Most Common Traps in Bonuses

Match bonuses offered by online gambling sites seem tempting, but they often come with hidden traps that prevent players from withdrawing any winnings. By understanding how these traps work and what to look out for, you can spot and avoid them and take full advantage of match bonuses.

Sky-High Wagering Requirements

One of the most common traps is sky-high wagering requirements. This refers to the number of times you have to wager the bonus amount before you can withdraw any winnings. These can range from 20x to 50x or even more.

For example, if you get a $100 bonus with 40x wagering, you would need to make $4,000 in bets before you can withdraw. This makes it extremely unlikely you’ll have any winnings left by the end of it. Look out for bonuses with lower wagering like 20-30x.

Restricted Games

Most sites, like Nine Casino, restrict which games count towards meeting wagering requirements. Usually, only slots count 100%, while table games like blackjack count less or don’t count at all.

This makes it much harder to clear the playthrough as slots tend to have higher house edges. Before claiming a bonus, check which games count and how much they contribute. The more games count, the better.

Short Time Limits

You will usually have a limited time frame to meet the wagering requirements, often just 1-2 weeks. Run out of time and any unused bonus funds and winnings are forfeited.

With high playthrough and restricted games, clearing requirements quickly can be near impossible. Opt for bonuses with 30+ days instead so you have some breathing room.

High Minimum Odds

Some sports betting sites require bonus bets to be placed at minimum odds, usually -200 (1.5) or higher. This restricts what bets count and makes it hard to use the bonus funds effectively.

Check out the minimum odds rules attached to any sports bonus. The lower the minimums, the less restrictive for players.

Limited Maximum Bet Sizes

If a bonus has a maximum bet limit, this puts a cap on the size of bets you can make while clearing wagering. Often it’s as low as $5 per spin or bet.

Getting through a big bonus balance with such small bets takes ages. We recommend looking for reasonable maximums like $10+ or no limits at all.

Strict Game Category Weighting

Some casinos categorize games and apply different wager contributions depending on the category. For example, all slot games might count 100% while all table and card games only count 10%.

This makes meeting requirements extremely difficult if you want to play anything besides slots. Try finding a bonus with more reasonable weighting across multiple game types.

High Minimum Deposit

While the headline bonus amount might seem big, some carry unusually high minimum deposit requirements just to qualify. We’re talking $100, $250 or even higher.

Obviously you want to invest as little as possible upfront, so look for low minimum deposits close to the standard $10-$20 range.

Rigged Terms and Conditions

As we’ve covered already, the small print attached to bonuses contains multiple traps. Unfortunately, some gambling sites take things even further by deliberately writing terms that are impossible for most players to fulfill.

Pay very close attention not just to the headline offer but the fine details too. If multiple unreasonable traps combine to make the bonus impossible to clear, steer clear!

Fake Timer Pressure

Some shady sites add countdown timers when claiming bonuses to create false urgency. Once claimed, the timers vanish or reset.

Legitimate sites won’t try pressure tactics like this. Counterfeit timers are a clear red flag to avoid particular bonuses or sites altogether.

How to Spot the Traps

Here are some tips to avoid hidden bonus traps:

Read the Terms Thoroughly
Don’t just look at deposit match rates, projected returns or other headline details. Click or tap to expand the terms and scrutinize the fine print attached to each offer.
Use Bonus Calculators
Run bonuses through comparison calculators to project the house edge and potential return accounting for restrictive terms. This gives a realistic estimate of their actual value.
Check Third-Party Review Sites
Independent consumer protection sites provide player reviews and watchdog reports to identify sites with habitually unfair or deceptive bonus terms. Bookmark them as an early warning system.
Practice Account First
Test run new gambling sites by opening a free practice account first. Get a feel for their interface, games and support before depositing.

The Bottom Line

While tempting, big deposit matches often have unreasonable terms preventing you from withdrawing anything. By learning common traps, reading the small print meticulously and using other checks, you can identify great bonuses with responsible terms.

This lets you fully enjoy sites’ generosity rather than lined pockets through pure deception. There are quality real money gambling sites with bonuses offering great value if you know what to look out for.