Bonus headlines are marketing; wagering terms are the contract. A 100% match up to £200 can look simple until a 35x requirement attaches to the bonus alone, not the deposit. Read the terms first and keep a written note of the numbers you find.
1. Identify what the playthrough attaches to
The first check is whether wagering applies to bonus only, deposit plus bonus, or the total received. Example: a £100 deposit with a £100 bonus at 35x bonus creates £3,500 of required play, while 35x deposit plus bonus creates £7,000. The takeaway is that doubling the base doubles the work, so confirm the formula before opting in.
2. Read the game contribution table line by line
Not every spin reduces the requirement at the same rate. Slots may contribute 100%, live roulette might contribute 10%, and some table games may be excluded entirely. If £1,000 of wagering is needed and a game contributes 10%, you must stake £10,000 on that game. Treat the contribution table as part of the cost, not as small print.
3. Calculate the cash-equivalent playthrough
Convert the bonus into a realistic target by multiplying the requirement by the contribution weight. A £50 bonus at 40x is £2,000; if your preferred game contributes 25%, the effective target becomes £8,000. The takeaway is that a smaller bonus with a 100% contribution game can be cheaper than a larger bonus tied to low-contribution games.
4. Check max bet, expiry, and withdrawal caps
Three limits often decide whether a bonus is usable: maximum stake per spin, days to complete wagering, and maximum cashout from the bonus. Example: a £5 max bet and 30-day expiry are workable for steady play, but a 7-day expiry with a £2 cap may force risky staking. Note each limit before depositing. A practical way to compare these conditions is to open the casino wildzy terms page alongside your notes and mark every clause that changes the playthrough.
5. Test the terms against your normal session
Finally, compare the audited terms with how you actually play. If your usual session is 200 spins at £1, a £5 max bet does not matter; if you prefer live dealer games, a low contribution rate does. The takeaway is that a bonus is only valuable when its rules fit your game choice, stake size, and timeline.