A wagering requirement is a rule attached to a casino bonus that says: “You can’t withdraw this bonus money (and often the winnings from it) until you’ve placed bets totaling a certain amount.”
It’s not a scam. It’s also not “free money.” It’s basically the casino’s way of forcing bonus funds to be used for actual play, so people can’t deposit, grab a bonus, withdraw instantly, and vanish into the night like a coupon ninja. 🥷💸
If you’ve ever seen “Bonus: €100 + 100 free spins” and thought “nice, I’ll withdraw that later,” the wagering requirement is the part that quietly clears its throat and says: “About that…”
Most bonuses have wagering written like this:
Bonus amount × Wagering multiplier = Total amount you must wager
If you take a €100 bonus with a 30x wagering requirement, you must wager:
€100 × 30 = €3,000
That means you need to place €3,000 worth of bets before the bonus becomes withdrawable.
Important: wagering means total bets placed, not profit. You can wager €3,000 and still end up down. Or up. But you must cycle the bets through.
Casinos are running a business with math. Bonuses are a customer acquisition cost. Without wagering, bonuses become pure arbitrage: take the money, do minimal risk, withdraw, repeat.
Wagering requirements reduce “bonus abuse” by forcing time and variance into the equation. It’s like the casino saying: “We’ll subsidize your play, but you have to actually play.”
For regular players, it’s a trade: you get extra bankroll, but you accept restrictions.
Different words, same idea.
Wagering requirement, playthrough, and rollover generally refer to the amount of betting you must do to unlock withdrawals.
Sometimes the wording differs by region, casino, or bonus type, but the practical meaning is the same: “bet X times.”
This is where beginners get wrecked by fine print.
Most casinos don’t let every bet contribute equally. Some bets contribute 100%, some contribute partially, and some don’t count at all.
Slots often count 100%.
Table games often count less (like 10%–20%) or are excluded.
Live dealer sometimes counts less or is excluded.
Certain “low house edge” games may count less because they’re easier to grind.
So if you’re trying to clear a bonus efficiently, the game choice matters a lot.
Example: If table games contribute 10% and you wager €1,000 on blackjack, only €100 may count toward wagering. That’s a rude surprise if you didn’t know it was coming. 😬
Casinos can apply wagering to:
Only the bonus amount
Deposit + bonus amount combined
This changes the math dramatically.
Example 1: Bonus-only wagering
Deposit €100, get €100 bonus, 30x bonus wagering
Wagering = €100 × 30 = €3,000
Example 2: Deposit + bonus wagering
Deposit €100, get €100 bonus, 30x on deposit+bonus
Wagering = (€100 + €100) × 30 = €6,000
This is one of the biggest “hidden” differences between bonuses that look identical on the surface.
Free spins promos often have separate rules, and they can stack restrictions:
Winnings from free spins may have a wagering requirement
There may be a max cashout cap on free spin winnings
The free spins might be tied to specific slots only
So even if the free spins feel like “free value,” they might turn into “locked winnings” unless you meet playthrough.
Wagering usually has a deadline: 7 days, 14 days, 30 days, sometimes longer.
If you don’t complete the wagering in time, the casino can remove the bonus and any related winnings.
This isn’t always “evil.” It’s just a business rule: bonuses are meant to drive active play now, not sit in your account like a savings bond.
But for you? Deadline pressure increases mistakes. People start rushing, betting bigger than planned, chasing losses. That’s how “a fun bonus” becomes “why am I awake at 3am spinning.” 🫠
Many bonuses have a maximum bet per spin/hand while the bonus is active.
Example: max €5 per spin.
If you exceed the max bet, casinos may void the bonus and/or winnings. Harsh, yes. Common, also yes.
This is why people complain online about “casino stole my winnings.” Sometimes it’s shady. Sometimes it’s just someone who missed the max bet rule while autoplaying like a maniac.
This is a big one.
Non-sticky (cashable) bonus means your deposit money is yours, bonus is separate. You typically play with your cash first, then bonus. Withdrawals may be possible earlier depending on rules.
Sticky (non-cashable) bonus means the bonus is locked to wagering. You generally can’t withdraw until wagering is completed, and the bonus funds can’t be cashed out directly.
Sticky bonuses are usually harder to clear but can feel generous because they inflate your playable balance.
If you ever hear someone say “that’s a grindy bonus,” they’re often talking about:
All of these increase the expected difficulty of clearing.
Let’s say you accept €100 bonus with 30x wagering, bonus-only.
You need €3,000 in total bets.
If you bet €1 per spin on a slot, you need 3,000 spins.
If the slot spins at ~3 seconds per spin (roughly), that’s about 9,000 seconds, or 150 minutes of continuous play.
That’s 2.5 hours. And that’s assuming no interruptions, no switching games that reduce contribution, and no hitting a time limit.
Now add variance: you might bust early and fail. Or you might run hot and clear it. The bonus doesn’t guarantee success—it just increases your “time in the game.”
This is the honest part:
Wagering requirements are designed so that, on average, the house still has an edge across the required volume of play.
That doesn’t mean you can’t win. It means the casino expects most bonus value to be “paid for” through play.
So your best mindset is: a bonus is a discount on entertainment, not a guaranteed profit opportunity.
If you treat bonuses like income, you’re going to have a bad time.
Before you click “Claim,” check:
If you can’t find these rules in under 2 minutes, that’s already a red flag. Transparent casinos make it easy to understand because fewer misunderstandings means fewer disputes.
You don’t need to be paranoid, just not asleep at the wheel.
Yes, but “worth it” depends on what you want.
The secret is not being seduced by the headline number. “200% bonus!” means nothing if it’s tied to 60x deposit+bonus with half the lobby excluded. That’s not a bonus, that’s a chore wearing lipstick. 💄
If you ever find yourself increasing bets just to “finish wagering” before a deadline, that’s the point where the bonus stopped being fun and started pushing behavior. Cancel the bonus, withdraw what’s withdrawable, and walk away.
Your nervous system is more expensive than any promo.
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