Trixino: Online casino bonuses explained

The short answer

Casino bonuses are marketing offers that add bonus funds, free spins or cashback to your account. Bonus money usually cannot be withdrawn until you meet a wagering requirement, and rules on games, bet size, expiry and maximum winnings apply. You never have to accept a bonus.

Common types of casino bonus

The five terms that decide what a bonus is worth

• Wagering requirement: how many times you must stake the bonus (or bonus plus deposit) before winnings can be withdrawn. See wagering requirements explained.
• Game contribution: slots usually count in full; table and live games often count for little or nothing, or are excluded.
• Maximum bet: a cap on each stake while the bonus is active. Going over it can void the bonus.
• Expiry: the time you have to use the bonus and complete wagering.
• Maximum win or cashout: a cap on what you can withdraw from bonus winnings, common with free spins and no-deposit offers.

Sticky and non-sticky bonuses

With a non-sticky (or "parachute") bonus, you play with your own deposit first. If you win before touching the bonus, you can usually withdraw without wagering by forfeiting the bonus. With a sticky bonus, your deposit and bonus are mixed, and the bonus amount itself is often removed when you withdraw. The terms should say which type applies.

A quick example

You deposit £100 and receive a 100% bonus of £100 with 30x wagering on the bonus. You must stake £3,000 before you can withdraw bonus winnings. On slots with a 96% RTP, the expected cost of that wagering is about 4% of £3,000, or £120, which is more than the bonus itself. That does not mean you will lose exactly that, but it shows why high wagering makes bonuses worth less than they look. Under the UK 10x cap, the same bonus would need at most £1,000 of wagering, with an expected cost of about £40.

When to say no to a bonus

In Great Britain, Gambling Commission rules cap wagering on casino bonuses at 10x from 19 January 2026 and ban promotions that mix different products, such as casino and betting. Offers above 10x are not allowed for UK-licensed casinos.

• You mainly play live casino or table games that do not count towards wagering
• You want the option to withdraw quickly
• The wagering is high, or the terms are hard to find
• You would deposit more than planned just to unlock it

Bonuses and safer gambling

A bonus is designed to keep you playing longer. Decide your budget first and only accept an offer that fits it. If you notice you are chasing bonus offers, take a break and see our responsible gambling page. For how an offshore brand's bonus terms read, see our Trixino bonus terms explained (Trixino's own terms list the UK as a restricted country).

In the UK, the National Gambling Helpline on 0808 8020 133 is free, confidential and open 24/7, and GAMSTOP lets you self-exclude from all UK-licensed gambling sites at once.

Frequently asked questions