In this guide, we'll explain what are wagering requirements, how they work, and why they matter. Get a clear understanding of this vital concept in online gambling.
If claiming a certain offer mentions how many times you have to play through the deposit or bonus before cashing out, you’ve encountered wagering requirements.
This troubling term may seem difficult to newbies and occasional players, but luckily, our complete guide to casino wagering requirements can teach you the ins and outs in just a few steps.
While this rule is almost impossible to avoid when claiming a bonus at online casinos today, there are some gaming sites with wager-free zones too, not forcing any rollover or wagering requirements.
To get closer to understanding what are wagering requirements and how to beat them, we’ll walk you through the following steps:
- The basics of wagering
- How wagering requirements work
- Tips on How to Clear Wagering Requirements
- How to Calculate Wagering Requirements: Real Life Examples
- Expert Advice: Try No Wagering Casinos
Without further ado, let’s get started.
Simply put, the term 'wagering' states how much you need to bet the deposit or bonus funds before becoming eligible to withdraw any money from the cashier.
For example
Let's say the casino gives you a match-up bonus of 300% up to $1000.
If you deposit $100, you get an extra $300 as bonus money.
It is as simple as that. However, there is a catch; the casino has specified a 30x wagering requirement on that bonus.
To make a profit and earn the maximum, you need to use your $300 bonus cash to place bets worth $9000 before it is considered real money. Only then can you make the withdrawal without any penalties.
The calculation is done simply by multiplying the bonus funds by the wagering requirement, so it's $300 x 30 for $9000 overall.
Please note
Some casinos apply wagering requirements to both the bonus and deposit.
In that scenario, the playthrough on straight deposits is usually much smaller, ranging from 1x to 3x.
Anything beyond that is considered abusive terms, and you should avoid such casinos.
FUN FACT
Known sometimes as "the mandatory evil" of almost every casino bonus, the playthrough rule is used by operators to attract players with lucrative deposit bonuses and, more often, free spins.
It also keeps casinos from losing too much money on promotions.
You may also notice that certain casinos use different terms for wagering requirements, such as playthrough requirements or rollover requirements. Alternatively, they can also be referred to just as "30x", "65x," or "99x".
The casino always determines the exact amount.
As you will find out, there are even bonuses where players can never convert their funds into cash, but we'll talk about that later.
If you want to expand on the subject and learn more after reading this tutorial, head to our Academy and check out the latest gambling tips and guides.
To better answer the question 'what is wagering,' it's essential to know where to look right after signing up.
A good player must understand how to find all the details about the playthrough in the terms and conditions, including game-specific rules and time limits.
Can you confirm whether claiming a bonus is worth your time and money?
Knowing what wagering requirements are or how many times you should play through a bonus to complete it before the withdrawal is essential.
As it turns out, some side terms can affect your wager requirements, and you should never ignore these.
We will name a few examples of those rules here:
Deposit or Bonus
Some online casinos stipulate a rule where players must start playing with their deposited money first and then use the bonus if given.
However, you cannot cash out the bonus by playing only with your deposit and clearing its wagering requirements.
In this case, the winnings are withdrawable without needing to wager further. If you play through both the deposit and bonus, you must complete their full rollover before becoming eligible to request a payout.
Maximum Bet
To make things more challenging for the players and avoid bankruptcy, casinos usually set a maximum bet limit that prevents them from clearing the wagering requirements too quickly.
In most cases, players are restricted to a maximum bet of up to $5 per spin, sometimes even less than that.
Time Limit
Claiming a bonus can be thrilling, but many expire after a certain time.
This window can be 24 hours or more but not longer than a month. The trick is to complete the rollover requirements by this date and cash out.
Otherwise, you lose the right to claim the bonus and forfeit any winnings
Non-contributing Slots
By carefully reading the terms and conditions, you may notice that some slots do not contribute to the playthrough as others.
They are exempt from wagering, usually due to their high RTP or hit frequency.
For instance, if a slot contributes 50% to the wagering, each $1 bet is considered $0.50 towards clearing the bonus.
Sometimes, the games of skill like poker, blackjack, or even sports betting don't count toward the wagering requirements at all.
Winning Cap
Remember that some promotions require high wagering, like no deposit bonuses. The maximum payout from these one-time offers is usually around $100 - $200.
A quick tip: after clearing a playthrough on match-up bonuses, the withdrawable cash should always be as advertised.
The wagering requirements are usually stipulated with a particular offer or under Bonuses in terms and conditions. That's why it is essential to know that these rules are different for each bonus type.
For example
A cash bonus comes with a specified multiplier before withdrawing money. At the same time, free spins include a multiplier that applies to the winnings you receive from them.
Sportsbooks, on the other hand, usually attach wagering requirements to sports with certain bet odds, and these can range from 1x to 5x for online sports betting bonuses.
As wagering requirements can be tricky and mess up the whole gaming experience, we advise using specific tips and preparing and making the most out of them.
While making sure you picked the suitable game or lower requirements is a good start, calculating and beating WR is unquestionably the next step.
Here are the 5 key things to keep in mind before wagering:
Tip 1. Read the terms and conditions
Before claiming any casino offers with wagering requirements, always familiarize yourself with the T&Cs.
Go through the details to learn all the strings attached to the bonus, such as time limits, minimum deposits, maximum bets, cashout rules, etc.
Typically, this information is also in FAQ, Terms and Conditions, under 'Promotions' or on the small prints of each offer.
Tip 2. Stick to low volatility games
Slot volatility is another critical factor worth considering before any wagering.
Theoretically, a low volatility slot (Starburst, Jackpot Raiders) pays out more frequently on average, only smaller amounts. In comparison, a high volatility slot pays out less regularly, but generally, the wins are higher.
In a way, low volatility is perfect for meeting WR since frequent wins come in handy in the long run as the results swing closer to RTP.
The risk of losing or not meeting your playthrough is also smaller when compared to high-volatility slots (Gates of Olympus, Book of Dead).
Tip 3. Take advantage of free spins
The wagering requirements for free spins are calculated differently.
For example, if you claim a bonus with 35x wagering requirements and receive 100 free spins where each one is set at $0.10, the total bonus is 100 x 0.10 equaling $10.
Now, the wagering requirements are applied to whatever you win using free spins, so with some luck, you could clear the wagering and cash out the bonus sooner than you think.
Tip 4. Set a budget
Don't overspend your money on expensive deposits when claiming offers with wagering requirements.
Remember that the frequency of your returns will determine the duration of your gaming session. So, the more winnings you achieve, the longer you play.
The best way to make it happen is by spreading your bankroll on low volatile slots.
Remember that they cash out more frequently, but the return is small, so clearing your WR could take a while.
Tip 5. Check the contribution percentage
Some games contribute more to wagering requirements. This is determined entirely by the casino.
While slots or Keno usually contribute 100%, you will come across different rules for baccarat which is 25%, craps, and roulette are 20%, blackjack is 10%, video poker is 5%, and so on.
Another great trick to keep up your sleeve before joining a site or even accepting a welcome bonus is to learn how to calculate wagering requirements.
Luckily, you don't need any advanced mathematical knowledge to do it. Just follow a relatively simple formula, and you're good to go. It goes like this:
Bonus Amount x Wagering Requirement = Total Bet
If the deposit is $30 and you receive a match-up bonus of $30 with wagering requirements at 40x, the formula would be $30 x 40 = $1,200.
Note that things change if you claim the so-called 'sticky bonus.' These types of offers require your straight deposit also to be included in the wagering requirements:
(Straight Deposit + Bonus Amount) x Wagering Requirement = Total Bet
With numbers, the formula would look like this: ($20 + $20) x 40 = $1600.
Although the mandatory rollover requirements are not always a tough grind, sometimes it is better not to play them. There are plenty of casinos with low or no wagering on the market, hosting bonuses with zero playthrough requirements.
Their offers are often referred to as "no wager," "without wagering," or "wager free," meaning that you get to keep whatever you win straight away.
There are no tricks or hidden terms; you play, and if you make any wins, they are yours.
Players often think that huge casino welcome offers with wagering requirements are a lucrative chance to earn a quick buck, but as you will see, that is not the case.
There are several types of no wagering casino bonuses, but mostly, you will come across free spins, no deposit, cashback, free chips or cash, and so on.
Here are 7 benefits of playing at no wagering casinos:
- Once you make a deposit, everything you win is yours.
- No need to worry about how much a specific game contributes to the wagering requirement.
- You get to keep all winnings from the bonus without playing it through
- Better gaming experience due to full access to any casino game with the bonus
- No risk of losing anything if you claim a wager-free no deposit bonus
- Straight deposits are not subject to wagering either.
- The withdrawal is easy as there is no tracking of how much wagering you have left.
Since they are not easy to find nowadays, we've made a list of recommended no wagering casino bonuses to help you stay on track. To avoid favoritism, check out the list and choose what's best for you.
Conclusion
Now that you know your way around wagering requirements and fully grasp their importance for a successful online gambling experience, make sure you make the most of your money.
Before joining a gaming site and claiming their bonuses, calculate the wagering requirements. If you have to wager 10 times or more, explore, compare, and figure out an effective way to use your cash.
Tip
Avoid canceling the bonus because all your effort and money will be forfeited.
Also, always go through the terms and conditions to better understand wagering requirements or any other restrictions that may apply.
Choose games with lower volatility to make your bonus funds last longer, or go big with high volatility slots to get closer to completing the wager. Then, you can switch back to low volatility and make steady progress toward clearing your rollover.
Finally, if you're not into tilting at windmills and want a straightforward iGaming experience, choose no wagering casinos and go with the flow.
Once you deposit, what you win is yours to keep.
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