The U.S. online casino industry has experienced explosive growth in popularity over the past few years, with more states legalising online gaming and opening up opportunities for players to get in on the action. As more states regulate online gaming, players are faced with a dizzying array of choices, which can be overwhelming. That’s where casino bonuses come in—operators are using these tantalising offers to try and seduce new customers into their fold.
While these bonuses can be an absolute steal, they nearly always come with a catch. Usually, the main catch is the wagering requirement; the fine print that tells you how much you have to bet before you can cash out anything. For any U.S. player trying to get the most out of online gaming in 2026, understanding how these deals work should be a top priority.
Common Types of Casino Bonuses
As a player in the U.S., you’re likely coming across a few standard types of bonus offers. The most common one is the deposit match bonus. Essentially, the casino chucks in a percentage of your first deposit with some bonus cash, as long as you don’t exceed a certain amount. For example, a 100% match offer up to $500 means that if you deposit $500, the casino will match it with an additional $500 in bonus cash for you to play with.
Another type of promotion you’ll encounter is the no-deposit bonus. And it’s exactly as it sounds; the casino just gives you a small amount of bonus cash or some free spins just for signing up. You don’t even need to make a deposit first, which is great if you just want to try out the casino without risking any of your own cash. Another promotion you’ll see popping up is free spins offers. These are usually tied to specific games, especially slots, and give you a set number of spins at a particular stake. Any winnings you get from these free spins will usually get converted into a bonus of their own, with its own wagering requirements to boot.
The Most Important Term: Wagering Requirements
Every player needs to wrap their head around the concept of wagering requirements, that is, the condition under which your bonus money is transformed into real withdrawable cash. A wagering requirement indicates the number of times you must wager your bonus money before it can be withdrawn into your account.
Let’s use a super clear example. You receive a $100 bonus with a 15x wagering requirement; now that sounds bewildering, but it’s actually quite simple. It means you need to lay out a total of $1,500 in bets (100 x 15) before that initial $100 bonus, and any winnings you get from it are officially yours to keep in your spending money. The lower the wagering requirement is, the better the deal is for you. Truth be told, it’s always a good idea to check those terms and conditions before accepting anything, because as far as player-friendliness goes, the lower the hurdles, the better.
A trustworthy platform like Borgata Online Casino will have all these rules laid out for you in the terms and conditions section, so you know precisely what game plan you’re working with. The fact that they’re upfront about all this is a big tick in the box for a legitimate operator.
How Different Games Contribute
Adding another layer to the wagering requirements is the list of games that contribute to them, and it’s not all good news. Not every game is created equal when it comes to clearing off a bonus; some games are valued more than others. The type of game you play will determine how much of your bet actually counts towards the massive task of meeting the wagering requirement.
The good news for slots is that they usually give you the complete 100% of what you put in. So, if you put $5 into a slot machine, that entire $5 will count towards clearing your bonus. But table games like blackjack or roulette are a whole other story. Those usually only give you a tiny fraction of your bet; anywhere from 10% up to 20%. The reason for this is simple: table games are designed to generate less revenue for the house, which means the player stands a better chance of coming out ahead.
However, if a game only contributes 10%, that means for every $10 you risk, only a single buck will count towards clearing off that bonus, and that’s a game-changer. The last thing you want is to be stuck playing a low-contribution game and not stand a chance of meeting the wagering requirement.
Other Rules to Be Aware Of
Beyond the wagering requirement and what you need to contribute to the action in the game, there are a few other terms and conditions you need to keep an eye on. Most bonuses also come with an expiry date; you have seven, 14, or 30 days to fulfil the wagering requirement. If you don’t complete it on time, the bonus itself and any associated winnings are essentially lost.
Many casinos have a rule regarding the largest bet you can make when playing with bonus cash as well. For example, you might find you’re restricted to just $5 per spin on a slot machine; anything over that and you could be voiding your bonus. Plus, to make things more complicated, some offers will also restrict which games you can play using bonus cash. To ensure a smooth and enjoyable experience, read the terms and conditions before you start playing.
Be Wise in 2026
Casino bonuses can be an excellent way for Americans to get a little extra fun out of our money. They let you go ahead and try out some new games, and even help you to stretch out your bankroll in the process. However, these bonuses aren’t a free ride. By taking a moment to read up on the fine print, what the wagering requirements are, and what games actually count, you can truly figure out what you’re getting into.
That way, you can make a wise choice if a promotion is really worth your while and pick out the ones that actually fit with how you like to play. Being informed is the best way to make sense of the various online casinos in the US market by 2026.
