Was doing my daily thing, but I glanced upon this Reddit thread about BetMGM screwing up this gentleman’s roulette win, thanks to its bonus playthrough requirements. I know, I know; same old crybaby script, but then people need to know. The web needs fresh digs on such matters, because they pop-up every day.
So just want to put this out there to see what others think. Last night I deposited $100 to play roulette. I didn’t realize at the time but apparently I was awarded a bonus without my knowledge and without me entering a code or opting in any way. The bonus was for $25. When I noticed my balance was $125 I figured I accidentally entered the wrong deposit amount. Anyway I started betting in increments of $100 and ended up running it up to $625. I wanted to withdraw and then noticed that these funds were all tied up in the stupid bonus and I couldn’t withdraw without meeting a minimum betting requirement. I needed to bet another $375 with roulette bets only contributing to that total up to 20% of their actual value (so if I bet $100, only $20 would be subtracted from that $375 minimum bet total). I contacted support and after arguing for a while, I realized they weren’t going to do shit about it even though this bonus was forced upon me. So I kept playing roulette to try and satisfy the minimum bet requirement and I ended up losing the whole $600. I find it absolutely dumb that 1. This bonus was forced upon me, and 2. That a bonus of only $25 carries a minimum betting requirement of $500. That really summed up the day I was having as beforehand I was pulled over and given a speeding ticket on my way home from my gfs house 😀. TL;DR always check if your deposit is tied up in a bonus and what the minimum betting requirement is.
I’m going to address this OP directly. I like it this way.
Your roulette story sounds like a classic run-in with something like BetMGM’s bonus system, and I can see why you’re steamed. Depositing $100 and getting a $25 bonus you didn’t ask for? That tracks; BetMGM’s known for tossing out welcome bonuses or deposit matches automatically, like their “$25 on the house” or first-bet insurance deals.
Sometimes it’s not even a code you enter; it’s just there unless you opt out, and if you didn’t know to check the terms, you’d miss it.
I’ve heard of folks seeing their balance bump up; like your $125; and assuming it’s all free and clear, only to get blindsided later.
So when you ran it up to $625 betting $100 a pop, that’s a solid win streak; props for that; but then hitting the withdrawal snag? Brutal.
Regulated betting sites, or offshore gambling ones. Thing is bonus rules need to be adhered to. For example; Bovada’s $3,750 crypto welcome bonus has similar rules, though they definitely have a bigger playthrough barrier installed.
The Wagering Requirement Sting
BetMGM’s bonuses often come with wagering requirements, and your $375 minimum (effectively $500 since roulette only counts 20%) isn’t far off from what they pull.
Their fine print might say something like “10x the bonus amount” or more, depending on the offer, and table games like roulette always get shafted with that reduced contribution; 20% is standard.
It’s not illegal, but it’s sneaky as hell if they didn’t flash a big “HEY, THIS IS A BONUS” warning when you deposited.
For a $25 bonus to lock up your whole stack like that? That’s the kind of move that makes you feel played; especially since BetMGM markets itself as player-friendly with all their promos.
Arguing with support and getting nowhere? Par for the course; they’re trained to stick to the script, and “it’s in the terms” is their go-to.
Does the Story Hold Up?
The story hangs together: $100 in, $25 bonus from BetMGM’s playbook, $125 balance, up to $625, then stuck. Losing it all trying to grind out the requirement? That’s the trap they set, and you walked right into it; been there, man.
The speeding ticket on top, coming back from your girlfriend’s? Just the universe kicking you while you’re down.
It’s believable, messy, and human; no red flags of BS here. Is it legit? No reason to think you’re making it up; sounds like a real BetMGM user getting hosed by their bonus system.
What’s Good and Bad About the Post
What’s right with the post is it’s a heads-up for anyone else; check your balance, check the terms, especially with a site like BetMGM that loves slapping bonuses on you.
What’s wrong? Maybe not calling out BetMGM by name so others can steer clear, but I get if you’re just venting, not starting a crusade. The raw tone and that TL;DR? Spot on; drives the lesson home.
BetMGM Bonus Playthrough Rules Table
| Aspect | Details | OP’s Take |
|---|---|---|
| Bonus Type | Common types include deposit match, no-deposit bonus, or free play credits. Often auto-applied unless opted out. | You got a $25 bonus on a $100 deposit, likely a deposit match or promotional credit, applied without consent. |
| Wagering Requirement | Amount you must bet to unlock bonus funds for withdrawal. Varies by bonus (e.g., 1x, 10x, 15x). | Your $25 bonus had a $375 wagering requirement (effectively $500 due to roulette’s 20% contribution). |
| Game Contribution | Percentage of each bet that counts toward the requirement. Slots typically 100%, table games less. | Roulette bets counted at 20%?a $100 bet only reduced your requirement by $20. |
| Eligible Games | Some bonuses restrict which games apply. Often slots-only, but yours included roulette with a catch. | Your bonus allowed roulette, but the low contribution rate made it harder to clear. |
| Time Limit | Period to meet the requirement before the bonus expires. Usually 7-30 days. | Not specified in your case, but BetMGM often gives 7 days for casino bonuses. Did you hit a deadline? |
| Withdrawal Rules | Bonus funds and winnings are locked until the requirement is met. Only winnings are cashable after. | You couldn’t withdraw your $625 until betting $375 (or $500 adjusted), then lost it all trying. |
| Stake Usage | Bonus funds used alongside cash; winnings may mix both until cleared. | Your $125 balance ($100 cash + $25 bonus) grew to $625, but all was tied to the bonus terms. |
| Opt-Out Option | Some bonuses can be declined post-deposit via support, but not always retroactively honored. | You argued with support to remove the bonus, but they wouldn’t budge?common with auto-applied offers. |
Notes:
- $25 Bonus, $375 Requirement: This suggests a 15x playthrough on the bonus amount ($25 x 15 = $375), standard for BetMGM casino deposit matches. The 20% roulette contribution (a known BetMGM rule for table games) bumped the effective total to $500 ($375 ÷ 0.2).
- Real-World Tie-In: BetMGM’s casino welcome offer often includes a $25 no-deposit bonus (1x playthrough) plus a 100% deposit match up to $1,000 (15x playthrough), with table games like roulette at 20%. Your case aligns with a smaller, possibly promotional bonus.
- Support Standoff: Their refusal to remove the bonus reflects a strict “terms are terms” policy, common in online gambling when bonuses are auto-applied.
Shitty deal, and BetMGM’s bonus rules can absolutely screw you like that. You’re not alone; tons of players have raged about this exact thing.
Next time, maybe peek at the promo page or skip the bonus if you can.
You ditching online roulette after this, or just gonna triple-check the fine print?