Casino bonuses typically restrict access to certain games or prohibit them from counting toward wagering requirements. These restrictions can exclude entire game categories (all table games), specific high-value titles (progressive jackpots), or individual slots with favorable odds for players. Playing restricted games while bonus conditions are active often results in immediate forfeiture of all bonus funds and winnings, even if you didn't realize the games were prohibited. Understanding which games are restricted and why helps you avoid accidental violations and determine whether a bonus provides value based on your game preferences. This guide explains common game restrictions, how to find complete restriction lists, and what happens when you play games that violate bonus terms.
Types of Game Restrictions
Casinos apply restrictions in several different ways, each affecting your playing options and wagering progress differently.
Completely Excluded Games
These games cannot be played at all with bonus funds active. Attempting to access them either blocks play or immediately voids the bonus.
Commonly excluded categories:- All live dealer games - All table games (blackjack, roulette, baccarat, craps) - Progressive jackpot slots - Specific high RTP slots (97%+ return to player) - Video poker variants - Certain specialty games (keno, scratch cards)
How enforcement works:Software blocking (player-friendly): Games are grayed out or display error messages when clicked, preventing accidental play.
Terms-only restriction (problematic): Games remain accessible but playing them violates terms, discovered only during withdrawal review.
Example: You play a restricted slot thinking it's allowed because the software permitted access. During withdrawal, the casino voids $2,000 in winnings, citing violation of restricted games terms you didn't realize applied to that specific title.
Zero Contribution Games
These games can be played but don't contribute anything toward wagering requirements.
Common zero contribution games:- Table games at many casinos (0% contribution) - Certain live dealer games - Specific branded slots - Video poker variants - Progressive jackpot games
Practical effect: Playing these games doesn't violate terms but makes no progress toward completing wagering. If you spend significant time on zero contribution games, you're effectively wasting time that should be applied to qualifying games.
Hidden issue: Some casinos don't clearly distinguish between "excluded" and "zero contribution." You might play a game for hours assuming it counts toward wagering, only to discover it contributed nothing.
Reduced Contribution Games
These games can be played but contribute less than 100% toward wagering requirements.
Common reduced contribution rates:- Table games: 10-20% contribution - Video poker: 20-50% contribution - Specific slot categories: 50% contribution - Live dealer variations: 10% contribution This effectively multiplies the wagering you must complete on these games. See game contribution percentages for detailed analysis.
Why Games Are Restricted
Casinos restrict specific games to protect their profitability and prevent bonus abuse, though restrictions often extend beyond what's necessary for these purposes.
Low house edge games:Games where the casino's mathematical advantage is small give players better odds of completing wagering profitably. Casinos restrict these games to maintain bonus program profitability. - Blackjack with optimal strategy: ~0.5% house edge - Video poker (Jacks or Better): ~0.5% house edge with perfect play - European roulette: 2.7% house edge - Baccarat: 1.06% house edge on banker
High RTP slots:Certain slots return over 97-99% to players, leaving minimal house edge.
Commonly restricted high RTP slots:- Blood Suckers (98% RTP) - Mega Joker (99% RTP) - 1429 Uncharted Seas (98.6% RTP) - Jackpot 6000 (98.8% RTP)
Progressive jackpots:Progressive slots accumulate prize pools across multiple casinos. Allowing bonus wagering on these games creates risk that players could hit life-changing jackpots with bonus funds.
Commonly restricted progressives:- Mega Moolah series - Divine Fortune - Hall of Gods - Mega Fortune - Major Millions
Player protection perspective: While casinos have legitimate reasons to restrict certain games, many restrictions go beyond risk management and simply limit player choice to favor games with higher house edges.
Hidden and Unclear Restrictions
Many casinos don't clearly communicate all game restrictions, leading to accidental violations.
Where restrictions hide:General terms and conditions: Full exclusion lists often appear only in site-wide terms, not bonus-specific pages.
Separate restricted games page: Some casinos maintain a list at an obscure URL, linked in small text.
Customer support only: Complete restriction information sometimes available only by asking support directly.
Individual game rules: Certain games include restrictions in their own terms rather than general bonus terms.
Dynamic restrictions: Some casinos change restricted games lists without updating published terms or notifying players.
Example unclear restriction: Bonus terms state "certain high RTP slots are excluded" but don't list which games qualify as "high RTP," leaving players to guess which titles are forbidden.
Red flag language:- "Some games may not contribute to wagering requirements" - "Certain titles are restricted—see full list" - "Progressive and high RTP games may be excluded" - "Not all games qualify for bonus play" These vague phrases shift the burden to players to discover specific restrictions through trial and error.
Finding Complete Restriction Lists
Before claiming any bonus, identify exactly which games you can and cannot play.
Where to check:1.
Bonus-specific terms page: Should list major restrictions 2.
General terms and conditions: Often contains more complete lists 3.
Search for "restricted games": Use browser search in all terms documents 4.
Customer support: Ask for complete list of excluded games 5.
Game contribution table: Some casinos publish searchable databases 6.
Test access: Try accessing games you want to play and check if they're blocked
Questions to ask support:- "Which games are completely excluded from bonus play?" - "Which games have 0% contribution toward wagering?" - "Are there any high RTP slots that are restricted?" - "Can I play [specific game name] with bonus funds?"
Documentation: Take screenshots of restriction lists and support responses, as casinos sometimes dispute what information was available when you claimed the bonus.
Consequences of Playing Restricted Games
Violating game restrictions typically results in harsh penalties with no exceptions for accidental play.
Standard consequences:- Immediate forfeiture of all bonus funds - Forfeiture of all winnings from the entire bonus period - Removal of funds from account - Possible account restriction for "bonus abuse" - Permanent loss of bonus privileges in severe cases
No tolerance for mistakes: Even if you: - Played a restricted game for one spin before realizing the error - Lost money on the restricted game - Completed all other wagering properly - Otherwise met all bonus terms
Example scenario: You complete $19,500 of $20,000 wagering requirement on allowed slots. You play 3 spins on blackjack (restricted game) totaling $15 in bets and lose all $15. During withdrawal review, the casino voids your entire $3,500 balance, citing restricted game violation.
Software Enforcement vs. Terms-Only Restrictions
How casinos enforce restrictions dramatically affects your risk of accidental violations.
Software-enforced restrictions (better for players): - Restricted games are grayed out or inaccessible - System blocks attempts to play forbidden games - Clear error messages explain why games are unavailable - Impossible to accidentally violate restrictions
Terms-only restrictions (worse for players): - All games remain accessible despite being restricted - Players can unknowingly violate terms - Violations discovered during withdrawal review, often days or weeks later - Creates "gotcha" situations where casinos accept bets they know violate rules
Fairness standard: Software enforcement is the only truly fair approach, preventing accidental violations and making rules clear in real-time.
Testing: Before wagering significant amounts, try accessing games you're unsure about. If restricted games remain playable, you're at a terms-only casino with higher violation risk.
Game Restrictions by Bonus Type
Different bonus types often have different restriction levels.
Welcome bonuses: Moderate restrictions - Usually allow most slots - Restrict table games and progressives - May exclude handful of high RTP titles
No-deposit bonuses: Severe restrictions - Often slots-only - Extensive lists of excluded high RTP games - May restrict all games over 96-97% RTP
Free spins bonuses: Game-specific restrictions - Usually restricted to specific games or providers - Winnings converted to bonus with separate restrictions - May allow only the games where spins were earned
Table game bonuses: Rare but specific - Allow table games with reasonable contribution - May restrict specific blackjack variants (single deck) - Often exclude live dealer despite being "table game" bonuses
VIP/loyalty bonuses: More lenient restrictions - Fewer excluded games - Better contribution rates - Sometimes allow games restricted in welcome offers
Regional and Provider-Based Restrictions
Game restrictions sometimes vary based on your location or game provider.
Geographic restrictions:Certain games may be unavailable or restricted in specific countries due to: - Licensing agreements - Local regulations - Provider restrictions - Currency considerations
Provider-based restrictions:Some casinos restrict all games from specific providers: - "All NetEnt games excluded from bonus play" - "Pragmatic Play titles contribute 50%" - "Evolution Gaming live dealer games prohibited"
Example: You see a game in the casino lobby and assume it's available, but it's geo-blocked for your location or provider-restricted during bonus play—information only discovered when the casino voids your winnings.
Restricted Betting Patterns
Beyond specific games, some casinos restrict how you bet on allowed games.
Pattern-based restrictions:Low-risk betting: Simultaneously betting red and black on roulette, or multiple outcome coverage designed to minimize variance.
Hedge betting: Placing opposite bets across multiple games or rounds to guarantee wagering progress with minimal risk.
Equal betting: Some casinos prohibit betting equal amounts on player and banker in baccarat.
Bonus hunting patterns: Rapidly claiming and wagering multiple bonuses in succession.
Enforcement challenge: These restrictions are subjective and difficult to understand in advance. What constitutes "low-risk betting" isn't clearly defined, giving casinos broad discretion.
Vague terms example: "Irregular play patterns designed to abuse bonus terms may result in forfeiture of bonus and winnings." This language allows casinos to void bonuses based on betting patterns they consider strategic, even if players believed they were following all rules.
Changing Restrictions During Bonus Period
Some casinos reserve the right to modify restricted games lists even after you've claimed a bonus.
Example problematic clause: "The casino may add games to the restricted list at any time. Updated restrictions apply to all active bonuses." This means a game that was allowed when you claimed your bonus could become restricted mid-wagering, potentially voiding progress you already made on that game.
Player protection issue: Retroactive restriction changes are fundamentally unfair, penalizing players for following the rules that existed when they accepted the bonus.