Bonus terms: reading the small print in ten minutes

Every online casino bonus is governed by two documents: the operator's general bonus rules and the specific terms of the offer. Where they conflict, the specific terms usually win. The text is long, legalistic and easy to skip — which is exactly why this page boils it down to a short checklist. We don't copy Sly's terms here: they change, and the most reliable copy is on the operator's site on the day you accept the offer.

Sly bonus rules

The eight-point checklist

ConditionThe question you ask
WageringWhat is the multiplier, and is it on the bonus only or on the deposit too?
Game contributionWhich categories count fully, partly or not at all?
Maximum betWhat is the ceiling on a single stake while the bonus is active?
DeadlineHow many days do I have, and what happens to the balance when they run out?
Cashout capWhat is the most that can be withdrawn from the winnings?
Payment methodsAre there methods for which no bonus is granted?
ForfeitingHow and when can I give up an active bonus?
Prohibited playWhat counts as "bonus abuse"?

If you can't find the answer to any of the eight, ask support in writing before accepting. An email reply is a better basis in a dispute than a memory of a chat.

"Bonus abuse" — the clause people skip

Almost every operator has a broad clause allowing winnings to be voided for "irregular play". It typically covers: stakes above the maximum, alternating very low and very high bets, playing excluded games, using several accounts, and covering every outcome at table games. The wording is often vague, so the safe approach is the boring one: even stakes below the limit, only on listed games.

Keep a copy from the day you accept

Terms change. In a dispute, what counts are the rules in force when you accepted the bonus. Take a screenshot or save the terms page as a PDF. It takes a minute and is the strongest evidence you will have. More on handling disputes on Complaints and disputes.

The condition that isn't written in the rules

There is one condition you won't find in the operator's document, yet it matters most: how far your own participation goes. Before you click "Accept", add a ninth point to the checklist — your money and time stop-points — and the decision about what happens to the bonus if you reach them before the turnover is done. The operator has written its rules; you write yours. For the mechanics of turnover see Wagering requirements, and for the stop-points themselves Session control.

Bonus terms questions

Can the terms change after I've accepted a bonus?
Operators usually reserve the right to change their rules, but for a bonus already accepted, the terms at the moment of acceptance normally apply. That is why you keep a copy.
Which language version of the terms is binding?
The operator's rules state which language version prevails if versions differ — often English. Check this if you are reading a translation.
What if my winnings were voided?
Ask in writing which clause was breached. Compare it with the copy you saved and, if you disagree, follow the complaints procedure.

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