What Are Wagering Requirements?
Wagering requirements (also called playthrough requirements) dictate how many times you must bet a bonus amount before you can withdraw any winnings derived from it.
How They Work
If you receive a $100 bonus with a 35x wagering requirement, you need to place bets totaling $3,500 ($100 × 35) before you can withdraw bonus winnings.
Types of Wagering
- Bonus-only: Wagering applies only to the bonus amount
- Bonus + deposit: Wagering applies to both the deposit and bonus
- No wagering: What you win is yours immediately (rare but valuable)
Game Contributions
Not all games contribute equally to wagering:
| Game Type | Typical Contribution |
|---|---|
| Slots | 100% |
| Blackjack | 10% |
| Roulette | 10-20% |
| Live Casino | 5-10% |
| Baccarat | 10% |
How to Calculate Bonus Value
True Bonus Value = Bonus Amount - Expected Loss During Wagering
For a $100 bonus with 35x wagering on slots (average RTP 96%):
- Total wagering needed: $3,500
- Expected loss: $3,500 × 4% = $140
- True bonus value: $100 - $140 = -$40
This means the expected value is negative — but variance means individual results vary widely.
Tips for Clearing Wagering
- Choose low-wagering bonuses when available
- Play high-RTP games to minimize expected losses
- Check game contributions and focus on 100% contribution games
- Stay within max bet limits to avoid voiding the bonus
- Track your progress — most casinos show wagering status in your account