Is Bonus Hunting a Smart Strategy? How to Bonus Hunt the Right Way

What Is Bonus Hunting?

Bonus hunting is a strategy where players sign up at multiple online casinos to claim welcome bonuses, free spins, or other offers. The goal is to beat the system by clearing wagering requirements and cashing out profit before the bonus terms catch up with you.

In theory, it sounds great, but there’s a catch. Most casinos know what you’re doing, and their bonus terms are designed to make it very hard for you to walk away with a profit.

That doesn’t mean bonus hunting is a waste of time; it just means you need to be smarter about it.

Is Bonus Hunting Worth It?

The short answer is yes, if you know the risks and do it strategically.

Casinos use bonuses as a marketing tool. Bonuses are designed to keep you playing, not to hand out free money. If you’re not careful, bonus hunting can become a time and money sinkhole.

Here’s when bonus hunting works

• You carefully read and understand the T&Cs before claiming a bonus
• You stick to low-volatility pokies with high RTP
• You’re prepared to meet the wagering requirements
• You don’t chase losses

Here’s when it fails

• You skip the fine print
• You don’t stick to the rules, like betting too much per spin
• You claim bonuses with huge wagering requirements

How to Bonus Hunt like a Pro: Step by Step

To make bonus hunting work, you need to approach it like a pro. Here are a few tips:

1. Pick the right bonus

Not all bonuses are created equal. A 200% bonus might look great until you see that it comes with 60x wagering on deposit + bonus, a 7-day expiry, and a $5 max bet rule.

Instead, search for:

• Bonuses with a low wagering requirement. 20x-35x is a good number.
• Non-sticky bonuses that let you withdraw real winnings
• Low or no withdrawal limits
• Decent time to meet the wagering requirements. 14-30 days is ideal, but most casinos limit it to seven days

BonusFinder Tip

Avoid casinos that hide their bonus terms or bury them deep in the site. BonusFinder is a great source to find bonuses - we only list licensed and trusted casinos.

2. Read the fine print carefully

Before you claim any bonus, go straight to the T&Cs. Look for:

1. Wagering Requirements: How many times do you need to bet the bonus?
2. Max bet limits: How much can you bet per spin while playing with your bonus?
3. Game contribution: Which games contribute towards the wagering requirement?
4. Withdrawal limit Is there a withdrawal cap?

BonusFinder Tip

Even one accidental violation, like a single bet over the limit, can void your entire bonus. Most casinos won't warn you, they'll just remove the bonus and winnings later.

3. Choose the right games

Game selection is an important factor to consider when searching for the right bonus. Here’s what I typically search for:

• Low volatility pokies
• High RTP games (96%+)
• Games that contribute 100% towards the wagering requirement

Keep in mind that gambling is for entertainment purposes, so you should always go for games that you enjoy. With that being said, there are some games I try to avoid, at least to an extent, when my goal is to maximize my bonus:

• Live table games: These often contribute 10% or less towards the wagering
• High volatility pokies: These burn quickly through the bankroll, making it hard to meet the wagering
• Progressive jackpots: These are usually excluded entirely from game contribution

BonusFinder Tip

Go for low-volatility pokies like Starburst and avoid high-volatility pokies like Dead or Alive 2.

4. Keep records

If you’re bonus hunting across multiple casinos, it’s a good idea to keep a track of:

• Which bonuses you have claimed
• Dates and deadlines
• Wagering progress
• Any withdrawals
• Which games you played

This helps avoid mistakes and ensures you don’t miss a wagering deadline or bonus conditions.

BonusFinder Tip

Use a simple spreadsheet to keep track of bonuses, wagering left, expiry dates, and any red flags.

How Casinos Fight Bonus Hunters

Casinos know bonus hunting exists, and they, obviously, don’t like it. That’s why many casinos 1) use advanced software to detect patterns of “abuse”, and 2) enforce strict bonus terms, often with little room for mistakes. Another strategy casinos use is they combine the deposit and the bonus into one wallet to lock your funds.

Since casinos are a business that aims for profit, there’s nothing shady about these tactics. But as a player, it’s good to be aware and play smart.

Final Thoughts

Bonus hunting isn’t a guaranteed way to make money. It’s a grind that requires strategic thinking. Gambling should be seen as a source of entertainment, not a source of income. Keeping this in mind, there are some ways you can increase your chances with bonus hunting:

• Be patient and strategic: Go for expected value over excitement. A bonus isn’t necessarily good because it looks big.
• Understand the T&Cs and respect the rules: One mistake can ruin everything.
• Minimize variance: Your goal is to finish wagering the bonus with your bankroll intract, not hit the jackpot.
• You play for fun, not as a source of income

When looking for a bonus, it can be difficult to spot the valueable ones at first glance. We have a guide where we explain how to find real value in casino bonuses. It’s a good way to familiarize yourself with the terms and conditions that usually determine how good a bonus is.

Lastly, it’s important to understand risk vs reward. All bonuses come with a risk, that’s how casinos craft them. But smart bonus hunters know where to find value:

• Non-sticky bonuses: Great for low-risk play.
• 100% contribution: High RTP pokies with a 100% contribution can reduce the wagering burden.
• Wagering on bonus only: This can reduce the wagering significantly, compared to those where you need to wager bonus + deposit.

BonusFinder Tip

Bonus hunting can extend your gameplay and give you more chances to win, but it's not a way to get rich overnight. Stick to licensed casinos, follow the rules, and never gamble more than you can afford to lose.

Last updated: 31/07/2025