Reload bonus: the bonus for your next deposits
After the welcome offer, many casinos run reload bonuses: an extra percentage on later deposits, sometimes tied to a weekday or a campaign. They are usually smaller and, for that reason, easier to evaluate.
Recognising a reload
- Applies to deposits other than the first.
- May need a code or a tick box in the cashier.
- Has its own wagering, deadline and max bet.
- Is sometimes reserved for certain account levels.
How much does clearing it cost?
A 25% reload on a 200 deposit gives a 50 bonus. At 25× the bonus you wager 1,250; on a 96% RTP game the expected loss is about 50 — the bonus eats itself. At 15× the expected loss is 30 and the expected balance is +20. Small changes flip the verdict. Amounts below are in units of your account currency and are illustrative only.
| Wagering | Total to wager | Expected loss (96% RTP) | Versus a 50 bonus |
|---|---|---|---|
| 15× | 750 | 30 | +20 |
| 25× | 1,250 | 50 | 0 |
| 35× | 1,750 | 70 | −20 |
The game you choose changes the sum
At 94% RTP instead of 96%, expected loss rises by half. That is why we keep saying: read your version's RTP in each game's help screen. And there is no sense in clearing a reload on a game that counts 10%.
Reloads and habits
Reloads exist to bring you back to the cashier. Using one when you were going to play anyway is fine; a bonus should never be the reason to deposit more than your budget allows.
Checklist
- What amount is the percentage based on, and is there a maximum?
- Is wagering on bonus only or bonus plus deposit?
- Which games count and at what weight?
- Is there a max bet while active?
- How many days do you have?
Reloads tied to weekdays
Weekly reloads — a Friday boost, a weekend match — turn a promotion into a routine. Routines are where spending drifts. If you take part, set a weekly deposit cap in your account first and let the reload fit inside it, never the other way round. And recheck the terms each time: percentages, caps and wagering on recurring offers change more often than players notice.