How to Spot and Avoid the Bonus Terms That Make Winning Impossible in Ontario

A $2,000 bonus sounds generous until the math tells you otherwise. In June 2025, the Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario fined Casino Days $54,000 after investigators found the average player would lose $3,640 trying to claim that exact offer.

The promotion required depositing $2,000, wagering $70,000 within seven days, and placing bets no larger than $5. One player later complained after the site confiscated more than $8,500 in winnings.

Ontario’s regulated iGaming market handled $82.7 billion in wagers during the 2024–25 fiscal year, according to iGaming Ontario. Gross gaming revenue reached CA$3.20 billion, representing a 32% increase over the previous year. With that growth comes a flood of promotional offers.

Some include reasonable conditions. Others are structured so that players exhaust their deposits long before reaching withdrawal eligibility.

Understanding which bonus terms work against you requires careful attention to the fine print. This article explains the key warning signs, the regulatory standards operators must meet, and the steps players can take when a promotion turns out to be unfair.

What the Regulator Expects From Bonus Disclosures?

The AGCO enforces strict rules governing how bonuses are advertised. Standard 2.04(15) prohibits promotions that cannot be reasonably completed without substantial losses. Standard 2.06(1) requires all material conditions to be disclosed at the first presentation of an offer, with any remaining details accessible within a single click.

Operators cannot describe a bonus as “free” if players must risk or lose their own money to use it. They also cannot label an offer “risk-free” if a deposit or potential loss is required to access winnings. These safeguards exist because marketing terms like “free spins” or “no-risk bonus” often mask wagering requirements that negate any real benefit.

Dr. Karin Schnarr, CEO and Registrar of the AGCO, stated in a June 2025 announcement that “an offer that requires a player to sustain substantial losses for a perceived benefit is not a fair offer.”

Wagering Requirements and How They Stack the Odds

A wagering requirement, also known as a playthrough requirement, determines how many times a player must bet before bonus winnings can be withdrawn. iGaming Ontario offers a simple example: a $10 bonus with a 10x requirement requires $100 in wagers before withdrawal becomes possible.

Ontario’s guidelines generally cap wagering at 30x. Industry data shows most requirements fall between 20x and 40x, though some operators attempt to push higher thresholds. The Casino Days promotion applied a 35x multiplier to the deposit, not the bonus, forcing players to wager $70,000 to unlock $2,000 in bonus funds.

The calculation method matters. A $100 bonus at 30x requires $3,000 in wagers if applied to the bonus alone. If applied to both bonus and deposit, the same offer requires $6,000 in playthrough. That difference significantly increases player risk.

Where to Compare Bonus Terms Across Platforms?

Bonus structures vary widely across operators. Some promotions carry 20x wagering requirements, while others exceed 40x. Game contribution rates differ as well. Slots may contribute 100% at one platform and less at another. Expiration windows range from seven days to a full month.

Players can compare terms across online casinos available in Ontario, sportsbooks such as bet365 and FanDuel, and licensed poker rooms. Reviewing fine print before depositing helps identify offers with reasonable conditions and avoid promotions like the Casino Days bonus that required the average player to lose $3,640 to earn a $2,000 reward.

Red Flags That Signal a Bad Bonus

Certain conditions consistently indicate a poor-value bonus:

• Wagering requirements above 35x should raise concern. Anything over 50x is rarely achievable without significant losses.
• Low maximum bet limits slow progress dramatically. A $5 cap paired with a $50,000 requirement forces prolonged exposure to risk.
• Short expiration windows add pressure. Seven-day deadlines often encourage rushed decision-making.
• Restricted game eligibility limits flexibility. Some promotions exclude table games or assign minimal contribution rates.
• Strict bet-limit penalties may void all progress. In some terms, a single bet over the cap cancels the bonus and winnings entirely.

Fines and Enforcement Actions in 2024–2025

As the market matures, AGCO enforcement activity has increased. According to Gowling WLG, the regulator’s focus has shifted from onboarding new operators to integrity, accountability, and oversight.

Alongside the Casino Days penalty, BetMGM received a $110,000 fine in March 2025 for offering cash incentives to attract new gambling customers. NorthStar Gaming was fined $30,000 in November 2024 for failing to restrict its platform exclusively to Ontario players.

Under Sections 13(1) and 14 of the Gaming Control Act, 1992, the AGCO is authorized to issue administrative monetary penalties exceeding $500,000 per offence.

How to File a Complaint?

The AGCO recommends starting with the operator. Review the applicable terms linked to your account or transaction and follow the operator’s formal complaints process.

If the issue remains unresolved after 90 days, or if regulatory breaches are suspected, players may submit a complaint to the AGCO. iGaming Ontario acknowledges receipt within one business day and provides an outline of the next steps.

Complaints must involve gambling products conducted and managed by iGaming Ontario. The organization does not settle bets or issue refunds, but exists to enforce compliance and hold operators accountable.

Built-In Protections on Regulated Sites

Every Ontario-licensed operator must comply with the AGCO Registrar’s Standards for Internet Gaming. At a minimum, platforms must offer deposit limits, time limits, cooling-off tools, and self-exclusion options.

Regulated sites display the iGaming Ontario logo. Platforms operating without this mark fall outside Ontario’s legal framework and do not offer the same consumer protections.

Conclusion

Bonus offers can provide value only when players fully understand the attached conditions. The $2,000 Casino Days promotion appeared attractive but required players, on average, to lose nearly twice the bonus amount to unlock it. Hidden terms, tight deadlines, and restrictive bet limits made withdrawals difficult.

Ontario’s regulator framework is designed to prevent such practices. Operators must disclose material conditions clearly and avoid bonus structures that require disproportionate losses. When standards are violated, the AGCO has the authority to impose substantial penalties.

Before claiming any bonus, review wagering multipliers, game contribution rates, expiration periods, and bet caps. Compare offers across licensed platforms, and file a complaint when necessary. Consumer protection mechanisms work best when players actively use them.

FAQs

Are high wagering requirements allowed in Ontario?

Yes, but only within regulatory limits. Ontario guidelines generally cap wagering requirements at around 30x. Promotions that guarantee losses may violate AGCO standards.

What is considered a fair wagering requirement?

Most reasonable bonuses use wagering requirements between 20x and 30x and apply them to the bonus amount only.

Can a casino cancel my bonus for one bet over the limit?

Some terms allow this, but the condition must be clearly disclosed at the time the offer is presented. Hidden penalties may breach disclosure rules.

Does iGaming Ontario refund players for unfair bonuses?

No. iGaming Ontario does not issue refunds or settle wagers. Its role is to regulate operators and enforce compliance.

How can I confirm whether a casino is legally regulated in Ontario?

Look for the iGaming Ontario logo on the site. Licensed operators are monitored by iGaming Ontario and regulated by the AGCO.