What Is Bonus Abuse?

Some players, willingly or not, misuse platforms and casino bonuses, ultimately violating the terms and conditions. They gain an unfair advantage over other users and cause casinos to lose money. I know—it's not always your fault, but there are steps you can take to avoid negative attention.

How to avoid common types of bonus abuse

The recent abuse of bonuses at online casinos has caused these platforms to take serious action. Systems and protection measures constantly scan for problematic actions. Here are the three main patterns that can cause casinos to suspect you of abusing their bonuses, along with ways you can avoid it:

1. Rapid wagering with large bets

Based on my experience, fraudsters qualify for bonuses and make quick and big wagers to meet the wagering requirements quickly. They spend the bonus money swiftly, then move into smaller bets, and as soon as they meet the minimum rollover, cash out their winnings.

This rapid pace of large bets can indicate the player is only interested in meeting the wagering requirement as quickly as possible to withdraw the bonus funds and move on.

✅ How to avoid: Keep a reasonable pace even if you like making big and quick bets. Enjoy your time at the casino and each game you explore. That way, your gambling activity will seem more genuine.

2. Bonus churning

Bonus churning, or bonus hunting, is the practice of fraudsters opening accounts at multiple casinos just to qualify for the welcome bonus. They get their bonus cash or spins, use them to meet the minimum rollover, and then move on to the next casino.

A casino can tell when a player is bonus hunting, as they would quickly qualify for available bonuses and cash out without exploring much of the game lobby. This behaviour suggests the player is not playing the games for enjoyment, but only trying to get free money through bonuses.

✅ How to avoid: If you don’t want to seem like someone who is churning, I recommend finding a Canadian online casino that fits your preferences for the long term. Spend time exploring the lobby, qualify for multiple bonuses, and fulfil the rollover responsibly.

3. Multiple accounts

Fraudsters may create multiple accounts to try to qualify for welcome bonuses multiple times. Even though casinos prohibit multiple accounts from the same device or IP address, people try to access their accounts using VPNs or proxy servers. They also change their account information slightly or use fake information when signing up.

This is clear bonus abuse because claiming an offer multiple times goes against the casino’s terms and conditions, which limit a bonus to one per player, household, or IP address.

✅ How to avoid: This is a no-brainer. Always use your real personal information and only maintain one account per casino. Update or fix account verification data as needed to ensure everything is above board.

How do casinos detect bonus abuse?

Casinos must be alert to many issues, from multiple accounts to bonus hunting, fake accounts, and bots, to keep their platform safe for the players who are actually there to play responsibly. Fraudulent activities can quickly destroy a casino’s reputation, so it needs to take action to detect bonus abuse and prevent it as quickly as possible.

I’ve spoken to many casino managers, owners, and players and gathered information on how casinos prevent bonus abuse. These are the three most common preventative measures I’ve come across:

IP tracking and device detection: Casinos now have complete teams dedicated to analyzing the digital footprints of new players. They check for problematic accounts that may be using VPNs or proxies to access the casinos and ban them. Similarly, they look for IP addresses with multiple accounts or devices trying to sign up simultaneously.
KYC verification: Most casinos require newly registered players to undergo a Know Your Customer check to confirm their identity and location. Some mandate this check upon registration and don’t unlock any casino features before it is complete, while most require players to complete it before their first withdrawal.
Bonus monitoring systems: These help casinos monitor how players use their bonuses, including the frequency of their deposits, bets, and cashouts. By detecting patterns, casinos can determine which accounts are most likely to abuse bonuses.

Bonus abuse is unethical and can lead to your account being suspended and all your winnings forfeited. Moreover, the casino can take legal action against you if they suspect you’ve violated their terms and conditions.

Final thoughts

Fair play is essential for all online casino gamblers, regardless of their country of origin or the casino they use. By abusing bonuses, you’re only spoiling the experience of other players and ultimately putting yourself in a position where you could end up with a lawsuit.

Remember to play fairly, qualify for one bonus at a time, and take the wagering slowly. There’s no need to rush - try to enjoy your time at the casino. This will not only help you stay on the safe side, but it's also a good practice for maintaining responsible gambling habits.

What Is Bonus Abuse & How to Avoid It