Best online casino bonus hacks

Nicola Davidson
Written by
Nicola Davidson on 6/06/2025

 

Ever feel like you’re not getting the most bang for your bonus buck hacks? You could be right. That’s because while most players know about the basics – claiming an online casino bonus, spinning the reels and hoping for the best – there are a few advanced techniques you can use to get even more value out of the casino when you stake your claim.

Join us as we take a look at the top bonus hacks – all the insider tips and tricks you need to make your bonus pay off and then some. Ready? Then let’s go make some money!

1. Use low volatility slots to clear wagering requirements is key for bonus hacks

Suppose you’re a seasoned online casino player. In that case, you’ll already know that most casino bonuses come with wagering requirements attached – meaning that you’ll need to wager your bonus amount a certain number of times before you can successfully request a cashout.

What exactly would that look like for your hacks?

Let’s say you’ve claimed a bonus of $200 and it has a 30x wagering requirement. In order to ensure your withdrawal request is approved, you’ll need to place a total of $6,000 in bets first.

Before you freak out (yes, we know $6,000 is a lot), your bonus amount itself and any winnings you accumulate from playing with it will count towards your wagering requirements. You won’t need to spend $6,000 of your own money in order to successfully play through your bonus.

But still, $6,000 is a lot of money to wager. Is there a way to make the process less demanding (and time-consuming), like good hacks?

Luckily, yes – by playing low volatility slots. Typically, low volatility games pay out smaller wins more frequently, which on average should mean constant top-ups to your casino balance. This effectively gives you more chances to spin, more chances to fulfil your wagering requirements, and less risk of blowing through your entire bankroll in the process. Small wins, big hack – you can thank us later!

2. Use your free spins on high RTP games for the ultimate of hacks

From low volatility slots to high RTP games, and the added benefits they can have when playing free spins! As you’ll know, free spins offers are most often linked to particular slots games – usually new slots games – as a way of giving them a boost and introducing them to the casino’s player base.

If, however, you come across a free spins offer that isn’t linked to a certain slot, then this little hack could give you big returns. Any slot with an RTP of 96% or more is generally considered to be a high RTP slot, so find a selection of these and get playing!

Why? Because high RTP slots are more likely to pay you more back over time, giving you the best bonus value possible. The RTP (or Return to Player) percentage is a theoretical number that represents how much the slot is expected to return back to you in the long term – so the higher the percentage, the more you’ll receive back in winnings when you play.

Obviously since the number is a theoretical one, there’s no guarantee that you’ll get exactly the amount of the RTP back, but playing a game with a high RTP can still help nudge the odds in your favour. And when you’re playing for real money, having a helping hand can be a huge advantage.

3. Time your bonus hacks to tournaments or leaderboards

Look at that – your casino’s running a slots tournament! And wouldn’t you know it, they’re offering a deposit bonus at the same time. Want to know a neat little hack? You can get in on both offers with a single deposit! Two birds, one stone.

How does that work then? Well, once you’ve made your qualifying deposit, you’ll be able to successfully claim your deposit match bonus. And, because the timing is right, you’ll be able to use that deposit to enter the tournament at the same time. Which means:

You’ll be earning points or positions on the leaderboard while you’re clearing your bonus.
>You’ll get your deposit bonus plus a shot at extra prizes too – anything from free spins or cash drops to prizes or gadgets, depending on what’s up for grabs in the tournament.

It’s a fantastic way of doubling the value that your deposit offers – using it to claim a bonus and enter an event at the same time. And there’s nothing shady about it either, it’s all completely above board.

So the next time you want to make a deposit, check your casino’s promotions calendar first. Take a look at which bonuses and which events are landing when, and if the timing is right, you could score big time!

4. Split big deposits into smaller bonuses

Got money to spend at the casino? Then don’t deposit it all at once – if your casino’s running a tiered welcome bonus, that is. Instead, split your big deposit into smaller sums and ensure you maximise every bit of bonus value you can.

Here’s how it works:

Let’s say you’ve got $600 you’re willing to deposit.
>Your casino is offering a tiered welcome bonus across 3 deposits:
100% up to $300 on your first deposit.
>50% up to $200 on your second deposit.
>25% up to $100 on your third deposit.
>If you deposit your $600 all at once, you’ll only end up triggering the first bonus tier.
>If, however, you split your lump sum up into three smaller deposits, you’ll qualify for all three bonuses and you’ll be able to successfully claim the full bonus amount. Which is exactly the outcome you want.

What’s more, splitting your bonus up will make it easier to manage your playthrough requirements, and you won’t be locked into one single huge bonus that feels impossible to clear. Instead, you’ll have smaller, more manageable bonuses with reasonable requirements, and a stack of bonus cash to look forward to as well. Winning on every level!

5. Check game weightings before you start playing

You know you have to place bets in order to meet your bonus’s wagering requirements, right? But not so fast – take a beat before you hit that bet button.

That’s because when it comes to clearing your bonus requirements, not all games are created equal. Some games contribute more towards wagering requirements and some games contribute less – or in some cases, not at all. So before you rush into anything, take a look at your bonus terms and conditions to find out more.

For example:

Slots might count 100%.
Table games often count 10% or less.
Live dealer games often don’t count at all.

The last thing you want is to be working your way through a 40x playthrough on Live Roulette, only to find out it doesn’t count. So hack the system first – find out which games contribute the most and focus your attention on them. That’s how the pros do it!

6. Play during cashback periods for a safety net

There’s nothing worse than running low on funds when you’re trying to clear your bonus cashback requirements. If you can’t fulfil the terms and conditions in time, you’ll lose out on your bonus and all your hard work will have been for nothing. So how do you get round this?

Our top tip – by activating your bonus while cashback promos are in play.

Many online casinos will run cashback offers over certain times – promotions where you’ll receive a portion of your net losses back, helping to mitigate the impact on your bankroll. Usually these are run over weekends or as part of loyalty promos, so keep an eye out for when they drop.

Time your bonus activation while a cashback offer is running, and if your bonus balance runs dry, you might be able to recoup some of your losses to your real funds balance. It’s a safety net that could come in very handy – but you’ll need to time it right. Cashback offers are what second chances are made of!

7. Extend your bonus value with the “minimum bet, maximum spin time” approach

Want another hack to help make your bonus last longer? Try this top tip. Rather than betting the max to try and win as much as possible, stretch your spins further by making minimum bets and playing over longer sessions.

Here’s how it works:

No more blasting through your bankroll with high stakes spins on high volatility slots.
>Instead, choose slots that offer:
Low volatility to make your bankroll last longer.
>Bonus features or frequent small wins to keep topping up your bankroll over time.
>Slower pacing, such as bonus wheels or hold-and-win mechanics, to make your playtime last longer and give you more winning opportunities.

Once you’ve found a slot that checks all these boxes, place the lowest bet you can that’ll still get the reels spinning. For most slots, this will be just a few cents. You’ll end up playing for longer, staying entertained, and giving the wagering requirements time to work themselves down without wiping out your balance in a matter of minutes.

Need a practical example?

Let’s say you need to wager $5,000 on a 100% bonus in order to clear the requirements. If you’re betting $5 per spin, chances are you’re going to run through your bankroll fast, unless you hit a big win.

Now let’s say you’re betting $1 per spin. You’ll now get five times as many spins and five times as many chances to win small amounts that will automatically recycle back into your bankroll. So you’ll be able to stay in the game for enough time to either clear the requirements or land a win that’s worth cashing out.

To get the most value out of your minimum bets, look for slots with an RTP of over 96% and sticky features like respins or progressive meters – they’ll add suspense and winning potential without requiring giant stakes. It’s the ultimate bonus budget hack!

8. Use bonuses to test new high RTP games

What’s better than a new online slot? A new online slot with a high RTP, of course! The higher the RTP, the more the slot is expected to pay back over time, which means more value for your money and more thrills while you play! If only there was a way to try out new high RTP games without risking your own money though…

Well, what if you used your online casino bonus to fund your spins? The next time you come across a bonus tied to a particular slot, check the game’s RTP first before claiming it. If it’s set at 96% or more. It’s considered to be a high RTP slot, which means you could score!

That’s when you swoop in to claim the bonus, and use it as a research tool. Because why play with your own money when you can play with the casino’s instead? By using free cash or free spins to get the reels rolling. You’ll be able to explore new high RTP or feature-packed games without risking your own bankroll. And maybe even discover a future favourite along the way!

Top tip: Many online casinos release new slots with bonus-specific missions or boosted rewards. Look for out for any ‘new release’ tabs to stay in the know and keep your eyes peeled for early bird promos. Just another way to make your bonus work harder for you.

9. Know when to stop betting bonus funds

Want to play like a real pro with hacks? It’s all about knowing when to hold ‘em, fold ‘em and walk away (apologies to Kenny Rogers). Or, put in the context of casino bonuses. It’s about knowing how to pace your play and get to the finish line without blowing through your bankroll.

What does that mean exactly? Let’s say you’ve been completely focused on fulfilling your bonus wagering requirements recently. You’ve worked so hard at it that you’re close to the end, and you’re sitting on some pretty decent winnings too. Just a few more steps to go and you’ll finally be able to make that big withdrawal you’ve been dreaming about!

So what do you do? You make a final big push to get those wagering requirements cleared once and for all, right?

Wrong. Super wrong, in fact. Getting greedy or reckless in the final stretch is a rookie mistake, and one that could cost you dearly. Instead you need to slow it down, play it safe, and reach your goal carefully and calmly.

Here’s how:

Switch to ultra low-stake bets.
Use a safe, consistent playing style.
Stop playing completely as soon as you’ve hit the wagering requirement.

By taking a more careful, considered approach you’ll be protecting your bonus money to the max, giving yourself every opportunity to make a sizable withdrawal when the time is right.

10. Don’t stack your bonuses

We don’t know who needs to hear this but bonuses aren’t like pancakes. You can’t stack them up and take a big juicy bite out of more than one at the same time. Much as you’d like to.

That’s why even though claiming multiple bonuses simultaneously sounds like a good move, try and avoid this temptation if you can.

Why? Because casino bonuses aren’t a ‘the more, the merrier’ type of situation. In fact, many online casinos don’t allow stacking at all. Which means trying to claim more than one bonus at the same time could end up with all your bonuses being declared null and void. And even if you find a casino that does allow stacking, trying to claim too many bonuses at once could lead to confusion about wagering and balance management. Which could ultimately end up with you not being able to successfully clear your wagering requirements. And again having your bonuses voided.

Rather take things slowly and claim one bonus at a time. That way you’ll always be in complete control. You’ll know what you need to do to fulfil the wagering requirements, and you’ll have more chance of successfully clearing them. Once that’s done and dusted, then you can move onto the next one. Slow and steady wins the bonus race!

11. Use the casino’s loyalty programme to stack value

Now, one place where stacking IS allowed is an online casino’s loyalty programme for hacks. And that’s where the real long-term value of being a regular player lies. Claim your bonus, start playing towards your wagering requirements. And the more often you play, the more perks you’ll qualify for in your casino’s loyalty programme, such as:

Points per wager
Weekly free spins
Tiered cashback
Exclusive tournaments
And much more!

Most loyalty programmes are tiered as well, which means the more you deposit and play, the higher up the ranks you’ll move, helping you qualify for bigger and better rewards. And it’s in those rewards that your overall value lies.

Worst case scenario, even if you end up busting your bonus, any game play you participated in while trying to claim it will still count towards your loyalty rewards. So you’ll be stacking up future benefits for yourself the more you play. It’s all about the long game – where loyalty pays!

It’s time to get your bonus on!

Got all the hacks you need? Then it’s time to put them into play! The next time you claim a bonus, don’t just spin and hope. Dive into your box of tricks instead and get the most value for your money. You’re a bonus pro now – the winnings are waiting!

 

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Nicola Davidson

Senior Content Writer

1381 Articles

Highlights

Nicola Davidson is a content writer with a focus in online gaming. With over 15 years of experience in the industry, she has extensive expertise in casino games, sports betting as well as emerging trends that pop up in the iGaming sector. Content is more than just information. It’s about creating an engaging experience for players. Nicola perfects this by writing reviews of new slot releases, a guide to betting strategies or cutting-edge industry news.

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