Welcome bonuses that cost more than they pay

The wagering multiple

The first line to find is the multiple. Thirty times the bonus sounds abstract until you do the arithmetic: a 100 bonus at 30x means 3,000 in stakes before you can withdraw. Some sites multiply the deposit as well, which doubles the hill. If the multiple is buried or missing, treat that as the answer.

The three lines that finish the job

Game weighting decides what counts. Slots often count in full; the games with better odds may count at ten percent or not at all. Max cashout caps what you can keep, so a lucky run can still end at a fixed ceiling. And the clock: most bonuses expire in days, not months.

Find these four numbers before you opt in

• Wagering multiple, and whether it covers the deposit too
• Game weighting for the games you actually play
• Maximum cashout on bonus winnings
• Expiry date and what happens to uncleared funds

Sometimes the right move is to decline the bonus and play cash. A smaller stack with no strings often beats a bigger one with four.