How do I work out what a casino bonus is worth?
Take the bonus amount and subtract what the wagering is expected to cost you. The expected cost is the house edge of the game times the total you have to bet. If the result is above zero, the bonus is worth something on average. If it is below zero, you are paying to unlock it.
Take the bonus amount and subtract what the wagering is expected to cost you. The expected cost is the house edge of the game times the total you have to bet. If the result is above zero, the bonus is worth something on average. If it is below zero, you are paying to unlock it.Bonus value = bonus − (house edge × total wagering)
Example: a $100 bonus with 30x wagering on the bonus means $3,000 in bets. On a slot with a 96% return to player, the house edge is 4%, so the wagering costs about $120 on average. The bonus is worth about −$20.
The koala's rule of thumb: on 96% slots, a bonus only pays its way when the wagering requirement is below 25x the bonus. At 25x the cost equals the bonus.
How does the wagering requirement change the value?
Every extra multiple of wagering costs you the house edge on another round of bets. On a $100 bonus played on 96% slots:
| Wagering on the bonus | Total bets | Expected cost | Bonus value |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10x | $1,000 | $40 | +$60 |
| 20x | $2,000 | $80 | +$20 |
| 30x | $3,000 | $120 | −$20 |
| 40x | $4,000 | $160 | −$60 |
Worked examples, rounded. These are averages: any single session can end far above or below them.
If the wagering applies to the deposit plus the bonus, double the total bets before you do the sum. If you play games that only count partly toward wagering, divide by the contribution rate: at 10%, every $1 of required wagering takes $10 of bets.
What is the difference between a sticky and a non-sticky bonus?
A non-sticky bonus keeps your deposit and the bonus separate. You play with your own money first, and if you win before touching the bonus, you can withdraw and give the bonus up. A sticky bonus cannot be withdrawn at all: it is removed from your balance when you cash out.
Non-sticky bonuses are worth more for the same headline amount, because your own deposit stays free of conditions until it runs out. The bonus terms say which kind you are getting, sometimes under names such as "hybrid" or "parachute" bonus.
Are cashback and no-wagering offers better than a deposit bonus?
Often, yes, because their value is easier to keep. A no-wagering bonus or free spins with no wagering pay winnings as cash you can withdraw. Cashback returns a percentage of your net losses over a period.
Often, yes, because their value is easier to keep. A no-wagering bonus or free spins with no wagering pay winnings as cash you can withdraw. Cashback returns a percentage of your net losses over a period.Check two details. First, whether cashback is paid as cash or as bonus money with its own wagering. Second, the cap: a 10% cashback limited to $50 is worth at most $50, however much you play.
Which bonus terms should make me walk away?
Skip an offer when one of these appears in the terms:
Skip an offer when one of these appears in the terms:- wagering applies to the deposit plus the bonus, and the total is above 30x the bonus
- the time limit is shorter than you would realistically play
- a maximum cashout caps winnings at a small multiple of the bonus
- the maximum bet is lower than the stakes you normally play
- the games you play contribute 10% or less
- withdrawing any amount cancels the bonus and your winnings
A good bonus will still be good tomorrow. Take your time with the terms before you deposit.
Where can Canadians legally play casino games online?
At casinos run or licensed by a province. Each province decides how gambling is offered within its borders.
- Ontario licenses private online casinos through the Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario (AGCO), alongside the provincial OLG site.
- Alberta opened a regulated private market on 13 July 2026, alongside Play Alberta.
- British Columbia, Manitoba and Saskatchewan offer PlayNow; Quebec offers Loto-Québec; New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, Prince Edward Island and Newfoundland and Labrador offer Atlantic Lottery.
Casinos licensed outside Canada also accept Canadian players. Your province does not regulate them, so provincial complaint routes and player protections do not cover you there.
Why Bonuskoala does not show offers in Ontario or Alberta
Ontario's rules ban public advertising of casino bonuses and free spins, including links and descriptions published by comparison sites. Alberta adopted the same rule for its regulated market when it opened on 13 July 2026. In both provinces, bonus offers may only appear on the casino's own site or reach players who have agreed to receive marketing. Bonuskoala's bonus listings are therefore not shown to players in Ontario or Alberta.
How old do I have to be to play online in Canada?
18 in Alberta, Manitoba and Quebec. 19 everywhere else: British Columbia, Ontario, Saskatchewan, New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, Prince Edward Island and Newfoundland and Labrador.
Who can I talk to if gambling is becoming a problem?
Free, confidential help lines are open in every province listed here. Many run around the clock.
| Province | Help line | Phone |
|---|---|---|
| British Columbia | Gambling Support BC (24/7) | 1-888-795-6111 |
| Alberta | Addiction Helpline | 1-866-332-2322 |
| Saskatchewan | Problem Gambling Help Line | 1-800-306-6789 |
| Manitoba | Gambling Helpline (24/7) | 1-800-463-1554 |
| Ontario | ConnexOntario (24/7) | 1-866-531-2600 |
| Quebec | Jeu : aide et référence (24/7) | 1-800-461-0140 |
| New Brunswick | Addiction services | 1-800-461-1234 |
Players in Nova Scotia, Prince Edward Island and Newfoundland and Labrador can find local services in the Responsible Gambling Council's treatment directory. Casinos also let you set deposit limits, take a break or self-exclude in your account settings.