Bonuses: what it costs to clear them, game by game
A bonus is not extra money; it is a contract with conditions. Those conditions interact with games in a way few reviews explain: the game's RTP sets the average cost of meeting the wagering, and its volatility decides whether you get there at all. This section translates promotions into those two variables.
What you will not find here
We do not publish Rabona's percentages, amounts or wagering multiples as if they were fixed. Promotions change and depend on country and account; what applies to you is on the operator's promotions page and in its terms. Amounts below are in units of your account currency and are illustrative only.
The sum that decides whether a bonus is worth it
If a bonus requires a total amount to be wagered before withdrawal, every unit wagered loses, on average, the house edge of the game you use.
| Item | Example |
|---|---|
| Bonus | 100 |
| Wagering | 30× the bonus |
| Total to wager | 3,000 |
| RTP of chosen game | 96% |
| Expected loss while wagering | 3,000 × 4% = 120 |
Here the expected cost of clearing (120) exceeds the bonus (100). With lower wagering or a higher-RTP version the result changes — which is why you do the sum before accepting.
Volatility: the other half
Expected loss is an average. On a high-volatility slot, the most likely outcome is running dry halfway through, although now and then a big feature clears everything with room to spare. On a low-volatility game the balance drains more evenly and predictably. Details in wagering and game weighting.
Seasonal and limited-time offers
Holiday campaigns, tournaments and time-limited reloads come and go. The urgency is part of the design. A promotion that ends tonight is no reason to deposit more than planned; run the same cost check and let it pass if the sum does not work.
Types of promotion
| Promotion | Check first |
|---|---|
| Welcome | Wagering, deadline, max bet |
| Free spins | Which game, value per spin |
| No deposit | Withdrawal cap |
| Cashback | Calculation base, wagering |
Reading order for any promotion
Wagering and its base, deadline, max bet, game weighting, win cap. In that order. Five numbers, one minute, and you know whether to accept.
Frequently asked questions
Do I have to take a bonus?
Which game is best for clearing a bonus?
Where are current promotions?
All guides in this section
- Bonus terms: reading the small print without getting lost
- Cashback: part of your losses back, on conditions
- Free spins: two different things with the same name
- No-deposit bonus: small, rare and capped
- Promo codes: a key, not a prize
- Refer a friend: rewards for inviting, handled responsibly
- Reload bonus: the bonus for your next deposits
- VIP programme: points you buy by wagering
- Wagering: how much to stake and what it costs on average
- Welcome bonus: the contract you sign with your first deposit