Bonuses and promotions are extremely popular at online casinos, sportsbooks and other gambling sites. They provide players with extra value and the chance to boost their bankrolls and winnings potential. There are also some very common mistakes that players make when trying to use and clear these bonuses that often end up costing them in the long run.
While bonuses seem very enticing, the truth is that gambling sites put a lot of strict rules and limitations on them to protect themselves. This means players need to use careful planning and responsible practices to truly gain an advantage from bonuses rather than have them negatively impact their experience.
Not Reading the Fine Print
One of the biggest mistakes LuckCasino players make is not actually reading the full terms and conditions for a bonus before claiming it. Casinos and sportsbooks put rules and limitations on bonuses to protect themselves, but if you don’t read and understand them, you may miss out on winnings.
Key terms to look for include:
- Wagering or playthrough requirements – This is how much you need to bet before you can withdraw bonus funds. Make sure you can realistically meet this.
- Time limits – Bonuses often expire after a set number of days. Don’t claim it if you don’t think you’ll use it in time.
- Eligible games – Make sure the games you want to play are included. Often slots count 100% but table games only partially.
- Maximum bet size – There may be a cap on how much you can wager per spin or hand while clearing requirements.
- Restricted countries – Check the bonus is valid for your location.
Spending just 5 extra minutes reading the terms could save you a lot of hassle later on. Never assume you know what restrictions apply.
Not Planning Your Bankroll
Another key error is claiming bonuses without thinking about how much money you have to spend clearing the playthrough and meeting all the terms. The rules often favor the house, so you need a bankroll large enough to cover potential losses.
Before claiming any bonus, work out:
- How much your total bankroll needs to be to meet wagering and have a backup if you hit a bad run.
- What you can afford to comfortably deposit initially.
- Whether you’re eligible for additional deposit bonuses to top up if needed.
Have a clear bonus utilization plan rather than jumping in blindly. Allow for some loss risk and have funds to reload your account if required while still clearing the bonus.
Chasing Losses to Clear Wagering
Many players fall into the trap of chasing losses when they have an active bonus. If you lose some of your bankroll trying to clear playthrough requirements, the urge can be to bet bigger and more aggressively to win it back quicker.
This is a dangerous strategy that rarely pays off. Stick to your initial bankroll and wagering plan. Don’t risk even bigger losses by upping stakes too much or betting on games you don’t fully understand. If you lose your entire bankroll, be prepared to reload funds or forfeit the bonus rather than desperately trying to force wins.
Have clear stop loss limits before you begin so you don’t let emotion take over if variance goes against you early on.
Not Tracking Bonus Progress
Clearing detailed wagering requirements demands keeping precise track of how much has been bet and counted so far. However, many players fail to adequately monitor this, instead just blindly continuing to bet and hoping they hit the targets.
Without tracking, it’s very easy to lose visibility on playthrough progress. Make sure to clearly note:
- Initial bonus amount received
- Wagering requirements figure to meet
- Total bets placed that apply
- Running percentage progress to goal
Many sites helpfully provide statistics on active bonuses. But keeping your own records is wise too. That way you always know exactly where you stand to finish clearing and can plan the remainder of play accurately.
Not Managing Your Time
Bonuses often must be cleared within a set timeframe before they expire. Failing to manage your time and workload effectively can result in you missing out even if you were on track to ultimately meet wagering limits.
When you claim a bonus with a short validity period, realistically assess:
- How many hours per day you can dedicate to play
- Your average bet speed or time per spin/hand
- How much actual play will be required daily to clear requirements before expiration
Do the math. Even if you think you only need to average a few hours per day, factor in personal or work commitments that could interrupt this. Allow some spare capacity.
Plan sessions and stick diligently to your schedule. Avoid claiming short-term bonuses at busy real-life periods.
Playing Restricted Games
Most bonuses clearly state which games count fully, partially or not at all towards playthrough. Confusing this when playing is an easily avoided misstep.
Common restrictions include:
- Slots counting 100%, table games 10-20%
- No progress from video poker, craps or baccarat
- Live dealer games are excluded or counted less
Make sure you understand exactly which games you can and can’t play. Sort them conveniently in the site lobbies for easy access rather than risking wasting bets.
Check the lobby displays bonus contributions from each game before playing if uncertain. Don’t just assume your usual favorites comply, as this varies widely.
Bonus Abuse or Fraud
Finally, be aware that deliberately trying to exploit or cheat bonuses is strictly prohibited. Things considered bonus abuse or fraud include:
- Using multiple accounts or bonuses fraudulently
- Money laundering
- Chargebacks or disputed deposits
- Hedging bets by wagering both for and against
- Manipulating games or software
Attempting activities like these may lead to bonuses and winnings being voided, account suspension or even criminal charges in some jurisdictions.
