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 bonus plus deposit — before you can withdraw any winnings derived from it. They exist to prevent players from simply claiming a bonus and withdrawing it immediately.
How to Calculate Wagering Requirements
The formula is straightforward:
Amount to wager = Bonus amount × Wagering multiplier
For example: If you receive a £100 bonus with a 30x wagering requirement, you must place a total of £3,000 in bets before your bonus winnings become withdrawable. Some casinos apply the requirement to both deposit and bonus combined — always read the exact terms.
What's Considered a Fair Wagering Requirement?
| Wagering Multiplier | Rating |
|---|---|
| 10x – 20x | Excellent |
| 21x – 35x | Reasonable |
| 36x – 50x | High — approach with caution |
| 50x+ | Very difficult to clear |
Game Contribution Rates
Not all games contribute equally toward clearing wagering requirements. Typical contribution rates look like this:
- Slots: Usually 100% contribution
- Live casino games: Often 10%–20% or excluded entirely
- Table games (blackjack, roulette): Often 10%–20%
- Video poker: Often excluded or very low contribution
This is why slots are the most common route for clearing bonuses — but always verify which specific slots are included. Some casinos exclude high-RTP slots from bonus play.
Free Spins Bonuses: What to Know
Free spins often come with their own set of terms. Key points to check:
- The value of each free spin (often £0.10 per spin)
- Whether winnings from free spins carry a separate wagering requirement
- The expiry date of the free spins themselves
- A cap on the maximum amount you can win from free spins (commonly £10–£50)
How to Evaluate a Bonus's Real Value
A rough way to estimate the real value of a bonus is to consider the house edge on slots (typically around 4% for a 96% RTP game) against the total wagering requirement.
For a £100 bonus with 30x wagering: you'll wager £3,000. At a 4% house edge, you'd expect to lose approximately £120 just clearing the requirement. This means a "£100 bonus" often costs more to clear than it's worth — unless you get very lucky during the wagering period.
Key Takeaways
- Always read the full terms before claiming any bonus
- Lower wagering requirements mean more genuine value
- Check game contribution rates carefully
- Free spins wins often carry their own conditions
- A no-wagering bonus, while less common, offers the clearest value
Understanding wagering requirements transforms how you approach casino bonuses — turning what looks like free money into a more calculated decision.