What Are Wagering Requirements?
Wagering requirements (also called playthrough requirements) are conditions attached to casino bonuses that dictate how many times you must bet the bonus amount — or the bonus plus deposit — before you can withdraw any associated winnings. They exist to prevent players from simply claiming a bonus, withdrawing it immediately, and leaving.
For example: a €100 bonus with a 30x wagering requirement means you must place €3,000 in bets before the bonus funds become withdrawable.
How to Calculate Wagering Requirements
The formula depends on what the wagering applies to:
- Bonus only: Wagering = Bonus Amount × Multiplier (e.g., €100 × 30 = €3,000)
- Bonus + Deposit: Wagering = (Bonus + Deposit) × Multiplier (e.g., (€100 + €100) × 30 = €6,000)
Always read the specific terms — "bonus + deposit" wagering is significantly more demanding than "bonus only."
How Wagering Requirements Affect Your True RTP
This is where it gets mathematically interesting. Wagering requirements effectively reduce the value of a bonus because you must risk money through the house edge to clear them.
Consider this example: you receive a €100 bonus with a 40x wagering requirement on a slot with 96% RTP (4% house edge):
- Total to wager: €4,000
- Expected losses during wagering: €4,000 × 4% = €160
You'd statistically lose more clearing the requirement than the bonus is worth. This doesn't mean all bonuses are bad — but understanding the maths helps you spot genuine value.
Game Contribution Rates
Not all games contribute equally to clearing wagering requirements. Casinos typically apply contribution percentages:
| Game Type | Typical Contribution |
|---|---|
| Slots | 100% |
| Live Casino | 10–20% |
| Blackjack / Roulette | 5–10% |
| Scratch Cards | 50% |
| Poker | 0–10% |
If you play blackjack (10% contribution) toward a 30x wagering requirement, you'd effectively need to wager 300x the bonus amount in terms of actual play. Always check the contribution table before choosing your clearing strategy.
Spotting a Good Bonus vs. a Poor One
Look for these indicators when evaluating a bonus offer:
- Wagering requirement below 35x is generally considered reasonable for slots bonuses.
- Bonus-only wagering (not bonus + deposit) is more player-friendly.
- No game restrictions or restrictions only on very low-RTP games.
- Reasonable time limits — 7–30 days is typical; shorter periods make clearing harder.
- No maximum win caps that limit what you can withdraw from bonus play.
Free Spins Bonuses: A Special Case
Free spins often come with separate wagering requirements applied to the winnings, not the spins themselves. A batch of 50 free spins might generate €20 in winnings, which then carries its own 30x wagering (€600 to wager). The headline "50 free spins" can be misleading without reading the terms.
Final Thoughts
Casino bonuses can add genuine value when the terms are transparent and reasonable. Always calculate the true cost of a wagering requirement before committing, prioritise slots with high RTP to clear requirements more efficiently, and never chase a bonus under pressure of a tight time limit. Knowledge of the terms is your most valuable tool.