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What Are Casino Wagering Requirements?

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When you register at a new online casino or visit the promotion section as an existing player, there’s usually a host of bonuses awaiting you. These range from welcome offers and reload packages to free spins and cashback. You might even be lucky to find a no-deposit bonus.

However, even the best casino bonuses come with a catch — you’ll need to meet specific wagering requirements to convert the bonus into real money.

This guide will break down the crucial aspects of casino wagering requirements, including how they function, the various types you might encounter, and effective strategies for meeting them.

Online casino wagering requirements explained

Online casino bonus wagering requirements refer to the conditions set by the casino that stipulate the amount that must be wagered before you can withdraw a bonus or collect any winnings derived from it. They are expressed as a multiplier value, usually between 20x and 60x.

Wagering requirements act as a form of protection for the casino by preventing players from simply claiming bonus funds and withdrawing them immediately. Although it is possible to make money on casino bonuses, not every player will do so on a regular basis.

Therefore, the casino can still offer enticing promotions to attract and retain players while maintaining a sustainable business model.

Wagering requirements are sometimes referred to as turnoverrollover, or playthrough requirements.

How do casino wagering requirements work?

Let’s show you an example of how wagering requirements typically work at an online casino:

– You claim a 100% deposit match bonus with a wagering requirement of 40x.

– You deposit $100, giving you a bonus of $100 ($200 in total).

– The 40x wagering requirement is applied to the $100 bonus.

– You must wager $4,000 (40 x $100) to fulfill the requirements.

– Once complete, your remaining balance is eligible for withdrawal.

However, certain casinos apply wagering requirements to the combined total of your bonus and the deposit value, thus making it more challenging to complete. Let’s show how this would affect the above example:

Wagering requirement = the deposit ($100) + bonus ($100) x 40. This results in a total of $8,000 instead of just $4,000 as before.

What does wagering mean?

Now, to fully grasp the concept of wagering requirements, you need to understand what wagering means. A wager is simply a bet, while wagering requirements refer to the total amount you must bet to unlock the bonus funds. 

For instance, if you place a bet of $2, that amount counts towards your wagering total, regardless of whether you win or lose. The following table demonstrates how this works for a $1,000 wagering requirement target.

Starting WRBetOutcomeRemaining WR
$1,000$2 on a slot gameLose $2$998
$998$1 on a slot gameReturn $5$997
$997$5 on a slot gameReturn $2.50$992

As you can see, no matter the outcome, the remaining wagering requirement is reduced by the size of your bet.

Other important terms and conditions

Moreover, the multiplier value isn’t the only thing you have to worry about. Here are some other key aspects you should know:

  1. Time limits: Most casinos set a time limit for meeting the wagering requirements, usually ranging from one week to a month. If you fail to complete the rollover within this timeframe, you risk forfeiting the bonus and any associated winnings.
  2. Game weighting: Not all games contribute equally to fulfilling wagering requirements. For example, slots typically contribute 100%, meaning every bet on eligible slots counts at the full spin value. Table games and live casino bets often contribute less, sometimes as low as just 5%–20%.
  3. Game eligibility: Some games are excluded completely, and playing them could invalidate your bonus. These games are listed on the offer terms or on the bonus T&Cs page.
  4. Maximum bet limits: Most casinos restrict the maximum bet you can place while trying to meet the wagering requirements. For example, you might not be able to bet more than $5 per round when using your bonus balance.
  5. Maximum withdrawal limit: Some casinos cap the amount you can withdraw from winnings generated through bonus play. Always check this limit before claiming the bonus, as it can affect your overall profit from the promo.

Which types of bonuses have wagering requirements?

The majority of casino bonuses feature wagering requirements, including casino and sports welcome bonuses, reload deposit bonuses, and cashback. Free spins also have rollover requirements, but the multiplier only applies to winnings from the free spins.

Let’s say you claim 20 free spins and win $5. With a 35x wagering requirement, the total wagering required would be $175 (35 x $5). You can meet this requirement by playing any eligible casino game — you’re not restricted to the same slot where the free spins were awarded.

Sports betting bonuses, such as free bets, also come with wagering requirements, though they may differ from those applied to casino games. We’ll cover these in more detail later. 

Do any online casinos not have wagering requirements?

Choosing an online casino with no wagering requirements on the welcome bonus is tricky, but not impossible. With these offers, any winnings from the bonus — be it bonus cash or free spins — are yours to withdraw immediately.

However, it’s worth noting that these offers come with tight restrictions, particularly on withdrawals. While the casino can’t control how much you might win using the bonus, the T&Cs can restrict how much you can cash out. 

Additionally, while there’s no wagering requirement for the bonus, many casinos will still enforce a general 1x wagering policy. This requirement is implemented to comply with anti-money laundering (AML) regulations, ensuring that all deposits are subject to a minimum playthrough before withdrawals can be made.

What is the most common wagering requirement for online casino bonuses?

The most common wagering requirement for online casino bonuses is typically around 40x, meaning that if you receive a bonus of $100, you would need to wager a total of $4,000 before withdrawing your winnings.

While the 40x wagering requirement is around the industry standard, you can still find figures that are quite lower, often ranging from 20x to 35x, though they are rare. On the other hand, some casinos may even impose higher wagering requirements, reaching up to 60x and above.

40x casino wagering requirement

How realistic is it to beat casino wagering requirements?

Beating a casino wagering requirement can be challenging, but it’s definitely not impossible. Lower wagering multipliers increase your chances of success, although you should still not expect the process to be easy. It often requires grinding through many spins or betting rounds over several days to meet the playthrough.

However, especially in the case of slots with big win potential, all it takes is one lucky spin to turn the tide and boost your balance significantly. From here, meeting the requirements becomes much easier – especially if you switch to a high-RTP casino game offering more consistent returns.

Expecting to convert every bonus into real money is unrealistic. Remember, the house edge guarantees the casino’s long-term advantage, making consistent success challenging. However, since there are no restrictions on claiming bonuses from multiple casinos, persistence and effort can eventually lead to a successful withdrawal.

How to calculate, meet, and beat casino bonus wagering requirements 

You don’t need to be a genius to calculate the wagering requirement of any bonus; just remember this simple formula: Bonus Amount x Wagering Requirement = Total Bet.

In any case, the best online casinos usually provide a wagering tracker in your Account section to help you visualize how much of the turnover remains. 

There are certain strategies you can employ to meet wagering requirements:

  1. Understand game contributions: Different games contribute differently to wagering requirements. Opt for casinos that offer favorable weighting on table games or other high-RTP games. If certain titles contribute far less to the rollover, e.g., below 50%, consider whether it’s worth playing them.
  2. Choose the right games: It is best to start with highly volatile slots. Even though their RTPs are low, they have the potential for big returns. If you hit some big wins, you can switch to low-variance slots with high RTPs and work towards completing the turnover. You can easily find all these games at the best online slot sites.
  3. Manage and change bet sizes: Start with smaller bets to maximize playtime. As you grow your bankroll, you can increase your bet sizes to complete the rollover more quickly.
  4. Consider playing ineligible games: Even if playing ineligible games contributes 0% to the wagering requirements, you can still play them to increase your balance before completing the requirements. Just be cautious and read the T&Cs, as some casinos may forfeit your bonus if you play certain ineligible games.

Do sports betting bonuses have wagering requirements?

Yes, most sports betting bonuses come with wagering requirements similar to those found in online casinos. However, this depends on the type of bonus awarded.

Welcome deposit offers for sports betting often come with lower turnover requirements compared to casino offers — usually ranging from 5x to 20x. You’ll need to wager this amount on sports events at minimum betting odds within a specific timeframe.

In other cases, you deposit and place a qualifying wager to earn a free bet. This effectively comes with a 1x wagering requirement, meaning it must be placed on a sports market before any winnings are credited as real cash. Note that your free bet stake isn’t included in any potential returns.

Tips for beating casino wagering requirements

In addition to some of the strategies we covered above, here are some other general tips for beating casino wagering requirements:

  1. Always read the terms and conditions: Before claiming any bonus, first go through the fine print, as this will give you an idea of what you need to do to beat the wagering requirements. Check the rollover stated, eligible games, and bonus validity period to see if they are reasonable.
  2. Select bonuses with low wagering requirements: Prioritize casinos that offer lower wagering multipliers, even if the bonus amount is smaller than competing offers. In real terms, a $25 bonus with a 20x playthrough is often more valuable than a $200 bonus with a 60x requirement.
  3. Choose bonuses with wagering on the bonus only: Opt for bonuses where the wagering requirements apply only to the bonus amount, not the deposit as well. Some rookie players don’t realize this until it’s too late, leaving them with an excessively high turnover to try and complete.
  4. Don’t request a withdrawal during wagering: If you request a withdrawal before meeting the requirements, you may forfeit your bonus and any associated winnings. Casinos let you track your progress, so ensure you’ve fulfilled the requirements before making any withdrawal requests.
  5. Ensure you don’t play excluded slot games: Bonus terms usually clarify which categories are excluded. However, ineligible slots are typically hidden away within the site’s bonus T&Cs. Check for these and ensure you don’t play them with an active bonus – most casinos refuse to pay out winnings if you do!
  6. Balance risk and progress when wagering: Proper bankroll management remains one of the most effective ways to meet any wagering requirement. Don’t bet too aggressively early on, as this can quickly deplete your balance. At the same time, ensure your bets are high enough to make meaningful progress.

Conclusion

Understanding casino rollover requirements is critical if you want to maximize your gaming experience and make the most of bonuses. These requirements dictate how many times you need to wager your bonus and/or deposit before you can withdraw any winnings. 

We’ve covered all you need to know about calculating, meeting, and beating these wagering requirements. Everything boils down to reading the fine print, selecting the best bonuses, and playing the right games. 

If you ever need to confirm anything about wagering requirements, this guide is always here for you. Likewise, don’t hesitate to contact the casino’s customer support — they’ll answer even if you don’t have an account yet.

FAQs

How do I clear my wagering requirement?

How do I know that I’ve completed the wagering requirement?

What does a 40x wagering requirement mean?

References

PokerNews

SiGMA

Our Editorial Standards

At ValueWalk, we’re committed to providing accurate, research-backed information. Our editors go above and beyond to ensure our content is trustworthy and transparent.

Aman Jain
Finance & iGaming Writer

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