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How to Read Bonus Terms Before Depositing: Seven Checks
Before accepting a casino bonus, verify seven conditions in the full terms — not just the headline percentage. Worked examples show where the numbers differ from the advertised figure.
The headline shows two numbers, not all conditions
A bonus description such as "200% up to 100" contains a multiplier and a cap. It does not state which payment methods qualify, whether the deposit must arrive before or after opting in, what the wagering base is, how many days the offer lasts, which games contribute and what limit applies to a withdrawal from the bonus pool. Each of those points can change the effective cost of an offer significantly.
The seven checks below frame questions to ask before accepting. They use invented examples to show how answers change the arithmetic. They do not describe a specific current promotion at Lucky Bear or establish any terms as typical.
Check 1: Payment method and currency
Some payment methods are excluded from bonuses by the operator. A method that works for a deposit may not qualify the deposit for a particular promotion. The exclusion list is usually in the full terms, not the summary card or email.
Currency conversion adds a second variable. If you deposit in one currency and the account uses another, the amount credited may differ from the amount sent. When the minimum qualifying deposit is measured in account currency, a conversion shortfall can make a payment ineligible even if the receipt appears to show the right amount. Confirm the relevant currency and rate before sending funds.
Check 2: Minimum qualifying deposit and eligibility conditions
A minimum deposit for the account and a minimum qualifying deposit for a bonus are separate thresholds. Meeting one does not imply meeting the other. Suppose a fictional offer requires a 20-unit qualifying deposit. A 15-unit payment meets a lower account minimum but does not trigger the bonus under those invented terms.
Some offers also require an opt-in step before the deposit, not after. Completing the payment first may disqualify the transaction under those terms. Check whether the sequence — opt-in, then deposit — is specified. Do not assume a welcome offer and a reload offer share the same eligibility conditions.
Check 3 and 4: Bonus percentage, cap and wagering base
Apply the percentage to the qualifying deposit first, then apply the cap. For a fictional 50% match capped at 30 units, a qualifying deposit of 40 gives 20 units of bonus and a deposit of 80 gives 30 (capped). Deposits above 60 do not increase the bonus under these invented terms.
The wagering base multiplies a stated amount by the requirement multiplier. If a fictional offer applies x30 to the bonus alone and the bonus is 30, the required credited turnover is 900. If x30 applies to deposit plus bonus, the same 40-unit deposit and 20-unit bonus give 1,800. The multiplier number is identical; the required turnover doubles. Find the base before multiplying. See our wagering requirements guide for step-by-step examples.
Check 5 and 6: Time limits and game restrictions
A single promotion can have three distinct deadlines: how long you have to opt in or make the qualifying deposit, how long free spins remain valid after they are awarded, and how long you have to complete the wagering requirement. Each may start from a different event. Note the start event, duration and time zone for each. A displayed countdown may use the operator's server time zone, not your local time.
Game restrictions have two components that are not the same thing: contribution rates and prohibited games. A 20% contribution rate means 100 units of turnover add 20 units of progress. A prohibited game means playing it may void the bonus entirely, not merely give zero progress. Check both lists separately. A game appearing in the general lobby does not establish that it is eligible for a specific promotion.
Check 7: Withdrawal conditions and a record to keep
Some promotions cap the amount from the bonus pool that can be converted to withdrawable cash. If a fictional cap is 50 units and the pool reaches 120, only 50 is eligible under those invented terms. That cap is a separate number from the maximum transfer per request and a separate number from the maximum daily or weekly withdrawal. Read the scope of each restriction carefully before drawing a conclusion about available funds.
Before accepting an offer, write down the offer name, match rate, cap, qualifying deposit threshold, wagering base, multiplier, game contribution list, each time limit with its start event and time zone, and any withdrawal cap. Save the full terms page or screenshot with the date. If any condition is unclear, ask support for written clarification before the qualifying deposit. A record made beforehand is easier to use if a discrepancy appears later. For context on bonus restrictions, the Gambling Commission's transparency guidance sets out what operators licensed in Great Britain are expected to communicate — this is a general reference, not confirmation of Lucky Bear's jurisdiction.
For adults aged 18 and over. Educational content, not a promise of profit. Read our responsible gambling guidance.
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