Bonus expiry: deadlines to claim and wager
Bonuses have deadlines, often a set number of days from activation. When time runs out, the unused bonus and related winnings can be removed. Check your deadline in the bonus terms and your account before you play.
Bonus expiry is the deadline attached to a promotion. Many bonuses have two clocks: one to claim or activate the offer and another to complete the wagering requirement. Missing either one can cost you the offer, so it pays to know both dates before you opt in.
How bonus expiry works
The claim window is the time you have to opt in or use a promo code, and the wagering window is the time you have to complete the requirement and unlock winnings. Both dates appear in the bonus terms, and the bonus tracker in your account usually shows how much time is left. At expiry, the remaining bonus balance, and sometimes winnings linked to it, can be removed. Money you deposited is usually yours, but check how the terms handle it.
How to avoid losing a bonus
- Note the deadline when you claim.
- Work out whether you can finish in time.
- Track your progress in your account.
- If you cannot finish, cancel the bonus before it expires so you know exactly what happens to your balance.
Never bet more than planned just to beat a deadline, and keep the stake cap in mind too, since racing the clock with oversized bets is the quickest way to lose both the bonus and your own money.
A bonus is optional
If the deadline does not fit your normal betting pattern, skipping or cancelling the offer is a perfectly good choice. It keeps your play on your terms instead of on the operator’s clock.
