Study Finds Many Casino Bonus Requirements Higher Than Advertised
A new study by Finnish comparison website Kasinohai found that welcome bonus requirements at many online casinos were more demanding than the advertised figures suggested.
Researchers tested 50 online casinos between June 15, 2026 and June 30, 2026. They created real-money accounts, claimed welcome offers and reviewed the bonus terms shown to players during registration.
The study found that 44% of casinos calculated wagering requirements using both the deposit and the bonus instead of the bonus alone. This can double the total amount a player must wager before making a withdrawal.
Another 30% of operators did not clearly explain how wagering requirements were calculated when the bonus was claimed.
Researchers also found that welcome packages with several deposit bonuses increased the effective wagering requirement. Offers promoted at 20x to 30x could reach an effective 40x after all stages were completed.
The report showed that 44% of casinos did not clearly state a maximum bet limit in their bonus terms. In addition, 74% restricted which games counted toward wagering, while 58% placed a cap on bonus winnings.
The findings come as Finland prepares to replace the Veikkaus monopoly with a licensed gambling market. Under the new Gambling Act, welcome bonuses for new customers will no longer be allowed after licensed operators enter the market on July 1, 2027. Jari Vahanen explained:
It is particularly problematic for digital casino operations that affiliate marketing and welcome bonuses are prohibited.
