Wagering requirements are the amount you need to bet before you can withdraw bonus funds or the winnings tied to them. A 40x requirement on a $100 bonus means $4,000 in qualifying wagers. The important word is qualifying: a $10 bet may count as $10, $0.50 or nothing, depending on the game.
What Are Wagering Requirements?
Also called playthrough or rollover, wagering requirements attach a betting condition to a bonus. Casinos use them to make players wager before cashing out promotional funds. Meeting the requirement does not guarantee a profit, and other withdrawal conditions can still apply.
The requirement is cumulative bets, not the amount you must deposit or lose. If you place a $10 qualifying bet, receive $8 back and bet that $8 again, you have wagered $18. Whether all $18 counts depends on the contribution rate and the offer’s rules.
How to Calculate Wagering Requirements
First check what the multiplier applies to. “40x bonus” and “40x deposit + bonus” can mean very different amounts, even when the advertised bonus is the same.
| Requirement | Example | Qualifying wagers |
|---|---|---|
| 40x bonus | $100 bonus × 40 | $4,000 |
| 40x deposit + bonus | ($100 deposit + $100 bonus) × 40 | $8,000 |
| 40x free-spin winnings | $20 won from spins × 40 | $800 |
These figures are the wagering targets. If a game contributes less than 100%, the amount you actually need to bet is higher.
How Different Games Contribute to Wagering
Game contribution is the percentage of each eligible bet that reduces your remaining wagering requirement. At 100%, a $10 bet clears $10. At 5%, the same bet clears only $0.50. The result of the bet does not change that calculation, provided it qualifies under the terms.
The calculation is bet amount × contribution rate = wagering credited. To calculate the bets needed on one game, divide the remaining requirement by its contribution rate as a decimal.
| Contribution | $10 bet clears | Bets to clear $4,000 |
|---|---|---|
| 100% | $10 | $4,000 |
| 20% | $2 | $20,000 |
| 10% | $1 | $40,000 |
| 5% | $0.50 | $80,000 |
| 0% | $0 | No progress |
Slots often contribute 100%. Blackjack, roulette, baccarat and live casino games may contribute less or nothing because their house edge can be lower. Some slots, progressive jackpots and individual titles are excluded too. The casino sets the contribution rules; there is no fixed rate that applies to every roulette or blackjack game.
For a real example, our BitStarz review covers bonus terms where table games, live games, instant-win games, lotteries and bingo generally contribute 5%. That turns a $4,000 target into $80,000 of bets if you play only games at that rate. A lower contribution can make an offer unsuitable for the games you want to play.
Zero contribution and a prohibited game are not necessarily the same thing. A permitted game at 0% makes no progress; playing a prohibited game can also breach the bonus terms. Check both the contribution table and the excluded-games list.
RTP and Wagering Contribution Are Different
Return to player (RTP) describes a game’s theoretical long-term payout. Wagering contribution describes how much of your bet counts toward a bonus. A game with 98% RTP does not automatically contribute 98% toward wagering.
A high RTP is useful when comparing games, but a small contribution rate means placing far more bets to clear the same bonus. Neither a high RTP nor low volatility guarantees that your balance will last until the requirement is complete.
Free Spins, No-Deposit Bonuses and 0x Wagering
For free spins, the multiplier usually applies to the money won from the spins, not the number of spins. If you win $20 and the offer has 40x wagering on winnings, the target is $800 before contribution rates are applied.
No-deposit bonuses can still have wagering requirements, a maximum cashout and a deposit required before withdrawal. “No deposit” describes how you receive the offer; it does not mean the winnings have no conditions.
0x wagering means no additional playthrough on the specified reward. It does not remove identity checks, withdrawal limits or any play needed to earn the reward in the first place. Our cashback and rakeback comparison separates how rewards are earned from the conditions attached after they are credited.
What to Check Before Accepting a Bonus
- Calculation base: Does the multiplier apply to the bonus, deposit plus bonus, or free-spin winnings?
- Eligible games: What contribution rate applies to the exact game you want to play, and is it excluded?
- Maximum bet: Exceeding the bonus bet limit can void winnings. Bonus buys and double-up features may be included in that limit.
- Expiry: Check when the timer starts and what happens to bonus funds and associated winnings if it runs out.
- Cashout cap: Completing wagering does not remove a separate limit on bonus winnings.
- Balance and cancellation rules: Check whether cash is spent first, which balances count toward wagering, and what you lose if you cancel the bonus or request an early withdrawal.
We assess these conditions as part of how we rate casino bonuses. A lower multiplier alone does not make an offer better if it applies to a larger balance or your preferred games barely contribute.
Conclusion
Calculate the full wagering target and check the games before accepting a bonus. If the offer requires more play than you planned, skip it. Do not increase your budget or chase losses to finish wagering; our responsible gambling page has information on limits and support.