The moment a bet resolves as a tie
A push is the betting world's word for a tie. On a point-spread wager, it happens when the margin lands exactly on the number; on a totals bet, when the final score equals the posted line. The stake is not won and not lost, so a cash bettor simply gets the original amount back. A bonus bet is not a cash bet, and that is where the confusion starts. The question is not whether the push returns anything, but which of the two parts of the promotion—the stake or the potential winnings—survives the tie, and what the terms say happens next.
Most bonus bets work on a stake-not-returned model. The operator fronts the stake, and if the bet wins, the payout is the profit only: the return minus the stake. The stake itself was never the player's money. On a push, there is no profit, so there is nothing to pay. The bonus bet is simply consumed. Whether the operator restores it as a fresh bonus bet, credits a smaller consolation amount, or treats it as gone depends entirely on the promotional terms attached to that specific offer.
Why the stake and the winnings are separate questions
To read any bonus-bet term correctly, split the wager into its two components. The stake is the amount risked. The winnings are the profit generated if the selection covers. A cash wager returns both on a win and the stake alone on a push. A bonus wager typically returns only the profit on a win and nothing on a push, because the stake was promotional credit rather than deposited funds.
That distinction matters when a promotion advertises a refund or a second chance. Some offers state that a pushed bonus bet is reissued as another bonus bet of equal value. Others state that a push voids the bonus bet with no reissue. A third group converts the pushed bonus bet into a smaller amount of site credit or free spins on a specified slot. None of these outcomes is universal, and none can be assumed from the phrase "bonus bet" alone.
| Component | Cash bet result on a push | Typical bonus bet result on a push |
|---|---|---|
| Stake | Returned in full | Consumed; not returned as cash |
| Profit | None | None |
| Reissue | Not applicable | Only if the terms explicitly state it |
| Impact on wagering requirement | No requirement | Usually none, because the wager did not settle as a win or loss |
Where the answer is written
Every bonus bet carries a set of promotional terms, and the push rule is inside them. The most reliable place to look is the offer's own terms page or the promotional banner's expandable conditions, not the general help centre. Search that page for the word "push", "tie", "void", or "dead heat". The relevant clause is usually one or two sentences and states exactly what happens to the bonus bet and whether any reissue is itself subject to a new wagering requirement.
If the terms do not mention pushes at all, the fallback is the operator's general bonus policy. Some operators write a blanket rule that unresolved or voided bonus bets are removed and not reissued. Others treat a push as a non-event that leaves the bonus bet available for reuse. When neither document answers the question, the support channel is the only place that can give a binding answer for that specific bet, and the answer should be kept in writing.
How a push interacts with a wagering requirement
A wagering requirement, sometimes called playthrough, is a multiplier stating how much must be wagered before bonus-related funds can be withdrawn. The arithmetic is simple to construct as an example: suppose a promotion grants 50 units of bonus credit with a 30x requirement. The player must wager 1,500 units before a withdrawal is possible. What counts toward that 1,500 is governed by game weighting, and a pushed bet is a special case.
A push generally does not count as a completed wager for playthrough purposes, because no stake was won or lost. The bet neither advances nor reduces the requirement. It is a null event. That can matter more than the lost bonus bet itself: a player who placed a large bonus bet on a line that pushed has consumed the promotional stake and made no progress toward the playthrough target. The terms should state whether pushed wagers are excluded from playthrough counting, and most do, but the wording varies.
Game weighting changes what a push costs you
Not every wager contributes equally to a wagering requirement. Operators assign a weighting percentage to different game types. A slot spin might count at 100 percent, meaning every unit wagered reduces the requirement by one unit. A table game might count at 10 or 20 percent, meaning only a fraction of each unit wagered is recognised. A push on a heavily weighted game is therefore a double loss of progress: the stake is gone and the requirement has not moved.
This is why the push rule cannot be read in isolation. A bonus bet that pushes on a game weighted at 100 percent costs the player the promotional stake. The same push on a game weighted at 10 percent costs the stake and leaves the playthrough almost untouched. The terms page should list the weighting table, and the player should read it before choosing where to place the bonus bet, not after the push has happened.
Maximum-cashout caps and expiry windows
Even when a bonus bet wins, the amount that can be withdrawn is often capped. A maximum-cashout cap states the upper limit on withdrawable winnings generated from the promotion. A player who wins more than the cap keeps only the capped amount. When a bonus bet pushes and is reissued, the reissued bet usually inherits the same cap, and the terms should say whether the cap applies per bet or across the whole promotion.
Expiry windows work the same way. A bonus bet is typically valid for a fixed number of days after being credited, and a push that consumes the bet does not pause the clock. If the operator reissues the bet, the reissued version often carries a fresh but equally short expiry. A player who placed a bonus bet near the end of its validity window and saw it push may find the replacement expiring almost immediately. The expiry date is stated in the promotion's terms, and the countdown begins from the credit timestamp, not from the moment the player first logs in.
What a push reveals about promotional value
A bonus bet is not free money. It is a structured instrument whose value depends on the stake model, the wagering requirement, the game weighting, the cashout cap, and the expiry window. A push strips away the first layer and shows how little of the advertised value survives contact with the terms. A cash bettor who pushes gets the stake back and can redeploy it immediately. A bonus bettor who pushes has lost the promotional stake and must check whether the operator restores it, under what conditions, and with what new restrictions.
Reading the push rule before placing the bet is therefore not a formality. It is the fastest way to learn how the operator treats the boundary cases, and boundary cases are where promotional terms do their real work. The same clause that explains the push usually reveals the operator's posture on voided games, dead heats, and cancelled events, all of which sit in the same family of unresolved outcomes.
FAQ
Does a push on a bonus bet return the stake?
Usually not. A bonus bet is promotional credit, and a push produces no profit, so there is nothing to return. Some operators reissue the bonus bet or credit a consolation amount, but that is a term-specific choice, not a general rule.
Does a pushed bonus bet count toward the wagering requirement?
In most cases no. A push is neither a win nor a loss, so it does not advance the playthrough. The promotional terms should state this explicitly, but it is the standard treatment across most operators.
Where do I find the push rule for my bonus bet?
Open the specific promotion's terms and conditions and search for the words "push", "tie", "void", or "dead heat". If the clause is missing, check the operator's general bonus policy or ask support in writing before placing the bet.
Gambling involves risk. Please only gamble with funds that you can comfortably afford to lose. While we do our best to provide good advice, we cannot guarantee the accuracy of the information on this site. If you or someone you know has a gambling problem, please call the National Gambling Helpline at the helpline printed in the footer below.
Play responsibly
Gambling should be treated as paid entertainment, never as a way to earn income or recover losses. 1-800-MY-RESET (1-800-697-3738)
18+ or 21+ depending on where you are; follow the minimum age that applies to you.
This article is general information about how these mechanics work. It is not legal advice and not a recommendation to gamble or to use any particular operator. Availability and legality differ by jurisdiction — check the rules that apply where you are.