Casino Bonus Strategy: A Step-by-Step Guide to Maximizing Your Rewards

Employing an expert casino bonus strategy is your best chance of maximizing rewards as you play slots, table games, and live dealer titles. 

Here, we introduce you to a simple seven-step strategy to help you access top bonuses before cashing out any winnings by meeting all the required terms and conditions. 

Step 1: Check State Eligibility 

First, check that the bonus is eligible in your state. Currently, casino bonuses are only legally offered in the following six states: 

• Connecticut 
• Delaware 
• Michigan
• New Jersey 
• Pennsylvania 
• West Virginia 

As a starting point, check which states the casino is legal, and whether your state offers the welcome bonus and ongoing promotions. Sometimes, a casino has one offer for one state and a different one for another, so check this before diving in.

Step 2: Read the Terms & Conditions Carefully 

Before doing anything, skim the main terms and conditions attached to the casino bonus. At the very least, you need to know: 

• The minimum deposit required to trigger the bonus. 
• The value of the bonus (cash and free spins). 
• The wagering requirement you must meet before cashing out any winnings. 
• The timeframe available before the bonus expires. 
• The games you can play with your bonus funds and free spins.

It only takes a minute to read the terms and conditions carefully, but this is a crucial step that so many overlook. Reading the terms will ensure you don’t miss out on the bonus funds by making a deposit that’s too small or playing the wrong games. 

Step 3: Create an Account 

Now you know where you stand, you can create an account at the casino. When registering, check if you need to opt in or enter a specific bonus code to trigger the welcome bonus. If required, you can usually do this on the first sign-up page at the online casino. 

Naturally, ensure all your details are correct and accurate. Making mistakes at the sign-up stage can result in payout delays, particularly if you must complete KYC checks later down the line.

Step 4: Make at Least the Minimum Deposit 

With your account up and running, you can deposit funds to trigger the welcome bonus. However, every casino has a minimum deposit amount for the initial bonus, which may differ from the site’s standard minimum. 

Typically, the minimum ranges from $5 to $20 at U.S. casinos. When checking this, be mindful of which deposit methods you can use. For instance, some casinos require you to use a debit or credit card to trigger the bonus, with some e-wallets and other payment methods excluded.

Step 5: Play Eligible Games 

After activating your welcome bonus, check that the funds have been added to your dashboard. If not, contact customer support via the live chat to follow up with them. 

You can then play eligible games with your bonus cash or free spins. Generally, slots and some table games are playable with bonus funds, but more often than not, live casino games cannot be played with bonus cash.

Step 6: Satisfy the Wagering Requirement 

If you’re lucky to win while playing with bonus funds, you must satisfy the stipulated wagering requirement before cashing out. At U.S. casinos, this can be anywhere from 1x to 35x. 

This figure indicates how many times you must play through a bonus before cashing out. For instance, if you receive a $10 bonus with a 5x wagering requirement, you must wager $50 on eligible games before cashing out those winnings. 

Be sure to check which games (usually slots) contribute 100% toward the wagering requirement and ensure you meet this condition in the given timeframe (often 21-30 days).

Step 7: Cash Out Your Winnings 

If you’ve followed our expert casino bonus strategy to the tee, you can now cash out your winnings. Alternatively, leave the cash in your account to fund subsequent gameplay at the online casino. 

The Best Casino Bonuses for Strategists in 2025 

Are you ready to test your casino bonus strategy? YouBet invites you to sign up for the best online casinos in the United States, offering great value welcome bonuses and ongoing promotions. 

For instance, BetMGM offers a 100% deposit match up to $1,000 plus $25 on the house, while BetRivers boasts an awesome second-chance offer, giving you up to $500 in losses back. Discover the best casino offers via YouBet here and sign up today.