The rulebook behind every promotion, clause by clause
Updated: October 2026 · Rastislav Bednár
Each offer has its own short terms, but behind all of them sits a general rulebook: the clauses that apply to every promotion unless an offer says otherwise. This is where most disputes start, because players read the headline and the operator applies the rulebook. The exact wording of Zodiac's general terms is the operator's, can change and is binding only in its own version on the operator's site. This page explains the clauses that typically appear there and what each one means for the games you play.
Typical clauses and their effect on play
| Clause | What it usually says | Effect on game choice |
|---|---|---|
| Eligibility | one offer per person, household, device or payment method | none directly; affects who can claim |
| Maximum bet | stake cap while bonus funds are active | limits volatile play and big swings |
| Excluded games | titles that do not count or may not be played | often jackpots or very low-edge games |
| Feature purchase | bonus-buy not allowed with bonus funds | removes the fastest route to a feature |
| Order of funds | cash used before bonus funds, or the reverse | decides which balance a loss comes from |
| Irregular play | patterns the operator treats as abuse | stake switching, low-risk betting systems |
| Expiry | deadlines for wagering and for using spins | pace of play |
Maximum bet and volatility
The maximum bet rule exists because volatility can be bought with stake size. With a large stake, a single lucky feature could clear an entire requirement; with a small stake, the requirement takes hundreds of spins. Operators cap the stake to keep bonus play on the slow path. For you this means two things: know the cap before the first spin, and remember that it applies per round, including any side bets or doubled stakes inside a game. A volatile slot played at the cap still behaves like a volatile slot — expect long dry runs.
Excluded games and feature purchases
Exclusion lists usually cover two groups. The first is games with a very low house edge, which would make wagering too cheap. The second is games with extreme variance or progressive jackpots, where a single result could be huge. Feature purchases sit in the second group: buying a bonus round concentrates many base-game stakes into one event. If a slot you like has a buy option, check whether the terms allow it with bonus funds; many do not. The slot mechanics guide explains what a bonus buy actually changes in the game maths.
Order of funds and withdrawals
When you hold both cash and bonus funds, the terms decide which is used first and what happens if you withdraw. Some operators let you withdraw cash and forfeit the bonus; others lock both until wagering is complete. Read this clause before depositing more while an offer runs.
How to use this page
Read the operator's general terms once, with this list next to them, then read each offer's own terms when you claim it. For the numbers behind wagering, see the wagering guide; for offer types, the bonus hub, the welcome offer and free spins. And keep your budget separate from any offer, as described under responsible gambling.