Bonus cancellation – when and how to forfeit a bonus
Bonus cancellation means removing an active bonus from the account before its terms are met. It can be initiated by the player, who decides to forfeit the bonus, or by the casino when the bonus expires or the terms are breached. In both cases the bonus money and usually all winnings made with it are lost. For an Estonian player it is important to know that forfeiting a bonus is an entirely normal and legal choice – a bonus is an offer, not an obligation.
It is worth forfeiting a bonus above all when you want to withdraw your money but the wagering requirement is still far off. Also when the bonus restrictions – such as the maximum bet or the list of allowed games – do not suit your style of play. Sometimes a bonus is activated by accident during a deposit; forfeiting makes sense in that case too. At most casinos the cancel button is in the account settings or on the bonuses page, and customer support can help if needed.
Before confirming the cancellation, check what happens to your balance. With a non-sticky bonus, real money is played first, and if you won before the bonus money came into use, that win may remain yours. If real money and bonus money are in a single balance, however, winnings that seemed to be yours may disappear along with the bonus. At many casinos a withdrawal request made before the wagering requirement is met also cancels the bonus automatically – this is stated in the bonus terms and is worth knowing before, not after.
The casino may also cancel a bonus on its own initiative. The most common reasons are expiry, breaching the maximum bet rule, playing excluded games or using several accounts. In Estonia only casinos licensed by the Estonian Tax and Customs Board (EMTA) operate legally, and their terms must be clear and published in advance. If your bonus was cancelled and the reason is unclear, ask the casino for a written explanation.
Forfeiting a bonus can also be a responsible gambling tool: it frees you from the pressure to play more than you intended. Casino games in Estonia are only allowed for people aged 21 and over. Set yourself limits, and if gambling causes concern, help is available at peaasi.ee and tai.ee.