Bonus Wagering Requirements
Casino bonuses can add value to an offer, but their headline terms rarely tell the whole story. Wagering rules can affect when, or whether, bonus-related funds can be withdrawn.
At gambling sites, bonus winnings commonly come with playthrough conditions that must be fulfilled before a withdrawal is allowed. These wagering requirements are rules set by online casinos that specify how much qualifying play is needed before a reward can be claimed.
How Casino Bonuses Work
Online casino bonuses come in several forms, including bonus cash, deposit matches and free spins. An operator might include one in a welcome package or grant a separate reward to a returning customer. Bonus funds can extend play by providing additional opportunities after the original deposit has been lost, though they do not guarantee a win.
Common bonus formats include the following:
- Deposit bonus: The credit is calculated from the amount a player deposits. One possible offer is a 100% match up to $200.
- No deposit bonus: Players looking for an offer without an initial deposit may consider no deposit bonuses. As the label suggests, claiming this kind of reward does not require a deposit.
- Free spins: A free spin offer grants a stated number of spins on selected popular slot machines.
- Cashback bonus: With a cashback bonus, the casino returns some of a player's losses as an incentive to keep playing.
- Loyalty bonus: Members of an online casino loyalty program may qualify for loyalty rewards and other benefits, such as higher game limits.
Standard Bonus Conditions
Most casino bonuses carry a wagering requirement, often around 30/35x, although the multiplier can be higher or lower. It states how many times the relevant amount must be played through before withdrawal eligibility. For instance, a $50 cash bonus with a 10x requirement calls for $500 in wagers on eligible games (50 x 10) before bonus winnings can be withdrawn.
Some operators use a tiered playthrough structure, letting players complete wagering in stages. This can make the required play more manageable, but these arrangements generally involve deadlines and smaller requirements tied to smaller bonuses.
Other rules may also apply before bonus winnings can be withdrawn. Typically, only one bonus is permitted per person, IP address, household, email address, bank account or credit card. A repeat claim could void winnings and may lead to account suspension. Identity verification is also required, and some casinos ask players to scan and submit documents such as a driver’s license or passport.
Bonus eligibility may be limited by country or player status. Read the offer's terms and conditions to see whether your location qualifies, and check for steps such as entering a promotional or bonus code during deposit. Some offers, including no-deposit bonuses, may also set a maximum withdrawal. For example, where a no-deposit bonus caps withdrawals at $200, a $300 win would allow only $200 to be withdrawn; the remaining amount would be removed from the account.
Deposit Bonus Wagering Requirement
Some playthrough calculations use both the deposit and bonus. Add those amounts together, then multiply the sum by the stated wagering requirement to find the eligible wagering target before cashing out.
To illustrate, a $200 deposit paired with a $100 bonus and a 30x wagering requirement means the player must wager $9,000 in total. This is commonly described as a D B (deposit bonus) wagering requirement.
A large requirement can make claiming the full bonus unattractive. Each offer has a minimum deposit, and a player concerned about completing the bonus terms may want to claim less than the maximum available.
Wagering Free Spins
Free spin offers also come with conditions. Their winnings are commonly converted into bonus funds, which must then meet a wagering requirement before a withdrawal. Requesting a withdrawal too early may mean forfeiting those bonus winnings.
Free spin bonuses commonly list wagering multipliers from 25x to 45x; 35x and 40x are described as the most common requirements.
Check the remaining free spin conditions as well. Spins often expire after a limited period, a maximum stake of $5 per bet may apply, and each game can count differently toward the wagering total.
Wagering Contributions
How wagers count toward a bonus varies by casino. Some operators use bonus funds first, so qualifying play begins as soon as the bonus is credited. For example, with a 100% match of up to $200, a player depositing the max $200 would begin wagering with the first bet.
Some casinos allocate each bet between your cash and bonus balances in proportion to the amounts in each. For example, with $50 in bonus funds and $50 in real money, a $10 wager uses $5 from the bonus balance and $5 from your real money. Since only part of each bet counts toward wagering the bonus, this arrangement takes longer to clear. You would need to wager twice as much before you could withdraw the bonus.
Some casinos instead require players to use their real-money balance first, with bonus funds becoming available only after that balance reaches zero.
A casino may also set a maximum stake while a bonus is active; the cap could be $5. Bonus terms may further limit the winnings that can be withdrawn.
Real-money funds are not restricted by bonus wagering rules, so they can be withdrawn at any time. However, requesting a withdrawal while bonus funds remain subject to unmet requirements will cause those bonus funds to be forfeited.
A pending bonus is credited in a restricted state, so it is unavailable for play until released. The funds move into the player’s real money account gradually as bonus points build up. An immediate bonus is also restricted, but can be wagered straight away unless its terms and conditions say otherwise.
Contribution rates vary by game, so not all casino games count equally toward bonus wagering requirements. Slots are often the only games credited at the full 100%, although exceptions exist. Other games will typically contribute between 0 and 90 percent. The example below illustrates how those rates may appear:
- Slots: 100%
- Blackjack: 20%
- Roulette: 20%
- Craps: 10%
- Video Poker: 0%
Some promotions apply only to particular games. A bonus, for instance, might be valid only on one named slot machine, such as Starburst.
Consider a $100 wager on a qualifying slot. At a 100% contribution rate, the full $100 would count toward the wagering requirement.
Now consider a $100 blackjack wager. At a 20% contribution rate, only $20 would be credited toward the required playthrough.
Under the contribution example above, video poker's 0% rate means that wagers on it would add nothing to the bonus requirement.
Wager-Free Casino Bonuses
Although wagering rules are common, some casinos offer wager-free bonuses. These promotions let players skip a playthrough requirement and claim eligible winnings immediately, which has helped make them more popular.
A deposit may not be needed to claim a wager-free offer. It could be a no-deposit promotion or free spins without wagering conditions. Such offers are generally small, but may still appeal to players looking for a simpler bonus structure.
The defining feature of a wager-free bonus is that its winnings, including those from free spins, can be withdrawn from the account right away without completing a wagering requirement.
Choosing the Best Games
Careful research into the casino and eligible games can help clarify a bonus's requirements, but it cannot guarantee that you will beat them. The original review advises looking for an operator licensed by a reputable gaming authority, as licensing is one factor in assessing its standards for security and trustworthiness.
Bonus terms vary considerably between online casinos. 35 times is described as the average playthrough requirement, while noting that individual offers can be higher or lower. A lower requirement at a reputable casino means less qualifying play is needed before bonus winnings may become withdrawable.
Read all the bonus terms before accepting an offer. Along with the wagering target, look for any cap on winnings and a deadline for using the bonus. If the stated time expires, the bonus and any associated funds may no longer be available.
No-wager bonuses are available but are uncommon, so wagering conditions can be difficult to avoid. A bonus may increase the balance available for play, sometimes twofold, threefold or more, but that does not ensure the requirement will be met or prevent the balance from being depleted.
Meeting Wagering Requirements
Bonuses can extend play and may offer a chance to increase winnings without adding to the initial deposit. Before opting in, read the conditions closely and avoid bonus hunting: deliberately exploiting promotions to make a profit can breach casino rules.
Check the small print for limits on winnings, the bonus expiry period and the maximum permitted stake. Completing the requirement may make bonus funds available for further play, but the amount and timing depend on the offer's terms.
Players who prefer not to take on wagering rules may be able to decline a bonus when opening an online casino account. If a bonus with unwanted conditions is added automatically, contact customer support to ask for its removal. Once it is removed, deposit funds can be played without that bonus requirement applying.
