What is bonus abuse?

What is bonus abuse? A plain definition

Bonus abuse is any use of a casino promotion that its terms prohibit. Most cases fall into two groups: getting a bonus you aren’t entitled to (for example, claiming a one-per-person offer twice) and playing in a way the bonus terms forbid while it is active (for example, staking more than the maximum bet). Our glossary entry on bonus abuse gives the short version.

The phrase sounds as if it describes deliberate cheating, and sometimes it does. But casinos also use it for honest mistakes, which is why it matters to know exactly what the terms say. This page is part of our casino bonus questions and focuses on what the label means, what the rules allow casinos to do and what you can do if it is applied to you.

Bonus abuse vs “irregular play”: how UK rules describe it

The Gambling Commission’s guidance doesn’t use the phrase “bonus abuse”. It refers to irregular play and to prohibited types or patterns of play, and it sets firm conditions on how casinos handle them. According to its page on promotional play restrictions (opens in a new tab), terms must clearly specify every prohibited type or pattern of play, and operators must not ban a form of play that wasn’t set out in advance.

The Commission also names the areas where vague terms cause most problems: funds where the operator suspects illegal, irregular or fraudulent play, multiple accounts, and accounts used or funded by a third party. Its guidance on terms giving undue discretion (opens in a new tab) says wording such as “we may” or “we reserve the right” to void winnings in those situations should be avoided, because customers are entitled to know what action will be taken. Examples are listed in what counts as irregular play.

What bonus terms commonly treat as abuse

Every casino writes its own list, so the only definition that applies to you is the one in your offer’s terms. These are the categories that appear most often in UK bonus terms, with the reason casinos give for restricting them.

Terms sometimes also list betting patterns designed to clear wagering with little variance, often called low-risk betting. We explain what the term means but don’t give advice on such patterns. If you see a pattern banned in your terms, it applies to you whatever you call it. The single most common category is explained under multi-accounting.

Accidental breaches: how ordinary players get caught out

Many disputes start with a player who didn’t set out to break anything. The most common traps are terms that are easy to miss in the moment:

• The max bet. Casumo limits bets to £5 while a bonus is active; one larger stake can put bonus winnings at risk. Our casino bonus max bet page explains how these limits work.
• Excluded games. Bonus funds may not be allowed on certain slots, table games or live games. See which games are excluded from bonuses.
• Linked brands. Coral and Ladbrokes are both run by LC International Limited, so one person may not be able to take new-customer offers at both. Read do Coral and Ladbrokes share accounts.
• Household limits. Two adults at one address may be treated as one claim; see one offer per household.
• Location. Tools that disguise where you are playing from are commonly prohibited in casino terms; see can I use a VPN for a casino bonus.

What can happen if a casino says you abused a bonus

The consequences a casino can apply depend on its terms, and those terms must be fair under consumer law. In practice, the outcomes named in UK terms range from removing the bonus and any winnings made with it (bonus forfeiture), through suspending bonus eligibility, to closing the account.

Your own money is treated differently. The Commission’s guidance says customers’ un-staked deposits remain their property and that terms must not allow them to be confiscated, except where needed to meet a general regulatory obligation. Separately, players must be able to withdraw their deposit balance at any time during bonus play. The Commission’s page on confiscating un-staked deposits (opens in a new tab) sets out the rule.

What a casino can and can’t do when it alleges bonus abuse

Where winnings are removed, the Commission says the customer should get a full explanation of the breach. Under the Consumer Rights Act 2015, an unfair term isn’t binding, and an ambiguous one is read in the consumer’s favour. The legal tests are covered under unfair terms.

When the casino gets it wrong: enforcement examples

The Commission does act on vague abuse clauses. In July 2025 it fined Taichi Tech Limited £170,000, partly over a term allowing the company to close accounts or forfeit winnings at its discretion. The Commission’s announcement (opens in a new tab) is a useful reference if you are told your play was “irregular” without any specific term being cited. Other cases are collected under operator fines for bonus failings.

Is bonus abuse a crime?

Usually not. Most bonus abuse cases are breaches of contract, settled by removing winnings or closing an account. The exceptions involve deception: using someone else’s identity or payment details, or opening accounts in false names, can amount to fraud, and money laundering through gambling accounts is a criminal matter. Our answer to is bonus abuse illegal explains the distinction in more depth.

What to do if you’re accused of bonus abuse

1. Ask the casino, in writing, which specific term it says you broke and what play it relies on.
2. Save the offer page, the terms as they stood when you opted in, and your transaction history.
3. Check whether the term was clear and shown before you opted in.
4. Withdraw any un-staked deposit balance if you want to, since that money remains yours.
5. Use the casino’s formal complaints process; it has eight weeks to resolve it.
6. If it is unresolved or you disagree with the final response, take it to the casino’s ADR provider, such as IBAS, free of charge.
7. If you believe the terms themselves are unfair, report them to the Gambling Commission as well.

Our step-by-step guide to complaining about a bonus includes a template letter, and when a casino can void winnings covers the specific case of removed winnings. The Commission doesn’t resolve individual complaints, so the casino and its ADR provider are the route to a decision.

Partner offers with clear, published terms

The simplest way to avoid a dispute is an offer with few moving parts and one claim per person. Coral gives new players 100 free spins at 10p after a £10 slots bet, accepted within 48 hours, valid 7 days, no wagering on winnings, with Neteller, PayPal, Paysafe, Skrill, prepaid cards and certain debit cards excluded. Ladbrokes gives up to 500 free spins (50 a day for 10 days at 10p) after £10 on slots, claimed before 23:59 each day, valid 7 days, no wagering. Because both are run by the same company, check the terms before claiming both.

PlayOJO gives 80 wager-free spins at 10p on Big Bass Bonanza with a £10 first deposit, can’t be combined with other offers, is available only through its designated offer link and excludes Northern Ireland. All are 18+ and terms apply.

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.