How long should a bonus last?

How long should a bonus last? The short answer

A good time limit lets you use a bonus in the sessions you would play anyway. If a deadline would push you to play longer, more often or at higher stakes than you planned, it is too short for you, whatever the terms say.

In practice, the most common windows at UK casinos are 7 days to use free spins and 3 to 7 days to finish wagering on a deposit bonus, with 24 to 48 hours to accept or claim the offer in the first place. Our bonus expiry guide covers how each deadline is worded in the terms.

The four clocks that decide how long a bonus lasts

When people ask how long a bonus lasts, they are usually asking about one of four separate deadlines. Each is a significant term that should be shown with the offer.

The glossary entries for claim window and validity period give short definitions of the two clocks that catch people out most often.

How long our partners' bonuses last

Here are the published time limits for the five offers we cover, taken from the offer terms last checked on 5 October 2026. All are 18+, for new customers, with full terms applying.

Where our summary doesn't give a figure, we leave it out rather than guess. The PlayOJO bonus expiry page and the casino's own terms are the places to check.

How long a bonus actually takes to use: the pace maths

UK slot design rules, in force since 31 October 2021, require at least 2.5 seconds between spins and ban autoplay and turbo modes, as set out in the Commission's responsible product design standard (opens in a new tab). That gives a floor for how long any bonus takes. Real play, with feature rounds and pauses, is slower.

So the deadlines above are not usually tight in hours of play. The pressure comes from fitting play into specific days. A 3-day window on £250 of wagering is roughly 7 minutes of minimum spinning a day at 50p, while a 7-day window on £1,000 at £1 is about 6 minutes a day. Our wagering calculator will work out the total play for any bonus.

Why betting bigger to beat a bonus deadline doesn't help

Higher stakes finish the wagering in fewer spins, but the average cost of wagering is the same at any stake: total wagering multiplied by the house edge. £1,000 wagered on a 96% slot costs about £40 on average whether you play 1,000 spins at £1 or 200 spins at £5.

What changes is the size of the swings. Bigger stakes make it more likely the bonus balance runs out early, and they put more money at risk per minute. Many bonuses also have a max bet while active; Casumo's is £5. Read why casinos limit bonus bets for the reasons behind that rule, and remember the legal slot limits of £5 a spin (25 and over) and £2 (18 to 24).

What a fair bonus time limit looks like

No UK rule sets a minimum expiry period. These benchmarks are our own, based on how long each kind of bonus takes at a relaxed pace.

• Claim window: at least 24 hours, ideally 48, with the cut-off time stated (for example 23:59).
• Free spins: around 7 days to use them. Under 72 hours is short for a large batch.
• Small deposit bonus (up to £25, 10x): 3 days is workable; 7 is more comfortable.
• Larger bonus (£50–£100, 10x): 7 days or more, since the play needed is £500–£1,000.
• Daily drip offers: a clear daily claim deadline and a full validity period for each day's spins.

A deadline is also only fair if it is easy to find. The Commission's significant conditions rule, LCCP 5.1.9 (opens in a new tab), requires key terms to be shown prominently and to remain available for the whole promotion.

UK rules on how long a bonus can last and change

• Time-based incentive rules (restated 19 January 2026): a bonus can't be altered or increased because you hit the qualifying spend sooner than the full offer period. See time-based incentive rules.
• 10x wagering cap (same date): limits how much play a deadline can demand. See the 10x wagering cap.
• No changes after opt-in: Commission guidance says operators must not vary or withdraw a promotion for someone who has opted in, except to prevent fraud or similar unlawful behaviour.
• Your deposit isn't lost at expiry: un-staked deposits remain your property, so only bonus funds and bonus winnings lapse.

Our answer on why bonuses expire explains why time limits exist at all.

How to fit a bonus into your own time limits

1. Before opting in, note every deadline: claim, use and wagering, with the exact time of day.
2. Work out the total play needed and divide it across the days you would normally play.
3. Set a deposit limit and a reality check so sessions stay within your plan.
4. Use the spins or bonus in short sessions rather than one long one near the deadline.
5. Check progress in the bonus section of your account each time you play.
6. If you fall behind, let the bonus expire rather than playing longer to catch up.

When it is better to let a bonus expire

Deadlines are a common reason people play longer than intended. If a bonus is about to lapse and you have reached your budget or your time, letting it go costs you nothing you actually own. You can also opt out of bonuses entirely and play with cash only; see how to opt out of bonuses.

Gambling should stay a paid-for pastime, and over time losses are likely. If you notice a pattern of chasing bonuses or deadlines, the National Gambling Helpline (0808 8020 133) is free and open 24/7, and GamCare's support page (opens in a new tab) offers chat and other ways to talk.

Bonus time limits on the offers shown below

The three spin offers below all give 7 days to use the spins and carry no wagering on winnings, so there is no wagering clock to manage. 18+, new customers, full terms apply.

• Coral: deposit (certain types excluded) and bet £10 on slots; accept 100 free spins at 10p within 48 hours and use them within 7 days. Runs 1 October 2026 to 1 February 2027. See Coral bonus expiry.
• Ladbrokes: deposit and spend £10 on slots; claim 50 free spins at 10p before 23:59 each day for 10 days (up to 500), each set valid 7 days. See Ladbrokes bonus expiry.
• PlayOJO: first deposit of £10 or more for 80 free spins at 10p on Big Bass Bonanza, no wagering, winnings paid in cash; Northern Ireland excluded.

Payment exclusions apply at Coral and Ladbrokes (including PayPal, Skrill, Neteller, Paysafe and prepaid cards). Coral and Ladbrokes are run by the same company, so check the terms before opening accounts at both. More answers are in our casino bonus questions section.

18+. Gambling should be entertainment that costs money, not a way to make it. Decide a budget before you play: set a budget. Free, confidential help: National Gambling Helpline 0808 8020 133.