Strategy guide · Updated October 2026
Wagering Requirements Explained
A wagering requirement is the amount you must bet before bonus money turns into cash you can withdraw. It is the single most important number in any casino bonus.
How the maths works
Take a 100% match on a $100 deposit with 35x wagering on the bonus. You get $100 of bonus money and must place $3,500 in bets (35 × $100) before you can withdraw it.
If the requirement applies to deposit plus bonus, the total doubles: 35 × $200 = $7,000.
What it costs you on average
Every bet carries the house edge. On a slot with a 96% return to player, each dollar bet loses four cents on average. $3,500 of bets × 4% = $140 average cost, which is more than the $100 bonus. That's why high-wagering bonuses rarely pay off.
| Wagering on a $100 bonus | Bets required | Avg. cost at 96% RTP | Avg. result |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10x | $1,000 | $40 | +$60 |
| 20x | $2,000 | $80 | +$20 |
| 25x | $2,500 | $100 | $0 |
| 35x | $3,500 | $140 | −$40 |
| 40x | $4,000 | $160 | −$60 |
| 50x | $5,000 | $200 | −$100 |
At 96% RTP, the break-even point is 25x on the bonus alone. Averages hide large swings; many players bust before finishing.
Game weighting
Casinos count games differently towards wagering. Slots usually count 100%. Table games often count 10% or 0%, because their low house edge would make bonuses too easy to clear. At 10% weighting, a $10 blackjack bet counts as $1.
The rules that void bonuses
- Maximum bet: often around $5 or 10% of the bonus per spin. One bet over it can cancel your winnings.
- Expiry: unfinished wagering is lost when time runs out.
- Excluded games: some high-RTP slots don't count at all.
- Max cashout: common on free spins and no-deposit offers.
When to say no
Decline a bonus if the wagering is above 30x on the bonus, if it applies to deposit plus bonus, or if the deadline is under 14 days. Playing with cash only keeps withdrawals simple. Our bonus calculator works this out for any offer.