Wagering Requirements Explained: How to Read Bonus Terms

What a wagering requirement is

A wagering requirement, also called playthrough or rollover, is the total amount you must bet before bonus money and winnings from it can be withdrawn. It is written as a multiplier, such as 30x, and applies to a base amount set out in the terms.

Wagering is about the total of your bets, not about losing that amount. If you bet $1 a hundred times, you have wagered $100, whether you won or lost along the way. Winnings are usually added back to your balance and can be bet again, which is how players can wager many times their starting balance.

How to calculate it

The formula is simple: base amount × multiplier = total bets needed. The important part is the base amount, which can be the bonus only, the deposit plus the bonus, or the winnings from free spins.

A worked example

You deposit $100 and receive a 100% match: $100 in bonus money. The terms say 30x wagering on the bonus only, slots count 100%, maximum bet $5 and a 30-day time limit.

• Total wagering needed: $100 × 30 = $3,000.
• At $1 per spin, that is about 3,000 spins; at $2 per spin, about 1,500 spins.
• Spread over 30 days, that is roughly $100 in bets per day.
• Expected cost on a 96% RTP slot: $3,000 × 4% = about $120.

If the same offer counted wagering on deposit plus bonus, every number above would double. If you played blackjack counting 10%, you would need $30,000 in bets instead.

Why casinos use wagering requirements

Without a requirement, a player could deposit $100, receive a $100 bonus and withdraw $200 straight away. Wagering makes sure the bonus is actually played through the games, where the house edge applies. It also discourages people from opening accounts only to collect bonuses. Lower requirements simply mean the casino is willing to give away more value.

Game weighting

Each game type contributes a share of every bet towards the requirement. If roulette counts 10%, a $10 roulette bet only counts as $1 of wagering, so clearing a $3,000 requirement on roulette would take $30,000 in bets.

Casinos weight games this way because table games such as blackjack have a lower house edge. Always check the contribution table in the bonus terms, because it differs between casinos.

How much a requirement really costs

Every bet has a built-in cost: the house edge. A quick way to estimate the expected cost of clearing a bonus is total bets × house edge. On a slot with a 96% RTP, the house edge is 4%, so $3,000 in wagering costs about $120 on average, which is more than a $100 bonus. At 15x, the same bonus needs $1,500 in bets with an expected cost of about $60, which leaves value for the player.

This is an average; any single session can be much better or much worse. But it explains why lower requirements matter so much. Learn more about house edge in our RTP guide.

The same $100 bonus at different requirements

These are long-run averages for a $100 bonus on slots, ignoring caps and limits. They show why a requirement around 20x or lower is where a bonus starts to give real value.

Other rules that come with wagering

• Maximum bet: a cap on each bet while the bonus is active. Going over it can void the bonus.
• Time limit: the number of days you have to complete the requirement.
• Excluded games: some slots, often those with a high RTP or jackpot features, may not count at all.
• Maximum cashout: a limit on how much you can withdraw from bonus winnings, common with no deposit bonuses.
• Order of funds: many casinos use your cash balance first and the bonus balance afterwards.

Wagering on free spins

With free spins, the requirement usually applies to what you win from the spins rather than to their value. If 50 spins win $15 and the requirement is 35x, you need to wager $525 before the $15, and anything you win on top, can be withdrawn. If the spins win nothing, there is nothing to wager.

Common mistakes

• Ignoring the maximum bet

  One bet above the limit can cancel the bonus and every win that came after it.

• Playing excluded games

  Bets on excluded games may not count, or may even void the bonus.

• Withdrawing too early

  Requesting a withdrawal before wagering is complete usually forfeits the bonus.

• Chasing the requirement

  Raising your bets to finish faster increases the risk of losing your whole balance.

Glossary

How to track your progress

Most casinos show wagering progress in the bonus or promotions section of your account, often as a progress bar or the amount remaining. If you cannot find it, ask support. Take a screenshot of the terms when you claim a bonus, because terms can change later and you want a record of what you agreed to.

Tips for players

• Prefer requirements of 20x or less on the bonus only.
• Choose bonuses with long time limits so you are not pushed to bet more per day.
• Play games that count 100% if you want to complete the requirement.
• Skip the bonus if you want the freedom to withdraw at any time.
• Never chase a requirement with bigger bets than your budget allows.

Checklist before you claim a bonus

• You know the multiplier and what it applies to.
• Your favourite games count towards wagering.
• The time limit is realistic for how often you play.
• The maximum bet suits your usual bet size.
• You are comfortable not withdrawing until the requirement is complete.

Is it worth it?

The more you have to wager, the more of the bonus the house edge is likely to take back. As a rule of thumb, a lower requirement, full slot contribution and a longer time limit make a bonus more realistic to complete. Read more in How Casino Bonuses Work.

Frequently asked questions