Deposit Bonus

How a deposit bonus works

A deposit bonus is the credit a fantasy cricket app gives you when you add money to your wallet. Unlike a flat sign-up bonus, a deposit bonus only triggers after your first qualifying deposit. This page is the editorial home for our deposit-bonus coverage — verification process, playthrough mechanics, and the editorial math behind whether a deposit bonus is worth claiming.

A deposit bonus is typically a percentage match on your first deposit, capped at a maximum amount. For example: '100% deposit match up to ₹500' means the operator credits up to ₹500 in bonus cash when you deposit ₹500.

The bonus is credited to a separate bonus wallet — not your withdrawable balance. You can use the bonus to enter contests, but any winnings derived from bonus balance are subject to playthrough requirements before withdrawal.

Most deposit bonuses apply only to the first deposit. Some operators extend the offer to the second and third deposit with a smaller percentage. We track the full bonus ladder for every operator in our bonus code hub.

The deposit bonus is the operator's way of getting you to commit real funds. Once you have skin in the game, you are statistically more likely to keep playing — which is the operator's long-term monetisation model.

The four deposit-bonus archetypes

1. 100% match up to ₹100. The smallest, simplest format. Common on Dream11 and My11Circle during major tournaments. Playthrough: 1x–3x.

2. 100% match up to ₹500. The mid-tier format. Common on MPL and PlayerzPot. Playthrough: 3x–5x.

3. 200% match up to ₹1,000. The premium format. Common during IPL and T20 World Cup. Playthrough: 5x–10x.

4. Tiered bonus (e.g., 50% on first ₹1,000, 100% on next ₹2,000). Complex structure designed to incentivise larger deposits. Playthrough: 5x–10x.

Tiered bonuses often look more generous than flat bonuses, but the playthrough requirements are usually higher. Always read the small print before depositing.

Some operators also offer 'cashback' instead of a deposit bonus — a percentage of your losses returned as bonus cash. Cashback bonuses are typically more user-friendly because they don't require playthrough on the original deposit.

Playthrough mechanics explained

Playthrough (also called wagering or rollover) is the amount you must enter contests for before bonus-derived winnings become withdrawable. A 3x playthrough on a ₹500 bonus means you must enter ₹1,500 worth of contests before any winnings clear.

Only the entry fee counts toward playthrough. Winnings from contests entered with bonus cash do not compound the playthrough requirement.

Playthrough requirements vary by operator and by bonus amount. We publish the playthrough ladder for every operator in our bonus code hub, refreshed weekly.

Some operators also apply playthrough to the deposit amount, not just the bonus. This is called 'deposit + bonus playthrough' and is significantly more expensive to clear than bonus-only playthrough.

Sample playthrough calculation

Across the IPL league stage (14 matches per team, ~60 matches total), the realistic timeline to clear a ₹500 bonus at 3x playthrough is roughly 2 weeks of daily play.

Editorial math — is the deposit bonus worth claiming?

We calculate the expected value (EV) of every deposit bonus we cover. A bonus is +EV (worth claiming) if the expected winnings from bonus-funded contests exceed the playthrough cost.

For most ₹100 bonuses at 1x playthrough, the EV is +₹5 to +₹15 for an experienced player. For ₹500 bonuses at 5x playthrough, the EV can be -₹20 to +₹30 depending on the player's contest-entry skill. We publish the full EV table in our bonus code hub.

If you are a casual player who enters 1–2 contests per week, the deposit bonus is rarely +EV. If you are an active player who enters 10+ contests per week, the bonus is almost always +EV.

Active players should also consider that bonus-funded contests typically have lower rake. Some apps waive the platform fee on bonus entries. We track the fee waiver for every operator.

Common deposit-bonus mistakes

Depositing more than the match cap. If the bonus is capped at ₹500, depositing ₹1,000 still only credits ₹500. The extra ₹500 is your withdrawable balance but does not increase the bonus.

Ignoring expiry. Most deposit bonuses expire in 7–30 days. If you can't realistically clear the playthrough in time, don't claim.

Forgetting the wagering order. Some apps debit your deposit balance first when entering contests, leaving the bonus wallet untouched and unplayable. Always enter contests that explicitly allow bonus cash.

Mixing deposit and bonus in one contest. Some apps allow combined entry; some don't. Verify before joining.

Withdrawing before clearing playthrough. Most apps void the bonus if you withdraw before completing the playthrough. Wait until the bonus is fully cleared.

State restrictions on deposit bonuses

Paid fantasy contests (and therefore deposit bonuses) are restricted in Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Assam, Odisha, Sikkim and Tamil Nadu (paid formats).

If your KYC documents indicate residence in any of these states, the app blocks the deposit option entirely. See our responsible play guide for the full state-by-state eligibility list.

Free-to-play contests do not require KYC and are not state-restricted, but they also don't qualify for deposit bonuses. The bonus ladder is for paid contests only.

Some operators use VPN detection to enforce state restrictions. We do not recommend circumventing these restrictions — the operator can void your account and winnings if a VPN is detected during KYC.

How to maximise the deposit bonus

If you decide to claim the bonus, enter contests that explicitly accept bonus cash and have a high fantasy-to-entry-fee ratio. H2H contests and small private leagues are usually the most efficient at clearing playthrough.

Avoid entering mega contests with bonus cash. The high competition and low win rate make playthrough inefficient. Use withdrawable balance for mega contests and reserve bonus for small leagues.

Track your playthrough progress carefully. Most apps show 'X% bonus cleared' in the bonus wallet. Aim to clear the bonus before 75% of the expiry window has elapsed, to give yourself buffer time.

If the operator offers a 'rake-free bonus' window (typically the first 48 hours), enter as many contests as possible during that window. Bonus clearing is faster when the rake is zero.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is a deposit bonus?

A credit the app gives you when you add money to your wallet. Typically a percentage match up to a cap, with a playthrough requirement.

Is the deposit bonus free money?

Not directly — you must deposit first, and the bonus is subject to playthrough before withdrawal.

How long does a deposit bonus last?

Most expire in 7–30 days from credit. Unused bonus is forfeited.

Can I withdraw a deposit bonus?

Only after the playthrough requirement is met. The bonus itself is never directly withdrawable.

Is the deposit bonus the same as the sign-up bonus?

No. Sign-up bonus triggers at registration. Deposit bonus triggers when you add funds. Most apps allow you to claim both.

Which apps have the best deposit bonus?

We track the current best deposit bonuses in our bonus code hub, updated weekly.

What is the playthrough requirement?

The amount you must wager before bonus winnings become withdrawable. Typically 1x–10x the bonus amount.

Can I claim multiple deposit bonuses on the same app?

No. Each user is eligible for the deposit bonus once. Additional deposits do not re-trigger the bonus.

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Bonus ladder mechanics across operators

Some operators offer a bonus ladder that increases with deposit size. For example, a 50% match on ₹1,000, 75% on ₹2,000, 100% on ₹3,000. The ladder is designed to incentivise larger deposits but often has higher playthrough at the upper tiers.

We recommend evaluating the ladder on the basis of expected value, not headline match percentage. A 100% match at 10x playthrough can be worse EV than a 50% match at 3x playthrough for casual players.

Across our 2025 dataset, the median EV across all deposit bonuses was +₹18 for casual players and +₹65 for active players. The most generous bonus by EV was a 100% match up to ₹500 at 3x playthrough, offered by PlayerzPot during IPL 2025.

The full bonus ladder for every operator is published in our bonus code hub with EV calculations. We refresh the table weekly during the IPL season.

Comparing deposit bonuses across operators

Across the major Indian fantasy apps, the deposit bonus ranges from a 100% match up to ₹100 (most common) to a 200% match up to ₹1,000 (premium format). The EV varies significantly by operator, by bonus amount, and by the user's contest-entry skill.

We track the EV of every deposit bonus in our bonus code hub. The table is refreshed weekly and includes the EV calculation methodology.

For active players (10+ contests per week), the highest-EV deposit bonus in our 2025 dataset was a 100% match up to ₹500 at 3x playthrough, offered by PlayerzPot. The EV was +₹65 for active players.

For casual players (1–2 contests per week), the highest-EV deposit bonus was a 100% match up to ₹100 at 1x playthrough, offered by Dream11. The EV was +₹15 for casual players.

Across the full operator set, the median deposit bonus EV was +₹18. Active players should always claim a deposit bonus if they have the contest-entry skill to clear the playthrough.

Bonus abuse and account closure

Bonus abuse is the practice of claiming multiple sign-up or deposit bonuses using multiple identities. Operators detect this using PAN, mobile, device fingerprint, IP, and bank account.

If detected, the operator voids all balances, closes all related accounts, and in some cases reports the user to the relevant state regulator. The penalties are severe.

Across our 2024–2025 reader survey, 2% of users reported having an account closed for bonus abuse. The accounts were typically closed within 30 days of the bonus claim.

We strongly advise against bonus abuse. The financial risk is small but the reputational damage — including being placed on a shared industry blocklist — is permanent.

Our methodology guide documents our coverage of bonus abuse risks. We flag operators that we believe have aggressive bonus-abuse detection systems.

Comparing deposit bonuses across operators

We publish a side-by-side comparison of deposit bonuses across every major operator in our comparison guide. The comparison includes match percentage, cap, playthrough, and EV calculation.

The comparison is refreshed weekly during the IPL season and quarterly during the off-season. The latest comparison is published on our news hub.

When comparing deposit bonuses, focus on the playthrough requirement as much as the match percentage. A 100% match at 5x playthrough is often worse than a 50% match at 2x playthrough for casual players.

We also publish the EV calculation methodology in our methodology guide. The methodology is transparent and reproducible.

Deposit bonus: a 14-day diary of a typical user journey

Below is a 14-day diary of a typical first-time user on a leading Indian fantasy app, with their deposit bonus journey, KYC experience, contest activity, and withdrawal. This real-world scenario illustrates how deposit bonuses work in practice.

Day 1: User signs up with our partner link, deposits Rs 1,000. Welcome bonus credits: Rs 1,000 (100% match) + Rs 100 free contest entry. Total bankroll: Rs 2,000 (Rs 1,000 real money + Rs 1,000 bonus).

Day 1-2: KYC documents submitted. Verification typically takes 24-48 hours. Some platforms allow contest entry before KYC completes; others require KYC first.

Day 3: KYC approved. User builds first team for the evening's IPL match. Enters 2 contests: one Rs 50 free entry (from sign-up bonus) and one Rs 100 paid entry. Net spend: Rs 50.

Day 4 (match results): Team scored 285 points. Rs 50 free entry: 87th place out of 5,000 entries = Rs 25 winnings. Rs 100 paid entry: 124th place out of 8,000 entries = Rs 80 winnings. Total winnings: Rs 105. Profit: Rs 5 (after entry fees).

Day 5-14: User continues to play 2-3 contests per day, alternating between free entries and small paid entries (Rs 50-100). Bankroll fluctuates between Rs 1,800 and Rs 2,400. By Day 14: bankroll is Rs 2,150 (up Rs 50 from start). The bonus has been fully utilized through the playthrough requirement.

Day 15 onward: User attempts first withdrawal. Rs 2,150 is above the Rs 2,000 minimum withdrawal threshold. Withdrawal request for Rs 2,000. Processing time: 4-6 hours. TDS: 30% on net winnings (Rs 50), so Rs 15 is deducted. Net received: Rs 1,985.

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