Quick Answer
What Is a Wagering Requirement?
A wagering requirement (also called a playthrough requirement) is the number of times you must bet your bonus before you can withdraw winnings from it. A 30x wagering requirement on a $100 bonus means you must place $3,000 in total bets before any bonus winnings become withdrawable.
Wagering requirements exist because casinos need to prevent players from depositing, claiming a bonus, and immediately withdrawing it. The requirement ensures the bonus circulates through the game before it can leave. Higher wagering = harder to profit. Lower wagering = more real value.
Watch out for "deposit + bonus" wagering: Some casinos apply the wagering requirement to your deposit plus your bonus. A $100 deposit with $100 bonus at 35x wagering on deposit+bonus = $7,000 in required bets — double what it sounds like. Always check whether the requirement applies to bonus only or deposit plus bonus.
How to Calculate
Wagering Requirement Calculation Examples
Example A: $100 Bonus · 30x Wagering (Bonus Only)
Bonus amount$100
Wagering multiplier30x
Total bets required$3,000
Expected loss at 97% RTP−$90
Net expected value of bonus−$90 (negative)
Example B: $100 Deposit + $100 Bonus · 35x (Deposit + Bonus)
Deposit + Bonus$200
Wagering multiplier35x on both
Total bets required$7,000
Expected loss at 97% RTP−$210
Net expected value of bonus−$110 (deposit lost too)
Example B is a trap: The expected loss exceeds both the deposit and the bonus. Many casinos advertise the wagering multiplier (35x) without prominently disclosing it applies to deposit + bonus. Always check this before claiming.
Game Contributions
Which Games Count Towards Wagering?
Not all games contribute equally to wagering requirements. Slots almost always count 100%. Table games are often restricted or count only 10–20%.
| Game Type | Typical Contribution | Strategy |
|---|---|---|
| Video Slots | 100% | Best choice for wagering |
| Classic Slots | 100% | Good choice |
| Video Poker | 10–25% | Slow wagering — avoid |
| Blackjack | 0–10% | Often excluded |
| Roulette | 0–10% | Often excluded |
| Baccarat | 0–5% | Usually excluded |
| Live Casino | 0–10% | Usually excluded |
| Scratch Cards | 50% | Moderate contribution |
Strategy for clearing wagering: Use the highest-RTP slots (97%+) that count 100% towards wagering. This minimises expected losses while clearing the requirement at the fastest rate. SlotsVader publishes verified RTP on every slot — ideal for bonus wagering.
How to Rate Bonuses
Wagering Requirement Quality Guide
0x
No wagering
BEST
BEST
≤20x
Excellent
Very rare
Very rare
20–30x
Good
Fair value
Fair value
30–40x
Average
EU standard
EU standard
40–60x
High
Hard to profit
Hard to profit
60x+
Avoid
Near impossible
Near impossible
Playing from Europe? Casino Europa covers EU-specific bonus regulations — GDPR compliance, local responsible gambling rules, and which bonus structures are permitted under European gambling law in each member state.
Common Questions
Wagering Requirements — FAQ
What is a wagering requirement at an online casino?
A wagering requirement is the number of times you must bet your bonus before you can withdraw winnings. A 30x requirement on a $100 bonus = $3,000 in total bets required. It exists to prevent players from simply depositing, claiming a bonus, and immediately withdrawing it without playing. Also called a playthrough requirement or rollover requirement.
What is a good wagering requirement?
A good wagering requirement is 30x or lower. Excellent is 20x or below. No wagering (0x) is best but very rare. Anything above 50x is very high and the bonus becomes difficult to profit from mathematically. The European market average is approximately 35x on bonus only. Always check whether the requirement is on bonus only or deposit plus bonus — the latter effectively doubles the requirement.
Do all games count towards wagering requirements?
No. Slots typically count 100%. Table games (blackjack, roulette, baccarat) often count 0–10% or are completely excluded. Video poker counts 10–25% at most casinos. Always check the game contribution table in the bonus terms before choosing a game for wagering. Playing excluded games while in bonus mode can void the bonus entirely at some casinos.
How do I calculate wagering requirements?
Multiply the applicable amount by the wagering multiplier. Bonus only: $100 bonus × 30x = $3,000 required. Deposit + bonus: ($100 deposit + $100 bonus) × 35x = $7,000 required. To find expected loss, multiply the required bets by the house edge. At 97% RTP (3% house edge): $3,000 × 3% = $90 expected loss during wagering.
Can I withdraw before completing wagering requirements?
Yes, but you forfeit the bonus and all bonus winnings. If you deposited $100 and received a $100 bonus, you can usually withdraw your $100 deposit at any time by forfeiting the bonus. The exact policy varies by casino — some also restrict withdrawal of deposit funds while bonus wagering is incomplete. Read the terms before depositing if you may want to withdraw early.