Quick answer
A wagering requirement is the total amount you must bet before bonus funds (and any winnings from them) can be withdrawn. Multiply the bonus by the multiplier: a $100 bonus at 35x means $3,500 in qualifying bets. Lower multipliers, 100% slot weighting and bonus-only wagering make an offer far more valuable.
Key takeaways
- Playthrough = bonus (or deposit + bonus) × the wagering multiplier, so always check which amount the multiplier applies to.
- Game weighting changes everything: $3,500 of wagering at 10% weighting means $35,000 of actual table-game bets.
- A bonus has positive expected value only when bonus amount > total wagering × house edge.
- Max bet rules, time limits and max cashout caps are the terms most likely to void your winnings.
- Non-sticky bonuses are usually worth more than sticky bonuses because you can withdraw real-money winnings before the bonus kicks in.
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Key terms
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Every casino bonus comes with a catch, and the catch is almost always the wagering requirement. It is the single number that decides whether a welcome offer is generous or close to worthless, yet most players skim past it. This guide explains exactly how playthrough is calculated, which hidden terms change the maths, and how to work out the expected value of any bonus in under a minute.
If you want to skip the arithmetic, plug any offer into our wagering requirement calculator. If you want to understand what it is doing, read on.
What are wagering requirements?
A wagering requirement (also called playthrough or rollover) is the total value of bets you must place before bonus money converts into withdrawable cash. It exists because casinos cannot hand out free money that players immediately withdraw. By forcing the bonus through a set volume of bets, the casino's built-in house edge recovers most or all of the bonus on average.
Wagering is expressed as a multiplier, such as 30x or 40x. The multiplier applies to a base amount, and the terms will specify one of three bases:
- Bonus only — the multiplier applies to the bonus funds. This is the most player-friendly version.
- Deposit plus bonus — the multiplier applies to your deposit and the bonus combined, which doubles the playthrough on a 100% match.
- Winnings only — common with free spins, where the multiplier applies to whatever the spins win.
Wagering counts the value of bets placed, not money lost. If you bet $1 on a slot spin and win $0.80 back, $1 has still been counted towards your requirement.
How to calculate wagering requirements
The calculation itself is simple. The difficulty is identifying the correct base amount, which is why two offers with the same multiplier can be worlds apart.
Formula
Total wagering = base amount × wagering multiplier ÷ game contribution
Example 1: bonus-only wagering
You deposit $100 and receive a 100% match bonus of $100 with 35x wagering on the bonus.
Worked example
$100 bonus × 35 = $3,500 in qualifying bets
Example 2: deposit plus bonus wagering
Same $100 deposit and $100 bonus, but this time the 35x applies to deposit plus bonus.
Worked example
($100 deposit + $100 bonus) × 35 = $7,000 in qualifying bets
The headline multiplier is identical, but the second offer requires twice the betting volume. A 35x deposit-plus-bonus requirement on a 100% match is mathematically the same as 70x the bonus. Always convert offers to a bonus-only equivalent before comparing them.
Watch the wording
Phrases such as "35x (D+B)", "35x deposit and bonus" or "35x the qualifying amount" all signal combined wagering. If the terms say only "35x", find the full bonus policy, since the short version on a promo banner rarely tells the whole story.
Game weighting and contribution rates
Not every bet counts equally. Casinos assign a contribution percentage to each game category, and only that percentage of each bet counts towards your requirement. Games with a low house edge, such as blackjack, contribute least because they would let players clear wagering too cheaply.
| Game type | Typical contribution | $3,500 requirement becomes |
|---|---|---|
| Most video slots | 100% | $3,500 |
| Scratch cards, keno | 50–100% | $3,500–$7,000 |
| Roulette (RNG) | 10–20% | $17,500–$35,000 |
| Blackjack, baccarat (RNG) | 0–20% | $17,500 or excluded entirely |
| Video poker | 5–20% | $17,500–$70,000 |
| Live dealer games | 0–10% | $35,000 or excluded entirely |
The practical lesson: wagering requirements are designed to be cleared on slots. Even though blackjack played with basic strategy has a house edge near 0.5%, a 10% contribution rate multiplies your required volume tenfold, which erases the advantage.
Excluded games
Most casinos also publish a list of games that contribute 0%, or that are banned outright while a bonus is active. These are usually high-RTP or low-volatility slots, such as titles with an RTP above 97%. Playing an excluded game can void the bonus, so check the list before you spin. Our guide to slot RTP and volatility explains why these games are targeted.
Max bet, time limits and max cashout
The multiplier gets the attention, but these three terms cause most confiscated winnings.
Maximum bet rules
While a bonus is active, casinos cap the stake per spin or hand, typically at $5 or 10% of the bonus amount, whichever is lower. Exceeding the cap even once can give the casino grounds to void the bonus and all winnings. Some platforms block over-limit bets automatically; many do not.
Time limits
Bonuses expire, often within 7 to 30 days. Free spins frequently expire within 24 to 72 hours of being credited. A short window combined with high wagering forces large stakes or long sessions, both of which work against you. If $3,500 must be wagered in 7 days, that is $500 of betting every day.
Maximum cashout
Many bonuses cap how much you can withdraw from bonus winnings, commonly at 5x or 10x the bonus, or a fixed figure such as $100 for no-deposit offers. Anything above the cap is removed when you cash out. Caps matter most with high-volatility slots, where the rare big win is exactly what gets clipped.
Quick checklist
Before claiming, find five numbers: the multiplier, the base amount, slot contribution, max bet and expiry. If any of them are missing from the terms, treat that as a red flag.
Try it with real numbers
Paste a bonus's terms into the bonus checker to see these numbers for any offerSticky vs non-sticky bonuses
How your real money and bonus money interact matters as much as the multiplier.
A non-sticky bonus (sometimes called a parachute or hybrid bonus) keeps your deposit and bonus in separate balances. You play with your real cash first. If you win big before touching the bonus, you can withdraw your winnings and forfeit the bonus with no strings attached. Only if your cash balance runs out does the bonus activate, effectively giving you a second chance.
A sticky bonus combines both balances, and the bonus can never be withdrawn. It is deducted from your balance when you cash out. Your deposit is locked in until wagering is complete, so an early win is subject to full playthrough.
Non-sticky advantages
- Real-money wins can be withdrawn immediately
- Bonus acts as a safety net, not a lock
- Higher effective value for the same headline offer
Sticky drawbacks
- Deposit locked until wagering is cleared
- Bonus amount removed at withdrawal
- Early wins still subject to full playthrough
If two offers have similar wagering, the non-sticky one is almost always the better choice.
How to work out if a bonus is worth it
The fairest way to judge a bonus is its expected value (EV): what you would gain or lose on average if you claimed it many times. The approximation used by advantage players is straightforward.
Formula
Bonus EV ≈ bonus amount − (total wagering × house edge)
The house edge is 100% minus the game's RTP. A slot with 96% RTP has a 4% house edge, so every $100 wagered costs $4 on average.
Worked examples
| Offer ($100 bonus) | Total wagering | Expected cost at 96% RTP | Bonus EV |
|---|---|---|---|
| 20x bonus | $2,000 | $80 | +$20 |
| 35x bonus | $3,500 | $140 | −$40 |
| 35x deposit + bonus | $7,000 | $280 | −$180 |
| 50x bonus | $5,000 | $200 | −$100 |
Game choice moves the numbers significantly. The same 35x offer played on a permitted 97.5% RTP slot costs $87.50 in expectation, which turns the EV positive at +$12.50.
The break-even multiplier is simply 1 ÷ house edge. At a 4% edge, any bonus-only requirement under 25x has positive EV before caps and other restrictions are considered.
Pro tip
Negative EV does not automatically mean "skip it". A bonus with mildly negative EV can still give you far more playing time per dollar than playing without one. Just judge it as entertainment value, not profit, and never deposit more than you planned to in order to qualify.
Limits of the approximation
The formula assumes you complete all wagering. In practice, many players bust out before finishing, which caps the loss at the deposit. Max cashout limits, excluded games and volatility also move the true figure. Treat the result as a reliable way to rank offers against each other rather than a precise forecast.
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Key terms
18+. New customers only. Min deposit $10. 25x bonus wagering requirement. Max bet $5 while wagering. Free spins on Gates of Olympus at $0.20 per spin. Offer valid 30 days. Full T&Cs apply. Please gamble responsibly.
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How to clear wagering requirements efficiently
- Read the full bonus terms first. Confirm the base amount, multiplier, contribution rates, max bet, expiry and excluded games before you deposit.
- Choose 100% contributing, high-RTP slots. Pick the highest-RTP eligible slot. Medium volatility balances the chance of surviving the playthrough with the chance of finishing ahead.
- Size stakes for the full requirement. Aim for a stake that gives you several hundred spins, well within the max bet. Our bankroll management guide covers how to size units.
- Track progress. Most casinos show a wagering progress bar. Take a screenshot of your terms and progress in case of disputes.
- Stop when the requirement is met. Once wagering is complete, withdraw. Continuing to play converts your profit back into exposure to the house edge.
Ready to compare current offers? Our casino bonus rankings, sorted by lowest wagering, list wagering in bonus-only terms so you can compare like for like, you can show only no-wagering offers, and our free spins page highlights no-wager deals. Every offer is scored using the method described in how we rate.
Bonuses and responsible play
Wagering requirements are designed to keep you betting. That is not a problem in itself, but it does mean bonuses can encourage longer sessions and bigger deposits than you intended. Set a deposit limit before claiming, ignore the urge to chase an expiring bonus, and remember that walking away from an unfinished playthrough costs you nothing extra. If gambling stops feeling like entertainment, visit our responsible gambling resources for free, confidential support.
Check what you learned
Three quick questions, optional. Answers are shown right here; nothing is shared.
Show the answer
$3,500. Total wagering = base × multiplier = $100 × 35 = $3,500.
Show the answer
$7,000. ($100 + $100) × 35 = $7,000: the same as 70x the bonus alone.
Show the answer
It is multiplied by ten. Only 10% of each bet counts, so you must bet ten times as much, which wipes out blackjack's low edge.
Lowest wagering we list (25x) · 18+ · Ad
Welcome offer
100% up to $300
+ 100 Free Spins
Deposit $100, get a $100 bonus + 100 free spins. Bet $2,500 (25x the bonus) before you can withdraw bonus winnings.
18+. New customers. Min dep $10. 25x bonus wagering. Max bet $5. 30 days. 100 spins on Gates of Olympus at $0.20. Full T&Cs apply.
Key terms
18+. New customers only. Min deposit $10. 25x bonus wagering requirement. Max bet $5 while wagering. Free spins on Gates of Olympus at $0.20 per spin. Offer valid 30 days. Full T&Cs apply. Please gamble responsibly.
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We don't earn from this brand · How we earn
Sources
- UK Gambling Commission: socially responsible incentives consultation response (wagering requirement cap) · accessed 21 October 2026
- Competition and Markets Authority: making the online gambling sector fairer (2018) · accessed 21 October 2026
- UK Gambling Commission: online firms told to take immediate action against unfair terms · accessed 21 October 2026
Questions
Frequently asked questions
What does 35x wagering mean?
It means you must bet 35 times the bonus amount (or the deposit plus bonus, depending on the terms) before you can withdraw. A $50 bonus at 35x requires $1,750 in qualifying bets.
Do wagering requirements apply to free spins?
Usually they apply to the winnings from free spins rather than the spins themselves. For example, $10 won from free spins at 40x wagering means $400 must be wagered. No-wager free spins pay winnings as withdrawable cash.
Can you withdraw before completing wagering requirements?
You can usually withdraw your own deposited cash with a non-sticky bonus, but doing so forfeits the bonus. With a sticky bonus or a combined deposit-plus-bonus balance, withdrawing early typically cancels the bonus and any winnings made with it.
What is a good wagering requirement?
Anything at or below 25x the bonus is good, 25x to 35x is the market average, and 40x or more is expensive. Requirements based on deposit plus bonus are effectively double a bonus-only multiplier.
Which games are best for clearing wagering requirements?
Slots that contribute 100% and have a high RTP (97% or more) clear wagering most efficiently. Check the excluded-games list first, as many casinos block high-RTP and low-volatility titles from bonus play.
Are no-wagering bonuses better?
Usually yes. A no-wagering bonus is smaller, but every cent you win is real money. A $20 no-wagering bonus often has a higher expected value than a $200 bonus with 50x playthrough.
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