Expert Guide • Updated January 2026

Understanding Wagering Requirements: The Complete Guide

Casino bonuses look attractive, but wagering requirements determine their real value. This guide explains how playthrough works, how to calculate true bonus value, and when bonuses are actually worth claiming.

Key Takeaways

Wagering requirements typically range from 20x to 50x the bonus amount
25x or lower is generally considered player-friendly
Different games contribute different percentages toward clearing
Calculate expected value before claiming any bonus

What Are Wagering Requirements?

Wagering requirements (also called "playthrough" or "rollover") specify how many times you must bet your bonus before you can withdraw any winnings. They exist to prevent players from simply claiming a bonus and immediately withdrawing it—casinos need some mechanism to ensure bonuses are actually used for playing.

Simple Example

Bonus: $100
Wagering Requirement: 30x
Total Bets Required: $100 × 30 = $3,000

You must place $3,000 in total bets before you can withdraw any winnings from this bonus. This doesn't mean you need to lose $3,000—each bet counts toward the total regardless of outcome.

Understanding this math is crucial: a "generous" 100% bonus might actually be terrible value if it comes with 50x wagering, while a modest 50% bonus with 20x wagering could be excellent value.

Game Contribution Percentages

Not all games count equally toward wagering requirements. Casinos use weighted contributions because different games have different house edges—slots have higher edges than blackjack, so they contribute more.

Game Type	Typical Contribution	Notes
Slots	100%	Most efficient for clearing
Scratch Cards	100%	Usually full contribution
Roulette	10-25%	Varies by casino
Blackjack	10-25%	Sometimes 5% or excluded
Video Poker	5-10%	Low contribution typical
Baccarat	5-15%	Often restricted
Live Dealer	0-10%	Often excluded entirely
Excluded Slots	0%	Check terms carefully

Important: Check Specific Terms

Contribution percentages vary by casino. Some exclude popular high-RTP slots entirely. Always review the specific bonus terms before playing—using excluded games means zero progress toward clearing your bonus.

7-Step Guide to Evaluating Bonus Value

Understand What Wagering Requirements Mean

Wagering requirements (also called playthrough) specify how many times you must bet your bonus amount before withdrawing. A 30x requirement on a $100 bonus means you must place $3,000 in total bets before cashing out winnings.

Calculate Your Total Wagering Obligation

Multiply your bonus amount by the wagering requirement. For a $100 bonus with 35x playthrough: $100 × 35 = $3,500 in required bets. Some casinos apply requirements to bonus + deposit combined, significantly increasing the total.

Check Game Contribution Percentages

Different games contribute different percentages toward wagering. Slots typically contribute 100%, table games 10-25%, and some games 0%. Playing only blackjack on a slot-weighted bonus means your progress will be 4-10x slower.

Note Time Limits and Expiration

Most bonuses expire if wagering isn't completed within a timeframe (commonly 7-30 days). Missing the deadline forfeits both the bonus and any winnings. Calculate whether you can realistically complete wagering in time.

Understand Maximum Bet Limits

Casinos typically cap bet sizes while wagering (often $5-10 per spin). Exceeding this limit can void your bonus entirely. Always check terms before placing large bets during bonus play.

Check Withdrawal Caps on Winnings

Some bonuses limit how much you can withdraw from bonus winnings (e.g., maximum 10x bonus value). A $100 bonus capped at 10x means you can only withdraw $1,000 maximum regardless of how much you win.

Calculate Expected Value

Compare wagering requirements against house edge to estimate real bonus value. A $100 bonus with 40x wagering on 96% RTP slots costs approximately $160 in expected losses, making the bonus negative value.

Calculating Expected Value

To determine if a bonus is truly valuable, calculate the expected cost of clearing it versus the bonus amount itself.

Expected Value Formula

Expected Cost = Total Wagering × House Edge

Good Value Example

$200 bonus, 25x wagering, 96% RTP slots (4% edge)
Cost: $200 × 25 × 0.04 = $200
Value: $200 bonus - $200 cost = Break-even

Marginal Value Example

$100 bonus, 35x wagering, 96% RTP slots (4% edge)
Cost: $100 × 35 × 0.04 = $140
Value: $100 bonus - $140 cost = -$40 (negative)

Poor Value Example

$50 bonus, 50x wagering, 95% RTP slots (5% edge)
Cost: $50 × 50 × 0.05 = $125
Value: $50 bonus - $125 cost = -$75 (very negative)

This math explains why experienced players are selective about bonuses. A mathematically negative-value bonus costs you money in the long run, regardless of how "generous" the headline percentage appears.

Signs of a Player-Friendly Bonus

Green Flags

25x or lower wagering requirement
Wagering on bonus only (not deposit+bonus)
30+ days to complete wagering
No or high withdrawal caps
Clear, transparent terms
Reasonable max bet limits ($10+)

Red Flags

40x+ wagering requirement
Wagering on deposit + bonus combined
7 days or less to complete
Low win caps (5x bonus or less)
Vague or hard-to-find terms
$2-3 max bet during wagering

Frequently Asked Questions

8 questions answered by our experts

Schema Enhanced

1 What are wagering requirements?

Wagering requirements (playthrough) specify how many times you must bet your bonus amount before you can withdraw winnings. A 30x requirement on a $100 bonus means you must place $3,000 in total bets before cashing out. This prevents players from simply depositing, claiming a bonus, and withdrawing immediately.

2 What is a good wagering requirement?

Generally, 25x or lower is considered good, 30-35x is average, and 40x+ is high. However, context matters—a 35x requirement on a 200% bonus may be better value than 25x on a 50% bonus. Compare the total expected cost against the bonus amount to determine real value.

3 Do all games count equally toward wagering?

No. Most casinos use weighted contribution: slots typically count 100%, table games 10-25%, video poker 5-10%, and some games (live dealer, certain slots) may count 0%. Always check the terms—playing the wrong games can mean zero progress toward clearing your bonus.

4 What happens if I don't complete wagering in time?

If you don't complete wagering before the deadline (typically 7-30 days), both the bonus and any winnings derived from it are forfeited. Your original deposit remains yours, but bonus money and bonus winnings are removed from your account.

5 Can wagering requirements be applied to both bonus and deposit?

Yes, some casinos apply requirements to "bonus + deposit" combined. A 35x requirement on a $100 deposit + $100 bonus means $7,000 in wagering (vs. $3,500 if applied to bonus only). This significantly impacts value—always check which method applies.

6 What is the maximum bet rule?

Most casino bonuses limit bet sizes while wagering (commonly $5-10 per spin). Betting above this limit can void your bonus and winnings entirely. Some casinos enforce this strictly, so always check terms and bet conservatively during bonus play.

7 Are no-wagering bonuses actually better?

No-wagering bonuses are genuinely better in terms of fairness—what you win is yours immediately. However, they're typically smaller or come with other restrictions (max win caps, specific games only). Compare the realistic expected value of both bonus types before deciding.

8 How do I calculate if a bonus is worth taking?

Calculate expected cost: (Total Wagering × House Edge) vs. Bonus Value. Example: $100 bonus, 40x wagering, 4% house edge = $160 expected loss. Since $160 > $100 bonus, this has negative expected value. Lower wagering or higher bonus amounts improve the math.

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