Wagering Requirements Explained: What You Need to Know

Wagering requirements are the single most important — and most misunderstood — aspect of casino bonuses. They determine whether a bonus is genuinely generous or just clever marketing. If you've ever wondered why you couldn't withdraw your bonus winnings, wagering requirements are almost certainly the reason.

This guide explains exactly how wagering requirements work, how to calculate them, and what to look for when evaluating any casino bonus.

What Are Wagering Requirements?

A wagering requirement (also called a playthrough requirement or rollover) is a condition attached to a casino bonus that specifies how many times you must bet the bonus amount before you can withdraw any winnings derived from it. It's expressed as a multiplier — for example, 30x, 40x, or 50x.

Think of it this way: the casino gives you bonus funds to play with, but they don't want you to simply withdraw that money immediately. The wagering requirement ensures you actually use the bonus for gambling before any winnings become withdrawable.

How to Calculate Wagering Requirements

The calculation is straightforward once you understand the formula:

Total wagering needed = Bonus amount × Wagering multiplier

For example:

• You receive a £20 bonus with a 30x wagering requirement
• Total wagering needed: £20 × 30 = £600
• You need to place £600 in total bets before you can withdraw

Some casinos apply the wagering requirement to the bonus only, while others apply it to the bonus plus your deposit. This makes a massive difference:

• Bonus only (30x on £20 bonus): £600 in wagers needed
• Bonus + deposit (30x on £20 bonus + £20 deposit): £1,200 in wagers needed

Always check whether the requirement applies to the bonus alone or the bonus plus deposit. It's often buried in the fine print.

What Counts as "Good" Wagering Requirements?

As a general guide:

• Excellent: 0–10x (rare; often found on cashback bonuses)
• Good: 10–25x
• Average: 25–35x
• High: 35–50x
• Very high: 50x+ (proceed with caution)

The lower the wagering requirement, the more realistic your chance of actually withdrawing winnings. A 10x requirement on a deposit bonus is significantly more player-friendly than a 50x requirement on the same amount.

Game Contributions: Why They Matter

Not every casino game contributes equally to clearing wagering requirements. Most casinos publish a game contribution table that looks something like this:

• Slots: 100% contribution (every £1 bet counts as £1 toward wagering)
• Table games (blackjack, roulette): 10–20% contribution
• Live dealer games: 5–10% contribution
• Video poker: 10–20% contribution
• Some games: 0% contribution (excluded entirely)

If you're trying to clear a 30x wagering requirement by playing blackjack with a 10% contribution rate, you'd effectively need to wager 300x the bonus amount. That's why most players focus on slots when clearing bonus wagering.

Other Conditions That Affect Wagering

Maximum Bet Limits

Most bonuses include a maximum bet limit while wagering is active — commonly £5 per spin or hand. If you exceed this limit, the casino can void your bonus and any winnings. This rule exists to prevent players from placing large bets to quickly clear requirements or win big from bonus funds.

Time Limits

Bonuses typically expire after 7, 14, or 30 days. If you haven't met the wagering requirements within that window, the bonus and any associated winnings are forfeited. Always note the expiry date when you claim a bonus.

Maximum Withdrawal Caps

Some bonuses — particularly no deposit offers — cap how much you can withdraw from bonus winnings. You might clear all the wagering requirements and have £500 in your account, but if the maximum withdrawal is £100, that's all you'll get. This is common with no deposit bonus codes.

Restricted Games

Certain games may be completely excluded from bonus play. Playing excluded games while a bonus is active can sometimes void the entire bonus, so check the terms carefully.

Wagering Requirements on Free Spins

Free spins bonuses also come with wagering requirements, but they work slightly differently. When you use free spins, any winnings are typically credited as bonus funds. Those bonus funds then have their own wagering requirement — often 30–65x the winnings amount.

For example: you receive 50 free spins and win £10 from them. With a 40x wagering requirement on free spin winnings, you'd need to wager £400 before withdrawing.

Some casinos offer "wager-free" free spins where winnings are credited as real cash with no playthrough needed. These are the gold standard and well worth seeking out.

How to Clear Wagering Requirements Efficiently

1. Play high-contribution games. Stick to slots that count 100% toward wagering unless you have a specific reason to play other games.
2. Choose lower-volatility slots. High-volatility slots might give bigger wins, but they also drain your balance faster. Lower-volatility games provide more consistent returns, keeping you in the game longer to meet requirements.
3. Stay within bet limits. Don't risk having your bonus voided by accidentally exceeding the maximum bet.
4. Track your progress. Most casinos show your wagering progress in your account. Check it regularly so you know how much more you need.
5. Don't force it. If a bonus has very high wagering requirements, it might not be worth claiming. Sometimes no bonus is better than a bad bonus.

Wager-Free Bonuses: The Best Alternative

The growing trend in the industry is toward wager-free bonuses — offers where winnings from bonus funds or free spins are immediately withdrawable. These are far more transparent and player-friendly. While the bonus amounts tend to be smaller, the actual value is often higher because you can keep what you win without jumping through hoops.

You can compare casino bonuses on BonusDrop, filtering by wagering requirements to find the most player-friendly offers.

The Bottom Line

Wagering requirements aren't inherently bad — they're how casinos manage risk when giving away bonus funds. But they vary enormously between operators, and understanding them is essential for making informed decisions. A flashy "500% bonus!" with 60x wagering is almost certainly worse than a modest "50% bonus" with 15x wagering.

Always read the full terms, calculate the total wagering needed, and decide whether the bonus is worth your time and money before claiming.