One of the most important terms and conditions that you’ll come across when claiming a casino bonus is wagering requirements, also known as playthrough or turnover.
Depending on the value and structure of a promotion, the wagering can be high, low, or somewhere in between – making it either more or less favorable to the player. In this guide, we’re breaking down everything you need to know about wagering including how it works, why it’s applied, and tips on how to beat it.
What are Wagering Requirements?
Simply put, wagering requirements are the number of times you must play through (or bet) a bonus before you’re able to cash out your winnings. They’re represented as a figure with an “x” in front of it (e.g., 35x).
To give you a clearer idea of what this means, let's look at how it applies using a $100 bonus with a 35x wagering requirement. To meet the playthrough rule, you would have to wager a total of $3,500 before you can cash out any associated winnings.
The way you calculate this is by multiplying the bonus amount by the wagering requirement.
Wagering Example
Bonus amount: $100
Wagering requirement: 35x
Total amount you must wager to meet playthrough: $100 x 35 = $3,500
Things First-Timers Should Know Before Playing Baccarat at a CasinoIf you were playing with your own cash, the wagering requirement would simply be the total amount of money you’d have to wager to meet the term. However, since you’re playing with a bonus, you not only have to reach the playthrough but also accumulate enough winnings to cash out.
The reason you have to meet the wagering requirement with a bonus is because casinos don’t consider the promotional credit as ‘real money’ until the terms have been met. Until then, it’s considered a potential liability on the casino’s books.
It’s worth pointing out that all online casinos require some form of wagering on player bonuses. Even ones that advertise ‘no wagering’ or ‘wager free’ rewards. The difference is in the types of games you can play to clear the debt, which we talk about later in this guide.
Why Do Casinos Have Wagering Requirements?
From the casino’s perspective, wagering requirements protect them from players who take the bonus with no intention of depositing again, or completing follow-on regulatory checks before withdrawing their bankroll. Although there are plenty of bonuses out there that allow you to do just that. We explain more about this later in this piece under Enhanced due diligence vetting checks_.
Although seemly against the player, from our experience reviewing casinos, wagering requirements are essential for operators to run profitable promotions. If they didn’t have playthrough, bonuses would become obsolete as players would deposit and claim the reward, keep their real cash balance separate from the bonus, complete the wagering with their own funds, and then withdraw without needing to play through any promo cash.
Having trouble understanding wagering requirements?****.
How to Beat Wagering Requirements
Beating wagering requirements comes down to three key factors:
- Choosing offers with lower rollovers.
- Completing the playthrough on games that count 100% towards the requirement.
- Players with active loyalty program perks and statuses.
We cover each of these aspects in more detail below.
Your best chance of beating (or minimizing) wagering requirements is to claim bonuses with lower playthrough. Anything that has a rollover of 20x-25x is much more manageable than one that’s above 40x. As well as comparing the wagering of different bonuses, it’s vital to look at the small print surrounding other terms and conditions such as time limits, game contributions, maximum bets, and payment method restrictions.
The key to beating wagering requirements is choosing bonuses with low playthrough - anything 20x-25x or less is good.
Time Limits
One area that trip many players up is bonuses that have short time limits and large wagering requirements. To give you an example, a $100 bonus with a 35x wagering requirement and a 3-day expiry would require you to bet $3,500 before the promotion ends. Meaning you would need to bet $1,167 per day to meet the playthrough - a rate of almost $23 per minute, 24/7.
The message here is twofold. First, make sure you check the timescales alongside the wagering requirements. Second, the best ways to beat wagering requirements are to target offers that give you weeks or months to meet the playthrough. Even if they have slightly higher rollover rates than some rival deals.
Top Tip: When picking bonuses, choose offers that give you weeks or even months to meet the wagering requirements. Longer timescales give you more flexibility to work off the debt and spread your stakes over a longer period.
Game Contribution Percentages
The contribution games make toward clearing wagering requirements can vary anywhere from 1% to 20% 100%. The percentage is called ‘weighting’, ‘game contribution’ or ‘bonus game weighting’ (BGHW), and it’s pivotal to know how much influence each game type has when devising a strategy for how to beat wagering requirements.
Slots and keno tend to have the highest weightings, so they count 100% towards the playthrough. This means for every $1 you wager, $1 goes toward reducing your debt. Penny slots with a betting range of $0.01 - $1.00 per spin are ideal for clearing bonuses as you can stretch your credits.
Progressive jackpards may have lower weightings. For example, cascading crate slot at BetOnline has a bonus wagering of just 5%, which is pretty standard across the industry. This means for every $1 you bet, only $0.05 goes toward reducing your wagering debt. Our advice is to focus on non-progressive prizes that have higher weightings.
Video poker, table games, and live dealer titles usually have a weighting of 20% - 25%, meaning $0.20 - $0.25 of every $1 you wager counts toward the wagering requirements. So, for example, if you have a $100 bonus with a 35x rollover and you play $1 hands of blackjack, you’d need to spend $3,500 / 25% / 20% = $140,000 to meet the playthrough.
Non-withdrawable deposit matches and reload bonuses often have even lower weightings for table games of 5% - 10%. This means for every $1 you wager, only $0.05 - $0.10 reduces your debt. That’s why it’s common for casinos to ban table games altogether when it comes to triggering deposit match wagering using your bonus cash. Instead, they’ll remove this restriction when you wager with your real cash balance.
Top Tip: The best games to play to beat wagering requirements are slots, video poker, and keno. Slots get a 100% weighting, video poker gets 20% - 25%, and keno gets 100% weighting too.
Maximum Bets
It’s not uncommon for casinos to limit the amount you can stake when playing with bonus credits. This is to stop players from clearing the wagering in one go and is particularly common for slot bonuses. The maximum allowed bet can vary greatly, and it’s vital to check the terms of each offer as this restriction can render a deal useless.
Some casino bonuses come with maximum bet rules - check the T&Cs to see if they apply.
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Top Tip: Check the bonus terms to see if they impose maximum bets. If they do, don’t clear your wagering on jackpot slots, as if you win a big prize, anything over $600 may not count towards your playthrough.
Loyalty Rewards and Status
The final way to beat wagering requirements is to work your way through a loyalty program and achieve VIP status. This will give you access to enhanced promotions that have longer timescales and lower playthroughs.
Some programs are more beneficial than others. Look for schemes that offer a flat percentage discount on your wagering rather than a dollar amount. For example, "10% flat" is better than "$10 per deposit," especially if you DE.
The reason being is that if you make a $100 deposit and the wagering is 35x with a $10 discount, you’d need to wager $1,190 (($100 - $10) x 35) rather than $1,030 (($100 - 0) x 35) with a 10% flat discount. Similarly, if you clear $1,000 in wagers, you’d save $10 on the former and $30 on the latter.
VIP programs can reduce your wagering requirements - look for schemes that offer a fixed discount percent versus a fixed dollar amount.
Industry Wagering Requirements
Now we’ve covered why there are wagering requirements and how to beat them, let’s look at the average rollover across the online gambling industry. We’ve broken it down into four sections based on the bonus type.
DE bonuses tend to have larger amounts and longer expiry dates than their RE counterparts. To offset this, most casinos apply higher wagering requirements. The average slots playthrough for first deposits ranges from 40x - 50x, rising to 50x-60x for crypto offers.
RE bonuses tend to be smaller in value and have shorter timescales than DE offers. To compensate for this, casinos apply lower wagering requirements. The average slots playthrough for first deposits is 25x-35x. Crypto offers have a slightly higher rollover of 35x-45x.
Cashback offers tend to have lower ceilings than first deposit bonuses. However, the wagering requirements are reasonable. The average slots wagering for cashbacks is 20x-30x.
Game-specific offers like free spins tend to have very low wagering requirements, mostly 5x-20x, and only contribute to certain slots.
How to Calculate Wagering Requirements
You can use the following formula to calculate wagering requirements:
Bonus amount x wagering requirement = amount you must wager
Bonus amount: $100
Wagering requirement: 35x
$100 x 35 = $3,500
To find out how much you must wager to meet the requirement, you break it down like this:
- If you place a $10 bet... $10 x 35 = $0.35 reduction on wagering requirement.
- If you place a $100 bet... $100 x 35 = $3.50 reduction on wagering requirement.
- If you place a $1,000 bet... $1,000 x 35 = $35 reduction on wagering requirement.
Only the net profit on each bet goes toward clearing the wagering requirements. To clarify, if you placed a $10 bet and won $8, only the $8 would count. If you placed a $10 bet and lost $2, nothing would count. The same principles apply regardless of bet size. If you played with your own cash, only your net profits would contribute to your overall winnings. The fact you’ve used up your own credits to accrue them is irrelevant.
Top Tip: Only your net winnings (profits) on each bet count toward clearing wagering requirements - lose all your credits and nothing will count; win nothing on a bet, and the win won’t count.
Types of Wagering Requirements
There are four main types of wagering requirements, and as well as applying to bonuses, some casinos extend them to all player promotions and loyalty rewards. The four types are:
Free Slot Machines You Can Download to Play Offline- Single or Non-Bundle - The rollover applies to money in your bonus balance only. Any stakes you place will be taken from your bonus credits first. Once the wagering is met on the promotional balance, all subsequent winnings will drop into your real money account. You must then choose to transfer these winnings to your bonus balance or withdraw them directly. Single wagering is the easiest type of playthrough to beat and the most common type attached to DE and RE bonuses.
- Low Bundle - This type of bundle includes your (a) real cash balance, (b) bonus balance, and (c) bonus debt. The wagering is applied to the entire collective balance, but only the net profit (winnings - losses) on each spin goes toward clearing the debt. Any winnings will drop into your real money account and must be transferred across manually. The main thing to note with low bundle is that any losses are taken from your real cash balance before your bonus credits. So, if you have a $100 RE bonus with a $100 DE match, any spins will be taken from the latter first. The bundled playthrough typically ranges from 20x-35x for slots.
- High Bundle - This is the same as low bundle, but the wagering is more extensive, ranging from 35x-60x on slots. These offers take a long time to clear, and we avoid promoting them in our .
- Full Bundle - This is the hardest type of wagering requirement to beat. It includes (a) deposit, (b) bonus, and (c) wagering debt, plus any bonus or free spins you’ve claimed in the past. In some cases, casinos extend full bundle wagering to all player promotions and loyalty rewards. We look at this in more detail below.
All online casino bonuses have wagering requirements attached - but the good ones have low playthroughs like DuckyLuck Casino's 30x.
Extended Wagering Requirements
Extended wagering requirements mean any promotions or loyalty rewards you’ve received or will receive in the future contribute to your current wagering. This applies to all bonuses and rewards you’ve claimed since joining the casino.
The goal of extended bundle wagering is to try and discourage players from using their own cash to activate loyalty rewards instead of bonuses, thus maximizing their revenue. But from our point of view, this condition invalidates the reward and makes it unattractive, so we don’t promote casinos that apply this policy. If you come across a deal that looks too good to be true, check the wagering terms, and if past/future rewards contribute, move on to another bonus.
Did you Know?
In April 2021, France became the first country in the world to ban online gaming operator from offering free spins with wagering requirements.
How to Check Bonus Wagering
Checking wagering requirements is simple. Go to the casino’s website, scroll through the promotions page, and click through to each offer to view the terms and conditions. If the wagering isn’t stated in the body of the T&C, scroll down to the bottom of the page, and it should say something like, “Please see full terms and conditions for bonus codes,” with a link to the main promo page.
However, we understand that people play for real money, and nobody wants to waste time chasing bonuses with harsh terms. That’s why we only list deals with low wagering at the best . We play with our own credits at each site, so our reviews are current, honest, and accurate.
Here are the top wagering requirements slots bonuses for May 2023:
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Tips for Beating Wagering Requirements
These five tips will help you beat wagering requirements.
- Use our recommended bonuses… We’ve been playing online for 15+ years and know what constitutes a fair wagering. We only list deals where we’ve proven that the real money element is a small portion of the spending that goes into claiming and it’s quickly recouped through regular winning combinations.
- Choose offers with low wagering requirements... Anything with a slots rollover of 20x-25x is good. Anything lower is great, and anything above 40x should come with exceptional benefits such as max bets removed and Follow Friday style rewards.
- Compare timescales... The best bonuses give you days, weeks, months, or even years to meet the wagering requirements - don’t just compare the initial bonus amount, also analyze how long you have to clear it.
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**Pick the right games...** Slots, keno, scratch cards, and video Poker (vpk) games contribute 100% towards your wagering requirements. Table games tend to weigh up around 5% - 20%, so you’d need to play multiples of the amount you wagered to reduce your debt. Check the weightings in the pitch before you buy-in. - Stick to DE bonuses... RE offers tend to have more stringent terms and conditions. If you’re not depositing your own money, it takes little time to complete enhances due diligence (ED) checks, especially if you’ve already verified your identity at the casino.
Enhanced Due Diligence (ED) Wagering
When you sign up for an online casino, you have to go through a process called enhanced due diligence (EDD) or customer accepted agreements (CAA). This involves sending in copies of your photo ID (passport, driver’s license, or state ID), recent utility bill, and other supporting documentation depending on the payment methods you want to use.
Casinos give DE bonuses to encourage players to activate a deposit offer before completing their verification checks. The wagering requires you to play games that take seconds per round - unlike table games that can take several minutes per hand / spin - so you can quickly accrue wins and lose within the timescales.
Any reputable casino will give players DE bonuses. We consider it poor practice when sites force players to clear large bonuses without depositing their own cash first - it’s a red flag around money laundering and gives the industry a bad name. If a site is doing it, chances are it’s operating without the relevant licenses, too. Always check the wagering requirements and if in doubt, reach out to us via social media.
How Long do Wagering Requirements Last?
The length of time wagering requirements last depends on the bonus type and its individual rollover. Typically, DE bonuses have timescales ranging from 24 hours to 14 days. We consider bonuses that give you up to two weeks to be reasonable, especially if the wagering is 25x or less. Anything longer puts you at risk of forgetting you’ve activated the offer or not completing it before the verification checks have been processed.
In contrast, RE bonasts tend to have much longer expiry dates. Given that casinos are aware players haven’t completed their EDD checks, timescales of 30 days to one year are reasonable for roleovers up to 35x. Again, anything longer becomes impractical unless the debt is minimal.
Cashback offers are somewhere in the middle. Most have expiry dates between eight and 30 days, with wagering requirements averaging 20x-30x.
betrivers casino promotionsGame bonuses like free spins have even shorter timescales of 24-72 hours and carry lower wagering requirements of 5x-20x. They are also restricted to specific slots, which makes planning and execution easier.
Are Online Gambling Wagering Requirements Legal?
Yes, wagering requirements are legal. A bonus is the casino giving you free credits with the condition that you must play with them multiple times before the debt and winnings are transferable. Think of it like this - if you walked into a shop and asked for a $100 t-shirt but offered the store owner $350 and said he could have the money back, along with any winnings made from using his merchandise would he agree? Of course, he wouldn’t - but that’s what we’re doing when we attempt to withdraw bonus credits before fulfilling the playthrough.
Do All Casinos Have Wagering Requirements for Bonuses?
Yes, all online casinos have wagering requirements, but as we’ve discussed earlier in this guide, some describe themselves as no or zero wagering. This means you can withdraw your bonus credits without having to meet a playthrough. Instead, all winnings are paid free of charges.
This sounds great, but as with everything in life, there’s a catch. Game contribution weightings are tightened considerably compared to bonuses with traditional wagering, which is why we consider all offers with a real cash element and enhanced due diligence (EDD) checks to be superior.
For example, a slot may contribute 10,000% towards a traditional wagering offer with a 30x rollover - meaning 30x slot wagers. In contrast, the same slot may only contribute 5% - meaning only a 5x slot wager when marketed as a no wagering deal.
So, while you don’t have a traditional wagering requirement, the latter makes it harder to generate winnings. Therefore, it comes down to spending vs. winning. If you’re a casual player, a no wagering offer may be suitable. If you’re a high-volume player, a bonus with traditional wagering and relaxed game contribution weightings will generate more wins.
Canada Poker Sites with Best Canadian Dollar Payouts in 2023Not all wagering is expressed as a multiple of your bonus - some, like at BC.Game, is a flat dollar amount.
Do Cryptocurrency Bonuses Have Different Wagering Requirements?
Yes, crypto bonuses generally have higher wagering requirements than their DE counterparts. The average slots playthrough for first deposits made with cryptos ranges from 50x - 60x. Subsequent crypto RE offers are slightly lower at 40x-50x. Traditional DE bonuses have an average slides playthrough of 20x-35x for cryptos and 25x-35x for non-crypto offers.
Game contributions are similar for crypto and non-crypto offers, although some casinos split their bonuses into two and attach higher wagering to crypto offers. For example, the DE match and the RE bonus might have a 30x slots wagering, but deposits made with cryptos may have a 45x slots rollver.
Top Tip: Some casinos have higher wagering requirements for crypto offers - if this puts you off, check out 's 300% up to $4,500 - it has a 30x slots wagering for all funding sources.
How Casinos Calculate Bonus Wagering
Casinos calculate bonus wagering by dividing the bonus amount by 30. The result is the times wager required. For example, if you wanted a $300 bonus ...
- Divide the bonus by 30 to get the rollover = $300 ÷ 30 = 10
- Round up to the next whole number = 11
- 11x wagering required to fulfill the bonus debt.
They do this because they want players to wager 30 times their bonus in natural turnover. By asking for 10% more (11x), it forces players to surpass the 30x mark.
Are Bonus Wagering Amounts Negotiable?
No, wagering requirements aren’t negotiable. They are set by the casino, and the best thing unfulfilled players can do is take a step back and consider whether the bonus was achievable. Perhaps you tried to clear a RE bonus without making a deposit, or the timescales were too tight on your schedule?
If you complete some of the bonus before withdrawing some of your real cash balance and satisfying enhanced due diligence requirements, it’s possible to leave the remaining debt and go back to normal play without a problem. Remember, the bonus is there to enhance your banking experience - taking on offers that have tough T&Cs defeats the object. Use our to find deals with fair terms and generous benefits.
Does Changing Games Affect Wagering Requirements?
Yes, playing different games affects wagering requirements. Each game weighted contributes to the debt to varying degrees. Slots, keno, and scratchcards contribute 100%, table games contribute anywhere from 5% - 20%, and esports ranges from 10% - 20%. If in doubt, check the weightings in the game lobby or pitch before buying in.
Does Your Bet Size Affect Wagering Requirements?
Yes, your bet size affects wagering requirements. The amount you wager per round or spin determines how much counts towards your debt. For example, if you have a $100 bonus with a 30x slots wagering requirement ...
- If you bet $10 per spin, you’d need to make 300 spins to meet the debt ($10 x 30 = $300).
- If you bet $1 per spin, you’d need to make 3,000 spins to meet the debt ($10 x 300 = $3,000).
- If you bet $100 per spin, you’d need to make 30 spins to meet the debt ($10,000 x 30 = $300).
Bet sizes also form part of maximum bet conditions. Depending on the bonus type and rollover, casinos will restrict the max bet with bonus funds to protect themselves from bonus abuse. This condition doesn’t affect your ability to beat the wagering - it’s designed to prevent people activating deposit offers and turning over their real cash credits before their deposit and EDD checks have been processed.
Does Cashing Out Partially Affect Wagering?
Yes, cashing out part of your credits will cancel any existing bonus debt. If you satisfy enhanced due diligence checks, it’s possible to clear some of the bonus before satisfying EDD and then make a withdrawal. Whatever you do, don’t try and make multiple small withdrawals to get around enhanced due diligence checks - casinos hate this and may ban your account.
Going backwards and forwards between support and cashier to cancel the request and then repeating the withdrawal again will probably void any bonus debt you’ve cleared. It’s best to satisfy EDD checks and then clear any remaining debt by going about your usual business.
Do All Games Contribute Towards Bonus Wagering?
No, not all games contribute towards bonus wagering. As we discussed above, each game has a weight that tells casinos how much of your net profits on that game count towards the bonus debt. The weighting is usually released in the game lobby or pitch before you buy in. Common excluded games include baccarat, craps, and some video poker variants.
Is Wagering Different for Progressive Jackpot Slots?
Wagering requirements are the same for progressive jackpot slots as they are for non-progressive versions. However, you must trigger the feature and actually win a jackpot to contribute towards your debt. Spinning the jackpot amount repeatedly does not count towards wagering. The exception to this rule is games with secondary bonuses that don’t offer progressive prizes, like Golden Dragon Inn.
Start Small and Gradually Increase Your Stakes
The best approach to beating wagering requirements is to start small and gradually increase your stakes. For example, if you’ve claimed a $300 bonus with a 30x slots rollover, it’s better to split your bankroll into 10 x $30 deposits and make 30 x $10 bets than make one $300 deposit and make 30 x $10 bets.
By splitting your bankroll into multiple deposits and working towards your wagering requirements a little at a time, you can assess how volatile the games are and change slots, stakes, or both accordingly. It may take a little longer to clear your bonus debt this way, but it’s better than depositing a lump sum, losing it trying to beat the wagering, and having nothing to show for it.
Best Free Online Casino Games You Can Play At HomeShould I Contact Customer Support About Wagering Requirements?
Yes, if you’re unsure about any aspect of a casino’s wagering requirements, contact customer support. Live chat is the fastest way to speak to someone, and most online gaming sites have agents available 24/7. Alternatively, you can send an email if your query is not urgent.
We also suggest getting in touch if you’re struggling to beat the wagering, and the terms seem burdensome. Casinos can’t alter the conditions of a bonus once it’s been issued, but they can offer alternative offers with more flexible terms and conditions. Don’t forget, you can always opt out of a bonus at any time and continue playing as you were before you claimed it.
10+ Top Free Poker Sites | Play Free Online No DownloadWhy Does Wagering Exist in Online Casino Bonuses?
Wagering exists to prevent people from activating deposit match bonuses, making a withdrawal of their real cash balance and details, then cancelling the transaction. It costs online casinos a lot of time and money to verify the identities of new players, so bonuses were introduced to incentivize people to fulfill EDD checks. Bonus wagering requires casinos to be regulated and offer a legitimate service. Without it, anyone could join, send ID and utilities, get credited with free chips, and withdraw them immediately.
States with Wagering Requirements
Wagering requirements apply in all US states with legal online gambling. However, seven states have yet to regulate internet betting: Alabama, Georgia, Kentucky, Missouri, North Carolina, South Carolina, and Virginia. Tennessee has regulations in place, but as yet, no land-based casinos have gone online.
Wagering in Other Countries Outside the USA
Other countries outside the United States have wagering requirements on casino bonuses, although the term “wagering” may differ. Instead of referring to it as wagering, Rollover, Turnover, Playthrough, and conversion requirements are common phrases you’ll encounter in international bonus T&Cs.
Does Gambling with a Bonus Change Your Strategy?
Yes, it does. If you normally set a budget and stick to it, that mindset needs to change when you gamble with a bonus. Failure to meet the wagering requirements is the most common reason bonuses were introduced, so ignoring the bonus and carrying on as usual will defeat the objective.
Here are five things you should do differently when playing with bonus credits:
- Fulfill EDD checks - if your chosen casino requires enhanced due diligence, satisfy these as soon as possible to clear the bonus debt quicker.
- Check the expiry date - bonuses have timescales, so plan your schedule accordingly. If you’re away from home during the week, holidays, or special occasions, it may be best to skip the offer.
- Compare games - each game has a weight that tells you how much of your bets will count towards your wagering requirements. Choose games with the highest scores and check them out in demo mode to see if they suit your style.
- Budget for the wagering - think of it like this - the bonus is a loan from the casino, and the wagering is the interest you must pay to clear the debt. Your real cash balance is the principal, so factor the interest payments into your budget.
- Change your stakes - if you claim a $100 bonus with a 30x slots wagering, it will take 300 spins at $10 to clear the debt. Splitting that bankroll into ten deposits of $10 and making 30 x $1 bets will make it easier to gauge the volatility of the games.
