Guide
How to read casino bonus terms: the significant terms that matter
The six lines of small print that decide what an offer is worth, and the advertising rule that puts them next to the offer.
Casino bonus terms come in two layers: the full terms and conditions, and a short set of significant terms that the advertising rules say must sit next to the offer itself. Reading those few lines well tells you almost everything: who can claim, what you must deposit and stake, how many times you play it through, which games and payment methods count, how long you have and how much you can keep. This guide shows where to find each one and what it means.
18+ only. If you are unsure whether a bonus suits your budget, the responsible gambling page covers limits and help.
What makes a term "significant"
CAP Code rule 8.17, enforced by the Advertising Standards Authority, says any marketing that mentions a promotion must clearly and prominently state all significant conditions whose omission is likely to mislead. ASA guidance on gambling bonuses lists the usual ones: eligibility (new customers, 18+, GB only), minimum deposit, wagering requirement, time limits, game restrictions, excluded payment methods, maximum bet with a bonus, and caps on winnings or conversion.
Those conditions must appear with the offer, not only behind a link. The full terms may be one click away through a clear link, but not hidden in a footer. In a 2024 ruling against William Hill, cited in the ASA guidance, an excluded payment method placed lower down the page was judged not prominent enough.
The six lines to find in any offer
- Eligibility and qualifying spend. New customers only, first deposit only, minimum deposit, and whether you must also stake an amount before the bonus arrives. An opt-in or a code can be part of this line.
- Wagering. The multiple and what it applies to: the bonus, the winnings from spins, or something else. GB rules cap wagering on bonus funds at 10x from 19 January 2026; the wagering requirements guide shows how to calculate it.
- Time limits. Days to claim, to use spins and to complete wagering. Short windows on spins (24 or 48 hours) are common.
- Games and spin value. Named slots, game contribution rates, and the value of each spin, which sets the real size of a spins offer.
- Payment exclusions. Methods that do not qualify, most often e-wallets or prepaid vouchers. Deposit with one of those and the offer does not trigger.
- Caps. Maximum win from spins, maximum conversion of bonus to cash, maximum bet while wagering, and whether withdrawing early forfeits the bonus.
Two terms sheets read line by line
Here is how the six lines look on live offers. Magical Vegas: 100 bonus spins after a £10 deposit and £10 stake
Min deposit £10 and £10 stake; Paysafecard excluded; 10x wagering; max win £200; spins on The Goonies Quest for Treasure Jackpot King
Look for the qualifying stake on top of the deposit, the excluded payment method, the multiple, the maximum win and the single eligible slot. Costa Bingo: 50% games bonus up to £100 on a £10+ first deposit
New players; min deposit £10 with code GAME50; 10x games bonus wagering; instant games only; 5-day expiry; winnings capped at £100 plus bonus; withdrawal forfeits bonus
This block adds a code, a game restriction to instant games, a short expiry, a cap on winnings and a forfeiture rule on withdrawal. Neither offer is unusual; both show why the headline alone says little about value.
Words that change the meaning
| Wording | What to check |
|---|---|
| "Free spins" | ASA guidance says an offer should not be called free if you must risk your own money to qualify. If a deposit is needed, they are bonus spins. |
| "Up to" | The maximum, not the typical amount. A 50% match "up to £100" needs a £200 deposit to reach £100. |
| "Chance to win" or prize wheel | The number of spins is random; the minimum outcome matters more than the top prize. |
| "Max conversion" or "max cashout" | The most bonus money that can become cash, whatever you win. |
| "Only bonus wagers count" | Bets from your cash balance do not reduce the requirement. |
| "Withdrawal forfeits bonus" | Asking for a payout before wagering ends removes the bonus and its winnings. |
The prize wheel format is a good test. Amazon Slots: Chance to win up to 500 bonus spins on Starburst
18+, new players, £10 min fund; bonus spins winnings subject to 10x wagering; max bonus conversion equal to lifetime deposits up to £250; only bonus wagers count
Here the conversion cap is linked to lifetime deposits, so the amount you can keep depends on how much you have paid in, a line easy to miss.
Where significant terms end and full terms begin
Significant terms are a summary. The full bonus rules still bind you and often add general conditions: one offer per household, the operator's right to withdraw a bonus where it suspects abuse, and rules on which bets count. Commission rules also say terms must be clear, transparent, fair and easy to find and read, and that an incentive's value must not rise because you reach the qualifying spend faster than the full offer period. If a key condition appears only in the full terms, treat that as a reason for caution. The casino glossary explains the remaining jargon.
A quick reading routine
- Find the significant terms next to the offer before opening the full rules.
- Work out the total stake from the multiple and the base.
- Check that your payment method qualifies.
- Note every cap and the shortest deadline.
- Ask whether you would play that much anyway. If not, skip the bonus.
UK-licensed casinos, ranked by our score
Order = score out of 10. Every operator holds a Gambling Commission licence.
| # | Casino | Score | Welcome offer and significant terms | Payments | Links |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Place 1 |  Magical VegasRank Interactive (Gibraltar) Limited | Score: 8.1 out of 10, very good | 100 bonus spins after a £10 deposit and £10 stake Significant terms Min deposit £10 and £10 stake; Paysafecard excluded; 10x wagering; max win £200; spins on The Goonies Quest for Treasure Jackpot King |
| Visit Magical Vegas (opens the operator site in a new tab)Read the review: Magical Vegas |
| Place 2 |  Costa BingoBroadway Gaming Ireland DF Limited | Score: 6.0 out of 10, fair | 50% games bonus up to £100 on a £10+ first deposit Code GAME50 Significant terms New players; min deposit £10 with code GAME50; 10x games bonus wagering; instant games only; 5-day expiry; winnings capped at £100 plus bonus; withdrawal forfeits bonus | Not listed | Visit Costa Bingo (opens the operator site in a new tab)Read the review: Costa Bingo |
| Place 3 |  Amazon SlotsJumpman Gaming Limited | Score: 7.7 out of 10, good | Chance to win up to 500 bonus spins on Starburst Significant terms 18+, new players, £10 min fund; bonus spins winnings subject to 10x wagering; max bonus conversion equal to lifetime deposits up to £250; only bonus wagers count |
| Visit Amazon Slots (opens the operator site in a new tab)Read the review: Amazon Slots |
Ad We may earn a commission if you open an account through links on this page; it does not change our scores or the order of operators. How we score · Advertising disclosure
Questions readers ask
What are significant terms in a casino bonus?
They are the key conditions whose omission would mislead: eligibility, minimum deposit, wagering, time limits, game and payment restrictions, and caps on bets or winnings.
Must significant terms appear next to the offer?
Yes. ASA guidance says significant conditions must sit with the offer, while the full terms can be one click away through a clear link.
Why is my payment method excluded from a bonus?
Operators often exclude e-wallets or prepaid vouchers from welcome offers. The exclusion is a significant condition and should be stated next to the offer.
Can a casino change bonus terms after I claim?
Full terms usually set out when an operator can withdraw or alter a promotion. Keep a copy of the terms shown when you opt in, and raise any dispute through the operator's complaints process first.