What is a Bad Casino Sign Up Bonus?

You might think that there’s no such thing as a bad casino signup bonus. After all, if you’re getting something for free, how can that be bad? In most cases, you’d be right; even if an online casino isn’t offering you the best signup bonus, it’s usually giving you at least a little something for nothing.

Then there are the truly bad casino signup bonuses, the ones you should avoid at all costs. These bonuses won’t let you play the games you want to play, have ridiculous requirements or make it almost impossible to get your money. Here are a few things to look out for when trying to figure out if a casino sign up bonus is good or bad:

  • Make sure you can play your favorite games. A lot of casino deposit bonuses only let you play a limited selection of games, such as slots or keno. This doesn’t make them bad bonuses if you enjoy those games, but if you want to play blackjack or craps, they’re bad signup bonuses for you.
  • Check the playthrough requirements. Some casinos make you play forever just to clear your bonus. If you’re a casual player, it’s possible you might never make it through a 100x wagering requirement. In our Online Casino Bonus Directory, we’ve not only selected signup bonuses that generally have low wagering requirements, but we’ve included the playthrough requirement for each bonus in every review.
  • Look for shady terms and conditions. We’ve tried to select online casino signup bonuses that provide the fairest conditions for players, but not all casinos are so nice. Before starting a new bonus, always check the terms and conditions for it on the casino’s website. Make sure players from your country are eligible for the bonus. Also, check for things like any maximum allowed winnings (some casinos will limit how much you’re allowed to win using your bonus money), and that you’ll be able to withdraw your initial deposit before the bonus is over, just in case you need the money again.