What a crypto welcome bonus actually is
A welcome bonus is extra money added to your account when you make a qualifying deposit. Bovada has promoted bonuses for players who deposit with cryptocurrency. The key word is bonus: that money comes with conditions, and you usually cannot withdraw it, or the winnings from it, until you meet them.
Wagering requirements in plain English
A wagering requirement, also called a rollover or playthrough, is the total amount you need to bet before bonus money turns into money you can withdraw.
The terms usually express it as a multiple, for example "wager the bonus a certain number of times". To work out your target, multiply the amount the terms say (the bonus, or sometimes the bonus plus your deposit) by that number. The result is the total you need to bet. It is not the amount you need to lose. Every bet you place counts toward the total, win or lose.
Two things make this harder than it sounds:
- Not every game counts the same. At many casinos, slots count fully while table games, live dealer games or video poker count less, or not at all. Check which games count and by how much.
- There may be other rules, such as a time limit to finish the wagering or a maximum bet size while the bonus is active.
Casino, poker and sportsbook bonuses are not the same thing
Bonuses can be tied to one part of the site. A casino bonus may not apply to sports bets or poker, and the reverse is also true. Before you claim, check which section the bonus is for and make sure it matches how you actually like to play. If you are not sure which section suits you, read Sportsbook vs casino vs poker.
My checklist before claiming any bonus
- What is the minimum deposit to qualify?
- What is the wagering requirement, and is it on the bonus or the bonus plus deposit?
- Which games count, and how much does each count?
- Is there a maximum bet while the bonus is active?
- Is there a time limit?
- What happens to my balance if I withdraw before I finish?
If I cannot answer all six from the terms, I do not claim it yet.
When I skip the bonus
Sometimes the smartest move is to say no. I skip a bonus when I know I will want to withdraw soon, when the games I want to play barely count toward wagering, or when I simply do not want the extra rules hanging over my session. Taking the bonus is always optional.
Keep track while you clear it
The easiest way to stay sane while clearing a bonus is to log every bet. My free bankroll tracker keeps a running total, and the bankroll guide shows how I use it. Bonuses also affect when you can cash out, so read how Bovada withdrawals work too.
Remember that Bovada is not available in every US state. For the bigger picture, see Is Bovada legit? and my full Bovada review.