Bonus Eligible Games: What It Means, What’s Excluded & How to Avoid Voiding Bonuses
“Bonus eligible games” is one of the most important (and confusing) casino bonus terms. It decides which games you’re allowed to play while a bonus is active and which games will count toward wagering requirements.
If you play the wrong game—or use restricted features—your wagering may not count, your bonus can be removed, or your withdrawal may be delayed while the casino reviews your play.
This guide explains what bonus eligible games means, what games are often excluded, how game contribution works, and how to avoid common mistakes that void bonus winnings.
What does “bonus eligible games” mean?
“Bonus eligible games” are the games that:
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You’re allowed to play while a bonus is active, and/or
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Count toward clearing wagering requirements
Casinos often separate games into categories such as:
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Slots (usually the main eligible category)
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Table games (often limited or excluded)
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Live casino (often limited or excluded)
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Specialty games (often excluded or low contribution)
The exact list varies by casino and by bonus.
Why casinos restrict eligible games
Casinos restrict games because some games can be used to clear bonuses with lower risk than slots. For example:
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Low house edge table games
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Certain live dealer games
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Games with unusual volatility or features
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Games where players can “lock” outcomes or reduce variance
By restricting eligible games, casinos try to prevent bonus strategies that reduce their edge.
Eligible games vs excluded games (what’s the difference?)
Eligible games
These games either count fully or partially toward wagering requirements while the bonus is active.
Most commonly eligible:
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Slots (many casinos count slots at 100%)
Excluded games
These games either:
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Don’t count toward wagering at all, or
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Aren’t allowed while the bonus is active, or
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Count at a very low percentage
Commonly excluded or restricted:
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Many table games (blackjack, roulette, baccarat)
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Live casino games
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Video poker
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Scratch cards / instant win games
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Some specialty games (varies by casino)
What is “game contribution” and why it matters?
Game contribution is the percentage of your wagers that count toward bonus wagering requirements.
Examples:
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Slots: 100% contribution
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Roulette: 10% contribution (or 0%)
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Blackjack: 10% contribution (or 0%)
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Live dealer: 0–10% (often restricted)
Why it matters:
If you’re wagering $100 on a game that contributes 10%, only $10 counts toward clearing your bonus.
So you can spend a lot of money and still make almost no progress if you choose low-contribution games.
The most common ways players void bonuses with “eligible games” rules
1) Playing table games while a bonus is active
Even if table games are allowed, they may contribute 0% or trigger restrictions.
2) Playing live dealer games during wagering
Live games are often excluded or restricted during bonus play.
3) Switching to a game that’s “allowed” but doesn’t contribute
Some casinos allow you to open and play a game, but the wager doesn’t count toward wagering.
4) Using bonus buy / feature purchase options
Bonus buy features are frequently restricted during bonuses, even on slots.
5) Playing progressive jackpot slots
Some casinos exclude progressive jackpot games from bonus wagering or winnings.
6) Using “low risk” strategies (depending on casino)
Some casinos consider low-risk bonus play a breach if it’s clearly designed to exploit bonus terms.
How to check if a game is bonus eligible (before you play)
1) Read the bonus terms for eligible games
Look for sections like:
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Eligible games
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Restricted games
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Game contribution
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Excluded games
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“This promotion is valid on…”
2) Check the casino’s bonus info panel in the cashier
Many casinos show:
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Which games count
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Restrictions and max bet rules
3) Watch your wagering progress after a few spins
Test with a small stake:
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Play a few spins on a slot
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Confirm your wagering progress moves as expected
If progress doesn’t change, stop and switch to an eligible game.
Best practice: safest approach to clear wagering
If you want to reduce bonus problems, the safest approach is:
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Play regular slots that are clearly eligible
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Avoid bonus buy features
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Avoid progressive jackpot games unless confirmed eligible
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Avoid table games/live casino until wagering is complete
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Keep your bet size safely under the max bet limit
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Use one consistent strategy rather than switching games rapidly
What happens if you play excluded games?
Outcomes vary by casino, but common results include:
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Wagers don’t count toward wagering requirements
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Bonus is removed
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Bonus winnings are removed
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Withdrawal request is delayed for manual review
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Account is flagged for bonus review
If you’re unsure, stop playing and ask support which games are eligible for your specific bonus.
If your bonus was voided due to eligible games: what to do
Step 1: Ask support for the exact reason
Request:
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The game name
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The timestamp
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The term you violated (eligible games / excluded games / contribution rule)
Step 2: Check whether wagering progress counted
If you have screenshots showing no progress, you can argue that the casino should have warned you or blocked the game during bonus play.
Step 3: Be realistic about outcomes
Casinos often enforce bonus terms strictly. You may be able to withdraw deposits, but bonus winnings might be removed.
FAQ
What does “bonus eligible games” mean?
It means the games that are allowed for bonus play and/or count toward wagering requirements while a bonus is active.
Are slots always eligible for bonuses?
Usually, many slots are eligible and often contribute 100%, but some slots (like progressives) can be excluded depending on the casino.
Why don’t table games count toward wagering?
Table games often have a lower house edge, so casinos restrict them to prevent low-risk bonus clearing.
What is game contribution?
It’s the percentage of your wager that counts toward wagering requirements. A 10% contribution means $100 wagered counts as $10.
How do I avoid voiding my bonus?
Stick to clearly eligible slots, avoid restricted features like bonus buys, keep bets under the max bet limit, and confirm wagering progress is increasing.
