Slot play almost always counts 100% towards meeting any playthrough requirements attached to a bonus. Anything you win playing slots while meeting the playthrough requirements is yours.
Online Casino Game Contribution & Eligible Games
You know online casino bonuses come with playthrough or wagering requirements. You also know that means you’ll have to play online slots and casino games to get your hands on that bonus you just claimed. However, you might not be aware that some games count more than others towards meeting the requirements, and some don’t count at all.
Slots almost always offer the highest game contribution levels, but you’ve got to read the fine print on the bonus first to see what else you can play and help maximize the potential of your bonus. Here’s a complete look at how game contribution works and a few tips to help you clear bonuses as quickly and efficiently as possible.
Quick facts: What you need to know
Online casino game contribution and game eligibility are conditions attached to online casino bonus playthrough requirements. They tell you what games you can play to clear your bonus the fastest and list the games that don’t count toward meeting the playthrough requirements at all. Here’s a quick look at three key concepts to help you understand how online casino game contribution and eligibility work.
Slots Count 100%:
Other Games Can Count as Low as 10%:
Read the terms and conditions and be aware that many casino games might count as little as 10% towards meeting the playthrough requirements. That would mean betting 10x the amount you’d have to bet playing slots.
Not All Games Count:
Reading terms and conditions will let you know that some casino games don’t count towards meeting the playthrough requirements at all. Sometimes casinos will exclude games that offer low to no house edge.
What is a game contribution rate?
Not all online casino bonuses or no deposit bonuses have game contribution rates, but many do. Game contribution rates are the rates at which a particular game counts toward meeting the playthrough requirements attached to an online casino bonus. For example, slots typically have a 100% contribution rate, while the contribution rate for video poker may be only 50%. If you play video poker, you’ll have to play twice as much to meet the playthrough requirements compared to playing slots. Games that are restricted and don’t count towards meeting playthrough requirements have a 0% game contribution rate.
You only keep what you win while meeting the playthrough requirements attached to an online casino bonus. Since game contribution rates and restrictions dictate how easy it is to meet playthrough requirements playing games that offer you the best chance to win, game contribution rates and restrictions directly impact the value of a bonus.
For example, if you sign up for Caesars Online Casino using the bonus code FREE2500, you’ll get your initial deposit matched with a 100% bonus up to $2,500. However, there’s a 15x playthrough requirement on the bonus for slots. Plus, the game contribution rate for video poker is 50%. That pushes the playthrough requirement up to 30x for video poker — a game that offers higher return-to-player rates (RTP) than most slots.
The game contribution rate for other low-house edge games like blackjack and all other casino games is even lower at 20%, pushing the playthrough requirement up to 75x. Plus, games like Craps, Roulette, Baccarat, and Sic Bo that offer low to no house edge bets are restricted and don’t count at all towards meeting the playthrough requirements.
Detailed breakdown of game contributions
Here’s a closer look at the typical game contribution rates for different casino games. In other words, how much each type of casino game typically counts toward meeting the playthrough requirements attached to an online casino bonus.
Slots
Slots typically count 100% towards meeting any playthrough requirements attached to a bonus and are ideal for clearing bonuses quickly. However, bonus terms and conditions may include a list of restricted or lower house edge slots with lower game contribution rates.
Video Poker
Because of the low house edge, video poker games typically count 50% towards meeting any playthrough requirements attached to a bonus. You’ll have to play twice as much, but the low house edge can make video poker your best option for clearing bonuses. The terms and conditions may include a list of restricted video poker games or lower game contribution rates.
Table Games
The game contribution rates for other low-house edge games like blackjack, roulette, and other classic casino table games are typically even lower than slots and video poker, ranging from 10% to 20%. If a game offers an RTP than most slots or low- to no-house edge bets, the game contribution rate will either nosedive or the game will be restricted altogether.
Tip:
Games that offer the highest RTP, or low- to no-house edge bets, may be restricted altogether. In other words, some games may not count towards clearing a bonus. Craps and high RTP slots are typical examples of restricted games. Game restriction lists vary by casino, but all game restrictions will be spelled out clearly in the terms and conditions attached to a bonus.
Current online casino game contribution rates
The following table compares the welcome bonuses and game contribution rates from top US online casinos.
| Online casino | Bonus | Game contribution rates |
| BetMGM Casino | $25 in FreeplayⓇ and a 100% deposit match up to $1,000. | FreeplayⓇ: BetMGM Slots and Jackpot Slots at 100% (1x playthrough). Play on other games will not contribute towards the wagering requirement. Deposit Match: BetMGM Slots and Jackpot Slots at 100% (15x playthrough). Play on other games will not contribute towards the wagering requirement. |
| Caesars Palace | 100% match up to $2,500 + 2,500 Reward Credits® | Deposit Match: Slots at 100% (15x playthrough), Video Poker at 50% (30x playthrough), and Blackjack and all other games at 20% (75x playthrough). Game restrictions include Craps, Roulette, Baccarat, and Sic Bo. |
| BetRivers Casino | Up to $500 back to cover losses in your first 24 hours | Bet Credit Refund: All games at 100% (1x playthrough). |
| DraftKings Casino | Deposit $5 and receive $35 in casino credits + play $1 and get $100 back in casino credits instantly | Casino Credits: All games at 100% (1x playthrough). Live dealer games are restricted in some states. |
| FanDuel Casino | Deposit $10, get $20, plus up to $1,000 back in bonus credits on any first-day losses | Bonus Credits: All games at 100% (1x playthrough). |
| Bet365 Casino | 100% new player deposit match up to $1,000 | Deposit Match: 100% on eligible games (20x playthrough). Baccarat, Quantum Roulette Instant Play, and Live Dealer games are excluded. |
| Fanatics Casino | 200% free spins refund on net losses playing specified slots in your first 72 hours, including up to $800 in free spin credits | Free Spin Credits: 100% on specified slots (1x playthrough). All other games are excluded. |
Example of a game contribution scenario
Caesars Palace online casino has a sign-up offer with a 100% match up to $2,500 and 2,500 Reward Credits®. Slots have a 15x playthrough requirement, 30x for Video Poker, and 75x for most other games. Game restrictions include Craps, Roulette, Baccarat, and Sic Bo. Here’s a step-by-step guide to clearing a $100 bonus at Caesars Palace.
Step 1: Sign up with Caesars Palace online casino using the promo code FREE2500.
Step 2: Deposit $100.
Step 3: Make $6,000 worth of bets playing Deuces Wild video poker to meet the 30x the deposit amount and bonus wagering requirement. Avoid lower RTP slots despite the smaller playthrough requirements and table games because of the increased playthrough requirements. The slight player edge on Deuces Wild gives you the best chance to stay afloat while meeting the playthrough requirements and have at least some balance remaining after they’re met.
Step 4: Caesars will add the $100 bonus to your remaining balance. You can withdraw it or keep playing and let it ride.
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Conclusion
Understanding game contribution and eligibility is vital to getting full value out of any online casino bonus. To fully leverage an online casino bonus, you need to know how to clear that bonus quickly and efficiently. Game contribution and eligibility provide that information.
Comparing game contribution rates and game restrictions with casino game odds, RTP, and house edge information will also help you choose games that give you the best chance of turning your online casino bonus into cash.
In other words, knowing the rates at which games count toward meeting the playthrough requirements, which games don’t count at all, and which games offer you the best chance to win gives you a roadmap to clearing an online casino bonus quickly and easily. Follow that map to get the most value from any online casino bonus.
FAQs
Game contributions are the rates at which a game counts toward meeting the wagering requirements attached to an online casino bonus. Game contributions can directly impact the size of a wagering requirement.
For example, Caesars Palace’s 100% match up to $2,500 comes with a 15x wagering requirement. The game contribution rate for slots is 100%, so the 15x wagering requirement applies to slot play. However, the game contribution rate for Video Poker is 50%, turning that 15x wagering requirement into a 30x wagering requirement.
Slots almost always offer the highest game contribution levels, but you’ve got to read the terms and conditions of a bonus to see what else you can play and at what game contribution rates to maximize the value of a bonus. Comparing the game contribution rates with odds, RTP, and house edge information may help you find an easier path to clearing the bonus by playing games that offer you a better chance to win, even if you have to play more.
Many online casino bonuses allow you to play any games you want to meet the wagering requirements. However, some have game restrictions. Read the bonus terms and conditions to see if any games you want to play won’t count towards meeting the wagering requirements attached to your bonus.
Online casinos may exclude certain high RTP slots and casino games that offer low or no house edge bets, so you can’t game the system to meet the wagering requirements attached to a bonus. For example, Craps, Roulette, Baccarat, and Sic Bo play don’t count towards meeting the wagering requirements on Caesars Palace’s deposit match bonus. Always read the terms and conditions on a bonus to see if any games don’t count towards meeting the wagering requirements.
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