Bonus terms explained: the clauses to read before you opt in
Every bonus is defined by its terms, not by its banner. The same headline — a match, a set of spins, a refund — can be a fair deal or an impossible one depending on half a dozen clauses. This guide goes through them in the order they usually appear and explains what each means for a player who prefers live tables, classic table games or sports betting over slots.
Whether Garage runs a given offer for your account, and on what terms, is shown on the operator’s promotions page. Amounts, percentages and wagering are set by Garage; the bonus terms on the operator’s site are final.
Go to the offerEligibility
Terms first define who may take an offer: adults only, one offer per person, household, device or payment method, and sometimes only residents of certain countries. Accounts that do not meet the eligibility rules can have bonuses removed at any point, even after wagering is finished, so this clause is worth reading before anything else.
The wagering base and multiplier
Look for two things: the multiplier and what it is applied to. A requirement of 30x the bonus and a requirement of 30x deposit plus bonus sound similar but differ a lot. With a hypothetical €100 deposit and €100 bonus, the first means €3,000 of qualifying stakes, the second €6,000. The wagering guide shows the full calculation.
Game weighting
The contribution table lists how much each game type counts toward wagering. Slots often count fully; roulette, blackjack, baccarat, poker variants and live game shows frequently count partly or not at all. Some terms exclude specific titles with high RTP. For a table player, this is the clause that decides whether the bonus is realistic.
Clauses players overlook
| Clause | What it says | Why it matters |
|---|---|---|
| Maximum bet | Highest stake per round while a bonus is active | One stake above it can void the bonus |
| Irregular play | Low-risk patterns are not allowed | Covering both outcomes is a common breach |
| Expiry | Deadline to use and to wager the bonus | Unfinished bonuses are removed |
| Withdrawal cap | Limit on winnings from some offers | Anything above the cap is forfeited |
| Excluded payments | Methods that do not qualify | A deposit with them gets no bonus |
| Sticky or non-sticky | Whether the bonus itself can ever be withdrawn | Changes the value of the whole offer |
Sports offers have their own clauses
For sportsbook promotions, the terms usually define minimum odds per selection, which markets count, whether system or accumulator bets qualify, whether early cash-out voids a qualifying bet and whether free bet stakes are returned with the winnings. These rules are separate from casino wagering and are worth reading on their own. Our sports betting section explains how odds and margin work.
If a dispute happens
Ask support for the exact clause that was applied and keep the answer in writing. Compare it with the version of the terms that was valid on the day you accepted the offer. If you still disagree, the complaints page describes the usual escalation steps. Arguing from the banner rarely helps; arguing from the text of the terms often does.
Bonus terms and conditions to check first
If you have only two minutes, read four things: the wagering multiplier and its base, the contribution of the games you play, the maximum bet and the deadline. Those four answer most questions about whether an offer suits you. Everything else — caps, excluded methods, irregular play — matters when something goes wrong, so it is worth knowing where to find it.