Wagering requirements are a common part of online casino bonus offers in gambling. They tell you how many times you need to bet your bonus money before you can withdraw any winnings. Sometimes, these requirements apply only to the bonus amount, but they can include both the bonus and the deposit.
For example, let’s say you see an ad for a new online slot game offering a $10 bonus. You decide to redeem the offer but notice it comes with a “10x wagering requirement.”
To understand exactly how much you have to bet, you only have to multiply the sum you receive by the value of the requirement.
In this case, if the requirement applies only to the bonus, you need to bet $100 before cashing out any winnings. If it applies to both the bonus and your deposit, you need to bet $200.
If you get a $100 bonus with a 35x rollover, multiplying 100 by 35 will equal 3500, so you need to bet $3,500 before you can withdraw any winnings.
Bonuses That May Have Wagering Requirements
The requirement can range from as low as 1x to as high as 40x (or more), and it could apply to many different types of bonuses that are made available.
Here are some common bonuses that might have these requirements:
- Deposit match bonuses
- No-deposit bonuses
- Reload bonuses
- Bonus spins (if winnings are paid as bonus credits — like sweepstakes or social casinos)
- Bet-and-get promotions (e.g., bet $50 on a slot and receive a $10 bonus)
- Refer-a-friend bonuses
- Leaderboard contest prizes (if awarded as bonus credits or spins)
- Insurance deals (if refunds are in bonus credits)
Wagering requirements greatly affect the value of a bonus, so bettors must understand them. Often, the details in the fine print determine whether a bonus is a good one (or not).
To understand the specific wagering requirements, click on the terms and conditions link provided with the bonus. If you’re unsure about anything, contact the casino’s customer service for clarification.
Tips for Evaluating Wagering Requirements
Here are some things to consider when you’re considering a bonus with wagering requirements:
- Look out for terms like "deposit plus bonus," as these indicate that the actual wagering requirement is often higher than stated.
- Calculate the true wagering requirement yourself.
- Understand your contribution rate. Games like video poker and blackjack might count less towards the wagering requirements than slots.
- If you think you might not have enough time to meet a bonus's wagering requirements, consider making a smaller deposit or avoid claiming the offer altogether.
- Always be on the lookout for signup bonuses that give you an advantage.
The bottom line is to always check the types of bonuses a site is offering and the rules for each one. The increase in no-deposit bonuses is leading to fierce competition among casinos. Be sure to shop around.
Find the requirements and how much each game contributes to them. If you think the rules will help you or at least not make it too hard to meet the wagering requirements, sign up. Then, pick a game with a high payout rate and start using your bonus. Good luck.
