How to Clear a Casino Bonus
Clearing a bonus means completing its wagering requirement within the time limit, without breaking any rule, so the remaining balance becomes withdrawable. No method changes the expected loss set by the turnover and the house edge. What a plan can do is avoid the mistakes that void bonuses, keep play inside the deadline and the max bet, and let you stop at the right points.
This page sets out an eight-step plan with a full A$ example. It is part of our bonus guides.
The Example Bonus
A A$100 deposit with a 100% match (A$100 bonus), 40x bonus-only wagering, 7-day validity, A$8 max bet, pokies 100%, table games 10%, non-sticky. These terms are similar to several offers stored in our reviews, for example Bizzo Casino (40x, A$8 max bet) and Zoome (40x, 7 days, A$7.50 max bet).
Turnover required: 40 x A$100 = A$4,000. Expected loss at 96% RTP: A$160.
Step 1: Read the Full Terms Before Depositing
Note in one place: multiplier and base, time limit, max bet, game contribution, excluded games, win cap, sticky or non-sticky, excluded payment methods and the cancellation rule. Save a dated copy. See how to read casino T&Cs.
Step 2: Verify Your Account First
Upload ID and proof of address before you deposit. Verification problems found after wagering can delay or block the withdrawal. See KYC verification.
Step 3: Check the Expected Value
Expected value = bonus – turnover x house edge = A$100 – A$160 = -A$60. You are paying about A$60 on average for a longer session. If that cost is not acceptable, decline the bonus. If wagering were 25x or lower on a 96% RTP game, expected value would be zero or positive. Full maths: wagering requirements.
Step 4: Choose Games That Count and Fit
- Use pokies that count 100% and are not on the excluded list.
- Prefer higher RTP: on A$4,000 turnover, a 96.5% game costs A$140 on average, a 94% game A$240. Check RTP in the game info or with our RTP guide.
- Avoid bonus-buy features; most terms ban them during wagering.
- Consider volatility. Low to medium volatility keeps the balance alive longer; high volatility gives more chance of a large win but more chance of busting early. See pokie volatility.
Step 5: Size the Stake
Two limits apply: the max bet (A$8) and your balance. A common rule of thumb is to stake about 1% of the starting balance on medium-volatility pokies, so A$2 per spin on A$200.
| Stake | Spins for A$4,000 | Spins per day over 7 days | Minutes per day at 10 spins/min |
|---|---|---|---|
| A$1 | 4,000 | 572 | 57 |
| A$2 | 2,000 | 286 | 29 |
| A$4 | 1,000 | 143 | 14 |
Expected loss is A$160 whichever stake you choose. Higher stakes finish faster and swing more; lower stakes take longer. Never exceed the max bet, including Ante Bet options that raise the cost. See max bet rule.
Step 6: Play Real Money First and Decide Your Stop Points
With a non-sticky bonus your A$100 is played first. Set two stop points before you start:
- Win stop: if your real balance reaches, say, A$400 before the bonus activates, cancel the bonus and withdraw. You give up the A$100 bonus but avoid all wagering.
- Loss stop: if the bonus balance falls to zero, the attempt is over. Do not deposit again to “rescue” it.
With a sticky bonus there is no early exit without forfeiting winnings, so the win stop does not apply. See sticky vs non-sticky.
Step 7: Track Progress in the Casino’s Bonus Page
Check the wagering counter after each session. It confirms that the games you play are counting as expected. If progress does not match your bets, stop and ask support which games are counting before you continue. Keep the chat transcript.
Step 8: Withdraw Correctly
When the counter shows 100%, the bonus converts to real money. Then:
- Check for a win cap and whether the excess has been removed.
- Check any separate deposit turnover rule (3x at HellSpin, Woo and Rooli).
- Withdraw using the same method as the deposit where required.
- Do not start another bonus before the withdrawal is approved; some casinos cancel pending withdrawals when a new bonus is claimed.
Our withdrawal guide covers processing times and limits.
Mistakes That Void Bonuses
- One spin above the max bet.
- Playing an excluded game, including some jackpot or high-RTP pokies.
- Using a bonus buy or gamble feature.
- Low-risk betting, such as covering red and black in roulette.
- Opening a second account to claim the offer again.
- Depositing with an excluded payment method.
- Letting the deadline pass. See bonus expiry.
Outcomes to Expect
From the example, three typical results:
- Bust: the balance runs out before A$4,000 is wagered. When expected loss (A$160) is close to the starting balance (A$200), a large share of attempts end this way.
- Partial: you finish wagering with a small balance, for example A$40 to A$100.
- Large win: a feature pays several hundred dollars and the remaining wagering is finished comfortably.
The average across all attempts is the expected value from Step 3. A plan reduces avoidable losses, not the house edge.
Current offers with their stored terms are in our bonus archive.
Frequently Asked Questions
Stake close to the max bet on pokies that count 100%. It shortens the time but does not reduce expected loss, and any bet above the limit can void the bonus.
Pokies that count 100%, are not excluded and have RTP of about 96% or higher. Table games usually count 10% or less.
With a non-sticky bonus you can withdraw real money before the bonus activates, forfeiting the bonus. Otherwise an early withdrawal usually forfeits the bonus and its winnings.
Most casinos show a counter in the bonus or promotions section of your account. Check it after each session.
Not with typical offshore terms. At 40x wagering on 96% RTP pokies the expected value is negative; only low-wagering or no-wagering offers have positive expected value.
A bonus plan is not a way to make money. Play only if you are 18+, and call Gambling Help Online on 1800 858 858 if gambling causes harm.