your first deposit. Following that, you can claim two 100% reload bonuses up to $1,000 each. That adds up to a total of $3,000 in bonus funds.
The rollover requirement is 25X the amount of the deposit plus the bonus.
If you try to withdraw before meeting that requirement, you will forfeit both the bonus and winnings you obtained with it.
Bovada states, “All games, except Craps and Live Dealer, contribute towards playthrough requirements; however, certain games may have a greater contribution than others.”
In a separate bonus terms and conditions page, Bovada outlines the percentage contribution toward fulfilling your rollover requirement for different casino games. They are as follows:
- Slots, Specialty Games (unless stated otherwise): 100%
- Table Games (unless stated otherwise): 20%
- Video Poker (all types) & Blackjack (unless stated otherwise): 10%
- Single Deck & Double Deck Blackjack, Roulette, Baccarat: 5%
- Craps & Live Dealer (all types): 0%
So, the most efficient way to meet your rollover requirements is to play slots and specialty games. But unlike some other websites, Bovada still allows you to work toward your rollover requirements by playing table games and others.
Along with the regular $3,000 welcome bonus for casino players, Bovada also is offering these other promotions at the time of this writing:
- $3,750 Bitcoin Casino Bonus
- 100% Poker Welcome Bonus
The Bottom Line:
Bovada is a solid choice if you want to keep your rollover requirements to a minimum. Casino rollover requirements are much higher on average than sportsbook rollover requirements. But the Bovada casino 25X rollover requirement for the example bonus we looked at is very reasonable, and significantly lower than the rollover requirements you will find at some of the other casinos on this list.
Slots.lv
If you lean toward playing slots most of the time, one online casino you definitely won’t want to miss out on as a US player is Slots.lv. Here you will find more than 120 exciting slot games to enjoy including classic slots, progressive slots, 3D video slots and more. The website also features table games.
Bonus Policies at Slots.lv
Most of the information in the terms of service concerning bonuses at Slots.lv is pretty basic. The terms state that rollover requirements apply, and are set individually for different promotions. The site also emphasizes that you must verify your identity before you can withdraw.
The terms define abuse as follows:
“Bonus abuse may be defined as (but not restricted to) clients cashing out for the purpose of re-depositing, depositing on top of an existing balance, or creating new Accounts that they are using themselves.”
The exact same cash-out rules for no-deposit bonuses apply here as do at Bovada:
- The maximum cash-out for no-deposit bonuses under $100 is $125
- The maximum cash-out for no-deposit bonuses over $100 is equal to 1X the bonus
The terms add, “If you have redeemed one No Deposit bonus a real money deposit needs to have been made in the interim for you to be eligible to redeem a second No Deposit bonus. Redeeming two or more No Deposit bonuses in a row can result in the removal of subsequent winnings.”
In other words, the site doesn’t want you playing just with their money and none of your own. That’s fair.
The following section from the terms is also relevant:
“We do not allow the mixing of No-Deposit bonuses (e.g. Free Chips, Free Spins, Cashback/Insurance Bonuses etcetera) and deposits. If a deposit is made while a No Deposit Bonus is active, the wagering requirements and maximum allowed cash-out of the No Deposit bonus will still apply. The deposit amount will be credited to your balance, however the deposit amount is not considered to be in active play and any subsequent winnings are subject to the wagering requirements and maximum allowed cash-out of the No Deposit bonus until your balance is equal to or less than the deposit amount plus any existing balance available prior to the bonuses redemption.”
In short, you need to be careful with no-deposit bonuses. If you have claimed one, just remember that you might want to wait to make a deposit until after it is no longer active. Otherwise, you will be hit with that previously discussed cash-out limit.
Bonus Example at Slots.lv: 200% Welcome
When you join Slots.lv, as of the time of this writing, you can claim a 200% welcome bonus up to $1,000.
The rollover requirement for this bonus is 35X. That is a bit higher than the example we’ve looked at for Bovada.
There is a terms and conditions page for bonuses which lists the wagering contributions:
- Slots – All Types, Scratch Cards, Specialty Games, Keno: 100%
- Pai Gow, TriCard Poker, Let ‘Em Ride, Caribbean Poker(all): 20%
- Video Poker (All types), Blackjack (unless stated otherwise), Classic Blackjack, Baccarat: 10%
- Single Deck & Double Deck Blackjack, Roulette: 5%
- Craps: 0%
You can see that this is similar to the table for Bovada, but not identical. This table provides more specific detail, especially on games that contribute 100% or 20% toward fulfilling your rollover requirements.
The Bottom Line:
While the example bonus we looked at for Slots.lv has a higher rollover requirement than the example bonus we checked out at Bovada, it is still lower than rollover requirements at many other websites. So, if you want to keep rollover requirements low, Slots.lv is another worthy option.
BetOnline
We’ve been playing at BetOnline for more than a decade, and it is always a great experience. Like Bovada, BetOnline is perhaps better known as a sports betting site, but it also features a casino and poker room and some awesome bonuses and promotions both for punters and casino gamblers.
Bonus Policies at BetOnline
BetOnline has a link at the bottom of their website to “Terms & Conditions.” Clicking on it brings up a short screen listing some of the website’s bonus policies. These are more applicable to be sports betting side of the site than the casino.
For more detailed information about bonus policies, including those that pertain to casino gambling at BetOnline, navigate to the “General Rules.”
This page includes some instructions to help you claim your bonus. It also includes the following relevant terms and conditions for casino bonuses:
“When completing rollover on a slot game, the maximum bet per spin is $10. Failure to follow this condition may result in forfeiting any winnings.
Using the in game “BUY FEATURE” to circumvent bonus rollover requirements may result in forfeiting any winnings.
All casino games contribute proportionally towards the rollover of casino bonuses except Slot Progressive Games, Craps and Live Dealer Games.
Minimum rollover requirement for both Sports and Casino bonuses are defined as [deposit + fees + bonus] multiplied by [required rollover]. For casino bonuses, you are subject to roll over the deposit amount one time in casino real cash games before withdrawing.
The maximum bonus is $1,000.00. And a minimum deposit of $50.00, regardless of deposit method, is required to qualify for the bonus.
Other promotions are offered from time to time which require higher rollover requirements.”
Here is the wagering contributions table:
- Slot Games (Excluding progressive jackpot slots): 100%
- Roulette, Draw High-Lo, 3-Card Rummy: 20%
- Baccarat, Single Deck, American & European Blackjack, Poker 3, Oasis, Triple Edge, Caribbean, Three Card and Video Poker: 10%
- Pirate 21, Blackjack Super 7, Pai Gow, 21 Burn, Ride’m Poker, Keno, Red Dog, Pontoon, Top Card Trumps: 5%
- Craps, Live Casino, Games with Progressive Jackpots, Virtual Racebook: 0%
While the same basic wagering contributions brackets exist for BetOnline as the other online casinos we have looked into, you can notice some differences in the percentages contributed by specific games.
For instance, consider keno. At BetOnline, keno only contributes 5% toward meeting your rollover requirements. But at Slots.lv, it contributes 100% toward the rollover requirements.
Similarly, Slots.lv mentions that “all types” of slots contribute 100% toward rollover requirements, but BetOnline makes an exception for progressive slots, which contribute nothing.
Re-deposit these are offered at BetOnline. In order to claim one, you must make sure you have not received a payout within the last 14 days, have no existing rollover conditions to meet, and have no pending free play or bonus balance still in your account.
Bonus Example at BetOnline: 100% Casino Welcome Bonus
Let’s now take a look at a specific promotion which is current as of the time of this writing that BetOnline.
When you make your initial deposit to gamble at the BetOnline casino, you can receive a 100% match on your deposit. You can also do this for the subsequent two deposits. The minimum to claim this promotion is a $25 deposit, and the maximum is a $1,000 deposit. That makes the total promotion worth up to $3,000.
On the promotion page, you can view the terms and conditions which are specific to this promotion.
These terms and conditions state that the rollover for this bonus is equal to 40X the amount of the deposit plus the bonus.
In the General Rules, BetOnline states:
“For example, if you deposit $1000 and your fees are $15, BetOnline will credit your account the full $1015 + $250 Free Play Deposit Bonus. So, if you have a ten-time rollover assigned for that deposit bonus, you must roll the entire amount (e.g. $1015 + free play) ten times. Thus, to receive a payout without forfeiting anything you won from your bonus, you must first cover the rollover amount (e.g. $1015 + Free Play times ten).”
That means if you fail to meet the rollover requirements for this or any other bonus at BetOnline, then you will lose the amount of the bonus and what you won playing with it.
Along with this example bonus, the following promotion is also current as of the time of this writing at BetOnline casino:
100% Poker Welcome Bonus
The rest of the promotions at this time appear to be for the sportsbook. If you do enjoy wagering on sports, we highly recommend that you check out those promotions too.
The Bottom Line:
Between the differences in the wagering contributions and the higher rollover requirement that we saw, BetOnline’s bonus rules are not as competitive as those at Bovada or Slots.lv. Nevertheless, there are higher rollover requirements out there at many other sites, and the overall terms governing bonuses are still fair and reasonable.
CafeCasino
CafeCasino hasn’t been around all that long, but with BestPartners operating the site, CafeCasino garnered our trust right away. We have more than 16 years of experience with the casino’s management team, and they have always impressed us in terms of their transparency, fairness, game selection, and more.
Bonus Policies at CafeCasino
Let’s take a look at the policies which govern bonuses and promotions at CafeCasino.
We can start by checking out the terms of service. In the terms of service, CafeCasino mentions that rollover requirements apply to bonuses, and also includes a section on bonus abuse. The site defines bonus abuse accordingly:
“Bonus abuse may be defined as (but not restricted to) clients cashing out for the purpose of re-depositing, depositing on top of an existing balance, or creating new Accounts that they are using themselves.”
Sounds familiar, right? While we see variations in terms of rollover requirements and wagering contributions from site to site, most websites define bonus abuse in the same general terms.
This website features the exact same limits on cash-outs for no-deposit bonuses as the others we have shared, and likewise applies those limits if you make a deposit while you have an active no-deposit bonus.
This website also mentions a six-month expiration date for the use of bonuses. If you fail to meet the rollover requirements within that timeframe, any bonus funds remaining in your account will be removed along with their winnings.
Bonus Example at CafeCasino
Now that we have gone over some basic terms and conditions, we can look at an example of a promotion which is current as of the time of this writing at CafeCasino to get a feel for typical rollover requirements at the site.
As your welcome bonus, you can choose between either of two options:
- Option 1:
- Option 2:
Super Play Welcome Bonus – 500% up to $5,000 on your first deposit
10x Max Cashout, 35x Playthrough, Bonus is Cashable.
No-Max Welcome Bonus – 100% up to $1,000 on your first deposit.
No Max Cashout, 25x Playthrough, Bonus is Cashable.
The fact that there are two options is awesome from a flexibility standpoint, because you can choose the terms which are suitable to you.
Even though Option 2 is a smaller bonus, it has a significantly lower rollover requirement and your cash-out is unlimited. This is the one I would probably opt for since the terms are more favorable, but it is totally up to you, which is great!
Here are the wagering contributions:
- Slots, Specialty Games – All Types: 100%
- Table Games – Unless Stated Otherwise: 20%
- Video Poker (All types) & Blackjack (unless stated otherwise): 10%
- Single Deck & Double Deck Blackjack, Roulette, Baccarat: 5%
- Craps: 0%
While not mentioned in the wagering contributions table, you cannot play live dealer games using your bonus funds, so those also do not count toward meeting your rollover requirement. So, these wagering terms are identical to those at Bovada.
Other promotions which are current as of the time of this writing at CafeCasino include:
- Bitcoin Welcome Bonus
- Weekly Mystery Bonus
- Café Casion Perks
- Referral Bonuses
Remember to check each individual promotion to identify its rollover requirements.
The Bottom Line:
If what you are looking for is flexibility in rollover requirements and cash-out rules, it is hard to beat CafeCasino.
At CafeCasino, you get to pick your own welcome bonus, deciding what to prioritize: the amount of your bonus, or the cash-out terms and rollover requirements. The rollover requirements also are pretty low overall.
BoVegas
Next, we have BoVegas. This website accepts US customers and offers a great selection of games to enjoy.
Now, you might be wondering whether BoVegas is related to Bovada in some way. The answer to that question is “no.” The last we checked (this comes from customer service), a company called SKYLINE MEDIA N.V. operates BoVegas. So far, we’ve been very pleased with all they have to offer.
Bonus Policies at BoVegas
We’ll begin our investigation into the bonus policies at BoVegas by turning, as usual, to the terms and conditions.
These policies are some of the most clear and comprehensive we have seen, with separate sections on the page discussing each of the different types of promotions at BoVegas.
Match Bonuses
It would be a bit outside our scope to go over all of the bonus policies in detail, so let’s take look specifically at the policies which govern match bonuses on the site.
If you are claiming a match bonus for slot games (including Video slots, 3-reel slots, Keno, Bingo, and Scratch Cards), the rollover requirement is 30X the amount of the deposit and bonus combined.
If you are claiming a match bonus for card games (including Video poker, Blackjack, Blackjack multi-hand, Tri-Card Poker, Three Card Rummy, and Texas Hold’em Bonus Poker), that rollover requirement increases to 35X.
You can see that BoVegas organizes things a little bit differently with respect to its promotions than a lot of other casinos online.
Basically, you decide what you want to play, and then claim an applicable bonus from there if one is available. Otherwise, you could claim a different bonus and discover some games you might not otherwise try.
Now, really important to note is this line:
“The player shall not place bets / stakes on games other than stated under Terms and Conditions of the Match bonus (unless otherwise stated); otherwise, the winnings might be void due to playing excluded games.”
So, not only do games not stated as applicable to the bonus you claim not count toward the rollover requirements, but playing them can actually result in you losing the bonus and your winnings. So it is extra important to only use your bonus on games which are allowed for that particular promotion.
Note that for all bonuses, the following rule applies:
“Unless otherwise stated under bonus terms and conditions, playing on the following games while on a bonus will void all winnings accrued while using a bonus: Baccarat, Craps, Pai Gow Poker, Pontoon 21, Sic Bo and War. Such games are considered as excluded from all the promotions.”
Here are the wagering contributions as expressed in the terms and conditions:
- Slots, Video Slots, Keno, and Scratch Cards – 1.00
- Card Games – 0.25
- Video Poker – 0.25
- Roulette – 1.00
You can read 1.00 as “100%” and 0.25 as “25%.”
It is interesting to note that roulette counts 100% toward meeting your rollover requirements. This is by far the highest contribution we have seen for roulette yet. At Bovada and Slots.lv, it only counted 5% toward the requirements.
If you do not meet the rollover requirements you have agreed to and attempt to make a withdrawal, the terms and conditions state that your request will simply be denied.
It is also very important not to mix bonuses, similar to the policies we have discussed for the other websites on this list.
If you do mix promotions, your winnings can be forfeit. If you accidentally claimed a mix of promotions and have not yet started playing with the bonus funds or free chips, you should contact customer service immediately to get them to correct the error so that you do not lose your winnings.
No-Deposit Bonuses
We’ll also go ahead and discuss the policies stated for no-deposit bonuses.
If you accept a no-deposit bonus and use it for slot games (including video slots, 3-reel slots, keno, bingo, and scratch cards) or card games (Video poker, Blackjack, Blackjack multi-hand, Tri-Card Poker, Three Card Rummy, and Texas Hold’em Bonus Poker), you must achieve a 50X rollover.
If you accept a no-deposit bonus and use it for roulette (American and European with outside bets disabled), you must achieve a 60X rollover.
Once more, if you wager on any games which are not included for the no-deposit bonus, you forfeit your winnings.
BoVegas lists these cash-out rules:
“The maximum withdrawal amount (unless otherwise stated) from a No Deposit bonus in an amount valued at or below $50 is twice the face value of the bonus. All No Deposit Bonuses valued above $50 come with a cash-out limit equal to the value of the bonus. No Deposit Bonuses cannot have max cash-out of over $100. Please note that some offers may include a max cash-out condition equal to 3 times the bonus amount, which is to be stated in Terms and Conditions of a particular bonus.”
In between no-deposit bonuses, you must make deposits. If you claim two in a row without doing this, your winnings are forfeit.
You will notice that these cash-out limits are just a little tighter than those at the other casinos we have discussed.
Bonus Example at BoVegas: 300% Slots Match
With this bonus, you can get a 300% match on your deposit to play slots. There is no maximum cash-out for this promotion.
Since the rollover requirements were laid out in the terms and conditions, you know that the turnover should be 30X.
As of the time of this writing, there is also a 250% slots match bonus you can claim which likewise includes no maximum cash-out.
You have to claim that 250% bonus before you qualify to claim the 300% bonus.
The Bottom Line:
When it comes to clarity and transparency regarding promotions, BoVegas is one of your best options out there. All the terms are outlined in one place in a good amount of detail.
Nevertheless, this site can be quite restrictive. If you make a mistake and play a game outside the list of allowed games for a promotion you have claimed, you can lose your winnings.
But if you love to play roulette, BoVegas is an excellent choice, since 100% of your play counts toward meeting your rollover requirements at this casino. That is simply not the case at a lot of competing casinos.
Recommendations for Maximizing Bonus Value at US Casinos Online
Having examined the rules and rollover requirements which govern bonuses at 5 different casinos which except USA customers, we can offer a few best practices:
Join more than one of these casinos. Doing so will give you the opportunity to claim more bonuses than you could at just one. It will also give you more games to play.
Triple check the rules before you claim a bonus.
While you have an idea what to expect after reading through this article, do not forget that terms and conditions are subject to change. Many rules are also specific to individual bonuses. So always read the rules for each offer before accepting it.
Play specific games at the casinos which offer the best wagering contributions for those games. For example, if you want to play roulette, it makes more sense to do so after claiming a bonus at BoVegas than Bovada or Slots.lv.
Conclusion: Join All 5 of These Trusted Online Casinos and Enjoy 5 Times the Bonus Fun!
We hope that you found this investigation of bonus rules at our top recommended casinos for US players educational.
Now that you know more about the rollover requirements, wagering contributions and other policies at these 5 casinos, you are probably excited to grab some of that free cash. Consider signing up on all 5 sites so that you can have quintuple the fun!
And also make sure to read these articles as well before you dip!
- The Three Super Simple Steps to Buying (and Gambling With) bitcoin
- A Millennial Guide to Online Casino Games
- The Ultimate List of Poker Variants: 20 Types of Poker to Play Online
- What Should You Be Looking For in the Customer Service Department of an Online Casino?
- Can You Really Make a Living By Gambling Online?