Bonus Terms Explained
The bonus jargon, decoded honestly
Every welcome bonus comes with terms — and the difference between a great offer and a trap is buried in the fine print. Here’s what every term actually means.
Wagering requirement (playthrough)
The number of times you must restake the bonus before it converts to withdrawable cash. 10× on a $100 bonus = $1,000 in qualifying bets before cashout. Look for: under 8× excellent, 8–15× average, over 15× avoid.
Minimum odds
Bets at very low odds (e.g. 1.20) often don’t count toward wagering. Most bonuses require 1.70+, some require 2.00+. Read carefully — placing 50 $1.20 bets won’t clear your wagering if minimum odds are 1.70.
Max bet
While clearing wagering, you usually can’t stake more than a fixed amount per bet (often $5–$10). Violating this voids your bonus. The rule exists to prevent variance-arbitrage.
Game weighting
For casino bonuses: not every game contributes equally. Slots usually count 100 %; live blackjack 10–20 %; roulette 0–10 %. $100 bet on slots = $100 wagering. $100 on blackjack = $10–$20.
Sticky vs. non-sticky bonuses
Sticky: bonus money is locked. You can withdraw winnings only above what you deposited. Common in casino welcome offers.
Non-sticky: deposit and bonus stay separate. You can cash out deposit-funded winnings anytime; bonus winnings require wagering.
Risk-free bet (for sportsbooks)
If your first bet loses, you get your stake back as site credit — not cash. Site credit usually has 1× wagering at minimum 1.70 odds. Risk-free is misleading; you can still lose the stake-back if your second bet loses too.
Free bet
A bet token, not cash. If it wins, you get the profit only (the stake doesn’t return). Best used on high-odds picks.
No-deposit bonus
Free money for signing up — no deposit needed. Almost always has a maximum cashout cap (e.g. “win up to $100”). Useful for testing an operator before committing real money.
Country/region restrictions
Many bonuses exclude certain countries (e.g. higher-risk markets or US states with separate licensing). Always check the eligible-countries list before depositing.
Time limit
Most bonuses must be cleared within 7–30 days. Miss the window and the bonus is forfeited. Plan your stake schedule before depositing.
Bottom line
The biggest welcome bonus headline is rarely the best offer. Always compute: Bonus value × probability of clearing wagering = real expected value. A $1,500 bonus at 35× wagering is worth less than a $500 bonus at 8×.
Who this guide is for
This guide is written for English-speaking bettors who are betting on the FIFA World Cup 2026 from a regulated jurisdiction (USA where legal, Canada, UK, Mexico, Australia, EU). It assumes no prior knowledge but moves quickly into intermediate territory. Beginners should also read How to Bet on the World Cup as a primer.
How long this takes
Approximately 8–12 minutes to read in full. We recommend skimming the headings first, deciding which sections apply to your bettor profile, then deep-reading those sections. The information is densest where it matters most — bonus math, market structure, line-shopping. Don't skip the tables.
What this guide doesn't cover
This is not financial advice or a guarantee of profit. Sports betting is a high-variance activity and even disciplined bettors lose 45–50% of placed bets. The strategies covered here are about reducing your loss-rate margin and improving expected value over time. They do not promise short-term profit.
We do not cover: betting on tennis or any other sport (separate guides exist for those); detailed legal advice (always check your local jurisdiction's rules); arbitrage betting (a niche professional pursuit); matched betting (which is no longer effective at most operators in 2026 due to limit changes).
Last updated & correction policy
This guide is reviewed by our editorial team every two weeks during the run-up to the World Cup, then weekly during the tournament itself. The "Last updated" date appears at the top of the page. If you spot a factual error or out-of-date claim, please email editor@fifaworldcupbetting.com and we will correct it within 24 hours.
Responsible gambling
Set a bankroll before you bet. Stake no more than 5% of your bankroll on a single match-result bet, 10% on a parlay or accumulator. If you find betting is no longer fun, pause. Help is free and confidential at BeGambleAware.org or 1-800-GAMBLER (USA).