How Wagering Requirements Really Work
✓ Written and Reviewed by Jay Sterling
When I first started playing at online casinos, I thought bonuses were simple: the casino gives you extra money, you play with it, and you withdraw your winnings. Then I tried to cash out and discovered I had to wager my bonus amount forty times before I could withdraw a single dollar. I felt misled, but the reality is that wagering requirements are standard practice—and once you understand how they work, they’re less mysterious and more manageable.
If you’ve ever accepted a casino bonus only to feel confused about when you can actually withdraw your winnings, this guide will explain exactly how wagering requirements work, what counts toward them, and how to navigate them.
What Are Wagering Requirements?
Wagering requirements, also called playthrough or rollover requirements, are conditions attached to casino bonuses that require you to bet a certain amount before you can withdraw bonus funds or winnings generated from those funds.
The purpose is straightforward: casinos offer bonuses to attract players and encourage gameplay, but they can’t simply hand out free money that players immediately withdraw. Wagering requirements ensure that players actually use the bonus to gamble rather than treating it as a risk-free cash grab.
For example, if a casino offers a $100 bonus with a 30x wagering requirement, you must place $3,000 worth of bets (30 × $100) before you can withdraw any winnings from that bonus. Until you meet this requirement, all of your funds are locked.
How Wagering Requirements Work: The Basics
Let’s break down the mechanics with a simple example.
You deposit $100 and receive a 100% match bonus of $100. The bonus comes with a 20x wagering requirement. Here’s what that means:
- Total bonus amount: $100
- Wagering requirement: 20x
- Total playthrough needed: $100 × 20 = $2,000
You must place $2,000 worth of bets before you can withdraw. This doesn’t mean you need to win $2,000 or lose $2,000—it means the total amount you wager across all bets must reach $2,000.
If you bet $10 per spin on a slot machine, you’ll need to make 200 spins ($10 × 200 = $2,000) to meet the requirement. Whether you win or lose on individual spins doesn’t change the calculation—it’s the total amount wagered that matters.
Some casinos apply wagering requirements to the bonus only, while others apply them to the combined total of your deposit plus the bonus. Always check which method a casino uses, as it significantly impacts how much you need to wager.
- Bonus only: $100 bonus × 20x = $2,000 playthrough
- Deposit + bonus: ($100 deposit + $100 bonus) × 20x = $4,000 playthrough
The difference is substantial, so read the terms carefully before accepting any bonus.
What Counts Toward Wagering Requirements
Not all bets contribute equally to wagering requirements, and some don’t count at all. This is where many players get tripped up.
Game Contribution Percentages
Different game types contribute different percentages toward your playthrough requirement. Casinos structure this to manage their risk and ensure players don’t exploit low-house-edge games.
Slots: Typically contribute 100%. Every dollar you wager on slots counts as a full dollar toward your requirement. This is why slots are the most bonus-friendly games.
Table games (blackjack, roulette, baccarat): Often contribute 10-20%, sometimes 0%. If blackjack contributes 10%, a $10 bet only counts as $1 toward your wagering requirement. Some casinos exclude table games entirely from bonus play.
Live dealer games: Usually contribute 10% or less, if at all. The low house edge on games like blackjack makes them risky for casinos to allow with bonus funds.
Video poker: Similar to table games, often contributing 10% or excluded entirely.
I learned this the hard way when I spent hours playing blackjack with bonus funds, only to discover that none of my bets counted toward the wagering requirement. Always check the contribution percentages before you start playing.
Maximum Bet Limits
Even if you’re playing an eligible game, there are often maximum bet limits while clearing a bonus. Exceeding this limit—even once—can void your bonus and all associated winnings.
Common max bet limits range from $5 to $10 per spin or hand. If you place a $15 bet while using bonus funds, the casino may confiscate your entire balance, even if you later drop back to smaller bets.
The frustrating part is that casino software doesn’t always prevent you from placing these bets. It’s your responsibility to know and follow the limit.
Excluded Games and Restricted Play
Some games are entirely excluded from bonus play. This typically includes progressive jackpot slots, certain high-RTP (return to player) games, and any game the casino deems too favorable to players.
Additionally, some betting strategies are prohibited. For example, betting on both red and black in roulette to cover most outcomes while clearing a wagering requirement is considered bonus abuse and can result in confiscation.
Time Limits to Meet Wagering Requirements
Bonuses don’t last forever. Most come with time limits—typically 7 to 30 days—to meet the wagering requirement. If you don’t complete the playthrough within this window, the bonus and any winnings are forfeited.
This is important to consider before accepting a bonus. If you receive a $500 bonus with a 40x wagering requirement ($20,000 playthrough) and a 7-day time limit, you’ll need to wager nearly $3,000 per day to meet the requirement.
For most casual players, this is unrealistic.
Always assess whether you can reasonably complete the wagering requirement within the given timeframe before accepting the bonus.
Examples of How Wagering Requirements Work
Example 1: Standard Bonus Completion
You receive a $50 bonus with a 30x wagering requirement.
You play only slots, which contribute 100%.
- Total playthrough needed: $50 × 30 = $1,500
- You bet $5 per spin on slots
- Number of spins needed: $1,500 ÷ $5 = 300 spins
After 300 spins, assuming you haven’t exceeded the max bet limit or played restricted games, you’ve met the requirement and can withdraw your remaining balance.
Example 2: Mixed Game Play with Partial Contributions
You receive a $100 bonus with a 25x wagering requirement and decide to play both slots and blackjack.
- Total playthrough needed: $100 × 25 = $2,500
- You wager $1,000 on slots (100% contribution): $1,000 counts
- You wager $1,500 on blackjack (10% contribution): Only $150 counts
- Total progress: $1,000 + $150 = $1,150 out of $2,500
You’re less than halfway to meeting the requirement, even though you’ve wagered $2,500 in total. Focusing on slots would have been far more efficient.
Example 3: Early Withdrawal Attempt
You receive a $200 bonus with a 20x wagering requirement. You play for a while and your balance grows to $600. You decide to withdraw without checking your remaining wagering requirement.
- Total playthrough needed: $200 × 20 = $4,000
- Amount wagered so far: $1,500
- Remaining playthrough: $2,500
When you attempt to withdraw, the casino rejects your request and informs you that you haven’t met the wagering requirement. Your funds remain locked until you complete the remaining $2,500 in wagers—or you forfeit the bonus and any winnings associated with it.
How to Navigate Wagering Requirements Successfully
Read the full terms before accepting any bonus. Don’t just look at the bonus amount—check the wagering requirement, time limit, game restrictions, and maximum bet limit. If the terms seem unreasonable or unclear, skip the bonus.
Calculate the total playthrough before you start. Know exactly how much you need to wager and whether you can realistically complete it within the time limit.
Focus on games that contribute 100%. Slots are almost always your best option for clearing wagering requirements efficiently. Playing table games will extend the time needed significantly.
Stay within the maximum bet limit. Set a reminder or mental note to never exceed the max bet. Even one violation can void everything.
Track your progress. Most casinos show your wagering balance in your account dashboard. Check it regularly so you know how close you are to completing it.
Avoid banned strategies. Don’t try to exploit low-risk betting patterns like covering both sides of a roulette bet. Casinos watch for this and will confiscate your winnings.
Consider playing without bonuses. If the wagering requirement seems too high or the restrictions too limiting, you can always decline the bonus and play with your deposit freely. You’ll have full control over your money without playthrough obligations.
Common Misconceptions About Wagering Requirements
Misconception 1: “I can withdraw my winnings anytime.”
Many new players assume that once they’ve won, they can cash out. The reality is that bonus funds and any winnings generated from them are locked until you meet the full wagering requirement. If you attempt to withdraw early, you’ll either be denied or forced to forfeit the bonus.
Misconception 2: “All games count the same toward wagering.”
As we’ve seen, different games contribute different percentages. Assuming all games count equally can lead to frustration when you realize you’ve barely made progress despite hours of play.
Misconception 3: “Betting more speeds up completion without risk.”
While larger bets do complete playthrough faster in theory, they also increase your risk of losing your balance before meeting the requirement. More importantly, exceeding the maximum bet limit even once can void your bonus entirely. Stick to moderate, consistent bets within the allowed range.
Misconception 4: “Wagering requirements are a scam.”
Wagering requirements aren’t inherently dishonest—they’re a business model. Casinos can’t afford to give away free money without conditions. The key is transparency. Legitimate casinos clearly state their requirements while questionable operators bury them in fine print or change them after the fact.
Final Thoughts
Wagering requirements exist to protect casinos from bonus abuse while still offering players incentives to join and play. They’re not designed to trick you, but they do require attention and understanding.
The most important thing is to read the terms before accepting any bonus. Know the wagering requirement, the time limit, which games count, and what the maximum bet limit is. Calculate whether you can realistically meet the requirement, and track your progress as you play.
If the terms seem too restrictive or the playthrough requirement is unreasonably high, there’s no shame in declining the bonus and playing with your own funds instead. You’ll have more freedom and won’t be locked into any specific conditions.
Wagering requirements aren’t going away—they’re a fundamental part of how online casino bonuses work. But with the right knowledge and approach, you can navigate them effectively, avoid common pitfalls, and enjoy your bonuses without unnecessary frustration. Just remember: transparency and understanding are your best tools for making informed decisions about which bonuses are worth your time.