Understanding Wagering Requirements In Casino Bonuses

Online casinos aggressively market their deposit bonuses, making it seem like they are handing out free money.


To prevent instant bankruptcy, casinos protect these bonuses using strict rules known as wagering requirements.

What Exactly is a Wagering Requirement?

A wagering requirement is a multiplier that dictates exactly how much money you must bet before you can withdraw.


A $50 bonus with a 40x playthrough means you must wager a total of $2,000 before making a withdrawal.

Low wagering requirements (under 30x) are considered the gold standard in the industryMany players prefer to decline bonuses entirely to avoid dealing with these restrictionsYou must clear the playthrough before you can withdraw even your own initial deposit in most cases
Game Weighting and Restrictions

To make things even more complicated, not every game on the platform contributes 100% towards the requirement.


However, playing roulette might only contribute 10%, meaning a $10 bet only counts as $1 towards the playthrough.

ActivityContribution RuleNoteVideo Poker0% - 5%House edge is too low for the casino to allow itProgressive SlotsUsually RestrictedCheck terms; often completely banned with active bonuses

Always read the fine print carefully, and never accept a bonus if the playthrough multiplier exceeds 50x.