Bonus Abuse

Bonus abuse refers to the unethical practice of exploiting promotional bonuses, offered by casinos, to gain an unfair advantage or cheat. For instance, players can create multiple accounts or employ ways of maximising bonuses without a fair game.

Common Tactics:

• Players may also ‘abuse’ a promotion by performing activities, such as ‘bonus hunting’, or by ‘stacking’ bonuses over several accounts, held on one casino website.

Impact on Operators:

• In addition to causing financial losses of operators, bonus abuse may also subject all operators to stricter terms and conditions as far as bonuses are concerned. In return, casino operators implement various strategies and measures to combat this problem so as to maintain the integrity of the game.
  • Wagering Requirements: Setting high wagering requirements, such as 30x, 40x and even 50x, makes it hard for players to withdraw these bonus funds in the simplest terms.
  • Casinos can limit the types of games that count towards fulfilling the wagering requirement. For example, slot games could be allowed 100% contribution, while table games could be permitted a lower percentage, such as 10% or 20%.
  • Maximum Bet Limits: In order to prevent players from wagering large sums of money and meet the rollover requirements as quickly as possible, casinos may set a maximum bet limit on bonus use.
  • Time Limits: Players have to fulfil their wagering requirements while operating within a time limitation, usually between 7-30 days. 
  • Player Verification: Implementing verification processes helps ensure the bonus is claimed by eligible players only.
  • Bonus Abuse Detection Systems: Detection through complex algorithms and monitoring systems of gaming patterns that point towards bonus abuse, such as: depositing and withdrawing money immediately, or using similar bonuses repeatedly with minimal gameplay.

Regulatory Considerations:

• Operators must implement measures to detect and prevent bonus abuse, while ensuring fair play for legitimate players.

Player Consequences:

• Players, caught engaging in bonus abuse, may face account suspension, forfeiture of bonuses, or permanent bans.